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- Message from the Principal
- Tell Them From Me School Survey
- Student Awards
- First Holy Communion
- Kempsey Vocal & Instrumental Eisteddfod
- Sporting News
- News from the Enviro Team
- School Terms & Pupil Free Days for 2022
- What is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability?
- The Wellbeing Team
- Canteen News!
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- Enrol Now for the Kindergarten Class of 2023
- You are invited to celebrate the Centenary of the All Saints Catholic Church, Kempsey
- How to Purchase your child's School Uniform
- Applying for a Bus Pass & Bus Safety
- COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
- BILLBOARD
- Interested in becoming a Newsletter Sponsor?
Recently I spoke to all students about Respect. I described respect as the glue that holds together relationships with friends and family. Showing respect, says that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they’re different from you, or you don’t agree with them.
I discussed how receiving respect from others is important because it helps us feel safe and be able to express ourselves honestly to our friends. Being respected by other people, teaches us how to be respectful toward others, and helps build feelings of trust, safety, and happiness.
In today’s highly-strung and over active world, I feel it is important to remember the basics of being ‘good’, and what ‘good’ looks like. I would love it if you could continue this conversation at home with your child or children.
Assuming the weather holds out over the holiday break, some minor work will be occurring at school over the coming two weeks. We are doing some ground work to pick up some drainage problems which showed up in the heavy rains we had at the start of the year, and a new sports store will be installed to alleviate some excess equipment currently stored in the Hall.
Our Parish will be celebrating the Church’s 100 year birthday on the last Sunday of the holiday’s, 17th July at the 9:30am Mass. I encourage all our families to attend this once in a lifetime event.
For those of you heading off on a break, have a safe and fun time with your families. For those of you staying home, enjoy the beautiful environment that out fantastic valley has on offer.
As always, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning and growth, and I will see you again in Term 3, on Tuesday, 19th July.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
GOSPEL REFLECTION
A Lamp for My Path
Preparing a way for the Lord is one of the themes in Luke’s Gospel this week. Jesus appointed and sent out seventy two more disciples on a mission; to visit each place he intended to visit, and share his message of peace and to tell of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was aware that his work was not easy and mutual support and a sense of community was needed.
This is the only Gospel that recounts this missionary activity. Matthew, Mark and earlier in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus only sends out the twelve Apostles on this same mission. Luke’s version expands Jesus’ mission beyond the twelve tribes of Israel and has the message being sent out to all people, the seventy nations of the world as described in the book of Genesis.
It shows that the message of God’s Kingdom was for all, and was not just for the Jewish people. The Gospel also describes the challenges of discipleship. “Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves,” he told them. He detailed what they should do when they weren’t welcomed into a home or town, preparing them for rejection. He had them travelling light, relying on the goodness of others who would provide what was needed for the journey and hear their message of peace. As Jesus introduced his mission to them, he said to them, “The harvest is rich but the workers are few.” (Reflection by Greg Ryan) “
“We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, and spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.” Pope Francis
Prayer
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Jn 14:27
Amen
Sourced from: https://www.vinnies.org.au/icms_docs/325558_Spiritual_Reflection_Guide_May_2021.pdf
Tell Them From Me School Survey
During Term 3 we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The Surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.
We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Joseph's Primary School, Kempsey.
The Survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device and details on how to access the Survey will be sent home next term.
Term 2 - Weeks 9 & 10
Awards will be presented at our School Assembly on
Monday 1st August at 9.00am.
Parents Welcome!
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 |
Leah Barman | Brooklyn Duff | Scarlett Drew |
KHonour |
Fern Green | Jack Jones | Fletcher Smith |
1Truth |
Kara Miller | Tate Tuck | Peyton McConnell |
1Honour |
Wyatt Workman | Gus Meehan | Aurora Rylance |
2Truth |
Maddison Huxley | Chayse Clarke | Asher Van Hugten |
3Truth |
Manaia Pereira | Evie Brady | Claire Meehan |
3Honour |
Bailey Smidt | Leo Coade | Maddison Russell |
4Truth |
Ari Abigall | Hope Kenah | Peyton-Maree Moor |
4Honour |
Jordan Bradley | Ethan Shore | Lacey Drew |
5Truth |
Ivy Miller | Lily McConnell | Tom Prior |
5Honour |
Kieran Walsh | Hamish Osborne | Alastar O'Donnell |
6Truth |
Levi Williams | Sebastian Fraser | Oliver Gill |
6Honour |
Abbey Spokes | Sophie Smailes | Jordan Connors |
Kempsey Vocal & Instrumental Eisteddfod
Congratulations to all of our talented students who performed at the 2022 Eisteddfod this week. We are very proud of you all.
