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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 1, Week 7!
It’s lovely to be able to celebrate in our church again. So far we have had the opportunities to gather as a community for our Opening School Liturgy, Ash Wednesday and next week will be St Joseph’s Day Liturgy.
Ash Wednesday
Last week at our Ash Wednesday liturgy I smiled on the other side of my face mask at a Kindergarten child and she smiled back. I asked her, “How did you know I was smiling at you?” She replied, “I saw your eyes smiling!” Our children have been so resilient and patient throughout the pandemic and have had to live, as do we, with face masks and other COVID measures to keep us safe. I am hoping and praying that we don’t have to continue doing this for much longer. Presently in primary schools, teachers are permitted to take their masks off when teaching which is a great step forward for all involved. I have let our staff know that they are welcome to wear their masks if they feel the need. I would, however, strongly recommend any visitors onsite to wear masks for their safety and ours please, just for a short time longer. Thank you for your cooperation and thank you for your support throughout the pandemic.
Here are some lovely photos of our church celebrations –
Opening School liturgy:
Ash Wednesday:
Shrove Tuesday (pancake day):
Pancake day was celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday with literally hundreds of pancakes, thanks to Miss James and the Mini Vinnies student leadership team!
Wednesday Weekly awards:
Awards are back in our school hall! Our leaders are doing a great job leading our assemblies, well done!
Student Awards - congratulations!
Baby News
Congratulations to the Jayme Family (Ghinn Yr 3, Ghian Yr 6) on the safe arrival of their new baby brother Ghynnro!
St Joseph’s Feast Day
St Joseph's Feast Day is Saturday, 19th March. However, we are celebrating the occasion on Wednesday, 16th March. It will be an out of uniform day with special pizza lunch (please pre-order on Qkr!)
If you have St Joseph’s colours (sky blue and maroon) you are welcome to wear these, if not please wear comfortable clothes with closed in shoes and don’t forget your hat! We will have normal learning lessons in the morning and rotational games after recess.
Wed 16th March - 11:45 am Liturgy in the church
We will be in the church at 11.45am for our St Joseph’s Day Liturgy (all parents and carers are welcome to join us). We will be announcing the winners of the St Joseph’s Day Art Competition after our Liturgy.
Pizza Meal Deal
On this day (Wed 16 March) we are offering a meal deal which you are able to order and pay for on QKR. If any parents and carers would like to stay for lunch with their child, you are more than welcome – you might like some pizza too!
P and F Association
I would like to welcome the new Executive members of our P and F Association who have "hit the ground running" with a wonderful Welcome BBQ happening next Thursday. The new Executive is:
President – Cheryl Henriques
Vice President – Sarah Eldridge
Secretary – Emma Douglas
Treasurer – Sarah Morris
My heartfelt thanks to our outgoing executive, Joseph Lorriman (President) Angela Schmidt (Treasurer) and Hannah Stark (Committee Member) for their valued support of the school in the past year. Please see P and F News later in the newsletter for the exciting events coming up.
Easter Egg Donations
Our Easter Egg raffle is normally a huge event with the help of very generous mums and dads who volunteer to wrap our raffle prizes!
We are having an out of uniform day on Thursday 24th March and inviting children to bring in an Easter egg or bag of eggs or chocolate for our raffle on 7th April.
“Wrapping“ day will be on Thursday, 31st March at school. ALL PARENTS / CARERS WELCOME, many hands make light work – come and have a coffee with your fellow volunteers from our new coffee machine!
Easter Egg Raffle and Easter Hat Parade - 7th April
Our Easter egg raffle will be drawn on the same day as our Easter Hat parade on Thursday 7th April. The parade will be through the grounds of our school outside if weather permits at 1.15pm followed by the raffle. Parents and carers are welcome to attend. Your child is requested to make their hat at home and bring to school on the morning of 7th April.
New Bus Route 9 update
Our new bus route, “Bus 9” is proving a success for families living in the Speers Point, Teralba, Billy’s Lookout and also using the stop at St Paul’s, Booragul. We have now upsized to this bus so we can also cater for St Paul’s students needing this service. The front of the bus should have “St Joseph’s/ St Paul’s” displayed. We greatly appreciate the free travel the Catholic Schools Office has provided.
Enrolment Information Evening
We are holding a New Enrolments K-6 Information evening on Wednesday, 23 March from 5pm-6.30pm. Our staff will set up information tables in our hall and some of our staff and student leaders will be available for school tours. If you know of any families interested in enrolling their children at SJKB, please let them know the date and time of our Information evening!
