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IMPORTANT DATES
Interschool Athletics Carnival - Tuesday 6th August
Instrumental Concerts - 6th, 7th & 8th August
Science Week - 12th-16th August
Mercy Awards Ceremony (8.45am in the Hall) - Monday 12th August
Japanese Speaking Competition - (selected students) - Thurs 15th August
National Day Against Bullying - Friday 16th August
IRONMAN Event along the Strand - Friday 16th August
Book Week Activities - 19th-23rd August
Year 1 Fire Officers Visit - Friday 23rd August
Townsville School Blast Cup & Netball Challenge - Friday 23rd August
BOOK WEEK PARADE - 8:45am - Monday 26th August
P&F Father's Day Stall - Wednesday 28th August
Year 6 Festival of Sport - Thursday 29th August
STUDENT FREE DAY - Friday 30th August
School Officer Appreciation & Child Protection Week - Monday, 2nd September to Friday, 6th September
Father's Day Liturgy & Breakfast - Monday 2nd September from 8am
Reader's Cup State Finals (Brisbane) - Thursday 5th September
Mercy Awards Assembly - Monday 9th September - 8.45am in the Hall
Eisteddfod Week - 9th - 13th September
Parent Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 10th & Wed 11th September
Ugly Bug Ball - Thursday 12th September - 8.45am in the Hall
Last day of Term - Friday 13th September - 2.50pm finish
SCHOOL FEES DUE 9TH AUGUST
Dear Parents and Carers
After a brief hiatus and some timely feedback the newsletter returns this week with some minor changes. While classes provided a weekly overview and emails communicate important events, I received feedback that not having the newsletter had left a gap in our communication with parents and carers. In reviewing how effective our newsletter was as a tool, the metrics indicated that it wasn't being utilised by families as much as it had previously. Obviously, a significant amount of time is invested in producing the newsletter so we want it to be a useful tool in keeping our families engaged and informed.
The feedback I received was very valuable in highlighting the gap that not having our newsletter had left. I am grateful for this and for being able to make changes that meet the needs of our community.
Over the coming semester the newsletter will be published in weeks 3,6 and 9. (this week being the exception) This mirrors our Mercy awards assemblies. It will continue at this point to contain material from myself, Trina and Julie pertaining to Religious Education, Catholic Identity, curriculum and school renewal and developments. This will be in addition calendar dates, Mercy award recipients, event wrap-ups and P&F news.
Towards the end of the year, we will invite feedback from you as to the content and viability of the newsletter for the 2025 school year. In the interim, I hope you take some time to read through the newsletter and enjoy some of the many things that have been taking place in our school.
Over the last few weeks, I have been involved in many discussions over technology. Most of these have centred around the negative impacts of excessive screen time, the pitfalls of social media and how gaming has changed how children use or interpret language.
The link below is to a video that discusses some of the implications of excessive screen time and is part of a series that may prove helpful to you as parents and carers. It is about 14 minutes long but does contain some good information regarding screen time.
This resource came from our TCE Guidance Team and I am grateful for their support. I hope you find it useful.
Have a great week.
Tim
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Feast Day
Each year on the 8th of August Australians are called to celebrate the feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's beloved first saint and patron saint of our Townsville Catholic Diocese.
On this day, we celebrate the important role she played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families.
St Mary MacKillop's impact on Australian education was remarkable. She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go. For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future.
On Thursday, Joey's students will participate in Christian Meditation throughout the day reflecting upon Mary's inspirational messages. Students will meditate using the large walking labyrinth.
Sacramental Program 2024
This Sunday marks the last day of preparation for Joey's students to make their Sacraments of Initiation.
These students have been preparing over the past few months and will make their First Holy Communion on Sunday, 18th August. Our blessings and prayers over the coming days.
Hope all have a wonderful few weeks,
Trina
Late to school
We understand that families will occasionally arrive late to school; however, regular late arrivals have an ongoing impact on student learning. The mornings are peak learning times for our students, and with students frequently late to school, they are missing valuable learning opportunities and can be a distraction to other learners or learning activities.
It is important that students are at school on time to support their learning.
Our warning bell is at 8:25 a.m., and all students are expected to be in class at 8:30 a.m. ready to begin the day.
Please remember that all students arriving late to school must attend the office with their parents/carers to collect a late slip to provide to their class teacher. This is necessary to ensure the safety of all students.
National Science Week (12-16th August)
With National Science Week on the horizon, Year 3 students led the charge by attending the World Science Festival at the Townsville Museum. Watch the highlights here: 7 News
Science Week (12th -16th Aug) is coming up at Joey's, and to celebrate this amazing week, we will be holding 'Young Scientists'.
