St Joseph's School Northam eNewsletter

Founders Week

Introduction

Have a look at Mr Reidy's fantastic Founders Week Advert:

Fun across both Campuses

Jump Rope for Heart

This term, the Primary students have been participating in Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the Heart Foundation.

Each class has been practising skipping tricks throughout the term, which they showed off during our Jump Off Day on Monday. We'd like to thank the Year 6, 9 and 10 students who helped to run the Jump Off Day activities for all Year 1 to 6 students. All the students had so much fun.

So far, the students have raised over $7400 with donations closing on 5 July. If you would like to donate, please register your child on the Jump Rope for Heart website.

Cameron Watson
Primary Physical Education Coordinator

Year 6 Tree Planting

On Tuesday, the Year 6 students and some of the Year 11s, spent the morning helping with the rehabilitation project at the RV Park in Northam. In total, more than 180 native tress have been planted.

Year 8 Fremantle Prison Excursion

On Wednesday, the Year 8 HASS classes embarked on an educational excursion to Fremantle, traveling by bus to tour the historic Fremantle Prison as part of their History studies. The students were divided into two groups and walked in the footsteps of convicts who arrived in Western Australia from the 1850s to the late 1860s.

During the tour, the students explored various cells, including the escape-proof cell of Moondyne Joe, Western Australia's most notorious bushranger. After a short recess break, they learned about the lives of prisoners, including men, women and children. The students were particularly shocked to discover that the youngest inmate was just 8 years old.

The visit also included a trip to a gun tower overlooking the prison yard. Students experienced being temporarily locked up in solitary confinement and were introduced to the concept of capital punishment.

A special thank you goes out to all the parent helpers who attended, making the day trip even more memorable for the students.

Natalie Williamson-Holley
Teacher

Year 10 Boshack Outback Excursion

On Wednesday, the Year 10 cohort travelled to Bolgart to Boshack Outback. The students participated in a farm tour, feeding farm animals and taking a stroll through marsh land, prospected for Crystal Quartz and learnt to throw a boomerang.

Students were also given the opportunity to visit the she-oak Forest and build some bush shelters. After a short Canoe, students enjoyed some damper and a sausage sizzle before heading back to school.

Thank you to Mark Bundock, Cassidy Graham, Rikk Hargrave, and Renee Allen for helping with the excursion.

Adrienne Suckling
Head of Health & Physical Education

Primary Drumming Incursion

Making Jesus Real

What a privilege it was to recently work with staff and students from both the Primary and the Secondary campus. We shared ideas about striving to bring JOY to those around us and making good choices.

Sadly, many of the students, at both campuses, shared that they back chat or talk back at home. We discussed how this can become a habit that creates hardship for parents and carers – AND I reminded them that parenting is a hard job! A few teachers stated that they are striving to ensure that this habit will NOT creep into the classroom as well, but sadly it does occur and YES the disrespect does hurt.

Some of the younger students would have come home with ‘OK’ written on their hands – this is to remind them that when they are asked to help with a chore, stop gaming, go to bed etc, that by getting into the habit of saying ‘Ok’ (with a smile), it can create a positive atmosphere at home. This is a much more desired response than answering back or saying ‘No!’

The secondary sessions were on ‘You are NOT Alone’, Respect & Mental Wealth. We reminded ALL the students and staff that it is not only Okay but essential to put your hands up for help when you are struggling. The responses from the participants was fantastic BUT parents/carers please ask those in your care: 1) about the sessions 2) if you need to sit down and have a chat about helping those in your care to stop back chatting.

We spoke about ‘Spirit of Jesus’ moments that occur all around us – there are so many, we just have to look for them and name them up. Please ask your children about ‘THE MAGIC’ they can create because we had many magic moments during the two days.

Marty Ogle
Incursion Leader

The Misadventures of Frog Girl

Mrs Parker's Drama Production ISP Class entertained the Primary students with a play they have been working on during Term 2.

The play is a story of a girl who did not like who she was and wanted to find a magic spell to make herself taller. She met a unicorn and a troll who then turned her into a frog. On her adventures she then met a sneaky goblin and a friendly dragon. She learned to accept herself as she was and be happy with her appearance.

The performers were truly wonderful and did an amazing job. The performers were Niki Tasker, Lucy Trinidad, Amelia Gardner, Milly Davey, Halle Hortorene-Shortland, Lily Bliss and Kaizer Winch-Buist.

We were also assisted by Mrs Doughty, whose feedback and support was wonderful, Leah, Georgie and Susu from Year 11, who helped with make up and three very capable Year 7 boys, Nash, Archie and Sam, who were brilliant as sound and lighting technicians.

Thanks to all the Primary teachers and students who were the audience and the the Link Theatre for the venue.