Week 8, Term 1 2024

Over the past two weeks we have celebrated the feast of our patron saint, Saint Joseph. We commenced the festivities with a shared lunch and an afternoon of swimming at the Kensington outdoor pool. We had many parent volunteers for the event to ensure a positive celebration for all. I would like to acknowledge and thank Simply Fresh Fruiterers at Erindale who donated watermelon for our St Joseph's Day lunch. This week we had a whole school Mass led by Father Chirs at the Norwood Parish our Year 3 students were presented with their new Bibles and the Year 6 students with their leadership badges. We finished off the celebrations with classes having the opportunity to work with their buddies on a shared learning task.

Staffing

Jessica Williams is going on parenting leave next term. Veronica Issa will be replacing her as Performing Arts teacher until the end of the year.  Veronica is a very experienced teacher; she has moved here with her family and has her daughter attending at our school.

St Peters Fair

Once again, our school had a stall at the St Peters Fair which was held on Saturday 16 March at Linde Reserve in Stepney. This was an exceptional opportunity to effectively 'market’ our school. Thank you to our Parents and Friends Committee and our Year 6 leaders for their organisation and enormous support on the day.

NAPLAN

Over the past two weeks our Year 3 and 5 students undertook the NAPLAN testing. Our aim for NAPLAN is to support our students to achieve their very best and showcase the many concepts, skills, and capabilities they have formed over their initial years of schooling. Thank you to the leadership team and teachers for their guidance of their students during the assessment.

NUMERACY – WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS FOR 2024

Throughout this year our teaching staff will participate in intensive professional learning in Numeracy.  Working in conjunction with our coaches from the Catholic Education Office, our school leadership team, and leaders of learning. This whole school focus has a six-point plan.

1. Develop a whole school Numeracy agreement of practices.
2. Use of our student data to inform the planning of Numeracy improvement strategies, including the identification of key areas to address.
3. Planning for High Quality Teaching and Learning of Mathematics using Curriculum Mapping aligned to version 9 of the Australian Curriculum and Numeracy progressions.
4. Unpacking the key teaching approaches and practices for teaching Mathematics effectively.
5. Developing the Assessment practices we are using in Mathematics.
6. Planning for Case Management; including identification of students requiring support and extension.

Gardening Club

This week we launched the new school 'Gardening Club', led by University of South Australia Social Work students Olivia and Grace. They have initiated this initiative to encourage teamwork, friendships, responsibility and social justice.

The group planted lavender (Lavandula), spring onions (Allium fistulolsum) and strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa). The group discussed the botanical names of the plants and whether they were native to Australia or not. The students who chose to participate in Gardening Club have been tasked with keeping the plants alive and healthy.

Extension opportunities

This year we have decided to provide the G.A.T.E.Ways program each term for a group of students from Year 2. This is an opportunity for them to connect and broaden their critical thinking and problem-solving skills with students from a range of different nearby Catholic schools. In addition Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield has been providing extension questions for all students to deepen their learning with challenges that help children extend their knowledge, skills and thinking.

Uniform

Last week our Year 6 students were delighted to receive their leadership jumpers. The students had the opportunity to collectively work on constructing the design with their Year 6 teacher, Mr Heaney.

NCCD

Currently teachers are putting in a lot of work in the background collecting information for the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). In our school nearly 100 students are included in this process.

The NCCD is a collection that counts:

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992.

Funding from the Australian Government for students with disabilities is based on the NCCD through the student with disability loading.

Students who are counted in the top three levels of the NCCD (extensive, substantial, and supplementary) attract the loading. Funding is based on a per-student amount at each of the three levels of additional support. The amount of the load reflects the level of support students with disabilities need to participate fully in school, with higher funding for those who need higher levels of support.

An adjustment is an action to help a student with a disability take part in education on the same basis as other students.

The school assesses the needs of each student with a disability. The school provides adjustments in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians, and caregivers.

Schools must make reasonable adjustments if needed. The Disability Standards for Education 2005 define ‘reasonable adjustment’ as an adjustment that balances the interests of all parties affected.

Schools identify which students will be counted in the NCCD. They base their decisions on the following:

• adjustments provided for the student (after consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians, and caregivers)
• the school team’s observations and professional judgments
• any medical or other professional diagnoses
• other relevant information.

School Principals must ensure that the information for the NCCD is accurate.

