Term 1, Week 2
Vision Statement
Inspired by Mary MacKillop, we strive to achieve excellence in education and pastoral care, foster well being, develop strong values and include all cultures and community members.
Mission Statement
Following Jesus' example, we support all cultures and needs by building trusting relationships and fostering high expectations that inspire and empower our children to be compassionate, lifelong learners.
Principal's Piece
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to St Joseph’s School for the 2024 school year. The children have settled quickly back into school and the new children are looking comfortable in their new surrounds. Already I have been extremely impressed by the school staff, who have an absolute focus on ensuring the best for every child and a strong team and work ethic. There is a wonderful tone in the school.
My name is Barry Ennis and I am the Acting Principal for Terms 1 and 2. It is a privilege to be at St Joseph’s and I look forward to getting to know all community members. I have been a Catholic school Principal for many years and much of my work over the last seventeen years has been in the Kimberley. Please come and say hello!
A special welcome to the new families who have joined the St Joseph’s community this year. I encourage you to take every opportunity to join in our school activities and to get to know your child’s teacher and the families of other children in the class. We all want our children to be valued and supported in their school life and building this sense of community is extremely important. We have a number of events coming up, that we hope you can come along to (see right).
A special welcome also to our new staff members:
- Bec Sherriffs, our Year 1 Teacher
- Kate Dufall, our Year 2 Teacher
- Tasman Bovington, who is supporting us for a number of weeks, teaching mainly in Kindy
- Darcy de Vries, Teacher Assistant
- Maureen Angira, Teacher Assistant
Yesterday we said goodbye to Ann Storey, who has been an outstanding Administration Officer at the school for more than two years. We wish Ann well as she moves into a field that she is passionate about – aviation. We now require a replacement for Ann to support Di and Eileen in the school office. See the ‘Position Vacant’ ad in this newsletter.
Next Monday afternoon (12th February) we will hold our School Advisory Council AGM in the School Library at 4:00pm. It will be open meeting; all parents and carers are urged to come along to find out about the work of the Council. The meeting will last less than an hour.
Barry Ennis
Acting Principal
Upcoming Events
Monday, 12th February – 4:00pm School Advisory Council AGM. All parents and carers are welcome.
Tuesday, 13th February - Shrove Tuesday Pancakes with Buddy Classes
Wednesday, 14th February – 8:00am Ash Wednesday Mass in the Library. All parents and carers welcome.
Friday, 16th February – School Census Day
Please join us for a special breakfast of egg and bacon sandwiches from 7:15am
Parents, carers and children invited!!!
Sunday, 18th February - First Sunday of Lent
Monday, 19th February – Swimming Week begins
Tuesday, 20th February – 4:30pm. Parents and Friends Meeting in the Library. Parents and carers are urged to come along to support the committee, who work very hard for all our children.
Wednesday, 28th February - 2-3 pm. Open Classrooms
Thursday, 7th March - Swimming Carnival
Saturday 16th March - St Patrick's Quiz Night. Tickets on sale from Thursday 15th February.
Reminders
Term Dates 2024
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Wednesday 31 January - Thursday 28 March
Term 2: Monday 15 April - Friday 28 June
Term 3: Tuesday 16 July - Friday 20 September
Term 4: Monday 7 October - Friday 6 December
Public Holidays During Term Time 2024
Monday 4 March: Labour Day
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
Thursday 25 April: ANZAC Day
Monday 3 June: Western Australia Day
Pupil Free Days 2024
Monday & Tuesday, 17-18 June
Monday, 15 July
Monday, 26 August (Catholic Day)
Monday, 4 November
Assemblies
Our assemblies are every second Friday afternoon at 1.10pm.
9th February - Leadership presentations
23rd February - Year 5/6
8th March - Year 4/5
21st March - Year 3/4
Kindy Days
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
7.50am - 2.00pm
Description Title
We are ready to collect your recyclable containers. Our drop off point is located in the staff carpark, just inside the fence. Money earned goes towards Mini Vinnies.
If you change your phone number, please tell us. We many need to contact you if your child is sick or doesn’t get picked up after school.
