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Dear Parents & Caregivers,
School life continues to be busy and rewarding for all of us at St. Joseph’s Kingswood. In my regular classroom visits I am always inspired by the learning that is taking place, and the positive interactions your children are having with the teachers. As a teaching group, we are strongly focussed on developing and improving our practice so that your children have the best possible learning outcomes. We undertake regular professional learning in order to do this.
In recent times, our professional learning has been in the areas of the teaching of Literacy – specifically spelling – and more broadly around the theme of visible learning. Essentially we have been exploring how evidence is used to create innovation in the learning environment. For some time now, we have been focussed on making sure that the children clearly understand the learning intention of our lessons, as well as the success criteria – the things they need to do to learn and be successful. We are now working to build on this, and to ensure that the feedback we provide the children is purposeful and effective. As learners ourselves, we have been engaging in research about what is termed the effect size of aspects of our work. Essentially this means identifying those strategies that teachers and schools use that evidence says have the greatest impact on a child’s success as a learner. As part of our learning, we are also finding out about strategies that have been used in education that have a low, or in some cases negative impact on learning! Of course, we are trying to make sure that none of these strategies form any part of our daily work!
Another aspect of our professional learning that relates closely to the visible learning work we are doing, is in the area of dispositions – or competencies - for learning. We have been focussed on ensuring that, as part of our work with the children, we are providing rich opportunities for them to develop the competencies required to be a successful learner. Skills like these include understanding our identity, managing ourselves, being critical and creative thinkers, collaboration and communication and cultural competency. These ‘learnings’ are interwoven in our curriculum, as well as being explicitly taught through the use of prompts.
The next P&F meeting is at the Cremorne Hotel on Wednesday– all parents are warmly welcomed to join in the conversation about how we can work together to create the best community possible!
The AGM of the School Board will be held next Tuesday March 19th, at 7.30pm (here at School.) Please come along to hear reports about our progress over the 2018 school year, and to engage in the process of electing new board members for 2019/2020.
Have a great week everyone,
God bless,
Phil
Hello everyone and welcome to Week 7! I hope you are going well after the sweltering heat we’ve had recently.
Last week Mr Bratt, Mrs Lambourne, Mr Schultz and I took the Year 5s and 6s down to Kingswood Oval as part of the Clean Up Australia Day initiative. It was great to see how engaged and determined the children were to help look after our planet by cleaning up the rubbish in a space in our local community. We found a lot more rubbish than we anticipated and left the oval and playground sparkling clean.
On Thursday I was fortunate to supervise the Year 6 Knockout Cricket Team, held at Aldgate Primary. All of our students represented St Joseph’s Kingswood with pride and were respectful of each other and their counterparts. I commend Lily Henry for participating on the team, regardless of being the only girl – and hope she encourages others to join in and play cricket too (and take a similarly great catch to get someone out). Special mention to Hunter McMurtrie with the first catch of the day and Sebastian Shaw who batted well and couldn’t be dismissed. A big thanks to Tom for coming out and coaching the team with great gusto. Stay tuned for more results from this stellar team later this term!
In other news, I will be away for a little bit towards the end of this term. In week 9 I am heading to Sydney for a retreat based on the life of Mary MacKillop. This is run by the Sisters of St Joseph at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. This promises to be an enlightening and valuable trip. We have been warned to use our phones as little as possible so if nothing else it will be a welcome distraction from the busyness of emails and phone calls. And, much to my wife’s delight, I will be heading off to Finland in week 11 for a 2-week study tour in Helsinki. As you may know Finland has one of the best educational programs in the world so it will be fantastic to see what they are doing so well and bring some of their ideas back here to Kingswood!
Take care,
Jamie
Dear families of St Joseph’s Kingswood
A massive thank you to all those who came and participated in our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Stall! This event has now become a beautiful tradition at our school that kick-starts our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion.
This year we have raised over $240!
