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Dear Parents,
Staffing update
The recruitment for the administration position has been finalised. Linda Gareffa was the successful applicant. We welcome Linda to a permanent position to our school. Linda has worked in school administration for many years in Sydney, before moving to the local area a couple of years ago. She was working in finance at All Saints College in Maitland until she moved into a casual role filling in many times for us recently. She comes with a wealth of experience and has settled into the school very quickly. When Susie returns from leave, they will look to split the role between them, a decision that has been fully endorsed by the recruitment panel. I will give more information when Susie returns and HR approves their plans. They work very well with each other and as a team will be an asset to the school.
Dionne Mitchell, our EALD teacher, has relinquished her position here at the school. She was working across three different schools and has decided to finish working here at Joey’s. I am currently working with the CSO to source a replacement teacher as there were no applicants for the position.
It is with great pleasure that I get to inform you that Alison Taylor has been successful in getting 0.4 Permanent Executive Release position at St Pat's Wallsend. This comes at a great time for Alison as her boy has just started school there and, as she is a local it will mean less travel for her. A huge congratulations to Alison on a Job well earned, that really suits her at this stage of her life. We will miss Alison very much here at Joey's next year, but I know you will join with me in congratulating her on getting this position. We still have a whole term left with Alison to continue to create some great memories.
Site Maintenace
Earlier this year I applied for funding from the CSO to complete some site maintenance that has been lacking over the last 15 years. There are aspects of the site that could be safer to minimise serious incidents. Recently this application has been accepted as a safety upgrade. The scope of works is extensive and has begun already. Whilst you won’t see flashy upgrades, everything that is being done is to make the site safe for your children. One of the most welcomed upgrades will be the replacement of the play equipment that has been out of service since a Kid Safe inspection deemed it a hazard and unrepairable. Please be assured that safety of your children and staff is one of our highest priorities.
Work already completed in the holidays:
- Drainage around the site has been assessed, waiting for further updates regarding progress
- Pest spraying completed
- Test and tagging done
- All lights on site changed over to LED under a government grant, now falls in line with diocesan green initiative
- PA system upgraded this may seem like a luxury, however it was humming in the classroom at a level of 70dB, considered moderately loud and double the standards of a classroom environment. A standard operating vacuum cleaner is considered this loud; this has a direct negative impact on learning, which has now been rectified
Work in the pipeline, quotes being done and worked being booked:
- Play equipment approved to be replaced
- Classroom doors being repaired, some ready to fall out of the frames especially in Stage 2
- Install ramps to all classroom as the step into the room non-compliant due to sinking pavers
- Replace pool fencing in the mud kitchen with standard palisade fencing
- Upgrade the faulty alarm system to CSO requirements and install new doors to admin with electric locks (security requirement)
- Fix all paving hazards
- Repair windows
- Fix stairs and replace railings to make them compliant with building code for schools
Annual School Visit
Our Annual School Visit took place last Thursday. Over 20 heads of departments and business partners from the diocese contributed to the 3-hour review. They were very happy with the progress the school has made over the course of the year and the way the school has been managed by the exec team. They are excited about the position the school is in, as they believe that it is well placed for the future. I’m sure the community will continue to have lots to look forward to in the future.
There has been lots happening at the school and easy to think that learning has taken a back seat. This can’t be further from the truth. Primary teachers have had the necessary professional learning to ensure they can implement the new curriculum effectively next year. Students will be undertaking Diocesan mandated standardised testing in the coming weeks, along teacher continuing their usual classroom assessment as they move towards writing student reports. Learning as always in the core business of what we do and as we move into Term 4 it will be good for students to look back over the year at how far they have come and how much they have learnt. Please continue to ensure that your children are at school as much possible this term so they can consolidate their learning to springboard into the next year.
Take care, go gently and celebrate often.
Brad Fuller
Principal
INTRODUCING SCHOOL TV
This week we have sent home information regarding the launch of School TV. We are excited for this new resources and hope that it can provide parents and carers who are seeking greater support in understanding the challenges their children are experiencing, as well as practical strategies for ways they can assist them.
SchoolTV features interviews with leading wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world, on topics including:
Mental Health
Healthy Bodies
Cyber Safety
Positive Parenting
School Survival
Diversity and Inclusion
Parents and caregivers are the greatest influence on a young person's life and SchoolTV focuses on empowering confident parenting.
