Term 3, Week 9
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 MESSAGES
Dear Parents and Guardians
As Term 3 comes to an end, I would like to say thank you to the entire school community for creating such a supportive, thriving school for all the students. It has been a very busy term filled with many exciting events and next term will no doubt be just as busy. We often receive very positive comments from the community to members of staff, so I wanted to take the opportunity to share my thanks to all who serve in our school community. It takes a whole village!
I would like to say a special thank you to staff and students from St Norbert’s College. Our students have loved the experience of sharing and learning with senior students as classroom support for the last week.
Also, the Army Learning Team were here to spend some time with the students and talk about jobs they do for communities and for our great country. It was a tremendous day and provided an opportunity for everyone to participate and have fun.
Congratulations to all the students who received merits on the rewards programme. It is important to recognise exceptional achievement, and these students had their time to shine but at the same time inviting other students to achieve their own personal best. We certainly witnessed this at the recent Mirima sport excursion. Thank you to Mr Steve for the wonderful excursion.
Our Parent Teacher conferences were a huge success. I hope you enjoyed the opportunity to join in your child’s learning journey. As I walked around, the conversations the students were having with family and friends was very heart warming. They were so proud to share with you all the things they do and all the learning they have been involved in. I hope you had a chance to dig a bit deeper into their education and see the amazing work being done.
Please be reminded that students should not be wearing jewellery to school, other than sleeper-type or stud earrings (no dangling-type earrings) as they can cause problems in the playground if they are accidentally pulled or grabbed during games. Necklaces or religious medallions need to be worn underneath clothing. We appreciate your support with these reminders.
Before I sign off for term three, it was also great to host some visiting priests last week in our community. They join with Father Vinu at a leadership retreat over the next two weeks. We look forward to hearing of their faith activities in the coming term and how they may assist our school, church and community relationships.
I am enjoying a couple of days in Broome and the Kimberley Leaders’ Forum. This has been a wonderful opportunity to so some critical connecting with other principals around faith, teaching & learning in our Kimberley context. Upon return, we head off on the grade 5/6 camp bright and early Monday morning 6am for a week of fun, friendship and adventure. What a way to wind up the term.
Have a wonderful end to the term and a safe and happy holiday.
Blessings to your family.
Cindy Ahearn
Principal
Dates & Reminders
Term Dates 2024
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Wednesday 31 January - Thursday 28 March
Term 2: Tuesday 16 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, 15 April
Wednesday, 24 April
Monday & Tuesday, 24-25 June
Monday, 15 July
Monday, 26 August (Catholic Day)
Monday, 4 November
Assemblies
Our assemblies are every second Friday afternoon at 1.10pm.
6th September - Yr 1
20th September - PP
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.
Kindy Visit to Juniper Aged Care
In Kindy we have been learning about growing up! Starting off as babies, then children, into teenagers, adulthood then elderly. On Tuesday the 3rd of September the Kindy class joined Sister Julianne, Miss V and Miss Julia in a visit to Juniper - the local aged care home.
We sang and danced to three songs that bought so many smiles to faces! It even encouraged some to get in and dance with us. After, the students drew and built magnetic buildings with their new friends. We were sad to go but our hearts were happy! "I'm so happy!" Nathaniel said as we got back into the bus. It truly was a beautiful visit to Juniper.
Julia Roberts
Kindy Teacher
Brother’s Club Update
This term, the Brother’s Club have been hard at work around the school. Their recent projects included building a new bench for the oval and fixing up some bikes and a Go-Kart.
Many thanks to Red Sun Sports for their generous donation of a new seat, and to Revive for an old bike. Special thanks also go to Dane and Chris for sharing their ‘tradie’ skills to support these efforts.
The refurbished bikes and Go-Kart are now for sale. If you’re interested, please contact Sr. Julianne for more information.
Sr Julianne
Year 3/4
In recent weeks, the Year 3/4 class has enjoyed many exciting learning experiences. One highlight was our maths lessons, which we centred around the Olympic theme. Miss Tiff creatively organised our very own Olympic races, using potatoes as competitors! The students named their potatoes and participated in various events, competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals. They measured distances in activities such as throwing, rolling, and splashing. Congratulations to Hollie, Sienna, and Beatrix for winning medals in some of the events!
Our assembly item this term was a big success. It was fantastic to see the students’ enthusiasm as they learned about friendship and the Friendology Metre. They also performed a song based on Matthew 22, which is about the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
The Year 3/4 class had the opportunity to perform their items again for the Juniper residents, who were very excited to see the students showcase their talents!
