St Joseph’s Primary School
“Living, Loving and Learning”
Newsletter
No. 5 Wednesday 25th March 2015
PO Box 77 Millmerran * Telephone: 4695 1349 * Fax: 4695 1680 *
Email: [email protected] * Website: www.millmerran.catholic.edu.au/
Dear Parents/Guardians,
One of our teaching and learning goals for this year has been our continued focus on classroom walkthroughs and lesson
observations. The primary purpose of these observations and walkthroughs is to acknowledge the great teaching practice
that is occurring within our classrooms and to develop the mindset of regular reflection of our practice in the light of key
questions: What we are doing well? and What can we do even better? By identifying, acknowledging and reflecting on
our practice, we see that there is a direct flow on effect to the students, as they become more reflective and engaged
learners.
Throughout the term, the teachers have been regularly observed within their Literacy blocks and have been provided with
coaching and feedback around key areas from the Leadership team and CEO staff. The teachers have been extremely
dedicated and open to the entire process and they are to be commended on their efforts.
This process will continue into the following terms with the focus being on the teachers coaching and observing each
other. This will lead to us developing further as a staff that; mutually supports one another, provides open and honest
feedback and is engaged in continual improvement through reflection.
As this is our last official newsletter for the term, I would like to thank our volunteers and parent helpers for their
assistance this term and we look forward to seeing you again next term. I hope that you all have a happy and holy Easter
period and come back refreshed for an exciting Term 2.
Kind Regards
Luke Barrett
PRINCIPAL
1.
GRANDPARENTS DAY
The Prep to Year 2 students were delighted to welcome their Grandparents to school yesterday enjoying old
fashioned activities and sharing a beautiful morning tea. Thanks Mrs Chappell and Miss Collett for a great morning.
2.
FAMILY MASS
Thank you to all the families who were able to attend the Family Mass. Many positive comments were forthcoming
from the Parishioners complimenting the children on their prayerful and confident contributions. Thanks Fr Thomas.
3.
ST JOSEPH’S FEAST DAY
Thanks to Miss Collett and Yr 1/2 for the special prayer celebration honouring St Joseph, patron saint of our school.
4.
GORE HIGHWAY INTERSCHOOL SUMMER SPORTS DAY
Year 5/6 students played in the Super 8’s cricket competition in Pittsworth last Friday under very hot conditions.
Congratulations on your display of good sportsmanship and your achievements: the senior team placed 4th and the
junior team finished runners up. Well done!
5.
INNER DOWNS RUGBY LEAGUE
Congratulations to Joe Macqueen on his selection in the Under 11 Inner Downs Rugby League team. Joe will play
against Bunya Districts next Tuesday in Dalby. Good luck.
6.
FORMAL ASSEMBLY
There will be no Formal Assembly this week. There will be Formal Assembly on Thursday 2nd April at 9am.
7.
EASTER LITURGY
An Easter Liturgy will be presented by Mrs Fitzgerald and Year 5/6, under the guidance of Fr Thomas, on Thursday
2nd April at 1.45pm at the church. Please come along and join us.
8.
MAYOR’S MORNING TEA
Mr Barrett and four School Leaders have been invited by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Paul Antonio to attend
the Annual Morning Tea for Primary School Captains and Leaders in Toowoomba on 26th March.
9.
ICAS COMPETITIONS
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools are a voluntary extension exercise for students in years 2 to
6. They are an opportunity for students to test their knowledge and practice exam strategies. Please find an entry
form below and return to the school office by Wednesday 1st April.
10. 2015 NAPLAN
Date
Tests
Tuesday 12 May
Language conventions and Writing
Wednesday 13 May
Reading
Thursday 14 May
Numeracy
11. NETBALL TRAINING
Netball training is on Friday, at lunch time, with Miss Ivey.
12. CROSS COUNTRY
St Joseph’s Cross Country event will be held on this Friday 27th March commencing at 9am. Parents are required to
act as course marshalls. The remainder of the day will be a normal school day. Students can wear team colours.
13. FISH FRIDAY
Thank you to everyone for their support of Fish Friday and thank you also to the organisers. Great idea!
