ABOUT - Term 3 Week 9 - 19 September 2024

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

VALE JUDY BENSLEY

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Judy Bensley last week.  Judy was a teacher at our school for twenty-five years prior to her retirement at the end of 1998.  Judy was a valued staff member of St Joseph's and her contribution to education will be remembered by the hundreds of students who were fortunate enough to have her as a teacher.  During Judy's time at St Joseph's she taught classes from Kinder to Year 3, but most people would remember her as a Kinder teacher.  We're sure that many ex-students who are now parents at our school would remember Mrs Bensley as their Kinder teacher!  Judy was a loving, caring, patient and understanding person who always had the well-being of each individual child utmost in her mind.  Judy will be missed but never forgotten, especially in the minds and hearts of her colleagues and those who she taught.  Rest in peace Judy.

CONGRATULATIONS THOMAS!

Congratulations to Thomas who won the Senior MC Discus and placed 2nd in the Senior MC Shot Put at the NSW Catholic Polding Athletics Championships in Newcastle last Friday.  Thomas will now compete at the NSW PSSA Athletics in Homebush next term - well done Tom!  Special mention also to Katie who placed 4th in the Junior Girls Discus.  Unfortunately only the first 3 placings from each event proceed further.

YEAR 3 IS OFF TO THE ZOO!

“We’re all going to the zoo, zoo, zoo – how about you, you, you.”  Well Year 3 is going to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo today.  This excursion is part of their Science and Technology unit, ‘Living World Animals’.  All the students have completed projects about an animal found at the zoo and when they go, they get to see their animal live.  The children will also attend a lesson at the zoo’s education centre.  It should be a great day.

WELCOME BACK BEN!

We welcomed ex-student, Ben Standing, back at Joey's on Monday as he completes a week's work experience.  We hope Ben has enjoyed his time back at St Joseph's.  Once A Joey Always A Joey!

GILGANDRA HIGH SCHOOL ORIENTATION DAY

Those Year 6 children attending Gilgandra High School next year, will attend an Orientation Day next Monday, 23 September from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, giving them a taste of high school life.  A hamburger and milkshake will be provided for lunch.  Students need to pack recess, a hat and a water bottle.

CONCERT REHEARSAL - Next Tuesday, 24 September

Our one and only full dress concert rehearsal at the Gilgandra High School Hall will be held next Tuesday, 24 September.  It is very important for everyone to be at school on this day so we can practice on stage with the microphones etc.  As this is a full dress rehearsal, the children will need their costumes at school by Tuesday.

MOORAMBILLA RESIDENCY CAMPS AND GALA CONCERT

We wish Archie O’Connor, Oliver Buckley, Regan Godber and Jessie O’Connor the best of luck as they attend Baradine for the final residency camps from Wednesday, 25 to Friday, 27 September, in the lead up to the Gala Concert to be held on Saturday, 28 September at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 29 September at 11:00 a.m. at Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre.

INFANTS SPORTS CARNIVAL

All students from Kinder to Year 2 will be involved in a mini sports carnival to be held at school next Thursday, 26 September from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  The carnival will involve fun novelty races and prizes for all.  We hope to see parents, family and friends of the Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 students come along and show their support.

PUPIL FREE DAY - Monday, 14 October

The first day back at school in Term 4 (Monday, 14 October) will be a Pupil Free Day.  During this day staff will continue implementation of the new English syllabus and review NAPLAN data.

MISS DOBSON TO PLAY AT ACCOR STADIUM SYDNEY!

Our very own Miss Dobson will be playing rugby in Sydney this weekend at Accor Stadium during half time of  the Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand - WOW!  Miss Dobson is a member of the 'Flamin Galahs' rugby union team who has been invited by Australian Rugby Union to provide the half time entertainment during the Bledisloe Cup match.  The girls will play a nine-a-side game and will showcase bush rugby to the crowd.  Go Abi - Go the Galahs - what a fabulous experience!

SCHOOL FETE

This year's School Fete will be held in Week 3 of Term 4, on Friday, 1 November.  The fete will run a little differently this year, with the start time being 2:00 p.m. and the fete finishing at 5:00 p.m.  with the 'Slime Run'.

Now is the time to start thinking about our fete.  In particular, donations will be needed for the following stalls:

RAFFLE BASKETS STALL - this is a NEW stall at this year's fete and we are in need of a coordinator.  We are asking for donations of items from each child and the flyer your child received last week detailed the class theme for their raffle basket, eg. Kinder students have been asked to purchase a gift, of any value, that relates to 'Gardening'.  All items donated from each class will be made into a class hamper, meaning we will have seven different themed hampers (one from each year).

