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Dear Families and Friends,
It has a been a busy start to the year with a number of new faces and opportunities. One of our core values is CONNECTIONS. Building connections and having connections is something we all want for our children and ourselves.
As each year begins, students reconnect and build new connections. As a parent of a 10 and an 8 year old, I know the anxiety of wondering and wanting my children to have friends and be happy. I have found myself wondering:
- Who are they making connections with?
- Why aren’t they playing with children that I think would be a good connection?
- Are they kind at school?
..and I wish they would tell me more!
Fortunately, I have years (actually decades!) experience as an educator to know that I can’t control my child, who they play with and what they like. Each child will find their own connections. Some need a group, others need one friend and then there are those who are part of a big group or in fact, like time on their own – and it’s all okay.
As parents how can you help?
- Role model positive friendships and demonstrate how we resolve conflict.
- Be understanding when things don’t work out, it builds skills and resilience.
- Help provide strategies to solve problems, to admit mistakes and to welcome others in our groups.
As a foster mum, I have had my fair share of challenges as I have guided my children make positive connections, learn from mistakes, and forgive. This week our year 6 child came home to announce he was selected as house captain for his sports team! I was so proud. His following statements blew me away- ‘I am going to get our team to win the ‘Team Spirit Award’, not the cup! The team spirit is more important’. He went on to add, that he will invite a classmate up to hold the trophy with him if they win, because his classmate couldn’t apply to be captain (The child has a significant disability). Reflecting on my Year 6 child, all the challenges we worked through in year 1 and 2 are miles away but were worth it. He has gained so many life experiences and is now a leader with many positive connections – close buddies, sports mates, those he looks up to and those he supports.
Student Wellbeing has always been a priority, with further ephasis for 2024. We are undertaking the below steps to further enhance our students and school:
- Implementing the Positive psychology Visible Wellbeing Program – Lea Waters
- New Chaplain, Monique, is supporting children in small groups, individually and as a class to build connections.
- What’s the Buzz? The wonderful program written by Madhavi Nawana-Parker and Mark Le Messurier, is being run for small groups and whole classes by Mary Aqualina. The program teaches social and emotional intelligence. A few of the topics include
- Getting attention
- Meeting people
- Winning and losing
- Dealing with disappointment
- Learning to fit in
- Giving compliments
As most will be aware, we conduct a "Pulse Check" each term. Students are asked 7 questions to check how they are going in areas such as belonging, friendships, learning, safety and support.
As it is the beginning of the year, I have picked 3 questions to share the data from last week. It is pleasing that most children feel they belong, have friends and their teacher cares.
|
|
Most of the time |
Sometimes |
Not very often |
|||
|
Overall Pulse date |
78% |
19% |
3% |
|||
|
|
R-3 |
4-6 |
R-3 |
4-6 |
R-3 |
4-6 |
|
I have friends at school |
88% |
80% |
11% |
17% |
1% |
3% |
|
I feel I belong |
82% |
87% |
15% |
12% |
3% |
1% |
|
My teacher cares for me |
94% |
80% |
5% |
20% |
1% |
0% |
I hope you managed to find some relief from the heat over the long weekend. Looking forward to a more pleasant week ahead.
Kind Regards,
Jodie Higgins
Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I cannot believe we are halfway through the term! It has been wonderful getting to know all the students and families of our community and I look forward to continuing to build relationships with you all.
DIBELS Testing:
This year we have gone through a thorough testing period to identify students who may require further support using a range of standardised testing. This year, we have introduced DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). This test is a series of short, quick assessments that allow educators to determine whether a child may need some additional support with their reading. These will be carried out at the beginning, middle and end of the year for every child, with progress monitoring available more frequently if required. DIBELS, along with the rest of the rigorous testing that occurs here allows us to track each child and ensure there is no child left behind. If you are interested for more information, please follow the link below:
https://dibels.uoregon.edu/sites/default/files/2021-06/dibelsparentguide.pdf
Intervention:
Currently, we are building an intervention model that is based on the Response To Intervention (RTI) which focuses on prevention. The RTI is a multi-step approach to providing interventions to struggling learners at increasing levels of intensity. RTI allows for early intervention by providing academic and behavioural supports rather than waiting for a child to fail. This process usually has three tiers which cater for the needs of all students within the classroom. Each tier provides differing levels of support and focus on how to make students more successful.
Tier One: Whole Class
Tier Two: Small Group
Tier Three: 1:1 Intensive Interventions
Using programs that are supported by reliable research evidence is paramount to this approach. Hence, the use of MiniLit and MacqLit from Macquarie University as our Tier 2 Reading Intervention. Building a RTI for students who require support as well as those who require extension is essential. We are currently in the process of building this for our school.
Inclusive Education:
It has been an absolute pleasure meeting with parents to discuss individual learning plans. As we know, working together as a team will ensure the best possible outcomes for students. I am beginning to collect all finalised learning plans and will send these to you (if applicable) via email in the coming weeks. Remember, these plans are a working document and will be updated as the year progresses. We will continue to meet and inform you of these changes. Again, my door is always open, and I am more than happy to chat at any time.
NAPLAN:
Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will commence NAPLAN testing this week. We will be carrying out tests during the morning period. A letter has been sent home via Seesaw informing parents of the schedule. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows us to see how the child is progressing against national standards. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers but instead can provide them with additional information. It also allows governments and other authorities to determine the effectiveness of educational programs and how young Australians are faring.
Leaving with a Literacy Tip: Are you saying your sounds correctly?
