St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray”
NEWSLETTER Term 1 Week 4 17 February
Dear Parents and Caregivers Thank you for your attendance at last week’s Parent Information Sessions. Next Tuesday night we will hold an Information Session for the Kindergarten parents in the Library at 6:30pm followed by the first P & F meeting for the year at 7:30pm. We would love to see some new families represented at the P & F meeting so hopefully you will be able to join us.
Annual Improvement Plan
Mary MacKillop St Mary of the Cross
Each year, every Sydney Catholic School prepares an Annual Improvement Plan which focuses on three or four key areas, according to the specific needs of the school for the year ahead. Strategies are put into place to address each area and the plan is assessed each term.
The four key goals for St Joseph’s Riverwood 2016 are: strengthening students knowledge and understanding of Religious
Education
Australia’s first Saint
teachers using data effectively to make informed decisions about their
Born on 15 January 1842 in Melbourne
teaching programs and practice to improve student achievement and growth. teachers demonstrating a shared understanding and practice of the
Died 8 August 1909
principles of authentic learning that underpin the emerging school-wide pedagogy to improve student learning outcomes. an effective and consistent whole school approach to pastoral care and
positive behaviours for learning will be evident.
CANONISED 17th October 2010
Roles of staff
For those parents who are new to the school, I would like to outline the roles of our leadership team.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
28-32 Thurlow Street Riverwood NSW 2210 Phone: 9533 3341 Fax: 9584 2672
[email protected] www.stjriverwood.catholic.edu.au
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” PRINCIPAL Cont’d Kim McCue
Principal
Lynda Busuttil
Assistant Principal
Robyn Green
Religious Education Coordinator
Hayley Meadley
Coordinator 2 - English
Michelle Fullerton
Coordinator 1 - eLearning
Elaine Thompson
Coordinator 1 - Well Being and Pastoral Care
Jenna O’Donnell
Sport Coordinator
Lauren Koszek
Assisting Robyn Green with areas of Religious Education
Regional Mass On Tuesday evening staff from the Eastern Region schools of the Sydney Archdiocese attended mass at St Mary’s Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Terry Brady. The theme of the homily was on the Jubilee Year of Mercy which Pope Francis has declared for 2016. Pope Francis’ message for the Year of Mercy is: “The Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is meant for everyone: people of every age, from far and near. There are no walls or distances which can prevent the Father’s mercy from reaching and embracing us………….. We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart in order to see how much generosity everyone is capable of. No one can be excluded from the mercy of God; everyone knows the way to access it and the Church is the house where everyone is welcomed and no one is rejected. Her doors remain wide open, so that those who are touched by grace may find the assurance of forgiveness.”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” PRINCIPAL Cont’d Catholic Schools Week - Kindergarten 2017 Enrolments Catholic Schools Week is fast approaching. CSW begins the week of the 7th March. This week marks the opening of enrolments for Kindergarten 2017. It is hard to believe that our 2016 Kindergarten students are just settling into the school routine as we start the process for next year’s intake. We will have our Open Day for Catholic Schools Week on Monday 7th March so please note this date in your diary. More details will follow closer to Catholic Schools Week.
Father John Doherty Father John will be joining our Morning Assembly on Tuesday mornings when he is free to do so. Please take this opportunity to introduce yourself to Father John. I know that he would welcome seeing you at Mass. Thank you Father John for joining with us yesterday in the Liturgy for the blessing of the new school leaders for 2016. God Bless
Kim McCue Principal
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Student Representative Council On Tuesday morning we announced the Student Representative Council members from Year 2 to Year 5. Congratulations to: 2M
Marceline Oendy
Matthew Ippolito
2P
Rachel Alexander
Lukas Kontrafouris
3M
Kate Milic
Joshua Lane Chicharo
3P
Julianna Kupresak
Austin McDean
4M
Patricia Papagianopoulos
Sarantos Vavladellis
4P
Margaret Oszywa
Kane McCarren
5M
Christina Vandarakis
Antonio Caruana
5P
Lara Tolic
Harrison Cragg
At Tuesday's Assembly we welcomed all our Student Leaders to their new role in a commissioning ceremony where they received a blessing from Fr John. They are now all wearing their new badges with pride!
“Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Cont’d Around the classes - Kindergarten It has been very pleasing to see our new Kindergarten children settling in quickly to their new routines and demonstrating that they are eager to learn.
Assessments Throughout the year students complete a wide variety of activities to assist both the teacher and the child to establish the level of learning achieved in a particular area and which are also used to plan future directions in teaching and learning. A small number of these assessment tasks will be sent home after completion and marking. While these tasks are only one component of the work samples that teachers use to determine each child's progress they will give parents a snapshot of their child's learning as it occurs. We ask that when these come home you talk with your child about the task, especially noting points of success and also helping your child to decide on areas for future focus. Please then sign the assessment and return it within the week to your child's class teacher. Your assistance in ensuring the prompt return of these tasks will be much appreciated. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Cont’d
Save the date - School Photos This year school photos will again be taken over two days Tuesday 9 August and Wednesday 10 August. Please put these dates in your diaries now! It would assist us greatly if these days are avoided if booking any medical appointments or family holidays.
Has your child been absent from school this week?
.
Parents are required to inform their child's teacher in wri ng of the dates and reason of absence within a week of return to school or the absence will be recorded as an UNEXPLAINED absence on their file.
Chinese Lion Dancers Thank you to the Lo Family who organised the performance of the Lion Dance to celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year. The children were thrilled by the spectacle of the event. We are all especially proud of Jessica and Jennifer Lo who also performed.
Have a good fortnight Lynda Busuttil
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE SPORTS CO-ORDINATOR
During the month of February a number of sporting trials will be held by the St George Cluster and Eastern Region sports organisations run by the Catholic Primary Schools Sports Council. This provides students who demonstrate a high level of skill development in their chosen sports to have the opportunity to trial for a place in the MacKillop and State teams. We wish the following students the best of luck! Netball Tamara Buckley, Liahna Hofman, Hannah Ridley and Olivia Simone. Soccer Lara Tolic, Michael Antonio, Matthew Campos Peterson and Antonio Caruana. Rugby League Dimitri Antonio and Michael Antonio. AFL Dylan Carr and Rory Little
St George Cluster Swimming Carnival
On Thursday 25th February nineteen students will represent St Joseph’s at the St George Cluster Swimming Trials held at the Des Renford Aquatic Centre, Maroubra. We wish these students the very best of luck and hope that they swim their best and represent our school with pride. Stay tuned for an update on their results in the next newsletter! Good luck!
Luka Cavdarovski, Jordan Coyle, India Faber, Lucy Finn, Alanson Garcia, Rory Little, Kane McCarren, Austin McDean, Claudia Nguyen, Hannah Ridley, Talena Saumaitoga, Carter See, Amelia Simone, Lara Tolic, Nicholas Veldekis, Anika Whitten, Finlay Whitten, Mitchell Woods and Samara Woods
Always strive to do your best in every field. Jenna O’Donnell “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
“Work and Pray” FROM THE LITERACY CO-ORDINATOR (Mrs Hayley Meadley) Welcome to Literacy HINTS/TIPS for Week 4! Each fortnight, I will share with you some hints/tips related to reading or writing that you can use at home with your child. Week Four Hints and Tips HOME READING Reading with your child at home will help them in all learning areas at school. Often teachers will ask you to listen to your child read at home. This is a good way to support your child's reading. You can borrow books from your school library or your local library. Hints for listening to your child read: When reading together at home try to make the time relaxed, enjoyable and positive. Vary it. Read together, read to your child and take turns or have them read to you. Before reading, talk about the cover, the title and the pictures, and discuss what the book may be about. During reading, discuss what has been read up to that point and predict what might happen next. After you've finished reading with your child, talk and ask questions about the story and the pictures. Useful reading tips: When your child is reading and encounters words that are difficult for them, use the ‘Three Ps’ technique ‘Pause, Prompt, Praise' to support them. Pause:
When your child comes to a word they don't know, try not to jump in straight away. Wait and give your child time to work out the word.
