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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Over the past few weeks we have welcomed nearly all our students back to school and the staff and students are enjoying being a face-to-face learning community again. It has been an incredibly challenging time for many, if not all members of ours, and the wider community, and the impact continues to be felt by all. Our children have been wonderfully resilient during this time in their lives-particularly since many of the important things to them-sports, music, catching up with friends, playing outside etc have been heavily restricted. Similarly, the normal rhythms of school life- assemblies, masses, sports carnivals etc. have been postponed and we have noticed that our children are, in a sense, grieving these losses.
We have noticed recently that some children are finding school relationships just a little more challenging than usual. I want to reassure all families that we, as a school are doing everything we can to create a safe, harmonious and nurturing school environment for the children in our care. We are taking proactive steps in all classes to reinforce our core values of honesty, respect, care and compassion for all, and of never seeing a need without doing something about it. I know our young people will continue to strive to live up to these values!
Last week, Jamie and I visited all of our classes to discuss and reinforce our school wide GROWERS! Learner Dispositions. GROWERS stands for Gritty, Reflective, Optimistic, Wondrous, Engaged, Risk-takers and Self-aware. These dispositions help our young people to be successful learners and and to build productive and healthy relationships. We intentionally teach each disposition to all classes, once a week, on Wednesday afternoons. Have a chat with your children about their emerging understanding of these dispositions.
I hope all families enjoyed our Virtual Learning Walks presented to you via a personalised Seesaw celebration of each child’s learning! We are always looking for ways to share student learning with you-even when we can’t physically invite you into the classrooms! We hope to share another virtual tour later in the term.
School Attendance
While we have been supporting parent choice during this pandemic, we now expect all students who are well and not considered vulnerable to COVID-19 to attend school.
Students are required to attend school unless they are:
- Feeling unwell
- Have a chronic medical condition or compromised immune system and are not able to attend school on advice from their medical practitioner
- Live in a household with others that are deemed vulnerable to COVID-19 and are not able to attend school on advice of their medical practitioner
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been required to self-isolate by SA Health
Installation of Patrick O'Regan as Archbishop of Adelaide
On Monday, May 25, the New ArchBishop of Adelaide, Patrick O’Regan was officially installed. This is an exciting time for the people of the Arch Diocese of Adelaide, as we have been waiting for this moment for 2 years. There have only been 11 Arch Bishops in the history of South Australia and it is indeed a momentous appointment.
As a Catholic school community we warmly welcome Archbishop Patrick and look forward to his leadership, guidance and pastoral care of the Archdiocese.
Please click here to read the Frequently Asked Question document, which includes further information about our new Archbishop.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2020
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Twenty years ago, in a monumental display of support for reconciliation, around 250,000 Australians walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The People’s Walk for Reconciliation, (as the bridge walk was titled) had a profound impact on those who participated, and a roll-on effect around the country.
By the end of the year 2000, the walks for reconciliation held right across the country became the largest display of public support for a single cause in Australian history.
The theme for #NRW2020 – In this together – is now resonating in ways we could not have foreseen when it was announced last year, but it reminds us whether in a crisis or in reconciliation we are all in this together. Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and futures.
Have a great week everyone
God bless,
Phil
Hi all, and welcome to Week 6. We are happy to report that all students are back at school full time and our teachers are back to full time face-to-face teaching. It certainly was an interesting time, the last few weeks, a time we have never seen before and hopefully never see again. We are of course not out of the woods yet. We will continue to monitor the way we do things to keep in line with government and Catholic Education regulations. We are making sure the students are continuing to wash their hands consistently and staying socially distanced where appropriate. We are also very lucky to live in SA. I hope you and your family haven’t been hit too hard by this pandemic and if you have had some hard or unfamiliar times, that your life returns to normal ASAP.
This week marks the beginning of our new playground build. I am so happy this is happening as this we something Phil and I have been talking about for a long time. We hope the build is finished ready for Term 3 which will be a great surprise for the students. With our new administration build in the pipeline it certainly is going to be a great time to be at St Joseph’s School, Kingswood. By the start of next year our school is going to look fantastic.
Over the past few weeks I have been working with the Year 6s on developing cyber-safety protocols to keep themselves safe as they enter a world of digital technology and social media. One of my main messages throughout the course is that if students see something that doesn’t look right or feel right, that they talk to someone about it. It is really important that our children feel comfortable and safe to be able to tell us anything that they might be going through. It is always a good idea to also monitor how our children are using their devices so that we can make sure we know what they’re doing and support them to make good decisions.
I hope the next few weeks goes well for everyone,
Take care,
Jamie
Dear Families,
I hope that everyone is well and has been able to settle back into a little more normality as we see the easing of restrictions taking place. It continues to be a timely reminder of the importance of how far that we have come and a celebration of the way that we as a community have united and supported each other through such uncertain times.
