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Friday, November 24 2017

Dear Parents and Friends It is hard to believe that we have almost reached the end of the school year…and what a year it has been. In reflecting on the many wonderful whole school celebrations we have had this year, it has been wonderful to see our theme of “KINDNESS” shining through, along with our five school values being actively lived in so many of these. Our Project Compassion and Mission Fair giving was the highest it has been for some time this year demonstrating compassion and justice; our student leaders undertaking their roles with pride throughout the year demonstrating service; the everyday interactions of our students, staff and parents across our school reflecting respect; and, our outstanding NAPLAN results which placed our matched students as ranking above the National and State growth averages across all areas tested, just one example of excellence. Everyone at our school contributes to the creative, challenging and innovative learning environment we have created here at St Joseph’s. Our parents have volunteered in many ways this year to enhance the experiences, resources and programs offered at our school. Our students continue to step up and demonstrated resilience, perseverance, respect and compassion as they have strived to learn in new ways this year. Our staff have given their time, expertise and hearts to help nurture the students in their care. It is always sad at this time of year when we have to say goodbye to members of our staff who are moving on next year. This year we farewell Ms Melinda Wright, Mrs Trish Anderson who will be retiring and Mrs Ellie Sauer who is awaiting the arrival of her first child in just a few short weeks. We thank Melinda, Trish and Ellie for their outstanding contributions to our school and wish them well as they journey forward next year. Next year we welcome two new members of staff. Miss Emma Burge will be joining us in Year 1, moving up from Victoria and Miss Rosina Jeston will be joining us in Year 2, currently employed at Emmanuel School. Our full staff list for 2018 is listed below: St Joseph’s Staff 2018 Principal Miss Bianca Hodges APRE & Learning Support Mrs Anne Marshall APC & Learning Support Mrs Deborah Mallet Administration Secretary Mrs Melissa Fahl Finance Secretary Mrs Diane Wilson PREP R Miss Nicole Risson PREP W Mrs Alicia Wardrop YR 1M Mrs Caitlin McKenzie YR 1SE Miss Emma Burge YR 2J Miss Rosina Jeston YR 2R Mrs Zoe Rippingale YR 3N Mrs Monica Napier

YR 3PF Mrs Emma Percy and Mrs Joanna Ford-Lovi YR 4B Ms Nichola Byrne YR 4P Mrs Marcelle Price YR 5D Mrs Christine Davies YR 5H Mrs Michaela Honess YR 6HE Mrs Carla Hinschen and Mrs Lisa Evans YR 6GG Mr Brian Grundy and Mrs Terri Grundy PE Specialist Teacher Mrs Christine McLennan Music Specialist Teacher Mrs Caireen Holt Technology Specialist Teacher Mr Brian Grundy eLearning Coaches Mr Brian Grundy Mrs Caitlin McKenzie School Counsellor Mrs Donnetta Trannore Library Assistant Ms Sheree Morrison IT Support Assistant Mrs Michelle Vella Teacher Assistants Mrs Lynette Harris Mrs Maureen Pierpoint Mrs Ann-Marie Reitano Mrs Jo Cannon Mrs Vicki Barron Mrs Leigh Hollywood Mrs Sheila Giumelli Mrs Cassandra Dern Mrs Roxarne Hottes Mrs Kim Brakell Mr Benjamin Faulkner Tuckshop Coordinator Mrs Jessica Jackson-Gee OSHC Coordinator Mrs Deborah Gillham Groundsman Mr Eddie De Thomasis School Cleaner Mrs Leeann Ringuet This will be our final newsletter for 2017. I extend my best wishes to all families who are leaving us at the end of this school year. May all members of our school community have a happy, safe and holy Christmas and I look forward to our return to school on Monday 22 January, 2018. Bianca Hodges Principal

Queensland State Election The Queensland Catholic Education Commission asked five political parties contesting the Queensland election for their responses to priority issues in Catholic education. These issues are important for Catholic schools to be able to continue to deliver high quality, affordable education in effective contemporary learning environments. A table summarising the parties’ responses to these key issues is available on the QCEC website at http://qcec.catholic.edu.au/catholic-schools-partners-queenslands-future. St Joseph’s is a polling site tomorrow from 8am – 6pm.

DATE CLAIMER

NOVEMBER 28 Graduation Mass & Supper 29 Year 6 Fun Day 29 Year 5 Movie Day 29 Prep – Yr 4 Fun Slide and Bounce Day

DECEMBER 2 Christmas Liturgy & Leadership Handover 9.30am – 10.30am Year 6 Farewell Assembly 11.00am – 12.00am

APRE NEWS:

LITURGY NEWS

Closing/Thanksgiving Mass: 24th November Graduation Mass: Tuesday 28th November at 6pm. Advent Liturgy: 1st December (Year 6’s and Preppies)

YEAR SIX GRADUATION MASS Year Six students and their families are asked to make note of the Graduation Mass which will be held on TUESDAY 28th. November at St. Joseph’s Church at 6pm. An invitation is extended to the wider school community to attend this mass. The Giving Tree Appeal Many of us are in a position this year to reach out to help those who are finding it difficult to give their children a “Merry Christmas”. As Jesus is the reason for the season, we are called to reach out more than ever to those less fortunate than ourselves. During the lead up to Christmas, St Joseph’s School will once again be supporting a Giving Tree Appeal through encouraging families to make or donate a gift to be placed under the Giving Tree during the last few weeks of school. Next week, in the foyer of the office our Giving Tree will be waiting to be adorned with gifts – gifts from us to those who are in a less fortunate position than ourselves this Christmas. The gifts that are donated will be distributed by the St Vincent De Paul to families in need. If your family would like to make a contribution feel free to select a gift tag from under the tree in the office area, purchase or make an appropriate gift, wrap it, attach the gift tag securely and deliver it to the office. Help make this Christmas a time of happiness, by reaching out to those in need and by celebrating the love of your families. St. Vincent De Paul Hamper Appeal As in past years, we are collecting donations for the Christmas Hamper Appeal. St. Joseph’s School community has been asked to bring in the following items: 1 x 450 tinned beetroot 1 x 2 litre cordial (any size will do) 1 x large tinned fruit (pineapple, two fruits etc.) 1 x plum pudding Thankyou once again for your great support of this appeal. A big thankyou to those who have already donated items or gifts.

