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Dear Parents, Students, and Staff,
I am thrilled to share with you our school's new Mission, Values, and Purpose as part of our Strategic Plan for the next three years. Our Mission is to be an Innovative, Collaborative and Excellent Catholic Community in the Josephine Tradition, established on Kaurna land, committed to educating and nurturing the whole person.
We have developed this plan with input from community, and it reflects our school's shared vision for the future. The Strategic Plan includes four strategic intentions, which will guide our decision-making and planning over the next three years.
Empowered By Faith: Our Catholic identity is at the heart of who we are as a school, and we are committed to ensuring that our community feels a sense of belonging and connection to our faith tradition.
Educated for Action: We believe that education should equip students with the skills, knowledge and values they need to make a positive impact in the world. We want our students to be socially and emotionally aware, creative and have the opportunity to excel.
Engaged with the World: We believe that learning should not just take place within the walls of a classroom but should also involve connections with our local and global communities. We want to foster partnerships and collaborations that enable our students to learn from and contribute to the wider world as global citizens.
Enriched through Sustainability: We recognise that the world is facing significant environmental challenges, and we believe that our school has a responsibility to act in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way as stewards of our environment. We want to be the school of choice in our area that manages resources and makes decisions that are sustainable in a changing world.
As we enter Holy Week with Palm Sunday this weekend, I encourage us all to reflect on the values that underpin our school's mission – In all things Charity. Let us remember the importance of compassion, kindness, and service to others, and let us commit ourselves to working towards our shared goals as a community.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school. I look forward to working together to bring our new Strategic Plan to life.
Yours sincerely,
Jodie Higgins
In all things Charity
Principal
Reading is not just for now, Reading is for Life
We all want the best for our children, and one of the most important things we can do for them is to encourage them to read. Reading is a skill that opens doors to all kinds of opportunities, and it's something that children can enjoy for their entire lives. That's why we're excited to introduce you to Literacy Pro, a reading program from Scholastic that can help your child develop their reading skills and love of books.
The Literacy Pro program is designed to help children in primary school become confident and proficient readers. It includes a range of books that are carefully chosen to match each child's reading level and interests, as well as interactive quizzes and assessments that help track their progress. The quizzes are fun and engaging, and they help your child develop important literacy skills like vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking. With Literacy Pro, your child can enjoy reading and improve their literacy skills at the same time.
Why is reading so important? Well, studies have shown that children who read regularly are more likely to succeed in school and in life. Reading helps to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, and it can also boost creativity and imagination. Plus, reading is a great way to relax and unwind, and it can provide a welcome break from screens and other distractions.
One of the best things about Literacy Pro is that it's tailored to your child's individual needs. Each child has their own reading level and interests, and the program takes this into account when selecting books and creating quizzes. This means that your child will be challenged, but not overwhelmed, and they'll be more likely to enjoy reading and feel motivated to improve their skills.
Another great feature of Literacy Pro is that it's flexible and easy to use. Children can access the program from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a computer, tablet, or smartphone. They can read books and take quizzes at their own pace, which means they can fit reading into their busy schedules. And if they ever get stuck or have questions, they can ask their teacher or a parent for help.
Each child from Year 3 – 6 has been given a login and password which you can also access to see how your child is going. Please follow the link below to access the Literacy Pro Program.
Thank you for your ongoing support of your child's education, and happy reading!
Supporting Your Child to Become a Confident Mathematician
I would like to share some insights into the world of times tables and reciprocal division facts and why understanding these essential math concepts provides a strong foundation for our students, enabling them to thrive academically and in their daily lives.
Building Confidence
When our young learners master their times tables and reciprocal division facts, they feel a sense of achievement and pride in their abilities. This newfound confidence not only helps them excel in mathematics but also encourages them to tackle other challenges with enthusiasm and positivity.
Laying the Groundwork for Success
Times tables and reciprocal division facts serve as the foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts. When students have a solid grasp of these basics, they are better prepared to understand and tackle complex topics such as fractions, decimals, and algebra.
