Messages from Don:
wonderful result for our school and our whole
community. We have been busy preparing a transition
program for our new students starting in 2017. We have
initiated Kindy visits by our Year 6 students who will be
the buddies for our Reception students next year. This is
a very successful component and will be extremely
beneficial when the Transition Program starts next term.
We thank all the Directors of surrounding Kindies for
their cooperation and involvement.
Farewell to Leah Pilla:
I wish to formally farewell Mrs Leah Pilla who will
conclude her service at St Joseph’s School this week.
Leah will move to Port Elliot with her son Leo and
husband John, who moved for work opportunities. I
wish to sincerely thank Leah for her outstanding
contribution to our school community. Leah has been
instrumental with her involvement and input establishing
our Early Years Program. She is a quality educator who
has established outstanding relationships with students,
parents and staff. She is a very proud teacher who takes
her role very seriously and has high standards. I wish
Leah and her family all the best with their future
endeavors.
Staffing for 2017:
I continue to work through the comprehensive process to
appoint staff for 2017. I wish to outline to our
community that no positions have been finalised and as
instructed by the CEO, all contracts have been
advertised. A panel, including Fr Paul, has been
established and collaboratively will begin the process of
shortlisting and interviewing. I hope to make
announcements of all positions early in Term 4. With
this process to consider, we are unable to identify the
S J St Joseph’s School Renmark
Term 3 Week 10 ~ 30th September 2016
RESPECT ~ SAFETY ~ LEARNING ~ TRUST
Opening Doors of Mercy S R
Dear Parents, Friends and Students,
Welcome to our final newsletter for Term
3.
I sincerely hope we have all survived the
last couple of days. The recent storms
have had significant impact on our whole
state and the lives of so many people. We continue to
keep all those affected in our prayers and thoughts.
As we reflect on another fantastic term, there is a genuine
sense of consolidation, optimism and enthusiasm
throughout our whole school community. We again have
enjoyed many celebrations and success stories and have
experienced a wide range of learning experiences. We
have also worked through challenges with care,
compassion and a consistent systematic approach which
again highlights the team approach where staff, students
and families all work together.
Fantastic Learning Experiences:
The past two weeks have highlighted many wonderful
learning experiences and successes. There have been
many excellent initiatives in classes including the success
of the Science/Italian Showcase, Year 7’s leadership and
organisation of the Disco and Café, our ongoing outreach
initiatives including our Breakfast Club, SAPSASA
Athletics and the UNI NSW Competitions. I am so
pleased with the excellent opportunities that our staff
provide our students.
Enrolment Interviews - Kindy Visits:
I have completed all Reception Enrolment interviews for
2017. With existing families, we have attracted a
substantial intake and classes in the Early Years are now
full and a waiting list has been established. This is a
Breakfast Club Mini Vinnies Cheque Presentation Farewell Mrs Pilla
class teachers for next year. I will also inform our
community as soon as this is finalised.
Class Lists for 2017: Reminder:
Last Newsletter, Parents/Caregivers were asked if they
wish to request consideration for their child’s placement
in classes for 2017 to submit their requests in writing to
me outlining sound educational reasoning for the
request. All requests were to be submitted by the end of
this term. I will accept requests in Week 1 next term.
Requests regarding specific teachers or the type of class
structure will not be considered. Class structures and
the placement of teachers into teaching roles is the
responsibility of the school. Whilst every educational
based request is considered, not all requests will be able
to be met, given the complex needs of our school
community.
End Of Term Reports:
As per Term 1 we are sending home your child’s traffic
light report. We continue to focus on effective
communication strategies to inform and build
positive Teacher/Parent relationships. Our reports at
the end of the term aim to provide a snapshot of each
child’s Academic and Social progress. We have
developed a Traffic Light system which will provide a
simple overview. Please peruse your child/ren’s report
and covering letter.
A proud Principal - Happy Holidays:
As Principal, I am so proud of the many ways we have
inspired the students in our care with the many
wonderful events and activities during the term. One of
my personal mantra’s is summarised by this wonderful
quote -
“A teacher and parent effects eternity.
He/She can never tell where
this influence ends.”
I take seriously my responsibility as Principal and
firmly believe that as a Catholic School we do inspire
and offer meaningful life long experiences. We do
offer a positive and alternative education. We do
travel together with a different view. Bishop Greg
often comments about the importance of Parents and
Teachers working together in partnership to support
young people. One of the powerful statements he
often makes is that faith and education is taught and
caught in the home, it is supported in the school and
celebrated in the parish when the community comes
together.
Holidays:
After another busy term I would like to thank all the
staff for their continued efforts. I would also like to
acknowledge the efforts of the people who volunteer
their time and skills to help our school such as the
Board members, P&F, volunteers with class activities
and sports. You are all truly valued and appreciated.
Finally, I would like to thank the students for their
enthusiasm and hard work this term. I trust that
everyone will enjoy a well-earned break and look
forward to seeing you all back for Term 4 on Tuesday
18th October.
Happy Holidays!