Explore SchoolTV today on our school website- ‘Parent Information’ tab: https://kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au/?_sm_au_=iVVZV37fD271Wsvj4JcJFKHfqt2TC
SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer 2023
We are seeking your participation through a short survey (25 multiple choice questions) to help us better understand the state of student wellbeing within our community. Your feedback will help us to determine how best we can support families in the months ahead.
Together we can continue to build relationships, foster connections and enable understanding as we navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for all students. So, we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey and reflect on the information offered in this Special Report. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.
Parents and caregivers play a vital role in providing the guidance needed to support children, so it's okay to ask for help along the way. If this report raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice. Let's work together to support the wellbeing of all young people and ensure they feel equipped with the skills to become citizens of tomorrow.
Click on this link to view the Special Report (accessed through school TV)
https://kilabenbay.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2023-au
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING
Our PBL for weeks 1-3 is ‘I make good choices’ this helps students to become an excellent learner. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school approach to creating a safe and supportive environment. It uses preventative, teaching and reinforcement-based strategies to achieve meaningful and durable behaviour outcomes. It also helps reinforce the values of our school’s mission statement- our catholic school community is dedicated to promoting respectful, responsible and honest students.
MENS SHED
We continue our community partnership with Toronto men’s shed this term inviting a new bunch of eager and excited students. Men’s shed helps students learn skills of woodworking, build friendship, and enhance their creativity. The volunteers are amazing, and we are very lucky to be working with them!
‘The best part of men’s shed is that you get to play with kids you normally wouldn’t play with’ Scarlett. T
‘I like men’s shed because you get to be outside’ Oscar
‘The best thing about men’s shed is learning new things like building a pencil box’ Henry
‘The volunteers are so good because they work hard’ Oliver. C
‘Everyone should become a part of men’s shed because it is a great learning experience’ Ruby M
Socktober
October is World Mission Month and our school is partnering with Catholic Mission by participating in Socktober. This month, in class, we will be linking our students' experiences to that of young people experiencing challenges in the developing world through mini mission lessons and through the world game of soccer.
We are inviting students to make their own sockball at home to bring to our Socktober Mission Fun Day celebration on 24th October. Instructions can be found using this link; https://youtu.be/MPLnuvW7XFo .
This year, our fundraising efforts will support the health and educational outcomes of children in Timor-Leste. The Salesian Sisters are one local missionary group in Timor-Leste that help to provide this care and schooling to many children and families around Timor-Leste. More information on this can be found on the Catholic Mission Socktober website; https://www.socktober.org.au/timor
Socktober Mission Fund Day Tuesday 24th October
On Tuesday 24th October we will celebrate Socktober with our annual Socktober Mission Fun Day. Students can come out of uniform!
A Liturgy will be held in the hall at 11am, parents and families are welcome to join us for this. Following the Liturgy, students will have soccer rotational activities, using sockballs students have made at home.
In the afternoon we will have dessert food stalls, Stage Three run fair games and activities, hair spraying and students will also be selling craft like loom bands that they have made.
Activities will range from 50c to $1 each. Please send change to school with your child on the day to participate in these activities.
Classroom teacher will also be sending letters home asking for specific donations to help make this day a great fundraising day to support the children and families in Timor-Leste!
If you wish to make further donations, this can be done online via this QR code (just click ‘sponsor us’)
Report from the Sports Captains on the Socktober Launch they attended:
On 10th October, we went to McDonald Jones Stadium to represent our school at the Socktober Mass. It started off with Evanna and Sophie carrying out our school banner, along with the other school’s representatives. At the Mass we saw some amazing Aboriginal dancing, a re-enactment of the Good Samaritan set in modern times, a student drumline and high school students singing. Bishop Michael Kennedy spoke to us about the message behind the story of the Good Samaritan and then Sister Carolina, who travelled from Timor-Leste, spoke to us about the children she works with and how we can make a difference to the lives of children and families living in Timor-Leste by supporting Socktober. She was very happy to be at the Socktober Mass. During the Mass we were shown lots of different things, but one thing that stood out to us was Jose's story. Jose loved to play soccer in his spare time. Jose used to live with his grandma and early in his childhood, he suffered from the lack of nutrition and had to be taken in by a clinic. Soon after Jose got better, his grandma unfortunately got sick and passed away. Jose is now being looked after by Sister Carolina and the Salesian Sisters full time. After the Mass, we participated in 6 soccer rotational activities, involving different soccer skills with other schools from the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese.