Our Catholic Churches celebrated Pentecost on the weekend. Pentecost is one of the most important feast days of the year and concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven. In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus. Last week, as a school community we celebrated Pentecost in our individual classrooms during Monday Morning Prayer, which gave the students an opportunity to be actively involved in the administration of prayer at their class level and share in and enhance our Catholic faith as a school community.
Last week was Reconciliation Week and the theme for 2020 was – In this together – reminding us that whether in a crisis or in reconciliation we are all in this together. In 2020 Reconciliation Australia celebrates twenty years of Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. As individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians. Relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at the heart of this journey. As a nation and a community, we strive towards a more just, equitable world by promoting unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another. The students celebrated Reconciliation week in various ways, which included through engagement with art, story, song and poetry.
As we begin Winter it is a timely reminder to reflect upon the work that Vinnies do to support those less fortunate here in South Australia. This year as a way of supporting Vinnies the Year 6 students will be having a ‘Sleepout’ here at school at the end of June to fundraise for Vinnies Winter Appeal to support families in need across Adelaide. This experience will empower our students by knowing that they are making a difference to people in their community who are suffering from real disadvantage and hardship with the discovery that they have the power to change lives through their actions and bring hope.
Please click here if you would like to access our Parish weekly Sunday Masses.
Kind regards,
Emma Begg
While we have been unable to host our anticipated Learning Walks this term, each student created their own virtual learning walk to send home via Seesaw to their family. Some of our SRCs filled us in on some of the things they have been learning so far this term. Below is a video from the Early Years, with a video from years 3-6 coming shortly.
The school concert, originally scheduled for 26th June is on hold for now - we will communicate later in the year more details regarding the performance.
Please note the Catholic Schools Music Festival performance will be recorded by a professional film crew during Term 3, and then streamed in Term 4, with DVDs able to be purchased after. More info to follow on that one too.
Our school Band has been busily rehearsing and are sounding great. We hope to share a music performance in the not too distant future.
Winter Sport is back!
Barring any changes to COVID-19 restrictions, weekend and after school sport will commence officially as of Term 3. Should they wish to do so, coaches can commence training from week 7 of this term – with games beginning early next Term.
Students can register to play in the following Winter Sports:
- Soccer Year 2-6 (Saturday morning matches 9-11.30am)
- Football Year 2-6 (Saturday morning matches 9-10.30am matches)
- Netball Year 2-6 (Saturday morning - Yr 2/3 – 9am matches, Yr 4/5/6 10am matches)
Please register either via the Sports button on SZapp or click here as teams are filling fast and your assistance with coaching and taking training sessions is greatly appreciated.
AusKick Football – Reception and Year 1 students
Unfortunately, the school is yet to hear of any confirmation regarding AusKick football. I hope to hear some news regarding this soon and will update accordingly.
Catholic Schools (SACPSSA) Netball Carnival 2020
Great news with Netball Carnival being rescheduled to Term 3, Week 2 (Thursday 30th July) at Priceline Stadium, assuming no further changes to COVID-19 restrictions. This is a really fun day for the children, and they will be learning how to play netball as part of their class PE lessons/lunchtime practice. Students in years 3-6 are strongly encouraged to give it a go and register to participate in this Carnival (please complete the form via SZapp or click here). Parent helpers are needed for this Carnival to help with supervision on the day, so if you can assist please indicate on the registration form.
Regards,
Mr De Giovanniello (Physical Education Teacher/Sports Coordinator)
Vacation Care will be available from Monday 6th July to Friday 17th July. The program for these two weeks will be available on SZapp from week 7.
Last term the OSHC Service was assessed by the Department of Education on our National Quality Standards in all 7 areas. This is something that took a lot of effort and planning by the OSHC team and I am pleased to announce we meet the Standards in all 7 areas, which we are extremely proud of.
Last week Friday the children and OSHC staff farwelled Anita Sforza with a going away present and party. Anita has been part of the OSHC team for eight years and we wish her all the best with her new career and she will be sadly missed by all as she was a very valuable member of the team.
A reminder that if you need to cancel or book you child/ren into a before school care or after school care session, please be aware that late fees still apply.
Cut off times are for before school care – 6pm the night before, except for a Monday cancellation needs to be notified by 6pm Friday. After school care is 10am the of booking for both cancellations and bookings. You can SZapp, text or ring the OSHC phone to inform us.
Thanks
Vicky Wilson – Director - OSHC
The Entertainment Book fundraiser is back at St Joseph's School, Kingswood.
To purchase a digital membership, and ensure the percentage of fundraising goes to our school, please click this link.
Current competition ends 12 June 2020:
(Get in early for your Christmas shopping) buy $250 of more of BIG W or BWS eGift Cards to go in the running to win* 1 of 10 x 100,000 Woolworths Rewards points Purchase now.
➝ BIG W: bit.ly/3c7pJiY
➝ BWS: bit.ly/2yE0yag
*T&C apply, visit www.entertainment.com.au/
Buy an Entertainment Membership to support community fundraising and local businesses and get:
➕ 2 months extra Membership FREE on selected Memberships