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School Leadership Team Principal: Mrs Kellie Jenkinson Assistant to the Principal Religious Education: Mrs Rheanna Starr Assistant Principal Curriculum: Miss Janette McLennan Parish of Rockhampton South – Ph: 49276744 School Office – PH 49948230 Email – [email protected]
Give and it will be given to you.
‘What goes around, comes around, though not necessarily back from the same people.’ So said my brother and his wife after they had been through a particularly challenging period. They had gone bankrupt and were on the road with their family, taking work where it was available. At that time, they met with great kindness from the poor in the caravan parks of the east coast of Australia. Oh yes, there were challenging people there but they are not the ones they focused on. My brother and his wife also gave, and continue to do so for they know that giving generously and freely without thinking of return is what makes us into a community; it is also what makes us fully human. Next Sunday’s Gospel is the particularly challenging text when Jesus tells us to love and to give without any thought of return. We are to be like God giving without any expectation of getting back what we have given. That is hard for us. We want to make sure ‘number 1’ is protected and not cheated. But to come to real happiness and peace, we need that revolution of the heart and soul that gives out instead of taking for oneself. The amazing thing about living that way, is that we become alive to all the myriad ways in which we are already receiving from God and others. What we thought we were giving away, it only a generous gift that has already come our way. Instead of being solitary beings protecting ourselves and our things are all cost, we find we are part of the generous community of life. Loving God, let me appreciate all that I have received from you and from others and then let me give generously with a light and happy heart. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb
Newsletter No 4 20 February 2019
From the Principal
Mural Update – We are so delighted with the finished mural on the brick wall at the top end of the playground. Our children were so interested in the progress of this artwork and were excited to be able to add their handprints. The artists, Joe and Kaylene Butler, worked through the heat of last week to get this finished within a couple of days. They are currently writing the ‘story’ of our mural, with explanations of the different symbols and their meanings. If you have not seen the mural yet, make sure you check it out!
Staffing News – It is with pleasure, that I introduce our newest member of staff, Max Douglas. Max, who met all of our children at last Friday’s assembly, is our very first canine reading coach. Max, under the supervision of a handler and learning support staff, will work with our developing readers. Following discussions with our Diocesan Workplace Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Mark Byrne, we are confident we can accommodate all requirements to create a safe environment for all students who participate in this reading programme. A reminder that pets are not to be brought into the school without the express permission of a member of the leadership team. Max has passed a rigorous interview system, proving his health, temperament and behaviour in accordance with our Workplace Health and Safety requirements. Save the Date – 2019 High Tea – At our recent P and F Meeting we set a date for our 2019 High Tea meeting. The date will be Saturday 11 May, the day before Mother’s Day. Our annual High Tea is the biggest fundraiser for our school annually, and is always a sell-out event. Please mark your calendars accordingly and stay tuned for further information. Playgroup – For the past few years, we have run a small and informal playgroup here at school. This a great way to meet other parents with similar aged children and catch up for a cuppa in a safe environment. The school facilities are available for use for the playgroup, as are our resources. We would love to see this up and running again in 2019. If you are interested in attending playgroup, or perhaps coordinating this please email the school office. Footpath Concerns – I have been in contact with the local council concerning the state of the footpaths along Herbert Street. The council have agreed to undertake some temporary work, outside of school hours, to return the footpath surfaces to a safe state. Further, more invasive work will be applied for in the next financial year. I hope that our application will be successful, and our footpaths will be safe a little less of an eyesore!
