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We are into the home straight, of what has certainly been a year like no other! The children and teachers have been working hard to ensure that term 4 goals are met, as we head into the second reporting cycle for the year. Classes are also beginning to see the ‘finish line’ and prepare for some end of year celebrations of their time together as a class.
Our building program is progressing towards completion, and excitement is building! It was a rather noisy week last week, and the children have coped very well with the significant disruptions. Hopefully, the finishing touches happen a little more quietly! Whilst it probably won’t be apparent to you all by the end of the school year, there actually isn’t too much more work to complete, and we are very much looking forward to starting the new school year in brand new facilities!
This time of year always throws up a variety of emotions, as children and families start to consider the transition to the next year level and a new class group in 2021. Part of the school experience is to grow accustomed to these transitions as being a normal part of life. Later in this newsletter, I have included some reflections from one of our wonderful parents, and Managing Director of Positive Minds Australia, Madhavi Nawana Parker. I encourage you to read through Madhavi’s reflections as a way of guiding you and your child through this time of transition and change.
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of accompanying our intrepid year 6 team on their camp to the beautiful Kangaroo Island. We all had an amazing experience of the raw beauty and pristine environment on KI, as well as seeing first-hand the devastation of the January Bushfires. Our students and staff were wonderful ambassadors for our school and their families and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. My sincere thanks to Mrs Emma Begg and Mrs Bridget Hughes and Mr Nic Schultz for their excellent support of the children in their endeavours. Our year 5 cohort are getting ready for their camp experience to Narnu farm at Hindmarsh Island, and we wish them safe travels and a great camp, as well.
Recently, we shared with you, an overview of our end of term celebrations and activities. With the very recent changes to COVID-19 restrictions, we will need to adjust what and how we had hoped to end the year and will inform you of the changes, and likely in some instances, cancellations. Our priority, as always, is the safety and wellbeing of our children and families.
Over recent weeks, our year 6 cricketers have been involved in SAPSASA knockout matches. They have won both of their matches and have now made the state wide finals series, due to be held on Thursday 26th November. While we are unsure whether this event will be postponed or cancelled, achieving this level is an excellent achievement for a small school such as ours and we thank coach Craig Medlow sincerely for his contribution. (See Cameron's recap of the most recent game further below in the newsletter)
God bless,
Phil
Hello everyone and welcome to Week 6.
We have had a fantastic few weeks in the middle part of this term. There have been many wonderful celebrations, and many more to come. I have enjoyed being a part of them and seeing the children learning and enjoying themselves.
On Wednesday the 11th in the 11th month at the 11th hour all of our classes participated in a Remembrance Day service held in each of our classrooms. This was a very respectful and poignant time as we all remembered those who serve or have served to ensure Australian remains the wonderful country that it is.
Normally around this time of the year the students who have been working hard as part of the Children’s University program get to visit Bonython Hall at Adelaide University in the city, and receive their awards wearing the hot and gowns. This year because of COVID a representative from Children’s University came to our school to present our students with a small teddy bear and certificate in recognition of all of their hard work. The students were then able to join Phil and myself for a special morning tea, which was the envy of their classmates as they were able to miss out on a few minutes of class and enjoy some yummy snacks. One student said ‘this is the best day ever’. Well done to following students: Maggie Bedson, Owen Fox, Caasha Mallawaarachchi, Darius Tan, Lucas Tan, Krish Desai, Mia Davis, Emilia Paez-Piedrahita, Anastasia Harrison, Genevieve Harrison, and Ashleigh Sykes.
I hope you all have a great couple of weeks as we end 2020.
Take care
Jamie
Father our Creator You created all things, seen and unseen,
Listen to my silent prayer as I stand here before you.
As my weary eyes look back over distant horizons,
Back to those days where my people walked. The footprints of my grandfathers are imprinted on the earth and their images become real to me.
I see my Grandfathers standing tall and strong, warriors of long ago. I hear them singing, I see them dancing, and my spirit moves within me.
They told me of the emus fighting; picking the scent of our hunters.
The images fade away as I feel the hurt of my people.
I can hear the cries of my Grandmothers as they cry for their children.
Grandfather, You can see me as I stand here and feel this hurt.