Correct pronunciation of phonemes is critical when supporting your child with phonics. Beginning readers acquire letter sound knowledge by matching their visual memory (letters) with their phonological memory (sounds). All beginning readers need to know how to produce speech sounds (phonemes) in isolation and how to pronounce these correctly. It is important to carefully articulate the phonemes of speech in order to facilitate the critical phonemic awareness skills of blending and segmenting (Adapted from Five from Five).
For those interested, check out Alison Clarke’s (Speech Pathologist) video below for a refresher:
What are the 44 sounds of Australian English?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlMDwolcfzU
Until next time…
Vanessa Saccardo
Assistant Principal
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY: Friday 8th March.
In our Catholic Faith, we are very blessed with many strong female role-models. Our school’s two female patrons: Mary MacKillop and Sister Irene McCormack, are perfect examples:
Mary MacKillop, a pioneering Australian woman, was the first Australian to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Born in 1842, she dedicated her life to providing education to underprivileged children, founding the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, she persisted in her mission, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and education.
Sister Irene McCormack, a remarkable woman of faith, devoted her life to serving others as a missionary in Peru. Born in Western Australia in 1938, she joined the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, following in the footsteps of Mary MacKillop. Despite facing adversity and danger in her mission work, Sister Irene remained steadfast in her commitment to helping those in need, particularly the indigenous people of Peru. Tragically, she was martyred in 1991, but her legacy of selflessness and compassion continues to inspire people around the world.
We pray our thanks for these two women. We are grateful for their lives, and for their legacies. St Joseph’s School would not be what it is today, without the wonderful work of these two women.
Sacramental Program:
Over the past two Sundays we have had a beautiful group of students that have been presented at the various parish centres, as candidates for the 2024 sacramental program. The Sacramental Program kicks off with a evening workshop today, Tuesday 12th March at St Joseph’s School Multipurpose Hall.
This is the last chance to enrol your child in the 2024 program. Please see Heidi at the Front Office for forms.
St Joseph’s Day:
Tuesday 18th March is St Joseph’s Feast Day. Our Community is warmly invited to Mass at 12:00pm followed by a short walk to Kingswood Oval where we will have a picnic and play time.
Please let your class teachers know if you will be joining us.
A reminder that our Tuck Shop is offering a Special Tuck for that day. Community members that will be joining us for the picnic are more than welcome to place an order for pizza through our QKR. This will be delivered to you at the oval along with your child’s order.
And on the occasion of this beautiful feast, an equally beautiful prayer that you can pray with your child:
St. Joseph,
watch over me
and care for me
just as you cared for the child Jesus;
and by your help,
may I come to know your Son,
and so grow in strength and wisdom
and the favour of God.
Amen.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Please donate generously and participate in our Social Justice initiatives in term 1 to help us raise as much money as possible for this amazing cause. To donate online please visit: https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/st-josephs-primary-school-kingswood or scan the code below.
Blessings to all!
Christine Farrugia
APRIM
EASTER
On Palm Sunday (24 March) we wil have a beautiful Mass at Kingswood with the procession from the hall to the church and the opportunity for the children to play their instruments to accompany this. Please join us for this meaningful beginning to Holy Week.
On Good Friday (29 March) at 11am we will have Outdoor Stations at St Joseph's Kingswood, followed by Hot Cross Buns in the hall. All school families are very warmly invited to join us and participate. There will be a rehearsal and run through from 10am for any who would like to participate.
Then at 3pm we will have Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion at Kingswood - again all families warmly welcome.
Easter Day Mass (31 March) for the whole parish will be 9am at Kingswood with Easter eggs for the children and all are most warmly welcome.
Reminder that the P&F meeting is on tomorrow night at the Torrens Arms Hotel at 7pm. New faces very welcome - come for the meeting and stay for dinner and a chat after.
If you would like to join our P&F, simply click here to join our Facebook group.
Kytons Easter Fundraiser
Don't forget to HOP (pun intended) onto Qkr! to purchase some delicious hot cross buns and lamingtons for gifts and your own Easter Feast! Orders close 21st March, with collection from school available on 27th March - just in time for Easter.
Thank you for your support.
SAVE THE DATES!!
Student Disco - Friday 17th May
We will be turning this into not just a fun event for the kids, but also solve the "What to do?" question many have between drop-off and pick-up, with a social gathering for parents, complete with a pop-up bar and snacks onsite at school.
Bogan Bingo - Saturday 1st June
Book the babysitters, source the flannos and ugg boots and get ready for a super fun evening.
Bec and Michelle, on behalf of the P&F
Bookings are open and spaces are filling for our upcoming vacation care program
Make sure you don't miss out and book through FullyBooked ASAP.
Pupil free day Monday 29th April - no OSHC
Please note that there is a school-wide pupil free day on Monday 29th April and OSHC will not be available as staff will in attendance of the PD. Please ensure you make alternative arrangements for your child's care.
The Children's University program is back at St Joseph's School, Kingswood for 2024. We are so pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to our students in years 1-6. The well-established Children's University program is a way for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and develop some additional knowledge and skills. Children can earn points by visiting designated learning destinations, completing workbooks/tasks, writing reviews on their extra curricular activities and more.
All children wishing to participate must complete and sign the form here, and pay the registration fee on Qkr! by the end of the term (a copy of the form is also available in the Front Office if needed).
Children who have previously participated in the program (must still complete and return a registration form, and pay the $38.50 fee) but the good news is that they are are able to start their 2024 CU learning journey immediately. An idea to get started is to complete a review from a Fringe Show (your child can either search "Fringe" in the CU portal or download and print the below form).
