Term 4, Week 2
Was your child born between 1st July 2019 and 30th June 2020?
Please get your Kindergarten enrolments in for Kindy 2024!
Principal's Piece
Dear Parents and Carers
We have had a smooth start to the term and the children are now well into their new units of study.
We have been reminding students to wear a hat during recess and lunch breaks and sport; as we all know the weather has warmed up very quickly and being sun smart protects us all. Thank you to everyone who has found their school hat and is wearing it. We have also been encouraging the children to drink plenty of water during the day, so as to keep well hydrated.
Some children have yet to adjust to the rapid change in the weather and are needing to rest or sleep in the lead up to lunch time. I encourage you to monitor your children for the tiredness that comes with hot weather and busy days and ensure that they are getting plenty of sleep at night.
There appears to be a few bugs around, perhaps lingering from last term. If your child has a cough/cold or a stomach bug or infections, please monitor and treat the symptoms as needed. We ask that you advise the school if your child is absent for medical or other reasons, with a phone call to the office at the start of the day or an email to your child's teacher.
This week our Aboriginal Teacher Assistants attended a cross sectorial education conference in Kununurra. Aboriginal staff from Catholic Education, Department of Education and independent schools in the East Kimberley participated. Four of our Year 6 students participated in a Q and A session where the focus of the conversation was around three questions:
- Is school important?
- What's the deadliest thing about school?
- If you could change one thing, what would it be?
It was excellent to see Charmaine, Shanti, Mounira and Adrianah present their ideas to a group of 85 adults and to respond to questions from the floor with such confidence. Fantastic work girls, well done!
Congratulations goes to the Mini Vinnies team members who helped out with the Neighbourhood House Telethon appeal yesterday. Victor, Nicole, Malina, Mounira, Charmaine and Shanti - you did an excellent job. Thank you to Sr Julianne for coordinating this activity.
This week we have continued to host the Youth With a Mission team, here in Australia from all four corners of the globe! Everyone has enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and learn a little about their home countries. Some of us found it a bit difficult to comprehend what it might be like to experience snow for much of the year!
Sadly our Canteen Manager Miss Hellen is retiring. I would like to thank Hellen for all her work; your efforts have made our recess and lunch breaks delicious. An advertisement for her position can be found in this newsletter - if you know someone who might be interested, please encourage them to contact us.
Further works are scheduled for the Kindy/Pre-Primary playground with the new shade sail set to be installed later this week - everyone is looking forward to having additional shade to play in.
Thank you to those who have updated their contact details, this is greatly appreciated. If your phone number has changed or you have moved house or you have a new email address, please let us know so that we can update your details.
Thank you to those who have returned swimming permission notes. This helps us with planning for the swimming program.
An updated calendar is attached to this newsletter with various activities for this term. Please add these to your personal calendar so that you can join us for various celebrations.
Go well this week
Miss Therese
Principal
Pre-Primary News
Last week we were visited by Jasper the Therapy Dog and his handler Mark. Evidence shows that just being near a dog when stressed can reduce anxiety. In a survey conducted by Dogs Connect, 92% of students said they felt more relaxed during teaching and learning time when there was a dog in the classroom. We all know that when children are more relaxed and less stressed, they’re going to learn more.
Having a school dog can also help with:
School attendance
Students experience a greater willingness to be active in the school environment when there is a school dog. Schools who have used therapy dogs said their attendance rates improved, as children looked forward to seeing the dog and interacting with them.
Communication
A dog in school gives students a shared interest with other members of the school community. This helps them interact and build connections that they may have struggled to do otherwise. Wellbeing dogs can even be used with literacy programs as children may be less self-conscious reading to dogs than teachers or their peers.
Leadership
A school dog can give students a sense of responsibility. They learn how to take care of the dog and how to delegate care which can help develop their leadership skills.
Behaviour
Students can see the impact of their actions on their wellbeing dog. This helps them understand how their behaviour impacts people around them. As a result, children learn to be more empathetic and understanding.
Students dealing with trauma
Therapy dog programs can be designed for schools in areas where natural disasters such as fire have brought devastation to the community. They can bring connectedness and offer ways to manage trauma and anxiety in conjunction with existing strategies and community links.
Also last week we did some healthy cooking. We made mince and spaghetti with vegetables, which the covers the curriculum strand Contributing to Healthy and Active Communties. This unit includes teaching about actions that promote health, safety and wellbeing, such as eating healthy food, practising appropriate personal hygiene routines, identifying household substances that can be dangerous, and following safety symbols and procedures.
