Filter Content
Dear Families and Friends,
Welcome to the 2023 year! We have had a wonderful start, actually the best start for a number of years with no restrictions. It was so nice to support our newest learners as the started school.
A special welcome to our new Reception children: Vinuki, Chiara, Albie, Leo, Chester, Grace, Annie, Harry, William H, Julian, Elaina, Milena, Murray, Seb, Tom, Laila, William R, Jack, Aaliyah, Clem, Sunelie, Mathilde, Aston, Charlie, Isaac, Liam, Avery and Alexandra.
I also welcome our new families and students to our other St Joseph’s Kingswood community: Year 1: Gabriel and George, Year 2: Sam, Year 3: Lucas, Jason, Sophia and Alexa, Year 4: Sophie, Year 5: Patrick, Year 6: Grace and Annabel.
Our new staff member have settled in. We welcome Shelly Youngs, Jane Poole, Tia Della Pace and Lucia Mitchell – thank you for making a smooth start for our families.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
It was wonderful to welcome the community this year with our School Captains William Phillips and Bethany Frith.
2023 we are working to empower our students as learners and community members. As said by Oscar Romero ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more.’ We hope to instil virtutes of gratitude, connection and excellence through opportunities for children to lead, be a voice and take action.
At Thursday’s Assembly we announced the new leaders, from each class, who will help us build an even better school and community in 2023:
- Eco Warriors: this year we will have a bigger team to help us all to care for our world.
- Spirit Leaders: there will be a larger committee to help gift our school with grace and gratitude through their work
- SRC: this group continues to help make decisions to make our school a better place to where we can collaborate and excel.
STAFF CHANGES
People and change are a natural part of life, but some changes are unexpected and a bit sad. This week Steph Insanally has shared with us that she has made the difficult decision to leave our community. Steph has been given a wonderful opportunity to work on a music project meaning she cannot commit to our school. Fortunately, Steph will be around for most of the term so we will have opportunity to farewell her and thank her for her amazing contribution to our community.
PARKING AND DROP-OFF AREAS
We heard that last Tuesday and again on Thursday this week a Mitcham Council parking inspector gave out several parking tickets. The inspector informed a staff member that there have been several complaints of Cambridge Tce being blocked while waiting for a park at pick-up.
I have provided information to assist:
Cambridge Tce (both sides and also on the Northern side of Seafield Ave)
- No Parking 8-9 am and 3-4pm school days
You must not park your vehicle in an area where a 'No Parking' sign applies, unless:
- you are dropping off or picking up passengers or goods;
- you do not leave the vehicle unattended - that is, move more than three metres away; and
- you complete the dropping off or picking up as soon as possible - in any case, within two minutes.
So… you only have 2 minutes, unfortunately you can’t hop out and have a chat, you need to stay close to your car and you can’t park along there after 3:30 for school sports.
***If there is no space to pull in fully, best to drive around the block
***If you child is not waiting at the gate, best to drive around the block
Seafield Ave (adjacent the school)
No Parking 1/4 8-9 am and 3-4pm school days only
Parking signs with time limits
Where there is a time limit indicated by a sign, you must not park in the zone for longer than the specified time limit.
So… there is a 15min time limit. A place for a quick drop/deliver. If you intend to chat, we strongly encourage you park elsewhere.
The inspector said they will be undertaking more checks. Remember, don’t arrive too early so you don’t outstay the time. My advice is to come after 3:15 to give you child time to get to the gate.
Thank you to those walking to school where you can, and for being aware of others when parking.
I am excited about the year ahead, Please join the us for the AGM on Wednesday 22nd March.
Jodie Higgins
In all things Charity
The Power of a Smile
The start of the school year is my favourite time of year. Why you ask?
It is because of the many smiles glowing from ear to ear. Whether it is a well-rested teacher, a relieved parent excited school is going back or a student, ready and eager to begin the new school year. Smiles are a plenty at the start of the school year.
But why are smiles so powerful?
Well, many scientific studies have proven that small act of smiling can lift your mood, it boosts your immune system and can even lower stress. That is why when I may be feeling a little stressed you could find me wandering through the school yard getting my smile fix.
