St Joseph's Memorial School Newsletter

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Pupil Free Day

A reminder next Tuesday, March 10, is a Pupil Free Day for our Preschool and school, making this an extra-long weekend. All staff from our school will join with all staff from St Joseph’s Tranmere, St Joseph’s Payneham, St Joseph’s Hectorville and St Francis of Assisi where we will explore future education with Louka Parry, a Learning Strategist and Education Futurist.

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy)

This week I have begun receiving details for this year's NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Year 3 and Year 5 students at St Joseph’s Memorial will take place from May 12 to May 14, which is Week 3 of next term. This year schools have a window from May 12 to May 22 to complete the tests. Our students will participate in the online version of the test, with the exception of our Year 3 students handwriting the ‘Writing’ component of NAPLAN tests. There are four components: Language Conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy.

If your child is absent during this period, there is the possibility of completing the assessments upon their return to school up until Friday May 22. 

If there are parents who have questions regarding their child sitting the test, please contact Mrs Benci or myself by Friday 13 March to discuss this. This includes parents wishing to withdraw their child from the test. If you would like more information please visit the NAPLAN website at www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

St Joseph’s Feast Day

On Thursday 19 March we celebrate the feast day of our patron, St Joseph, who is dear to our community. To mark this occasion, we will participate in various activities. We will celebrate the life of St Joseph with a whole school Mass at 9:15am in the William St Piazza, followed by a day at the Norwood Pool. Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield is still looking for volunteers for the day. If you have a valid Catholic Police Clearance and are able to help on the day, please make contact with Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield.

Student Leadership

At St Joseph’s Memorial the opportunities to develop leadership skills are valued and varied. Leadership is a quality that all students are encouraged and supported to develop. Students from Reception to Year 6 take on the role of leaders of their own learning. Through the curriculum and extra curricula activities, all students are encouraged to develop the skills necessary to be a leader. This ensures that all students perceive themselves as leaders and have the opportunity and confidence to take on leadership roles.

Student leadership roles challenge individuals to develop a sense of vision and purpose as they take on responsibilities. They develop interpersonal and intrapersonal skills including communication, negotiation, teamwork and reflection.

Through their actions, St Joseph Memorial School Student Leaders reflect and demonstrate the characteristics of St Joseph and our school’s values: trust, respect, honesty and integrity.

Each role will allow students to become actively involved in making decisions and problem solving in the community.

This Friday our Year 6 students will deliver their prepared speeches, presenting to students their interest and intent if they were to be selected for their chosen leadership position.

However, having said this, each of our students have a leadership role in our school whether they are in Year 6 or any other year level. There are many ways that each child can set an example for those around them, little things like; showing love in all actions, being a pillar of compassion and strength, to the more simple things like wearing their uniform with pride, putting their rubbish in the bin, moving to class on time after the bell, listening patiently to those around them, being kind to others; all are small but very important examples where students provided leadership to ensure our school continues to be a loving place.

Swimming

Next Wednesday Mr Siinmaa and the St Joseph’s Swimming Squad head to Magill Swimming Pool to compete in the South Australian Catholic Primary School Sports Association Swimming Carnival. 

I congratulate all students who tried out for the team and wish the final Swimming Squad well for the day.

Ride Your Bike to School Day

Next Friday is National Ride2School Day (13 March 2020). I will ride to school on Friday along with Mr Siinmaa and Mr Merrigan as we join hundreds of schools across Australia celebrating riding, walking, scooting and skating to school!

Debating

In 2020 we will be entering teams of Year 5 and Year 6 students in the Debating SA Competition.  Students who expressed their interest in the competition have taken a letter home with them this evening.

Children’s University

We have 16 students across our Year 4 classes who have joined the Children’s University Program this year. This Friday at the William St Assembly, our Children’s University students will be presented with their Passport to Learning by Gemma Stanger from Adelaide University.

God Bless

Brady Stallard

Photo: Year 5/6 Lent Word Art

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Last week, students across both sites were involved in Ash Wednesday celebrations. At the Parish Mass, Fr Stan challenged us to think about Lent in a very different way. He explained that most of the time, we focus on ourselves, much like taking a ‘selfie’ but during Lent, we need to focus on others. His challenge was to turn the camera around and perhaps consider the needs of others first rather than ourselves.

Invite Us Deeper

Almighty and ever living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give. Amen

- Author Unknown

Project Compassion

This week your child will bring home with them a Project Compassion box. Each year during the 6 weeks of Lent we are asked to help support Caritas Australia. Caritas work around the world with their local partners offering hope to people who are most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice.

Through your generosity during Lent this year, you are empowering communities with hope for a just and fair world regardless of their ethnicity, political beliefs, gender or religion. Through Project Compassion, Caritas assist men, women and children to break free from the cycle of poverty whilst ensuring they are the architects of their own development.