We made sure to wash our hands following the hand washing procedure, we were careful to prepare our healthy vegetables and carefully mixed the mince. We are wonderful cooks!
Miss Sarah
Pre-Primary Teacher
Christmas Hampers for Needy Families
We are seeking donations of NON-perishable foods, household items, cleaning products, toiletries, toys, etc for Christmas hampers. These will be distributed to families in need at the end of the term.
A trolley will be left in the reception area for donations.
We appreciate your support.
Sr Julianne
Get Vaccinated!
Community Health offers free vaccines for:
- COVID-19 Boosters
- Japanese Encephalitis - Residents of Kununurra & Wyndham only
- Influenza - all children 6 months - 12 years; all Aboriginal people 6 months or older; all people with a chronic disease; all people 65 years and older.
Call Kununurra Community Health on 9166 4321
Moving House?
If you're leaving Kununurra at the end of this year, please let us know. It will help with our classroom planning for 2024.
Sport News
Our cricket skills continue to improve as we begin to focus on bowling and batting whilst also working on our throwing, running and catching to help us field.
Miss Marion Roberts
Specialist Teacher
Science News
This week's Year 2 Science lesson focussed on investigating what happens when we combine natural ingredients. In this case, we mixed together water, cream salt, sugar and cocoa and made a kind of ice cream! We had to do lots of shaking after predicting what would happen.
We also continue to learn about Earth's resources and how we can use them wisely.
Miss Marion Roberts
Specialist Teacher
Year 5/6 News
On Tuesday morning the Year 6 students visited Neighbourhood House to support the Annual WA Telethon charity appeal for the Perth Children's Hospital. They assisted with setting up, engaging children, selling items and serving cakes - always with a smile on their face. They represented the school beautifully. Brilliant job Year 6 students!
Miss Silvia
Year 5/6 teacher
SACRAMENTS and other matters
As in previous years, all classes will learn about Sacraments and rites of initiation in their Religious Education programs. For students of the Catholic faith, there will also be an opportunity to receive these Sacraments at St Vincent Palloti Catholic Church.
Baptism
Please contact Sr Julianne at school, or Fr Vinu (0475 846 331), at any time, to collect a “Request for Baptism” form. Baptism can occur during the week, or Saturdays/Sundays.
Other Matters
Mass is held each weekend, at St Vincent Pallotti Church on Saturdays at 5.30pm and Sundays at 8.30am. Weekday masses are held from Tuesday to Friday at 5.30pm. On Sundays, we have Children’s Liturgy during mass.
Fr Vinu is available for Reconciliation on any day, usually from about an hour before mass.
Juniper Visits
Visits to the Juniper Aged Care Facility continue to be a highlight, especially in light of the NAIDOC theme this year being "For Our Elders". We have a wonderful two-way learning between ourselves and our Juniper friends.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Sr Julianne or Miss Marion Roberts, through the school office, at any time if have queries or questions about our Religious Education program.
Sr Julianne
POSITION VACANT
Canteen Manager
We are seeking a Canteen Manager to join our school team at St Joseph’s School. The Canteen creates and serves delicious and nutritious recess/lunch for the school staff and students to enjoy every day.
The details
· Hours 30 hours per week (school holidays off).
· Hours of work are 7am – 1pm (weekdays – no weekends, 6 hrs per day).
· On-the-job training and support.
· Managing the day-to-day operations of the site.
· Organising and managing the daily orders, counter service and catering requests.
· Ensure food safety compliance is maintained.
· Knowledge and understanding of special diets and allergies.
Skills preferred
· Previous experience in a school canteen.
· Front-of-house focused.
· Cash handling experience.
· Great communication skills and ability to show initiative.
· Driver’s licence or willing to work towards.
Duties
· Managing the day-to-day operations of the site.
· Organising and managing the daily online pre-orders, counter service and catering requests.
· Ensure food safety compliance is maintained.
Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.
The successful applicant will have undertaken Food Safety Supervisor and Food Handling training or be willing to work towards.
Applicants must submit a CV, including the names and contact numbers of two referees, one of whom must be a current or recent employer.
On appointment successful applicants will require a WWC Check and current Department of Education (WA) Nationally Coordinated Criminal
History Check prior to commencing work.
As a diverse and inclusive workplace, we strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians.
All applications should be addressed to the Principal, Therese Clancy, at:
St Joseph’s School
PO Box 262
Kununurra WA 6743
Applications close 30th October 2023
The position may close early should a successful candidate be placed.
Canteen Volunteers
We are looking for parent helpers to assist in the Canteen. Even if you have just an hour to spare, it would be very welcome. Please drop by the office and let us know.
