Dear Families,

This term is disappearing very quickly.  I can't believe that we have already reached the end of Week 5. I was only talking to some Year 6 students this morning about the short time they have left in Primary School. They informed me that it is down to 25 days. Time as always, is moving very fast. 

On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those armed forces members who died fighting to protect the nation.

At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender.

The conflict had mobilised over 70 million people, leaving between 9 and 13 million dead, and as many as one-third of these with no grave.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. It became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. 

Tomorrow let us all take a minute to remember and acknowledge those who fought for our safety. 

The Parents of Stages 2 & 3 students were informed this week via Compass of the Rugby Cup to be held next Tuesday 14 November 2023 at Stan Payne Oval Evans Head.  The Parents have been provided with the option of declining their child/children attending this event to partake in the actual games of Rugby. 

As the initial part of the day will be spent with NSW Rugby Development Officers conducting skill development it has been decided that all the Stages 2 & 3 students will be taken for the skill development part of the day. Teachers will return to School with those students not partaking in the actual matches as soon as the skill development is completed.  

As I have been receiving some feedback from the children about online activity and some concerns, I think it is timely that we revisit some of the resources from the eSafety site.

Teaching your child to be cyber-safe will help them to engage with the online world safely, responsibly and discerningly and can assist in protecting them from online risks.

Sometimes children are faced with online situations that they simply don't know how to handle. At school, we have ongoing campaigns and programs to teach children and young people the knowledge and skills they need to prevent bullying and other inappropriate behaviours they see online, to intervene effectively when incidents occur, celebrate diversity, and promote friendship and positive social behaviours.

Common cyber safety issues for children include cyberbullying, accessing or
sharing inappropriate content and protecting their personal information.

Helping children to stay safe online is something many parents are concerned about. Knowing about the basics of the online world can help parents be ahead of the game should they need to manage a negative situation.

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All students are expected to have the correct full school uniform and to take pride in it. The uniform is a symbol of the school and what it stands for. When worn correctly it will help students identify with the school and develop a sense of pride in self and the school.

We currently have students coming to school wearing shoes, socks, jewellery and nail polish that are not in keeping with our school uniform. The correct St Joseph's uniform is listed on our school website.

St Joseph's Primary School uniform https://www.wdbplism.catholic.edu.au/uniform

ACCESSORIES

Wearing of accessories should be kept to a minimum for both safety and security reasons. The following items ONLY are acceptable:

• watch
• studs or sleeper earrings- silver or gold
• plain, flat ring (no stones).
• Hair band, clips and ribbons in school colours – green and white 

Any items of jewellery that are not an accepted part of the uniform will be cared for by the Principal. These items will be returned to the child’s parents. 

HAIRSTYLES

Hair is to be worn in a tidy fashion with long hair being tied back. Boys’ hair is to be above the collar. If hair is longer than collar length it is required to be tied back. Fringes are not to impede vision.

NOTE TO EXPLAIN INCORRECT UNIFORM

If, on any given day, a student is unable to wear all of the correct uniform, a note from the student’s parent explaining this should be presented to the Principal or Class Teacher.

Over the next few weeks, we will be focussing on the importance of taking pride and respecting our school uniform.

I appreciate your support of the school's expectations in this matter.

Common food allergens include peanuts and tree nuts ( such as cashews and walnuts), sesame, egg, cows milk, shellfish, fish and soy.

At  St Joseph's, we are a nut-aware school. This means we request that all nuts and any food containing nuts are not brought to school.

Thank you for your understanding and
compliance with this request.

Just a reminder that we have a Family Connect Worker attached to our school to assist our families. Please see the information below and don't hesitate Cassandra or the School if you require any further assistance.

 

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Saturday 11 November	Remembrance Day
Tuesday 14 November	Intensive Swimming K, Yrs 1 & 2 Stage 2 & 3 Gala Rugby Day- Stan Payne Oval- Evans Head
Wednesday 15 November	Xavier College 2024 Year 7  Orientation,
Friday 17 November	Whole School Mass led by Kindergarten
Friday 24 November	Assembly Stage 3
Friday 1 December	Stage 2 Mass
Monday 4 December	Advent Liturgy
Tuesday 5 December	Year 5 Leadership Speeches
Wednesday 6 December	Leaders Thank You afternoon
Thursday 7 December	Music Students Presentation 10am
Friday 8 December	St Joseph's Swimming Carnival
Monday 11 December	St Joseph's end-of-year celebration Christmas Carols and Picnic
Tuesday 12 December	Step up Day
Thursday 14 December	Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Friday 16 December	Year 6 Graduation Mass LAST DAY OF THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS

                           

• Our School and Vice Captains for their leadership and conversations with Year 5 this week.
• Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 for their terrific Assembly
• Our Stage 2 & 3 students for their efforts and practise  in lunch and recess to prepare for the Rugby Gala Day
• Our Award Winners for guiding the way in weeks 4 & 5. 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Jeanette Wilkins

 Principal

PIE DAY FRIDAY CONTINUES -

Spinach and Fetta Rolls available

Spinach and Fetta Rolls - $4.50 from Wardell Pies will now be available on Pie Day Fridays. All orders need to be on paper bags with the child's name, class and what they would like to order clearly written on them with the money enclosed. 

ORDERS ARE TO BE IN BY THURSDAY - THANK YOU