Secondary News
I do have to start this newsletter by congratulating all students, staff and parents who worked so hard to make this year’s Interhouse Athletics Carnival a successful one. Congratulations to all of the Phys Ed teachers for getting our students ready for their events. Congratulations to Lenihan House for such a glorious victory. Mr Vernede is still basking in the rays of success.
Well done also to our students who competed at the Meckering Cross Country last Friday. So amazing that St Joseph’s came home with both the primary and the secondary shields. Thank you to Miss Suckling and Mr Watson.
We have had a short but very busy week. On Tuesday, Year 12 students and teachers commemorated the anniversary of Tegan Ward’s passing. We walked to the river, spoke about the joy she brought to our lives and sent lavender and rosemary floating down the river with our prayers and memories of her.
From Wednesday to Friday, some of the Year 11 and 12 students took part in their Outdoor Education Camp. This is an important part of the course and is needed for their end of year assessment. Despite rain, and torrential weather last night, they all came through, albeit a bit soggy, to complete their assessment. They hiked the Bibbulmun Track from Kalamunda to Ball Creek (approx. 23kms), with their tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, Trangia stoves, clothes and food. Once at Ball Creek they hoisted their own tents and cooked their own meals. And they did all of this with very little complaints. Thank you to Mr Sinclair and Mr Greenley for giving up so much of your own time to improve the education of our students.
Next week, we have Jade Lewis coming in for a presentation on Cybersafety. She will deliver these to secondary in the morning and then at primary for the Year 5 & 6 students. She will then do a extra presentation for our St Joseph’s parents to help everyone understand what our students are looking at online and how to protect them. Please join us in the PAC at the Primary Campus on Tuesday 27 August at 6pm.
God Bless
Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary
Softshell Jackets
We still have a limited number of pre-loved softshell jackets available to purchase for $30 each (cash or card). If you are interested in having a look at what's available, please go to the Secondary Admin Office.
Curriculum News
Food
Year 10 creating healthy lunch boxes...
Year 11 showcasing their baking skills in 'The Big Bake Off'...
News from the VET Office
Congratulations to Cooper Adams on the completion of his work placement at the Northam Post Office. Cooper was immersed in the behind the scenes postal services where he manually sorted mail arriving at the workplace, distributing mail into relevant PO Boxes, performed administrative duties and ensured postcards, letters, and parcels made it to your postbox in the fastest possible time.
Year 9 Career Taster
On Tuesday, a select group of Year 9s attended an Early Childhood Education Career Taster held by Central Regional TAFE. Students were immersed in two early childhood activities: felt storyboarding and the making of cloud dough.
Students learned how storyboards increase children's imaginations, help develop self-expression and communication skills, and provide hands-on learning experiences.
Later, students made quite a mess while making cloud dough and learned how messy play activities benefit young children's development, including sensory stimulation, fine motor skill development, creativity, cognitive growth, language development, emotional regulation, social skills, self-confidence and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Students left with hand-outs about the variety of TAFE courses on offer and how TAFE qualifications can be used as an alternative pathway to university and a Bachelor of Teaching degree.
Caroline Marriott
VET Coordinator