Most school age children are eligible for free dental care in Kununurra School Dental Clinic.
Primary School children become eligible to attend the School Dental Service in the year they turn 5.
High School children are eligible to attend the School Dental Service until they complete Year 11 or the day they turn 17 (whichever occurs first).
If you changed your address or phone numbers, please advise dental clinic staff. Missed appointments may result in suspension from the School Dental Service.
We are located on the hospital grounds in the Dental Health Building, 69 Coolibah Drive and are open Monday to Friday 7:30 to 3:30.
Please feel free to call us on 0419 939 179 or email: kununurramobile@dental.health.wa.gov.au to organise an appointment.
SACRAMENTS and other matters
Sacraments
As in previous years, all classes will learn about Sacraments and rites of initiation in their Religious Education programs. For students of the Catholic faith, there will also be an opportunity to receive these Sacraments at St Vincent Palloti Catholic Church.
Fr Vinu is available for Baptisms at any time throughout the year. Baptismal forms can be collected at the school office and returned to Sr Julianne with a preferred date during the week, or by contacting Fr Vinu directly on 0475 846 331. Please also let family and friends know about Baptisms, if you aware of Pre-school children needing to be Baptised.
Other Sacraments will be celebrated as per below:
- First Reconciliation, Term 1 - Year 4 children
- First Eucharist, Term 2 - Year 5 children
- Confirmation, Term 3 - Year 6 children
Dates to be advised.
All classes will complete a unit of work on Sacraments in the term they occur. This will then be followed by the celebration of the Sacrament, if requested by family, at St Vincent Pallotti Church with specific dates to be advised. We are aware that some children have missed sacraments in previous years due to sickness, absence etc, and we can make arrangements for those celebrations also.
A letter about Sacraments has been sent home this week to families identifying as Catholic on our school records. The form needs to be filled out and returned to school if you wish for your child to receive a Sacrament this year. If you did not get a form, they are available at the school office.
Mass Times
Mass is held each weekend, at St Vincent Pallotti Church on Saturdays at 5.30pm and Sundays at 8.30am. Weekday masses are held from Tuesday to Friday at 5.30pm. On Sundays, we have Children’s Liturgy during mass.
Fr Vinu is available for Reconciliation on any day, usually from about an hour before mass.
Juniper Visits
Each week a class visits Juniper Aged Care Facility and share an activity with the residents eg singing, lego, painting, reading etc. A permission form, and other information, will be sent home prior to the visit.
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Please don’t hesitate to contact me, through the school office, at any time if have queries or questions about our Religious Education program.
Sr Julianne
Sacrament Coordinator
The Season of Lent
Next Tuesday, 13th February, is Shrove Tuesday when the children will make pancakes with their Buddy Class. Shrove Tuesday is the day prior to the commencement of Lent, which is a time of fasting and sacrifice. It is traditionally a day of eating rich foods made from butter, eggs and fat - such as pancakes - that were given up during Lent.
On Wednesday 14th February, Ash Wednesday, we will celebrate mass in the library to mark the beginning of Lent. All are welcome to the mass to receive the ashes blessed by Fr Vinu.
Ash Wednesday Masses:
- 8am St Joseph's School Library
- 5.30pm St Vincent Pallotti Church, Kununurra
Stations of the Cross
During Lent, the Stations of the Cross will be held at St Vincent Pallotti Church at 5pm each Friday, prior to the 5.30pm Mass. All are welcome.
Welcome to School Blessing
from Miriwoong Elder Agnes Armstrong
First Day Back for Pre-Primary Students
Bike Education Day
Friday, 22nd March
Greetings to our families and friends. Term 1 promises some very exciting events at St Joe’s. On Friday, 22nd March, we have our Bike Education Day! This will be the third consecutive year we've held this event and it has proven to be a very important learning opportunity for students (not to mention a lot of fun!). As usual, I would encourage students to ride to school on that day as it is also the National Ride2School Day.
Please ensure your child wears a helmet and adequate footwear. If your child does not have a bicycle, by all means bring along a scooter, roller blades, skateboard etc. Students will sit for a theory session and be assessed on the bike gymkhana (at the basket ball court) and awarded a competency certificate. A water bottle would be a good idea. Only human powered transport please (no electric scooters, motor bikes or quad bikes).
