Dear Parents

Proclaim 2019 Thank you to our community for supporting our Staff Development Day on Friday. The staff were treated to a terrific day of learning on their own faith journey to ensure we can support our students and families. We unpacked the idea of radical discipleship with the assistance of Jesse Manibusan. He was supported by the Diocesan band, Wildfire. We were proud to see ex-pupil, Alex, using his musical skills as part of the band too. The day is not possible without the support of our families. We thank you!

Announcement of the New Director of Schools for the Diocese of Lismore Bishop Greg Homeming last week announced that with the impending retirement of Mr David Condon our current Director of Catholic Schools, Dr. Sally Towns will take up the appointment as Diocesan Director of Catholic Schools/Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Ltd, to commence on 22 July. Dr. Towns has previously worked in schools in the diocese and is currently Director of School Effectiveness in the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Cairns. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Towns to our school.

Principal Appraisal Process Our families would have all received an email last week from the Catholic Schools Office inviting them to participate in the survey for my Appraisal. I ask you to please take the time to complete this survey. And I am very grateful to all those who can respond.

Policy Updates

We ask all parents to please note that the Child Protection Policy has been updated and is on our webpage for your viewing. We also ask parents to note that the Bullying Prevention Policy is currently under review. This will be ratified at our next PSF meeting on August 20.

World’s Biggest Afternoon Tea This Thursday from 2pm... BYO plate and money and join us as we support the battle against Cancer. Please keep the Barnes family in your prayers. (Will S3, Claudia S2 & Lucinda S1). Mel recently lost her mum Cherie after a far too short battle with Cancer.

Assembly

All are invited to join us at our Assembly, this Friday at 2:20pm, when we will be entertained by our students performing what they have learned during the Brio Rhythms Drumming Workshop held earlier in the day. School Awards will be presented and a representative from the RSL will be presenting certificates to those students who participated in the the Alstonville ANZAC Day writing competition.

JUNE Wednesday 5 - Accendere

applications CLOSE Thursday 6 - Biggest Morning

Tea, 2pm. ALL WELCOME. Friday 7

Brio Rhythms Workshops Gift of the Gab entries CLOSE Assembly (awards & drumming

performance), 2:20pm. Monday 10 - Public Holiday Tuesday 11 - Chess permission

to Xavier DUE Wednesday 12

Year 6 RE Test Anxiety Workshop, FREE from

Parent Assembly, Our Lady Help of Christians, 6pm. Register https://goo.gl/S4bpWA

Thursday 13 - Gift of the Gab Coaching at lunchtime.

Friday 14 RE Rally with Slatts & JB.

12:45pm, McCarthy Hall. Polding Cross Country

Saturday 15 - Kinder Play Date, 2pm, St Joseph’s playground

Sunday 16 - Gift of the Gab Monday 17 - Athletics Carnival

(back up Monday 1 July) Wednesday 19 - StoryBoard S2 Thursday 20 - Bookclub DUE Friday 21 - Assembly (awards &

Act of Kindness), 2:25pm

Sunday 23 - S2 Catch Up

Monday 24 - Science & Engineering Discovery Day, SCU

Tuesday 25 - Chess at Xavier

Wednesday 26 - First Eucharist Meeting, Staffroom, 6pm.

JULY Tuesday 2 - Reports home Friday 5 - Last day Term 2 Monday 22 - S.D.D. - Pupil Free Tuesday 23

Students return Term 3

11 Perry Street Alstonville NSW 2477 ( PO Box 265 ) Phone: 02 6628 1009 www.alstplism.catholic.edu.au Email: alstp@lism.catholic.edu.au

WEEK 6

ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 30 AUGUST—1 SEPTEMBER

Accompanying this newsletter…

Bookclub Issue 4 - DUE 20.6.19

Science & Engineering excursion S3

Stage 2 Catch up flyer

TICKETS FOR OUR CENTENARY DINNER ARE NOW ON SALE from the office. Tickets are $45 each.

Staff Proclaim 2019

Reading Update Last year, Ms Kingsford won the Diocesan Fullness of Life Award. This entitled her to use her prize money to look at ways she could build on her own knowledge. She mapped out a plan and this last weekend she was in Brisbane taking part in the National Education Summit (May 2019) with Digital Classrooms Conference on Friday and Capacity Building School Libraries Conference on Saturday and Sunday. Then this week she travels to Port Macquarie for LitFest.

One of my newest reads, which I shared a snippet of at PSF last week, looks at how we can raise readers. (Raising Readers - how to nurture a child’s love of books, Megan Daley). In this book there is a complete chapter dedicated to the importance of the School Library. Without a specific place to nurture reading in a school, it is left up to classroom teachers alone. Without constant access to top quality literature, students have no idea of the availability of text. Without creating links to learning and reading, students do not understand the importance of being able to read well. The mechanics of reading can be taught in the classroom…..the love of literature is nurtured in a Library.