School Fees
School Fee Statements were emailed to the feepayer nominated on your enrolment form last Thursday 3 March. If you have not received your Statement, please send an email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au or call our school office between 8:30 am and 3:00pm to discuss. If you are experiencing genuine hardship in relation to payment of your fees, please call the school office to make an appointment to see me.
Please note that as we have moved to the new system fully, it only allows for one lump sum "Resource Fee" to be shown, which is the sum of the General Service Fee and Technology Fee I previously explained in my letter sent out in February and posted on Compass by Margaret Livingstone (still visible in the news feed). If you need further information, please contact the school office.
BPay is the preferred method of payment of your fees. See the sample below showing the highlighted payment reference number area on your Statement. Please use this unique reference when paying by BPay and the payment will show in your account within two business days. You can also make payments over the phone with credit card or by cash or card at the school office or direct debit setup is available, simply email the school office to request an application form:
Prayers
Harmony Day
Please have a read about our St Joseph's Harmony Day organisation. Here is a link for you to complete if you are able to participate:
https://forms.office.com/r/kX8awuvAah
Harmony Day
Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. In schools, we celebrate inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional owners of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. Harmony Day occurs on 21 March each year and coincides with the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The ongoing theme of Harmony Day is ‘Everyone Belongs’. It is a day of cultural respect for all. By participating in Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians equally belong to this nation and enrich it. This year, we will be celebrating Harmony Day on Wednesday 30 March. Students will be able to wear cultural costumes OR orange clothing which is the colour associated with Harmony Day. Sushi will be available as a meal deal from the canteen. There will also be class activities including a class photo booth where students can display international greeting signs.
Thank you to Mrs Dionne Mitchell, EALD Teacher for organising Harmony Day!
Compass Communication
Thank you for checking your Compass calendars and news feeds each week for communications from myself or our staff. The more informed you are, the better organised we can be to help your children. System maintenance was conducted last night. However, some parents have reported issues continuing with Compasspay and login to the Compass App on their phones. If this is your experience, please contact the school for help. Send an email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au or call 4959 1355 (8:30 am - 3:00pm).
Attendance
I would like to clarify the requirements of your child's attendance under current NSW legislation and consequent Catholic Schools Office Policy:
Full Day Absences—Less than 10 days
How to inform the school: Please advise your child’s absence before 9:30 am (or earlier if possible) by one of the following methods:
- Use your unique login on Compass App to add an attendance note FOR FULL DAY ABSENCES ONLY. See below for Partial Day Absences.
- Email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au – please state your child’s name, class and reason.
- Phone the school (before 9:30 am) on 4959 1355.
- Write a note and send to your child’s class teacher the day before or earlier if the absence is known in advance.
Partial Absences (Arrive Late or Leave Early)
If you arrive after 8:50am or before 2:50 pm you must attend the school office to sign your child in or out on the Compass terminal in the foyer. Please do not add an attendance note in Compass for partial absences e.g. if you are going to be late as the system creates an error if you attempt to do this.
Signing your child in and out is required by law. Please ring ahead if you need to collect children early, to save you wait time when you arrive.
Longer Absences (over 10 days)
The basic premise regarding school attendance is that “It's not ok to be
away.” Please endeavour to schedule family holidays during school holiday periods.
However, if you must to take leave during school terms for more than 10 days, parents are to required to complete an Application for Extended Leave Form available from the office. These days of leave will appear as absences in school documentation and reports. They will be recorded as per your explanation, for example, family holiday, business or bereavement but they will still count as absences. The only exceptions to this new rule are leave for Elite Sports and Arts.
Thank you for recognising the importance of your child's education, which is best served by full attendance at school, particularly after the disruptions of the last two years.
Important Dates
This term is an 11 week term. Our last day is Friday 8 April.
Our first day in Term 2 is Tuesday, 26 April after ANZAC day.
We do have a pupil free day this term on Friday 25 March.
St Nicholas OOSH is available for any families needing their services on 25th March.
More information on St Nicholas OOSH can be found in this newsletter.
School Cross Country is on Monday 28th March - more detail to come.
God Bless,
Charlene Reid
Principal
Welcome to week 7!
PBL
Our school is a Positive Behaviour for Learning School. The PBL framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes for children and young people.
When PBL is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:
• reduced problem behaviour
• increased time focused on instruction
• improved social-emotional wellbeing
• positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
• support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
• a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time.