Mastering Mental Maths
By learning times tables and reciprocal division facts, our students become mental math wizards! They can quickly perform calculations in their heads, making everyday tasks, like shopping or sharing treats with friends, more efficient and enjoyable. Mental math skills also sharpen their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, which are valuable life skills.
Engaging and Effective Learning
At St Joseph’s Kingswood we recognise the importance of keeping learning engaging and enjoyable. That's why we incorporate a variety of techniques, such as games, songs, and interactive activities, to teach times tables and reciprocal division facts. Our aim is to foster a love of learning and make math an exciting adventure for our students. We pride ourselves on working in partnership with our families, so we have included two links in this newsletter article. The first is to a Spotify playlist which has all the timetables. We hope you enjoy signing a long with your children in the car to these tunes.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0zevmKSpNhzDHQzPZCnRqc?si=FOEdqCalSKWoWe8Z2THHiA
All the children from Years 3 to 6 have also been signed up to the Numerical Acumen Challenge. This is a fun way children can get faster with their times tables, division facts and fractions. There are also awards the children can win at the end of the challenge so get solving.
Here is the link to the website, each child has been given a username and password. If they are unsure, please check in with your classroom teacher.
https://www.numericalacumen.com/login
In conclusion, mastering times tables and reciprocal division facts is crucial for our students' success in mathematics and beyond. We encourage regular practice and celebrate their achievements as they progress. Let us work together to nurture their passion for learning and help them unlock their full potential.
Wishing you all a math-tastic week ahead!
Problem Solving
Problem solving is a crucial skill that can help you navigate through life's challenges. Whether you are facing a personal problem or a work-related issue, having strong problem solving skills can make all the difference.
The ability to solve problems allows you to identify the root cause of the issue, develop a plan of action, and implement a solution. This can help you overcome obstacles, achieve your goals, and improve your overall quality of life. In fact, problem solving skills are highly valued by employers in today's job market. Companies seek out employees who can think critically, analyse data, and develop innovative solutions to complex problems. By developing your problem-solving skills, you can become an asset to any organization.
Some problem solving techniques include brainstorming, mind-mapping, and trial and error. By using these techniques, you can come up with creative solutions that you may not have thought of otherwise.
I will be including a problem for families to solve as part of the newsletter. I look forward to hearing your answers!
This week we will begin with an easy challenge. Good Luck!
We are almost at the end of the journey. And by this, I do not mean, the end of the term, but the end of LENT.
The word Lent derives from the Middle English word lenten, meaning springtime – the time of lengthening days. Forty days is significant for Christians because it is the length of the fast and temptation of Jesus in the desert (Luke 4:1-13).
This Sunday is Palm Sunday: the celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem before he was arrested. In Scripture, people placed palm branches on the road as Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem.
You will also hear the word Triduum. Triduum is the “Great Three Days” -the three-part celebration beginning with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, continuing with The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, and concluding with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
We warmly invite you to our School Easter Mass on Tuesday 11th April at 12pm.
And for celebrations over the Easter Period, the Kingswood Mass Community welcome all members of the school community to join their Easter celebrations and celebrate the Risen Lord with the following Masses and ceremonies:
Palm Sunday (2 April) 9 AM: Please gather in the hall for the beginning of Mass and then we will process to the church as Jesus processed into Jerusalem. The children are invited to stand along the fence with their musical instruments to escort the procession. Please bring a palm / olive leaf, though some will also be available.
Good Friday (7 April) 11 AM: Live Stations of the Cross on the school grassed area. All children are welcome to participate in this simple, silent yet profound re-enactment of the Easter events as we move around the area. Shared hot cross buns in the hall afterwards.
Good Friday (7 April) 3 PM: Celebration of the Lord's Passion with Holy Communion in Our Lady of Dolours Church.
Easter Sunday (9 April) 9 AM: Easter Sunday Mass at Kingswood
Other Mass times across the Emmaus Parish are listed on the parish website.
