Principal's Piece

Dear Friends and Families

Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you had a lovely holiday. We are looking forward to a great term with our students and their families. Thank you to Miss Elle who organised a wonderful Wellbeing Week at the end of last term. The community afternoon was particularly wonderful, so thank you to the families and the service providers who joined us.

We look forward to swimming lessons again this term. Miss Gehrmann is co-ordinating them with the support of Miss Bec and Mr Jamie. They will run from Week 2 to 6 for students in Year 2 to 6. Permission notes were sent home this week so please make sure these are signed and returned to school this week. We are asking for parents to contribute to the cost of the swimming lessons; payment can be made via direct deposit (BSB: 086 006/Acc No 826 500 626, please reference your child’s name) or via eftpos at the front office. Thank you for your support.

Just a reminder that we have our Term 4 School Closure Day this Friday 15^th October, so there will be no school for students. The staff will participate in Team Teach training facilitated by the CEWA School Psychology team.

Sadly Miss Kris will be finishing in the canteen at the end of next week. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours. The canteen position has been advertised so please spread the word amongst your networks. We are still actively looking for a Nominated Supervisor or Administration Officer at our OSHC, so if you know anyone with suitable qualifications, please encourage them to apply (hours are flexible). Please see the job adverts on the notice board outside the front office, around town or on our school Facebook page.

At the end of this year Mr B, Mr Roberts and Miss Harriet are leaving St Joseph’s and returning home to their families in Victoria and Perth. We thank them for their dedication and the contribution they have made to our school community over the last few years. We wish them all the best for 2022.

Included in this newsletter is a copy of the school’s BOABS behaviour matrix. This is used by all staff through out the school to explicitly teach expected behaviour. Students are reminded to do the BOABS throughout the school day. Those caught doing the right thing are rewarded with a BOAB card which goes into a weekly draw for a prize. Students not doing the right thing are firstly reminded of the expected behaviour. Some of our students might also need this behaviour to be explicitly taught by the teacher in a 1:1 setting. As a school we look for opportunities to positively praise students who are making good choices and celebrate this amongst the classes. Where behaviour may lead to a break down in relationships, restorative practice is used to repair these relationships. We are really happy when our parents and carers can also be a part of this process.

Have a great week.

 Miss Gabby

Principal

St Joseph’s Student Code of Conduct

The St Joseph’s Student Code of Conduct was developed by the students of St Joseph’s. Students participated in Steps 1 to 4 during Term 1 2021. Step 5 was worked through during term 2 and Step 6 completed during Term 3. The Student Code of Conduct was reviewed by students in Year 3 to 6 on two separate occasions. The Student Code of Conduct was shared with the wider school community during Term 3. 

At St Joseph’s School, Kununurra we want to feel Safe.

1. In order to feel Safe we will follow school rules.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.

2. In order to feel Safe we will listen and follow instructions.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.

3. In order to feel Safe we will help and care for others.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask them why they are feeling that way.

4. In order to feel Safe we will keep our hands and feet to ourselves.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ignore them or walk away.

5. In order to feel Safe we will treat others the way we would like to be treated.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will remind them of the golden  rule.

At St Joseph’s School, Kununurra we want to feel Happy.

1. In order to feel Happy we will smile, laugh, sing and dance.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask them if they are alright.

2. In order to feel Happy we will be kind to others.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.

3. In order to feel Happy we will make friends and play with them.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will play with and include them.

4. In order to feel Happy we will come to school everyday.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will look after them.

5. In order to feel Happy we will listen to the teacher and other adults.

When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will try to make them feel happy.

Our Code of Conduct prohibits bullying, harassment and other forms of peer-to-peer abuse and we require respect for the privacy and human dignity of other students.

COVID Update - Unwell Children

Students who are unwell should stay home. Parents are asked to seek medical advice if their child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19. Normal processes for advising the school of a child’s absence will apply.

See the CEWA Website for further information: https://covid19.cewa.edu.au/covid-19-response-210207/