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- FROM THE PRINCIPAL
- FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
- FROM THE APRIM
- WINTER WONDERLAND COCKTAIL EVENT - 30 AUGUST
- RECEPTION STUDENTS - Exploring God's Creations
- OSHC
- MUSIC
- CROSS COUNTRY
- ICAS assessments are underway
- NATIONAL HISTORY COMPETITION - deadline for entries closes soon
- SALA at St Joseph's School, Kingswood
- ITALIAN DAY - 18th September
- THEN AND NOW
- KEY DATES FOR TERM 3 (and some for Term 4 too)
- IN OUR COMMIUNITY
- CALENDAR
Dear Families and Friends,
The 8th of August is St Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day – a wonderful opportunity to reflect and give thanks for this brave Australian woman. Last week, leaders from St Joseph’s schools across South Australia gathered at Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre and Museum, in Kensington, where we reflected on Mary MacKillop’s life and how we can continue her legacy in leading our Josephite Schools.
Mary MacKillop opened schools and welcomed all. She fought tirelessly for the Sisters to continue their work. Her faith and vision gave her the courage to persevere even in the face of adversity.
As we gather this week during Catholic Education Week, I feel fortunate to work in a Catholic school. Being connected to a tradition and a core belief – In all things, Charity – brings a strong sense of purpose. This motto, originally written in Latin as Omnibus caritas, is often translated to In all things love. We draw on this motto when supporting children with behaviour, helping them understand why and how our Catholic schools are places of kindness, respect, and compassion.
Concussion Awareness Session – Protecting Our Kids
Luke Ivens – a parent, former SANFL player, and advocate for concussion awareness – presented a highly informative session on smart ways to prevent injuries, reduce risks, and build a safer sporting culture. Concussion is a hot topic in AFL and other sports, and many parents share concerns. Luke’s goal is to reduce concussions through awareness, prevention, and protection, while encouraging sport to be played in a safe environment. Click here for more info.
The conversation after the session was very positive, with many parents eager for their child to wear protective headgear. One of the most valuable discussions centred on what to do after a child sustains a concussion. At St Joseph’s Kingswood, we have clear guidelines to support a child’s Return to Learn following concussion. This may include avoiding PE and/or some playground activities for 21 days, monitoring concentration levels, and making adjustments to support learning.
As a parent of a young AFL player, I’m encouraging Jackson to wear the SWAARM Halo, and I hope it will become as common as the mouthguard – a standard part of the kit for contact sports.
Farewell to Vanessa Saccardo
Yesterday we farewelled Vanessa as she begins her maternity leave in preparation for the arrival of her little bundle of joy. We will miss Vanessa’s vivacious determination and her dedication to enabling every child to succeed. She has set us up for success and even left a checklist to keep us going while she is away!
Christine will be working full-time, continuing in the APRIM role while also leading Inclusive Education. Josh and Michael will carry forward our work in curriculum development.
We wish Vanessa all the very best and look forward to hearing her wonderful news in the coming weeks.
I hope like you, these sunny days are bringing some smiles to your day. Yesterday I spotted blossoms – a sure sign spring is on the way.
In all things Charity,
Jodie
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back to Term Three! It’s been wonderful to see our learners return with such joy and settle back into their school routines with smiles on their faces.
This newsletter is a bittersweet one, as it marks the beginning of my maternity leave. Stefan, Renny and I are excitedly preparing to welcome another little Saccardo, due to arrive in the first week of September. I want to take this moment to sincerely thank the St Joseph’s Kingswood community for embracing me so warmly from the very beginning. Your ongoing support and belief in my leadership have meant the world to me.
Over the past year and a half, we’ve made incredible progress together. I feel truly privileged to work alongside such dedicated, caring, and passionate staff who continue to strive for excellence every day. I’m especially grateful to Jodie and Christine, whose unwavering support, guidance and care — especially throughout my pregnancy — have been a blessing.
While I am thrilled about this new chapter for my family, it is certainly hard to step away from our beautiful community. I look forward to returning and seeing how much our little learners have grown!
Inclusive Education
We’ve recently completed another round of review meetings, and as always, it’s been a pleasure to meet with families and discuss your child’s personalised learning plans. Moving forward, Christine Farrugia will be taking over this role, and all future communication regarding Inclusive Education will come from her. I look forward to hearing about your children’s continued progress when I return.
Additionally, we have completed another round of data collection for the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). As mentioned in previous newsletters, this national initiative ensures that students with disability receive the support they need at school. Schools record information about the types of support and adjustments being provided, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Disability Standards for Education 2005, and the NCCD guidelines (2019).
STRETCH Program Announcement – Young Engineers After-School STEM Club
We’re excited to announce a new STRETCH initiative starting in Term 4 – the Young Engineers STEM Club, which will be run after school by an external provider.
Open to students from Years 1 to 6 (with limited places available), this hands-on program explores STEM topics including science, engineering, robotics, and programming — all taught through interactive LEGO® models. It’s designed to ignite curiosity and a love for STEM by encouraging students to design, build, and explore engineering principles in a playful and engaging way.
