St Joseph’s Primary School

Gayndah

Newsletter Date Wednesday

22 March 2017

2017 Term One

Week Nine

Hi everyone,

With the end of the term approaching, we start to look ahead to next term. The ‘N’ word (NAPLAN) is already being used in the media

and schools, and our Year 3 and 5 teachers have begun discussing these tests with our students. The dates for NAPLAN testing this year

are 9 May to 11 May and through these three days, our Year 3 and 5 students will sit a series of four tests, including reading, language

conventions, writing and numeracy. While these tests are moving towards being taken online in a few years’ time, we are one of the

many schools who will continue to take the test in paper format in 2017.

Often, people can have concerns about how to best prepare students for these tests. The quote below is taken from a document produced

by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) about test preparation: “NAPLAN is not a test that

children can prepare for in the same way they might prepare for an end of term assessment. NAPLAN tests skills that develop and

improve over time. These are skills that should be continuously developed throughout the year and not just in the lead-up to NAPLAN.”

This means that our teachers do not adjust their delivery of content to fit NAPLAN, but instead provide rich and engaging learning

experiences throughout the year. However, teachers do ensure students know how to take the test by teaching students about the kinds

of questions they will encounter and how to answer these, as well as how to fill in the booklet with their answers. Students do some

practice NAPLAN tests to prepare them for this, but far more emphasis is placed on the everyday teaching and learning that happens in

our classrooms. It is important to remember that the data provided from NAPLAN gives a point-in-time snapshot of students’

understanding in particular areas, and is not the only source of data we gather about our students. There is so much more to each of our

students than their achievement on a standardised test. If any parents are concerned about their child’s ability to complete the test,

please ensure you discuss this with myself, Jennell and the class teacher as soon as possible. Students can be exempted from tests or

given additional support if their learning needs prevent them from full participation.

Today, our staff participated in professional development about supporting students with learning difficulties, and with anxiety. It is rare

that we would have all our staff out of the classroom in one day, but this was a unique opportunity that couldn’t be missed. Our staff are

very enthusiastic and committed to furthering their own knowledge to better assist our students. The information they have gained today

will be very valuable in supporting all our students, particularly those with learning needs who do not always respond best to a

traditional classroom structure. It will also be helpful in supporting students with anxiety and continuing to develop our mindfulness

practices throughout the school.

We are fast approaching the end of term, which is a great time for parents to get some feedback about their child’s learning so far this

year. One of the major ways we do this at St Joseph’s is through our Celebration of Learning, which will be held next Tuesday 28th

March. Classrooms will be open from 8am to 8:40am, and again from 3pm until 5:30pm. This is a time for students to showcase work

for their parents and family members, and talk about what they have learnt this term. Teachers will be in the room but this time is more

focused on conversations between parents and their children. If you wish to meet and discuss your child’s progress so far this year,

please contact your class teacher to arrange an appointment.

Congratulations to our Year 6 students, who had a wonderful Leadership Day on Tuesday with students from Hervey Bay, Childers

and Maryborough, and who will receive their badges, shirts and pavers at our assembly this Friday. Please note this assembly will start

at 8:45am, to allow the students involved in North Burnett trials to attend these after the ceremony.

Next Monday, we celebrate Purple Day for Epilepsy. This is an important event in our school calendar, and a great way to

acknowledge all those living with epilepsy. Don’t forget to check out the merchandise available in the office to support this worthy

cause. I’m looking forward to seeing our community wearing purple on Monday to show their support!

Don’t forget some of our other important events over the next week and a half:

Parent information session about the Catholic Church – Thursday 23 March at 3:15pm

Father Biju’s installation mass and morning tea – Sunday 26 March at 9am

Holy Week presentations – beginning Monday 27 March at 2:30pm and continuing through to Thursday afternoon

Cross Country – Friday 31 March from 9:30am

All the best for a wonderful week!

Amy.

