Filter Content
- Message from the Principal
- Catholic Identity and Mission in Our School
- Learning & Teaching in Our School
- Student Awards
- Sporting News
- News from the Enviro Team
- COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
- Kempsey Show 2022
- Enrol Now for the Kindergarten Class of 2023
- You are invited to...
- The Wellbeing Team
- iHUB News
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- School Canteen - Order your Child's Lunch via COMPASS APP
- How to Purchase your child's School Uniform
- School Terms & Pupil Free Days for 2022
- Applying for a Bus Pass & Bus Safety
- BILLBOARD
While Term 2 is now well underway, it was once again great to see our students return to school last week. Faces were full of smiles and many students ran into school to see their friends and teachers. How lucky am I to work in such a rewarding environment.
Over the break, we had many things happening in the School Yard. We had both the Maintenance Shed and Lower Primary Toilets completed. Several other plumbing projects occurred in order to water proof the Playgrounds so that students can be outside during lunch on wet days.
We have much to celebrate in the upcoming weeks, all of which will make the term fly by. It was great to see the turn out from both Catholic schools at the ANZAC Day march in town and at South West Rocks. We acknowledged Mother’s Day with Mass today, presenting our beautiful mothers with flowers.
Our Kindergarten 2023 enrolments are now open. Now is the time to enrol to avoid disappointment as our numbers are looking very healthy already, so please talk about us in the community and tell your friends, family and neighbours how St Joseph’s Drives Excellence in the Macleay.
Finally, I remind all families about our uniform expectations. As the weather begins to get colder, we usually see a few non uniform items beginning to creep in. Other items such as scrunchies and hair accessories, jewellery, including dangly ear rings, non uniform hats, jumpers and shoes. All student’s not wearing the correct uniform must have note explaining why and when the issue will be rectified. Uniform infringement notes will be sent home if incorrect uniform continues.
As always, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning and growth.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Belonging and Listening
John’s Gospel this week opens with “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice.” When Pope Francis first began his papacy he called on the world’s priests and religious to bring the healing power of God’s grace to everyone in need, to stay close to the marginalised and to be “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.” At this Chrism Mass in 2013 the Pope went on to express that; “God anointed his servants, so they would be there for others, serving the poor, prisoners, the sick, for those who are sorrowing and alone,” and he spoke of the sacramental oils as “not intended just to make us fragrant, much less to be kept in a jar, for then it would become rancid and the heart bitter.”
In this homily, he continues to urge priests to not grow weary of people’s requests and needs, no matter how “inconvenient … purely material or downright banal,” such appeals may seem. Priests need to look deeper at what’s driving the encounter: the person’s underlying hope and desire for the divine.” The Pope closed this homily with “the power of grace comes alive and flourishes to the extent that we, in faith, go out and give ourselves and the Gospel to others, giving what little ointment we have to those who have nothing, nothing at all.” In many ways this gospel asks us, personally and as Vincentians, to the dialogue expressed by Pope Francis. Through the waters of our Baptism, we need to replace the word priest with Vincentians.
All my life I have followed the poetry of love in preference to the poetry of anger. I will not change now (Frederic Ozanam)
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
May we be faithful witness to your justice and your love
living in the service of our sisters and brothers.
Amen
Sourced from: https://www.vinnies.org.au/icms_docs/331712_Spiritual_Reflection_Guide_May_2022.pdf
Read LessCatholic Identity and Mission in Our School
WITH MRS ERIN MCGOVERN
MOTHER'S DAY MASS
Today, we celebrated a beautiful Mother's Day Mass with our special loved ones. Thank you to Fr James for a lovely Mass and to all the Mums, Grandmothers and special loved ones who came along. Happy Mother's Day!
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Catholic Schools Week is an important time of the year where we celebrate the role played by Catholic Schools, especially our own school, in enabling students to experience community, care and compassion.
It is a time when we acknowledge and give thanks for the exceptional teaching and learning that takes place in our school each day, and all of those people who make Catholic Education possible.
PRAYER
Dear God, You call all of us to care and compassion. We thank you for the community we belong to in our Catholic school and for the gift of all those committed to Catholic Education in our schools.
