Term Four, Week Six

November 18, 2020

Message & Notifications From The Principal

Dear Families and Friends

Last week I met with the twelve other Kimberley CEWA Principals for a network meeting in Broome. A number of Catholic Education WA representatives from Broome and Perth were also present. It was reassuring that discussions focussed on continued support for Kimberley schools with a strong emphasis on safe learning environments for all children where spiritual, academic and social growth remains the key priority.

World Kindness Day

Thank you to Miss Elle Tierney who organised a variety of activities for students as we celebrated World Kindness Day last Friday. A focus for all students over the coming weeks is to 'find happiness in making others happy.'

Baptism

Congratulations to Tylen Johnson and his sister Somira who were baptised at St Vincent Pallotti Church last Sunday.

Advent

Our Advent liturgies began on Monday, led by Sister Julianne and Year 5/6. Year 4/5 will lead our next Advent liturgy on Monday 23rd November at 8:00am. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

Beginning of 2021

Please note that the first day of school for Pre-Primary - Year 6 students next year will be Monday 1st February and Kindergarten students will begin on Tuesday 2nd February. The office will re-open on Monday 25th January.

This Week

Thursday 19th November We welcome our Kindergarten students for 2021 to St Joseph's for Orientation Day. Whilst children meet their new classmates, parents and carers are invited to attend an information session in the Library, followed by morning tea.
Friday 20th November It is not too late to register your interest in attending the Family Movie Night this Friday at 5:30pm. Please call or message Brock Burston on 0439 968 108 for catering purposes. Families are welcome to bring along cushions and pillows if desired. The cost is $5 per person.

Next Week

Our first whole school Christmas Concert practice will take place at the Leisure Centre next Wednesday 25th November from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Younger students will be transported by bus while older students will walk.
Transition Day: On Thursday 26th November, Year 6 students will spend the day at East Kimberley College. They are asked to come in their full school uniform. The day begins at 8:00am so we ask that students are at school by 7:30am in readiness to leave by 7:45am when they will walk across with Ms Marcia Constantine. The day will conclude at 1:45pm and they will return to school for their regular dismissal. All students should bring their recess, lunch, hat and drink bottle.

Mini Vinnies

Our Mini Vinnies students are collecting donations of long life food items and toiletries for hampers for members of our community. If all families could purchase one or more of the following items during their next grocery shop we would be most grateful: Long life milk, cereal, tea, coffee, milo, biscuits, canned food, rice, pasta, toiletries. Thank you in anticipation of your support.

A big thank you to the families who have recently donated items via the office or children's classrooms.

Farewell

We wish Harrison Auckland (Kindergarten) and his family all the very best in their future endeavours. Harrison enjoyed an action-packed final day at St Joseph’s on Tuesday which was also his birthday!

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Tim Hogan

Principal

Term Dates 2020

Term 4: 12 Oct—11 Dec

Other Important Dates

19 November: Kindy Orientation, 8am
19 November: Year 6 Transition session at EKC
26 November: Year 6 Transition Day at EKC
3 December: Year 6 Breakfast, EKC
4 December: Moving Forward Day
9 December: Christmas Concert, Leisure Centre, 5pm
10 December: End of Year Awards, Library, 1.20pm
11 December: End of Year/Yr 6 Grad Mass, 8.30am

“We have all very much for which to thank God.” Mary Mackillop

Reminders

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.

Friday of every even week beginning 1:20pm

Assemblies, Fridays, 1.20pm

20 November, Week 6: Yr 3

4 December, Week 8: Yr 2

Description Title

Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.

VacSwim in January offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations during the long break. Not only are they a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.

Your children can start as young as five years old.

Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now at

Click to find out more

At St Joseph’s School we take great pride in our appearance. The school uniform is also an important aspect of child health and safety. It is a requirement that all students wear a St Joseph’s uniform (including a hat with our logo) that is purchased from our uniform shop. Similar items bought elsewhere may not be worn to school.

Please note that our “no hat, no play” policy is enforced.

See our website for a full range of uniform items.

Uniforms may be purchased at any time from our office.

Sr Julianne is collecting used stamps for the Sisters of St Joseph Peruvian mission. These are put with collections from many other schools and parishes, and sold at auctions. Over $20,000 gets raised each year. Please leave in the box at the front office.

To read more, see: https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/how-you-can-help/pray/stamps/

We are also seeking donations of material and scarfs that could be used for classroom prayer tables.

Miss Judith (Pre-Primary)

The NAIDOC week project in Pre-Primary was reading the dreamtime story 'Bangu the Flying Fox' and then creating their own flying foxes which are now hanging up at the back of the classroom amongst some tree leaves. The class really enjoyed making their flying foxes and learning about why they rarely keep the company of other animals or birds.

Miss B (Year 1)

Year 1 have been discovering wonderful places to visit and learning how to care for our environment.

In our classroom we have created a travel corner to visit countries all over the world with the use of Virtual Reality goggles to allow us to experience different environments.

On Thursday visited Mirima National Park walking trails, learnt about the flora and fauna and the significance of the environment in which we live.

We learnt about bushfoods, trees and medicine traditionally used by the Miriwoong people.

Miss Sandra (Year 2)

In Year 2 we have been learning about different cultures and past generations. We have also been exchanging letters with pen pals from all over Australia. Following on from World Kindness Day last week, we have been practicing random acts of kindness. And finally, we have been putting a significant effort into our preparations for the Christmas Concert.

Ms Susan (Year 3)

I was honoured to be involved in the NAIDOC Week liturgy last week where all staff and students were given a special blessing. In Year 3, we have been working hard on our reading every morning and it has been great to see the improvement in the children. We are now preparing for our assembly this week and the Christmas concert on the 9th December.

Seasons For Growth

Over the course of this year, we have been implementing the ‘Seasons for Growth’ program with around 25 students from years 2, 4/5 and 5/6. Participants have engaged in a wide range of activities including group discussions, art/craft, stories, journaling, and guided reflection for learning how to deal with grief, worry and loss.

In Term 4, it has been wonderful to see our Year 6 students keenly interested in the weekly well-being classes and building on their previous achievements. All are looking forward to the remaining three weeks and the special celebration at the end of this term.

Thank you for your prayers for the children and their programs over the 2020 school year.

Look forward to seeing you in 2021.

Jamie Short(Chaplain and Seasons For Growth Companion