Reading. Writing. Arithmetic. They’re the keys to the success of our kids, right? But what about the skills that will help when things get tough?

What about the ability to communicate your feelings and needs? To really listen to others? To keep your emotions in check, and understand other points of view that you may not agree with? To empathise with people who are different?

We believe these skills—all linked to kindness—are just as important as academic skills.

Acts of kindness may be small moments in the school day, but they can make a major difference in students’ lives.  By definition,  an act of kindness is a selfless action performed by an individual to help or benefit someone else, without any expectation of recognition or reward. These acts can be small or large and can have a significant impact on the person or people receiving them, as well as the person performing the act

In assembly last week the students were challenged to look for ways that they can be kind at school.

• Sit/Play With Someone New at Lunch. Everyone deserves to feel included at school. ...
• Smile in the Classroom/Hallway. ...
• Give Someone Your Full Attention. ...
• Thank  someone for what they do for you..
• Leave a Note of Encouragement on Someone's Desk or Locker. ...
• Clean Up Around the classroom. ...
• Help Someone ...

We know small Acts of Kindness Can Make a Big Impact. We know that being kind will make our school a happy place to be.  We are looking forward to spotting kindness everyday at St Joseph’s. 

Teresa McLeod

Principal

https://www.facebook.com/stjosephsq/

Term 1: 3rd February - 6th April

Term 2: 26th April - 7th July

Term 3: 25th July - 29th September

Term 4: 17th October - 13th December

March

On behalf of every classroom, I would like to welcome everyone to the new school year of learning. We are in Week 4 of the term and as I walk around it is wonderful to see every student embracing the opportunities. 

Last week teachers opened their classroom doors to parents for an informal catch up to get an impression of how the year has started. It was terrific to have so many parents. I remind and encourage parents to build strong communication with teachers throughout the year with the use of email, SeeSaw or a phone call through the office.

Over the first few weeks, there has been some amazing work being produced. In Blue Gum, our kinders are warming to their new environment, making it theirs and creating some great memories.  Over in Sassafras, the students have made their very own binoculars as part of their Science unit. Each student was then able to ‘spy with their little eyes’ the many materials around their classroom. To round out the Early Years, Leatherwood has been putting things in their place… what things you ask? Numbers of course! Our Grade One’s and Two’s have been learning and identifying the correct place value for different numbers.

In the upper years, our Grade Three/Fours in Myrtle completed a STEM activity in which they created some amazing engineering using Fairy Tales as their theme. They looked awesome! Finally, in King Billy, our Fives and Sixes have been warming up their bodies in their morning fitness and their brains during number talks. King Billy has also taken advantage of the fine weather and taken the class outdoors, including spending time in the garden.

Overall, a terrific start to the year with all students settling back into their learning and making every moment count! Please come along to our fortnightly assemblies to celebrate our achievements.

School Leader: Teaching & Learning

On Tuesday, 14th February, Leatherwood went on an excursion to the Queenstown Library where they participated in ‘Library Lovers Day’. The day honours libraries and the amazing life-changing books they hold within them. Students enjoyed engaging with the various activities on offer in the library before settling down to listen to the story “The Children Who Loved Books”. Leatherwood would like to thank everyone at Queenstown Library, Mr Jones and Mrs McDermott for making the excursion possible!

To start the year with a positive mindset, St Joseph’s Catholic School have explored ways in which we can commit to be kind in 2023. Each class have shared ideas around being kind towards one another throughout the year, and made a pledge on how they will achieve this. Our promises have created a sun, which shares the verse from Matthew 5:16:

‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.’

Congratulations to the following students who received awards in our last assembly.

Students in Year 3 & 5 will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

This is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:

NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

Loaves and Fishes Tasmania prepare healthy nutritionally balanced meals for various educational settings. They currently donate breakfast muffins towards our breakfast program to both our West Coast Catholic schools and fruit to St Joseph’s Queenstown.

In week 6 Loaves and fishes Tasmania will be providing our students with nutritious lunches for all students who attend our school twice a week during school terms on Monday and Friday.  The hot lunches will provide a sound base to the students eating throughout the week.  This program will educate the students about healthy eating and nutritious

alternatives, This initiative aligns with our ‘Move Well Eat Well’ program.  Students also learn to eat with others and learn socially acceptable behaviours. The meals are prepared meeting the guidelines for School Food  Matters.  More information to follow in next week’s newsletter.

On Monday, 20th February, we were lucky enough to host Andrew Chinn for a special workshop and whole-school concert! 

Andrew worked as a classroom teacher in Catholic Primary Schools in Sydney, Australia for nearly twenty years before moving into his full time music ministry. Andrew has visited more than 1100 Catholic primary schools, performing in 3000 concerts across Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada sharing his music and his faith with children, teachers and parents. He has released 12 albums, 5 DVDs and 6 picture books, which are used widely by teachers and catechists in the faith development of children.

Students had a fantastic time engaging in both the workshop and the concert, and were very excited to see Andrew perform songs that they have grown up with whilst at St Joseph’s. It was especially wonderful to hear Andrew sing ‘A School Prayer’, which we all hold very close to our hearts as our school song!

We would like to thank Andrew for including Queenstown on his Tasmanian tour!

A reminder to families that PE Day is now on Thursdays. 

St Joseph's Catholic School will be offering a water familiarisation program for students in Prep to Grade 6, commencing Monday 27th February until Friday 3rd March 2023. The program is designed to enhance a child's familiarity with water safety and enhancing swimming strokes and techniques. A teacher will accompany the students being bussed to and from the Queenstown Swimming Pool.

All students involved in this program may wear their sports uniform on these days; students not taking part, will be expected to complete independent work with another class at school and be dressed in their summer school uniform.

Children will need to bring the following items each day throughout the program:

• Rash Vest or T-Shirt (essential)
• Bathers
• Goggles (if required)
• Towel x 2
• Plastic Bag

Although the school will provide sunscreen, parents are requested to ensure their child or children have sunscreen applied prior to coming to school if possible. All clothing items should be clearly labelled with your child's name. The wearing of a school hat to and from the pool is also expected.

The timetable for the program is as follows:

• 9:15 - 10:00        King Billy
• 10:00 - 10:45      Myrtle
• 11:30 - 12:00    Sassafras
• 12:10 - 12:40    Leatherwood 

Our Swimming Carnival will be held on Monday, 6th March 2023. Carnival time TBC.

Students will need to bring:

•        Bathers
•        Towel x 2
•        Spare change of clothes and underwear
•        Swimming cap (optional)
•        Swimming goggles (optional)
•        Sunscreen

A reminder to all parents picking up their child from the Orr Street Car Park that there is a ‘5 minute’ lane which serves us as a ‘dropoff/pick up and go’ lane. If parents need to get out of the car then please park in one of the bays. Keeping the 5 minute lane moving free’s up congestion and makes it safer for our children.

The Parents and Friends Association will be holding their 2023 AGM tonight- Tuesday, 21st February- at 7.00pm in the school library. All positions will be declared vacant before a fundraising plan is created for the year.

We warmly invite all school community members to come along and assist in working towards supporting our children’s schooling journey!

The School Board AGM will be held on Wednesday 22nd March at 7:00pm in the school Library. 

The school board convenes twice a term to discuss school initiatives including buildings, facilities, policy direction, staffing, finances, and educational programs. The School Board currently have positions vacant and are seeking expressions of interest from parents of St Joseph’s Catholic School for consideration for School Board membership. If you are interested in becoming a member of our School Board, please contact the school office on 6471 1139 for further details.