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Friday 16th October - Friday 27th November - Prep to Year 3 Swimming Lessons
Fridays - 16th October - 13th November - Sporting Schools Netball Clinic
Mondays - 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th November - Rookies Basketball Program
Tuesday 17th November - Interschool Swimming Carnival @ Long Tan Swimming Pool Heatley (reminder Parents unable to attend due to Covid restrictions)
Tuesday 17th November - P & F Meeting @ 6pm in the Staffroom
Tuesday & Wednesday 17th & 18th November - NAIDOC Week celebrations & Activities
Monday 23rd November - Virtual Instrumental Concert
Tuesday 24th November - Year 6 Rite of Passage - 7pm in the Hall
Tuesday & Wednesday 24th & 25th November - Book Fair in the Library
Friday 4th December - Last day of Term 4 Finishing at 12 Midday
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we celebrated our long-serving staff members and recognised their service to Catholic Education. Mr Laurence Hosking (TCE Education Consultant) presented these awards to our staff at a special gathering on Tuesday. Congratulations to Jenny Roberts (10 years), Jan Oram (20 years), Megan Carfoot (20 years), Kathryn Sadler (25 years), Helen Ciranni (25 years) and Linda Jones (25 years). Thank you to these amazing ladies for their dedication to our school community and to helping instil a love of learning in our students.
Our Learning and Teaching Advisor, Jan Oram will be taking 12 months leave in 2021. When we have appointed a replacement for Jan for the 12 months we will advise our school community. I'm sure you will join me in wishing Jan a restful and enjoyable 2021 and we look forward to her return in 2022.
If your child isn’t returning to St Joseph’s in 2021 (other than our Year 6 students), could you please let the Office know as soon as possible. This will assist us in our planning for next year. Just a reminder that the 2020 school year finishes on Friday 4th December at 12pm.
Next Tuesday, 17th November is our final P&F Meeting for the year. This meeting will be held at 6pm in the Staff Room. As always, we will provide childminding for school-aged children. I encourage you to consider attending as it is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and a great way to participate in our school community.
As the end of the year approaches, information around end of year events will be communicated to families. Please carefully read the newsletter each week for this information. Also, keep an eye out for communication from teachers around their end of year plans with their classes.
Have a wonderful week.
Take care
Amanda
Remembrance Day
On Wednesday, our students gathered for a Remembrance Day liturgy. Our school captains for 2020 led prayers of remembrance and thanks for all those who gave their lives so that we may live in peace and freedom. Our school leaders reminded us that peace begins with each of us and encouraged us to build peace in our own family, classroom, school and community. Our classes all listened to a video address from Brigadier Fegan, Commander of the 3rd Brigade who explained to our students the history and significance of Remembrance Day.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Each year our families support the Vinnies Appeal by donating goods for those in our community who are in need this Christmas. Baskets for festive food donations will be in classrooms from next Monday and our Year 6 Faith and Service team will oversee this initiative.
St Joseph’s students and families have always been hugely supportive of this appeal and there is much learning that happens as classes see their donations grow to help those in our community facing hardship. These donations will be presented to St Vincent de Paul representatives at our Giving Mass in Week 9.
Included below and available in each classroom are suggestions for donations - highly perishable items are discouraged.
We appreciate your support and generosity.
Report Cards
Many of our teachers are finalising assessments with our students. Report Cards will be available on Friday, December 4th. Further details including accessing Reports through the Compass Portal will be provided in next week’s newsletter.
http://readiscover1.blogspot.com.au/ Click this link to see articles on reading and other educational literature, photos of library events and any upcoming competitions.
Pre-loved book Fair
Every 2 years I like to hold a pre-loved book fair in our library. As this year has been a great year for cleaning up I am sure you have a stack of books you could donate. Please bring in any suitable, clean books for children, drop them off at the library and our junior librarians will sort them out.
We will hold our book fair on Nov 24th and Nov 25th. With all the books being priced around $1 or $2 the children always enjoy doing a bit of shopping. It is also wonderful that they can bring joy to another family.
Graphic novels
I remember when I was young loving all the Tin Tin and Asterix comics even though I read chapter books. They were light and fun and I really enjoyed the illustrations. For some children, it is an easy transition from picture to text and chapter books, as they are ready for a more substantive story. This transition is a time when young readers have to decide if they want more story, they must sacrifice the visual literacy component.
I wonder how many children lose their love of reading at this moment?
This is exactly where graphic novels have a powerful and exciting role to play. They maintain the visual literacy cues that bring so much joy to the reading experience. So yes, a graphic novel is absolutely a real book. It’s an incredibly rich and important form of reading. Because let’s not forget that our children are growing up in an incredibly visual world.
Litpro Achievers
Our Year 5 students have been reading lots to achieve their reading goals. The following students reached silver level by reading 30 books this year. Congratulations to Matisse Reibel, Lua Jennings, Aoife Fitzgerald, Harper Ryan, Tarj Galleta, Zach Thomson, and Tahliah Webster.
To achieve gold the students had to read between 50 and 60 books according to their lexile number. These students have already received their free book and are invited to our end of year mad hatters party in the library on Nov 20th. Congratulations Lynette Njau, Estella Dobbins, Matisse Reibel, Aoife Fitzgerald, Greta Ramsay, Caitlyn Wiltshire and Eamon Thorley.
Top readers
Next week I will be announcing the top borrowers for each year level. They will be invited to the end of year ‘Mad Hatter’ Tea Party in the library on Nov 20th.
Happy Reading
Belinda Walker (Teacher Librarian)