ELIZA PIGGIN
AMELIA REICHEL
3rd Place - 278 8 Years & Under Verse Solo Open Time Limit = From memory. Set Piece "Bushland Rainbow"
3rd & Sophia Highly Commended - 299 8 Years & Under Prose Reading Solo Open Time Limit = Set Piece from "Biscuits Day at the Farm" 3:00
3rd - 285 8 Years & Under Verse in Costume Solo Open Time Limit = From memory. Own choice 2:00
SOPHIA REICHEL
2nd - 284 6 Years & Under Age Nursery Rhyme in Costume Solo Open Time Limit From memory. Own choice
3rd Place - 277 6 Years & Under Verse Solo Open Time Limit = From memory. Set Piece "All of Me”
GEORGINA COLLINS
Speech & Drama
HC - 8U Verse from memory
1st Place - 8U Prose reading1st Place - 8U Verse in costume
1st Place - 10U Bible reading
88 Marks HC - 12U Junior Championship
3rd Place - Primary Monologue
2nd Place – Primary Public Speaking Solo
Music
HC – Open instrumental Small Group – Collombatti Clatterers -Violin
MATTHEW COLLINS
Speech & Drama
2nd Place – 12U Bible reading
3rd Place – 12U Prose
Music
1st Place – 12U Instrumental unaccompanied solo – Cello
1st Place – 12U accompanied solo – Clarinet
2nd Place – 12U Theme from TV film or stage– Clarinet
1st Place – 12U Jazz solo – Clarinet
2nd Place – Light entertainment solo – Cello
89 Marks VHC – 12U Junior Instrumental Championship - Clarinet
1st Place – Secondary Instrumental Group - Kempsey kids Strings Ensemble – Cello
1st Place – Open instrumental Duet
1st Place – Open instrumental & accompanist
HC – Open instrumental Small Group – Collombatti Clatterers - Cello
4th - Open instrumental Small Group -KDSB Intermediate Band – Cello
Award - 12U Most Promising local Instrumentalist
SCHOOL GROUPS
- INFANT ACTION SONG IN COSTUME GROUPS
1T = 1st Place
- PRIMARY ACTION SONG IN COSTUME GROUPS
Year 3 = 1st Place
- PRIMAY IMPROMPTU PLAY GROUP OPEN
1st Place = Year 6 Team (Sebastian Fraser, Portia Hilli, Pierson Kemp)2nd Place = Year 5 Team (Levi Williams, Chelsea Workman, Oliver Gill)
- PRIMARY DEBATING GROUP
1st Place = Year 6 Team (Sebastian Fraser, Adeline Crilley, Ruby McLeod)2nd Place = Year 5 Team(Layla Hayes, Brea Wade, Orla Kennedy)
- INFANTS CHORAL SPEAKING GROUP
1H = Highly Commended
2T = First Place
KH = 4th Place
KT = 3rd Place
- YEARS 3 & 4 CHORAL SPEAKING GROUP
1st Place = 3T
2nd Place = 3H
- YEARS 5 & 6 CHORAL SPEAKING GROUP
1st Place = 5T
2nd Place = 6H
Equal 4th Place = 5H & 6H
WITH MR MICHAEL WATTS
BASKETBALL
Last week two teams of Basketballers travelled to Port Macquarie for a friendly match against St Peter's Primary. St Peter's also had two teams which rotated in short games for about an hour. There was definitely some impressive plays during the Sessions. Congratulations Year 6 Basketballers on being the first basketball team to have played in interschool games and putting on a good show as well as good sportsmanship.
Looking ahead, in Term 4, we will be putting together some teams for a Gala Day in Port Macquarie.
SPORT IN TERM 3
A busy start to the Term in Week 1:-
-
Wednesday, 20th July - Independent & Catholic Schools Rugby League game in Coffs Harbour for our Senior Team (parents please pay & give consent via Compass - for those who have already paid/consented, new consent will need to be given for new date).
