Filter Content
- From the Principal
- RE Corner
- Student Awards Weeks 3 and 4
- Gifted and Learning Support News
- Library News
- Children's Week
- Canteen News - Including Volunteer Roster
- Good 4 Kids
- PLUS
- School Bus Timetables
- St Nicholas OOSH - Information
- Pre-School Playgroup at St Joseph's - St Anne's Playgroup
- Community Notices
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to Term 4, Week 4
NOTE: Pupil Free day on Friday, 11th November (Week 5).
Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser
The SJKB Bunnings BBQ last Sunday week had a fun community feel. I would like to thank all who supported us on the day by helping for an hour or more and those who came to say “HI” and bought a sausage sandwich! We raised just over $2500.00. We would not be able to celebrate such a profit if it wasn’t for the lovely Glen from GW Meats at Toronto (near Aldi) who donated 200 sausages and Coles stores from Toronto, Warners Bay, Budgewoi and Toukley and Bakers Delight, Warners Bay! Please try and support Glen at GW Meats if you don’t already. A member of the public at the BBQ said it was the best sausage sandwich he had ever had and donated $20!
World Teacher's Day
Last Friday, 28th October was World Teacher’s Day. I would like to extend my greatest admiration for each and every staff member at St Joseph’s and beyond! Working with children and their families is the greatest gift in the best vocation a person can have. Teaching is a craft that touches so many hearts and minds of individuals each and every day. We strive for excellence in many ways and we love caring and nurturing you all! Thank you to our staff at St Joseph’s for your enthusiasm, your professionalism and your caring ways. Our children at SJKB are extremely lucky to have you in their lives.
Staff Professional Development
Our Leading Learning Collaborative team comprises of our two pedagogical mentors, Mrs Neems and Mrs Woollett, our learning support teacher Mrs Shanahan, our Assistant Principal Mrs Porter and myself. Last week the team attended a conference with Lyn Sharratt, the author of “Clarity: What Matters Most in Learning, Teaching, and Leading”. Lyn talks about the 14 parameters of which Mrs Porter in previous newsletters has shared. I have also shared with you the 5 questions for parents to ask their children, however, I would like to remind you of them:
- What did you learn today?
- How did you do?
- What did you do if you didn’t understand?
- How can you improve on your learning?
- What are you most proud of?
Children are more aware of their learning than ever before and hopefully over time will be able to articulate what they are “learning and why” rather then what they are “doing”.
We give the children purpose in their learning and allow them to be independent learners gaining help from different sources including the “third teacher” (aka the classroom walls that talk!). Our Big Writes have shown many areas of growth among many students and I truly believe that the assistance from “home” brainstorming words that match the stimulus sent home helps the children prepare for their Big Writes. Thank you for being involved in the learning!
Mission Fun Day
Thank you everyone for your support and donations for our annual Mission Fun Day (3 days). This year all proceeds will be directed towards self-help programs to support children and their families in the community of Emdibir in Ethiopia and refugees who are fleeing war torn Ukraine.
Kindergarten 2023 Playdate
Yesterday was our second Kindergarten, 2023 playdate. Year 5 buddies are assisting in the transition to school in so many ways for their buddies. I am very proud of each and every one of them. Thank you boys and girls.
Nursing Home Visit
Today (Thursday) Mrs Shanahan, Alannah, Scarlett, Ella, Ruby, Mae, Sofia, Chloe and Charlize accompanied me to visit some residents at Kilpatrick Court Nursing Home at Toronto. We went to make some friends, to chat, to play games and get to know them over morning tea. I am hoping to build nice connections with the residents and to hopefully add some sparkle to their days!
Diocesan Spelling and Maths Bee
Today Noah W, Patrick D and Kobe J attended the Diocesan Spelling and Maths Bee at the Catholic Schools Office in Newcastle. Good luck and we can’t wait to hear all about it when you return to school.
Aboriginal Dancers
Mr Hession has organised the wonderful Aboriginal Dance Crew (Briggs family) to share their culture with us on Tuesday. Infants session will be from 11-11.30am and primary 11.45-12.15pm.