Written by Evanna, Ruby, Sophie and Charlotte.
SJKB Sports Captains.
Holy Land Pilgrimage
During the Term break, I travelled with 44 other teachers, staff and principals from the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese to walk in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land. It was an incredible experience to connect my beliefs and what I had grown up reading and learning about, to the real-life places and geography of Israel and Jordan. I am grateful to say that I felt very safe whilst on pilgrimage in Israel and Palestine, however watching the live news as we sat on the plane ride home from Jordan was difficult for many of us pilgrims to watch. My thoughts and prayers are with all the innocent people caught up in the war.
Whilst travelling between the historic sights both in Israel and Palestine, we met with and listen to many different inspirational people working for justice and peace in their homeland.
Rami Elhanan (Israeli) and Bassam Aramin (Palestinian) From The Parent Circle.
The Parent Circle – Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organisation of over 600 families, who have lost immediate family members to the ongoing conflict. They spread a message trying to prevent bereavement, promote dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation, and peace. It was inspiring listening to Rami and Bassam while they told their stories, both losing daughters to opposite sides of the conflict. Despite this, these men have been bonded into a friendship that sees them look past their loses and what they have been brought up to believe, to spread a message of peace and reconciliation.
The book ‘Apeirogon’ by Colum McCann is based on their story.
The Holy Child Program
Holy Child in Bethlehem is a school that provides an education to children with a range of disabilities and students who have experienced trauma. We spent a beautiful morning learning about the school, visiting classrooms and interacting with the students and teachers who work there. For me, and many of the pilgrims, this was a highlight from our journey. https://holychildbethlehem.org/
These are just two of the more formal meetings that we had with different people and organisations working for peace and justice while we were travelling. Not to mention all the amazing day to day interactions and laughs with many people as we travelled! I am very grateful for this opportunity to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and with it I have memories that will last a lifetime. It has been a pleasure to come back to school this term and begin to show my photos and discuss my experiences with others.
Term 4 dates for the diary:
- 24th October: Socktober Mission Fun Day
- 11th November: Remembrance Morning Liturgy
- 4th December: Advent Morning Liturgy
- 11th December: Advent Morning Liturgy
- 13th December: Year 6/End of Year Liturgy
- 15th December: Christmas Liturgy
Welcome to term 4 in St Joseph’s Library!
We will continue to enjoy some wonderful books and activities.
This term we will focus on Research skills and using technology.
We will also host our PRC Pizza Party later this term.
We will complete a stocktake in the last part of the term, so the
Final week to borrow for this year is week 7.
ALL library books and readers are due back to the library by week 8.
St Joseph’s has a wonderful collection of books that we encourage all students to borrow.
All students need a library bag to borrow from our Library. This helps protect our lovely books.
School Library bags are available for $14 for anyone who needs one.
Students are able to keep their borrowed books for two weeks, although most return them for new ones each week. If students would like to keep books for longer than 2 weeks, we ask that they bring them to the Library and renew them.
Infants borrowing day is Monday.
Primary borrowing is Tuesdays.
Library Lunchtime Fun
The Library is open during lunch times on Wednesday – Friday and the children love coming in to enjoy books, chess, games and writing or drawing. It is a great social activity for them and it’s lovely to watch them interact with each other and enjoy creating. Students are also able to borrow during lunchtimes on these days.
Many parents and carers often wonder if a book is appropriate for their child. A great resource to help with this is Common Sense Media. This website allows parents/carers to search books, games, apps, movies and websites to view whether it is age appropriate and what its content contains.
Sora
St Joseph’s has a subscription to SORA. Sora is an eBook and audio book Library. As part of the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN) member collection, your child can access eBooks and audio books through the Maitland Newcastle Diocese.
All you need to do is to download the SORA app or go to the website and sign in using the
ACEN membership and your child’s Maitland Newcastle username and password
(you can get this from your child’s teacher)
then you and your child can enjoy some terrific books on your devices at home.
One of the great features of SORA is the inclusion of a Premier Reading Challenge book section.
Graphic novels, Fiction and Non-Fiction books are also available.
Log in and explore today.
If you have any questions about anything in the Library feel free to send me an email.
