Term 4, Week 6
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
This week we have been busy in class working on various units of work, completing assessment pieces and enjoying new learning opportunities.
Congratulations to our Year 5/6 children who led the Remembrance Day service last Friday morning; by all accounts, it was respectful and thoughtful - a wonderful way to remember the efforts and sacrifices made during WWI over 100 years ago.
Last week I travelled to Broome for Principal's meetings and we have begun the process of planning for 2024. More information about term dates, etc will be coming over the next few weeks.
Work is also underway to finalise class teachers and assistants for next year and information will be shared with you in due course. There is always a sense of nervousness as we come to the end of the year and begin to turn our thoughts towards the new year - it's good to remember that there will be many new opportunities for all once 2024 gets underway.
Thank you to those families who have advised us that they are leaving Kununurra; this is useful for our planning for 2024. If you wish to enrol students for 2024, please be aware that some classes currently have maximum numbers and that your child may have to go on a waiting list.
Teachers are presently writing end of year reports for your children, which are due to be distributed at the start of Week 9. Everyone learns at different rates and remember "C is for celebrate". If your child is at level C then she or he is on track with their learning and progressing well. It is also important to think about the approach that your child is taking to their learning - are they always giving learning their best shot, or do they have a closed mindset of "I can't do this, it is too hard"? Learning new things is tricky and takes lots of energy and concentration. It is uplifting to see that many of our children are inquisitive and keen to learn new skills and build their knowledge. Well done to those students who are taking on this challenge and making progress in their learning.
We are currently preparing for our next Mini Vinnies fundraiser on Monday - a coin line. Each 1m of coins will earn the class 5 minutes of water play thanks to the Kununurra Fire Brigade. So, please bring in your coins - small denominations will be very helpful. Remember that what may seem like small change to us, can be a huge help to someone in need.
We are collecting non-perishable goods for our Christmas Hampers for those in need. All donations of non-perishable foods will be greatly appreciated. The Mini Vinnies team is working hard in this space and are to be congratulated for their efforts!
If your child has a cough/cold, stomach upset, boils 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. Thank you to those families who are keeping us informed about their children's health.
A reminder to keep up to date with your immunisations, including those for covid and flu. You can get them at Community Health or the pharmacy.
We are now more settled in our routines for recess and lunch. There are a variety of seated games available in the Library for those who want to spend their breaks in a cooler space. Please check in with your children to ensure that they have a hat and thank you to everyone who is wearing theirs outdoors.
Thank you for your support in terms of the current restricted operations of our canteen. While this is not ideal, to date we have not received any applications for a Canteen Manager, so the class-based menu and reduced service will continue. An advertisement for a Canteen Manager is attached to this newsletter - if you know someone who might be interested in this position, please encourage them to contact us. We are open to different options, such as job sharing, as a way to keep this service running.
Each class is busily preparing for our Carols Night and it is great to see the effort that the children are putting into their item for the evening.
Keep the following dates in mind as the busy season approaches:
- Carols and Awards Night - 5:00pm, Thursday November 30.
- End of Year Mass and Year 6 Graduation - 8:15am, Tuesday December 5.
The P & F are busy organising the School Disco for tomorrow evening - we look forward to seeing everyone dance up a storm! Thank you to everyone involved behind the scenes to make this event a success for our children.
Go well this week.
Miss Therese
Principal
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
Strong Kids Say "No" to Energy Drinks
Energy drinks like V, Mother, Red Bull, Prime and Bang are bad for your health and children should not bring them to school.
Telethon Kids Institute researchers found in 2018 that more than half of young people who consumed energy drinks suffered negative health effects.
Of 3,688 high school students who had tried an energy drink, 55.4% reported they had experienced adverse outcomes – some serious enough to require medical assistance:
- 24.6% had heart palpitations
- 24.5% had trouble sleeping
- 24.3% had headaches
- 24% had upset stomachs
Energy drinks have been connected to cardiovascular and neurological issues such as seizures, psychosis and cardiac arrest. There is also evidence linking energy drink consumption in children and young people to substance use and a range of behavioural problems.
In addition to the caffeine and other stimulants they contain, energy drinks are often full of sugar and salt, both of which are damaging to the health of our children.
Please don't let your child bring energy drinks to school.
Encourage them to drink water -
it's free, it's safe and it keeps them healthy and ready to learn!
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.