Students have been advised about this opportunity to present an experiment to the school on Thursday, August 15th. If your child would like to take part, please ask him/her to speak/email with me by Monday, August 5th. He/she will need to be able to explain the scientific information behind the experiment.
Please note, space is limited and once a child has nominated an experiment we try not to double up on experiments.
Teacher Training
Our Inclusive Practices Team was fortunate to receive training from Katie Novak, a world-renowned educator who is leading the charge in using inclusive practices to support all students. Ms Novak provided us with support to guide our current development of Multi-tiered Systems of Support in our school.
The impact of cognitive load on working memory was raised. Did you know the ideal number of choices to provide for a child is between 2 and 4?
Mrs Partlett (Inclusive Practices Teacher), Mrs Sadler (Inclusive Practices Teacher), Katie Novak, Mrs Wallace
Office Freeway of Learning
This week, our office became a freeway of learning. Students in Year 2 showcased their complex sentences, students in Prep demonstrated their skills in decoding, and Year 5 wrote stories that would be assumed to have been written by published authors. Sharing the excitement with students about their learning is the best part of each day!
Have a lovely weekend.
Julie Wallace
Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning
Student Free Day - 30th August
STUDENT FREE DAY
30th August 2024
Teachers and Staff will be engaging in Professional Development
Please contact After School Care for bookings.
Love |
Yebin Kim | Yebin stands out as a model of kindness and consideration in 6A. She consistently shows genuine care and respect for both her peers and the staff, making her a valuable member of our community. Yebin's actions reflect the core values of the Mercy Award of Love, as she actively embodies compassion and empathy in her daily interactions. Her thoughtful nature and consistent efforts to support and uplift others make her an exemplary candidate for this award. We are proud to nominate Yebin for the Mercy Award of Love, recognising her outstanding contributions to fostering a caring school environment. |
Moera Takairangi | Moera is a pillar of compassion and authenticity in our Year 6A class. Her quiet actions powerfully demonstrate her character. Always ready to assist her classmates, Moera shows kindness through genuine, heartfelt gestures. Her consistent support and care make her a valued member of our class. Moera's ability to show true kindness without seeking recognition truly captures the spirit of the Mercy Award of Love. We are delighted to nominate Moera for this award, as she exemplifies the values of empathy and support that are central to our school's values. | |
Oscar Sloan |
Oscar radiates love and positivity every morning when he enters our classroom. He is kind, patient, and a good friend to all. Oscar shows his love for learning by always trying his hardest and taking pride in his work. His cheerfulness spreads to everyone around him and he is a wonderful ambassador for love at our school. Well done, Oscar! |
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Community |
Joshua Marshall |
Joshua demonstrates the true community values of a catholic school every day. He greets others with a smile and is always on the lookout for anyone who needs a helping hand. Josh is helpful and often asks how he can help out and make Joey’s a great school to be at. He is a true friend who supports his classmates in a positive way. It is a pleasure having Josh as a valuable leader in our school. |
Francesca Ferguson |
During our recent Year 5 Camp, Francesca exhibited an exceptional display of Joey’s spirit. Despite encountering challenges that might have caused negativity, she showed remarkable strength by staying positive and composed. Francesca exemplified the Mercy Value of Community by consistently considering the well-being of those around her and making concerted efforts to ensure an enjoyable camp experience for everyone. Her thoughtfulness and maturity were impressive and we congratulate Francesca for this well-deserved award. |
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Thomas Myles |
Thomas is a key contributor to the positive atmosphere in 6A. His consistent helpfulness and meticulous care in keeping his learning space tidy exemplify his commitment to our community. Always prepared for the next activity, Thomas ensures smooth transitions that benefit everyone. His polite manner and respectful interactions further highlight his understanding of the values we cherish. As a valued member of 6A, Thomas's contributions foster a supportive learning environment. We are proud to nominate Thomas for the Mercy Award of Community, acknowledging his dedication to making our school a better place. |
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Madeline Bowrey |
Madeline brightens our classroom every day. She is kind and considerate and shares her positive nature with others. Madeline always offers to help her teachers and classmates and takes part in activities in a friendly way, including her peers and looking out for others. Well done Maddy for being a shining example of the Mercy Value of Community. |
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Sam Roveglia |
Sam is such a fabulous student to have in our class. He is always thinking about others and what is happening around him. Sam is caring an considerate to his peers. His contagious smile lights up our room with joy and welcoming to those around him. Thank you for making 4B such a lovely place to be Sam. |
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Hudson Coates |
On our recent trip to Paluma for Year 5 Camp, Hudson was an excellent example of a Joey’s kid. He was well-mannered, respectful and always had a can-do attitude. Hudson met every challenge with a smile and truly took on the whole camp experience, never complaining or backing out of a task. He was a great example for his peers, and we hope he enjoyed his Year 5 camp experience. Keep up the great work, Hudson! |
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Lani Guilfoyle |
Lani is a friendly, well-mannered and respectful student in 5C. She radiates bright and positive energy into our classroom, which brightens both her peers and teacher’s day. She is reliable and hardworking during in-class activities and these have been reflected in her growing achievements. On our recent year 5 camp, Lani was congratulated for her efforts, where she received the ‘Best Manners’ award. Keep up the amazing work, Lani!