At the fete the hampers will be on display and children/adults can purchase tickets for $1.00 each.  They then place their tickets into the relevant box for the prize or prizes they would like to win.  Towards the end of the fete, the raffles will be drawn and the seven lucky hamper winners announced.

Donations can be brought in to school at any time between now and 25 October.  These items are to be placed in your child’s class basket.

CAKE & PRODUCE STALL - Crystal Mudford is the coordinator of this stall and is asking for donations.  Plastic containers are available for collection from the school office at any time.  Call in and grab a few so you can start cooking and freezing your goodies over the school holidays!

EVERYONE'S A WINNER - Alison Tancred is the coordinator of this stall and is asking for donations to be successful, because as the name suggests, whether it's a major prize or a minor prize - everyone's a winner!  We are looking for prizes of all values for this stall.

FETE TICKETS ONLINE

Due to the early start time of the fete, we thought it would be more beneficial for our families to be able to pre-purchase fete tickets for their children.  We have set up an "Event" through Flexischools, enabling you to purchase and pay for fete tickets between now and 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the fete.  On the day of the fete, all pre-purchased tickets will be handed out to the students. 

FETE ROSTER

Thank you to the parents who have already offered to coordinate one of the stalls at this year's fete.  We have today sent home the Fete Roster.  The yellow boxes indicate the stalls that need a coordinator.  Stall coordinators are not expected to be at the stall all afternoon, they simply organise and set up their particular stall and we will organise helpers to man the stall during the fete.  

We are also calling for helpers to man the stalls during the fete.  If everyone helps out on the day for just one hour, then all the gaps will be easily filled. 

If you can help out, please write your name in the box/es and return the form to school by next Thursday, 26 September. There is also a place on the roster for helpers to set up on the day of the fete, from 11:00 a.m.  If you can help, please put your name down and return it so we know if we will have enough helpers. 

COW PAT LOTTO

At the fete each year we have a Cow Pat Lotto. How does Cow Pat Lotto work?  We erect a yard with an area of 400 square metres.  You then have the chance to purchase one or more of these one metre squares for $5.00 per square.  A cow is led around the yard and if you own the square where the first dropping lands, then you win $1,000.00!  With today’s About are four tickets to sell.  If you would like more tickets, just let us know and we will send them home, or pop into the school office and collect a book. All sold tickets need to be returned to school by Tuesday, 29 October.

SLIME RUN

This year's fete will finish at 5:00 p.m. with a "SLIME RUN".  We would like to get an idea of how many would like to participate in the Slime Run.  A flyer has been sent home with the eldest child in each family today.  If your child/ren would like to participate, please complete and return the tear-off slip and money to school by Friday, 25 October.  Alternatively, you can register your child for the slime run by purchasing entries on the Flexischools app.

TERM 4 CANTEEN ROSTER

Please find attached the DRAFT Term 4 Canteen Roster.  As can be seen, we still have a number of spots to fill.  If you can help out in the canteen next term, please click on the below link and indicate your preferred day.  The final Term 4 Roster will be sent home early next term.

'GOIN' TO GIL' STREET PARADE

A note was sent home last week in relation to our school's participation in the 'Goin' to Gil' Street Parade, to be held on Saturday, 28 September commencing at 11:00 a.m.  Thank you to those families who have returned their note to school indicating that their child/ren will be participating in the parade.  We would love to see more children from our school involved in this event.  If you would like your child to participate, please complete the tear-off slip and return it to school by next Wednesday, 25 September.

Also, please don't forget to return your Goin' to Gil Registration Forms, if your child is participating in the  Watermelon Eating, Cooee Call and/or Windmill Walk & Talk and Colour Run.  The registration forms will be collected by Council next Thursday, 26 September.  Alternatively, you can take your completed form directly to Council.

ST JOSEPH'S PARISH JUBILEE MASS

Sunday, 27 October - 9:30 a.m.

MORE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REQUIRED FOR ST JOSEPH'S DEBUTANTE BALL

We are still in need of volunteers to join the Debutante Ball Committee to help organise and run the 2025 ball.  If you can assist, would you please contact the ladies in the office as soon as possible.

NSW POLICE LEGACY CHILD SAFETY HANDBOOK

A new edition of NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook is now available online with updated safety content. We urge all parents and carers to download this latest edition and discuss the safety content with your children.

This new digital edition (link below) includes important content updates from: NSW Rural Fire Service (NEW fire danger ratings), NSW Health (Water & Pool Safety), Transport NSW (School Bus Safety).