Smiles create a chemical reaction in the brain releasing the happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin. High levels of these chemicals are also associated to reduced levels of stress and depression. The physical act of smiling tricked into thinking we are happy, even if we are faking a smile and happiness increase our immune health. So even if you are not feeling your bright and happy self, forcing a smile can be a real mood changer as well as help us to be healthier.
For me though, the best part of smiling is that it is contagious. Smiling not only has the power to change your mood but the moods of others also. Humans are hardwired to mimic the expressions of others. So, it is scientifically proven that smiles are contagious! So, thank you to the St Joseph’s community for sharing your smile with me and I look forward to catching many more smiles as the year continues.
Dear Families
A warm welcome to the new school year.
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR MASS
Thank you to all those who attended the Beginning of the Year Mass. It was a wonderful and heart-warming event, presided by Father John Shanahan. It makes a world of difference to kick start the year with a Mass, with all students and staff gathered in prayer. We have missed doing this in the past few years.
SCHOOL SPIRIT TEAM LEADERS AND COMMITTEE
I am so thrilled to have a bigger School Spirit Team this year. They will be led by Lilian Carman and Toby Medlow, two very capable and enthusiastic leaders. The new Spirit Committee will be presented at Assembly in Week 3.
YEAR 6 REFLECTION DAY
On Friday, 17th February, the Year 6 cohort will be spending the morning with me at Sophia Centre for Reflection. We will spend our time building relationships and focusing on our patron saints: St Mary of the Cross, Julian Tenison Woods and Irene McCormack. I treasure this valuable time spent with our oldest students and I hope it helps to set them of for a fruitful year ahead.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS
You are all invited to the Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday 22nd February at 12:00pm, at Our Lady of Dolours Church. This occasion is very important as we kick start the Lenten Season that will lead us to Easter.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
The Sacramental Program for 2023 is about to start. Please email me at cfarrugia@stjk.catholic.edu.au if you are interested in enrolling in the program. More information can be attained from the School’s Front Office.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Emmaus Parish are very active in building community and providing a safe and welcoming space for all families. One of their amazing initiatives is Children’s Liturgy: During Mass at 9:00am on Sunday, children are gathered separately and led by a trained children’s liturgist to learn about the Gospel in away that is accessible and fun. We encourage you all to attend and participate. And thank you to the Kingswood Worship group for such a wonderful initiative.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
The 20th March is the international World Day of Prayer for Social Justice. Let us gather in prayer:
Dear God,
We pray for social justice in our world today.
We ask that you guide us in our actions
and inspire us to work towards a more equitable society.
Help us to see the dignity and worth of every person,
regardless of their race, religion, or socioeconomic status.
May we work to eliminate systems of oppression
and strive towards fairness and equality for all.
We ask for the strength to be a voice for the marginalized
and to stand up against injustice.
May we always act with compassion
and love towards those in need,
and may our actions bring about true and lasting change.
Grant us the wisdom to see where we can make a difference,
and the courage to take action in those areas.
May we always be guided by your love and grace,
and may our efforts for social justice reflect your loving presence in the world.
AMEN.
Blessings,
CHRISTINE FARRUGIA
SACPPSA Swimming Carnival – Years 3-6
St Joseph’s Kingswood are looking to field a competitive team of Swimmers for the upcoming Swimming Carnival which will be held at Marion Pool on Wednesday 29th March. Training sessions/trials will be held at Mitcham Girls Pool on Friday mornings between 7.30-8.15am.
Students are to be dropped off in the Mitcham Girls car park, off of Rugby Street (in between Mitcham Girls and Kingswood Oval) at 7.15am on training days.
- Week 4 – 1sttraining session – Friday 24th Feb – 7.30-8.15am
- Week 5 – 2ndtraining session – Friday 3rd March – 7.30-8.15am
- Week 6 – No training session (year 6 camp)
- Week 7 – 3rd training session Team selected – Friday 17th March
- Week 8 – Selected Team training session
- Week 9 – Carnival Day - Wednesday 29thMarch 1-3pm
Students will be walked back to school by teachers. Change facilities are available.