“Max” – Reading Coach
Staff Professional Development – A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL, this Friday, 22 February as all staff in the region will be attending the annual Bishop’s In-service Day. Our Outside School Hours Care Service will operate between the hours of 7am-6pm on this day. For bookings (including bookings for After School or Vacation Care), please call the OSHC staff on 0429316543. In addition, this week, our classroom teachers have attended training days at the Catholic Education Office for a whole-school reading project we are participating in this year. Others have attended training for the implementation of Naplan online. Whilst we endeavour to limit the amount of time our teachers spend away from their classes, we value professional development opportunities and the chance to be constantly perfecting the art and science of teaching, which of course, means better results for our learners! I thank my staff for their commitment to being life-long learners and for their enthusiasm towards opportunities for improvement. Prep Enrolment Forms for 2020 – We are now taking enrolments for Prep in 2020. If you have a child hoping to commence Prep in 2020, or know of others who may be interested in attending our school, please inform the school office at your earliest convenience and complete the enrolment forms, which can be found on our website. Expectations Regarding Behaviour in Toilets – Students are regularly reminded regarding the school’s behaviour expectations when they are using the toilets. Another reminder occurred at school this week. The focus of the discussion was: Ø Educating students about germs in toilets. Ø Hygiene practices (washing hands, not taking food into toileting area etc.). Ø Students should use the toilet responsibly (e.g. not waste time and keep noise to a minimum). Ø Discourage play in toilets (e.g. should not be a location for tiggy or hiding games). Ø Not a place for playing ‘tricks’ on others or contact with other people (minimal time in toilet). Ø Strict rule – one person in a cubicle at a time. In the aim of enhancing student hygiene and safety, it would be appreciated if parents reinforce these behaviours at home with regard to not only the school toilets, but all public toilet areas. Remember: Our toilets are strictly for students only. Amenities for visitors are available in the school hall. School Fees for Term One are due by 22 February. A reminder that a diocesan concession scheme is now in effect, and if you hold an approved pension or health card, you may be eligible for a reduction in your tuition fees. Please see Kathy Fishburn (Finance Secretary) or Kellie for further information.
Have a great week.
Kellie Jenkinson
APRE News
Reflection Luke: 6: 17, 20-26
What a change this was from what the people had always believed. The followers of Jesus were having to make a radical change in thinking, and were being promised that even if it looked like someone's life was pretty miserable, if that person remained faithful to God, then they would be blessed.
A major theme of the Scripture readings is ‘The challenge of discipleship’.
© Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd
What’s Happening in Religious Education in Year One? Year One students have been approaching teachers in our school to ask them a few quick questions for a Religion task. Students have been investigating different images of God from the Catholic faith, as well as
other religions. Year One has discovered that people have very different images of God and are building a bank of these different images. Students enjoyed 'interviewing' staff members and loved their responses, which included:-
God is like water
God is like children laughing
God is like my family
God is like a sunset
God is like a smile. After developing an idea of the image of God, the students reflected upon what they could see, hear and feel, to praise God for the wonderful creation He has provided in the form of a psalm. Oh lord, our God! How majestic is Your creation, From the birds flying with the breeze above the trees, To the people walking on the concrete. We thank You for Your wonderful creation. Amen School Mass We invite our school community to join us for Mass in the Undercover Area at 9am on Tuesday 25 February.
Shrove Tuesday A reminder that on Tuesday 5 March we will host our annual ‘Pancake Bake-off’, as we celebrate this special day in the Church year. Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day), is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Pancakes traditionally became the food of choice on this day, so that rich ingredients such as eggs, milk, and sugar could be used up before fasting began. Please complete the eform if you are able to donate pancakes. Pancakes can be cooked at home and brought to school on the morning of Tuesday 5 March. Our Year 6 House Captains will be baking pancakes in front of the rest of the school. Pancakes will be judged at 10.30 am. We ask that on Shrove Tuesday each child brings a gold coin as a donation to Project Compassion.
Cross Country with Compassion At a whole school assembly I shared the video of Thandolwayo, a 12 year old girl who would walk 7km each day to collect contaminated water for her family. Children empathised with the exhaustion Thandolwayo must have felt, as our students had for the past three weeks been practising to run 3km for our upcoming Cross Country. Amazed and inspired by Thandolwayo, as a
whole school we decided that this year, our cross country would be with Compassion! After training yesterday morning for Cross Country with Compassion, we had a school community breakfast with all funds raised going to Caritas - Project Compassion Lenten Campaign. We thank you for your generous support of Cross Country with Compassion and we will continue this fundraising campaign until 5 March. It was wonderful to see families, students and teachers join in running Cross
Country for Compassion.
