Filter Content
- Message from the Principal
- Catholic Identity and Mission in Our School
- Joey's PJ/Jersey Day
- Learning & Teaching in Our School
- Book Week Parade
- Student Awards
- SJ News
- 2022 Kempsey Dance Eisteddfod
- Sports News
- News from the Enviro Team
- Tell Them From Me Parent Survey
- Upcoming Events Term 3
- Inter-Schools Horse Extravaganza -Register Now!
- The Wellbeing Team
- Enrol Now for the Kindergarten Class of 2023
- Canteen News!
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
- School Terms & Pupil Free Days for 2022
- How to Purchase your child's School Uniform
- Applying for a Bus Pass & Bus Safety
- BILLBOARD
School Review
Late last term, St Joseph’s went through a three day School Review process, run by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL), and led by Assistant Director, Lee MacMaster, School Improvement and Performance.
The purpose of the Review across the Diocese is to ensure that all schools are in pursuit of sustained ongoing improvement, with high expectations of both students and teachers. The aim of the Review is to ensure improved learning and well-being outcomes for every student, through ownership, clarity, accountability and a shared vision for the future.
The Review uses the National School Improvement Tool to provide feedback on the assessments made against nine interrelated domains of effective school practice. This assessment was made by gathering evidence and consulting with the parents, students and staff of St Joseph’s, including the Parish Priest. The nine domains assessed are;
Domain 1 – An explicit improved agenda Domain 2 – Analysis and discussion of data Domain 3 – A culture that promotes learning Domain 4 – Use of school resources Domain 5 – An expert teaching team |
Domain 6 – curriculum delivery Domain 7 – Differentiated teaching and learning Domain 8 – Effective pedagogical practices Domain 9 - School and community partnerships |
At the conclusion of the Review, the School was presented with commendations, affirmations and recommendations to assist in future planning and to support school-wide improvement.
I am very proud to report, that St Joseph’s predominantly fell into the ‘high’ standard across all nine domains.
In summary, the School was commended for being a welcoming Christ-centred community, with a strong sense of pride and belonging. Our staff express a strong commitment to improving student learning and well-being, and our parents have confidence and trust in the leadership of the School, contributing to student learning, engagement and well-being.
I would like to thank our whole community for their ongoing support and faith in St Joseph’s Primary School.
Video Games Classification ratings
Parents, families and caregivers, it has been brought to my attention that some students are playing video games and reading literature which is well above primary school age classification. Several popular video games such as the ‘Grand Theft Auto’ franchise, has a classification ranging from MA15+ for medium level animated violence, Adult themes, strong drug use, sexual references, to R18+ for drug use, while ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ and ‘Poppy Playtime’ are rated M for horror themes.
I ask all parents, ‘do you know the games your children are playing and do you know their classifications?
An R-rated film may contain, adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, while, titles given an M rating may have content that includes, intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
Due to the interactive nature of computer games and the active repetitive involvement of the participant, computer games may have a higher impact than similarly themed depictions of the classifiable elements in film, and therefore greater potential for harm or detriment, particularly to minors.
Classifications
M - MATURE
Material classified M is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age.
MA 15+ - MATURE ACCOMPANIED
Material classified MA 15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category.
R 18+ - RESTRICTED
Material classified R 18+ is legally restricted to adults. Some material classified R 18+ may be offensive to sections of the adult community.
Please see the links below for more information;
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2012L01934
https://www.classification.gov.au/classification-ratings/what-do-ratings-mean
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ (although this is a U.S. site, it may give you a sense of the appropriateness of the title).
I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Division Not Unity.... The strong words of Jesus in this weeks Gospel about division among people are appropriate in many ways to our Church. At a time of contemporary views of doctrine, decline in Church attendance etc, it is more than ever necessary to stay firmly with the fundamentals of Christian life and belief.
Frederic Ozanam, Founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, managed to resolve for himself the conflicts and contrasts of the stormy and divided period in France during which most of his short life was lived. He wrote: “We are not blessed with two separate lives – one for seeking the truth and the other for putting it into
practice” (Letter to Charles Hommais 1852) and elsewhere in a letter to Dufieux, “Let us learn to stand up for our convictions without hating our adversaries and to love those who think differently from us.” Here, the call of Jesus transcends even the basic fundamentals of society, i.e. the family. For if one member of a family falls, then loyalty to Christ is still assured. Through these experiences, however, we find the true nature of responding in love.
“Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection.” (Heb 12: 2)
Prayer
He is the Truth. Seek Him in the Kingdom of Anxiety;
You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years. Amen
(W.H. Auden, Prayer for the Time Being)
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
The Internet and your Family - practical tips for what you can do
Often navigating the internet and social media with kids can feel like we only have two options; banning all internet, devices, phones, and social media accounts on one hand, and leaving your kids wide open to all the risks associated with the online world including cyberbullying, inappropriate sexual content, violent graphics, and simulated gambling products.
- Educate yourself - Be the go-to person for your children when it comes to advice about the internet.
