Tuesday 5 May 2020

Catholic Education South Australia
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St Joseph's Memorial School Newsletter

Week 2  |  Term 2  |  2020

We are all excited to be back for Term Two!!

 
 
 
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From the Principal

Dear SJMS Community

Welcome back after what I hope was peaceful holiday that allowed you to spend quality time with your family and loved ones. I trust that everyone experienced the joy of being together as a family and the opportunities that such times bring.

Over the past three weeks I have written several letters to update you on the ever changing arrangements we endeavoured to implement in response to the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations for schools. I thank you for taking the time to read this ongoing communication. Thank you also for respecting the social distancing parameters that we have put into place this term. This week we are back to 96% attendance.

During my visits around classes this week I have observed a growing number of students returning to school. On my walks I have witnessed students reuniting and having so much fun playing and enjoying each other’s company. It has been a delight to witness. 

As I have walked around the school I have also seen the students busily preparing for Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day mums!

At SJMS we focus on Mother's Day to allow children to realise the importance of a mother and the contributions they make in their lives and hence, a day like this provides an opportunity to thank mum or a special person for all that they have done. I look forward to our Mother’s Day Liturgy this Friday, although it will be very different this year, we invite you to view the Liturgy via Facebook and YouTube on the day.

Uniform

I was very pleased with the majority of students who complied with school policy by wearing the appropriate uniform from the beginning of this term, wearing their winter uniforms correctly. I am conscious that the Uniform Shop has moved and is open by appointment only due to the Pandemic. Please check the SJMS online uniform shop for more information. Please be conscious of your child’s PE days this term, to ensure they are wearing the correct uniform at all times. A reminder that the School Uniform Policy also incorporates grooming, in particular;

  • Hair needs to be kept away from the face at all times. Long hair (shoulder length) needs to be tied back.
  • Hair ribbons, ties, clips and headbands are to be in school fabric or school colours.
  • Make up is not allowed including nail polish.
  • Hair style and colour needs to be appropriate for school and should not be designed to attract attention.

NAPLAN

Please be reminded that there will be no NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5 this year due to the Pandemic that we are experiencing.

Co-Curricular Activities

All co-curricular activities have been either postponed or cancelled. I will notify the community via Skoolbag as organisations such as Debating SA, Eastern Districts Netball Association, SANFL, Eastern Zone Soccer Association, Norwood Basketball Club/ARC School Basketball and Tournament of the Minds change their arrangements.

Year 6 Canberra Trip

Year 6 students are scheduled to travel to Canberra in Term 3 (9 September to 13 September). In Week 5 of this term, Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield and myself will meet with St Monica’s Leadership to discuss its viability.

God Bless

Brady Stallard

 
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From the Assistant Principal RIM

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back for Term 2. It is interesting to note how our lives have changed in these very different times.

Over the holiday break, we celebrated Easter. For all of us this celebration would have been very different to celebrations of previous years. However, the Easter message does not change.

Easter is the foundation of our Christian faith. It is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day. The resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin. Through his death, Jesus gave us the gift of eternal life in heaven, for all who believe in his death and resurrection.

Enhancing Catholic Identity in Schools Project (ECSIP) Survey

Thank you to all the families who participated in the ECSIP survey. Staff, students, parents and caregivers have participated in providing their perception of SJMS and its Catholic identity. The information will be processed by Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven over the next few months and a report produced for our community. We look forward to reading the report and using the information provided to further support our Religious Education program and our Catholic identity.

The winners of the 4 bottles of wine for participating in the survey are:

  • Wanda Musolino
  • Alex Linsalata
  • Eddie Nashar
  • Roman Kluba

Congratulations, these will be available for collection from our Bridge Street office.

Happy Mother’s Day

On Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day. May all mums, grandmothers and all other women who have this special role in the lives of others have a very special day.

A Mother's Day Prayer

We thank you, Creator of us all, for our mothers.

We thank you that she gave us life and nurtured us all those years.

She gave us our faith, helping us to know you and to know Jesus and his ways.

She taught us how to love and how to sacrifice for others.

She taught us that it was okay to cry and that we should always tell the truth.

Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today.

Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her.

Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace.

Bless her this day with your love.

Amen

God Bless

Grace Vassallo-Wakefield

 
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At SJMS we are working extra hard to make sure our students and staff are safe during this global pandemic.

We have implemented:

  • Daily cleaning and sanitising of the playground, benches and eating areas
  • Compulsory handwashing throughout the day including before eating, after recess, after lunch, after PE and after a change of activities
  • Hand sanitiser at the entry of the school and in every classroom (along with liquid soap and paper towels)
  • Parents, caregivers and non essential visitors not entering the school and all excursions and incursions postponed (designated procedures to minimise exposure)
  • Assemblies broadcast to each classroom via Teams
  • Additional cleaning of high frequency areas, classrooms, door handles, rails etc.
 
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From the Sport Coordinator

Dear SJMS Community

In these uncertain times we've all had to adapt and it has been great to hear of students enjoying a range of different physical activities during the holidays with their families. Also I'd like to give a big thank you to those who took part in the SJMS Challenges posted online, it was wonderful to hear from all of the students and families that gave them a go!

It has been exciting to discover different ways to present students with fitness-based and skill-based online challenges and lessons, to create engagement and opportunities for physical activity and learning to take place at home. The online lessons have been adapted and also delivered at school also to ensure consistency amongst those learning face to face and at home.

We have unfortunately been unable to participate in our usual winter after-school sporting competitions, which were due to start from this week. However, these sporting bodies are working under the restrictions passed on from the Health Department and are planning for a range of circumstances once the green light is given to ensure that schools and students can have the opportunity to get involved, active and back into a routine as soon as possible.

We are planning ahead for the SACPSSA Netball Carnival in Week 10 of Term 2 for students in Years 4-6, which is always a great day to prepare for and be a part of. However, once again this is all assuming that social distancing restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so.

All SAPSASA events for Term 2 have been cancelled, with some possibly being rescheduled for later in the year.

With the weather taking a turn as we head in to winter, we are very fortunate to have the transportable classrooms, or 'The Gym' at William Street, along with the library at Bridge Street available for classes to use as a wet weather back up for lessons.

Yours sincerely
Tom Siinmaa

 
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Catholic Police Checks for Volunteers

Catholic Police Check Application Forms are available to download here or 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

 
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Term Dates

2020
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