Thank you also to our amazing staff members who rolled up their sleeves particularly early on the day and to Campbell Milne who prepared the delicious gluten-free pancake mix to help make the event more inclusive.
The Ash Wednesday Liturgy was the second, big event last week. We were blessed to be joined by parishioners, family members and by Fr Michael who celebrated a very special, whole-school mass. All those present participated in the distribution of ashes, reminding us that God made us out of the elements of the Earth, and that we are one with Creation.
Our next big mass will be in Week 8 as a celebration of St Joseph’s Feast Day. Keep your eyes peeled for all the details about the events happening across the day on Tuesday 19th March.
Regards,
Christine Farrugia
APRIM
Christine Farrugia
Assistant Principal- Religious Identity and Mission
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Lots of (sporting) ground to cover as we edge closer to winding up Term 1 and prepare for Term 2 sports.
If you haven't already, check-out the Sports button on the SZapp home screen as the place for Term 2 Netball, Soccer & AFL participation forms, important communication regarding current sports teams as well as updates and relevant info throughout the term.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Congratulations to all the students that participated in the Catholic School Swimming trials over the last 4 weeks at Mitcham Girls Pool. Over the 4 weeks over 60 students had a go at swimming either freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly. A special thank you to all the parent helpers that assisted with timing the students in the mornings and Mrs Bridget Brown for her help organising and walking students back to school.
A reminder that the carnival is THIS WEDNESDAY 13th March between 10am-12pm at Magill University Pool. The students will travel to and from the venue by private bus.
THE SCHOOL MUST SUPPLY 2 OFFICIALS FOR THE DAY, WITHOUT OFFICIALS THE CARNIVAL WILL NOT GO AHEAD. If you can assist please indicate on the information note or let Mr D/Front Office know.
Congratulations to the below students that have been selected in the team:
SAPSASA District Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the six students that competed in the SAPSASA District Swimming Carnival on Friday night at the Marion Outdoor Swimming Pool. The students competed in the following events:
- Hunter McMurtie 100m and 50m Freestyle Born in 2007
- Sophie Meys 50m Freestyle, Backstroke and Breastroke Born in 2008
- Mia McMurtrie 50m Freestyle, Backstroke Born in 2009
- Joshua Fox 50m Freestyle Born in 2009
- Samuel de Sousa 50m Freestyle, Breastroke Born in 2008
- Jack Brooke 50m Freestyle, Backstroke Born in 2008
The students had a fantastic night with some outstanding individual results. Special mention to Emma Brooke for officiating on the night and Jon Fox for helping to organise the students to their races.
Congratulations to Samuel de Sousa, Sophie Meys and Joshua Fox who have all been selected in the City South District Freestyle relay team that will compete in the Metro carnival day on Thursday 28th March.
CRICKET
SAPSASA Knockout Cricket match - Year 6
TERM 2 AFTER SCHOOL/WEEKEND SPORTS
Below are links to some of the info and nomination forms (also included in the SPORTS button on the SZapp home screen).
Note all participation forms for Netball, Soccer and AFL Term 2 teams are due 15th March
Regards,
Steven De Giovanniello (Phyical Education Teacher & Sports Coordinator)
Auskick registration link & volunteers form
Auskick Volunteers form & Registration link for Reception & Year 1 Students
Soccer Participation Form (Year 2 onwards)
Soccer (SDJSA) Participation Form
Football (AFL) Participation Form (Year 2 onwards)
Primary School Football (AFL) Participation Form
Netball (Year 2 onwards)
Hello!
I am so excited with the interest that has been generated amongst the students at St Joseph's Kingswood wanting to learn a musical instrument. We are now offering tuition in piano, voice, cello, violin, recorder, flute, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, trombone, guitar, ukulele and drums. We currently have 96 students already learning and 28 on the wait list.
Thank you to the parents who have returned these forms for students on the waitlist. I am still in the process of employing a new teacher and on completion of this process those families will be contacted by the new teacher.