Diversity in a Library is also crucial. Different text types, variety of author and genre are essential. School curriculum (what teachers teach) is resourced through the Library. And the Library can be a great refuge from the hectic school day. We try to cater for all those needs in our Library. We have quiet reading before school, lunchtime activities including our MakerSpace and the Interactive Whiteboard. We have students coming and going all day, seeking support with aspects of their learning.

My vision, when we moved to Flexible Learning, involved seeing our school in hubs. A hub for the day to day learning (classrooms), a hub for STEM, a hub for Library and resourcing. A hub for cooking. A hub for staff to plan. None more important than the other, but all places where learning occurs for all.

I think we have that now but I wonder if we realise how lucky we are that so many dedicated people work so hard in all those spaces?

The latest Overdrive Diocesan data tells us that from January to May this year the highest borrower from the online repository was John Paul College at Coffs Harbour (a gigantic High School) followed by us (a small Primary school). The love of reading is happening here. Let’s encourage our children to use all options offered.

Pop into the Library the next time you are at school and have a good look around. Therese Seymour

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Jumping Joeys Playgroup Tuesdays 9:30-11am

Come and join in the fun every Tuesday. Painting, playdough, songs and stories with our St Joseph’s mums, Karen Morrison and Amanda Starkey.

Garden Club News

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come to Garden Club. It's easy...you just need to turn up (Kinder. rooms) at lunch time and be prepared to work and get a bit dirty. Not only do we learn how to plant, grow and harvest crops but we learn team work, cooperation, problem solving and a great sense of pride in reaping what we sow.

This weeks Garden Shop SPECIAL is Blueberry Jam and frozen Blueberries. We will also have fresh juicy mandarins, mixed salad, beans, chillies, fresh and dried herbs, flowers, chilli jam, sambal, salsa verde, lemons, lemongrass, bok choy and don't forget our range of cheese boards and planter boxes for sale and for order.

Thank you to all those who support our Shop on a regular basis we really appreciate it. Your support is what keeps garden club growing.

Green Thumbs up.

New signage

New signage around the school was put in place last Friday. Thank you to Sign Media for doing a fabulous job with the signs. There is evidence all over the school!

Outside our classrooms

When you are moving around When you arrive In our Library

News from the Parenting Conference in Coffs Harbour

Well it was another fantastic weekend, with nine St Joey's parents attending this year! There were more than 200 people from Catholic schools within several different regions. It was a weekend of inspiring presentations which gave us insight and practical tools to help us on our parenting journey.

Not only did we strengthen the relationships within our school, we made lots of new connections which was this year's theme of the Conference “The Connected Parent”. Over the coming weeks we will be sharing some information and resources from the weekend. Your Parent Reps Gabby Hipkins (Ollie S2, Hudson S1) Danielle Bullen (Lachlan S2, Katie S1) Chloe McGarry (Hudson S2, Oliver ES1)

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From Lyn Rowling—Wellbeing

Anxiety Workshop presented by Parent Assembly On Wednesday 12 June, there will be a FREE workshop (at Our Lady Help of Christians, South Lismore) for all parents and caregivers on managing our children’s anxiety. It is being hosted by the Diocesan Parent Assembly which works hard to arrange and deliver relevant information sessions for parents. It will be presented by Danny Rankin who is the Inclusion Consultant from the Catholic Schools Office and also an extremely informative presenter. Please see our Week 4 Newsletter or the notice on the school notice board for more details. The link to register to attend can be found on the “Coming Events” section of this newsletter. I would encourage you to attend even if your child has not been formally diagnosed with anxiety because often the telltale signs are there under our nose but we fail to recognise or understand them. Tummy pains, headache, school refusal, separation issues are all signs, that with a little help and support, can often be unpacked and straightforward solutions can be derived. Helping children push through the fear shows them that obstacles can be overcome.

To quote Karen Young who runs the website Hey Sigmund -

“When children avoid situations that make them anxious - but which aren’t actually dangerous - they will experience relief. Relief is powerful, but when it comes from opting out of hard things rather than moving through them, that relief will tell them a story - that they were right to avoid because they aren’t brave enough, or powerful enough, or mighty enough. The only way to teach them a different story is to show them a different ending.”

If you have any concerns about your child, we are here to help or work out a plan.

Toiletries for the Homeless Appeal Thank you for the supplies which have been coming in for the Homeless Appeal. The Vinnies crew is currently in the process of creating a ‘home’, which will live out near the noticeboard on school days, into which the toiletries can be placed. Everything helps and is greatly appreciated. Please ensure items are unused and unopened.

LAP Volunteers I am always seeking volunteers for this programme. If you know of anyone who has an interest in sharing their skills, interests, time or even pets with a child, please encourage them to contact me. I am currently seeking a volunteer for a girl and a boy who could benefit from some additional support.