Happy reading,
Leah Hannan
A conversation could change a life.
Do you know how the people in your world are really going?
R U OK? inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener. Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in
R U OK? Day 2023 was Thursday 14 September and is our National Day of Action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, 'are you OK?' and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone, they care about might be struggling with life.
Now could be a great time to ask your child “Are you OK?” and to support them if they are struggling.
As you know having a meaningful conversation with children or teenagers can sometimes be a bit tricky that’s why Reach Out Australia has created resources to help parents help their young people.
Find out how you can effectively communicate with your child and some practical things to try to engage your child in a meaningful conversation.
HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND AND ASK ARE YOU OK?
Whilst children cannot be expected to fix someone’s problems, they can be encouraged to listen to what their friend is saying, show they care and tell a teacher, school counsellor, pastoral care worker or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend. This video shows them how to do that.
More R U Ok? Day resources can be found at www.ruok.org.au
Mel Dobosz
Pastoral Care Worker
Thank you to those families that have paid their school fee accounts as per CSO policy.
All school fee accounts need to be finalised by 30 Novemeber 2023, unless prior arrangement with the Principal is made.
If you are experiencing genuine difficulty in paying your fees, please do not hesitate to contact the school office to arrange to meet with the Principal
How to Order
Thanks to everyone who has placed orders via the link for second hand school items (link below)
PLUS second hand uniform request
Hats can also be ordered via our system please specify new or used in the comments.
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CHILD'S NAME AND CLASS in the message as our volunteers do not have access to the different family surnames to make connections to students - therefore use your child's name first, then your name, especially if different surname. Payment is via the Qkr! app.
Thank you!
THE PLUS TEAM
Slushies are back! At $2.50 they are a great way to cool down. We also have Nippy's frozen cups (kids call them Ice Crushers) - still great value at $1.00.
Unfortunately, due to increases in supply prices, there has been a very slight increase in the price of some hot food items.
Here is the latest menu for your reference.
Please send any questions to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au or call the school office on 4959 1355
Some reminders:
Pre-ordered frozen beverages
Supply Changes
Please note that vegemite scrolls are no longer available and bacon and cheese rolls continue to be available for the moment.
Lunch Order Issues
Volunteer Roster
Every helper is so appreciated and we extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful regulars, together with the new volunteers who are just starting out. Although a couple of new people have registered (big thanks!), we will need more people. As with any volunteer position at school you must be registered.
If you are able to offer help, please send an email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au and Susie Doran will help with your volunteer registration.
See the Roster below. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers! Your children would not benefit from all the canteen has to offer without you!!
If you are unable to make it on your rostered day, please either text Tracey or call the school office.
Term 4
Week 1
Wed 11.10.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 12.10.23 - Maryanne Cartwright, Lyn Moseley
Fri 13.10.23 - Sarah Morris, Cheryl Henriques
Week 2
Wed 18.10.23 - Ruth Blyton
Thur 19.10.23 - Nicole Davison, Andrew Edwards
Fri 20.10.23 - Jenna Lorriman, Ewelina Bursa
Week 3
Wed 25.10.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 26.10.23 - Jade Davison, Merryn Compton
Fri 27.10.23 - Sheree Williams
Week 4
Wed 1.11.23 - Cal Douglas/Emma Douglas
Thur 2.11.23 - Tania Bower, Elise Fitzpatrick
Fri 3.11.23 - Sarah Morris, Cheryl Henriques
Week 5
Wed 8.11.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 9.11.23 - Yasmin Every Burns
Fri 10.11.23 - Jacqueline Hansen, Emily Sault
Week 6
Wed 15.11.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 16.11.23 - Maryanne Cartwright, Lyn Moseley
Fri 17.11.23 - Jenna Lorriman, Ewelina Bursa
Week 7
Wed 22.11.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 23.11.23 -Jade Davison, Merryn Compton
Fri 24.11.23 - Jenny O'Reilly, Stefanie King
Week 8
Wed 29.11.23 - Alesha Quinn, Helen Edwards
Thur 30.11.23 - Tania Bower, Elise Fitzpatrick
Fri 1.12.23 - Sheree Williams, Emily Sault, Kylie Wilkinson
Week 9
Wed 6.12.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff, Emma Douglas/Cal
Thur 7.12.23 - Yasmin Every Burns, Andrew Edwards
Fri 8.12.23 - Sarah Morris, Cheryl Henriques
Week 10
Wed 13.12.23 - Michelle Cherniayeff, Ruth Byron
Thur 14.12.23 - Nicole Davison, Help Needed
Fri 15.12.23 - Jenna Lorriman, Ewelina Bursa
Over the Counter Sales / Recess Qkr ordering
Some healthy snack items are available for pre-order and payment on Qkr for Recess.
