Week 6, Term 4 2024

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of Term 4, we are working on a successful completion of the 2024 school year and planning for 2025. I would like to share my appreciation for our teaching staff for their dedication and hard work at this time of the year.

Currently we are finalising staffing, completing class lists for next year, and working very hard on each child’s Semester 2 Report.

REPORTS
As the same for Semester 1, your child/ren’s reports will be emailed home on Monday, 9^th of December (Week 9). If you have any changes to your email addresses, please make sure you update these with the front office. With the reports, we will also send out your child/ren’s class and teacher for 2025.

STAFF UPDATES

Next year we will welcome two new staff members to our community. Clare Willsmore, brings a wealth of pedagogical knowledge and impactful practice from Magill Primary and Amy Steven, who works in the Junior years at Trinity College and has rich experience in leading Literacy and Numeracy for effective improvement in a range of schools. I am extremely excited about the positive impact both educators will have in our community in 2025.

CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY GRADUATION

Last week, 23 of our students graduated from Children’s University at Adelaide University. I would like to congratulate each student who went above and beyond to extend their learning inside and outside of school to complete this program in 2024. Thank you to Mrs Caruso for leading the students to be successful to complete this initiative.

HOSTING THE G.A.T.EWAYS EXTENSION PROGRAM

Our school hosted the G.A.T.EWays ‘Mindblown’ extension program for our students and from nearby schools in the area. This year we have sent a total of 12 students from Years 2 and 4 to undertake the program. For the session this week, the early years group explored bugs and neuro pathways through robotics and the primary group explored spiders and game theory through a range of different explorations.

JAPANESE LEARNING

Recently, we have been celebrating the Japanese language program, which was established at St Joseph's Memorial in 1994 and has been taught in our school for 30 years. The different year levels have been involved in special activities, such as the Year 2 classes, which were able to make Onigiri, Japanese rice balls. We would like to acknowledge Mrs Radman who has ensured the success of the Japanese language being effectively taught in our school over so many years.

YEAR 2 BOOK SWAP FUNDRAISER

Last week, our Year 2 students hosted a ‘Book Swap’ charity fundraiser in our Performing Arts Studio. Students were able to donate books they had already read to others to reuse in a way to think and act more ecologically and sustainably friendly.

BRIDGE ST AFTERSCHOOL CRICKET PROGRAM

Our Bridge Street students have been enjoying participating in the weekly Friday afternoon cricket program offered by Simply Sports. The students have been learning about bowling, batting, and fielding. It has been wonderful to see the joy of each student as they play and learn about cricket with their friends.

MID-YEAR RECEPTION ASSEMBLY

Last week our newest class, Mid-Year Reception hosted an assembly in our Performing Arts Studio. It was wonderful to see the confidence of each student in the class to have the courage to speak in front of the whole school community.

END OF YEAR TESTING AND DATA COLLECTION
Currently, our learners across all cohorts are undertaking diagnostic assessments in DIBELS (phonics/reading), PAT R (reading), and PAT M (numeracy). This is part of our ongoing commitment to track student progress, development and growth. These results will be analysed by our classroom teachers and leadership, at an individual, class, and whole school level, to ascertain areas that show strengths and areas that require an increased focus for 2025. I have been extremely impressed with the growth of our students in PAT Reading and Mathematics assessment results in comparison to previous years and will be awarding certificates to students who have shown significant growth this year at our whole school assembly next Friday afternoon.

Student well-being is also collected each term, and it is important to remember that academic success and student well-being are closely linked, with each influencing and reinforcing the other. Elements such as self-esteem, persistence, motivation, resilience, and a growth mindset all contribute to students’ positive well-being and experiences at school.

CHESS CLUB

Our Social Work students have been leading a range of different lunchtime clubs across both campuses this year. Students have been enjoying participating in the Chess Club on Fridays during lunch.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

On Monday November 11th both campuses held a prayer service for Remembrance Day.

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

Our students have enjoyed participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge this year and were delighted to recieve their certificates and medals for their wonderful teachers. Thank you to our Librarian, Ms Moore for leading this opportunity for our all students.

UPCOMING EVENTS

We have so many wonderful community events to look forward to before the end of the year, including:

• Norwood Christmas Pageant (23/11)
• Bridge St Nativity Play Musical (25/11)
• William St Nativity Play Musical (26/11)
• P & F Picnic (1/12)
• School Carols (6/12)
• William St Music and Sports Assembly (6/12)
• Year 6 Graduation Mass and Dinner (10/12)
• Swimming week (Week 8)

I am looking forward to the wonderful finish to the year and am grateful to every family for your positive support of our school throughout the year.

Adam Slater

Principal

This Sunday (known as the Feast of Christ the King) completes the annual cycle that began on the first Sunday of Advent last year. The liturgical year ends with a celebration of the cosmic significance of Christ.

The Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of right relationships, when we are in the right relationship with our Father in heaven, and in right relationship with our neighbours.

In Biblical times kings were not known for their gentleness and concern; but they were to be obeyed. Christ points to a different understanding of kingship, yet with the same obedience. The Christian insight is that if we want to get the most out of life then obedience to God is the way.

Jesus rules our hearts and knows us intimately, like the shepherd who calls his sheep by name. Accordingly, we will not escape scrutiny for our actions by simply ‘hiding in the flock. Under the loving gaze of the good shepherd, responding compassionately to the neediest—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger—is what truly matters

God’s commandment is that we love one another, as he has loved us, that the world may know we are his disciples.

The Servant King / Servant–leadership: These are the twin roles of a minister, and indeed of all Christians. We lead in such a way that we serve, and we serve in such a way that we lead. Christ the King came among us as one who serves, he has set us an example.

Advent

Next Sunday, the new Liturgical Year commences with the Season of Advent. This is a special time when we prepare ourselves for the most holy of seasons, Christmas. A tradition during Advent is the lighting of the Advent Wreath. Please check out the link below to find information to make your own Advent Wreath as a Family along with a prayer for your family to pray.

https://www.caritas.org.au/media/urrefies/advent-wreath-guide.pdf

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

In weeks 7 and 8 we will be supporting the ‘Vinnies’ Christmas Appeal. St Vincent de Paul support many families within our community throughout the year and Christmas especially is also a challenging time.

During weeks 7 and 8 we are inviting families to donate something for the Christmas Hampers that will be delivered by Vinnies during this time. Donations will be received in the classrooms until Thursday 5 December.

Please refer to the attached poster with suggestions for donations. Alternatively, you may wish to donate a gift for a child aged 12 months to 12 years of age.

We thank you in advance for your generosity and support of the great work of the SVDP Society.

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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