14. ANZAC DAY
An ANZAC Day Liturgy will be held in the Assembly Hall on Friday 24th April at 9am. On ANZAC Day, Saturday
25th April, students need to assemble in front of the Pharmacy at 9.40am in winter school uniform and hat. Students
will perform at the Cultural Centre service immediately after the parade. Please fill in the Attendance Slip below and
return to school by Monday 30th March. Miss Ivey will be conducting the choir which will rehearse at lunch times.
15. “GROOZIK” KEYBOARD LESSONS
We have an amazing opportunity to offer professional keyboard lessons to students. The lessons will be conducted by
our local Groozik tutor, Chris Buckley. Groozik (meaning ‘Group Music’) is Australia’s leading provider of school
music tuition. We provide a wonderful opportunity for children to have quality group music lessons at school.
- Professional Music Tutors
- Small Group Lessons (Max. 4 Students)
- Very Affordable = $15 Per Lesson (50% less than individual private tuition)
- Music Books Supplied During Lessons
- Instruments Supplied for Every Student During Lessons!
If you would like your child to participate or you have any questions please email the local Groozik tutor, Chris
Buckley - [email protected]
16. SKOOLBAG COMMUNICATION APP
Don’t forget to keep up to date with what’s going on at St Joseph’s by downloading the free Skoolbag app from the
Apple App Store, Google Play Store or following the links from the website. Simply search for St Joseph’s Primary
School Millmerran. For a free demonstration or further information please come to the office.
17. EASTER RAFFLE
Year 5/6 class are holding an Easter Raffle to raise extra money for the Project Compassion Campaign. There are
lots of delicious chocolate hampers and a large bear to be won. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1.
18. LOST PROPERTY
As the cooler weather approaches please ensure all your child’s/children’s school clothing is clearly labelled. A small
St Joseph’s jumper has been misplaced with Matilda Judd’s name on it. Please check your child’s jumper in case it
has been mistakenly picked up.
19. SYMPATHY
Our deepest sympathy to Mrs Ursula Lindenmayer and her family on the recent loss of their beloved mother and
grandmother. Keeping you in our prayers and thoughts at this time.
ATTENDANCE SLIP
ANZAC Day
My child/children ____________________________ will be attending the ANZAC Day march on Saturday 25th April
and wish to be part of the school choir to perform at the Cultural Centre afterwards.
Signed ________________________
Date _______________
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
From the APRE
Thank you to everyone for their support of Fish Friday. We have had an excellent response and I am sure this will be a
very successful fundraiser for Project Compassion. The great news is that following the heartbreaking news of Vanuatu
and their devastation, Caritas Australia is working with Caritas Oceania and the Caritas Internationalist network to support
the Diocese of Port Vila in its disaster response efforts. In addition, they have deployed a staff member to assist Bishop
Bosco with the coordination of the humanitarian relief efforts on the ground.
The Australian Catholic community has responded with generosity and so too has the international Caritas network with
many offering significant financial pledges. This support enables Caritas to respond to immediate needs such as, food,
water and shelter, and to help rebuild homes, communities and livelihoods. The support Caritas receives through Project
Compassion helps them deliver their vital long-term development programs, respond to emergencies and build the
resilience of communities, like those in Vanuatu, to future disasters.
Therefore, our Fish Friday will support the communities in Vanuatu!! We thank you all.
Congratulations to the students who made their First Reconciliation today.
All classes, led by their teachers, have re-enacted and acknowledged the 14 stations in the 14 days leading up to Easter.
This will familiarise students with the Stations of the Cross in preparation for Easter. St Joseph’s School community will
gather together with Fr Thomas and Year 5/6 for a prayerful Easter Liturgy on Thurs. 2nd April at 1:45pm. All welcome!!
God Bless,
Kristy Cameron
MARY MacKILLOP AWARD
“A Random Act of Kindness”
DATE
5th March
13th March
RECIPIENT
Cobin Bryan & Gabrielle Frame
Bayley Rose
PRINCIPALS AWARD
DATE
26th February
5th March
13th March
RECIPIENT
Lane Clark
Owen Watts
Aidan Burrell
ICAS Entry Form
Competitions are open to students in years 2 to 6. Please complete and return with payment by Wednesday 1st
April. Please use one form per child. Contact the school office for more forms. No late entries can be accepted.
