St Joseph's, Tara - Term 2 Week 3 2022 Newsletter
Our Vision & Mission Statements
From the Principal
Principal
Dear parents and carers,
COVID-19 Update
Our school community had six COVID-19 cases last week, of which I was one. Hopefully everyone is faring well. I will return to school on Thursday covid free.
Queensland Health has updated the requirements for close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19. Please note, when determining whether someone is a close contact, schools and early childhood services are not considered a household, or household-like accommodation or care facility.
From 6pm on Thursday 28 April 2022, close contacts who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, no longer need to quarantine.
Please notify the school if you or your child tests positive for covid or are a close contact.
For 7 days after becoming a close contact, adults and students over the age of 12 should wear a face mask while outside of their home, including at school, and when outdoors if unable to physically distance. Queensland Health also recommends that children under the age of 12 wear a face mask when it is safe to do so.
It is recommended that students undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) before they leave home on the first day and then every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until they are no longer a close contact.
Close contacts who develop COVID-19 symptoms must not attend school and should isolate until their symptoms resolve.
Rapid antigen tests (RATs)
St. Joseph's school will continue to provide RATs to staff and students who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at school, while RAT supplies last.
If you or your child tests positive to COVID-19
Queensland Health requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19 remain unchanged.
Cleaning and disinfecting
Daily cleaning and disinfecting occur at St. Joseph's with special attention given to high touch surfaces and shared spaces and equipment.
I encourage families to continue to follow COVID-19 hygiene practices.
Inspire Maths
A new term and new students means teachers will be re-establishing mathematical mindsets and learning super powers through a process of modelling and gradually releasing reponsibility so that students are able to take responsibility for their learning e.g. knowing that mistake making is valued as a pathway to the learning, empowers students to be curious and have the courage to try new things, to begin again, learn from mistakes, to be persistent, resilient and self-motivated by setting goals for their next steps.
Teachers are transferring these mindsets and super learning powers to all learning areas.
Tara Community ANZAC Day
Thank you all who remembered the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on the ANZAC Day holiday. St. Joseph's School proudly joined the local community to commemorate this special day with a march and service. In solidarity with the Tara community we prayed for all those who died in this and all wars and prayed for peace in Ukraine.
A great courage culture was demonstrated by school leaders, Keira Furniss and Ella Sinclair, in raising the flag during the ceremony. Tamarah, Leon and Bentley respectfully laid wreaths.
Wonderful community groups, such as The St. Martin's Anglican Ladies Guild for donated ANZAC Day books to support our learners in learning about and remembering the contribution of the ANZACs. The kindness of these community groups is greatly valued.
NAPLAN
Next week, students in Year 3 and 5 participate in national literacy and numeracy tests known as NAPLAN (Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy). Catch up days are available the following week, for those who miss any of the tests.
A special breakfast will be supplied to students in Year 3 and 5 on the test days.
Parents can support their child by calmly keeping to their regular routine.
Mother's Day
All those who take the role of mother in their family (Mums, single dads, grandmothers, carers etc) are invited to share in a Mother's Day liturgy at school on Friday 6 May at 12 o'clock. This liturgy of the word is being prepared and coordinated by P-2 and Miss Stoker.
Cross Country
A big thank you to Mr. Smith for organising the Cross Country. The St. Joseph's Cross Country will be held on Friday 6 May from 1.30 p.m. Come along and cheer the St. Joseph's runners on. Students are to wear their team colours. Go Penola (YELLOW)! Go MacKillop (RED)!
MacKillop Members:
Jasmine & Deakin, Keira & Jorjah, John, Ella, Alaura, Gnhevea & Havoc, Tamarah, Jason & Bella, Cooper, Karlos & Kaesha, Damon, Kella, Loretta & Charlotte.
Penola Members:
Ruby & Rhys, Marcella, Jaxon, Josef, Jorge & Jules, Katie, Leon & Anthony, Bentley, Kaileigh, Milly, Zak, Roco & Joey, Eliza & Malia, Meliaceae & Decklin.
The Small Schools Cross Country is the following week on Friday 13 May. Students will need to be at The Gums State School by 8.30 a.m. Please see the attached information note from The Gums SS. A permission note will be sent home this week. Please return by Tuesday 10 May.