Many thanks.
Mr Steve
Specialist Teacher
Art News
This Term classes are focussing on visual art during their lessons. Kindy and Pre-Primary children have learned about lines and colours as they traced around and decorated their hands. Years 1-6 children have begun creating their own bowls made from egg cartons. The process involved designing the outside of the bowl using a variety of lines, shapes and colours and then creating the three-dimensional bowls. Once dried, we will paint them in our own unique styles - we can't wait to show you the final product!
Miss Roberts
Specialist Teacher
Strong Kids Say "No" to Energy Drinks
Energy drinks like V, Mother, Red Bull, Prime and Bang are bad for your health and children should not bring them to school.
Telethon Kids Institute researchers found in 2018 that more than half of young people who consumed energy drinks suffered negative health effects.
Of 3,688 high school students who had tried an energy drink, 55.4% reported they had experienced adverse outcomes – some serious enough to require medical assistance:
- 24.6% had heart palpitations
- 24.5% had trouble sleeping
- 24.3% had headaches
- 24% had upset stomachs
Energy drinks have been connected to cardiovascular and neurological issues such as seizures, psychosis and cardiac arrest. There is also evidence linking energy drink consumption in children and young people to substance use and a range of behavioural problems.
In addition to the caffeine and other stimulants they contain, energy drinks are often full of sugar and salt, both of which are damaging to the health of our children.
Please don't let your child bring energy drinks to school.
Encourage them to drink water -
it's free, it's safe and it keeps them healthy and ready to learn!
Get Vaccinated!
Community Health offers free vaccines for:
- COVID-19 Boosters
- Japanese Encephalitis - Residents of Kununurra & Wyndham only
- Influenza - all children 6 months - 12 years; all Aboriginal people 6 months or older; all people with a chronic disease; all people 65 years and older.
Call Kununurra Community Health on 9166 4321
POSITION VACANT
Administration Officer
We are seeking to appoint an Administration Officer commencing immediately.
Hours will be 7.30am – 2.30pm Monday-Friday during school term.
This position is responsible for a diverse range of office tasks necessary for the day to day running of a small school that does not have specialist administrative roles. The successful applicant will work closely with the Principal, Assistant Principal and other Administration Officers, and act in a supportive role to other staff. There is a significant level of interaction with students and their parents/carers.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- General reception and answering emails
- Receipt and banking of monies
- Purchase of supplies
- Making bookings for staff training
- Coordinating external providers for servicing, maintenance and repairs
- Mail collection
- Assisting with enrolment enquiries and student enrolments
- Provide basic first aid to students
The successful applicant must have the ability to work within our Catholic ethos and be prepared to obtain our Accreditation to Work in a Catholic School certification.
Selection Criteria
Experience in a similar role and the following attributes are required:
Essential
- A welcoming and compassionate manner
- Sound written and verbal skills
- Strong Word, Excel, database and internet skills
- Sound work ethic and the ability to work in a close team environment or work independently
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise competing demands
- Demonstrated capacity to handle sensitive information professionally and with confidentiality
- Desirable
- Driver’s Licence or willingness to obtain
Requirements of Successful Candidate
- National Criminal History Check issued by the Education Department WA
- WA Working with Children Check
- Accreditation to Work in a Catholic School
Incentives
· Competitive salary
· Hours are suited to the school day and term breaks
For more information, contact Principal Barry Ennis, St Joseph's School on 9168 1079. Please submit applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and cover letter to: admin@stjoknx.wa.edu.au
POSITION VACANT
family liaison officer
(2 PART-TIME POSITIONS VACANT)
ABORIGINAL FAMILIES AS FIRST EDUCATORS PROGRAM
Position details:
St Joseph’s School seeks an enthusiastic Playgroup Support Worker to work in our Aboriginal Families as First Educators (AFaFE) Playgroup. This role will support the playgroup facilitator to develop and deliver a range of culturally appropriate early learning programs for Aboriginal children (birth to 4 years) and to liaise with families, community members and agencies to engage them in the program.
