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Dear Parents and Carers,
The past two weeks have been incredibly challenging, and the devastation our community has faced is hard to comprehend. I am truly inspired by the countless acts of kindness and support shown by our community members during these difficult times. Staff, students, and parents have come together, volunteering their time, resources and making generous donations to help those affected.
The Diocese of Maitland Newcastle has generously provided our school with substantial financial support, enabling us to assist families significantly impacted by the floods. This support has been used for groceries, gift cards, uniforms, clothing, fee assistance, and in the future, for purchasing essential household items like whitegoods.
Our staff have shown exceptional care and empathy, ensuring that students returning to school last week felt safe and supported. This spirit of support was also evident among our students, many of whom have been helping their friends who were affected.
It is important to remember that the effects of traumatic events can sometimes take time to surface, both for our children and ourselves. Our school psychologist, Cristen Challacombe, has been providing teachers with resources to support our students. If you have any concerns about your child and feel that they might need additional support, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or your child’s teacher.
Cross Country Update
Unfortunately, the weather has not been kind to the organisers of the Diocesan Cross Country. The difficult decision was made last week to cancel the cross country and select the Diocesan team from the school entries, the fastest eight times from schools across the Diocese were used to assist with selection. Congratulations to Eleanor Healy who will move onto the Polding Cross Country Trials. We wish her all the best.
National Simultaneous Story Time
Last Tuesday Ms Monkley led the school in National Simultaneous Story Time. Ms Monkley shared a video of “The Truck Cat.” Students reflected on the theme of kindness and the many ways we can show others kindness daily. It also allowed us to reflect on the importance of our trucks that help to “Keep Australia Moving.”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/674493462015216
Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation week allows us to learn about shared history, culture, and achievements and to explore how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Last week we paused to reflect and acknowledge Sorry Day and Reconciliation week. Year 1 led us in prayer during our morning assembly on Sorry Day with the important message of how we can learn from past mistakes and walk together as one in harmony and with respect for all.
School Spelling and Maths Bee Finals
Today we held our school Spelling and Maths Bee Finals. Our class finalists did a fantastic job and demonstrated their skills in spelling and maths. Congratulations to our stage winners, who will now go on to represent our school in the Regional finals.
Spelling Maths
Stage 1 Ava Galea Alice Raison
Stage 2 Paul Simon Ben Raison
Stage 3 Arlo Tuck Arlo Tuck
Catholic School's Week
Catholic Schools Week allows us to celebrate the impact that Catholic Education has for our students, families, and community. We use this time to thank our teachers, schools, families and wider community and continue to move forward in hope in a faith filled environment. Last week I was able to attend the Catholic Schools Week Liturgy in Newcastle, joining many schools in our Diocese. The Bishop passed on his best wishes to our school community and wanted me to assure you that he is holding the Manning in his prayers.
90th Birthday Celebrations
On Friday we will celebrate 90 years of Catholic Education in Wingham. We look forward to you joining us in these celebrations.
Good Luck Mrs Naqito
Last week I advised parents in Year 4 that Mrs Naqito would be going on maternity leave. We wish Mrs Naqito all the best on the birth of her baby and look forward to meeting her new addition. Mrs Grace Fraser and Mrs Kristy Bonser will be working in a job share arrangement as the Year 4 teachers for the remainder of the year.
God Bless
The Beginnings of the Christian Church
A common misconception with our students when learning about Jesus is to assume that Jesus was a Christian or even a Catholic just like we are. Some students have a hard time grasping the concept that Jesus was actually of the Jewish faith tradition and that Christianity (the belief that Jesus was in fact the Son of God and God made in human form) didn’t begin until after Jesus had left this Earth, and the Catholic tradition of Christianity even longer.
So, this then leads to the next question from students – so when did the Christian Church start? The answer is a simple one to give – at Pentecost.
The story of Pentecost is that the apostles were all in one room, scared and afraid, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.
Pentecost is called the birthday of the church because before Pentecost, there really was no church. Jesus had ascended back into the heavens, the Apostles were hanging around, scared and confused, and nobody knew what to do. Going out to baptise people and preach about Jesus was the last thing they had in mind because their lives would be in danger.
But Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit – the force that turned a bunch of frightened, mixed-up folks into Church. There was a rush of wind, tongues of fire, and then suddenly there was courage, knowledge, direction and commitment! Everyone started speaking and was understood, no matter what the language of the listener was! These were saints suddenly on fire with the Holy Spirit. And it all began with the wind and fire of the Spirit.
It is said 3000 new believers were baptised on that day!
And this same holy spirit that came to the disciples at Pentecost is the same holy spirit that is instilled in us at Baptism and sealed within us at Confirmation. It is the spirit that gives us the gifts of wisdom, courage, understanding, knowledge, right judgement, reverence and wonder and awe in God. Gifts we see alive and well within our school each and every day.
Prime Minister Award
‘Being a steward of creation’, ‘Trying your best’, ‘Speaking with kindness’ and ‘Being a responsible learner’ are some of the qualities that teachers consider when awarding ‘Prime Minister’ at our weekly assembly. It is an acknowledgement of the student’s efforts and they have the privilege of wearing the badge with honour, of suggesting a focus the school can work on, award Gotchas to other students at lunch time as well as earning Gotchas for themselves. Congratulations goes to Matilda Robinson.
MJR Awards
As part of our MJR system, we acknowledge the following students, Kai Eggins & Jesse Neaves who have reached 100 Gotchas and Jai Neaves who has reached 300 Gotchas. Well Done!
Behaviour Management at St. Joseph’s – PB4L and MJR
Our Term 1 behaviour data was overwhelmingly positive, with 76% of students displaying positive behaviour at all times. The majority of incidents recorded were in the minor behaviour category.
As part of our re-launch of PB4L, staff have completed Professional Learning to upskill in behaviour management. Staff are using proactive strategies which include prompting students with the expected behaviour. This may sound like “When you begin working in your groups, remember to….”
Another proactive strategy we are using is to engage students by offering students a high frequency of opportunities to respond during lessons in a variety of ways. This may look like partner turn and talk, responding on mini whiteboards and gestures such as thumbs up.
When students are aware of the behaviour expectations and are engaged in their learning, there is less opportunity for problem behaviour to occur.
This whole school approach helps us maintain a positive school environment.
Shae Lapi-an
Assistant Principal