Our Journey in the Catholic Faith (Sacramental workshop dates)
Thank you to all our families that came along to our Family Workshop last week. We loved seeing the photos you shared of your prayer spaces. Please see dates below for our next workshop:
Tue 5 March OR Wed 6 March
Family Workshop: 2 Penance
Kevin Castles Centre West Street
5.30pm – 7.00pm
Tues 12 March Family Celebration of Sacrament of Penance
St Joseph’s Cathedral 6.30pm
Parenting Ideas Resilience is closely interlinked with happiness and well-being. Building our resilience requires us to cultivate a positive mindset. Small changes, repeated consistently over time can be enough to help us improve the way we perceive and deal with challenges.
Please see flyer for insights on developing a resilient mindset.
Friday 22 February - Pupil Free Day There will be no Prayer Assembly Friday 22 February as all Staff will be attending the annual Bishop’s In-service Day
Prayer Assembly - Please join Mrs Riley and Year 6 as they lead prayer and receive their Leadership Badge in the Hall next Friday. Children’s Liturgy of the Word A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is held most Sundays at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 9.30am during the school term. It is wonderful to see our students attend. All students (particularly those preparing for sacraments) are encouraged to attend. Thank you to our dedicated teachers who assist with this important ministry. With Gratitude,
Rheanna
APC News
Book Club
This term Book Club
will be running on
Tuesday and
Wednesday in the
library for Prep to
Year 2 students.
Thank you to
Maddyson and Darcy
for initiating and
facilitating these
sessions. Last week
the students enjoyed
listening and
reviewing ‘Go odnight Lulu’ by Paulette Bogan.
In the classroom – Year 4 - As part of our HASS studies, Leanne Wilson (Aunty to Archie Thomson) visited Year 4 to discuss and share her Indigenous history and culture. Students formed a Yarning Circle around a continuous piece of ribbon, which signified the long and continuing history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Leanne explained her connection to the land, the importance of her totem, the Emu, and how respecting others and the environment is key. The children used her family’s traditional talking stick as a tool to share questions and stories.
As discussed in last week’s newsletter, the staff at St Joseph’s Wandal are considering the important elements of our pedagogical model, or how we go about teaching and learning at Wandal. One aspect of our school pedagogical model is the way in which virtues in the Catholic tradition underpin everything that we do.
The staff at St Joseph’s Wandal have reflected on this, and have included the following in our pedagogical model:
All teaching and learning at St Joseph's Wandal is infused with virtues in the Catholic tradition. We encourage all in our school community to love God, love others and model virtues. Virtues are acquired through education, deliberate acts and perseverance (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994)
Members of the St Joseph's Wandal community are encouraged to reflect upon, model and nurture seven virtues in the Catholic tradition: Faith, Hope, Love, Wisdom, Justice, Fortitude, Moderation
Learners are encouraged to:
Love God and be open to His plans for them Show love and care for others. Respect our environment and everyone in it. Never give up. Never take more than their share.
Staff and members of our wider Wandal community are encouraged to:
Love God, and show that love before others. Support our learners to know and love God. Be open to the plan that God has for each of us. Help our learners to be open as well. As God loves us, love one another. Treat all of those we meet with dignity and care. Nurture that
love and care in our learners. Be a steward of creation. To demonstrate respect for the environment and everyone in it. Foster
that respect in our learners. Persevere in the face of difficulty. To seek justice. Support our learners to be resilient when facing
challenges.
As with all aspects of our model, we seek feedback from parents and caregivers. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any suggestions or questions. Thanks, Janette
‘Rollover Reading’ Program
On the 27 February, we will be commencing a weekly ‘reading to dogs’ program called Rollover Reading. There has been a great deal of research in recent years regarding the positive effects for children of reading to dogs. Dogs help children to relax and to build self-esteem. The children begin to associate reading with something pleasant. Generally, the students chosen to participate in ‘reading to dogs sessions’ are those with some reading difficulties or who struggle when reading aloud in class.
I would sincerely like to thank Stuart Douglas, for offering the family’s very gentle Labrador ‘Max’ to be the first
gentle dog to participate in the program. During Friday’s assembly, Max was enthusiastically welcomed into the
school. I would also like to thank Hayley Kitzelman, for being Max’s handler during these weekly ‘Rollover Reading’
sessions.
Thank you both, I know the children will benefit greatly from your support.