CARITAS MONEY BOXES will be collected during weeks 10 and 11. Please send them to school with your child.
A CARITAS FUNDRAISER will be held on the last day of term 1. Please keep an eye out for details!
I want to finish my contribution today with some photos from our Sacramental Workshop held on Sunday 26th March.
We had a beautiful number of Candidates present. During this workshop, we talked about the significance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and its power to help us be in a healthy relationship with God. We talked about how we are Beautifully Broken just like a line of dominoes where one topples over and ‘breaks’ the line. How beautiful is the ‘domino effect’ that results from it?! We also talked about how Reconciliation is a way to build strong bridges between us, others and God by building bridges with spaghetti and blutac.
I wish all the Kingswood families a blessed Easter.
Regards,
Christine Farrugia | APRIM
SACPSSA Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the 19 students that competed in the SACPPSA Swimming carnival on Wednesday 29th March at Marion Indoor Pool. The carnival was a culmination of 4 weeks early morning training at Mitcham Girls Pool which resulted in every student that trialled being selected in the team!
Students competed in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly races in both 25m and 50m distances. Special mention to CLAIRE DAUNT who finished with the age champion medallion for Best Year 6 Swimmer on the day. Some of the other outstanding results included:
Claire Daunt : 2nd - 50m Freestyle; 1st - 50m Backstroke; 1st - 50m Breaststroke; 1st - 25m Butterfly; 1st - 4x50m relay
Olivia Daunt: 3rd - 25m Backstroke; 3rd - 25 Breaststroke
James Anderson: 2nd - 25m Backstroke,
William Phillips: 3rd - 25m Breaststroke
William Phillips, Jacob Burton, Claire Daunt, Arpad Mihaly: 2nd – Medley Relay
William Phillips, Ada Cother, Claire Daunt, Arpad Mihaly: 2nd – 4x50m Relay
Clara De Giovanniello, Aria McPherson, Emese Mihaly, James Anderson: 4th – 4x50m Relay
Special thanks to all the wonderful parent helpers that officiated on the day. Without your help our school cannot participate in these carnivals: Ali McPherson, Jenny Veale, Megan Phillips, Thomas Meaney.
Special thanks to Emily Casey for her help at swimming training sessions and Bridget Hughes for help at the carnival and all our early morning training sessions.
Year 6 Kangaroo Island Camp
Camps provide opportunities for students to experience new environments, learn new skills, and build meaningful relationships with their peers. Recently, our Year 6 students spent a week on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, where they had the chance to explore the beautiful natural environment, engage in challenging activities, and create lasting memories with their classmates. Throughout the week, the students visited several places of interest, including the Honey Farm, Eucalyptus Distillery, Rapture Park, and Sea Lion Conservation Park. The students were able to learn about the importance of preserving wildlife, conservation, and sustainable farming practices.. These activities helped to foster teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills while also encouraging students to step outside of their comfort zones and try new things.
In addition to the physical activities, students also had the opportunity to learn about the History of Kangaroo Island through guided tours and educational workshops. This helped to deepen their understanding of the natural world and develop an appreciation for conservation and sustainability especially after learning of the impact of the bushfires.
The camp provided an opportunity for students to build social connections with their peers and teachers, strengthening their sense of community and belonging. Many students felt a strong sense of connectedness which has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment upon their return to school.
Overall, the benefits of attending a camp are numerous and long-lasting. We are proud of our Year 6 students for embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by their camp experience and look forward to sharing experiences with the Year 5 students as they embark on their camp journey in Week 11.
Emma Fowler
Enjoy a fun, family evening with a Movie on the Green!
Our P&F are pleased to be showing "Sing 2" on Friday of Week 1 next term (5th May).
Hop on over to Qkr! to purchase your family's tickets for a fun (and ridiculously cheap) night at the Movies. $5 per person, plus buy a box of snacks for $5 and have a stress-free evening!
Thank you for your support.
