Dear Parents, As Term 3 concludes, I would like to express my thanks to all of our community. In what has been a different year, we haven’t had the same connections which we are used to. Families have not had the face to face interactions with school staff. Staff have had to rethink how we have done a great deal of or usual work and students have had to deal with significant change. Yet here we are, at the end of Term 3, having done a fabulous job of rethinking and managing differently. We are very grateful to our families for ensuring they let us know of changes at home - signs of unsettled children, frustration with school work and struggles socially. We are also grateful for the trust you have shown in us with making calls about unwell children, support we have put in place for children here at school and the encouragement you give to staff. The staff have worked above and beyond to make this happen here at school, all with a sense of fun and adventure. They will enjoy their holiday break this Term! And our students have truly been amazing! They remain focused on learning and doing their best at all times. They display a determined growth mindset each day while still having fun in all they do. The holidays bring an opportunity to slow down a bit and take stock of where we are up to as we prepare for that busy Term 4. A few reminders for Term 4: We need students to return to school in full uniform - school socks seem to be often replaced by all sorts of socks; haircuts need to be sensible with no shaved designs; no nail polish or jewellery please. All student require a drink bottle PLEASE. School drop off and pick ups will remain the same at this stage, so only the back and front gates will be open. PLEASE do not email or class dojo staff with changed afternoon arrangements. Any late changes to arrangements need to be advised by a phone call to the office PRIOR to 2:45pm. Absences are to be notified by phone call to school or email to [email protected]or by responding to the SMS sent to you after 9:30am. When explaining an absence please give details like sick, family holiday, medical appointment, etc. As previously requested, parents are now asked to provide a more detailed explanation / reason for their child's absence other than 'Sick' or 'Unwell'. Some examples of a clearer explanation could be: Sick with flu like symptoms and being COVID tested** OR Sick with stomach pains OR Unwell with earache, OR Injured with sprained ankle etc. OR Feeling tired, didn’t sleep well **Being absent due to Covid testing also changes the way the absence is marked on the Roll. The first day of Term 4 is a Staff Development Day. School resumes for students on Tuesday, 13 October. We are expecting some information from either Catholic Schools NSW or the Catholic Schools Office, regarding any changes made in relation to Covid-19 rules for next Term. We have our fingers crossed it will include information about S3 Camp to Lake Ainsworth, Sports days, the return of Junior Joeys, end of year Masses, etc. HEADLICE: Would you please check your child’s hair for headlice especially over the holidays for return to school. SEPTEMBER Friday 25 Alstonville’s Got Talent FINAL End Term 3 - Last day students and staff. OCTOBER Monday 12 - Staff Development Day - PUPIL FREE Tuesday 13 - Students return Term 4. Tuesday 20 - Exuro Thursday 22 - Junior Joeys Meet & Play (session 1) t.b.c. Friday 30 - World Teachers’ Day NOVEMBER Tuesday 3 - SCHOOL PHOTOS RESHEDULED Thursday 5 - Junior Joeys Meet & Play (session 2) t.b.c. Mon 9 - Wed 11 - S3 camp to Lennox Head Wednesday 11 - Remembrance Day Tuesday 10 - PSF meeting, 7pm Thursday 12 - Junior Joeys Orientation (1) t.b.c. Thursday 19 - Junior Joeys Orientation (2) t.b.c. Thursday 26 - Junior Joeys Buddy Day (Last Junior Joeys for 2020) t.b.c. DECEMBER Friday 4 - Staff Development Day - PUPIL FREE Tuesday 8 - PSF Christmas Gathering Monday 14 - School Swimming Carnival, t.b.c. Tuesday 15 - Graduation Mass, t.b.c. Wednesday 16 - Last day of school for students K-5 11 Perry Street Alstonville NSW 2477 ( PO Box 265 ) Phone: 02 6628 1009 www.alstplism.catholic.edu.au Email: [email protected]WEEK 10 Acknowledgement to Country Jingi Walla ( Jin-gee-wah-la ) Hello…. As we journey on this land of the Bundjalung Nation on which St Joseph’ s stands, we pay our respects to the Elders - both the past, present and emerging leaders of the Bundjalung Nation. We acknowledge and respect their culture, their heritage and their beliefs as stewards of the land, sea, the earth and heavens, animals and vegetation.