Christine Gawne
Learning Support Teacher
Meet the Staff - Mrs Julia Greene
As Oral Language support, my role is to help implement an Oral Language program
in the early years. Initially this will target those children identified as needing
additional support in Oral Language, and working with these children in small
groups outside the classroom. The aim of this is to provide focused opportunities
for conversation, where the teacher can give immediate feedback to model
appropriate speech, engage in language producing activities and for the child to
gain confidence in speaking in a small group environment. The role will also
involve working with staff, exploring a range of strategies and resources to support
Oral Language in the classroom.
Awards
“To Love is to Serve” Award – (for a student who has consistently displayed leadership qualities)
Hannah D - For being an excellent role model to your peers. You consistently demonstrate our school expectations.
Braxtyn F - You strive for excellence in every task you complete. Thank you for always leading by example. You are an exceptional role model to your peers. Keep up the amazing effort.
Hayley L - For your initiative when helping others in the classroom. You have been leading others by example.
“MacKillop Award” – (for a student who exhibited Gospel values in their words and actions)
Chloe L - For the kindness you show towards others. Thank you for being a helpful classmate.
Cruz N - For always seeing a need and immediately helping out. Thank you for being thoughtful and serving others!
Willow J - For showing the spirit of Jesus when caring for your friends. Thank you for seeing a need and doing something about it.
Ainslie T - For the positive attitude that you bring to everything that you do. We are lucky to have you at our school. Welcome to St Joseph's Wandal.
“Striving for Excellence” Award – (for a student who has exhibited academic improvements and / or has been
applying themselves to the very best of their ability)
Cohen McL - For achieving 100% in every Maths Challenge we have completed this year! You really are a Mathematics whizz!
Maddyson F- For your excellent focus and participation during class discussions this year. Your focus to class tasks has enabled you to produce work that reflects your personal best. Keep up the fantastic work!
Henry J - For your focus and dedication during our class demand writing task. Your ideas were creative and you were able to use these to start writing an interesting story starter. Keep striving for excellence.
Important Dates
20 February Year 6 Leadership Excursion – The Caves 22 February Bishop’s In-Service Day – Pupil Free 1 March Year 6 Leadership Badge Presentation 5 March Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) 6 March Ash Wednesday 6 March Year 4 Prayer Assembly 11 March Cross Country – Years 3 – 6 12 March Cross Country – Prep – Year 2 15 March St Patrick’s Day 15 March Year 3 Prayer Assembly – First week of Lent 16 March St Patrick’s Race Day 19 March Feast Day of St Joseph 19 March Year 1 Prayer Assembly 21 March Harmony Day 24 March Youth Mass – St Joseph’s Cathedral 29 March Prep Prayer Assembly 1 – 5 April Holy Week Liturgies 3 April Blessing Ceremony of New Administration and Classrooms 1pm 5 April End of Term 1 P & F News - The P & F Meeting was held on 7th February. It was wonderful to see a number of new faces. We welcome Ryan Kitzelman back as President and Nicole Newton as Vice President. Tricia Burns has commenced as Treasurer this year and the new co-secretaries are Rebecca Hauff and Jessica Gorman. Discussions were held regarding the building works, tuckshop changes and fundraising activities for the year (namely our high tea and trivia night). We welcome all parents to come to our P & F meetings. Your contribution will assist in determining how best to support our children throughout the school year.
INVITATION TO JOIN WARRIPARI SCOUT GROUP@31 ETON STREET.
