Week 8, Term 2 2023

BOOK FAIR

In Week 6 our whole school enjoyed the return of Scholastic Book Fair in the Performing Arts Space. Our school community would like to thank our school Librarian Mrs Moore, who led the event and helped raise over $1000 to purchase new books for our library.

YEAR 5/6 CAMP

This week our Year 5/6 students attended camp at Woodhouse. The staff and students enjoyed their time together learning in an environment outside of the school and classroom.

RECEPTION & YEAR 1 ROAD SAFETY LEARNING

The Reception and Year 1 children had a visit from Sally from RAA Smart School to share a session on road safety. Sally covered topics including car seat safety, different noises we might hear on the road and using the Stop, Look, Listen, Think strategy when crossing the road. Each child also got a ‘safety spot’ for their adult to use when they are getting out the car.

MID YEAR RECEPTION TRANSITION

It was delightful meeting new and old families at our Transition Class induction meeting recently. This week our new Mid-Year Reception cohort had their last transition visit with their teacher, Mrs Haddad. It was wonderful to see all students positively enjoying their time.

SCHOOL REPORTS

As you know, our Semester 1 reports are going to look a little different from what families have received in the past. Our method of delivery will also be different, as we will email the reports to both parents Monday 3 July (Week 10). The reports will be followed up by a chance to meet with your child’s teacher in Week 2 of Term 3.

WORK ON WHOLE SCHOOL HANDBOOKS & GUIDES

This year we have been working on constructing a range of handbooks and guides to represent the documentation of our practices in a range of areas. Currently, we are working on whole school documents being:

• Assessment & Report Guide
• Learning and Curriculum Handbook
• Inclusive Education Guide
• Literacy and Numeracy Shared Practices Guide
• SEQTA Implementation Guide
• Wellbeing policy

We envisage that next term we will have the guides and handbooks available via our website.

PUPIL FREE DAYS

This is a reminder for families that Friday 7 July (Week 10) THE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED and Monday 24 July (Week 1) will be pupil free days for R-6 students due to Staff Formation Days.  Preschool students ONLY will commence Monday 24 July (Week 1) Term 3.  OSHC bookings are available. 

STAFFING NEWS

I would like to congratulate our current OSHC Director Monique Signore on winning the position as Early Learning Educator at Loreto College, commencing Week 10 this term. We would like to sincerely thank Monique for her work in leading OSHC and Vacation Care this year and her positive impact on our community over recent years. We will be advertising the OSHC Director position and will keep you informed regarding Monique’s replacement.

Kindest regards,

Adam Slater

Principal

This week in Australia, we celebrate Refugee Week. Many of us cannot imagine having to leave our home, our country and escape to safety for fear of persecution and to have our basic human rights upheld. To leave behind your family, your home, its belongings and even precious family photos to embark on a perilous journey to find safety and freedom in a new land.

This is the reality for many families in Australia who have had this experience. Refugee Week gives us the opportunity to create a culture of welcome throughout Australia. The aim of the week is to create a deeper understanding within our communities and to support refugees to live in safety and make valuable contributions to Australia.

The theme of Refugee Week this year is: ‘Finding Freedom’. 

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Office of Justice Ecology and Peace invite you to an online prayer service to commemorate Refugee Week from June 18-24.  The prayer service will be broadcast live at 7pm AEST on Tuesday June 20. 

Please register now at https://bit.ly/RWPS23 

We are now less than 2 weeks away from Sports Day (Wednesday 5 July). The whole school has been working hard in PE to prepare for the upcoming tabloid events and track races on the day, including hurdle practice, rocket throws and sprint practices by class. By the end of Week 9, I will release the parent handbook with some more detailed information about the run of the day. If you are interested in taking part on the day in a volunteering role and have all the required checks could you please let me know via email by Friday 23 June. In the case of extreme wet weather on the day, we have also tentatively booked Thursday 6 July as a back up.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone on the day!

Mr Dacombe-Bird.

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.

• Friday 7 July 2023
• Monday 24 July 2023
• Monday 16 October 2023
• Thursday 14 December 2023
• Friday 15 December 2023

We are trialing a new Assembly format for the year.

In Term 1 to Term 3 we will have 3 Assemblies per term and in Term 4, 2 Assemblies. 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.

Term 2

19 May - Year 5G Assembly
9 June - Year 1B Assembly
30 June - Year 4B Assembly

Term 3
11 August - Preschool Assembly
1 September - Reception Assembly
22 September - Year 2/3B Assembly

Term 4
10 November - Year 2/3G Assembly
1 December - Mid-Year Reception Assembly

We will ask for help from our wonderful parents and caregivers to help walk the Bridge Street students across on these dates. Please look out for the form on Skoolbag, next week.

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

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

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