Softball Practice
Softball practice for Girls aged 10+ years commences at recess time from Thursday. Softball trials will be on 18 May at The Gums SS.
I hope you have a healthy COVID free week.
Mary Porter
Principal
'I am the way the truth and the life.' John 14:6
'We are but travellers here.' Mary MacKillop in 1866
From the APRE
We are Easter people. People of hope and forgiveness.
The season of Easter continues right up to Pentecost.
A Mother's Day Blessing
A blessing on all mothers
that they may they be well
A blessing on those who show they care
A blessing on those who struggle
A blessing on those who have lost children
A blessing on those who decided that other parents were the best choice for their child's wellbeing
A blessing on those who remember mothers who have passed away
A blessing on your daily living
God bless all mothers and all those who take on the role of mother for children. AMEN.
Photo Time
From the Parish
St Mary Of The Angels - Tara
Mass Times
Tara: Friday: 9am
Saturday: 6pm
Moonie: Sunday: 9:30am
on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Sunday of the Month
Meandarra: Sunday: 7:30am
on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the Month
Glenmorgan: Sunday: 9am
on the 4th Sunday of the Month
Parish Priest: Fr Jack MacGinley
Presbytery: 4665 3401 (Tara)
Message From Father Jack
Throughout the year we have all sorts if celebrations. We have celebrations for birthdays. We have times that we wish to remember important events and occasions in our life, we want to remember them.
One occasion that is important is the birth of a newborn baby in our family. It is a time of a special "get together", not only for our family, but also for close friends and together we have a lovely special dinner with food, candles, music and drinks. Its a time of joy and thanksgiving.
In the last three weeks we have had celebrations. At Easter, Christmas celebrated Jesus life, death and Resurrection. Yes, Jesus suffered and died and offered his prayer on the Cross. As he was dying, he gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins.
Another celebration was ANZAC DAY. We marched down the street to the hall and remembered those who fought in the world wars.
And this week we had Labour Day when we remembered the day of the need to adjust wage for workers.
We had all these celebrations, We might say. Lest we forget their importance.
Shalom
Fr Jack MacGinley
LEARNING AT ST JOSEPH'S
Years 3- 6
Welcome to Term 2 and news from the Year 3 – 6’s. Firstly, we welcome our two new students, Katie Parsons and Alaura Latimer to our class. They are truly a blessing to our class. All students are showing great leadership and care for the younger students, especially in the playground. Well done and keep it up.
This first part of this term will be focussed on Naplan planning and testing. We wish the Year 3 and 5 students all the best with the Naplan testing, beginning next Tuesday 10th May. Breakfasts will be provided for students in Years 3 and 5, each day Naplan is on, after buses have arrived. School leaders will be helping to prepare these breakfasts.
In English, students will be studying the books Sonam and Silence and Eliza Bird Child Convict. Both are novels looking at challenges but resilience and courage as well. This term students will be assessed in their in class guided reading responses and standardised probe testing.
Maths continues to be examined through number talks and thinking prompts as well as revisiting past topics e.g. place value and number sentences. We will be examining all operations and fractions as well as data collecting, recording and analysis.
In science, technology and library we will be examining ‘Packaging it better’. Our units in religion will examine Pentecost and an in depth focus on Jesus through sacred texts and beliefs.
Homework is given to students each week on a Thursday and is due the next Thursday. Homework entails spelling, reading and tables/number facts. It is expected that it is completed each week. If students are unable to complete their homework, please send a note to school and I can work around any problems.
I hope everyone has a happy, health and fulfilling term.
God bless,
Ann Smith
Learning Barunggam Language
St Joseph's Awards
Students Of The Week
Alaura Latimer, Jasmine Wood, Meliaceae Hockley-Black & Karlos Partridge
From the Administration Officers
SCHOOL FEES
Term 2 Fees. Term 2 fees have been issued this week.
Thank you to those families who have paid or have made payments on their fees. It's greatly appreciated. If you are experiencing difficulities please don't hesitate to contact either myself or Mary to discuss payment options.
