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- Message from the Principal
- Catholic Identity and Mission in Our School
- Joey's PJ/Jersey Day
- Learning & Teaching in Our School
- Book Week Parade
- Tell Them From Me School Survey
- Student Awards
- Sporting News
- News from the Enviro Team
- The Wellbeing Team
- Enrol Now for the Kindergarten Class of 2023
- School Terms & Pupil Free Days for 2022
- Canteen News!
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
- How to Purchase your child's School Uniform
- Applying for a Bus Pass & Bus Safety
- BILLBOARD
Term 3 has started at a pace, already moving into Week 3. Our children are happy and learning is occurring every day.
As we enter a new term, please be mindful of informing us of any diagnosis or change in family or medical conditions for your child. This helps us better understand individual needs and allows our records to remain current and accurate.
Uniform
A reminder that it is my expectation that all students wear full school uniform every day. I know that the cold weather is continuing at the moment, however, there is sufficient winter uniform options to ensure our children stay warm. Sports Uniform is only permitted to be worn on sports and PE practical days. Can we please ensure that students are wearing either full sports uniform or full academic uniform, not a mixture of both.
A reminder as well about our hair policy;
Hair accessories should be a plain design, small in size and in black, blue or white.
Hairstyle is a matter that invites good taste and judgement as to appropriateness. The School has particular expectations in regards to hairstyles, which are to be adhered to, and parents are asked to ensure that their child’s hairstyle conforms to the following;
- Hair should be neatly groomed and maintained at all times;
- Extremes in hairstyles are unacceptable
- Dramatic layered effect of levels are not permitted
- Hair should not be overly styled by the use of hair products
- Hair is not to be tinted or coloured in any colour. Natural hair colour only.
- Long hair must be kept neat and off the face. Long strands such as ‘rat’s tails’ are unacceptable as are dread locks, spikes, mow hawks, mullets and shaved patterning.
The Principal has the final say as to the appropriateness of a hairstyle.
Around the Grounds
Although our ground work has slowed up since this time last year, we did have things going on over the Winter School Break. We had a storage shed installed in order to take much of the sporting equipment and excess chairs from the Hall. This will remove a lot of clutter from the Hall space. We are still trying to clean up a lot of drainage, especially from the new grassed area behind the Church. As such, plumbers have installed drainage pipe and reinstalled current drainage to hopefully pick up more water from the School grounds. Finally, the Main building, which incorporates the Admin block, has all its lighting replaced, while new breaker switches were installed across the whole school.
I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
GOSPEL REFLECTION
What does success look like?
This Sunday, we read from the book of Ecclesiastes. The main point of this passage is this: after a long life of hard and skilled labour, people must leave their property ‘to another who has not laboured over it’ (Eccl 2:21). In the Gospel, Jesus illustrates this point with a parable. The rich man stores his harvest (his ‘nest egg’) to provide for his future. But sudden death robs him of his future and God tauntingly asks, ‘... the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ (Luke 12:20).
While both readings consider the storing up of wealth for the future to be pointless, they do so for different reasons. The Book of Ecclesiastes presents itself as the learned reflections of wise King Solomon. As a youth ‘Solomon’ sets out to discover what brings happiness to people in their brief life under the sun. He systematically examines many different pursuits thought to bring happiness but dismisses each of them: equally useless are fame, wisdom, pleasure, great accomplishments, wealth, and hard work. He concludes the best one can hope for is to enjoy the life that is given now: ‘Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because it is now that God favours your works.’ For ‘Solomon’, the accumulation of wealth, like all human pursuits, is ultimately pointless for everything ends in death (there was as yet no belief in an afterlife).
Jesus also discounts the accumulation of wealth but for a different reason. The rich man thinks that riches will guarantee his future. But Jesus teaches that one’s life is not made secure by possessions (Luke 12:15). It’s not that possessions are not valuable. Rather, there is something more valuable: life. As the parable makes clear, life is God’s to give and to take away. It is best, then, to value what is most precious: life with God who alone secures our future.” (summarised Reflection from Peter Gormly)
Nothing is more practical than finding God, falling in love in a quite absolute way… (Fr Pedro Arrupe)
Prayer
Father, may our faith be stronger,
may our hope be blessed and may
our love for you and others grow every day
Amen.