Parents and Friends Association
Our P&F Meeting is on Tuesday, 8 November at 6pm in our school library. You are all very welcome to attend.
Term 4 Disco - Save the Date
Thursday 17th November will be the final disco for the year. Tickets available on Qkr. A paper flyer was sent home yesterday with the eldest child in each family and will be posted on Compass for your reference:
Stuck on You - Clothing and Item Labels Fundraiser
This is a great idea for labeling all of your child/ren's items brought to school or other places and they will never be lost! See flyer below for more details. The P & F receives a percentage of sales for their general fundraising (Courts resurfacing being the main project at present).
School Improvements
Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) will be having new carpet installed on 11th, 14th and 15th November. Sorry for the inconvenience to those children and staff. However it will be worth it in the end! Kindergarten classrooms will also be having their new carpet installed on 21st and 22nd November. Classes will be as normal and learning won’t be distracted too much.
We are also having some restoration work done on our undercover walkways to alleviate the constant leaks when we need shelter the most – during rain!
Thank you to the Taylor family (Luca year 1 and Alec Kinder) who have generously donated A-grade mulch to our school to assist us to tidy up our carpark and the front of our school while we wait for our admin plans to be approved by Council.
In the meantime Mr Taylor has organised trucks to deliver the A-grade mulch, he has also cut down trees in the carpark island ready for my landscaper to lay the mulch. Thank you so much for your contributions and to Agility Trees!
Premier's Reading Challenge
Congratulations to our PRC (Premier Readers) children who finished their reading challenge this year. Their pizza party was yesterday and I am hoping their reading continues and will fill their lives with long term learning and enjoyment.
Mr Chandler
The lovely Mr Chandler and his bride to be, will be celebrating their nuptials this weekend. Congratulations Mr Chandler and I hope you have taken into consideration the marital tips from our children K-6 which included:
- Feed the guests KFC and Pizza to make them happy
- Always love your wife and buy her flowers
- Always wear a shirt and pants
- Try to work out what finger your wedding ring goes on!
School Fees
A big thank you to those families who have been able to honour their commitment to the payment of school fees as promised when they enrolled their child/ren at St Joseph's. Monthly Fee Statements have been emailed to the nominated email account for each family. Please note that in some cases this email address may be for a parent who doesn't check their inbox too often, so please bear this in mind. Some families have been so enthusiastic in their commitment to our school that their account is now in credit! This will show as a balance in brackets e.g. ($215.00) or with a minus -$215.00. This means that you don't owe any more money this year and can cease payments until next February if you wish.
For those families who are challenged by outstanding amounts, please contact our school office to make an appointment to see me to discuss your account.
2023 Classes
Within the next newsletter I will be able to share with you the composition of our 2023 classes. I am aware of our current Year 2 class being one class and has been for two years and I would like to arrange a composition to allow these children to have a change. Our stage 3 classrooms are growing in size and we may have 3 stage 3 classes in 2023. I would also like to continue our infants class sizes to be small. There are many discussions to be had and please know that your child’s best interest and learning environment is at the forefront of our decisions. If you have any specific requests you would like me to consider please email me (charlene.reid@mn.catholic.edu.au) at your earliest convenience.
End of Year Excursion: K-5
A reminder that I have reserved tickets to the production of “Who Stole Christmas?” based on the Grinch story, at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium as a Christmas end of year treat for K-5. Year 6 will be at their beach fun day that day on December 8. The show starts at 10am and will finish near 12pm. A permission note will go home shortly. Please do not send any money to school.
Pupil Free Day - OOSH Open
As noted at the top of my article, there is a Pupil Free day on Friday 11 November. Staff will be focusing on differentiation and gifted education and well-being. St Nicholas OOSH will be operating on this day for families needing this service.
Term Dates:
Please check your Compass App daily (and days in advance) for upcoming school activities. If you have difficulty logging in or any other questions, please send an email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au
- Basketball NSW is leading our sport this term every Monday.
- Pupil Free Day Friday 11th November
- Kindergarten playdate from 9.30-10.30am: 16th November
- Year 5 leadership day at school: Monday, 14th November. On this day children will receive their leadership application for 2023 leadership team.