Children will learn about simple machines, circuitry, and motion, while developing valuable skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Each 75-minute session promises a fun and enriching experience. More details, including session days and costs, will be shared soon via SZapp.
STRETCH Program – Ethics Olympiad
As part of our ongoing participation in the Ethics Olympiads, our students and coach Kate Mueller recently took part in a training clinic designed to build confidence and refine their skills.
During the day, students explored ethical case studies, participated in Zoom-based sessions with Philosophy and Ethics specialists, and heard from an international panel of experts. They even had the chance to engage with the judges! It was an enriching and inspiring experience for all involved, and we are so proud of how our students are growing through this program.
There is so much to be proud of at St Joseph’s Kingswood, and I am excited for all that lies ahead.
Until next time – take care, and I’ll see you all again soon!
Warmest regards,
Vanessa Saccardo
Dear St Joseph's Community,
I hope everyone in our community has had a positive start to the term. Term 3 is always filled to the brim with exciting events, with a few having already occurred, and lots more still coming.
Eco Warriors Staff Meeting
Our Eco Warriors made an impressive surprise appearance at our Staff Reflection Day on the first day of term! These enthusiastic students delivered an engaging session on Recycling and Waste Management that both entertained and educated our staff. Their goal was to increase staff knowledge so we can collectively make a greater positive impact on our environment.
The day continued with a screening of David Attenborough's "Our Ocean," which prompted staff to reflect on humanity's impact on our oceans. While confronting the reality of environmental destruction, the film also highlighted the hope that comes through intentional, positive action.
Our exploration continued as we journeyed through biblical stories from the Old Testament to the New, reflecting on narratives that feature water as a central theme.
The day concluded with a collaborative art experience where staff sculpted coral forms from air-dry clay. These individual creations were assembled into a collective artwork that now stands framed. This meaningful piece will be featured in our SALA exhibition silent auction in Week 5.
Overall, the day help nourish staff’s body, mind and soul, helping us feel fresh and ready for the term ahead.
St Dominic's Day Mass at Cabra
Last Friday, 1st August our school captains Clara and Kye joined me at Cabra Dominican College to honour the Feast Day of St Dominic. It was wonderful to see so many schools coming together in unity. The beautiful singing and reverent atmosphere created a memorable experience for all who attended. We thank Cabra for welcoming us on such an important occasion.
Mary MacKillop Mass
Friday, 8th August brought us another meaningful celebration as we honoured the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with a beautiful Mass presided over by Fr John. Sr Liz delivered an inspiring homily that focused on Mary MacKillop's words: "never see a need and not do something about it," and how we can apply this spirit in our care for creation.
Special Invitation: This Friday, we invite our school community to join us for the Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9:15am.
Garden Grant - Great News!
We are pleased to share that our grant application to develop the Seafield Avenue and Cambridge Terrace corner garden has been approved! Work will soon begin to create a wonderful native garden that will serve as both a learning space and peaceful area for our school community.
Our plans include:
- A variety of native plants indigenous to our local area
- A comfortable seating area designed for prayer, reflection, and outdoor learning
- A pond that will attract frogs and encourage local wildlife
This garden will provide students and the wider community with opportunities to connect with nature and find quiet moments in their day. We'll keep you updated as this project progresses.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the school’s Parents and Friends Community who supported this application from its conception both with keen interest, invaluable insight and advise, and by committing to contribute financially to the construction of the seating area, through their amazing fund-raising efforts.
Embracing New Responsibilities
I am honoured to share that I have recently stepped into Vanessa Saccardo's Inclusive Education role while she enjoys her well-deserved maternity leave. Vanessa has built something truly special in this space, and I am deeply grateful for her outstanding dedication and the strong foundation she has created.
I am committed to carrying forward her passion and unwavering determination, ensuring that our school continues to flourish as a warm, welcoming, and genuinely inclusive environment where every single student can thrive and feel truly valued. This important work is close to my heart, and I look forward to building upon the excellent progress Vanessa has made.
A Warm Welcome to Junny
We are thrilled to extend the warmest of welcomes to Junny, a dedicated social work student who has joined our school community for the coming months. From the moment she arrived, Junny has demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and skill in building genuine, positive connections with our students. Her natural warmth has already made a meaningful difference in our school environment.
In the days and weeks ahead, Junny will be offering various programs and facilitating lunchtime activities designed to enrich our students' school experience. Additionally, she will be offering support and assistance to families who may benefit from her expertise.
Please reach out to me if you or your family would welcome any Social Work services. This is also a perfect opportunity to remind our community about our comprehensive Pastoral Care team, which extends its caring support not only to our students but also to their families.