Don DePalma
Principal
Star Student Awards:
L-R: Miekah Gittos, Louis Brown, Ruby
Malinovski, Mahlia Gill, Devlin Taylor, Liam
Price, Kian Taylor, Lily Schloithe.
L-R: Chelsea Hall, Tammy Tran, Arielle
Milich, Brock Rover, Briayshia Hannagan,
Maiya Rice, Zac Logos, Riley Ward, Jayden
Quach.
STUDENT FREE DAY on
Monday 17th October
due to Staff Professional Development.
Out of Hours School Care (OHSC) is available.
Please contact Nicole for arrangements 8586 4481
Go Swans!! go Doggies!
TERM 4 commences Tuesday 18th October
With Coffee’n’Chat at 8.30am
In the Activity Room
& Welcome Assembly at 9.30am
ALL WELCOME
Music Exams:
Congratulations to the following students who
have successfully completed their recent Music
Exams: Alexandra Ramm Grade 1 A, Maria
Tzanavaras Grade 1 A and Madeline Ramm
Preliminary Grade A.
Dot Fforde
Religious Identity & Mission:
Prayer for the School Holidays:
Sign of The Cross - In the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen
Task – slow down
Reading - "Sometimes it's important
to work for that pot of gold. But
other times it's essential to take
time off and to make sure that your
most important decision in the day simply consists of
choosing which colour to slide down on the rainbow.”
Lord, we give you thanks for the beginnings of our
school holidays. Be with us in all we do and keep us
safe from all harm. May we return with renewed hope
and vigour, through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Susan Frawley
Happy Birthday for the month of October
Chelsea Docking, Hamish Pitman, Sophie Robertson,
Isabelle Wutke, Mahlia Gill, Mia DePalma, Con
Demou, Torren Frawley, Jesse Hammond, Hayden
Tripney, Cooper Britton, Chloe Milne, Lilly Phan, Amy
Gibbons, Bradley Lehmann, Danielle Leonard, Zac
Tripney
KidsMatter
Parents & Friends News:
Dear Parents and Friends Community
We wish you all a safe and relaxing
break with your family. Thank you for
your continual support for our school
and our children.
We will welcome you back on Tuesday 18th October
with our first Coffee’n’Chat at 8.30am in the Activity
Room followed by the Welcome Assembly at 9.00am.
Kristine & the P & F Committee
Parish Connections:
ST. THERESE’S RENMARK
Fr Paul Bourke 85821894
Fr John Stuart-James 85882452
MASS TIMES
1 October Sat 6.30pm
9 October Sun 9.00am
15 October Sat 6.30pm
Our recent KidsMatter Champion is Bradley Lehmann.
Brad was rewarded for the effort he has put into
making his time at
school a positive
experience and his
wonderful, polite and
friendly attitude
towards all staff and
students at St
Joseph’s. Well done
Brad!!
Tony Luxton,
Amy Thompson & the
KidsMatter Team.
Pogo Pulse:
This term the Pogo-Pulse team have been practicing
their skills on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
The students who found Pogo-ing difficult at the
beginning, are now able to do some amazing tricks
such as no hands, skipping and shooting basketball
goals. The students have shown great resilience
through the program, demonstrating a ‘Bounce
Back’ attitude. On Friday 21st of October (Week 1 of
Term 4), the students will be participating in the
National Pogo Bounce Off Day. The students will be
continually jumping for one hour, demonstrating all
the amazing new skills they have learnt with the
Pogo Sticks. A big thanks to Mr Reeks and Ms
Haeberer for their support with the program.
Help Required Please
for our Parish Working Bee
Saturday 1st October 8.00am
Please bring some shovels if possible.
All support gratefully appreciated, thank you
Science & Italian Display:
Breakfast Club:
During this term we
held a breakfast club
on Wednesday and
Thursday of Week 9
and 10. The purpose
of this pastoral care
program was to
promote students
well-being, social
relationships and
health. Students
enjoyed a selection of
bread or toast,
cereal, fruit in season
and a cup of juice.
The program was run
by the Year 7 Mini
Vinnies and staff
volunteers.
Rehna Sotto
Youth Minister
The Italian and Science
showcase has been very
successful this week and
have given the parents an
opportunity to see the
excellent work that has
been done by the students
in both subjects.
The Year 7 class have been
planning a café as a part of
integrated study in HASS, Italian
and Maths. They went to the
Smokehouse Café for research on
how a café is run. They will be
opening there café on Wednesday
Week 2 for their families to enjoy. It
will be a great opportunity for them
to showcase the work that they
have done.
Year 7 Café:
A big congratulations to the following students who
represented the Riverland in the SAPSASA Athletics
Carnival at Santos Stadium in Adelaide on Monday,
September 26th: Renee Johnson (Gold in U/12 Girls
Relay), Jessica Price (6th in High Jump), Isabella Cant
(Gold in 800m, Bronze in 100m), Toby Johnson
(10th
in Shot Put) and Amelia Koumborakos (4th in
200m, 5th in Relay).
A special mention to Isabella, who will now represent
South Australia in Queensland in the 800m running
event.
Kyerin Grundy
SAPSASA Athletics