Acting Principal’s Letter to Parents

Hello and welcome to a wet week at St Joseph’s (those rarest of things!). I hope the rain has been as kind to you

as it has to us here at school. We’re keeping all those families who need rain in our minds as we pray that more

rain comes our way.

At school, we have an extremely busy final two weeks ahead. Some key events coming up are;

Holy Week

Holy Week is the pinnacle of our liturgical year and at St Joseph’s we are celebrating this special time in the last

week of term. Holy Week is the week preceding Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday and is traditionally a time of

sombre reflection on the events preceding Jesus’ death: his triumphant entry into Jerusalem; his betrayal by Judas;

his Last Supper with his twelve apostles; his arrest, crucifixion and death; and his burial in a tomb. Holy Week

culminates on Easter Sunday with the Resurrection of our Lord. To celebrate this time, each class will be

performing a small vignette, portraying a different event from this time. Performance groups and times are as

follows:

Cross Country

Our interschool Cross Country Carnival will be held at the Gayndah Golf Course on the final

day of term, Friday 31st, and will begin at 9am. As per usual, students will come to school on

Friday morning and be marked off the roll before being bussed over to the Golf Course to

commence. This is a great day that the students really enjoy and is a fantastic way to finish the

term. The students will need to bring a water bottle, hat and something to eat so they will be

bringing a bag along with them. Please ensure all items are clearly named. We love having

parents along at these events to cheer along and help so please come on down and support our St Joey’s

champions!

Year 6 Leadership Presentation Assembly

This Friday morning (Friday 24th March), we will officially welcome our

2017 year 6 leaders by presenting them with their leadership badges, leadership

shirts and personalised pavers at our whole school assembly. This is a special

assembly for our year 6’s as we present them with the objects that symbolise

their acceptance of the role of servant leaders in our school. We invite all

parents along to join us in this special occasion. Please be aware that due to

sporting events being held later in the day, the Year 6 Leadership presentation

assembly will begin earlier than usual at 8.40am in the church hall, so get in

early to grab a seat.

That’s it from me. Take care,

Jim

Element of Holy Week Class Day & Time

Palm Sunday Prep Monday 27th March 2.30pm

The Last Supper including washing of feet Year 1 Tuesday 28th March 2.15pm

Garden of Gethsemane including the arrest of Jesus Year 2 Tuesday 28th March 2.15pm

The Trial Year 4 Wednesday 29th March 2.15pm

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Year 6 Wednesday 29th March 2.15pm

At the Tomb Year 3 Thursday 30th March 2.15pm

The Resurrection Year 5 Thursday 30th March 2.15pm

SPORTS NEWS: Reminder to students participating in North Burnett

trials to return any forms and levies ASAP. NB Netball, Soccer and

Rugby League trials are this Friday 24th March.

TUCKSHOP - Thank you to this weeks helpers: Natasha Roth, Amanda

Imhoff, Jo McCosker, Jen Hitchcock and Rachel Chambers

COLOURING COMPETITION: L J Hookers Gayndah are running an Easter colouring competition. There

are 2 catargories: Under 8’s and 8-12 years with 1st & 2nd prizes in each. Return to school by 31st

March or LJ Hookers before 13th April.

EPILEPSY AWARENESS DAY MERCHANDISE

Epilepsy awareness day is next Monday 27th March so we are

encouraging everyone to wear purple on that day to show their support.

We also have a range of merchandise available from the school office.

FATHER BIJU’S INSTALLATION MASS will be held this Sunday.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge presiding with a special morning tea/lunch in

the Function Room of the GACC to follow. If you are able to attend,

please bring along a plate of food to share.