POSITION VACANT: ASSISTED TRAVEL SUPPORT OFFICER

The Department of Education currently has a position to fill to assist with the transport of a student with additional needs to travel safely to and from school.  This position is for three days a week.

The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) plays a significant role in meeting the needs of eligible students with a disability by providing free specialised transport to and from school where parents and carers are unable to provide or arrange transport for the student either fully or in part.

Benefits & Perks:

• Work reduced hours, twice a day and time to pursue other interests in your free time.
• ‘Feel-good’ work opportunity while giving back to your local community.
• Providing support to the disability community and their families.
• Only work school terms and enjoy school holidays.

As an ATSO you will:

• Play a significant role in meeting the needs of eligible students with a disability by ensuring they get to school safely and ready to engage in learning.
• Work with the school, parents, contractors and drivers to provide a high level of supervision.
• Be provided training in Child Protection, Code of Conduct, Anaphylaxis, emergency care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Be provided with individual training on the specific travel support needs of students on transport.

Further information on the role can be found at:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/astp/atsos  

All successful applicants need to obtain a Working with Children Check, obtain the necessary proof of identity and complete the Expression of Interest form online.

HOW TO APPLY: The EOI and documents should be sent to ASTP at atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au

MERIT AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students who received Merit Awards at Assembly on Tuesday: 

KINDER: Noopura Rahul for a super effort in Phonics, Jackie Gronow for a super story about a zebra, Darcy Morrissey for always “Giving of His Best” and Harry Harvey for an amazing improvement in MiniLit.

YEAR 1: Claire Barry for fantastic work in Phonics, Lachlan Foran for reading aloud with wonderful expression and Hamish Burrell and Bridie Jordan for wonderful work during concert practice.

YEAR 2: Charlie Budworth for making great progress with her reading, Isabelle Sandry for improvement with her handwriting and Annabelle Foran, Caroline Taylor and Piper van den Ende for working hard to find halves, quarters and eighths of a collection.

YEAR 3: Sterling Newton for a huge improvement in Mathematics, Aaron Robin for always being happy to share ideas during class discussions and Ryle Walker for always trying hard during our Geography unit. 

YEAR 4: Olivia Yates for great contributions to our class novel, Bella Hammond for interacting with others in a kind and positive manner and Alice Peart and Pearl Mudford for creating detailed diary entries from Davinia’s perspective.

YEAR 5: Braxten Towns for great work identifying the correct homophones and Caitlin Younghusband for producing a well researched poster on a Catholic organisation. 

YEAR 6:  Akhiro Baker for working conscientiously to master the long division strategy,  Jessie O’Connor for writing fabulous alliteration sentences during Grammar and Bayley Dent for a great effort to achieve his Literacy Pro goals.

CLASSROOM NEWS

Kindergarten

This week has flown by in Kinder! We have been busily working on our portfolio tasks. Unfortunately, there are still some portfolios that have not been returned. We would appreciate it if they were brought in so we can add this term's work. In Religion we have read the story of baby Moses from the Old Testament and worked on identifying some true and false statements about the story. We wrote a great information report about dragons and included some fun facts. During Maths we explored the concept of capacity and worked out how we could determine which containers held the most, calculating that the largest container held 988 counters!! Our concert item is looking good and a reminder that next Tuesday is our full dress rehearsal. If you are unsure what your child needs, please contact me. We really enjoyed welcoming ex Joeys student, Ben Standing into Kinder this week. He was certainly a great help and we loved having him in our classroom. Thanks Ben! Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Mrs Alison Newstead & Miss Lisa  Harvey

Year 1

What a lovely Liturgy we celebrated today. It was wonderful to see so many family and friends in attendance. This week in English we read two new books, “Amy & Louis” and "Mr Huff”. We looked at the different ways both authors have shown emotion in the text and how these emotions changed throughout the story. We then wrote compound sentences to describe our own ‘imagery’ of a bad morning and how it made us feel. During Maths we began our new unit learning about place value. We have completed a number of fun hands-on activities as we explore how large collections can be quantified, organised and represented in different ways. We worked together to form the largest and smallest number from any 3 given digits and discovered that numbers can be partitioned in many different ways. In Sport we have been preparing for the infants sports carnival, which will be held next Thursday. Don’t forget all costumes need to be at school for our concert rehearsal on Tuesday. Have a lovely weekend! 
Mrs Julia Jeffery & Mrs Prue Best