SELECTION CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL:
o Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.
o Ability to build rapport, confidence and credibility with Aboriginal families and communities.
o Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with parents, teachers and external agencies on the provision of the AFAFE program.
o Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team in the evaluation of the AFAFE program.
o Good organisational skills that will assist in the delivery and development of the AFAFE program.
o Able to work as part of a team, or independently and have good time management skills.
o Understanding of the needs of young children and their families.
o Current WA driver’s licence.
o Certificate in Education Support or working towards
Be aware:
o The successful applicant will be required to work towards and obtain Accreditation to Work in Catholic Education (Schools).
o Training in the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a) will be provided to the successful applicant.
Applicants must submit a CV, including the names and contact numbers of two referees, one of whom must be a current or recent employer.
On appointment successful applicants will require a WWC Check and current Department of Education (WA) National Police Clearance prior to commencing work. 
All applications should be addressed to the Principal, Barry Ennis and emailed to: admin@stjoknx.wa.edu.au
Applications close Friday, 16th February.
(St Joseph's School reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the close of submissions.)
POSITION VACANT
Canteen Manager
We are seeking a Canteen Manager to join our school team at St Joseph’s School. The Canteen creates and serves delicious and nutritious recess/lunch for the school staff and students to enjoy every day.
The details
· Hours 30 hours per week (school holidays off).
· Hours of work are 7am – 1pm (weekdays – no weekends, 6 hrs per day).
· On-the-job training and support.
· Managing the day-to-day operations of the site.
· Organising and managing the daily orders, counter service and catering requests.
· Ensure food safety compliance is maintained.
· Knowledge and understanding of special diets and allergies.
Skills preferred
· Previous experience in a school canteen.
· Front-of-house focused.
· Cash handling experience.
· Great communication skills and ability to show initiative.
· Driver’s licence or willing to work towards.
Duties
· Managing the day-to-day operations of the site.
· Organising and managing the daily online pre-orders, counter service and catering requests.
· Ensure food safety compliance is maintained.
Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.
The successful applicant will have undertaken Food Safety Supervisor and Food Handling training or be willing to work towards.
Applicants must submit a CV, including the names and contact numbers of two referees, one of whom must be a current or recent employer.
On appointment successful applicants will require a WWC Check and current Department of Education (WA) Nationally Coordinated Criminal
History Check prior to commencing work.
As a diverse and inclusive workplace, we strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians.
All applications should be addressed to the Principal, Barry Ennis, at: admin@stjoknx.wa.edu.au
Canteen Volunteers
We are looking for parent helpers to assist in the Canteen. Even if you have just an hour to spare, it would be very welcome. Please drop by the office and let us know.
(You won't need a Working With Children Check if your child is enrolled at St Joseph's)
Send Your Kids to School
Send your kids to school - it is the best possible way they can get a good education.
If your child misses one 1 day per week of school,
by the time they are in Yr 4 they will have missed 1 whole year of school.
Already they will by 1 year behind expected learning!
It may take some tough love, but it is worth the effort to make your child go to school every day.
Set a good routine from Kindy, don't let them miss a day.
It will give them the best start in life.
Containers for Change
Thank you to those generous families who have donated their recycling money to our school through Containers for Change!
School Recycling Bags
CHECK FOR THE 10¢ MARK
We've ended up with a lot of non-recyclable containers in our school recycling bags.
Which means we have to sort through the bags to remove them.
It's easy to save your 10¢ containers from landfill so they can live another life — just check for the 10¢ mark!
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard drink containers that are 150ml to 3L are accepted.
This includes:
- Most single-serve water and fizzy drink containers up to and including 3L.
- Most single-serve alcohol containers, like beer bottles and pre-mixed spirits.
- Flavoured milk containers that are 150ml to 999ml.
- Coconut water, pure fruit, or vegetable juice containers that are 150ml to 999ml.