-
Thursday, 21st July - Lower Primary (K-2) Athletics Carnival
- Thursday, 28th July - Zone Athletics Carnival (Stage 3 Keep active in the holidays to stay fit, especially the distance runners.)
RUGBY UNION FINALS
Just a reminder to families involved in the Rugby Union Finals to be held in Sydney. Date is Tuesday 16th August, Transport will be private, Venue is St Joseph's Hunters Hill. More details next term as they become available.
KEMPSEY SHIRE COUNCIL LITTER POSTER COMPETITION
The following students were awarded prizes for the Kempsey Shire Council Litter Poster Competition. Winners received a gift voucher to Ten Pin Bowling and runner ups received reusable metal straws.
ENVIROBANK BOTTLE RECYCLING
Thank you to our families for bringing in bags of cans this term. We have recycvled 3636 cans and raised $342.60 so far to go towards our end of year Reward Day. We will be continuing this program next term.
If you require more bags send in a message and our Year 5 Enviro members will drop one off to your child’s class. Remember to let us know who has been a great bottle collector so that your name can go into the draw for a lucky draw. Term 2 Lucky Draw will be held at our next assembly on Monday 1st August.
WONDERWHITE BREAD BAG COLLECTION
Thankyou to all the families who have been sending in empty bread bags (any brand). We have until the 9th of September to fill 5 boxes @ 5kg each so spread the word and keep collecting.
Children and Unstructured Play
When we were younger, we were often told to go and play in the backyard and
entertain ourselves; as we have grown up, we have become more acutely involved in our child’s lives. We want to provide them with the best start we can and support them in their learning. One misconception when it comes to giving them the best start is that we have to schedule everything, when in fact, unstructured play (like those times we were told to go outside) is one of the most beneficial ways to help your child develop. While young children require more supervision, it doesn’t mean that we can’t encourage our children play outside and make up their own games.
As children, this was our down time – a time to relax and be creative. I wonder if children are still afforded these opportunities today? With an over scheduled calendar, smaller back yards, fewer opportunities to play with children in the neighbourhood, not to mention computers and gaming infiltrating our lives, there doesn’t seem to be much time left for unstructured, spontaneous, imaginative play. Some children seem to have a schedule packed full of structured events where they are taken from one activity to another. It is great to have a broad range of experiences and formalised activities, but at what cost.
As parents we want to give our children the very best start and we can often feel pressured to schedule everything, when in fact, unstructured play (like those times we were told to go outside by our mums, maybe because we needed to!) is one of the most beneficial ways to help our children develop.
Unstructured play means that it is improvised and child-led; it allows children the freedom to explore, create, experiment and discover new things in the world around them. Next time you feel the urge to book into yet another planned activity, and you know your child is already tired after a long day’s work and play, remember that allowing them to explore, discover and make-up play could be more beneficial than trying to squeeze in yet another activity. Unstructured play has many benefits such as creativity, problem solving, social skills, resilience building and emotional and language development. If you require more information about the benefits of unstructured play please click on the link below.
https://playworld.com/blog/why-downtime-crucial-childs-schedule/
https://www.childsplayelc.com.au/9-benefits-to-unstructured-play-for-young-children/
Headspace Mental Health Education Sessions for Parent/Carers & Community
Parents, Carers, and Community Members in NSW are invited to attend free mental health education sessions in Term 1. Click here for more information or to register.
For the cold mornings, before school (8.30-8.50am), grab a cup of Cadbury Hot Chocolate for $1.
Hot Chicken & Gravy Rolls & Hot Roast Beef & Gravy Rolls freshly made in the Canteen available to order from Compass Online ordering (please find under "Chicken"& "Roast" -) OR order over canteen counter
Don't forget to order online via the COMPASS APP prior to 8.45am.
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.
St 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
COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
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 LessSCHOOL HOLIDAY GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS
school holiday.
- Mon 4th & 11th July Ball Skills and Balance
- Tues 5th & 12th July Learn & Grow -Fine motor, play & social skills
- Wed 6th & 13th July Fun in the kitchen - Self-help skills, social skills & exploring tastes & textures
- Thurs 7th & 14th July Crafty Critters - Fine motor, language & cognitive skills and developing creativity & social skills