St Joseph's, Tara - Term 2 Week 7 2022 Newsletter

Our Vision & Mission Statements

From the Principal

Dear parents and carers,

Leading and Learning

Currently, teachers are monitoring, assessing, analysing student learning growth, especially in the areas of reading comprehension and the big ideas of number. 

Our professional learning team will identify trends, strengths and weaknesses and adjust our teaching and learning for future impact on our learners. In collaboration, teachers and students, will set new goals to move the learner to the next step. If you would like to be part of this collaboration, parents are invited to contact the teachers about their child's learning goals.

Mrs Henderson visited P-2 class this week and joined in a shared and guided reading lesson where the students learned about describing words and how to check for meaning when reading. Our Toowoomba Catholic Schools Education Officers do a wonderful job in supporting teachers and student learning.

Mrs Spalding brought a team to run The Arts workshops for year 3-6. Students and teachers learned a lot and had  so much fun, especially with their drama presentations.

Next week we welcome Ms Williams to our school to help her learn about the role of a principal in a small rural school. Ms Williams, the APRE and Middle Leader from St. Patrick's School St. George, is interested in  becoming an Outback Principal. 

Student voice around learning continues to be captured. Here is one learner's thoughts about learning.

• A good learner is someone who focuses, tries their best to understand what they are learning and asks for help  if needed
• You can ask the teacher aides and parents for help but most of the time I ask the teacher
• I can use my 5Bs: Brain, Book, Buddy, Boss, ...(Board)
• The teacher gives hints not answers
  
• My friend is a good learner – he focuses, gets work done, ‘ideas just pop out of him’, he tries to include everyone’s ideas
• Feedback – we (students) give 2 good stars and 1 bad star about people’s work, some children don’t accept the feedback, but they should not take it personally. You can use feedback to upgrade (improve, perform better) your work.  Then they can acknowledge (use) the feedback next time.
• Learning Intentions and Success Criteria help you upgrade your work, try better and do better each time, pulling up your potential
• When people are not doing this I try to encourage them
• The teacher tries to teach us to do our very best
• The teacher asks us what we think we can do to improve our classroom/learning.
• Learning is evident in my classroom when:
  • Doing a test
  • Presentation
  • Noisy chatter – sometimes about learning but other things as well
• Superpowers – courage, self-motivation
• They (Superpowers) keep us encouraged and motivated. We get badges as assembly on Monday and these are really honourable for some kids. 
• I am passionate about writing.

St. Joseph's Cross Country

What a delightful afternoon we all had with beautiful weather, a fun school family picnic, games and the cross country! Thanks to everyone who participated and cheered on the teams. Congratulations to the MacKillop team on winning  the cross country trophy. With a difference of only two points,  Penola team certainly had the MacKillop team putting in the long strides to keep ahead. We appreciate Mr Smith's preparations for the cross country.

Census Audit

Auditor, Julia Murphy, conducted an audit of  the St. Joseph's Tara 2021 Census data last week. Signed evidence of parent collaboration and consultation  in their child's learning was a big focus of the audit. I am pleased to announce that all went very well. Thank you to the staff and parents  for working closely together to meet the learner's needs.

School Photos

School photos are Wednesday the 8th of June. Photo forms and money are due no later than the  7 June. If you require new forms, please contact the school and one can be placed in your child's bag.

Regional Softball Trials

Ella Sinclair and Jorjah Furniss attend softball training on Wednesday after school with the Tara and District Softball team. In the last week of term, on Wednesday 22 June they will compete in the Regional trials being held  in Wallumbilla. Please note the change in venue.

Book Week & Bishop's Inservice Day

Save the date: The community Book Week Parade is being held on Friday 29 July. St. Joseph's students are asked to dress in costumes from the country of Japan. As usual local school students will parade down the main street and  then around the TSSC hall.

The Bishop's Inservice Day holiday or pupil free day for students that was scheduled for the same day, will now be moved to Wednesday 27 July. Staff work that day and attend  Professional development in Roma.

Huge effort

Wonderful parents and P & F executive committee members put in a huge effort to cater during the four day Crystal Creek Country Music Festival. On behalf of the school community I applaud your  hard work and dedication to supporting all students in the school by raising funds to resource the school's priority of student wellbeing and learning.  

Breakfast Bar

Starting soon. Please read the flyer in the community engagement section of this newsletter.

HELP required urgently

The students need your help so they can enjoy tuckshop once a week.  Please contact me if you can do your bit to help tuckshop continue. I look forward to hearing  how you can help.

May the Spirit empower you to make a change for Reconciliation. Yinundee! (Goodbye in Barunggam)

Mary Porter
Principal                                                         

'God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy person among them.' Acts 4:33-34

'May God's grace enable you to see and do the right thing.' Mary MacKillop in 1877

From the APRE

Lord Jesus

On this feast of your ascension into heaven,

Give us new eyes to see your face

In the faces of those who are in need.

Give us new ears to hear your voice

In the voices of those who cry out in pain.

Give us new tongues to tell your story

To those who have never heard it.

Give us new hearts to share your love

With those who have not yet experienced it.

Act 2:1-2(NRSV)

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind and it filled the entire house…

Pentecost Prayer

Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Alleluia!

Photo Time

P & F News

Billy G's Gourmet Cookie & Biscuit Dough -  To finish this term we have decided to do a cookie fundraiser! All proceeds are going towards new equipment for the tuckshop. Order forms will go out this Friday 3rd of June and the fundraiser finishes on the last day of school 24th of June. Orders will be delivered on the 15th of July Term 3 (Our first week back at school). Ordering is online for your convience or you can pop into the office for Monica to assist you.

Tuckshop - We are still in 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.

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)

St Joseph's Awards

Bronze Award Recipients - Jasmine Wood, Ella Sinclair and Karlos Partridge.

Principal's Award - Isabella French, Jason French and John Chottu.

Students Of The Week

Week 6 - Leakella Norford, Cooper Davis, Zak Phillips and Tamarah Leis.

Week 7 - Jorge Waring, Charlotte Partridge, Josef Waring and John Chottu.

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 Matters

DEAR MIND ... Focus on mental health and wellbeing

Feeling connected to people, groups, places and culture plays an important part in your mental wellbeing. Humans evolved to live in tight bands or family groups, with a need for constant social interaction hardwired into our DNA. Now that we live more independently, this means many of us may feel disconnected or lonely.

There are plenty of ways to make meaningful connections with people. This includes spending time with family and friends, inviting co-workers or classmates for lunch, joining a team or club, or even having a friendly chat with the guy serving you at the bakery.

Why?

Regular positive interactions stimulate the production of a feel-good chemical in your brain, boosting your mood. Fostering stronger relationships and connections to your community will also strengthen your social networks for the times you might need extra support.

Student Safety

                                                     THE 2022 STUDENT PROTECTION CONTACTS:                                                                                                                                     Sue Whelan                                                                                                                                                                                      Mary Porter                                                                                                                                                                        Susan Rodd (Counsellor)

STUDENT SAFETY INFORMATION

EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT