Dear Families,

What an eventful start to term 3, and to a new school.  Even with the unusual start, it has been very positive and I am excited to be leading St Joseph’s Kingswood. In my first 2 weeks I have had the opportunity to welcome the new receptions, twice, and witness the staff step up as we went into lockdown - what a great team! Their collaboration, resilience, and commitment to ensuring students were able to continue learning at home was pleasing to witness. 

I have met a few parents and received some lovely welcome messages. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, we will have the opportunity to welcome parents back to school, I look forward to working in partnership with you. I am pleased that I have started as a new strategic plan is being imagined for the school in the coming years. I strongly encourage you to complete the survey HERE so the process captures as many voices as possible to develop a plan that is inclusive, relevant, and inspiring.

I was keeping an eye on some of the home learning on Seesaw. It was wonderful to see how engaged all the children were at home. A big pat on the backs to all the parents in supporting your children at home. From first-hand experience, it is not easy, especially when you are trying to do housework and possibly working from home as well. I am sure you worked out what you could manage and enjoyed some extra time with your children. 

I thought I’d take to opportunity to share a few points about myself. I have held principal positions in 4 schools prior to St Joseph’s and varied leadership positions including Deputy, Religious Education, student wellbeing, special education and literacy. I hope my experience brings a new set of eyes and I look forward to seeing the great things that are happening at St Joseph’s School. I have already heard about the strength of the PLC program and was fortunate to attend the Visible Learning day at the beginning of the term and hear first hand some of the great teaching strategies staff are implementing. 

On a personal note, I have 2 children, Jackson in year 3 and Jasmine in reception. This gives me first-hand experiences of what families are experiencing at home and they bring great joy to our home. My Husband, Ray is the principal of St Bernadette’s School, St Mary’s. We both come from the country and love the fact that we are part of a community through our schools. We are a sport-focused family, with the Olympics occupying way too much of our time in the last week! The Crows have been put to the side for a moment. 

I offer a special welcome to the new receptions Hartley B, Isabella C, James E, Evelyn H, Owen H, Lola K, Liam L, Yannikh M, Freddie M, Almos M, Savannah P, Chloe P, Lockie P, Tilly R, Victoria S, Maxwell T, Grace T, Isabel V and in year 4 Jacob B. We were so proud of this group who returned after lockdown without missing a beat. 

This term we also welcome Adele D’Angelo to our staff, replacing Emma Begg while she is undertaking the Acting APRIM Position at McAuley Community School for the remainder of the term. It has been announced today that Emma will continue her leave until the 5^th November, to undertake an Acting Deputy role at St Francis of Assisi, Newton. Fortunately, Adele is able to continue teaching the year 5 class in term 4 to enable continuity for St Joseph’s School and particularly the year 5 class.

While this wasn’t the start to Term 3 that we were expecting, I offer gratitude to every student, parent and staff member for the way all have handled the challenge of lockdown. I have received a wonderful welcome from staff, students, Kelvin Warner, Chair of the Board, and Fr Shanahan. I am especially grateful for the support and leadership of Jamie as I transitioned to St Joseph’s, especially over the past few weeks. Jamie has done a fine job at keeping the school running smoothly and is a great asset to the community. I look forward to finding out more about the school, to continue to build this thriving learning community.

Kindest Regards,

Jodie Higgins
Principal

Greetings, dear St Joseph’s Community!

This Sunday is the Feast of Saint Mary McKillop: the founder of the Josephite Sisters and of our school.

Did you know?:

Our story began in 1870 in an architecturally designed stone building which served as both a church and school. Just four years earlier, Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods at Penola had established a religious order, The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and it was the sisters from this order who pioneered the school.

The school had been in operation for only a year when it was suddenly closed because of the excommunication of Mary MacKillop. In March 1872, the excommunication was lifted and the school was reopened.

Sadly, nothing remains of this former building or the convent, as both were demolished when a new school, church and convent were opened and blessed by Archbishop Spence at Cambridge Terrace in 1914. The current Our Lady of Dolours Church was opened in 1928. 

Sacramental Program

The 2020/2021 Sacramental Group Confirmation has been postponed. The Sacramental Team is working hard behind the scenes to reschedule the event. Keep an eye out for information from Sr Jasmine via email.

Please don’t forget to complete your Confirmation posters and hand them to the school’s front office staff.

Our School’s Confirmation date is Friday, 30^th July at 6pm.