ADVENT The Church calendar begins with the Advent season, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. During Advent we prepare for the coming of our Saviour at Christmas. As we wait, we need to look at our lives and make sure we are ready for the coming of the Lord at Christmas and in the future. The greater part of the liturgical seasons of ADVENT and CHRISTMAS falls during the school holidays, but such is the importance of this time that we have been giving time to focussing on these seasons earlier than usual, within the school year. In this way students have been given an opportunity to experience the scriptures and traditions of this time. Following is an explanation of two of the traditions of the Advent season. THE JESSE TREE In Christian tradition the Jesse Tree represents the family tree of Jesus. Beginning with Abraham, the names we see decorating the tree are characters listed in the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. ADVENT WREATH The Advent wreath is conventionally, a circle of greenery to which four candles, three purple and one rose coloured are attached. The purple candles are lit separately for each of the Sundays before Christmas. The symbolism of the Advent wreath is as follows, Circle – for love without end. God’s love is eternal Love. Greenery – life without end (eternal life now and forever with God). Purple Ribbon – Sorrow for past failures to love. Four candles – 3 purple, 1 rose. The four Sundays before Christmas remind us that Jesus brought light and the warmth of love into the world – to us. Advent starts next Sunday and on Friday of next week the Prep classes will be leading us in a special Advent Liturgy. Please come and join with us in celebrating this wonderful season of the Church.

REPORT CARDS FOR SEMESTER 2

Report cards will once again be available through Parent Lounge from 3:00pm Wednesday 29th November 1. To access Parent Lounge log on to our website: sjnmrok.catholic.edu.au 2. Click on “Our Parent Life”. 3. Click on “Parent Lounge”. 4. Login with your ID number (your 6 digit Parent Code) and the password remains the same as previously used. Families who are leaving the school are advised to download and save all reports from Parent Lounge to their own computers prior to Friday 19 January 2018. At this time, access to Parent Lounge will no longer be available. This applies to all Year 6 students.

SPEECH & DRAMA

2018 has been a very successful year for the students at St Joseph’s Drama. They were awarded the winning trophy in the mime groups as well as a second and two highly commended. Congratulations to the students who performed in solos as well, with every student coming away with a place which is a huge achievement! St Joseph’s Drama is now taking enrolments for 2018 Please collect your enrolment form from the school office and please return it before the school year is over. So Dramatic Performing Arts School offers group lessons during school hours. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at the eisteddfod. They will learn the art of performance, projection, miming, poetry and character work just to name a few. For more information please do not hesitate to contact me at sodramaticpas@gmail.com or 0413032134. Looking forward to an exciting 2018! Miss Ellie

Prep R Mitchell Searle

For consistently demonstrating the values of Compassion and Service. You are always looking out for others and are

ready to lend a hand. Thank you for everything you do!

Prep W Georgia McMurdy

For your amazing “Can Do” attitude towards school. You are an amazing role model to your peers and you are becoming

so independent. Well done Georgia!

1M Leaf Fraser

For the positive attitude you have displayed this term. Your willingness to do your best has been wonderful to see. Keep

up the great work Leaf!

1SE Blake Kister

For your wonderful listening and enthusiasm towards learning. It is fabulous to see you displaying the values of excellence

and respect. Keep it up Blake!

2R Nate Holcombe

For your amazing rhyming poems. You were always able to make me laugh with your clever poems. Well done.

2W Jai Atkinson

For consulting with and actively listening to feedback on your Dreamtime Story. You have shown great leadership and

responsibility. Well done!

3D Bailey Smith

For the amazing effort you have put into each task throughout the year. You are an incredibly hard worker and

demonstrate the five values of St Joseph’s each day. Well done.

3PF Chloe Gray

For completing tasks to the best of your ability and for always presenting your work beautifully.

4B Neve Doyle

For your consistently achieving fantastic results for your end of year tests. You are a star.

4P Zoe Wardrop

For the way you demonstrate the five values of St Joseph’s in all you do. You deserve to be Student of the Week every

week. Keep up the amazing work Zoe.

5D 5D

For the positive attitude and willingness to have a go at all the ‘Challenges’ at camp. At times it was tough but you all put

on your harness and started. I’m so proud of you all for being ‘Your Best’ and smiling! Congratulations on a fantastic

Leadership Camp 5D!

5H 5H

For your awesome display of leadership, support, cooperation and motivation during Leadership Camp. I am so proud of

you all. You are going to be incredible school leaders next year.

6GG Estella Martin

For a fantastic effort with your ‘silent movie’ project. You demonstrated great initiative, leadership and teamwork skills.

Thank you Estella!

6H Eliza Crimmin

For putting 100% effort in to all of your subjects this semester. You’ve worked so hard and your hard work has certainly

paid off. You should be extremely proud of yourself. Well done Eliza!

The Summer Reading Club is on again at your local public library. Participation in the Summer Reading Club is FREE! Register online: http://www.summerreadingclub.org.au/ or at your local library and go into the draw to win 1 of 8 iPod’s. With a “Game On!” theme, this summer’s club is packed full of fun. There are 10 online competitions to participate in, reading logs to complete and submit into prize draws – 8 mini iPads and 8 prize packs to be won! Plus competitions and activities at your local library.