Week 9

Year 5 Rosie Halt, Year 6 Levi Bryant, Year 3 Angus

Parr, Prep Rosina Catalano, Year 1/2 Darcy Ahern

St Joseph’s Primary School

38 Meson Street

PO Box 119 Gayndah

Queensland

Phone: 07 4161 1889

Fax: 07 4161 2655 Email:

pgayndah@bne.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.stjosephsgayndah.qld.edu.au

“In All Things

Glorify God”

ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL

TERM

DATES 2017

Term One

Tues 24 Jan—

Fri 31 March

Term Two

Wed 19 April—

Fri 23 June

Term Three

Tues 11 July—

Fri 15 Sept

Term Four

Tues 3 Oct—

Fri 1 Dec

Public Holiday—ANZAC Day

25 April

Public Holiday—Labour Day

1st May

ORANGE FESTIVAL QUEEN ENTRANT

Golden Draw Winners

Week 1 - The D’Alessandro family

Week 2 - Reg and Janette Brown

Week 3 - Ashley & Carol Meyer

Tickets still available! Contact the school office or Anna Ulcoq 0428 611 560 for details.

Softball Battle Winning Team - Team Keen

Runners Up—Pitcher Perfect

Best Dressed—Guardian Greats \

FREE KIDS ART WORKSHOP –By the Sea

Gayndah Art Gallery Art Room Sunday 9th April 10am-12pm Open to all Primary School Children

CENTRAL BURNETT BRUMBIES: Central Burnett Brumbies currently has no

secretary. The Executive committee has called an urgent meeting. Thursday 30th March at

6pm at the Gayndah sports ground. All persons are welcomed to attend. Without a secretary

the club will have to fold. With no club there is no registered players able to take the

representative opportunities.

If you have any enquires or are unable to attend please contact Melanie Loakes, Tash Roth or

Steve Trott. There is also a call for coaches for Under 6, 8, 10s. If there is no coach then there

will no teams for Under 6, 8, 10.

Please came and assist with this meeting.....many hands and heads make light work.

NRL REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS

Saturday 25th March.

11.30am - U18 game – South Burnett v Oakey. Gate will be charged for adults from 10.00am

to 12.00pm

1.00pm – U13 Boys Rep Trial Field 1

1.00pm – U14 & U16 Rep girls hit-out Field 2

2.00pm – U14 Boys Rep Trial Field 1

3.00pm – U16 Boys Rep Trial Field 1

4.00pm – Senior Rep trial with the following format. Teams must appear in their clubs

uniform. Compulsory attendance for all senior clubs. Round robin of 15-20 min halves – until

each team plays each other once. If players are unable to make this trial, an email needs to be

sent explaining why. If players would still like to be considered for this team, but are unable to

make trials, again, please send an email stating this. As per QRL rules, if a player is unable to

attend and doesn’t give a reason, that player will be stood down for 2 x competition matches.

Sunday 26th March

U35kg & U43kg Trials Kingaroy – starting 12 noon. Please refer to flyer on SB Facebook

page re weight conditions for this trial.

NRL CENTRAL BURNETT HOLIDAY CLINIC

An NRL holiday clinic is being held at Gayndah Sports Ground on Monday 10th April from

9am-12pm. This clinic will be for boys and girls aged between 6-13 years old and will cost

$40 which includes a NRL holiday pack (Bag, Football, Cap, Water bottle, hand pump and

kicking tee). To register please go to playnrl.com/programs and search “Gayndah” in the

search bar JUNIOR NETBALL

Training for all ages is weekly and will be held at the Gayndah Sportsground.

Net Set Go train on Mondays from 3.30pm

Juniors 11-12yrs train on Mondays from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Juniors 13-15yrs train Thursdays 4pm start

Fees Juniors Playing in Senior Comp $135 , Juniors 11-15 $100,

Net Set Go (Under 10s) $85

https://netball.resultsvault.com/common/pages/noauth/olregstart.aspx?

misc=p9s6tnff1bxLVMRI%2fJWq2VCzQVRu4MsJ7Wt%2fV8pbUq8%

3d&entityid=39288&fl=1&id=24141

Regional Training: 11-15 year olds

Sunday 26th March 2017 9am -12pm (Gayndah )

Sunday 23rd April 2017 9am – 12pm (Mundubbera)