St Joseph's Newsletter

Dear Parents and Community Members,

I hope you have enjoyed the holiday break and had the opportunity for some rest and relaxation.  The students have certainly returned to school refreshed and revitalised, eager to re-connect with their friends and teachers and immerse themselves in their learning.

This term we welcome Grace (2R), Caterina (RS), Deborah (Pre) and Jensen (Pre) to our school community.  We welcome back Helen Carter after taking leave in Term 3.

At the September meeting the School Board discussed the proposal regarding school bell times.   We received feedback from four members of the school community.  Thank you! 

Feedback received related to the importance of play, the need for students to learn to get along with each other and the need to increase eating time.

The School Board considered and discussed all correspondence received and felt that our conversation should be shared with the wider school community.

We noted that each school is organised differently and break times vary but generally breaks throughout a school day total approximately 1 hour per day.  We noted that many schools have a 20 minute recess break, whereas a St Joseph’s student have a 30 minute break.  Moving to two 30 minute breaks would enable a more balanced day.  As previously noted, the transition from the recess break to the classroom is usually quite seamless, with students being able to re-enter and re-engage with learning.  However, after lunch (which is the 40 minute break), significant time can be spent resolving issues before learning can resume, reinforcing the extra ten minute break can impact on learning.

As a school greatly influenced by the Reggio Emilia Principles, the importance of play is considered very important. Play improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and young people. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. Whilst, recess and lunch time are regular opportunities for unstructured play to occur. However, depending on your child’s level of development, there are many other opportunities to engage in play and physical activity with their peers throughout the week, including: play based projects, developmental play in the class, class and buddy class activities, fitness, physical education and class based PA.  In these contexts, teachers can assist students to navigate their emotions, develop socially appropriate responses to situations as they arise, and assist them to develop the capabilities required for successful and positive interactions, as they have a sound understanding of students needs, being their class teacher.

Providing additional eating time for younger students has been noted and will occur in the classroom before going out for the play break. To ensure the school complies with the appropriate teacher contact time school will need to end at 3 pm. 

A registration form similar to Sports Day will be released in the coming weeks so families can register their 2x adult attendees. 

Term 4 is always a very busy term filled with many opportunities of being together as community.  Looking forward to being with you at Sports Day, Meet and Greet in the Preschool, School Concert and End of Year Mass. 

God Bless

Maria. Helen and Rita

In October Australia recognised the global work of the Church and the dedication of missionaries through World Mission Month.  It celebrates and recognises the hard work of religious orders and lay missionaries around the world whose dedication and service often goes unseen.

On World Mission Sunday, which falls on 24 October 2021, parish communities around the world will gather to pray for and raise funds to support the work of thousands of crucial church-run programs.

https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/giving/catholic-mission/2021-world-mission-month

https://www.catholicmission.org.au/

Wednesday the 27 October, is Children’s Mission Day, our Year 5/6s will be hosting a Liturgy during this week on the theme of Missions to culminate their fundraising and awareness campaign to raise funds for Catholic Missions through Socktober.

 The Year 5/6 classes as part of their Religious Education Curriculum have unpacked what it means to ‘Be Church’. Many children around the world do not have access to playing equipment such as soccer balls. The Year 5/6 students created their own sockballs using recycled materials.

During Week 2, they will be using these balls in a variety of activities. Students will have an opportunity to participate in these activities for a donation to Catholic Missions to raise funds for their project in Thailand.

https://www.socktober.org.au/thailand

 All students may wear a pair of bright coloured socks on Children’s Mission Day, Wednesday the 27th of October to raise awareness and celebrate all the wonderful work that Catholic Missions undertake. There will be no donation required to join in.

This Term we will introduce the final ELLA app In the Town. A pizza restaurant is a significant feature. The story of The Runaway Pizza introduces some famous nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters and will compliment our learning.

The children also helped to create our pizza restaurant. Pizza chefs have been busy creating pizzas ordered by their hungry customers.

Permanent bookings are encouraged to minimise disappointment. 

If you are looking to book in your child/ren, we ask that you book them in a week in advance (where possible) to ensure adequate staff are rostered for the session.