Holy Week 2024

During this week, many emotions are experienced by Jesus and his friends. On Palm Sunday he is welcomed into Jerusalem as a King.  People are shouting Hosanna and spreading out palms over the ground.  Jesus, is their King. 

While Jesus is with his friends at the home of Simon the leper an unnamed woman anoints Jesus with a perfumed ointment much to the dismay and horror of his disciples.  What a waste, the money for the oil could be used to help the poor and she does this!  Only Jesus says that what this woman does will be remembered long after his death.  The anointing of Kings was a special part of the burial process and somehow this woman recognises how special Jesus is.

On Holy Thursday the feast of Passover is celebrated and Jesus wants to share this special meal with his friends.  A room is prepared and Jesus along with his disciples celebrate the Passover feast.  Although this is a special time, Jesus knows that something will happen.  It will be the last time he shares a meal with those who love him.  During the meal, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet as an act of love and service.  He also speaks of betrayal and denial over the coming hours. 

Following the feast, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives where he prays.  Those who follow, are too weak to stay awake and much to Jesus’ dismay they fall asleep.  It is during this time that Judas appears with a crowd following.  He plants a kiss on Jesus’ cheek, betraying him and subsequently he is arrested.  Jesus is led away and taken to face the council of high priests, chief priests, elders and scribes.

Jesus is a threat to the council of priests and something needs to be done.  They want him gone and are looking for evidence that they could use.  There doesn’t seem to be much they could use but eventually the high priest asked if Jesus was the Son of the Blessed One to which he replies ‘if you say so.’  It is at this point that Jesus is taken to the Roman named Pilate.  Jesus does not respond to any of the accusations that are brought against Him and this surprises Pilate.  He has the power to release Jesus but it seems that he doesn’t want this.

During Passover, the tradition is to release a prisoner but the Chief Priests have sealed Jesus’ fate as they have primed the crowd to call out for Barrabas and not Jesus.  Pilate releases Barrabas and after Jesus is flogged, he hands him over for crucifixion.

On Good Friday Jesus is forced to carry the cross on which he is to be crucified.  He is tired, beaten and struggles on the journey.  During his final journey he encounters people jeering him as well as those who are saddened by what is going on.  Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help Jesus carry his cross.  When they arrive at the place where Jesus is to be crucified, he is nailed to the cross and made fun of.  Jesus calls out to His Father and then, he dies.

After he dies, Joseph of Arimathea a council member, asks to bury Jesus’ body as the Sabbath is quickly approaching and then nothing can be done for Jesus.  Once Pilate has received word that indeed Jesus is dead, he allows Joseph to take the body.  Having received permission, Joseph along with some followers wrap Jesus’ body in linen cloth and lay it in the tomb.  A stone is then rolled against the door of the tomb so that no one can enter the tomb and take Jesus’ body.

As we prepare for Holy Week and Easter we reflect on the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus’ love for human kind was such that he was prepared to give His life for us. 

During Holy Week, we spend time in reflection of the events that led to the Crucifixion of Jesus. 

Next week, we will reflect on some of the events of Holy Week and then when we return the following week, Easter as well. Please see the times below and join us.

Tuesday 2 April, 9:30am @ William Street in the PAS led by Year 6

St Joseph’s Day Thanks

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the P&F Team, Parents and Caregivers who helped us celebrate St Joseph’s Day this year. Without your support, we would not have been able to provide these activities for the students.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

How quickly has the first term passed! Term 1 is the longest term with 11 weeks, but always seems to fly by so quickly, at the end of Week 8 already.  St Joseph's Day was an amazing success, it wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible volunteers, BBQ, serving, walking with the children or supervising at the pool; every part contributes to the successful day, and we truly appreciate all of you who offered your time to help.  Thank you to Adam, Grace and the teachers for organising and facilitating the St Joseph’s Celebration over two separate days, there is a lot of preparation that goes into this day, which it is appreciated and enjoyed a great deal by the children.

A special mention to Simply Fresh Fruiterers at Erindale who generously donated delicious watermelon, enjoyed by all.  As a community school we always encourage our families to support those businesses that generously donate to our school.

A reminder for P&F coming events Term 1.

On behalf of P&F Committee wishing you a relaxing and smooth remainder of the term.

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 1

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.

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.

Term 2

• Week 1 - Monday 29 April 2024 R-6
• Week 10 - Friday 5 July 2024 Preschool-6 (Whole School Pupil Free Day)

Term 3

• Week 1 - Monday 22 July 2024  R-6

Term 4

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