Click here to register your child and provide consent.
R-2 Netball Program – Tuesdays after school
St Joseph’s is excited to offer “Learn to Play” Netball and Tennis programs for Reception – Year 2 students this Term here at school.
The Netball program will be run on a TUESDAY after school form 3.10-4.00pm on our school court beginning on Tuesday 21st February (week 4).
Please click here and follow the info to register your child
AusKick Coodinator needed! (R-1 students)
St Joseph’s Kingswood has a proud tradition of offering its own Auskick centre since 2008 and we would like this to continue this year.
Our Auskick Centre is based at Urrbrae High School (Please don’t register for the Unley Jets Auskick as this is run by the club NOT our school) on a Saturday morning between 8.30-9.30am in Term 2.
The school will not open registrations until we have a coordinator or group of parents that can run the program. The AFL provide all coordinators with resources, equipment and information seminars to assist in running the program.
We are looking for a new Auskick coordinator or group of parents to share the role for our centre. If you can assist, please let me know ASAP as we would like the program to begin early next Term.
sdegiovanniello@stjk.catholic.edu.au
-Steven De Giovanniello
CHILDREN'S UNIVERSITY
We welcomed some Children's University representatives to assembly who told the children all about the program and some of the exciting learning destinations like Haigh's Chocolates and Tree Climb. Each child needs to complete 30 hours of additional, outside the classroom learning to graduate. If your child is in Years 3-6 and would like to join, please download and the form here or see the Front Office for a copy to fill out and pay for your child's membership.
We are so thrilled to welcome some new faces to St Joseph's, Kingswood. Meet our new staff members below!
Hello I’m Jane Poole and have a class of wonderful Year 2 students. I’ve been in the education sector for over 15yrs and thrive on supporting children to be their best version of themselves. I’m looking forward to getting to know the school community more having previously done relief work at the school. I live locally with my husband and two adult children, enjoy gardening, walking the dog and holidaying road trips. Fun fact, along time ago I was a globe trotting GD/GK.
My name is Tia and I have just joined the Reception team. I am passionate about education and helping children to reach their full potential. When I’m not at school I like to play netball and spend time with my friends and family. I am so excited to be here this year and very thankful for the warm welcome into the community.
Welcome back to term 1 and we hope you all had a relaxing break!! Vacation Care for term 4 went extremely well with lots of activities. The children were certainly entertained with all the activities and Vacation Care just flew past! Next Vacation Care we are planning to go to the Zoo so stayed tuned!
Just reminding everyone it is compulsory to have a wide brimmed hat in ASC and Vacation Care. Baseball caps are not acceptable. If your child does not bring a hat or brings a baseball cap, we will issue them with one and the fee is $3.00. You are welcome to supply your child with a hat that we can keep in our hat bag with their name on it. We also have available 2nd hand hats to buy for $5.00 and then we will mark them with your child’s name it and keep them for their use only! Also regarding cancellations in Vacation Care it is worth having a read of our Vacation Care Policy, which is on Szapp and you tick that you have read the Vacation Care policy
Please note that if your child/ren will not be attending a regular session, even if they are sick you need to notify us by SZapp, text or email. See policies regarding the times for late bookings and late cancellations.
This term we are looking for parents to join the OSHC parent committee team and we would encourage you to come to our meetings which are held every term in week 5 on Wednesday from 5-6pm. This term it will be on Wednesday week 6 (8th March) from 5-6pm, so let me know if you would like to join our team. At the meetings we discuss topics regarding OSHC.
In case you missed a recent communication regarding our transition to a new system, please click here to read - and ask if you have any queries.
Lastly - bookings for the pupil free day on Tuesday 14 March 2023 are open, please click here to book for our fun craft and giant board games day.
Vicky Wilson & OSHC Team
Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended our 2023 Information Sessions on Wed 15th Feb - despite the steamy weather. We appreciate your partnership.
For those unable to attend, visit this link to view copies of the presentations and links to videos - https://sjkingswood.schoolzineplus.com/2023-presentations