- Carols at school “St Joey’s Jingle and Mingle”: Friday evening, 2nd December (more details to come)
- Semester Two reports available to parents on Compass: Monday, 5th December
- Giving tree and end of year awards: Tuesday, 6th December at 9.30am
- Popcorn and movie day (GOTCHA rewards): Wednesday, 7th December (your child will receive a permission note to attend if they have 350 GOTCHAS!!!
- Year 6 surf fun day: Thursday, 8th December
- K-5 Who Stole Christmas? Ice skating show: Thursday, 8th December (permission note will be sent home shortly)
- Year 6 farewell liturgy (11am tbc) plus children’s lunch: Wednesday, 14th December
- Year 6 clap out (afternoon): Friday, 16th December
- Last day for students: Friday, 16th December
2023 dates:
- First day of school for students Years 1-6: Tuesday, 31st January
- First day of school for Kindergarten: Thursday, 2nd February MODIFIED HOURS 9-12pm, then Friday, 3rd February will be the start of their full days.
- St Joseph’s swimming carnival: Tuesday, 7th February
- School photos: Thursday, 9th February
God bless and I am looking forward to a fantastic Term 4!
Charlene Reid
Principal
Mission Fun Days
After just celebrating World Mission Month in October, it is a great time to highlight our school’s commitment to Catholic Mission.
This school community is recognised nationally for its generosity to this charity. Last week we had our Mission Fun Days and our Socktober penalty soccer shoot out, we were fundraising for Catholic Mission. Thank you for your wonderful support of our Mission Fun Days. We raised over $2,300.00, which will go to supporting children and their families in the community of Emdibir in Ethiopia and refugees who are fleeing war torn Ukraine.
World Teachers' Day
Last Friday was World Teachers’ Day. The theme for World Teachers' Day 2022 is
“The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers.”
Dear Jesus, You came among us as a teacher, healer and saviour. On this World Teacher’s Day, please bless all those who work with our students here at St. Joseph’s Kilaben Bay. Bless our teachers, our classroom assistants, our office staff, and our maintenance staff. We thank them for being patient, understanding, encouraging, forgiving and supportive.
We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen
All Saints Day
This week there have been two significant holy days: Tuesday 1st November was All Saints Day and Wednesday 2nd November was All Souls Day. All Saints Day provides us with an opportunity to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history. While All Souls Day is a time in which Catholics pray for all the dead, including our own family and friends. These feast days have been part of our Christian tradition since the 4th century!
It’s already beginning to look a lot like Christmas in many shopping places. This year why not purchase an ideal gift of the Columban Art Calendar for friends or family? This beautiful and iconic calendar, well-known for its traditional religious paintings and liturgical information features a FREE online art guide. It is a major fundraiser for Columban Missionaries, who work with some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
2023 marks the 101st edition. To purchase this calendar:
Best wishes for a wonderful week,
Ruth Cootes
RE Co-ordinator
Weekly Awards - Week 3
Gifted and Learning Support News
Gifted Education News
This term our Kindergarten students will be participating in a range of COGAT assessments. As the Gifted Education Mentor, part of my role is to identify students who may be gifted in particular areas. The assessment is about looking at a student's reasoning skills, not about what they have learnt in class. The assessments are a screener tool we can use to help the process of identification and to plan for the students for the beginning of Year 1. I will be conducting the assessments
throughout Term 4 in small groups.
Learning Support News
Last term we celebrated the amazing work our wonderful Learning Support Assistants do during Teachers Assistants Appreciation Week. A big thank you to Catherine, Anna, Vanessa, Paulla, Worakot, Julie and Jenny who help all the students and teachers here at school.
Our core work here is to educate the students, but having the support of LSAs working in classroom alongside our teachers, and assisting students with a disability, ensures that all learners can be catered for. I am very proud of the Learning Support work we do here at St Joseph's and thank you LSAs for your dedication and wealth of knowledge you each provide to the students in your care.
In a few weeks, we will be having our Personalised Planning review meetings. This is the time when we reflect on the goals set earlier in the year and review and celebrate achievements made. Please keep an eye out for upcoming emails regarding meeting times.