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Excellence |
Gary Doyle |
Gary has become an independent learner and strives to meet his goals. He has a determined attitude and is showing that he is a very capable student, especially in areas that interest him. Gary does not give up on tasks and he will always find a way to be successful. He has shown resilience and is a persistent learner who is deserving of this special award. Gary, keep up the great effort, your teachers are proud of you. |
Tillie Hughes |
Tillie is a standout student in Year 6A, known for her dedication to achieving personal bests and her persistent pursuit of excellence. She exemplifies the 5Rs in everything she does, making her a role model within our class and the wider school community. Tillie’s commitment to her studies and her ability to consistently apply herself to learn and grow highlight her as a deserving candidate for the Mercy Award of Excellence. Her actions inspire those around her, and we are proud to nominate Tillie for this recognition. |
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Vonn Clair |
Vonn has demonstrated a wonderful commitment to extending himself with his learning. He listens well and is attentive in lessons making full use of every learning opportunity. He is willing to ask questions if he needs to. His achievements in Mathematics have highlighted his desire to do well and serve as a great example to his classmates. Thank you, Vonn! |
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Grace Ireland |
Grace demonstrates exceptional dedication to her learning and consistently puts in 100% effort into everything she does. She comes into the classroom every day with a big smile, ready for the day ahead. Grace is a true role model and can always be trusted to make the right choices and help out around the classroom without being asked. Thank you for being amazing, Grace! |
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Jayden Heo |
Jayden's ability in Mathematics at St Joseph’s has always been impressive, but his recent strides in other areas of learning have been truly remarkable. In English, he delivered a polished oral report and demonstrated outstanding abilities in group discussions. Jayden's diligence in class and the high quality of his work are truly commendable. Well done, Jayden! |
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Coen Bennent |
Coen is a kind and considerate friend to all, who consistently demonstrates the Mercy Value of Excellence both in and out of the classroom. He always strives to achieve his best and never fails to show his peers the importance of never giving up. Coen has worked hard this term to improve his writing and should be commended on his progress. Keep up the fantastic work Coen! |
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Nixon Reinke |
Over the past semester, Nixon has shown exceptional dedication and commitment to improving his writing skills. He consistently strives to achieve his best and his efforts are to be rewarded. Nixon also embodies the Mercy Value of Excellence through his kind and caring interactions with his peers. Thanks for all your hard work, Nixon! |
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Lucy Ponti |
Lucy is a student who always strives to do her best. She listens well and never gives up if the work is challenging. Lucy is to be commended for her attitude towards all learning areas, especially her handwriting and spelling. She is a quiet achiever but her work ethic does not go unnoticed by her peers. Well done, Lucy. It is wonderful to watch you grow as a learner. Continue to work hard and reach for the stars. |
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Maggie Denmead |
Maggie consistently shows excellence in all areas. She strives to learn as much as possible and impresses her teachers with her wonderful work and behaviour. Maggie has many excellent talents and is always humble about her achievements. Well done Maggie, you’re a star!
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Ashling Chandel |
Ashling strives for excellence every day in the classroom. She demonstrates determination and persistence to learn new concepts and complete work to the best of her ability. Even when work is tricky, she gives it her best shot! Keep up the fantastic work Ashling!
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Tomas Radford |
Tomas has worked hard to improve his imaginative writing and has created a variety of interesting texts. It has been a pleasure to see him engage in tasks that support his learning. Keep up the good work Tomas.
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Congratulations to all students who received a Mercy Award in Term 4.
Father's Day Brews & Chews - Saturday 7th September - 4.30pm
Celebrate Father's Day in style with St Joey's P&F. Come down to the Beach Hotel on the Strand for an unforgettable afternoon featuring delicious burgers, crispy chicken wings, and refreshing beers. Enjoy the excitement of the Cowboys game on the big screen with fellow St Joey's dads. It's the perfect way for dad to celebrate with great food, drinks and sports and while supporting our P&F. TICKET PRICES INCLUDE BURGERS, FRIES AND CHICKEN WINGS.
Click here for bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/