St Joseph's Newsletter

Each diocesan School Board has delegated responsibility from the Archbishop for the overall well-being of our school, within South Australian Commission of Catholic Schools and diocesan policies and guidelines. In practice, this means that in a spirit of partnership our school board:

• develops policies that nurture the religious dimension and guide the direction of the school;
• develops the relationship between the school and the local Church;
• promotes educational excellence within the school;
• supports the administration of the school;
• fosters harmonious and positive collaboration within the school community;
• protects children;
• monitors buildings and grounds development and maintenance;
• exercises financial stewardship of the school; and
• ensures compliance with legal obligations

Office Bearer Positions were organised at the first School Board meeting last week.

If you would like to raise a matter for discussion you can write to the School Board  or contact members directly or via the school email info@sjsh.catholic.edu.au

Please note that School Board meetings are held each month.

My name is Emily Revell and I love all things nature: plants, animals, the beach, exploring and going on adventures with my dog Piper! When I am relaxing I enjoy watching movies, listening to podcasts and reading books! I love inquiry learning and the joy of learning together with my students, sharing ideas, testing theories and developing researching skills. So far this year we have researched the brain, understanding how our brain work and what helps us to learn, moving through inquiry are discussions around Lent and Project Compassion and Valentines Day have lead us to discussing the heart. I look forward to continuing to get to know everyone in our Saint Joseph’s community.

Please note that the school gates are open at 8:30 am.  Formal supervision begins at 8:30 am.  Children who arrive before 8:30 am will be directed to Before School Care.  Fees Apply.

Supervision is provided after school from 3:10 until 3:30 pm.  Children not collected from either Bertie or Albemarle Street will be taken to After school care in the school hall.  Fees Apply.

 OHSC has a licence for 60 students.  It is important to book as we can not exceed this limit.

Personal hygiene and the hygiene standards in our school are critical to reducing the risk of infection.

All children and staff will need to continue to:

• wash their hands regularly, particularly after using the toilet and before eating
• avoid spreading infections to others by staying home if they are unwell
• cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue

SA Health encourages parents to provide children with their own personal, labelled and named drink water bottles. These can then be refilled at the drink fountains or water taps, rather than children drinking directly from the taps.

Parents will need to maintain social distancing when in the school yard or in classrooms. This is subject to change as we follow SA Health regulations.

School week beginning Monday 1st March

This week through Project Compassion we learn about 39-year-old Margret, a teacher at a vocational school for deaf students in the Solomon Islands. She was born deaf, so she knows the challenges it poses to education and employment. Apart from the difficulties the students all have, the school also faced water shortages, with not enough to supply staff and students with safe water for drinking, cooking, washing and growing vegetables.

Then Tropical Cyclone Harold damaged the school and its vegetable garden, amidst the threat of COVID-19. Staff and students rely on the vegetable garden to provide food for their meals.

With Caritas Australia’s support, the school installed water tanks, provided cyclone-proof building materials and helped to implement COVID-19 prevention measures. Margret’s school now has enough water for its students and the capacity to cater for more, with plans to boost food security, through increased agricultural production.

Did you know?
Around 60% of people in rural areas in the Solomon Islands don’t have access to piped water, while about 80% don’t have access to latrines or toilets. (UNICEF, 2019)

School week beginning 8th March

During the third week of Lent, Project Compassion focusses on the story of Oliva, a 22-year-old woman from Tanzania. She did not have the opportunity to go to school and was embarrassed that she was unable to read, write or count. As an adult, her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up her money and give the right change to customers.

Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia’s literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a home classroom to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.

Oliva has now graduated, attendance at her classes are growing, her kiosk is thriving and she is helping her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election - to help her community to ‘Be More.’

Did you know?
Approximately 260 million children don’t have the chance to go to school (un.org)

Students have begun their preparations to receive the Catholic Sacraments. Students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the conclusion of Mass on Wednesday Week 7.

Palm Sunday, 28th March, 9:30am - Volunteers required

On Palm Sunday (March 28), St Joseph’s will host the Sunday 9:30am Mass at Sacred Heart Church on Port Road at Hindmarsh. It would be lovely to have families come along and join in this celebration with our local parish. We are seeking volunteers for readings and for a small choir.

Soccer Nominations still open

If you have not yet nominated for Term 2-3 Soccer it’s not too late! Soccer games are held on Saturday mornings at St Clair and West Lakes. Please nominate for soccer at the following link http://bit.ly/39nJi8R

While playing with the water tray last week, the children experimented with floating and sinking objects. As a means of extending their thinking we have introduced the story 'WHO SANK THE BOAT' by Pamela Allen.

It brings to life literacy and numeracy thinking and exploring scientific concepts for children in an enjoyable way.

You can listen to the story here >> https://youtu.be/plp-dfSGJ-0

Parent volunteers are needed to help run Breakfast Club in the Community Kitchen. If you're interested please let the front office know.

Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (select a day that suits you)

Time: 8.30am - 9.00am

Where: in the Community kitchen (in the Hall)

We would like to set up a CHESS CLUB.  We are looking for any interested parents who may like to be involved with our students at lunchtime or after school coaching and assisting with the games.  If you would like to be involved can you please let us know at the front office.

Day/Time: During lunch or after school (can be negotiated to suit you)

Volunteers are needed to help prep lunch orders and serve during recess and lunch. If you're interested please let the front office know.

Days Available:

• Thursday
• Friday

• Recess Shift: 9.00am - 10.30am
• Lunch Shift: 11.00am - 1.30pm

Did you know St Joseph’s School Hindmarsh has been part of Credit Union SA’s School Community Rewards program since 2018?
The program brings a direct financial benefit to our school and is available for you to participate in at any time.

Who is Credit Union SA?
Credit Union SA is South Australia's third largest credit union, with over 50,000 members, and unlike the major banks, Credit Union SA’s profits go back to their members and the communities they live in.

How does School Community Rewards work?
 The School Community Rewards program allows you to nominate our school to receive a financial benefit for every product you have with Credit Union SA. So every home loan, car loan, insurance or savings account held by you will generate an ongoing annual benefit for our school.

You’ll get the benefits of Credit Union SA’s great rates and products, while also raising funds for our school without having to donate your time or money!

How will it help our school?
Funds generated through the School Community Rewards program will help us develop and upgrade our facilities, allowing us to further create a fantastic learning environment for all students. 
We have already raised over $2,000 through the program.  We are using this money towards the school grounds redevelopment. So just imagine what we could achieve with greater involvement from our School community.

Where can I find more information?
To find out more about how School Community Rewards benefits our school please talk to our School Community Rewards representative, Lucy Brooks on 0428 787 230.

All members of the school community must consider their own circumstances and obtain their own advice before joining School Community Rewards. The school takes no responsibility for any advice or product offered by Credit Union SA Ltd. This information is general in nature and does not take into account your own personal circumstances. It is important for you to consider the terms and conditions or Product Disclosure Statement before acquiring any of our products or services to help you decide whether they are suitable for you. Conditions and fees apply. Lending criteria apply to all.