Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back for the 2024 School Year!

While is has been a slightly disrupted start, students and staff are back into it and are settling in for a busy term.  We have some new faces in our school this year and I am sure you will make our new staff and families feel very welcome.

As always we are in for a busy year.  Our newsletters are an important tool in keeping our parents and carers informed.  They will be isssued in weeks 3, 6 and 9 of each term.  Please take time to read through them to ensure you don't miss out on important events.

Additional Pupil Free Day in 2024

Townsville Catholic Education Office has approved an additional professional development day in 2024.  The date will be Friday 26th April, 2024 and will be a pupil free day. This day follows on from the ANZAC day public holiday on Thursday 25th April. The reason for granting this additional professional development day is to provide the time and opportunity for all teachers to prepare for the implementation of V9.0 of the Australian Curriculum at the commencement of 2025. This planning day will focus on supporting teachers to have a deep understanding of the changes to content and assessment from the current Australian Curriculum to the newly revised curriculum.  There is much planning already occurring in all schools to ensure all teachers are well placed to provide rich learning experiences for their students.  This additional professional development day (pupil free day) will only occur in 2024.

Dogs on School Grounds

Permission for animals to be onsite must be approved by the Principal.
Dogs are not to be brought onto school grounds at any time without permission by the Principal.They must not be tied up around the main entrances to the school grounds where children may have to walk past them due to safety concerns.

Certified Assistance and/or Therapy Dogs are the exception.

2024 Initiatives

As discussed at our Parent/ Carer information night this week please find below the key some initiatives we will be continuing to develop throughout the year.  While the school will continue to work in other areas, the list below outlines our major goals for 2024.  These goals were identified as part of our School Validation that took place in 2023. We look forward to working with you on these initiatives throughout the year.

School Uniform Review

This year we will undertake a school uniform review.  The school has been planning a review and now that our new school logo has been finalised we can move forward with this project.

Later this term I will be seeking some volunteers to help for a review committee.  The purpose of the committee will be to gather information from our school community, reflect on the data and provide options moving forward.  We will work with The School Locker throughout the process.

The timeline for this process is yet to be finalised, however when uniforms change there is a phase in/ phase out period when new and old uniforms styles cross over. The existing uniform - regardless of any changes made in the future - will still have currency for some time to come.  

Finally, just a quick thank you for a calm and positive beginning to the year. I am looking forward to another great year at Joeys.

Have a great week.

Tim

The Season of Lent

The beginning of our Lenten journey for another year begins on Wednesday, 14th February with Ash Wednesday. Our school with gather for school liturgy led by our new Year 6 Faith and Service groups with teachers distributing the ashes to the students in their classrooms after the liturgy.

Parents and families are welcome to join us on Wednesday at 8:45am for our Ash Wednesday liturgy. 

Jesus told us not to babble on with our prayers as did the Pharisees in His time, but to pray sincerely to God in our hearts. He told us not to make a fuss when giving money or goods or to seek public acknowledgement but to be unseen, except by God.

As for fasting: we are told not to make declarations about what we do, nor to look gloomy about, otherwise we are doing it simply for acclaim from others. It is a sobering thought to realize that if we ‘give up’ things such as watching TV, sweets, etc, we are ‘giving up’ things that most people in the world have never had at all. So what are the things that are really meaningful to us: our time, given fully to assist other people in need; our pride, through an act of long overdue reconciliation with another person; some finance, earmarked for an unnecessary luxury item but now given to an aid organization that provides basic food items to the dispossessed?

So we asked the question; how will I, this coming Lent, renew my Christian commitment and express through my life, Christ’s message of love, care, and forgiveness?

Lord, your life never focussed on the accumulation But rather the giving of Yourself to people of less advantage. Help me to move from my comfort zone this Lent And be giving of myself in Your name.

Amen 

Project Compassion

This week also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Our 2024 school captains will attend the Townsville Project Compassion Launch on Tuesday at St Clare's Catholic School.

'Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Please give generously to Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations.

With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education and disaster risk reduction programs.

Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow.

You can donate through the Project Compassion donation boxes which will be sent home with your child on Wednesday.  

Project Compassion Site - February 2024

St Joseph's Catholic Church's 2024 Sacramental Program will begin at the end of March. The parish office is currently accepting enrolments. 

The program will be suitable for all baptised children in Year 3 or older.  The Children will celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Dates for the program are detailed in the flyer below. 

If you wish to enrol your child or to know more information about the 2024 program, please contact Joanne (Parish Secretary) at the Parish Office ph-4721 3765  or via email at stjoeys@tsv.catholic.org.au

Hope all stay safe and well, 

Trina

Joey's Empowered by Leading Reading Experts

Joey's educators and school officers recently underwent cutting-edge training in the latest reading research, led by international experts Professor Pamela Snow and Professor Tanya Serry.

When our school initially planned this training, we expected a turnout of 100 attendees. However, as word spread about the calibre of our guest speakers, eight additional schools and state school representatives eagerly joined to hear from these esteemed "superstars" in the reading world.

With 200 educators in attendance, we examined the components of reading (The Simple View of Reading), how our brain learns (Cognitive Load Theory), and myths about reading. Joey's is very fortunate to have these two Professors providing the research and knowledge to guide our literacy program.

Mrs Neilson, Professor Pamela Snow, Professor Tanya Serry, Mrs Wallace 

Powering Forward with Writing - The Writing Revolution

Joey's has adopted an evidence-informed,  innovative writing instruction method called The Writing Revolution (TWR). Developed by Judith C. Hochman and Natalie Wexler, TWR is designed to significantly enhance students' writing skills across all subjects and grades.

TWR focuses on teaching students fundamental writing components: sentence construction, paragraph development, and essay organisation. By providing explicit instruction in grammar, syntax, and structure, TWR equips students with the tools to express themselves clearly and coherently. Students learn explicitly the difference between written structure and spoken language. This is often a massive hurdle for children when writing.

As we integrate TWR principles into our classrooms, we're witnessing transformative impacts on our students' writing abilities - yes in WEEK 3! Stay tuned for more updates on our journey with The Writing Revolution!

Year 2 Super Stars - expanding sentences 

Parent Information Evening 

Thank you to parents and carers who attended our Parent Information Evening on Wednesday. Please check your emails for information from your child's teacher regarding learning this year. If you have any feedback or suggestions to improve the evening, please let me know via my direct email below.

Naplan - Year 3 & Year 5

What is NAPLAN?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, and is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake.

It measures whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

When is NAPLAN?

The NAPLAN testing window begins in Week 8 of Term 1. Our school schedule is as follows. 

• Wednesday 13th March - Writing at 9 am
• Thursday 14th March - Reading at 9 am
• Monday 18th March - Conventions of Language at 9 am
• Tuesday 19th March - Numeracy at 9 am

Please advise your child's teacher if you do not wish your child to participate or if your child will be absent for the above dates. 

How can I help my child be ready for NAPLAN?

You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is part of the school program and to simply do their best. Our teachers are providing learning experiences to familiarise students with the online platform and format of tests to ensure students feel comfortable with the experience. The Public Demonstration Site has examples of the online format. Further information regarding NAPLAN can be found here. 

If you have any concerns about your child’s participation, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or via my direct email below.

Have a great week.

Julie Wallace

Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning

jwallace@sjnwtsv.catholic.edu.au

Friday 16th Feb - SJS Swimming Carnival and Wet Day Play

Years 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival Information 

Prep to Year 2 Swimming Carnival Information 

TUCKSHOP SWIMMING CARNIVAL SPECIAL MENU - SECOND BREAK ONLY

Our Joey's P and F will be selling tickets to win 2 seats to P!NK's concert on Friday, 22nd March. 

Tickets on sale each Wednesday and Friday before school 8-8:15am.

The winner announced Friday, 8th March.