St Joseph’s Day Mass

St Joseph was the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus. God called Joseph, a simple carpenter, to care for and protect Mary and Jesus. With great faith and trust, he accepted God’s call. Last week you would have received a note regarding our St Joseph’s Day Mass and Celebrations. Parents and caregivers are all warmly welcomed to join us at a School Mass on Thursday 19 March in the Piazza at 9:15am to honour St Joseph. If you would like to volunteer and you have a Catholic Police Clearance, with our celebrations after the Mass could you please indicate this on the tear-off section on the return slip.

Sacramental Program

There has been a change to the Parish Sacramental Program this year. Families of students who are in Year 3 and would like their child to celebrate Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist are asked to keep the evening of Tuesday 21 July free. Enrolment Forms and further information regarding the program will be available in Term 2.

Grace Vassallo-Wakefield

Assistant Principal: Religious Identity & Mission

Photo: Preschool children at the Bridge St Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Whole school drop off at William St by 8:55am

Join us for Mass in the Piazza at 9:15am

Children's Pool Celebration from 11:30am until 2pm
Please note - only pre registered volunteers with current Catholic police checks will be able to attend the pool celebration on the day.

Please see the letter and permission notes here.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Winter sport nominations are now open and follow a slightly different process to previous years. Parents and caregivers will have received an email including the relevant information for our Soccer, Football and Netball competitions that run from early Term 2 until the end of Term 3. There is an online link included in the document where students can be nominated to participate in these competitions which will all run on Saturday mornings.

For these competitions to go ahead, it is vital for parent volunteers to be involved in coaching and training the teams throughout the season. Any parent assisting with coaching a team is required to have a Catholic SA Police Check and all parents are strongly encouraged to apply and get involved to help to share the responsibility. This process is free - please see Mary Fantasia at the William St office if you wish to apply.

The SJMS Swimming Squad have also been training very hard in preparation for the SACPSSA Swimming Carnival taking place on Wednesday 11 March. We would like to thank all students who tried out for the team and also introduce the squad representing our school at the carnival:

Odessa, Emily, Charlotte, Maddie, Mia, April, Mary, Advay, Ben, Riley, Eve and Lachlan.

It's a very exciting time of year, with our Basketball, Cricket and Netball teams showing great SJMS spirit each week. Best of luck to our swimmers for the upcoming carnival and we also look forward to your involvement in the Winter sport competitions.

Mr Tom Siinmaa

Catholic Police Check Application Forms are available at either school office.

Please note - there are many times throughout the school year where visitors are required to have a current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events).

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through either school office.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at either office.

Thanking you

The SJMS Admin Team

At St Joseph's Memorial Playgroup - everyone is welcome!

Term 1 dates include:
Friday 6 March
Friday 13 March
Friday 20 March
Friday 27 March
Friday 3 April

Time:
9am until 11am

Location:
46 Bridge St Kensington - in the Preschool Room

Cost:
It's free - bookings not needed!

We hope to see you there!

Click here to view dates and events on the SJMS Calendar

Please note - Pupil Free Day 

Tuesday 10 March 2020

OSHC will be available (places limited) - more information will be sent out via the Skoolbag app

2020
Term 1 Tuesday 28 January to Thursday 9 April (Pupil Free Day on Tuesday 10 March)
Term 2 Monday 27 April to Friday 3 July (Pupil Free Day on Friday 5 June)
Term 3 Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September
Term 4 Monday 12 October to Friday 11 December

2021
Term 1 Wednesday 27 January to Friday 9 April
Term 2 Tuesday 27 April to Friday 2 July
Term 3 Monday 19 July to Friday 24 September
Term 4 Monday 11 October to Friday 10 December

2022
Term 1 Monday 31 January to Thursday 14 April
Term 2 Monday 2 May to Friday 8 July
Term 3 Monday 25 July to Friday 30 September
Term 4 Monday 17 October to Friday 16 December

2023
Term 1 Monday 30 January to Friday 14 April
Term 2 Monday 1 May to Friday 7 July
Term 3 Monday 24 July to Friday 29 September
Term 4 Monday 16 October to Friday 15 December

2024
Term 1 Monday 29 January to Friday 12 April
Term 2 Monday 29 April to Friday 5 July
Term 3 Monday 22 July to Friday 27 September
Term 4 Monday 14 October to Friday 13 December

2025
Term 1 Tuesday 28 January to Friday 11 April
Term 2 Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July
Term 3 Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September
Term 4 Monday 13 October to Friday 12 December

Please ensure you check the school calendar regularly for important dates and events.

Click here to read the latest news from the Southern Cross.