We pray that you help us all to make the most of those opportunities presented to us to share our gifts and to treat others with kindness.
Bless the students, families and staff of our school – past, present and future – as they live out your mission. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Learning & Teaching in Our School
WITH MRS KRYSTAL BRADY
Welcome back to Term 2! What a wonderful start we’ve had. The students and staff have returned to school with such enthusiasm for learning.
NAPLAN - Year 3 and 5
Commencing next Tuesday 10th May 2022 our Year 3 and 5 students will commence the NAPLAN assessments.
YEARS 3 & 5 |
||||
WEEK 3 |
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
9:15am |
Writing |
Reading |
Conventions of Language |
Numeracy |
The NAPLAN window is between Tuesday 10th May to Friday 20th May. The NAPLAN assessments are built into the week to ensure learning still occurs around the timetabled assessment. If your child is absent from school during the tests, we will aim to catch them up before the NAPLAN window closes. Please ensure your child is at school on time on the days of NAPLAN to ensure they are feeling comfortable and confident when sitting the Assessments. Just a reminder to check your child has working headphones as all NAPLAN assessments are based online with computers except for the Year 3 Writing test.
YEAR 2 HISTORY EXCURSION
Extra Learning Opportunities
This term, we are commencing a range of learning opportunities to boost Literacy and Numeracy Learning across the school. Your child may participate in extra small group sessions that focus directly on phonics, reading, spelling and Numeracy skills. These sessions will build upon the skills being taught in the classroom. If you would like any further information please contact your child’s teacher.
Year 4 Science
This week in Year 4 have been making solar pizza ovens.
Please note that Student Awards for Week 9 & 10, Term 1, will be handed out at our School Assembly on Monday 9th May at 9am, together with the Awards below. Parents Welcome.
STUDENT AWARDS FOR WEEKS 1 & 2, TERM 2
CLASS |
MARY MACKILLOP AWARD Recognises Catholic attitude, behaviours & helping those in need |
ST JOSEPH Recognises positive actions witnessed within our school community |
CATHERINE McAULEY Recognises a growth mindset & effort in learning |
KTruth |
Brooklyn Duff | Peyton Watts | Leah Barman |
KHonour |
Tex Duncan | Fern Green | Brock Simmons |
1Truth |
Tahlia Seam | Ryda Carroll | Tyler Quinn |
1Honour |
Ayva Battle | Indiana Watson | Cohen Davies |
2Truth |
Benji Browne | Abella Raffaele | Layla Fraser |
3Truth |
Saoirse Kennedy | Nevaeh Lewthwaite | Ann-Theresa Biju |
3Honour |
Grace Harman | Emily Scott | Leo Coade |
4Truth |
Peyton-Maree Moor | Caleb Fairhall | Indy Hawtin |
4Honour |
Molly Grace | Noah Davies | William Clarke |
5Truth |
Mya Browne | Connor McIntyre | Isabelle-Lee Rayward |
5Honour |
Addison Norton | Jordy Kirkman Dates | Xavier Berrigan |
6Truth |
Taj Webber | Portia Hili | Oliver Gill |
6Honour |
Mitchell Clarke | Rory McManus | Lakyah Bell |
WITH MR MICHAEL WATTS
SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Thank you to all children for their cooperation and participation as we completed Cross Country events in between wet weather periods. Results as follows:-
Kindergarten | Fletcher Smith | Alanah Moor |
Year 1 | Cohen Davies | Francesca Tamblyn |
Year 2 | Benji Browne | Jazmin Crilley |
8/9 Year Olds | Vincent Thurlow | Hallie Edwards |
10 Year Olds | Noah Davies | Peyton-Maree Moor |
11 Year Olds | Addison Norton | Layla Hayes |
12 Year Olds | Oliver Tamblyn | Chesea Bollard |
ZONE CROSS COUNTRY
The Zone Cross Country has been postponed until Wednesday, 18th May in Bowraville.
POLDING WINTER SPORT TRIALS
Lakyah Bell and Alastar O'Donnell travelled to Bathurst last week for Polding Netball and Rugby League Trials. Neither made the next step but they are definitely better off for the experience. Well done both of you. Unfortunately, Ruby McLeod couldn't particpate due to a netball injury.