Year 2

The excitement is building for the concert rehearsal next Tuesday. Please ensure all clothing items from home are labeled and in a bag. We have been working on eighths, quarters and halves of a collection during Maths and also completing hands-on tasks with a metre ruler. We have been learning about figurative language during Writing, where we have been identifying and using metaphors and similes. During Personal Development and Health with Mr Gibbons we discussed emergency situations and calling 000. Children watched a video on what the emergency services will ask when this number is called. Children are encouraged to know their address and have access to important numbers. Children got creative during Art where they had to make a beach scene, they had access to the craft cupboard and produced beautiful and inviting beach pictures. Enjoy the weekend! 
Mrs Nikkola Thomas

Year 3

Year 3 enjoyed a fantastic excursion to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo today. It was great seeing all the wonderful animals from around the world with our school friends. In English we continued our narratives and we plan to write a recount of our trip to the zoo tomorrow. We also revised the rules for using speech marks during Grammar, so hopefully we’ve included dialogue correctly in our narratives. We have solved division problems in Mathematics and will complete our unit assessment tomorrow. Our concert item has been coming along nicely and an email was sent out yesterday regarding costume requirements for our dress rehearsal next Tuesday. We hope you have a nice weekend.
Mrs Phillipa Haling & Mrs Swade Wilson

Year 4

We have begun a new unit in Maths this week, 'Spatial Measure: Mass’. We are learning to use scaled instruments to measure and compare masses. We have used kitchen scales to estimate and measure a variety of different objects. We have also completed our Maths portfolio task which shows a sample of the work we have been doing. We finished our novel, “The Callers” this week which was bitter sweet. We all really enjoyed this story and learnt a lot about characterisation as we followed the journey of the characters. We have begun writing a summary of the text focusing on key characters and settings. We are all looking forward to our concert rehearsal next week. Don’t forget to have your costumes here on Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Melinda Morris

Year 5

We're almost there! One more week to go then school holidays! In Religion we discussed how we enjoy God's creation and how we also damage God's creation. We discussed what happens to us and the Earth if we continue to damage it. During Geography we learnt about the different layers of rainforests and the different ways we are destroying them. Heartstrings were pulled in our novel this week. Jones has a massive decision to make about her cancer and if the doctors should remove her one and only good eye leaving her blind. We discussed the importance of word choices and the way words can evoke different emotions. In Maths we are working on 24 hour time and created a schedule of our day using 24 hour time. We have been working hard on our concert item and cannot wait to show you all. Could you please start to bring in your costumes labelled in a bag ready for our dress rehearsal next Tuesday. This will save people forgetting costumes and ensure everyone's costume is okay. Have a wonderful weekend.
Miss Abigail Dobson

Year 6

This week in Writing Year 6 has been refining their knowledge of authority and argument in texts and assessing texts against a set criteria. Our persuasive texts we created last week have provided a great platform for this assessment. We have adjusted our writing to ensure that argument and authority are obvious in our texts. In Maths our focus has been on reflecting, rotating and translating a variety of regular and irregular shapes, then applying this knowledge to tessellation and symmetry. During Geography we have been exploring deforestation around the world and the impact this has on society and cultures that rely on them, as well as the impact on the global environment. In Art we have been exploring various aspects of the Aztec culture and applied this knowledge to create a variety of amazing pottery pieces using clay. We will continue to add to these with paint and artwork patterns specific to the Aztec style. We can’t wait to show you them! Have a great weekend.
Mrs Meichelle Schier, Mrs Donna Colwell, Mrs Haylee Barry

ALTAR SERVERS

CANTEEN ROSTER

NOTICEBOARD

VARIETY KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Variety – the Children's Charity NSW/ACT is hosting a unique celebration in Dubbo this Christmas for kids who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability. 

Variety are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or background, can experience the magic of the holiday season. We look forward to sharing this special day with as many children as possible.

Variety Kids Christmas Party Dubbo

 When: Friday, 29 November
 Time: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
 Location: Dubbo Regional Botanical Gardens
 Cost: Free entry with registration

This will be a magical event, filled with festive fun and exciting activities. Here's a glimpse of what kids can expect:

Quiet Hour (3:00-4:00 p.m.):

• An exclusive hour dedicated to children with sensory processing issues, providing a calm and comfortable environment.
• A visit from our gentle and understanding, Quiet Santa.

Please note: Quiet Hour is reserved for 100 kids maximum.

Christmas Party (4:00-6:00 p.m.):

• Arts and Craft stations to let your creativity shine.
• A visit from Santa himself!
• Face and glitter painting to transform into your favourite holiday characters.
• Stage entertainment that will keep you entertained and captivated.

Plus, many more surprises and delights!

JOIN US AT THE XMAS PARTY

Tickets are limited, so please RSVP by Friday, 22nd November to secure your spot. To RSVP or for more information, visit our event page. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email our friendly events team.