Our school makes sure that all students are explicitly taught the expected behaviours and establish clear and consistent boundaries. Staff take a proactive, preventative approach to ensure all students receive the appropriate level of support to help them to be successful at school. Student outcomes are monitored so identified students can receive additional support when needed, and children who consistently follow the PBL are awarded gotchas.
This week’s PBL is ‘I show determination and perseverance’ which promotes being an excellent learner. All classes engage with lessons that help children understand these important qualities.
PASTORAL CARE AND DISCIPLINE AT SJKB
The values of respect, responsibility and honesty are intrinsic to SJKB, and will become character traits that defines your child's time here.
SJKB School Rules
1. Strive high
2. Make Jesus Real
3. Keep our environment clean and tidy
4. Be an excellent learner
Our pastoral care and disciple procedures and policy outline the preventative and support measures as well as the restorative and response measure in place to ensure all our students are aware of our behavioural expectations.
St Joseph’s Kilaben Bay Primary School
PBL GOTCHAS:
Class teachers, Librarian, Learning support, School Assistants and volunteers provide acknowledgement of positive behaviours in the form of Gotchas when meeting the expectations both within the classroom and on the playground. These are tallied and milestones celebrated.
We manage inappropriate behaviours by using restorative justice practices. This is termed the Reflection Room. During this time the Leadership Team member and student will engage in a Restorative Justice discussion around the unacceptable behaviours, possible alternative ways of responding and the impact the behaviour has had on the students and others. Parents will be notified if this happens.
If you wish to be provided with a full copy of this policy, please send me an email and this can be arranged. courtney.porter@mn.catholic.edu.au
GYMNASTICS
This term the children are participating in gymnastics program every Tuesday as part of sport. The coaches come fully equipped and experienced and are offering an excellent program. The children are developing many of the fundamental movement skills and are participating enthusiastically.
Thank you,
Mrs Courtney Porter
Assistant Principal
We have begun another great year of reading, researching and exploring some fantastic technology. Students have been learning about Cybersafety and how to stay safe on the Internet.
St Joseph’s has a wonderful collection of books that we encourage all students to borrow. They are currently enjoying our collection of Star Wars books, as well as our Graphic novels.
St Joseph’s has a wonderful collection of books that we encourage all students to borrow. They are currently enjoying our collection of Star Wars books, as well as our Graphic novels display.
All students need a library bag to borrow from our Library. This helps protect our lovely books.
School Library bags are available for $14 for anyone who needs one. Kinder students do not have to buy a bag, as the school will provide them one. Please pay on Qkr! and the bag will be delivered to your child.
This year class borrowing days are:
Monday: Year 1, 2 Blue, 3 Maroon, 4 Maroon and 3/4 Blue,
Tuesday: Kinder, and 5/6 classes
Kinder began borrowing this week 5.
We encourage all students to borrow from our library, as we have an amazing collection of fabulous books.
Premier's Reading challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) began on February 28th.
I am delighted with the response of our wonderful readers at St Joey’s!
We have had 100 students express an interest and receive their passwords. Well done!
New student passwords always take a little longer, so Kinder students and students that have come from another school may not have received theirs yet. I will get them to you as soon as they arrive.
The PRC is an initiative by the NSW Government that encourages a love of reading in students from Kinder to Year 9. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read widely and enjoy reading. The challenge continues until 19th August, so students have 6 months to complete it. Students who complete the challenge will have their names displayed in the library and the newsletter. They will receive a certificate to show their achievement. At St Joey’s we like to celebrate with a Pizza Party in term 4.
A note was sent home last week with information for any student who would like to participate. If your child has entered the PRC in previous years their username and password will be the same.
The PRC Website can be found here:
This week during Library lessons, students will be shown how to access the PRC website, Login and add books
Sora
St Joseph’s has a subscription to SORA. Sora is an eBook and audio book Library. As part of the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN) member collection, your child can access eBooks and audio books through the Maitland Newcastle Diocese.All you need to do is to download the SORA app or go to the website and sign in through the ACEN membership, then you and your child can enjoy some terrific books on your devices at home.
One of the great features of SORA is the inclusion of a Premier Reading Challenge book section. Graphic novels, Fiction and Non-Fiction books are also available.
Log in and explore today.
Scholastic Book Club
At St Joseph’s we participate in Scholastic Book Club. This provides families with an easy way to encourage your children to read. Twice each term students will bring home a catalogue of affordable and fun books that you may purchase. All money spent through Book Club benefits the school, as a percentage of money raised is given back to the school as reward points for the Library to purchase fantastic resources.
Happy reading,
Leah Hannan
leah.hannan@mn.catholic.edu.au
Learning Support and Gifted News
Learning Support
Thanks to the parents and carers who were able to attend the recent Personalised Planning meetings. I'll endeavor to send the plans out this week. There are still some families we need to meet with and I will organise that this week as well.
Our two lovely Learning Support Assistants, Vanessa and Paulla, attended training last week with the new Minilit Sage program. The program is aimed at students in Years 1 and 2 who, after at least 12 months of schooling, require further support and intervention. Minilit also works extremely well with the whole class literacy program Initial lit (K- 2) which incorporates all aspects based on the Science of Reading and how students learn to read and read to learn.
Attached in the newsletter is further information about the program.
Gifted Education News
As part of our Gifted Education program, all students in Year 1 will soon be sitting a COGAT (a cognitive abilities) assessment. This is a multiple-choice assessment that measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school. It is a natural abilities test and informs us at school what the strengths and weaknesses of each student is. It is then up to us as educators how to use best practice to teach the students and build on strengths and help support any weaknesses that may arise. It is administered as a whole class over a series of sessions by Mrs Shanahan.
If you ever need further assistance, my contact details are: monica.shanahan@mn.catholic.edu.au
Regards,
Monica Shanahan
Week 7 already!
A few weeks ago a paper letter and a digital copy of the Class Parent Network letter with a return slip (nomination form) went home.
CLASS PARENT NETWORK-
It is that time of year where we start to organise our Class Parent Network. A Class Parent Network was established at our school in 2012. It involves parents nominating to become the “Class Parent” in their child’s class.
The purpose of a Class Parent is-
- To provide a personal link between the class teachers and the parents of the students.
- To provide parents with an opportunity to be in an advisory role to the principal.
- To enable parents to have another means of access to information about the school.
- To provide the school with relevant information regarding the needs of the community.
- To involve parents more closely at the school; and
- To assist the school in promoting community i.e., organising social events
I have received some more slips back, thank you to those parents/carers for nominating. There are a few classes still without a nomination. If you have a child in 1 Maroon, 3 Maroon, 3/4 Blue and 4 Maroon and would like to nominate for the position of Class Parent for your child’s class. Please email me on melissa.dobosz@mn.catholic.edu.au with your contact details.
Wishing you a happy and healthy week.
Mel Dobosz
Pastoral Care Worker
A big welcome to OOSH for 2022 and a particular welcome to our many new enrolments that have started with us at OOSH this year.
Here at St Nicholas OOSH we provide a variety of activities for the children that attend OOSH including arts and crafts, construction, role play, a variety of sports activities and plenty of opportunities for your child to relax and chill out after a busy day of learning. We are still taking enrolments for 2022 and our Easter Vacation Care program will be available very soon. If you wish to enrol your child please contact the service either via email kilabenbay@stnicholasoosh.org.au or phone 0437664070. Alternatively you can head to the St Nicholas OOSH website https://stnicholasoosh.org.au/kilaben-bay and click on the enrol button which will take you straight to our online enrolment form.
We are also currently accepting the Service NSW Before and After School Care Vouchers. These vouchers can be applied for online via the Service NSW website and give families $500 per child toward the out of pocket costs of sending your child to Before and After School Care. If you have any questions regarding the vouchers please contact Kristy, Centre Coodinator, via email or phone.
St Nicholas OOSH Kilaben Bay Opening Hours
Before School Care: 6:30am – 9:00am Breakfast provided
After School Care: 2:45pm – 6:30pm Afternoon Tea provided
Vacation Care/Pupil Free Days: 6:30am – 6:30pm Breakfast and Afternoon Tea provided.
Pricing for 2022
Before School Care
Casual $24.00
Permanent $19.00
After School Care
Casual $30.00
Permanent $25.00
Vacation Care
Day Camp $60.00
Incursion $70.00
Excursion $80.00
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Kristy and the St Nicholas OOSH Team.
KRISTY MARNEY
NOMINATED SUPERVISOR - OOSH | ST NICHOLAS OOSH
P 0437 664 070
| PO Box 775 Newcastle NSW 2300
Email Kristy.Marney@stnicholasoosh.org.au Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au
Welcome BBQ - Thursday 17 March
Time: 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Location: St Joseph’s Primary School, Kilaben Bay
Cost: Your First sausage sandwich is free for each member of your family. Extra sausage sandwiches will be $2 each or an extra sausage is $1.