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
Support your child’s emotional wellbeing (and improve yours, too!) The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program has been developed here in Australia and is now the world’s most widely researched parenting program with hundreds of clinical trials and real-world studies to back it up.
Regards,
Monica Shanahan
Welcome to Term 4 in the Library!
During this term students will be reading some fantastic books and using technology to participate in research tasks and coding activities.
Borrowing will continue until week 7 this term.
After that we need books returned as soon as possible for our annual stock take.
School Library bags are available for $14 for anyone who needs one. Simply pay on Qkr! and the bag will be delivered to your child in school time.
This year class borrowing days are:
Monday: Year 1, 3 Maroon, and 3/4 Blue and 5/6 classes
Tuesday: Kinder, 4 Maroon and 2 Blue
Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) students have been developing their touch-typing skills using fun online games. These activities allow them to practice typing words, sentences and paragraphs in an enjoyable way. As they are often using devices for the classroom and Library activities, this skill development is greatly helping them.
Premier’s Reading Challenge Pizza Party
Congratulations to all of the students who put the effort into reading, having fun with books and completing the PRC. This week we celebrated with those students at our PRC Pizza Party.
SORA
A reminder that 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 Graphic novels, Fiction and Non-Fiction books. Log in and explore today!
Happy reading!
Leah Hannan
Library Teacher
Observed annually in Australia to recognise the anniversary of Australia's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Children's Week presents an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate the children in our lives.
In 2022, the national theme of Children's Week relates to Article 27 of the UNCRC - all children have the right to an adequate standard of living including housing, food and clothes that support their development.
As part of ACYP’s Children’s Week initiatives, we have developed a
Children’s Week Activity Booklet. This booklet contains several fun activities and child-friendly information for children on the Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2022-2024.
Please download this activity booklet for the children in your life to enjoy this Children's Week.
Happy Children's Week!
Observed annually in Australia to recognise the anniversary of Australia's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Children's Week presents an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate the children in our lives.
In 2022, the national theme of Children's Week relates to Article 27 of the UNCRC - all children have the right to an adequate standard of living including housing, food and clothes that support their development.
As part of ACYP’s Children’s Week initiatives, we have developed a Children's Week Activity Booklet. This booklet contains several fun activities and child-friendly information for children on the Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2022-2024.
Please download this activity booklet for the children in your life to enjoy this Children's Week.
In April 2022, ACYP launched the Strategic Plan for Children and Young People in NSW. This Plan brings together the initiatives being implemented by the NSW Government to improve the lives of children and young people in NSW. It is a commitment to building a future where all children and young people are given the opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential.
The Plan’s six core commitment areas were developed in response to what children and young people told us was important to them, and these commitment areas will help to direct the NSW Government’s efforts to better support and respond to children and young people’s needs. They are also an invitation for all who serve children and young people to participate in building this future.
LIZ LATHAM
Senior Education Officer
Catholic Schools Office
Canteen News - Including Volunteer Roster
Volunteer Roster
Every helper is so appreciated and we extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful regulars, together with the new volunteers who are just starting out. As with any volunteer position at school you must be registered.
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 for Term 4 - If you are unable to make it on your rostered day, please either text Tracey or call the school office:
Week 4
Wed 2.11.22 - Ruth Blyton, Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 3.11.22 - Yasmin Every-Burns; Jade Davison
Fri 4.11.22 - Alesha Quinn, Helen Edwards
Week 5
Wed 9.11.22 - Suzanne Golsby
Thur 10.11.22 - Maryanne Cartwright, Lyn Moseley
Fri 11.11.22 - Emily Sault, Stefanie King
Week 6
Wed 16.11.22 - Andrew Edwards
Thur 17.11.22 - Sheree Williams, Nicole Davison
Fri 18.11.22 - Jenny Lorriman, Hannah Stark
Week 7
Wed 23.11.22 - Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 24.11.22 - Tania Bower, Elise Fitzpatrick, Julie Kempnich
Fri 25.11.22 - Sarah Morris, Cherul Henriques
Week 8
Wed 30.11.22 - Ruth Blyton, Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 1.12.22 - Yasmin Every-Burns, Jade Davison
Fri 2.12.22 - Alesha Quinn, Helen Edwards
Week 9
Wed 7.12.22 - Suzanne Golsby
Thur 8.12.22 - Maryanne Cartwright, Lyn Moseley
Fri 9.12.22 - Emily Sault, Laura Rowan
Week 10
Wed 14.12.22 - Andrew Edwards, Michelle Cherniayeff
Thur 15.12.22 - Sheree Williams, Nicole Davison
Fri 16.12.22 - Jacqueline Hansen, Jenny O'Reilly
Over the Counter Sales / Recess Qkr ordering
Some healthy snack items are available for pre-order and payment on Qkr for Recess.