The year 5/6 Festival of Music Choir have got off to a flying start with 35 eager participants. I was initially given a student cap of only 25 students but it looks like I have convinced those in power to allow me an additional 10 students. We had a visit last week by Denise Rothall (main conductor of the Catholic Music Schools Festival) who briefly conducted the students through a few techniques and songs. This was lots of fun.
The year 3/4 choir has also had a successful beginning under the tutelage of Michelle Page with many eager members beginning regularly.
The schools Concert band has also started well and were lucky enough to have David Longden (from db Solutions, our instrument hire) visit them on their very first rehearsal. The students listened well and created a fantastic sound considering there were brand new students in the band. There were even students who hadn’t yet received their instrument who attended in order to find out what band is all about!! What marvellous dedication.
Steph Insanally
P&F REMINDERS
Catch-up at The Cremorne this Wednesday at 7pm
Drop by for a glass of wine and/or nibbles – plenty of parking too!
We will be discussing upcoming fundraisers, second-hand uniform sale and generally catching-up with members of the St Joseph’s Kingswood community.
One and all very welcome.
We hope to see you there!
Fundraising to upgrade the playground at the back of the Green on Seafield Avenue
Kytons hot cross buns & lamington orders
- Due | Monday 1st April
- Available for collection | Thursday 11th April
See the below form to order (there's rows for you to split out how many you're getting for Grandparents/Cousins/Neighbours or you can just tally them all together in the one row), there will also be copies in the Front Office.
Payments can be easily made via
- QKR (enter the tallied amount, note "QKR" in the bottom right of the form and return the form to school ASAP by 1st April); or
- in the Front Office
Any questions, contact Makella Holden (makella.price@hotmail.com)
Sausage Sizzle
- Saturday 23rd March (pick your timeslot)
- @ Woolworths Cumberland Park
Many hands make light work and we aren't looking for a full day commitment. We are looking for as many people as possible to volunteer for one or two hour shifts between 8am and 5pm. Please email Jacqui McLeod Jac.mcleod@internode.on.net with a couple of timeslots you can help out by 15th March.
For parents with children in year 6, particularly within the Leadership Team, please consider including your child too. They can help with taking orders and money (prep and cooking is strictly for adults only).
If you can't help out on the day, please do come past to grab a snag and support our fundraising efforts.
Beers for Dads
Make sure this date is in your diary-
The St Joseph's Kingswood tuckshop relies on volunteers and we are very thankful to all family members that volunteer their time.
I am preparing the roster for Term 2 and would appreciate, even if you have filled one out in the past, if you would fill out another form again.
Must have current police check.
If you have any queries or suggestions, please contact me on 0408 739 927 or email me at kdahdah@stjk.catholic.edu.au
Thanks again!!
Katina Dahdah
QUESTION |
ANSWER |
| Name | Mrs Steph Insanally |
| What do you teach? | Music (years 3-6), year 5/6 choir, band and instrumental teacher- piano, violin, voice |
| Favourite song? | Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata - all 3 movements |
| Tell us a joke | What do you call a man with a spade in his head? Doug. What do you call a man without a spade in his head? Dougless |
| Chocolate or vanilla? | Chocolate |
| Summer or Winter? | Summer |
| Favourite book? | Bryce Courtney - The Power Of One |
| Where’s a place you’d like to visit? | Lapland to meet Father Christmas |
| What’s the best part of your job? | Watching the joy on children's and families faces in music performance and music development |
| Do you have any hobbies? | beach walking, singing in choirs, fishing, spending time with family, yoga, catching up with friends, going to music concerts |
| Favourite snack? | Maggie Beer's very own homemade pavlova topped with fresh berries and double thick cream |
| How do you imagine, inspire and foster our students to flourish? | Through music I ignite the flames deep in each child's soul which helps them to express, have increased self-confidence and love life. |
| Tell us something else about you | I have done some crazy things like skydiving, bungy jumping, para gliding, para sailing, and caving |
Below are links for events happening the in the community this term