If you would like your child to have a recess snack, please place a comment in the "note to staff" section when selecting your item.
Thank you
Tracey Ryan-Ward and Susie Doran
Jump Rope for Heart
Thank you to everyone who supported our Jump Rope For Heart Jump Off on the last day of Term 3. It was fantastic to see the students participating and enjoying this simple but healthy sport. We raised $262 to donate to the organisation that researches cures for Australia's growing heart health problems. As well, we have received a crate of band new skipping ropes for use on the playground so that our keen skippers can hone their skill until next year. Wow, won't the trick skipping be great by then!
Representative Sport
Congratulations to our fabulous long jumper Olivia-Skye Sharp who represented Joey's at the Polding Carnival on Friday 13th October, at the Olympic Athletic Centre in Homebush no less!! Olivia reports being very nervous and didn't think she had her best jump, but we are very proud of her effort of well over 3 metres!
There are some summer sport representative opportunities early in Term 4.
If your child is registered with a local tennis competition and competent to umpire their own games, they may like to trial for the Lakes Region Tennis Trials which will be held at:
Mount Hutton Tennis Courts. Dunkley Parade, Mount Hutton, NSW, 2290
Friday 27th October 2023 (9.00am – 11.00am approx.)
Also
The 2023 Lakes Regional Basketball Trial will be held on:
Monday 6th November at the Josephite Centre at St Paul's, Gateshead.
Again, students must be registered with a local association, and preferable identified in a representative squad.
Both of these trials are for Year 5 and 6 students only.
Anne Neems
Primary Coordinator / 3/4 Blue Teacher
St Joseph's Primary School
Kilaben Bay
Please remember to NAME all clothing, especially jackets.
Lost property goes into the cupboard near the door to the playground in the Admin building, check here and also with your child's teacher. If the item is named it will come back to you straight away.
Once a month, the cupboard will be cleared & items with no name will be sent to the Pre Loved Uniform Shop
Thanks
Linda Garreffa
School Office
Participants in the Children's University program have had their hours submitted for the year. Students who qualified to graduate will be measured for their gowns next Monday 23rd October, please ensure that your child is at school if they need to be measured. They will also receive their official graduation invitation on Monday.
As posted earlier, Graduation is at Newcastle University on Tuesday 21/11/23 4pm -6.30pm. A bus will be booked to transport the students from school. We ask that all graduates travel on the bus so we arrive together ready for gowning as there are over 1000 students attending. Parents are asked to meet Mr Fuller and myself at the Uni.
A note with the complete details of the event will be sent next week.
The passports will be returned to the students this week so they can begin collecting hours for the 2024 year. All passports have been ruled off in red and new hours should be added under the line.
A reminder that the hours recorded are the hours of learning, NOT the hours the activity actually lasted. For example: A full season of footy or netball would take about 40 hours ( 1 hour training, 1 hour game per week for 20 weeks, but the learning recorded for the full season is 10 hours or about a quarter of the time the activity took).
Anne Neems
Primary Coordinator / 3/4 Blue Teacher
St Joseph's Primary School
Kilaben Bay
Wangi Sailing Club Learn to Sail Spring 2023
The LTS course is designed for kids to try their hand at sailing in a fun and safe environment. This course uses Sabot sailing boats that offer a simple and reliable experience for kids. Our experienced coaches ensure that kids with little or no prior sailing experience can learn and enjoy sailing.
The course runs for 6 Saturdays, 8:00 am-10:00am, commencing on Saturday 21st October.
For more information visit Wangi sailing Club at https://wangisailingclub.yachting.org.au/home/
or email Lyn McAllister – lynmcallister8@gmail.com
The children continue to enjoy their guitar lessons so if you would like your child to learn guitar: We have a guitar group here at St Joseph's where children receive tuition from professional teachers at school. For more information, please contact Ricky direct on 0407 534 944:
