Term 4, Week 8
Christmas Concert
Thursday, 30 November
Doors open at 4.50pm for a 5pm start
Kununurra Leisure Centre
Principal's Piece
Dear Parents and Carers
This week, we have been busy in class preparing for the Carols event tomorrow, as well as continuing with regular class activities. It is great to see the effort that the children are putting into preparing their item for the evening. Our Carols and Awards Night will be at the Leisure Centre commencing at 5:00pm on Thursday.
Yesterday we hosted Mr Barry Ennis, our incoming principal for 2024. Mr Barry spent time with staff and students, sharing that he is looking forward to living and working in the East Kimberley in 2024 (although I'm not so sure about his favourite football team - even if they are the 2023 premiers...). It was terrific to share our successes in 2023 with him and undertake planning for 2024. Welcome Mr. Barry!
Thank you to those families who have paid their school fees. If you have not already done so, please finalise your family's fees as soon as possible as they were due for payment by the 22nd September. If you are having difficulty paying your fees, please don't hesitate to approach us to discuss your options, which include setting up a payment plan.
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.
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.
We are coming to that time of the year where we hold the Annual General Meeting for both the School Advisory Committee and the Parents and Friends Association. I encourage all members of our community to come along and participate in these meetings. Our P & F do an amazing job raising funds to support our school, while the School Advisory Committee provide support in the areas around school governance.
- The AGM for the P & F committee is set down for Monday February 5 at 2:15pm in the School Library. All positions are declared vacant and a new committee is elected.
- The AGM for the School Advisory Committee is on Monday February 12 at 4:00pm in the School Library. There are two vacancies for the school committee.
Nomination forms can be emailed to you or collected from the front office.
You might find the following link to the Catholic School Parents WA association a useful resource:
https://cspwa.schoolzineplus.com/news?nid=49. CSPWA is the umbrella organisation for our P&F.
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. See below for further information about forthcoming reports.
We are still collecting non-perishable goods for our Christmas Hampers for those in need. All donations of non-perishable foods will be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed. Our Mini Vinnies team are on track to putting together useful hampers for those families needing a little help. Remember what may seem like a small thing to us - can be a huge help to someone in need.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the Carols and Awards Night - 5:00pm, Thursday November 30. Don't forget our End of Year Mass and Year 6 Graduation - 8:15am, Tuesday December 5.
Go well this week.
Miss Therese
Principal
Changes to School Reports
There have been some small shifts in the way school reports are presented that will continue on into 2024. Over the last 10 years reporting for schools has changed with the times to reflect the current population. After the last review by the WA School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), a few suggested revisions were made about reporting, the most significant concerning the writing of comments for individual subjects. Hereon in, students will receive a grade for each subject and an overall general statement of achievement, but no individual comments for each subject. We have included some information about English and Maths in the general comment to assist parents with information on the main subject areas. Being a Catholic school, we also regard religious education as the first subject and have provided some general statements of what has been covered throughout the year. Individual Education Plans will still include comments because students on IEPs do not receive a grade. The situation for Kindy students remain unchanged with a portfolio of work being sent home at the completion of the year. Pre-Primary students will have only a slight change to their reports; they still won't receive a grade, but will be assessed against a new set of criteria (Excellent, High, Satisfactory, Limited and Very Low).
St Joseph's staff have had significant discussion around this change and have decided that written report comments do not sufficiently convey the various aspects of a student’s learning journey and that the Parent-Teacher Interview is a much more effective way to find out about your child's progress. I know that this will be a shift for some people, but we are confident this is a much better way for parents and teachers to communicate and discuss student progress.
Outlined below is some information to assist with better understanding the new grading process for Years 1-6:
Achievement standard
A: Excellent
B: High
C: Satisfactory
D: Limited
E: Very low
Children receive an overall grade (A to E) for their achievement in each learning area. In some learning areas they may also receive a grade for the learning area components assessed.
The achievement standard describes an expected level that the majority of students have achieved by the end of a given year of schooling.
- Meeting the achievement standard at a satisfactory level is described by a C grade. This means that any student who demonstrates the understanding and application of the required level of curriculum for any year level will receive a C grade.
- If students can demonstrate that they know more and can extend beyond their given year's curriculum content, they will receive a B or A grade. Students will need to demonstrate consistently that they understand and can apply knowledge above their year level to receive B and A grades.
These grades are worked out through key documents from SCAA that have work examples, rubrics and guides. The mid-year grade is the calculated decision measured against the Australian Standards and the end of year grade is a cumulative grade for the the entire year.
More time will be allocated in 2024 to Parent-Teacher Interviews so that student progress can be discussed in fine detail.
If you have any further questions about these changes to our reporting, please contact the school and ask to speak to Mr Shaun Joseph.
Shaun Joseph and Therese Clancy
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
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
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The Season of Advent
During four weeks in December, most churches will celebrate Advent, a season of expectation of the arrival of Christ, by lighting four candles. The candles, held in a wreath, are lit once a week and represent the following:
- Week 1 - Hope
- Week 2 - Peace
- Week 3 - Joy
- Week 4 - Love
At St Joseph's we started the Advent season early so that we can complete the Advent cycle before school breaks up. We are currently in Week 3 - joy; this candle represent the joy with which we are filled with for the forthcoming arrival of Jesus on Christmas day.
Christmas Masses and Other Important Dates
3rd December - 1st Sunday Advent
10th December - 2nd Sunday Advent
17th December - 3rd Sunday Advent
24th December - 4th Sunday Advent
22nd December - Christmas Mass at Warmun
24th December - Christmas Mass Wyndham
25th December - Christmas Mass Kununurra, 8.30am
26th December - 2nd February - Fr Vinu will be on leave - no Mass
21st January - Communion Service
28th January - Communion Service
4th February - Commisioning Mass for St Joseph's School Staff
~ Fr Vinu is available for Reconciliation from 5.00pm for Tuesday - Saturday Masses (5.30pm)
and at 8am for Sunday Mass (8.30am) ~
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.
Olivia and Grace’s
- farm fresh free range eggs
~ $8 a carton ~
- laying hens (9 months old, lay daily)
~ $20 each ~
Call or text
Mary (Mum) on 0428 524 611
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 30th 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 November 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
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.