HOW TO PAY YOUR SCHOOL FEES:
*Cash
*Direct Deposit:
Bank: ADF
Name: St Joseph’s School
BSB: 064-786
ACC: 100025583
Reference: Your Name.
*Centrelink Centrepay Deduction Payments can be made fortnightly or monthly. The School’s CRN: 555075545A
Not Sure how it’s done? Ask at the office for Assistance.
Bus Notification Reminder: Please notify the school if your child's bus travel arrangements change by 2:30pm each afternoon.
If your child is being picked up instead of catching the bus home or is required to catch the bus instead of being picked up then the school needs to know before 2:30pm. Our staff have a duty of care to ensure your children get home safely, in accordance to the arrangements you have advised.
SCHOOL COMMENCES AT 8:35 EACH DAY AND FINISHES AT 2:50 pm.
Please ensure your child arrives at school by 8:20 to give them time to have their healthy snack, do their laps and socialise with their friends, giving them the best start to their school day.
LATE ARRIVALS: If your child arrives late to school please come to the office and sign them in.
ASSEMBLY: Is held first thing every Monday morning after the roll is taken.
ABSENCES: Please notify the school whenever your child is absent.
Could I please ask those families who received an Unexplained Absences Explanation Request Form and have not returned them or notified the office to do so asap. These forms will now be sent out on a fortnightly basis and are to be returned by the Friday of that week please.
We understand that there are valid reasons for your child not to attend school e.g. They are sick. Please be aware that the following examples are not acceptable reasons for keeping them home from school.
If your child:
- Doesn't feel like coming to school
- Thinks it's too wet, cold, hot or the work is too hard or too easy
- Stays home when another sibling is sick or a family member has an appointment or is going shopping out of town
- Had a disagreement with their best friend
- Got into trouble or thinks they might get into trouble at school
- Is embarrassed about something that happened the day before
- Has an activity or subject on that day they don't like
P & F News
Thank you to the families that have returned their volunteer forms. Our school runs on Volunteers, without your help many of the fun activities and programmes undertaken here at school would be impossible.
Tuckshop - We are still in urgent need of volunteers for tuckshop duty. If you require another form, please contact the office for either the Volunteer or Induction form. They can be emailed to you or sent home with your child.
Mother's Day Stall - Friday 6 May
We will be holding a Mother's Day Stall before and after school, during the day including during the cross country carnival. All items are under $10. All stall monies need to be in a named ziplock bag.
Term Dates
2022
*Term 1 2022 – Tue 25 Jan (Public Hol 26 Jan) - Fri 1 Apr
*Term 2 2022 – Wed 20 Apr - Fri 24 Jun
*Term 3 2022 – Tue 12 Jul - Thurs 15 Sep
*Term 4 2022 – Tue 4 Oct - Thurs 1 Dec
Wellbeing
Have fun with the daily activities on our Happiness Calendar. See how many you can achieve. We will also be focusing on a different Key to Happiness (below) each fortnight.
Our SECOND Key to Happiness is - Relating.
Close relationships matter
Our close relationships generally matter most for our happiness. Whether these are with family or friends, studies show that having people that we trust, can rely on and which help us to feel valued, encouraged or loved positively boosts our wellbeing and resilience. As well as boosting how happy we feel, it can mean we are less prone to depression and other illnesses and it helps us recover more quickly.
Notice others’ strengths and what you share
It can be very easy to notice things that are different or we don’t like or are fearful about others, but we are all human beings and we all share the same core human needs – even if it doesn’t seem like it from the outside. And of course, everyone is a mix of strengths and weaker areas. Research shows that when we focus on the strengths of others, our interactions with them are likely to be more positive and constructive.
Student Safety
THE 2021 STUDENT PROTECTION CONTACTS: Sue Whelan Mary Porter Susan Rodd (Counsellor)
STUDENT SAFETY INFORMATION
EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE
Tuckshop
ROSTER
We are in urgent need of helpers for tuckshop duty on Thursdays. We would love to see everyone joining in. It usually works out that you're rostered on twice a term. But with 'More hands making light work' it would certainly be less. Without your help tuckshop will not be able to continue.