Dear parents and carers

This week I have included an article about digital detoxing.  It has some great points about minimising the impact of technology in our lives.  There are some thought-provoking questions around the 'why' we are using the devices.  While reading the article it might be good to consider how children are using technology and how our habits inform and shape their use as well. 

I hope you enjoy it.

Have a great week

Tim 

School Uniforms

Included in the newsletter this week is our school uniform guidelines. Over the last few weeks, I have noticed an increasing number of students not wearing the correct uniform.  Most of these relate to incorrect footwear.  Please ensure students wear the correct uniform, including shoes, on the appropriate day.  Thank you for your support in this matter.

Mission Week

A huge thank you to everyone for their participation in our Mission Week activities.  We raised $869 for Mission Australia. The Year 6 Faith and Servies Group is to be congratulated for the work that they did in preparing for Mission Week.  

The winner of our Guess the Number of Lollies in the Jar competition was Zachariah from Prep C.  

Our colouring-in competition winners are:

P - Phoebe Baker Prep C

Year 1-2 - Eliza Hossain 1M

Year 3-4 - Caitlyn Wiltshire 4L

Year 5-6 - Shanae Barwick 6MK

All Saints Day

Friday 1st November is All Saints Day.  From the first centuries after Christ, Christians who died a martyr’s death were considered saints, who live in God’s presence forever. Every year, on the anniversary of the martyrs’ deaths, Christians would visit their tombs and celebrate the Eucharist. This practice grew throughout the centuries to include remembering other outstanding Christians on the days they died. Soon the entire calendar was filled with memorials of the saints. In the ninth century, Pope Gregory IV designated November 1 as the day to remember all the saints living in God’s presence.  On this day the Church acknowledges those millions of people who now live in the presence of God forever. The Catholic Church has canonised some of these people over time.  That is why Catholic Christians continue to seek the prayers and intercession of saints to help them live the Way of Jesus. n All Saints Day, we recall and pray with these saints. 

We will remember these saints by participating in whole school Christian Meditation on Friday 1st November at 8:45am in the Hall.  You are more than welcome to join us.

All Souls Day

Saturday 2nd November is All Souls Day.  On this day we remember our relatives who have died and pray for them. This day is part of the belief in the Church that our journey to God does not end with our earthly death. In some cultures, people visit graveyards and even eat picnics at the graves of loved ones, celebrating their belief in life after death and their ongoing connection with loved ones who have died. 

Today, think of the names of family members and friends who have died and whose names you wish to place in prayer and remembrance before God.  You may like to light a candle for these people and pray the following prayer:  

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord and may God's light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Mini Vinnies

Our Mini Vinnies students have been continuing their visits to Villa Vincent each month with Miss Dani.  On Saturday they put on an impromptu dance display for the residents.  

Sunday’s Gospel

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.  

The second parable that Jesus tells in Luke 18 addresses attitude in prayer. In contrasting the prayer of the Pharisee with the prayer of the tax collector, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in humility before God. Jesus again surprises his listeners by showing the tax collector as the example of faith, rather than the Pharisee. Remember that Pharisees were members of a sect of Judaism active in Jesus' time. They taught an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses as the basis for Jewish piety. If anyone would be a model for prayer, a Pharisee was a likely candidate. In contrast, Jesus offers the tax collector as a model for prayer. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman authorities in a system that allowed the tax collectors to line their own pockets by charging in excess of the defined taxes. Yet, in this parable, Jesus offers the humility of the tax collector as a model for the prayer of a disciple. The parable reminds us that when we pray, we must remember our need for God in our lives. If we are too full of ourselves, there is too little room for God's grace to work in us.

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection

Have a great week!

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

Congratulations to our high academic achiever! 

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools, or ICAS for short, is an independent, skills-based assessment program offered across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region.  ICAS recognises and rewards student achievement in areas such as English, maths, science, spelling, writing and digital technologies. The series of tests are designed to match and test skills that are learned in the school classroom.

Each year, our Inclusive Education team here at St Joseph’s organises these voluntary tests for interested students. Congratulations to all our students who rose to these academic challenges this year. 2019 was the first year that the tests were delivered online. 

Results for our students will be finalised over the coming week and certificates will be presented. 

Some results have been confirmed - A special acknowledgement goes to Year 6 student Gemma Morris. While The top 1% of students in each year level receive a High Distinction, Gemma exceeded this by being awarded an ICAS medal in English.  Students with the top score in each subject in each year level are awarded this medal and a medal winner’s certificate. If a year level doesn’t reach this high standard, no medal is awarded in that year. 

Gemma and her parents have been invited to an awards ceremony in Brisbane in early December. Thanks to Kathryn Sadler and Violetta Partlett for facilitating this opportunity each year for our St Joseph’s students. We strive to provide learning opportunities for all our students to achieve their best.  

An inspiring effort, Gemma! The top score in Year 6 English in Australia! Congratulations from your proud school! 

Teacher Reflective Practice day

Last Monday, our teaching staff spent the day looking at some current research around planning for learning and effective teaching strategies that we are embedding in classrooms across our school , to ensure the best learning outcomes for our students. 

We had the opportunity to set goals for practising these strategies and learning from each other. A number of our teachers over 2018/2019 have been involved in an intensive professional development on  The Gradual Release of Responsibility model. This model involves 4 phases of learning for our students where the teacher explicitly teaches new learning, ensures all students develop an understanding of concepts, then consolidating learning by setting up experiences for students to work together and then apply their knowledge and skills independently. The GRR model is an important element of our Pedagogical Framework and how we learn and teach at St Joseph’s. 

Our littlest learners

It is always so wonderful to see the amazing progress made by each of our Prep students as they settle into big school routines and learn the serious business of  reading, writing and counting. The joy they show in their learning is infectious and they like nothing more than visiting the office to show off their great work. Our prep teachers are thrilled by the progress of their classes and we look forward to them stepping up to year 1 as confident little people.

Curriculum Letters and Reporting

Each term , class teachers forward an outline of the curriculum that is planned for each of the learning areas. If you are able to use these outlines to start a conversation with your child about their learning, this is very worthwhile. So often, even with our primary students, the common response tends to be limited in detail! For students to explain their learning to another person, is helpful for reflection and building knowledge of themselves as learners. 

This term, formal reporting will be based on Semester 2. Most of our classes are working on or towards assessment tasks at the moment and Reports will be available for parent access in the last week of Term 4. Further details on accessing Reports will be sent home later in the term.     

Jan Oram- SJS  Learning and Teaching Advisor 

Awards will be presented at Assembly on the 6th November at 2pm

Class in the Spotlight is 5MC

Swimming P-3    

Our wonderful P-3 students are enjoying their weekly Swimming lessons at Townsville Grammar Pool. Students have been placed in levels and learning necessary skills to be safe in the water. Luke and his team from Tobruk Pool are once again doing a great job. Looking at all of the smiling faces of our students, it's safe to say that our lessons are a popular part of our HPE program.

Rookies Basketball. 

On Monday, our annual after school Rookies Basketball program began. We have almost 30 students participating this year in this popular program. The students involved are learning new skills in fun filled activities. The 5 week program has begun well.

Bin Ball.  

Our Year 6 Sporting Pastoral Group have been responsible for organizing lunch time Bin Ball games in the hall. This popular game is played between Year 4's on Mondays, Year 5's on Tuesdays and Year 6's on Wednesdays. The games are non competitive and played for fun. It has been great to see that each game ends with three cheers and a hand shake.