Enjoy your week, Lyn R

Mrs Libby Spash - Assistant Principal Mission

ARE YOU READY????? Next Friday we are holding our second Music Rally. JB and the Slatts are back with more music, more stories and more surprises to ignite the flame of faith in our students, staff and families. All are invited as we have a fun afternoon celebrating our Catholic faith. Please join us 12:45pm in McCarthy Hall. Parents are very welcome.

Parent Information Night for First Eucharist The Parent Information Night for First Eucharist will be held on Wednesday 26 June in the St Joseph’s School Staffroom at 6:00pm. The meeting will address the meaning of the Sacrament of Eucharist and will be the opportunity to organise the various groups for home instruction. This will involve all parents from both Government schools and St Joseph’s. All children who are in Year 3 and beyond and who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation are eligible to receive First Eucharist. Enrolment forms for First Eucharist can be collected from the school and parish offices.

Accendere - A reminder that applications for interested Year 4 students close tomorrow.

SPORT - Rugby Gala Day Last Tuesday, 28 May, some of the boys in Stage 3 went to Coffs Harbour to play a gala day for Rugby Union at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium. Players Included: Lachlan Barnes, Lachlan Beare, Taj Bednall, Owen Carroll, Oliver Condon, Cohen Duncan, Nick Gannon, John Gooding, Ewan Murgha, Lewis Trim and two students from Coraki and Woodburn. We came 4th out of 8. We played 5 games, won 3 out of 5 and made it to the semi-finals. All the boys played extremely well but there was some tough opposition from Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. A big thank you from all of the boys, to Mr Crosby and Mr Murgha for your coaching and Mr Sutherland who drove the bus on the day. Game:1 we won 19 v 0 against Mary Help of Christians. Game:2 we played Port Macquarie and lost 17 v 0 Game:3 we beat St Carthages 47 v 0 Semi final: lost to St Augustine’s 10 v 0 We played for 3rd and 4th position against Port Macquarie and lost 27 v 10.

Lewis Trim

You’re Invited!

Australia’s Biggest Afternoon Tea

2pm

Thursday 6 June

Staffroom for adults - please bring a plate to share and coins for donations. There will be a stall in the undercover area for students.

Donations to sell at the student stall would be appreciated. Cancer has affected many in our community recently and we would like to

help raise money for the Cancer Council. Every dollar raised helps support those impacted by cancer.

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ALTAR SERVERS ROSTER

Saturday 8 June: Patrick Thompson, Lauren Kopp, Niamh Thompson, Oliver Hipkins.

Sunday 9 June: Josh Simmons, Seb Astone, Teo Astone, Grace Dougherty.

Children’s Sunday Liturgy Alstonville 8:30am: Tanya Pagotto Wardell 5:00pm: Kerry Turpin

Coaching for Gift of the Gab Coaching for Gift of the Gab will be offered next week at lunch time in

the hall. This will allow entrants to practice using the stage and microphone and be given some tips to improve their pieces.

Coaching will be at lunchtime NEXT Thursday 13 June for all Stages

Please note that this session is being run by parent volunteers who will not be able to ensure students attend.

Please remind your child on the day if they wish to attend.

Entries close this Friday, 7 June

Peter Lalor

Peter Lalor was hard working and Proud of his achievements. He led the rebellion for Eureka Stockade.

Peter managed to escape a large disease that affected potatoes and opened his friends to danger. Not only did he escape the Irish famine he miraculously escaped following the Eureka Stockade.

Lalor was a leader for the miners and was elected on November 30th 1854 for the rebellion. He helped the miners who were extremely frustrated on how they were treated. They were made pay expensive prices for the gold licence.

Peter Lalor contributed to lasting change by lowering the price of the gold license from £1 a month to £1 a year.

He was elected to the Victorian Parliament and had a lasting effect on Australian democracy.

Ollie Condon (S3)

Kindergarten Catch Up and Mini Obstacle Course Saturday 15 June

2pm St Joseph’s playground

RSVP Thursday 13 June (Chloe 0414 267 144 or Gillian 0419 405 190)

Bring a small plate of afternoon tea to share.

I offer counselling services with compassion and care to school age children, high schools students, young adults and just about anyone who is struggling and needs a

safe and non-judgemental space to be themselves while also getting the needed help.

Stage 2 Catch Up - Rollerworld Sunday 23 June

2pm 21 Bridge St, North Lismore

Cost: $9 entry and $3 to hire skates or rollerblades.

RSVP Thursday 13 June (Chloe 0414 267 144 or Naomi 0455 611 655)

Mums’ Friday Coffee Mornings

Our regular coffee catch-up will resume this Friday, 7 June.

Please join us at 9am at “86 on Main”.

All welcome.