Please order and pay (extra sausages) on QKR! Orders cut off on Monday morning - please order over the weekend.
Available to buy: soft drinks
Free: tea and coffee
Dress: Casual, you may like to wear something GREEN to mark St Patrick’s day!
Term 1 Disco
Please purchase tickets on Qkr! under P & F Association!
Guitar Group at St Joeys! - reminder
Calling all Rock n’ Rollers!! Learn guitar St Joseph’s Kilaben Bay in 2022
A reminder that St Joseph’s Kilaben Bay students will continue to have the opportunity to learn guitar in 2022. Open to years K to 6, students will learn everything from Bon Jovi to Billy Eilish to The Weeknd, to Post Malone, to Imagine Dragons, to Guy Sebastian, to Tones and I, to AC/DC, all whilst learning acoustic and electric guitar skills, learning to perform as part of a group and enjoying the excitement and experience of being a real musician with skills that will last a lifetime. All lessons are conducted in small groups, based on age and skill level. If you are interested in your child being involved, please email Ricky at ricky@rickysmusictuition.com.au
Let's Celebrate with some Special Food Days!
We are looking forward to our upcoming special food offerings to celebrate St Joseph's Day and Harmony Day as follows (sorry no other lunch orders available on these days):
- Wednesday 16 March - Pizza - Order on Qkr! by Mon 14 March 3pm
- Wednesday 30 March - Sushi - Orders on Qkr! by Mon 28 March 9:00am
(please set a reminder to order over the weekend as requests for late orders are not possible due to supplier cutoffs)
- Please ensure that each child's name is selected before choosing the order for that specific child. Then return to the beginning and select the next child to place the next order so that no more than one order is noted per child.
- Please check each of your child/ren's registrations to ensure their 2022 class is up to date - some children in primary are showing up as kinder as they are not properly registered in your account.
- Please supervise the order being made on Qkr as errors have occurred when allowing children to use the app unsupervised, thank you!
Volunteer Roster
A huge thank you to our recently registered volunteers! Every bit of help is very much appreciated. If you are able to offer help, please send an email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au and Margaret Livingstone or Susie Doran will help with your volunteer registration.
See below for the Roster - If you are unable to make it on your rostered day, please either text Tracey or call the school office:
Week 7
Wed 9.3.22 - Ruth Blyton
Thur 10.3.22 - Volunteers needed
Fri 11.3.22 - Alesha Quinn, Helen Edwards
Week 8
Wed 16.3.22 - Ebonny Blakey
Thur 17.3.22 - Maryanne Cartwright, Lyn Moseley
Fri 18.3.22 - Emily Sault, Stefanie King
Week 9
Wed 23.3.22 - Andrew Edwards, Jade Davison
Thur 24.3.22 - Volunteer needed, Worakot Walker
Fri 25.3.22 - PUPIL FREE DAY - no staff on site - OOSH OPEN
Week 10
Wed 30.3.22 - Nicole Davison, Sheree Williams
Thur 31.3.22 - Tania Bower, Elise Fitzpatrick, Julie Kempnich
Fri 1.4.22 - Sarah Morris, Cheryl Henriques
Week 11
Wed 6.4.22 - Jenny Dudgeon
Thur 7.4.22 - Volunteer needed
Fri 8.4.22 - Alesha Quinn, Helen Edwards
Over the Counter Sales / Recess Qkr ordering
Some healthy snack items are available for pre-order and payment on Qkr for Recess. If you would like your child to have a recess snack, please place a comment in the "note to staff" section when selecting your item.
Thank you
Margaret Livingstone and Tracey Ryan-Ward
Lowes 20% off starts today - Thursday 10 March
Toronto Soccer Club
9 year old players needed to come and trial for the Junior Development League.
We require at least one more player. Training is on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. This is not the junior club.
We form part of the seniors and making a better path-way to the seniors. They will play and train more and will be coached by coaches with National accreditations.
For children that want to develop their game in a excellent learning environment
Feel free to contact me anytime
Thanks Daniel Johnson - Coach
0403 419 189
Saver Plus
Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in this newsletter are by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese. The activities or services of the advertiseers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese. The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers of the services provided and makes no representation about those matters. Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers of the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements.
We have a number of students who have life threatening anaphylactic allergic reactions to all nuts and eggs. We would like to encourage families NOT to send these food items to school with their children or to ask their children to tell their teacher if they have brought them, so that they can be eaten away from affected children. We also encourage children NOT to share food at school.