Sourced from: https://www.vinnies.org.au/icms_docs/331712_Spiritual_Reflection_Guide_May_2022.pdf
Catholic Identity and Mission in Our School
WITH MRS ERIN MCGOVERN
NAIDOC WEEK
Last week, as a school community, we also celebrated NAIDOC Week. On Friday we held our first NAIDOC Mass which was led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students taking part in the Mass readings, offertory, and entrance processions. We acknowledged Country and celebrated the rich culture of our First Nations people through prayer, song and worship.
As a united St Joseph’s School community we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians who have walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of the First Nations Peoples to this Country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation. We respect elders past, present and emerging and commit to supporting our Indigenous students on their pathways.
This year's theme for NAIDOC week was Get Up Stand Up Show Up. In classes throughout the week students engaged in activities that built upon our deepening awareness of culture, art, storytelling and tradition. We thank Miss Rachael Laing, our Indigenous Education Worker, who shared some great resources with our students on local Dunghutti language and Stories.
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES
On Sunday July 17th, our All Saints Catholic Church celebrated its centenary year. It was a fabulous celebration attended by many. Below are sentiments shared by Fr James on the importance and significance of this once in a lifetime event.
Taken from Macleay Valley Catholic Parish Bulletin 17th July ~ “This past week a friend of mine asked me why a community would be celebrating 100 years of a building used for prayer and worship. They were curious as to why it was so important for not only Catholics but the entire community. My initial response was that it was an important opportunity for each person, couple and family to take time to reflect on why this sacred building is so special to them. Because for so many it is more than just bricks and mortar. It is an oasis of grace, a place of prayer and worship, the home for the community of faith, and a place where so many life-changing moments have occurred. Whether the celebration of the Baptism of a new born baby, the wedding of a couple deeply in love, or the grief of a funeral where a loved one is prayed for and farewelled; the church holds a special place in the hearts of so many people. I then shared with my friend the thoughts of a parishioner who recently said to me that what was so special about our church was that at any time of the day or night they could come and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. Here they experienced profound peace. Here before the real presence of Jesus they were able to feel the tender embrace of their beloved. Here they felt connected not only with God and all the angels and saints, but with all their family both alive and deceased.
So this weekend we celebrate how the church has been an important part of the faith journey of so many people. Whether a person has lived here all their life, whether they come here regularly, or whether they have just been passing through – this church has been a place for nourishing the faith of so many people. No matter how big or small, no matter how strong or weak, no matter all the various circumstances that may be present in one’s life – we celebrate how the church has been part of the faith of each and every person who have come in contact with this church. From here their lives are changed for the better, perhaps sometimes in ways they haven’t realised or could ever have imagined. From here each of us goes forth to share that faith by being people of love, living gospels in our families and our communities. And the fact this has been happening for 100 years is definitely worth celebrating.”
Click here to view the Parish Bulletin that contained many great photos of the celebration.
Learning & Teaching in Our School
WITH MRS KRYSTAL BRADY
Welcome to Semester 2 - Term 3. We are building another wonderful term of learning with many extra curricular activities taking place this term.
Please note the following dates into your calendars.
- 2nd August - Lower Primary Sports Carnival
- 4th August - Kindergarten celebrate 101 days of being in Kindergarten
- 19th August - PJ/Jersey Day (St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal)
- 24th August @ 10am - Book Week Parade
- 2nd September - Father's Day Breakfast
- 15th September - Joey’s Presents a School Spectacular & Art Exhibition
Semester One Reports
Just a reminder that Semester One reports were published digitally on Compass in Week 10 of Term 2. If you are having any trouble accessing your child/ren’s Semester One report, please contact the school office.
If you would like to discuss your child/ren’s report please contact the Classroom Teacher via email or phone the School Office to set up an appointment either in person or via phone.
Art Attack
This year we were lucky enough to secure an Arts Grant through the Catholic Schools Office. This grant has been used to engage a local artist, Sarah Hill, to work with the students to produce master pieces for our Exhibition during our School Spectacular evening.