Kindy News
The Kindy class have been busy exploring minibeasts in may exciting and creative play-based ways and have created a beautiful display for the classroom. The children went on a bug hunt and discovered lots of different minibeasts including ants, spiders, butterflies, and moths in the playground. They tried hard to catch butterflies in nets, but they were too fast!
We used magnifying glasses and bug houses to take a closer look at how God made all the different minibeasts. The children discovered what food different minibeasts eat and where they live, and learned about minibeast lifecycles.
Stepping Stones Pre-Kindy visited us recently and all the children enjoyed a range of indoor and outdoor activities. Everyone had fun playing with new friends.
The Kindy children enjoyed swimming lessons a couple of weeks ago and made a big splash in the pool!
The Juniper residents’ faces lit up when the Kindy students came for a visit. The children sang for the residents and then did some colouring in with them. It was a wonderful experience for everyone!
Miss Deb
Kindy Teacher
Year 5/6 News
It’s hard to believe that the end of year is drawing so near. So far, our Year 5/6 have accomplished much in Term 4. It started with busily practising for the first school assembly item of the term, and what a superb and comical performance that was! I hope you all had a few good laughs. We have also relished the opportunity of testing our skills in swimming lessons, as well as an inter-school indoor soccer match. Well done Year 5/6 on your wonderful sportsmanship and efforts.
Recently, we made some creative vanilla cookies, iced them with bright colours and of course devoured them immediately! At present we are making Christmas cards and special gifts for the Juniper Aged Care residents and practising for the Christmas Carol evening on Thursday, 30th November. Please come along to enjoy the Christmas spirit and to farewell our lovely Year 6 students who will soon embark on a new chapter in their lives!
Mrs Morgan
Year 5/6 Teacher Assistant
Remembrance Day Ceremony
Music News
Students have been learning about instrument families and focussing on orchestral instruments. Recently, they worked in small groups to create some music to tell the story of a butterfly's life cycle. Prior to presenting their piece they watched an orchestra playing Smetana’s ‘The Moldau’, which evokes the flow of a river.
Some great musical pieces created! Students experimented with different instruments as well as a variety of rhythms, tempos, dynamics and pitches to explain parts of the butterfly life cycle. They then compiled their musical creations and acted as an orchestra as they took it in turns to demonstrate their skills.
Miss Roberts
Specialist 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.
Special Dates
Coin Line Monday 20th November
Each year in Term 4 we create a Coin Line to raise money for Mini Vinnies. The money goes towards helping families in need with food, clothing and other essentials throughout the year and particularly at Christmas. As a reward, the children get to have 5 minutes of water play for every metre of coin their class makes!
We are grateful to the Fire Brigade for agreeing yet again to bring their fire truck onto the school oval to provide the water spray for the event. The date will be announced once the availability of the fire brigade volunteers is determined. So start collecting those coins now, do some extra chores for donations, and check down the side of grandma’s sofa for more coins!
Please send your child to school with some clothes they can get wet in!
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
Alls Souls Day artwork...paper flowers inscribed with the names of our loved ones who have passed away.
POSITION VACANT
family liaison officer
ABORIGINAL FAMILIES AS FIRST EDUCATORS PROGRAM
Position details:
St Joseph’s School seeks an enthusiastic Playgroup Support Worker to work in our Aboriginal Families as First Educators (AFaFE) Playgroup. This role will support the playgroup facilitator to develop and deliver a range of culturally appropriate early learning programs for Aboriginal children (birth to 4 years) and to liaise with families, community members and agencies to engage them in the program.
SELECTION CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL:
o Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education.
o Ability to build rapport, confidence and credibility with Aboriginal families and communities.
o Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with parents, teachers and external agencies on the provision of the AFAFE program.
o Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team in the evaluation of the AFAFE program.
o Good organisational skills that will assist in the delivery and development of the AFAFE program.
o Able to work as part of a team, or independently and have good time management skills.
o Understanding of the needs of young children and their families.
o Current WA driver’s licence.
o Certificate in Education Support or working towards
o Aboriginality is essential for this position, under Section 50D of the Equal Opportunity Act
Be aware:
o The successful applicant will be required to work towards and obtain Accreditation to Work in Catholic Education (Schools).
o Training in the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a) will be provided to the successful applicant.
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) National Police Clearance prior to commencing work. 
All applications should be addressed to the Principal, Therese Clancy, at:
St Joseph’s School
PO Box 262
Kununurra WA 6743
Applications close 15th November 2023
(St Joseph's School reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the close of submissions.)
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
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.
