Week 6, Term 3 2024

Happy Week 6!

It's hard to believe we're already over halfway through another term.

BOOK WEEK

Last Wednesday's Book Week celebration was nothing short of sensational! The turnout was fantastic, with students enthusiastically participating and showcasing some truly outstanding costumes. In all my years of involvement in Book Week events, this one stands out as the best yet! Thank you to our school Librarian, Mrs Moore, who coordinated the parade, and to the SJMS students and staff for getting into the true spirit of the event.

As part of the Book Week festivities, we also had a visit from Cressida O’Hanlon MP, who donated books to our library and enjoyed reading a book to our Year 2 students.

FATHER’S DAY

This week our Parents and Friends committee hosted the school's annual Father's Day stall for students to purchase a range of gifts. The students had a great time at the stalls, and on behalf of the community, I would like to thank the parent volunteers for the organisation to successfully ensure the students had this opportunity.

This morning our Parents and Friends Committee also organised a Father's Day breakfast, with almost 100 tickets sold for the event. It was wonderful to see so many fathers, grandfathers and guardians attend and our school captains, Jack and Sienna, led a wonderful prayer and shared gratitude for the important roles fathers play.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL

This week our school choir, led by Mrs Radman, participated in a combined schools rehearsal in preparation for the Catholic Schools Music Festival. The festival will be held at the Adelaide Festival Centre and our choir will be performing on Wednesday night of week 10 this term. Tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss out on your chance to see this incredible group of singers and performers.

PLAYGROUP WITH MARTA

Every Friday morning Marta hosts Playgroup at Bridge Street. Children from birth until they commence school are invited to join in from 9:15am - 10:45am to participate in a range of activities. It is also a great opportunity for families and parents to connect prior to their children starting school.

ICAS COMPETITIONS

In the past two weeks, over 20 students in our school have been participating in an extension learning opportunity for students to undertake the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools assessments, which are supported by the University of Sydney. After completing the assessments on Digital Technologies, Writing, English, Science, Spelling and Mathematics, we will share the results at an assembly to commend the student involved.

PRIME MINISTER'S SPELLING BEE

This week students in our upper Primary classes have been participating in the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee competition for a chance to represent the school to compete with students from across the state.

FUN SOCKS DAY

A few weeks back, our incredible Parents & Friends committee organised the whole school ‘Fun Socks Day’ event for all the students to enjoy. Our wonderful parents also helped to organise and serve the tasty treats for the students.

SCHOOL SPORT

Recently I had the opportunity to watch the Year 2 Soccer team, who had their last game of the season on the weekend. It was wonderful to see the great teamwork and encouragement from each of the players as they achieved an outstanding 6-2 victory. I wanted to thank the team's coach, parent volunteer Marco, who was brilliant in leading the group in their positive development. The players were very grateful to receive medals at the end of the game.

WELL DONE MS BREARLEY!

Congratulations to our Year 5 teacher, Miss Brearley, who helped her team, the Blackwood Football Club, win the A grade premiership today! It was very special to see so many SJMS students and families provide their support.

YEAR 5/6 DEBATING

Congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 teams on their successful debates to complete their competition season. Last week, the Year 6 team won and Sienna was awarded speaker of the night. The Year 5 team presented clear overall arguments and Manning was awarded speaker of the night. Thank you to Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield for leading the teams this season.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

We appreciate students taking pride in wearing the school uniform and are also grateful for parents supporting their children to do the same. Please see our school uniform policy by clicking on the link below to view:

https://www.sjms.catholic.edu.au/__files/f/23313/SJMS_Uniform_Policy.pdf

SUN PROTECTION

As a Sun Smart school it is important to remind our community regarding our Sun Protection Policy. Please find attached the school Sun Protection Policy below:

https://www.sjms.catholic.edu.au/__files/f/23315/SJMS_Sun_Protection_Policy.pdf

COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF

This week, you would have received communication regarding the importance of staff wellbeing, along with updates to the Fair Work Act 2009 concerning employees' "right to disconnect." In line with these changes, our teachers will now respond to emails only during their working hours, which are from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Please also keep in mind that due to their busy classroom schedules, teachers may require up to 48 hours to respond to non-urgent communications. While their dedication to providing the best education for your children remains steadfast, immediate responses may not always be possible for non-urgent matters.

Thank you for your understanding and support on this matter.

CHILD SAFETY REMINDERS

Students and families are reminded to be wary of approaches from strangers, especially when they are unaccompanied or travelling to and from school. If they are approached students should not respond and should not accept offers of rides or gifts.

Students should seek the assistance of other nearby adults if they feel unsafe and should report the event to a trusted adult (parent or school staff member) as soon as possible.

SA Police advises that taking out a mobile phone and calling police can deter the offender and they recommend the student making a formal report to their closest police station.

For guidance on what to teach your child about strategies for saying safe, view this link:  SAPOL Personal Safety | Safety for Young People

Adam Slater

Principal

Happy Father’s Day

This Sunday we celebrate Father’s Day and it was lovely to see many fathers and grandfathers at our Father’s Day Mass on Tuesday. Our Gospel Reading on the day was the parable Jesus told us about ‘The Prodigal Father’. This is one of my favourite parables as it describes a parent’s unconditional love for their child.

The story tells us how the father forgives his son for the choices he has made and when he returns, he welcomes him home. The message for us is that God waits for us to realise when we have done wrong and ask for forgiveness. God loves us so much that God, doesn’t turn away from us, instead God with open arms, welcomes us back, no judgement.

Please see the link below to a YouTube clip on the Prodigal Son told by 2 actors from different perspectives. It is a beautiful way to hear and see this story being retold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WybxxP4DBbM

To all the Fathers, Grandfathers and other men, in the role of a father to children, I wish you all a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday and share the blessing prayer we prayed at our mass this week:

Donations for Lunch Time Clubs

The Social Work Students are looking for donations of leftover wool, knitting needles that are no longer being used and jigsaw puzzles for their lunch time clubs. If you are able to help, your donations will gladly be accepted.

Please send all donations in a bag labelled: For Social Work Students.

Thank you for your support.

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

Come see our Preschool in action, contact us for a tour or enrolment information.