Week 4, Term 4 2024

It is hard to believe that we’re at the start of November and in the final term of the 2024 school year. It has certainly been a busy year full of learning, fun and great experiences and term 4 has been no exception. There are many exciting events looming to round out the school year, such as the school ‘Nativity’ musical, Year 6 graduation mass and dinner celebrations, carols night, Children’s University graduation, the G.A.T.Eways program hosted at our school, Norwood Christmas Pageant, swimming week, the Year 2-6 music and sports assembly, and preschool graduation, to name a few.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP FORUM WITH PREMIER PETER MALANAUSKAS

Last week, a group of our students attended a student leadership forum with Premier Peter Malinauskas hosted at Mercedes College. The students had an opportunity to ask the Premier questions about topics of leadership, improvement and innovation.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

This week over 30 students represented our school in the South Australian Catholic Primary Schools Sports Association Athletics Carnival held at Santos Stadium. Our school came in 2nd overall; our Year 5 boys were section champions and Lucius won age champion. Thank you to Mr Dacombe-Bird for organising this successful event, and well done everyone for representing the school so positively.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS

As you will read below in the Parents and Friends newsletter, the team held a Bunnings sausage sizzle last Sunday. On behalf of our school community, I wanted to share my gratitude to Vikki and Isabella and the team of volunteers for their work to organise, cook and serve on the day to help our community.

TRAFFIC REMINDERS

Recently, our school community has observed an increase in cars that are undertaking U-turns on William Street near and through the road crossing. As safety is paramount in our school community, it is a timely reminder to families to read the Keeping Kids Safe on Roads Near Schools document constructed by the City of Norwood, Payneham and St. Peters:

https://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/directory_documents/215_keep_kids_safe_brochure

YEAR 5 & 6 SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES

Last Friday, as part of their fundraising efforts for Catholic Mission for Socktober, the Year 5 students created a range of activities for younger students to partake in and enjoy with their homemade soccer balls. The class has currently raised over $727 for their charitable cause, which is an outstanding effort.

YEAR 5 & 6 AFL MAX LEADERSHIP EXCURSION

Last Friday, our Year 5 & 6 students travelled to AFL Max to undertake a leadership excursion day by participating in a range of group and teamwork activities. The students enjoyed learning outside of the classroom and undertaking group dynamics opportunities. 

YEAR 3 & 4 MARY MACKILLOP COLLEGE NETBALL DAY

Last week our Year 3 & 4 girls were invited to Mary MacKillop College Kensington for a ‘Netball Fun Day.’ The students loved the opportunity to participate in a range of wonderful activities that focused on agility, movement skills and fitness.

RECEPTION & YEAR 1 BRIDGE STREET CRICKET PROGRAM

Ten of our Reception and Year 1 students have been undertaking a Friday afterschool Simply Sports "New Ball" cricket program. From reports, the students have enjoyed undertaking the activities within the program to develop their throwing, catching, fielding and batting skills.

LIVE, LEARN, LEAD PARENT / CAREGIVER SURVEY DATA

I wanted to share the parent and caregiver survey data collected in Term 3 for comparison over the past few years.

I can report we have increased the number of parents that complete the survey from 10 (2022) to 31 (2024), which provides a broader perspective on the data.

Overall, the data shows great improvement, resulting from the collective work and positive impact from everyone who works in our school, from teachers, leaders, ESOs, library, preschool educators, admin, and finance staff, to also recognise the work of our social work students.

In the past few years, Catholic Education (Identity) has bumped up positively from 4.84/6 to 5.18/6. This shows the positive perspective of the Catholic Education our school provides.

Learning and wellbeing in terms of perception of learning support from 4.26/6 to 5.05/6, enjoyment of school from 4.43/6 to 4.80/6, autonomy and independence from 4.25/6 to 4.54/6.

Resourcing regarding infrastructure has remained constant from 4.00/6 to 4.43/6.

Community has risen in the areas of welcoming school from 5.00/6 to 5.29/6, parent-school partnerships from 3.40/6 to 4.68/6 and safe school from 4.28/6 to 4.95/6.