FREE TO ATTEND FOR 3 WEEKS TRIAL. OPEN FROM 5 YEARS OF AGE BOYS & GIRLS
WELCOME.CALL GARY ON 0428575526 or Email [email protected]. to receive
information sheet
Monday & Tuesday
11 & 12 March 2019
SStt JJoosseepphh’’ss SScchhooooll WWaannddaall
Cross Country & Obstacle Course
Monday Venue: Southside United Soccer Club
Starting Time: 9.00AM
YEARS 3 – 6 STUDENTS
Tuesday Venue: St Joseph’s School Wandal
Starting Time: 9.00AM
PREP – YEAR 2 & TEACHERS
What to Wear:
0 School Hats
0 Joggers/Runners (NO BARE FEET)
0 House Colour Shirt (if you have one) or Sports Uniform
0 Water bottle
0 Positive attitude
0 Team Spirit
PROGRAM:
Monday
12 year old Boys & Girls 3000 metres
11 year old Boys 3000 metres
11 year old Girls 3000 metres
10 year old Boys 2000 metres
10 year old Girls 2000 metres
9 year old Boys & Girls Year Four 1500 metres
8 & 9 year old Boys & Girls Year Three 1500 metres
Tuesday
5 & 6 year old Boys Prep ONLY Obstacle Course including 300 metres (with Buddies)
5 & 6 year old Girls Prep ONLY Obstacle Course including 300 metres (with Buddies)
6 & 7 year old Boys & Girls Year One Obstacle Course including 600 metres
7 & 8 year old Boys & Girls Year Two Obstacle Course including 600 metres
Teachers Obstacle Course
If you want your child or young person to be resilient enough to cope with the hardships that come his or her way, and in doing so build strengths for the future, consider fostering your own resilience first. Parents are in the best position to influence their children’s resilience. Children watch our reactions to adverse events and view first hand how we look after – or neglect – our own mental health and wellbeing.
Focusing on our own resilience is not as difficult as it may seem. If you adapt a resilience mindset you’ll find that resilient behaviour follows. Want to get fitter physically? You could take up a new fitness regime or you could simply adopt a fitness mindset. Adopt the former and there’s a reasonable chance that you’ll start off gung ho and run out of steam after a month. Adopt the latter and you’ll more likely take small, sustainable steps such as walking or riding to work, taking stairs instead of escalators and playing active games rather than sitting on the couch on weekends.
The mindset approach works well with resilience. Take the sustainable approach of looking after your mental health, becoming conscious of the messages you send yourself and developing coping skills that allow you to respond rather than react to adverse events. These simple ideas will help:
Watch your self-talk
The little voice inside your head can have a catastrophic impact when you allow it to. It can talk you into the blues, lower your confidence and build mountainous problems out of molehills. Once you’re aware of its impact, you can switch it off or change its negative chatter to something more positive and realistic. It takes practice but it’s worth it. When you have a resilience mindset you’ll start to check that chatter in your head.
Park the bad stuff
Ever had an argument with a family member at breakfast only to find it messed up your whole day? A common trait with resilient people is that they can compartmentalise their lives so that difficult experiences in one domain won’t interfere with their effectiveness elsewhere. When you have a resilience mindset you’ll consciously park the negative stuff while you get on with the rest of the day, only revisiting it on your own terms.
Stay flexible in your thinking
People who lack resilience pepper their language with absolute, imperative statements such as ‘I must always be on time,’ ‘They never do anything to help,’ or ‘They should always use good manners’. This shows inflexible,
We're a Parenting Ideas school parentingideas.com.au/schools
Developing a resilience mindsetby Michael Grose
insightsRESILIENCE
unrealistic thinking that leads to stress and anxiousness. When you have a resilience mindset you’ll use more moderate language reflecting a flexible approach to life. The above statements become ‘I’ll always try to be on time but sometimes it’s impossible,’ ‘They are sometimes helpful but they can be forgetful,’ and ‘I’d like it if they were well-mannered but sometimes they aren’t’.
Make sleep a priority
We are only beginning to make solid links between sleep and resilience. Mothers of newborns know how debilitating sleep deprivation can be. They can’t function effectively and depression is close at hand. Many people spend much of their lives experiencing some form of sleep deprivation, compensating by taking regular caffeine hits, self-medicating with alcohol and using other ineffective remedies. When you develop a resilience mindset, you make sleep a high priority, taking the necessary lifestyle steps to make sleep easy to attain.
Create a pressure valve
In a society that views busyness as a status symbol, it’s tempting to keep working until you drop, neglecting to enjoy some downtime that releases the pressures of work. When you have a resilience mindset you value down-time and relaxation and understand the positive impact these have on your mental health and the wellbeing of people around you.
When you have a resilience mindset you have a greater understanding of what resilience is about and you’re in a better position to develop a lasting sense of resilience in your kids. Developing resilience in kids is like jumping off a pier with some friends on a cold winter’s day. In both instances you need to go first.
Michael Grose
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the best-selling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.
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