Transcript
Dear Parents,
As Term 3 concludes, I would like to express my thanks to all of our community. In what has been a different year, we haven’t had the same connections which we are used to. Families have not had the face to face interactions with school staff. Staff have had to rethink how we have done a great deal of or usual work and students have had to deal with significant change. Yet here we are, at the end of Term 3, having done a fabulous job of rethinking and managing differently. We are very grateful to our families for ensuring they let us know of changes at home - signs of unsettled children, frustration with school work and struggles socially. We are also grateful for the trust you have shown in us with making calls about unwell children, support we have put in place for children here at school and the encouragement you give to staff. The staff have worked above and beyond to make this happen here at school, all with a sense of fun and adventure. They will enjoy their holiday break this Term! And our students have truly been amazing! They remain focused on learning and doing their best at all times. They display a determined growth mindset each day while still having fun in all they do. The holidays bring an opportunity to slow down a bit and take stock of where we are up to as we prepare for that busy Term 4.
A few reminders for Term 4: We need students to return to school in full uniform - school socks seem to be often replaced
by all sorts of socks; haircuts need to be sensible with no shaved designs; no nail polish or jewellery please.
All student require a drink bottle PLEASE.
School drop off and pick ups will remain the same at this stage, so only the back and front gates will be open.
PLEASE do not email or class dojo staff with changed afternoon arrangements. Any late changes to arrangements need to be advised by a phone call to the office PRIOR to 2:45pm.
Absences are to be notified by phone call to school or email to [email protected] or by responding to the SMS sent to you after 9:30am. When explaining an absence please give details like sick, family holiday, medical appointment, etc. As previously requested, parents are now asked to provide a more detailed explanation / reason for their child's absence other than 'Sick' or 'Unwell'. Some examples of a clearer explanation could be:
Sick with flu like symptoms and being COVID tested** OR
Sick with stomach pains OR
Unwell with earache, OR
Injured with sprained ankle etc. OR
Feeling tired, didn’t sleep well
**Being absent due to Covid testing also changes the way the absence is marked on the Roll.
The first day of Term 4 is a Staff Development Day. School resumes for students on Tuesday, 13 October.
We are expecting some information from either Catholic Schools NSW or the Catholic Schools Office, regarding any changes made in relation to Covid-19 rules for next Term. We have our fingers crossed it will include information about S3 Camp to Lake Ainsworth, Sports
days, the return of Junior Joeys, end of year Masses, etc.
HEADLICE: Would you please check your child’s hair for headlice especially over the holidays for return to school.
SEPTEMBER Friday 25
Alstonville’s Got Talent FINAL
End Term 3 - Last day students and staff.
OCTOBER Monday 12 - Staff
Development Day - PUPIL FREE
Tuesday 13 - Students return Term 4.
Tuesday 20 - Exuro Thursday 22 - Junior
Joeys Meet & Play (session 1)t.b.c.
Friday 30 - World Teachers’ Day
NOVEMBER Tuesday 3 - SCHOOL
PHOTOS RESHEDULED Thursday 5 - Junior
Joeys Meet & Play (session 2)t.b.c.
Mon 9 - Wed 11 - S3 camp to Lennox Head
Wednesday 11 - Remembrance Day
Tuesday 10 - PSF meeting, 7pm
Thursday 12 - Junior Joeys Orientation (1) t.b.c.
Thursday 19 - Junior Joeys Orientation (2) t.b.c.
Thursday 26 - Junior Joeys Buddy Day (Last Junior Joeys for 2020) t.b.c.
DECEMBER Friday 4 - Staff
Development Day - PUPIL FREE
Tuesday 8 - PSF Christmas Gathering
Monday 14 - School Swimming Carnival, t.b.c.
Tuesday 15 - Graduation Mass, t.b.c.