Prompt: If your child successfully works out the problem word, suggest they go back to the beginning of the sentence and re-read it (to recap meaning) before reading on. If your child has not worked out the problem word, prompt them with some quick, lowkey suggestions. Say things like: "Try reading on for a sentence or two, miss out the difficult word and see if that helps you to work it out." "Look at the sound the word begins with, use that clue, and think about what may make sense here? Look at the pictures." If prompts like these are not working, simply tell your child the correct word. Try not to spend too much time prompting, as your child will find it difficult to maintain the overall meaning of what they are reading. Praise: Praise your child's reading efforts and successes. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR
While we are still enjoying summer in our regular calendar year, our Church has just had a change of season in the Liturgical year - we are now in the season of Lent. Lent is a time when we prepare ourselves to fully celebrate the great feast of Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for forty days from the first Sunday of Lent through to Holy Thursday. For forty days we become more aware of the needs of people around us. During this time of Lent we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving: we pray to God we fast – eating less food or giving up other things we like we can practise “almsgiving”. This means giving money, food, clothing etc. to the poor, or helping others we try to model our lives on Jesus. To Know Worship and Love texts 4-6
It is at this time of year that our school makes a big fundraising effort to support Caritas Australia – the Catholic agency for international aid and development – through Project Compassion. As you would be aware, as a Catholic school we have an important responsibility to take forward the mission of the Church. One way we can do this is to put our Catholic social teaching into action through caring for the poor. This year Caritas Australia is celebrating 50 years of Project Compassion with the theme, “Learning more, creating change”. Learning creates opportunities for long-term positive change. Project Compassion 2016 celebrates the power of learning, and the many ways in which Caritas Australia is working with local partners around the world to provide vital learning and renewed hope to children, women and men most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. Through education, training and sharing knowledge, individuals and communities are empowered to transform their futures and create lasting change. The fund raising efforts of each class will help bring renewed hope to the world’s poorest people, empowering them to learn more and create change. The following are just some examples of what our fundraising can achieve: $50 could build an energy-saving stove for a family, which uses less firewood to conserve the natural environment in Malawi. $80 could provide potting soil and seeds, so that children with intellectual disabilities can enjoy gardening activities in Laos. $200 could provide a two-day training workshop for 10 villagers on their legal rights in India. $250 could provide a young person with training on how to lead a Community Conversation to discuss issues that face Papua New Guinea. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR Cont’d
$570 could provide two days of training for health centre staff so they can share new knowledge about childhood nutrition with local communities in Cambodia. $1,150 could provide a skills building workshop for artists where Elders pass on traditional cultural knowledge to younger generations in Australia. If you would like to learn more about how Project Compassion changes lives, visit www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion Our school leaders in Year 6 will be visiting classes throughout Lent to encourage them in their fund raising efforts and to give them information about how their generosity is changing lives for the better.
