2024-17 Newsletter - Term 4 Week 5
Principal's Report
Over the past number of weeks, we are thrilled to have welcomed the new students and families who will be joining St. Joseph's Kindergarten class in 2025. This period is always a special time, filled with excitement and anticipation as we begin forming connections that will support each child’s journey through their early school years.
Today’s parent meeting was a resounding success, with high attendance and active engagement from families. It was wonderful to see so many parents eager to be involved in their children’s education. The positive energy and commitment to our school community were truly inspiring.
During orientation, students had the opportunity to explore their new surroundings, meet some of our dedicated staff, and engage in activities designed to ease their transition to school. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were delightful, and it was clear that each of them is ready to embark on this new adventure.
At St. Joseph’s, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for our students. Our staff is committed to ensuring a welcoming and supportive start for each child as they join our school community. We look forward to fostering each student's love of learning and growth as we prepare for a wonderful year ahead.I
In our recent principal’s meeting, we were privileged to welcome Susan McLean, a nationally recognised expert on cyber safety and child protection. Her insights are invaluable in helping us understand how to protect our children in today’s digital environment.
For those interested, Susan’s book, “Sexts, Texts & Selfies”, provides an accessible guide to online safety, covering everything from social media and gaming to cyberbullying and privacy. It’s an excellent resource for parents, carers, and educators looking to deepen their understanding of the online risks young people face and how to manage them.
Additionally, Susan’s website offers practical advice and resources that can be revisited as children’s digital habits evolve. I highly recommend these materials as they provide both foundational knowledge and actionable steps to keep our children safe online.
I strongly encourage all families to remain proactive about online safety. Together, with consistent guidance from both home and school, we can help our students navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.
Next week ,Year Two students, Hazel, Claire and Charlie, will receiving the Sacrament of First Reconciliation and Nash will be receiving the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. I invite the wider school community to join us at 9am to support these students as they continue on their spiritual journeys. The Mass will begin at 9am (which is time change) and will be organised by K/1/2.
In Faith & truth
Simone Taylor
Reflection - Forgiveness
In our Catholic faith, forgiveness lies at the heart of our relationship with God and one another. It is a powerful act of love and compassion that invites us to heal, grow, and deepen our understanding of mercy. Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is not only a gift we receive but also one we are called to offer generously to others.
Forgiveness can be challenging, especially when we feel hurt or wronged. Yet, it reminds us of the boundless mercy God shows us each day. By forgiving others, we let go of resentment and allow peace to fill our hearts. It frees us from the weight of anger and opens us to grace and understanding. In our school community, forgiveness fosters unity, kindness, and the chance to start anew.
As Jesus reminds us, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).
Pope Francis also beautifully reflects on forgiveness, saying, "Forgiveness is the most visible sign of the Father’s love, which Jesus sought to reveal by his entire life."
May we strive to show compassion and patience in our relationships, praying for the courage to forgive as God forgives us. Together, we build a community rooted in love, respect, and peace.
Remembrance Day 2024
On Remembrance Day, our senior students gathered alongside students from Portland Central, the Portland RSL Sub-branch, and other community organisations and individuals to honour the memory of those who served and sacrificed in times of conflict. This special day—observed on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month—serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and resilience of those who fought for our freedoms. Our students showed their respect for history, for our veterans, and for the enduring legacy they have left us. Thank you to our Year Six Leaders who assisted with readings throughout the Service. To conclude the Service, the students were invited to join with community members for morning tea.
“Lest We Forget”
Woolworths Landcare Grant
What's Happening ..... in K/1/2
In Religious Education we are learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are helping Hazel, Charlie and Claire prepare for making this on the 20th November after Mass.
On Friday afternoons the children participate in STEAM activities. STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, enhances children's learning by fostering creativity and critical thinking. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to explore concepts through hands-on projects and problem-solving activities, making learning more engaging and relevant. By integrating the arts into traditional STEM subjects, children develop a well-rounded skill set, enhancing their ability to innovate and collaborate. Additionally, STEAM promotes a growth mindset, allowing children to embrace challenges and learn from failures, ultimately preparing them for future careers in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
During our STEAM afternoons on Friday the children are busy creating a fort / machine from large cardboard boxes. It has been lovely to watch the class work as a team while doing this. We have had ‘engineers’, ‘safety officers’, ‘security managers’, ‘artists and designers’ and ‘ventilation teams’ all working together to create a fun afternoon on Fridays with plenty of learning taking place.
Over the next few weeks the class will be completing some assessment tasks to monitor growth and to help staff program and plan for 2025. Please ensure your child is getting the recommended amount of sleep, which is typically between 10 to 11 hours per night. Adequate sleep is crucial for their physical growth, cognitive development and emotional well-being. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help ensure they get the necessary rest for optional health and learning.
What's Happening ..... in 3/4
Students in 3/4 have been looking at chance and data for our mathematics lessons this week. This has included putting items into a bag and discussing the chance of certain items being pulled out and collecting data through surveys and putting results into graphs.
To finish our chance lesson on Monday, students played a game where we discussed the chance of rolling certain numbers on a 6-sided dice. With 6 sides of different numbers, we quickly figured out there is an even chance of rolling a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. For our game, students rolled the dice to try and get our magic number which was 6. If they rolled a 6, they had to jump up, go to one of our tables and start picking up lollies using chop sticks to add to their cup whilst the rest of the group continued around the circle, trying to roll a 6. As soon as someone else rolled a 6, the picking up of lollies stopped and they had to quickly swap places. This was a lot of fun and for many students as soon as they had the chop sticks in their hands someone had already rolled another 6! So, it was back to the floor to try again.
What's Happening ..... in 5/6
SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECTS 2024
Our Year 5/6 Class recently were involved in a meaningful project for the Portland, Lithgow, and Wallerawang Social Justice Group, centred on the theme "Truth, Trust, and Peace." This theme invited students to reflect on the importance of honesty, reliability, and harmony in both personal and broader social contexts. Each student considered what these values mean to them as individuals, exploring how they can contribute to a more just and understanding world.
To express their thoughts, the students created visually engaging and professional posters, using Canva software to bring their ideas to life. The finished projects were incredibly polished and showed an impressive connection to the theme, demonstrating both creativity and a strong grasp of digital design. Congratulations Year 5/6 on the outstanding work completed and your thoughtful approach to such an important social justice topic. These new skills in Canva and thematic understanding will no doubt benefit them in future projects and presentations.
Social Justice Projects 2024
Diocesan Summer Sports Trials
We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the students, Lori and Blair ( Year 5) who attended the Diocesan Summer Sports Trials in Dubbo this week for touch football. Representing our school at this level is a significant achievement and requires skill, dedication, and commitment.
These students demonstrated great talent and sportsmanship, showcasing their abilities and enthusiasm for their sport. We are proud of their hard work and determination, and we celebrate their accomplishments.
Sport is a powerful way to bring students together in a spirit of camaraderie and respect. Our students embraced the chance to connect with others who share their passion for Touch Football.
Well done —you’ve made St. Joseph's proud!
Wellbeing Update
Lithgow Buslines - Transport Connected Bus
Information regarding the implementation of the Transport Connected Bus (TCB) Program by Lithgow Buslines was recently distributed to our families via Compass. If your child travels to school by bus, please familiarise yourself with the below information.
Additionally, please be advised that applications for 2025 School Travel Passes through the School Student Transport Scheme are now open.