Principal's Message
As you would all be aware in the last couple of weeks I have been busy attending meetings. This is always a sad time for me as I love being at St Joseph's and spending time with your beautiful children. These last two weeks have been particularly hard to miss due to the sheer number of events that the children have been involved in. The added experiences over the past two weeks have been complementary to the work that teachers do to deliver the curriculum. These include:
- Beatbox Incursion
- Circle of Life
- Internet Safety
- Walk to school Day
These activities are really important in schools as they keep us connected with the skills and passions of others. I thanks all of the amazing teachers and Mr Barry Jones who ensures that all classes experience these events.
This week we have been lucky to have some expert teachers in our school. They will be visiting on another four occasions this year. They are helping Catholic Schools across Tasmania become the most improved system in Australia. In their work with teachers this week we were learning about High Impact Teaching Strategies. This work in our schools will be a benefit to your children and we are looking forward to using our new learnings..
UpComing event- Cross Country
We have our Cross Country taking place this coming Wednesday. Communication has already been sent out to parents and we warmly welcome parents to this event. Students may leave with their carer/s at the end of this event but must let their teacher know.
Walk to School Day
Social Media – How do I Cope? By Marty Ogle
Recently, I took sessions with prep to Year 6’s looking at all aspects of social media and the
Internet. We discussed the positives and the negatives involving the use of all devices including phones, computers, iPads, gaming devices and even smart TV’s. We looked at how it is possible to do history checks with these devices and how we need to:
- Respect them by taking care of these devices because they are very expensive but, more importantly, respect others and ourselves when we use them.
- Make good choices when using them. For example, when we are asked to stop using them by an adult at school or home, we should do so straight away rather than talk back or complain.
- Be aware of the dangers and the good things that social media and these devices can bring into our lives.
We looked at various issues concerning social media including bullying, scams, fake news, laws, addiction and security. The students and staff were very forthcoming with ideas and suggestions and they even participated in a Year 3-6 survey that found over 60% have a phone, 50% had received an upsetting email/post and around 80% of them have trouble sleeping – this is not surprising as many of them have TV’s in their rooms and are allowed to take devices into their room unsupervised. One final survey question revolved around how many of them were tired of adults at home constantly being on devices – please note this figure was just over 75% but I fully understand that many adults need to do this due to work.
Here are a few sites to view with up-to-date Australian data and helpful sites from the fantastic eSafety site.
Finally for a little bit of fun, I asked the student which animal the internet reminded them of
and they came up with Cheetah because ‘it is so fast but can sneak up on you!’
Latest data on
children’s online
Behaviours.
Interesting info
about giving
phones to children at
an early age.
The govt eSafety
site with super
info for parents.
Five good rules used in a great story in the eSafety site that was read to the younger students.
The children were so good – you should be so proud
Marty Ogle
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
27 May - 3 June
Be a Voice for Generations #NRW2023
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, let’s choose to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.
Our research shows large community support for the next steps in Australia’s reconciliation journey, including the Voice to Parliament, treaty making and truth-telling.
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations, urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
Wear it Yellow occurs in National Reconciliation Week workplace or team during National Reconciliation Week and help brighten the future for First Nations kids! If you are wearing yellow please bring a gold coin donation to be given to Children’s Ground.
Parent Teacher Interviews
This term teachers are collecting and collating assessments and writing reports. You will receive a written report via Compass on Friday 23rd June. Teachers will be available for meetings on Tuesday 27th June and Wednesday 28th June from 3.00- 6.00. The portal for making bookings will be made available this week. Please ensure you log in and get the most suitable time for your families as we would be keen to meet with each family during this time. If you need hep to make a booking please contact the school office on 03 6471 1139 for assistance.
Happy Everything!
Teresa