Peace and best wishes Robyn Green
Enrolments - First Holy Communion Our Lady of Fatima Parish Peakhurst The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Peakhurst on 28th and 29th May 2016. Enrolment forms are now available and are due back at the parish office by Friday 11th March. Applications forms were sent home via your child’s school bag this week, however are also available at the Piety Stall, the Parish House during office hours Tuesday to Friday 9.00am—4.00pm, or can be downloaded from our website http://ourladyoffatima.com.au by following the links to ‘Sacramental Program’. The parent information meeting is on Monday 4th April at 7.30pm in the church. If you require any further information please contact Ruth at the Parish Office on 9533 2594. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” DIARY DATES
COMING TOGETHER
Thursday 18 February - Year 6 Badge Ceremony
Whole School Mass 04.03.16
First Friday Mass (12pm)
- ER Netball Trials
18.03.16
Celebration Mass at 9.00am -
- ER Soccer Trials
St Joseph’s Day
Tuesday 23 February - Kindergarten Information Evening @ 6.30pm
Wednesday Prayer Assembly 24.02.16
5 MacKillop
02.03.16
2 Penola
- P & F Meeting 7.30pm Thursday 25 February - St George Cluster Swimming Trials Friday 26 February
Wednesday Mass (9am) 24.02.16
Year 3
09.03.16
Year 2
Wednesday Penance 24.02.16
5 Penola
02.03.16
6 MacKillop
- ER League Trials
Mon 7 - Fri 11 March - Catholic Schools Week Monday 7 March
- Open Day Kindergarten Enrolment 2017 Period commences
Friday 18 March
- St Joseph’s Day Celebrations
Fri 25 - Mon 28 March - Easter Break Friday 8 April
- Last Day of Term 1
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray”
ry a u r Feb s y a d Birth
Happy Birthday to the following children who will have a Birthday between 15 February and 28 February 2016
Yianni Papagianopoulos
Patricia Papagianopoulos
Darren Theodore
Laura Ippolito
Lucas Roy
Emma Ene
Capri Tandek
Luca Bella Solomons
Veronika Wasef
Joel Weegen
Natasha Alexander
Tameika Ustajanovski
Lachlan Vincetic
Liahna Hofman
Jeriah Leger
Logan Hill
Luke Trajkovski
2nd Hand Uniforms The 2nd Hand Uniform shop will be open fortnightly during the year on Friday mornings before assembly. Items range from $3.00. Term 1 days will be:Friday 26 February, Friday 11 March and Friday 1 April. If you are unable to attend on these days you can leave a request with the School Office and we will endeavour to help you.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray”
MERIT CERTIFICATES WEEK 2 Kindergarten
Ayden Agha, Natalie Govesis, Liam Kirby & Victoria Vasiliou
Year 1
Peggy Hammond, Daniel Suteski, Zhyon Tran & Isabella Trovato
Year 2
Isabella Chen, Roy Daylusan, Lukas Kontrafouris & Elena Sorras
Year 3
Thomas Bourke, Annabel Cohen, Noah Lane Chicharo & Levi Saua
Year 4
Jeremy Khoury, Zachary Nobrega, Patricia Papagianopoulos & Sarantos Vavladellis
Year 5
Peter Govesis, Daniel Lakiss, Natasha Santos & Lara Tolic
Year 6
Jack Donati, Erin Marcozanis, Anjali Paintal & Dion Vandarakis
WEEK 3 Kindergarten
Sienna Cogle, Zachariah Trinidad, Kiarna Whitten & Justin Wilkinson
Year 1
Mariam Awad, Joel Christanto, Lucas Michaelides & Caterina Moretti
Year 2
Emma Forgione, Ava Ost, Andrew Rustom & Harrison West
Year 3
Noah Khoury, Evan Michaelides, Kate Milic & Alexia Thomas
Year 4
Natasha Alexander, India Faber, Lucy Finn & Hunter Solomons
Year 5
Jacob Khoury, Stephanie Korkotidis, Gabriella Lombardo & Kenrick Theodore
Year 6
Teana Bourke, Dylan Carr, Luka Cavdarovski & Hannah Ridley
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School “Work and Pray” P & F News
Dear Parents and Caregivers
We need you! Year coordinators needed! The P&F are here to help you, listen to you, represent you and to help raise funds that all go to our kids in some way. We also hold a few social functions to help make our great school community even stronger.
To help events run smoothly we need a coordinator for each year. It doesn't take much of your time and you can do it in partnership with a friend if you'd like.
If you would like to help please email me at
[email protected]
The first P&F meeting for 2016 will be held; Tuesday 23 February 7.30pm in the library. Snacks and refreshments will be served. The first meeting will focus on the years event and how we spend funds raised on our kids this year.
Regards Steve McMahon
Mobile: 0419 770 355
P & F President
Email:
[email protected]
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7