Wednesday 16 - Last day of school for students K-5
11 Perry Street Alstonville NSW 2477 ( PO Box 265 ) Phone: 02 6628 1009 www.alstplism.catholic.edu.au Email: [email protected]
WEEK 10
Acknowledgement to Country Jingi Walla ( Jin-gee-wah-la ) Hello…. As we journey on this land of the Bundjalung Nation on which St Joseph’s stands, we pay our respects to the Elders - both the past, present and emerging leaders
of the Bundjalung Nation. We acknowledge and respect their culture, their heritage and their beliefs as stewards of the land, sea, the earth and heavens, animals and vegetation.
We are really impressed with the work of our students. The Kinder children have been sharing their Writing with Mrs Seymour who really enjoys hearing them read what they have written. See some samples of their work later in our newsletter. Stage One have been having fun creating obstacle courses in P.E. Stage Two headed off on two field trips last week. First to Bullwinkle Park and later in the week to Ballina Coastal Walkway for STEM. They had great fun investigating and learning. Stage Three have been working hard on their writing too. Today I have pleasure in sharing the work of Zara Corkery and Lachlan Barnes with you all (at right). Congratulations to the Gold Award recipients who were awarded at an Assembly yesterday. We will be celebrating the Gold Award Morning Tea this week in the staffroom.
Therese Seymour
Page 2
Excerpt from North Broken Passage by Zara Corkery On a bright day with the sun shining in the clear sky, a small family approaches the beach, north of The Great Barrier Reef, with sand as soft and pale as snow, one of them: the youngest, had an odd feeling. He was going to say something but he couldn't find the right words. Then something slivered down the back of his neck, he was terrified and screamed. “Geez, no need to scream. I just put some seaweed down the back of your neck.” said his older brother, he was around 16, he had short brown hair with blonde highlights, ocean blue eyes that matched the sea and was wearing black trunks with two red stripes on each side but no top, revealing a strong, tanned body. “You wait-” the kid shouted, unlike his brother he was young, like 10 or 11. He had brown hair with the tips dyed black, one brown eye and one green eye and he was wearing a bodysuit that was black, purple and blue, he was skinny and pail from the lack of sun he had. “Oh no, I’m so scared. Dad do something, Chris is going to hurt me” said his older brother in a sarcastic voice. “Enough, Michael. Chris, what happened?” their youthful Dad asked as he zoned out before Michael pranked Chris, he was much like Michael, brown hair, bright blue eye, strong and tanned, wearing plain black swimming trunks, but much more reasonable and fair. “That thing you call your son, scared me,” said Chris, glaring at Michael. “Chris… you know you're as much a son to me as Michael is. Now stop fighting, your Mother will be here soon.” Their Dad added as his two children mumbled curses underneath their breath. Around five minutes later there Mum showed up, “Sorry if I took too long!” she said, she was truly beautiful and looked young still, wearing a yellow one piece swimsuit, she had soft ginger hair that burned like fire in the blazing sun and hazel eyes that gleamed like stars.
Miss Kasey Miles - Assistant Principal St Joseph’s Alstonville School
Chess Competition - LAST CALL Unfortunately, the Gardiner Chess competition is unable to go ahead next Term. Mrs Danielle Bullen would like to run a school Chess competition on Friday, 13 November, beginning at 12:45pm for those students who wish to participate. If your child wishes to participate in this competition, please email [email protected] or see Miss Miles in person before the end of this Term to secure your spot.
Families by Lachlan Barnes ‘MUM MUM MUM! Do I really have to go please, please, please?”. “Yes, we are leaving now so get in the car”. “But Grandma Mary is always at you and your manners. Aunty Libby is always giving you kisses and leaving bright red lipstick on your cheeks. Grandpa Bill never lets up on his bad beer jokes”. “You're going, Joe will be there.” “Little cousin Joe? He stinks and his fingers come out of his nose!” “ What about Charlotte?” “She brings a new boyfriend every gathering. Jordan’s eyes are always stuck to the phone. Please! Don’t make me go, pretty please?”. “No. We’re going to be late”. Come on the food is ready, terrible uncle Jim is burning the food and he cooks way too much food. He will serve you up a mountain load. His children are rounder than beach balls...
Stage 1 has been having fun demonstrating the fundamental movement skills which we have been exploring in PE this Term. They have been doing this by collaboratively creating obstacle courses
and movement sequences.