Warmest Regards,
Christine Farrugia
Thank you to the below businesses for generously donating to the silent auction
Silent Auction Items to bid for on the night:
THANK YOU TO ADELAIDE DINING MAGAZINE FOR DONATING:
$750 Hentley Farm Lunch - Discovery menu + luxury wine pairing for 2 people
$450 Howard Vineyard voucher - Lunch dining experience for 2 people including wine tasting
$200 dining voucher at Anvers
$100 Lot 100 voucher
6 x bottles of Wine
THANK YOU TO AHT FOR DONATING:
Nintendo Switch Super Mario Bros Wonder bundle
THANK YOU TO MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE FOR DONATING:
Luxury accommodation package, overnight stay in a classic room with full breakfast for 2 people
THANK YOU TO REDEFINE FITNESS FOR DONATING:
2 x vouchers for a term of small group PT strength sessions valued at $500
THANK YOU TO DVINE HAIR FOR DONATING:
2 x vouchers for shampoo, scalp treatment and blowdry with gift bag valued at $80
THANK YOU TO ART B_Y KATIE FOR DONATING:
Artwork "Dreams", framed 60x80cm acrylic on canvas
Our Reception students have been learning all about the external features of animals and plants. They’ve investigated a range of living things - Australian wildlife, farm animals, insects, bees and native plants… examining their parts and how these features help them move, grow, eat and stay safe.
Students have drawn, labelled, and created artworks to represent what they’ve discovered. It’s been wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement grow as they use new vocabulary such as fur, feathers, beak, pouch, claws, trunk, sap and roots.
Hi Parents and Caregivers,
We wanted to send a warm welcome to our new families who have already started using before school care and after school care this term. The new reception students have joined the OSHC community seamlessly with the help of the older students who attend our service regularly. It has been so lovely to watch the students support each other and offer guidance to our newies.
For the new families who have joined St Joseph’s Kingswood this term, OSHC is available from 7.30-8.30 in the morning. We offer a range of indoor and outdoor activities along with a nutritious breakfast until 8.15am.
After school care is available from 3.10pm until 6.00pm. Again, the children are provided with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities and a snack to keep them going until dinner.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or you need support enrolling your child.
Bridget and Emma
We are excited to announce the commencement of our String Ensemble next Wednesday August 13 (Week 4) at 8:30am in the Italian room, led by Sterling Rieck, our violin/viola tutor. If your child is interested in joining this ensemble please click here to complete the form.
Festival Choir are busy learning all their repertoire for the Catholic Schools Music Festival for their performance on Wednesday September 24 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Excursion details for their combined rehearsal in Week 6 will be communicated to families in the coming week.
It is exciting our Rocktopuses led by Nick Russell have been chosen to be a support act for the Catholic Schools Music Festival over 2 nights; Monday September 22 and Wednesday September 24.
Please see below flyer for ticket information
Rebecca Pfitzner
Music teacher
Well done to the 55 students in Years 3–6 who represented our school at the Catholic Schools Cross Country Carnival on Wednesday. The rain held off, and the leftover mud from earlier in the week only added to the fun!
A big thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to help keep our students safe and supported, to the staff who attended, and to Jodie and Josh for arriving early to set up the tent and tarps so students had a dry spot near the start line to cheer each other on.
Congratulations to Freddie M, who placed 5th overall in the Year 3 Division A Boys race!
Children registered for the Digital Technologies and Writing ICAS Assessments have completed their assessments this week.
Please note days and times for the others:
Monday 11th August at 11:30am ENGLISH
Monday 18th August at 11:30am SCIENCE
Tuesday 19th August at 12pm SPELLING BEE
Monday 25th August at 2:15pm MATHS
Congratulations to the 36 students across Years 2-6 challenging their knowledge. We look forward to sharing their successes.
-Christine Farrugia
Assistant Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This term our school will be holding an Italian Day on Thursday 18th September (week 9).
This day will provide the students with an opportunity to be immersed in a rich and cultural experience through a variety of activities and celebrations that embrace the Italian culture and language.
The day will commence with a special Italian assembly in the Church. At this assembly each year level will have the chance to showcase their fantastic knowledge and understanding of the Italian language and culture, through songs and role plays.
Other activities for the students throughout the day include:
- Bocce tournament
- Soccer tournament
- Tarantella dance lesson
- Mask making
- Mosaic making
- A special Italian tuckshop lunch of pizza and gelato (keep an eye on SZapp in Week 5 for info re: purchasing)
The students are also encouraged to come to school either dressed in the colours of the Italian flag (green, white and red) or in an Italian themed costume, for example, a soccer player, a pizza maker, a gondolier, Pinocchio, an ancient Roman, an Italian painter etc. Please do not go to any unnecessary expense, but rather use what you have at home.
If you would like to contribute an Italian activity to your child’s class in the lead up to the day e.g., cooking, a slideshow from your trip to Italy, an Italian storybook, sharing some family Italian traditions and customs, artefacts from Italy etc., please speak to your child’s class teacher.
We are all looking forward to this special day!
Grazie,
Signora Prestwich
Italian Teacher