Father Creator, is this the purpose of my being here? Or is it your plan to reshape my people to be once again the proud race it once was?
Let me walk with you and my Grandfathers towards the dawning of a proud and new nation.
I thank you for my Sacred Being. Amen.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to come together to celebrate not only Indigenous achievement but the history, rich culture, and survival of the oldest continuing living culture on the planet.
This year’s theme, ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.
The revised November dates for NAIDOC Week 2020 follow its postponement from the original July dates due to the impacts and uncertainty from the escalating Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
At St Joseph's Kingswood we read various stories and reflected on the history of our great land. We learned some aboriginal symbols and how to forecast the weather by observing the environment.
- Hear out your child’s feelings but try and avoid fixing their feelings by adding your own feelings, judgements and solutions. Feelings need to come out, be present and move through. They don’t have to be excited about the teacher they got, to learn from that teacher in the long run. The feelings you see in that initial moment aren’t necessarily reflective of how they will feel long term - especially if you don’t react with them. Humans need time to process change. When news is fresh, we can go through many feelings of resistance and uncertainty. That doesn’t mean that what’s coming is necessarily bad. You can gently say something like, ‘you really wanted X , so of course you’re disappointed. I understand. We can talk more after a cuddle/ play/ hot chocolate. (Basically, you want to avoid talking while their logical brain is switched off and emotions are high). Listening calmly and quietly is golden.
- Avoid looking upset about the placement in front of your child. If they are upset, they will naturally look to you to help them feel better. This doesn’t mean you have to fake being excited if you’re not (they’ll see through that) but it does mean you do your very best to be calm, confident and if you can’t be hopeful, try and be neutral. Children need us as an emotional compass when they experience uncomfortable feelings.
- Before you go in to pick them up on the day they receive their placement, remind yourself to try and trust the process. There are multiple layers to how class placements are allocated that couldn’t possibly be explained completely. School leaders and staff put in huge amounts of thought into student personalities, learning styles, teaching styles, class size, who asked to have who in their class and much more that is happening behind the scenes we’re not aware of.
- Schools genuinely do their best with this decision. If you’re upset, it’s possible they are too but when weighing everything up, had no other direction to turn. Supporting your child’s teachers and school is a crucial part of your child’s psychological and academic success there.
- Your reaction to next year’s teacher news is hugely important to your child. Your confidence, hopefulness and regulated emotion is crucial. If you’re not happy, try and keep these feelings in the back ground and discuss them privately with another adult. Children are too young to take on their parent’s worries. If there is a genuine problem, take logical action without involving your child in the stress associated with it.
- Your child’s emotional connection to and respect for their teacher and school is deeply connected with your connection to and respect for their teacher and school.
- Children learn, grow and strengthen in resilience by being with a broad range of personalities and communication styles. When things are unrealistically perfect and easy, they can get stuck in their comfort zone. To build confidence for later on in life, you need to experience a broad range of peers and situations and discover that through talking about feelings, asking for help, establishing boundaries and building your social emotional skills, you can handle a lot of what life has in store. Be there to hear their thoughts and feelings out, but above all show you have confidence in your child to get through. If situations are dangerous, toxic or damaging your child’s learning and psychological health, always talk to school staff and if necessary, other experts to ask for and seek help. Seek out the support of a health professional too if necessary. On the surface, do your best as your child’s most important adult and leader to show your confidence that your child will be safe and cared for, always.
- Do something heartwarming and compassionate for yourself. If you’re upset and stressed it’s not because you’re weak or incapable. It’s because our children hold our hearts and when they hurt, we hurt. You need to look after yourself first and foremost.
Madhavi Nawana Parker
SAPSASA Cricket - round 2
On Monday the 9th of November the St Joseph’s Year 6 cricket team played Dernancourt in round two of the knockout cricket competition. We won the toss and chose to bat. Our team made 143 runs with our top scorers being Lucas Thomson with 24 runs and William Pittman with 22 runs. Next we bowled. Dernancourt made 78 runs with all of their batsman out. Our best bowlers were Will Pittman with 2 wickets and no runs scored of him and Josh Fox with 2 wickets with 5 runs scored off him. We are now into the semi finals which will be played on 26th of November. The whole team played really well and we can’t wait to see who we are playing in a couple of weeks. The coach is extremely proud of our efforts.