This is data to be celebrated as a whole community with great pride:

FOCUS ON eSAFETY

As a school community, we have been deepening our focus on student electronic awareness and safety for optimal child protection. We are currently planning for increased opportunities for our students to undertake important learning in electronic and online safety and aim to have parent sessions next year to support families in this area.

The resource below provides detailed information to parents regarding various applications and games to increase awareness and safety for all online:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide

In addition, the advice sheets for parents, created by the eSafety commissioner are also great resources to help keep families safe online and on electronic devices regarding social media and gaming:

Thanks,

Adam Slater

Principal

On Sunday we hear in Mark’s gospel, Jesus praising the poor widow who drops her remaining two small coins in the collection basket of the temple which is different from the others who only put in their extra money (v.43).  The widow gives away everything that she has rather than give away what she did not need.  This small action of the widow invites us to think about ourselves and our neighbours.

We are called to be generous like the widow. Many of us can feel that we have little to give to a world that has so many problems. As he did with the widow, Jesus is telling us that what is most important to God is to give what we have with a generous heart.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal 

A reminder that during weeks 7 and 8, we will be supporting St Vincent de Paul and their annual Christmas Appeal. Donations of Christmas food items, Christmas wrapping paper or a small Christmas gift for a child aged 12 months to 12 years of age would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps, over the next few weeks, while you are out shopping, you might pop something into your trolley to support this initiative? 

It is coming to the end of our 2024 year already. How quickly the year has passed.

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

One of our last events for the year was the Bunning Sausages Sizzle fundraiser on Sunday. Thank you to all volunteers and visitors throughout the day who helped make the day a success. We raised over $900 to put towards enhancing our children’s education experiences at St Joseph’s.

End of year picnic – Sunday, 1 December

Save the date! Come and join us for the end of year picnic to celebrate all that was 2024. To be held on Sunday, 1 December at Kensington Gardens Reserve. Additional details to follow.

Planning Meeting for 2025

As the school year comes to an end we look towards planning events for 2025. If you would like to be involved in the P&F Committee in 2025 please email pandf@sjms.catholic.edu.au. We are holding a planning meeting to discuss events and potential dates for next year, all parents and caregivers welcome. Join us for the initial discussions and possible events for 2025, we would love to hear from the wider P&F community, any new suggestions and the events they would like to see returning next year. We are putting forward two dates and times to accommodate as many parent schedules as possible and will confirm the final meeting date once RSVPs have been received.

2025 P&F Event Pre-Planning Meeting – All welcome

Friday, 22 November @ 1.30pm  OR  Monday, 2 December @ 7pm

If you would like to attend please RSVP to pandf@sjms.catholic.edu.au by Wednesday, 20 November your preferred / available date.

Thank you from Children & Teachers

We received some wonderful notes of thanks from the Reception children who are enjoying the beginning of the decodable readers which were purchased with the assistance of P&F funds raised. We pass on this thanks to the whole community for volunteering where possible and supporting the fundraising events to make each event a success.

Enjoy your last weeks of the term and embrace the festive season.

We would like to inform you of the dates for Pupil Free Days (PFD) for this year. Please note that OSHC will be available for families that require this service on these days.

Term 4

• Week 1 - Monday 14 October 2024 R-6
• Week 9 -

All Assemblies will be held in the Performing Arts Studio at William St on Friday afternoons at 2pm.

Students from Bridge Street will walk across to William Street to participate in Assemblies, face to face.

Please remember to check the school calendar regularly for any updates.

St Joseph's Memorial School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold the following:

1. A current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events);
2. A current Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate (please click here to view how to complete this requirement);
3. Completed the volunteers application.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers at SJMS are free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available to download here or at either school office.

We ask that you present your completed form with verification ID to the front office, and we will submit the application on your behalf. You will then receive an email link to complete the process online. Once all cleared you will receive a Catholic Police Check ID card in the post, please bring this in to the front office and we will take a copy of your clearance.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through either school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at either office.

Thanking you
The SJMS Admin Team
info@sjms.catholic.edu.au

For more information on how Catholic Education SA provides a safe environment for all, please click here.

Summary of what is needed to volunteer at SJMS:
Valid Catholic Police Check
Responding to Abuse and Neglect Education and Care Volunteer Certificate
Completed application form

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