Here is a picture of the popular and healthy Crunchie Munchie pack. It includes a delicious mix of fruit and veg, a tasty cheese stick and rice crackers all for just $2.
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
A huge thank you to all of the families who answered our call for donations! We were so pleased with the response. We still need larger sizes (Size 12 - 16) if you have any at home.
The new format of our pre-loved uniform shop continues with items of clothing presented in a much easier way for purchase. New prices are:
- All “good quality” clothing - $5 a piece, except sports jackets, which are $10.
- All “ok quality” clothing is still a gold coin donation.
Of course we will always look after those families who need it the most.
DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED, so please check through your child's uniforms to see whether they are growing out of them and send surplus ones in to the school office (on carline drop off is fine). We particularly need larger sizes of good quality uniforms e.g. 12, 14, and 16. Thank you! A Lowes pricelist is attached to remind you of the cost of new uniforms. It's a reminder that PLUS runs a very cost effective service that supports our school.
To make credit card payment for your items, please download the Commonwealth Bank Qkr app (see school office staff for details) and choose
P & F - PLUS - Pre-loved Uniform Shop + New Hats
and type in the total amount for the items you are purchasing
A reminder there are two suppliers for new school uniforms, particularly as the children are in their winter uniforms now:
> Verdun Hiles have stocked St Joseph's uniforms since the school's beginning.
They carry a full range of stock except girls' shorts (they haven’t got the girls shorts in yet as they are awaiting a sample). The majority of their items are Australian made, resulting in a top quality finish. Also a good option when Lowes are out of stock.
> Call in and check it out. They also stock the same colour but thicker winter stock of girls pants than the Lowes brand. So if you want to support local, you have the choice.
> See Val at Verdun Hiles
> 88 The Boulevarde Toronto
> Ph 02 49591258
Also Lowes Glendale stock a full range. Some sizes go out of stock from time to time but we wanted to let you know that you may be able to get it at Verdun Hiles instead.
Lowes, Stockland Glendale - 20% off next thursday and Friday 4 and 5 August.
387 Lake Road
Phone 02 4956 8570
If you're looking for a particular uniform item, please try us first as sometimes we’ve had items with the price tags still attached. Please email direct to the P & F Volunteers on joeyspandf@hotmail.com or the school office admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au and we will pass on your message PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CHILD'S NAME AND CLASS in the message as our volunteers do not have access to the different family surnames to make connections to students - therefore please use your child's name as well as your name.
Thank you!
THE PLUS TEAM
Our Bus Timetables are available to download for your reference. Please note that we have simplified the bus numbers so that younger children are able to remember which bus they catch. See below for our Bus Number Table Reference:
St Nicholas OOSH - Information
Open for Pupil Free Day on 11 November - please pre-book.
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 0437 664 070. 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
Pre-School Playgroup at St Joseph's - St Anne's Playgroup
St Anne's Playgroup is back!! See the downloadable flyer for more information. If you or anyone you know has children 0-5 years - all are welcome!
Zumba in our School Hall
Zumba by Julz is in full swing in our school hall on Tuesday nights. The sessions are casual and fun. All welcome! Please check the info below for more information:
Latina Body by Julz
ZUMBA ® Classes
Exercise disguised by fun dance moves to Latin and world rhythms.
Julia has been dancing to Latin beats for 20 years and loves sharing her passion with others. No experience necessary.
Dance, laugh and feel fabulous!
School Hall
Tuesday 6.30pm
Full details:
Foster Carers Needed
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.