Written by Cameron Medlow
SACPSSA Athletics Carnival 2020
On Monday 2nd November, 46 students form St Joseph’s Kingswood participated in the annual SACPSSA Athletics Carnival at SANTOS Stadium, Mile End. Students were involved in track event try outs (110m, 200m, 400m, 800m, Hurdles) during lunch times at Kingswood Oval and field events try outs (High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put) during PE lesson since the beginning of Term 4.
Some outstanding results on the day include:
Noah Pittman - 400m - 2nd
Tristan Baraundi - 400m - 3rd
Sydney Reemst - 100m - 1st, High Jump 3rd
Hamish Baker - 100m - 1st, Long Jump, 2nd
Andre Portelli - 100m - 1st
Charlie Revell - 100m - 1st
Asha O’Brien - 100m - 2nd
Tyler Harriss - Shot Put - 1st
Hugo Borda - 800m - 1st
Clara Polasek - 200m - 3rd
Alize Warner - High Jump - 3rd
Ashlynn Tothill - 200m - 3rd
Congratulations to the following students for breaking records at the Carnival:
Charlie Revell - Record - 100m - Year 4 Boys
Charlie Revell - Record - 200m - Year 4 Boys
Hamish Baker - Record - 400m - Year 6 Boys
All schools could only take a limited number of individuals and students with only parent officials allowed to attend on the day.
Thank you to Mr Bratt for assisting on the day and Mrs Bridget Hughes for her help on the day and during lunch time trials. A big thank you to our parent helpers for officiating on the day, Mrs Laura Woodhouse, Mrs Patricia Waller, Mr Lee Revell and Mr Tim Davis
Regards,
Steven De Giovanniello (Physical Education Teacher/Sports Coordinator).
Can you believe it’s Week 6 already?!
OSHC will be available on the pupil free days on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th December.
Vacation Care will run from 14th-18th December and 18th-22nd January.
We will release the program in Week 7, so stay tuned as we have some very exciting activities for the children to do!
Reminder this term your child needs to bring a hat to OSHC as this is compulsory, otherwise we can provide them with one at a cost of $5.00. Alternatively you can provide a hat which needs to be a wide-rimmed hat with your child’s name on the hat and we will keep it in our hat bag.
2020 SCHOOL FEES
Reminder that all fees for 2020 should now be finalised unless you have a prior arrangement negotiated. If your circumstances have changed and you are unable to meet your obligation by the end of November please let me know via email finance@stjk.catholic.edu.au or arrange a meeting to discuss your situation further.
Your attention to finalising outstanding amounts promptly would be greatly appreciated.
2021 FEE AGREEMENT FORMS
The 2021 Fee Agreement form and paperwork is now available and is due to be completed by 2nd December 2020. Even if you are continuing with the same payment option in 2021 please complete the new authorisation. Remember our new fee structure includes a Low Fee option and we encourage any family that is facing financial challenges due to COVID to make a time to discuss options.
OSHC ACCOUNTS!
Thankyou to all the families who pay their accounts within 14 days. Remember you can pay easily via Qkr! or we can deduct from your nominated credit card weekly.
Anne-Marie Stanton
School Bursar
MACBOOK RETURNS
We need to collect the Year 6 MacBooks and their charging cables on Thursday, Week 8 (3rd December). Students will need to take their device to your class where they will be checked off and collected.
(The school will be charged for any missing cables and so unfortunately that expense will need to be on charged to families where any cables are missing or where there is obvious damage.)
Thank you to everyone who purchased wine through our fundraiser - we raised more than $1000 to be put towards projects at the school. Special thanks to Marita Girardi for spearheading the campaign, and to all your helpers for helping sort and collection of the wine.
Our Kyton's Christmas Fundraiser is in full swing. There are lots of delicious treats, including make your own choc-chip house kids, make your own lamington kits, vanilla star biscuits, mince pies, traditional puddings, lamingtons and much more! The easiest way to order is on Qkr!, scroll down to Kyton's fundraiser. Orders close 25th November and will be available for collection on 3rd December.