GOLD AWARDS Congratulations to the following students
who received Gold Awards at school yesterday.
Stage 1
Hendrix Dewhurst Indy Lowe
Maggie Wilkie
Stage 2
Grace Cooper
Stage 3
Felicity Bultitude Eva Gallagher
Jasper Burton-Clay Van Mitchell
With the end of term here we would appreciate books being returned to school. Holiday borrowing is available.
Leader of School Evangelisation - Mrs Julia Meyers MASS ONLINE: Please click on the following link to Bishop Homeming ’s celebration of Mass for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time held on Sunday 20 September, 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCClvo_MU0s
Our Lady of the Rosary Alstonville & St Patrick’s Wardell Catholic Church Masses
Mass is available on site. We have now ceased the drive-through communion option. Current Covid-19 restrictions limit us to 50 people in the church at any one time. People are required to book the time they wish to attend Mass so that these limits can be managed and adhered to. Permanent and casual bookings are being taken. Please advise the parish as soon as possible if you have made a booking but are unable to attend on that day to allow your place to be made available for someone else. Please phone the parish on 66283047 or email: [email protected] to make a booking. Bookings must be made by the preceding Friday.
Weekend Mass is available in the following four time slots:
Please bear in mind the following procedures when entering the church…
Sanitise your hands on entry
Record your name, address and phone number on the Record of Attendees sheet,
Maintain social distancing (1.5 metres), and
Before leaving the church, wipe down the areas you have touched with the disinfectant wipes provided by church helpers.
Bringing out the Best in Your Child: An evening with Dr Kaylene Henderson
If you missed our webinar with Dr Kaylene Henderson, Bringing out the best in your Child, you still have an opportunity to watch the webinar recording until Friday, 3 October. Just click on the link https://youtu.be/UKvGzI3MlUw and view at your leisure. Please respect Dr Kaylene's intellectual property and do not share or download the video outside your school community (copyright will be enforced). In this 90 minute presentation, child health expert and mother of three, Dr Kaylene, shares practical tips on topics such as:
Temperament
Anxiety
Resilience
Connection and empathy
Problem solving skills
Emotional literacy
Developing secure relationships
The handout from this webinar is also available and Dr Kaylene has offered a special "virtual seminar" discount on her 'A Dose of Awesomeness' advice packs. Interested parents can simply print and send a photo of your completed order form to Kaylene's team at [email protected].
We trust that you enjoy this webinar and find it useful in raising your awesome children.
Leader of Catechesis - Mr Phil Crosby
Stage 1 has been learning about the 'Saints', ordinary people who reflected God’s goodness to the world and brought God’s love to others. After looking closely at the life of Saint Patrick and how he became a saint, they went on to 'dive deeper' and explore and discover other saints. Their class saint is St Francis of Assisi. Students investigated his background, his love for animals and the challenges he overcame to become a saint. Well done Stage 1!
BALLINA TOUCH FOOTBALL - FRIDAY NIGHT SUMMER COMP
Are you looking for a team? Does your team need an extra player?
It’s that time of year again when the touch season is upon us. I recall when my boys played years ago. It was sometimes a struggle to get a team together or be included in a team as we have to register our own teams.
I know of a few kids (boys and girls) who are interested in playing. You don’t need to be highly skilled and there’s no weekly training commitment but rather a fun, Friday night, run around. If your child is interested in playing or intending to play, PLEASE email me at [email protected] ASAP so I can link families who may need a player for their team or who are looking for a team etc. Team registrations close on the 26 September and I would love to help to get your child into a team if I can. Go to Ballina Touch Facebook page for more information or click on the link below, to register a team into the 2020-21 Junior Touch season. All registrations must now go through the Touch Football Australia website. Team registration will close on September 26. Registration of teams into the competition after 26 September will be at the committee’s discretion e.g. to remove a bye from a competition.
The Social Justice Team has created this garden of positivity by encouraging students to write something on a flower which they feel has been positive for them this year. Our garden is still blooming with more being added each day. It’s wonderful to read comments such as ‘I’ve made new friends’, ‘my spelling has improved’, ‘I can now do division’. Positivity is closely linked to resilience. The more life can be looked at through a positive lens, the more likely we are to bounce back in times of stress and adversity. What are your positives this year?