Some students in our class are participating in the MacqLit program, while others are involved in the Engagement program. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm and the progress they are making in these valuable programs.
Sports with Mr Steve have been particularly exciting, especially when we got to hop into kayaks! The students had a blast learning how to paddle and turn the kayak over.
It was also amazing to see our classmates share their favourite books at the “Stories Under the Stars” evening. We are fortunate to have such wonderful events at St Joseph’s School.
We have enjoyed this week with the St Norbert students joining our class and look forward to more exciting experiences in Term 4.
Have a safe and enjoyable school holiday!
Mrs Morgan
Teacher Assistant
Outdoor Recreation
Greetings, parents, and carers
For the second half of this term, we have been focusing on outdoor recreation with a focus on five areas: kayaking, Bushcraft, bushwalking, climbing, and fishing. This week, we have learnt about some basic climbing techniques and exercises to improve our climbing. Overall, the students have been fantastic, and everyone has participated and enjoyed themselves tremendously. It is a great joy to see so many smiling faces and children having lots of fun!
Mr Steve
Specialist Teacher
Drama
Kindy to PP students have been enjoying Drama this term as their Arts subject. It has been great to see everyone's confidence, creativity and skills blossom as the term has progressed. Each class has had a different topic to focus on whilst working collaboratively to apply improvisation skills and elements of drama.
Kindy: It's not a stick it's a.......
Year 1: Focusing on showing different emotions using voice and movement
PP: Acting as an animal using voice and movement
Year 4/5: Using sock puppets to tell a story based on morals
Marion Roberts
Specialist Teacher
OVAHS Health Visit
Thanks to Kristal from OVAHS who came to each class last week to share information about how we can prevent RHD (Rheumatic Heart Disease) and look after our bodies by keeping clean and healthy.
Marion Roberts
Specialist Teacher
Father's Day
During the Father's Day Mass, the children shared something about their dads and then distributed cards to the men in the congregation.
Students visited Juniper Aged Care where they handed out Father's day cards to the residents.
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:
- Confirmation, Term 3 - Year 6 children (date 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.
Religious Education
As we have had many new families arrive throughout this year, there may be some families who would like their children to receive the sacraments, that have already been celebrated at St Joseph’s..
Please contact Sr Julianne to make arrangements.
Baptism – as requested
First Reconciliation Year 4
First Eucharist Year 5
Confirmation Year 6
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 Aged Care Facility 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 you have queries or questions about our Religious Education program.
Sr Julianne
Sacrament Coordinator
Safeguarding Sunday
This weekend, the Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday, on which we pray for those who have been abused, their families and supporters. We recognise and apologise for the harm done by priests, religious and lay people in Church settings. Rebuilding trust and confidence in the Church requires constant work and vigilance. We recommit to cultural change that will help the Church be a place that respects the dignity of all children and adults at risk, and empowers and listens to all people, especially those who are vulnerable.
School Bus Pick-ups and Drop-offs
Streamlining the Bus Run
This year we've had extraordinary numbers for the bus runs. One day we did two full trips, plus one in the school car. On the bright side, it is a credit to our families that they're being so diligent in regularly sending their children to school. THANK YOU!
However, because we have so many children on the bus, some of them don't get home until 3pm and some of them arrive at school too early. To make their day easier:
- If you are able to bring your child to/from school by car it would be appreciated.
- Please be out the front of your house ready for the pick up:
- Town run - 7am – 7.30am
- Community run - 7.30 am – 8.00 am
Just waiting an extra 1-3 minutes at every house can extend our trip by half hour. Unfortunately we cannot toot the horn, due to complaints from neighbours.
- At the end of the day, please be visible outside your house and wave to us as we drop off your child. We need to be assured that someone is home. Having to stop, take the child to the door, knock and wait for a response, extends the trip by half hour. This is unfair on those children waiting in the heat on the basketball court for the second bus run. If a family member is not at home, it is our policy to bring a child back to school and ring you. We are unable to make another trip to drop them off.
While we learn the 2024 bus route, which is still changing as new families continue to enrol, we may forget to stop at your house. Please call the school office, and we can collect your child on the next run.
Dropping off Your Children
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.
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
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
St Joseph's School Calendar Term 3 2024
School Bus Contact Details
The School Bus Contractors are Dylan and Chelsea Lodge.
Chelsea: 0450 250 691
Dylan: 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.
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.