Blessings!

Christine Farrugia, APRIM
cfarrugia@stjk.catholic.edu.au
8827 3304

Cross Country Carnival (SACPSSA)– Change of Date – Wednesday 18^th August (week 5)

The Catholic Schools Cross Country Carnival has now been postponed to Wednesday 18^th August. Students will need to register again if they would like to participate (sorry if you have already done so). We also need at least two parent officials on the day so if you can assist, please indicate on SZAPP form.

Training sessions will begin this Thursday at Kingswood Oval at lunchtime and every Tuesday and Thursday until the Carnival Day.

Information regarding the Carnival and to register please access the SZAPP link HERE.

Touch Football Carnival (SACPSSA)– Tuesday 31^st August – (week 7)

Registrations are now open for the Touch Football Carnival for all year 3-6 students on SZAPP. Information regarding the Carnival and to register please access the SZAPP link HERE. 

Netball Carnival – Thank you!

Last Term over 100 students from years 3-6 attended the SACPSSA Netball Carnival at Price Line Netball Stadium, Mile End. The school had teams in both the girls and boys’ divisions with14 umpires from Cabra also coming to assist as well as 15 parent helpers and 6 teachers on the day.

A big thank you to the parent helpers Mrs Brooke, Mrs Cantone, Mrs Veale, Mrs Davis, Mrs Peacock, Mrs Patriarca, Mrs Nichols, Mrs Waller, Mrs Lange, Mrs Sabou, Mrs Elder, Mrs Quinn, Mr Burvill and Mrs Sach.

A big thank you to the teachers that assisted on the day, Mr Bratt, Mrs Begg, Miss Wicks, Mrs Perrone and Mrs Medlow.

Although the Carnival was a participation Carnival and no scores were recorded, had there been a trophy awarded I’m more than certain St Joseph’s Kingswood would have taken it out!

Athletics Carnival Postponed – Term 4, week 4 – Monday 1^st November

Last Term the year 3-6 students participated in trials for the SACPSSA (Catholic Schools) Athletics Carnival which was due to be held this Term in week 4. The Carnival has now been postponed to Term 4 in week 4, Monday 1^st November. The selected team will be announced later in the Term.

Auskick R-2 Football (Term 2 – Urrbrae Oval)

Congratulations to all the students that participated in the St Joseph’s Kingswood Auskick program last Term at Urrbrae Oval on Saturday mornings. Unfortunately, the students missed out on their certificate and medallion presentation at the end of Term but will receive these in an assembly at some stage this Term.

A big thank you to Mrs Caarin Watts who has now run the program for the last two years. The school always receives wonderful feedback about the program so thank you to all parent helpers, Mrs Watts and the students involved.

Super Soccer Skills – FULL

Thank you to all the students that have registered to be part of the Super Soccer Skills program on a Friday after school. Unfortunately, the program is now full and unable to take on any new players.

Thank you, 

Mr De Giovanniello (Physical Education Teacher/Sports Coordinator)

Welcome back to term 3! I hope you had a very safe and relaxing holiday. I would also like to offer a big welcome to the new receptions and families to our OSHC this term. 

Vacation Care went extremely well and all children had a fun and engaging time over the two weeks. Teddy Bear Building was the favorite theme and we all enjoyed making our Teddies with love and care! The best part was we got to take them home. Also, Cooking day and sports clinic went extremely well and the children loved cooking with Katina and sports with Nic. We also welcome Adele D’Angelo who joined us in the second week as the Responsible Person in Charge and she did an excellent job and the children certainly warmed to her. 

A reminder that if your child/ren are sick and they have a permanent booking, you need to send me a SZapp, text or email to advise me of this.  Also if your child/ren cannot attend a regularly booking please inform me to avoid a late cancellation fee.  Another point is if you wish to book a casual booking for BSC you must book before 6pm the night before and if you want a Monday BSC, bookings must be in before Friday 6pm. ASC bookings must be in before 10am to avoid a late fee booking as per our school policies.

Stay safe and see you soon!

Vicky Wilson, OSHC Director

New Facebook Group

With the current COVID-19 restrictions, our Playgroup is taking a break, and we miss our Playgroup families! So we have taken this chance to connect online, through a closed Facebook group - the St Joseph's Kingswood Playgroup Facebook Community!

A safe space to share photos, Playgroup fun and keep up to date with the latest Playgroup news at St Joseph's.