Kindergarten has been working hard this term to write descriptive texts about different environments in our world. This fortnight we are focussing on the beach. We have read the Magic Beach by Allison Lester, and have created our own descriptions of the beach environment. Some of us read to Mrs Seymour.
Stage 2 went on a field trip to Bullwinkle Park to explore the natural environment. We used our learning from this term to discuss the biomes* which we could see at, and around, the park. (* A biome is a large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna e.g. a rainforest, grassland, forest, desert etc.)
Page 4
At my magic beach, my feet burn on the hot, yellow sand. I gaze out at the glittering, blue ocean and see the glowing, glittering fish. See the shiny dolphins splash in the foamy waves. Fast, snappy crabs pinch me.
Zoe
At my magic beach, I look across at the ocean that is blue. The busy fish are partying in the crashing waves. The dolphins are glittering around me.
Lily
At my magic beach hot, glittering sand is getting hotter and hotter, then the wooshing blue ocean comes in. The hot, bright sun shines in my eyes. The sparkling fish are glowing in the foamy, bubbly water. The crabs are scooping in the soggy sand. I wish we could swim with the fish.
Maddi
At my magic beach, I gaze out to the blue, calm ocean. A giant grey white shark is eating silver seals. Crabs are crawling along the hot sand. Blobby jellyfish sting people. Hard starfish stick on to the rockpools.
Rory
At my magic beach, I look out for sparkling, glittering fish having a sea party. Then I relax on the hot, shiny sand. I go on a very fast, splashing beat. Happy children are building a beautiful sand castle. I hear the wooshing waves. The kids cry and cry.
Olive
STEM with Mrs Anna Moloney
& Mrs Dana Crosby
Stage 2 had a beautiful day at Flat Rock beach last Thursday. David, from Ballina Coastcare greeted us as we arrived and helped us to plant some shrubs along the walking path. We learnt how vegetation helps to prevent coastal erosion. We then completed scientific diagrams of the sand dunes and the types of vegetation at the beach.
After a lovely
lunch, watching whales and the
waves, we enjoyed beach
games and a peaceful mindfulness
session with O. We couldn't have asked for a better
day!
Page 5
The following children have celebrated their birthday since our last
newsletter:
Jacob O’Bernier, Charlie Collins
& Hunter Fisher.
Happy Birthday from all of us at joeys
CANTEEN
Wednesday and Friday SPECIAL
Homemade Pizza $3 * BBQ Meat lovers
* Bacon and cheese * Just cheese
END OF TERM TREAT FRIDAY
Jelly cups or ice cream with topping $1.00
ALSTONVILLE’S Last week we held the final two heats for Alstonville's Got Talent. Congratulations to all involved. We have been blown away by the students' commitment and confidence when performing in front of their peers.
Congratulations to the Finalists who will be performing on Friday:
Mitchell Charter Charlotte Ellis Eva Gallagher
If you missed out this Term, stay tuned for information about Term 4!!!!
Page 6
WEEKEND CARTOON CAMPS We are excited to be coming back to Lismore to run our art & cartooning workshops for the children over a weekend. Northern Rivers (Lismore) Saturday October 31 – Sunday November 1
Caniaba Community Hall 414 Caniaba Road, Caniaba NSW
· We are Covid-Safe · A Sydney cartoonist will be coming to run
the program · Parents with children aged 4 – 17 can use
their annual Creative Kids Vouchers to attend for some of the classes
· If the children attend for the full weekend –
the cost will only be $40 with the Vouchers
· Book directly on our site: www.illustrating-man.com.au
· If using Creative Kids Vouchers, get the Vouchers from Service NSW then call our office: 02 9343 0833
SCHOOL FEES DUE
A reminder that all school fees and levies for 2020 should now be PAID IN FULL, excepting those who have made and adhered to an
arranged payment schedule. Thank you to everyone who has finalised their fees for this year.
Marhli Greathead & Ava Greensill Jacob O'Bernier Feliks Ryzak