NETBALL CLINIC
A reminder that for 5 - 8 year olds who are new to Netball there will be a 12 week program of skills and modified games starting 7th May at 10.30am. Cost $120 and Active Kid Vouchers can be used.
Details below.
Envirobank Recycling Project
We are excited to be part of the Envirobank Recycling Project. This project works closely with our school, teaching students about sustainability through the container deposit scheme. This raises awareness of recycling and helps us raise money to fund our end of year reward day.
JOIN IN:
- Each family will receive an Envirobank orange bag
- Collect empty 10c eligible bottles (removing lids)
- Once bag is full, return to school and go in the draw to win prizes each term
- Your family will receive a new bag on return and are encouraged to continue to collect and help us raise awareness about sustainability
If you would like extra bags for extended family members, please let us know.
Happy Recycling!
** If you already participate in bottle recycling as a family, please return your empty orange bag.
Read Less
COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
Next Friday, 13th May, Greg Dwyer, from the Catholic Schools Office will be available in the School Foyer to answer any parent questions in relation to COMPASS. Pop in if you need a little assistance with navigating COMPASS.
To learn more about the COMPASS Platform please click here
About the Compass Platform
The Compass platform is a web-based system that is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome & Safari) or by using the Compass School Manager iOS or Android App. Every parent receives a separate login to Compass which we will provide to you tonight after 5pm.
At the start of term 2, you have the ability to;
- Receive notifications about school events, news and information
- Enter an explanation for absences
- Communicate with your child’s teachers,
- Update your family contact details (mobile phone & email)
- View your child’s timetable and the school calendar
- Download and view your child’s academic reports
- Book parent-teacher conferences (parent/teacher interviews)
- Pay and provide digital consent for events (No more permission slips)
- Order lunches from the Canteen
- Pay school fees
We are asking that all families become connected to Compass as soon as possible. Support will be offered for those parents who require help. You will need to ensure a high level of security around your Compass app, as you would your personal banking apps.
For any assistance email the school at kmpp@lism.catholic.edu.au.
Read LessWelcome to iHUB News.
Have a little spare time? We need your help to cover our new library books and home readers. Contact us on 65 62 5501 if you can help.
Do you have any overdue Library books at home? We are in the process of carrying out a stocktake in the Library, so if you have any unreturned books at home please send them into school next term. Thank you.
Joey's Makerspace is looking for donations of items such as: tissue boxes, paper towel tubes, old CD's, any cardboard, string, paper cups etc.
Any donations can be brought to the School Office. Thank you.
Read LessSt Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
Joey’s welcomes students from Kindergarten to Year 6 from all schools in the Macleay Valley and surrounding areas. We provide high quality Before School, After School and Vacation Programs.
Joey’s is located in two dedicated classrooms on our St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Campus. The Program is headed by a qualified teacher and is supported by dedicated and experienced staff who plan and manage programs that offer both fun and educational activities.
The Before and After School Care may cost as little as $3 per day after the child care subsidy and Vacation programs as little as $8 per day. You can make both casual and permanent bookings.
To find out more and to explore the enrolment process visit our website at https://www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au/out-of-school-hours-care
School Canteen - Order your Child's Lunch via COMPASS APP
Lunch orders will now be placed under the COMPASS CANTEEN. For instructions on how to use this new system please click here.
If you currently have money on your Flexischools Wallet and do not have a child at St Paul's College you will need to arrange a refund. Click here for instructions.
Please note, on Page 7 it covers how to add funds to the parent & student wallets - it should be made very clear that parents should ONLY add funds to their own wallets, as students do not have the ability to do their own orders through Compass.
If by accident parents add the funds to the student wallet, a request to Compass to transfer the funds back would have to be made. It is preferred that parents not use wallet funds for Canteen wherever possible, and just pay using your attached credit card at check out.
Also, all refunds/cancellations are refunded back to the parent wallet, NOT to their credit card. It is in the Compass terms of service that this is the process, so it should be made clear as a reminder for the parents.
Don't forget to order online via the COMPASS APP prior to 8.45am.