~ Make sure you take off the lids ~
~ Bring the lids into the school office and we'll recycle them separately ~
Items that we don't accept include:
- Glass bottles or jars of any sort - too many get broken when dropped into the recycling bag
- Plastic milk bottles
- Unflavoured, plain milk cartons
- Cordial bottles
- Non-food plastic containers (eg laundry detergent)
- Steel food cans
School Bus Pick-ups and Drop-offs
For the safety of our children, we would like to remind parents that children catching our white Coaster school bus will be dropped off in the afternoon ONLY at the address from which they are picked up in the morning.
Attempts to accommodate parents who ring during the day asking that their children be dropped off elsewhere have resulted in an number of confusing situations, whereby children have ended up going home to an empty house or to a house where they are not expected.
Children who live in Lakeside or out of town may not catch our bus home to a different address.
Your child can only be dropped off at a different address if it is an emergency situation (eg you have an emergency visit to the hospital and an arrangement has been made for your child to be cared for by another family member or friend).
Many thanks for your cooperation.
St Joseph's School Calendar Term 1 2024
School Bus Contact Details
The School Bus Contractors are Dylon and Chelsea Lodge.
Chelsea: 0450 250 691
Dylon: 0415 945 330
Please note that cash payments for Book Club are no longer accepted at St Joseph's. All orders should be placed through Book Club Loop.
See: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/
St Joseph’s Student Code of Conduct
The St Joseph’s Student Code of Conduct was developed by the students of St Joseph’s. Students participated in Steps 1 to 4 during Term 1 2021. Step 5 was worked through during term 2 and Step 6 completed during Term 3. The Student Code of Conduct was reviewed by students in Year 3 to 6 on two separate occasions. The Student Code of Conduct was shared with the wider school community during Term 3.
At St Joseph’s School, Kununurra we want to feel Safe.
1. In order to feel Safe we will follow school rules.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.
2. In order to feel Safe we will listen and follow instructions.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.
3. In order to feel Safe we will help and care for others.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask them why they are feeling that way.
4. In order to feel Safe we will keep our hands and feet to ourselves.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ignore them or walk away.
5. In order to feel Safe we will treat others the way we would like to be treated.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will remind them of the golden rule.
At St Joseph’s School, Kununurra we want to feel Happy.
1. In order to feel Happy we will smile, laugh, sing and dance.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask them if they are alright.
2. In order to feel Happy we will be kind to others.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.
3. In order to feel Happy we will make friends and play with them.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will play with and include them.
4. In order to feel Happy we will come to school everyday.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will look after them.
5. In order to feel Happy we will listen to the teacher and other adults.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will try to make them feel happy.
Our Code of Conduct prohibits bullying, harassment and other forms of peer-to-peer abuse and we require respect for the privacy and human dignity of other students.
Reminders
Term Dates 2024
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Wednesday 31 January - Thursday 28 March
Term 2: Monday 15 April - Friday 28 June
Term 3: Tuesday 16 July - Friday 20 September
Term 4: Monday 7 October - Friday 6 December
Public Holidays During Term Time 2024
Monday 4 March: Labour Day
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
Thursday 25 April: ANZAC Day
Monday 3 June: Western Australia Day
Pupil Free Days 2024
Monday & Tuesday, 17-18 June
Monday, 15 July
Monday, 26 August (Catholic Day)
Monday, 4 November
Assemblies
Our assemblies are every second Friday afternoon at 1.10pm.
Kindy Days
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
7.50am - 2.00pm
Description Title
We are ready to collect your recyclable containers. Our drop off point is located in the staff carpark, just inside the fence. Money earned goes towards Mini Vinnies.
If you change your phone number, please tell us. We many need to contact you if your child is sick or doesn’t get picked up after school.
Most school age children are eligible for free dental care in Kununurra School Dental Clinic.
Primary School children become eligible to attend the School Dental Service in the year they turn 5.
High School children are eligible to attend the School Dental Service until they complete Year 11 or the day they turn 17 (whichever occurs first).
If you changed your address or phone numbers, please advise dental clinic staff. Missed appointments may result in suspension from the School Dental Service.
We are located on the hospital grounds in the Dental Health Building, 69 Coolibah Drive and are open Monday to Friday 7:30 to 3:30.
Please feel free to call us on 0419 939 179 or email: kununurramobile@dental.health.wa.gov.au to organise an appointment.