Kindergarten students have been inspired by the Artist and Designer Laura Blythman, to produce prints to build collage works. They loved the messiness of using ink in shaving cream to produce some of the most amazing patterns. Year One have been inspired by our surrounding beaches, and are producing textile art through embroidery. Year Two have been getting messy with paper mache to create an underwater garden sculpture.
Thank you to Mrs Alarna Garthon for her hard work in preparing the Grant and developing the idea with Sarah to give our students such a wonderful opportunity! Stay tuned for more art updates this term.
Classroom News
Year 4 recently completed their creative History homework projects, "A study of an Early Explorer".
This week, it was such a pleasure to see students in 4H working collaboratively to help each other to understand written subtraction strategies.
Tell Them From Me School Survey
This term 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 shortly.
Term 3 - Weeks 1 & 2
Awards will be presented at our School Assembly on
Monday 1st August at 9.00am.
(together with Weeks 9 & 10 from Term 2)
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 |
Mack Harman | Azariah Akee | Jack Sproule |
KHonour |
Hudson Woods | Abigail Watson | Xavier Giddy |
1Truth |
Veronica Button | Maya Browne | Ryda Carroll |
1Honour |
Eve Hegerty | Archer Tulk | Chase Cudlin |
2Truth |
Liam Reynolds | Levi Males | Macie Jones |
3Truth |
Ann Susan Sam | Hallie Edwards | Nirvik Koirala |
3Honour |
Emily Scott | Chelsea Mainey | Grace Harman |
4Truth |
Lilly Campbell | Drew Edwards | Ruby Rogan |
4Honour |
Ruby Sinclair | Bella Morrison | Finley O'Donnell |
5Truth |
Isabelle-Lee Rayward | Sophie Woods | Connor McIntrye |
5Honour |
Sienna Rooney | Charli Delforce | Layla Hayes |
6Truth |
Nell Westerman | Taj Webber | Grace Brett |
6Honour |
Dylan Micallef | Cameron Borger | Chelsea Bollard |
WITH MR MICHAEL WATTS
This Term started off in a hurry with a Year 5/6 Team travelling to Coffs Harbour last Wednesday to compete in the Independent and Catholic Schools Rugby League Competiton against teams from along the North Coast.
Overall the boys did well playing in the wet conditions. First game was lost by a try, ball control being a problem. Game two we were soundly beaten by the eventual winners and game three showed some good form winning this game easily. Congratulations to all who took part.
Thank you to parents for your support and to Mr Owens for coaching the Team and driving the bus and to Mrs Pilbeam for supervision.
KINDER, YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2 SPORT
Lower Primary students are playing 4 v 4 soccer for sport and finally enjoying a dry oval.
ZONE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
St Joseph's Kempsey excelled at the Zone Athletics held yesterday at Port Macquarie. Across the park from running events to field events we had many placegetters and PB's. Well done to all athletes. Thank you to our teachers and TA's who supported all children. Those who are eligible for Diocesan Trials will receive information soon.
Senior Boy Champion - Oliver Tamblyn
11yr Boy Champion - Hamish Davies
Senior Girl Champion - Lakyah Bell
Overall School Pointscore: St Joseph's Kempsey = 2nd.
LOWER PRIMARY SPORTS CARNIVAL
A reminder that our K-2 Carnival will be held on Tuesday, 2nd August.
SCHOOL TREE DAY
Today, Friday 29th July is School Tree Day. The theme of National Tree Day this year is Connection. For many, the events of recent years divided us from one another, but we hope everyone young and old will find relief by connecting with nature.
St Josephs is a collection point for oral care waste such as old toothbrushes and empty toothpaste containers. Each year between 24 February - 31 October we send away our recycling to earn Garden Points. The more units of oral care waste recycled and the more votes per school, the better our chance of winning.
Wonder White Bread Bag Competition
The official collection date for this year's program is the end of Term 3. We have sent 1 box away and would like to fill the other 4 by the deadline.
10c Recyclable Bottles and Cans
This is an ongoing program that will run all year. Please bring in any full orange bags with your child's name to go into the draw each term. Extra bags are available from the canteen/ Sustainability area.
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.
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