- Model good online behaviour yourself - Put the phone down when your kids are talking to you or during dinner. How often do you check Facebook? The average is 17 times a day!
What you can do with your kids:
- Communicate with them. From the moment they start using the internet, use age-appropriate candid language that will ensure they are aware of the dangers. Don't be vague or generalise; use examples to get your point across. Teach them about what to do when bullied, what to do when inappropriate material comes up, what information to give out online, and where to get help.Reiterate that what they do on the internet is permanent and public.
- Monitor their internet use. There are many apps available that can inform you how much time they spend on the internet and what apps they are using.
- Get them to show you what they do. Many children are happy to share their knowledge, and this will give you an idea of what particular risks they are facing.
- Limit screen time. Being online and accessible all day leaves children open to many dangers.
On your devices:
- Check your settings. Make sure your internet filters are up to date, and your children don't know the passwords.
- Passwords. Don't use the same 4-digit password on all your devices and restrictions.
- What Parental Controls have you enabled? Check your Family Sharing and get to know your restrictions for Apple music, Spotify, Guided Access, personal hotspot, Bluetooth sharing within apps, location services, microphone access, and in-app purchases.
- As always, staying vigilant is imperative as your kids navigate their online world, knowing that many children try to find ways around the limitations imposed by adults, as they naturally take risks through their growing years.
August- The Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Catholic Church dedicates the month of August to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Immaculate Heart is often worshiped together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart represents Christ's love for mankind, the Immaculate Heart represents the desire of the Blessed Virgin to bring all people to her Son.
Notable dates for Catholics in August
8th - St Mary Mackillop of the Cross
22nd - The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Learning & Teaching in Our School
WITH MRS KRYSTAL BRADY
"At school today I had the wildest daydream..." Enter the Kempsey Library's Book Week competition by writing a short story or creating a piece of A4 art inspired by this prompt and go in the running to WIN some great prizes.
Pick up your entry form at your local Kempsey Shire Library branch or download it from our website. Click here to access the website.
Term 3 - Weeks 3 & 4
Awards will be presented at our School Assembly on
Monday 15th 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 |
Zavier Batterson | Alaynah Moor | Xavier Roache |
KHonour |
Sayler Sproule | Brock Simmons | Alisha Meeudnoon |
1Truth |
Francesca Tamblyn | Tahlia Seam | Brax McManus |
1Honour |
Mariano Abin | Hugh Atkinson | Libby Coade |
2Truth |
Bella Dallas-Morgan | Jessie Atkins | Anna Prasanth |
3Truth |
Saoirse Kennedy | Zaya Button | Vincent Thurlow |
3Honour |
Bryson Jones | Belinda Rudder | Charlette Matta |
4Truth |
Idabelle Tamblyn | Hunter Glass | Noah Coade |
4Honour |
Ella Orr | Olivia Rutledge | Adam Mickle |
5Truth |
Ivy Miller | Jagger Hudson | Peter Eller |
5Honour |
Xavier Berrigan | Peter Murray | Lily Vickers |
6Truth |
Anugraha Biju | Kingsley Liang | Pierson Kemp |
6Honour |
Hamish Davies | Eliza Piggin | Jayden Van Kal |
On the first Saturday of the July school holiday, our School Dance Troupes competed at the 2022 Kempsey Dance Eisteddfod. The students performed beautifully and we are so proud of them. Thank you to the parents and carers for the early morning start. Thank you to Mrs Nadeen Crowe for sewing all the skirts for the Yr 3-4 and Yr 5-6 Dance Groups. And a big thank you to all the staff who arrived early on the Saturday morning to assist with hair, make-up and supervision.
WITH MR MICHAEL WATTS
LOWER PRIMARY SPORTS CARNIVAL
DIOCESAN ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Well done to the 26 children that were selected to compete at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival held at Coffs Harbour on Wednesday. All can be proud of their efforts against the best athletes from Tweed Heads to Laurieton. Some placegetter results are as follows and these children will also represent the Diocese at the Polding Trials to be held in Newcastle on the 9th of September.
Oliver Tamblyn = 1st Snr Boy HJ, 3rd Long Jump
Hamish Davies = 3rd 11yrs 100m
Jordy Kirkman Dates = 1st 11 yrs Discus
Junior Boys Relay = 1st (Lachlan Betts, Astin McKay, Lleyton Kemp and
Noah Davies)
HEALTHY LUNCH BOX TIPS & RECIPES
Click here for a recipe to make Banana Pikelets
CURRENT RECYCLING COMPETITIONS
10c Recyclable Bottles and Cans
Congratulations to Brooke Collingwood who is our Term 2 winner for recycling bottle and cans. This program 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.
Wonder White Bread Bag Competition
Pictured is our Year 2 Enviro Team with our second box of bread bags to be sent away. Keep collecting the breadbags, we hope to collect 5 boxes in total before the end of this term.
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.
Tell Them From Me Parent Survey
Dear Parents/Carers,
As previously advised, students, teachers and parents are invited 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 are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:
http://tellthemfromme.com/joeys22
We appreciate you taking the time to complete the Survey.
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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