I give permission for my child _____________________________________________ to participate in the following 2015
Competitions: (tick those competitions you wish your child to enter – changes cannot be made after we have received this form)
Competition
Digital Technologies
Science
Writing
Spelling
English
Mathematics
School Years
3-6
2-6
3-6
3-7
2-6
2-6
Parent Name
Date of competition
Tuesday 19th May
Wednesday 3rd June
Monday 15th June
Tuesday 16th June
Tuesday 28th July
Tuesday 11th August
Signature
Cost
$8.80
$8.80
$18.70
$12.10
$8.80
$8.80
TOTAL
Entering
Date
PARISH NEWS
MASS TIMES MILLMERRAN Sunday 29 March – Palm Sunday
Good Friday – 3rd April - Mass 3pm
Holy Saturday – 7pm
th
Holy Thursday - April 2nd – Mass 7pm
P & F NEWS
NEXT SHEEP RACES MEETING – Wed 29 April 5:00pm before the P&F
NEXT P&F MEETING – Wed. 29th April – 6.00pm. Agenda items to Lynnda Taylor by Friday 24th April
TERM TWO TUCKSHOP ROSTER
th
Date
Mon 27th April
Mon 4th May
Mon 11th May
Mon 18th May
Mon 25th May
Convenor
Helper
Date
Mon 1st June
Tues 9th June
Mon 15th June
Mon 22nd June
Convenor
Helper
Nicole Farrington
UPCOMING EVENTS
DATE
Thurs.
March
th
Fri. 27 March
Thurs. 2nd April
Sat, 18th April
Mon. 20th April
26th
EVENT
Mayor’s Annual Leaders Morning Tea
St Joseph’s Cross Country – 9am
Holy Thursday Liturgy – 1.45pm
Debutante Ball
Term 2 Commences
End Term 1
STUDENT OF THE WEEK
YEAR
Year 1/Prep
Year 1/2
Year 3/4
Year 5/6
Friday 13th March
COMMENT
NAME
Lilly Richter
Oliver Seaford
Luke Goebel
Jackson Gunning
Hollie Nicholls
Nicole Daniel
Ryan Taylor
Amity Gentle-Briese
Charlie Montgomery
For being a super good helper during pack up time.
For putting in a huge effort to complete maths work quickly and neatly.
For always following directions straight away.
For being a consistent hard worker.
For using impressive vocabulary throughout her writing.
For writing creative sentences throughout her fantasy narrative.
Being an interested student during Science Experiments.
Working hard during Maths and attempting all tasks.
Trying hard during guided reading groups. Keep it up!
STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Friday 20th March
COMMENT
YEAR
NAME
Year 1/Prep
Laura Cameron
Charles Nicholls
Rihanna Reichle
Christopher Blackett
Aaron Dela Cruz
Taylissa Reichle
Patrick Montgomery
Year 1/2
Year 3/4
For using her manners well when speaking to others.
For coming up with some great ideas in science.
For always trying her best and getting all her work done.
For making insightful connections in reading.
For excellent class effort and participation, especially in Maths.
Displaying a positive attitude towards learning about fractions.
For being a kind and helpful friend to all of his peers.
COMMUNITY NEWS
NB: CHANGE OF DATE CLEAN UPAUSTRALIA DAY 2015 NOW Sunday 29th March from 8am to 11am.
Meeting point is ANZAC Park, Campbell St, Millmerran. Bring a hat, water, sunscreen, friends, family etc. BBQ
lunch provided. Register online @ cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or just turn up on the day! Contact 0427952336
CIRCLE OF SECURITY PARENTING PROGRAM
Do you want to identify your children’s emotional needs
and respond to their behaviour in ways which promote the following benefits? Greater resilience, Fewer behaviour
difficulties, Better relationships with family and friends, Improved self esteem and Enhanced school readiness. A
circle of security parenting DVD program will be in Millmerran commencing on Wednesday 22nd April at 11am for 1
hour. The program runs for 8 weeks, every Wednesday for 1 hour. Venue: C&K Kindy, Margaret St. Contact
Mary Grebenshikoff, Child and family health nurse 46953124
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT AND TEACHING STRATEGIES with
Anna Tullemans
26th March, Cedar Centre, Baker St, Toowoomba Email: [email protected]