(You won't need a Working With Children Check if your child is enrolled at St Joseph's)
Send Your Kids to School
Send your kids to school - it is the best possible way they can get a good education.
If your child misses one 1 day per week of school,
by the time they are in Yr 4 they will have missed 1 whole year of school.
Already they will by 1 year behind expected learning!
It may take some tough love, but it is worth the effort to make your child go to school every day.
Set a good routine from Kindy, don't let them miss a day.
It will give them the best start in life.
Containers for Change
Thank you to those generous families who have donated their recycling money to our school through Containers for Change!
School Recycling Bags
CHECK FOR THE 10¢ MARK
We've ended up with a lot of non-recyclable containers in our school recycling bags.
Which means we have to sort through the bags to remove them.
It's easy to save your 10¢ containers from landfill so they can live another life — just check for the 10¢ mark!
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard drink containers that are 150ml to 3L are accepted.
This includes:
- Most single-serve water and fizzy drink containers up to and including 3L.
- Most single-serve alcohol containers, like beer bottles and pre-mixed spirits.
- Flavoured milk containers that are 150ml to 999ml.
- Coconut water, pure fruit, or vegetable juice containers that are 150ml to 999ml.
~ Make sure you take off the lids ~
~ Bring the lids into the school office and we'll recycle them separately ~
Items that we don't accept include:
- Glass bottles or jars of any sort - too many get broken when dropped into the recycling bag
- Plastic milk bottles
- Unflavoured, plain milk cartons
- Cordial bottles
- Non-food plastic containers (eg laundry detergent)
- Steel food cans
Olivia and Grace’s farm fresh
free range eggs
~ $8 a carton ~
Call or text
Mary (Mum) on 0428 524 611
Canteen Menu Term 4
School Bus Pick-ups and Drop-offs
For the safety of our children, we would like to remind parents that children catching our white Coaster school bus will be dropped off in the afternoon ONLY at the address from which they are picked up in the morning.
Attempts to accommodate parents who ring during the day asking that their children be dropped off elsewhere have resulted in an number of confusing situations, whereby children have ended up going home to an empty house or to a house where they are not expected.
Children who live in Lakeside or out of town may not catch our bus home to a different address.
Your child can only be dropped off at a different address if it is an emergency situation (eg you have an emergency visit to the hospital and an arrangement has been made for your child to be cared for by another family member or friend).
Many thanks for your cooperation.
St Joseph's School Calendar Term 4 2023
School Bus Contact Details
The School Bus Contractors are Dylon and Chelsea Lodge.
Chelsea: 0450 250 691
Dylon: 0415 945 330
Please note that cash payments for Book Club are no longer accepted at St Joseph's. All orders should be placed through Book Club Loop.
See: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/
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.
Reminders
Term Dates 2023
Term Dates 2023
Term 1: Wednesday 1 February - Thursday 6 April
Term 2: Tuesday 26 April - Friday 30 June
Term 3: Tuesday 18 July - Friday 22 September
Term 4: Monday 9 October - Friday 8 December
Public Holidays During Term Time 2023
Monday 6 March: Labour Day
Friday 7 April - Good Friday
Tuesday 25 April: ANZAC Day
Monday 5 June: Western Australia Day
Pupil Free Days 2023
Monday, 24 April
Thursday & Friday, 1 & 2 June
Monday, 17 July
Monday, 4th September (Catholic Day)
Assemblies
Our assemblies are every second Friday afternoon at 1.10pm.
Week 2: 28 July - Year 3
Week 4: 11 August - Year 2
Week 6: 25 August - Year 1
Week 8: 8 September - PP
Week 10: 22 September - Kindy
Kindy Days
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
7.50am - 2.00pm
Description Title
We are ready to collect your recyclable containers. Our drop off point is located in the staff carpark, just inside the fence. Money earned goes towards Mini Vinnies.
If you change your phone number, please tell us. We many need to contact you if your child is sick or doesn’t get picked up after school.
Most school age children are eligible for free dental care in Kununurra School Dental Clinic.
Primary School children become eligible to attend the School Dental Service in the year they turn 5.
High School children are eligible to attend the School Dental Service until they complete Year 11 or the day they turn 17 (whichever occurs first).
If you changed your address or phone numbers, please advise dental clinic staff. Missed appointments may result in suspension from the School Dental Service.
We are located on the hospital grounds in the Dental Health Building, 69 Coolibah Drive and are open Monday to Friday 7:30 to 3:30.
Please feel free to call us on 0419 939 179 or email: kununurramobile@dental.health.wa.gov.au to organise an appointment.
