Dear Lord,

We ask you to bless St Joseph's School Community.

We pray that you guide us to be just and to see,

listen, speak and act like St Joseph.

May we be inspired by our Founders to be the best
that we can be.

May we always keep Jesus at the centre of all we do.

St Emilie          Pray for us

St Marcellin      Pray for us

St Joseph         Pray for us 

And may we always remember to pray for one another.

AMEN

Dear Members of St Joseph's Community

Mrs Woodgate has been on leave for the last two weeks but is looking forward to returning to school next week!

Welcome to the new School Website

It will be a work in progress over the next week to get all the missing information onto it, so please be patient as we also learn to operate this new site.  Thank you for your patience and enjoy the new look.

Weekly Gospel Reflection

Please view the Gospel reflection for this week.

This week's clip has a focus on "Daily Prayer" (Staying Positive)

Year 3 & 4 Mass

On Wednesday 12th October, the Year 3 and 4 classes combined to facilitate a Mass with Father Conrad at the Church. 

Last term, students learnt about Reconciliation and Communion and the overall connection of a calling in our lives. Jesus invites us to be a part of God’s family through the Sacraments. But he also encourages the global community to realise it is a part of God’s family and those relationships begin at home, at school and in our towns with the people we meet. This is how people learn to be a part of the Church.  

Lloyd Reidy
Religious Education Teacher

Parish Sacramental Program

The Parish Sacramental Program Coordinator, Mrs Kathy Pollard, wishes to advise families that the Parish is considering holding the Commitment Ceremony for each Sacrament prior to or at the first parent/student workshop.  If you have any queries regarding the Sacramental Program, please contact Kathy on 0429 685 632.

Sacrament of Confirmation

During Term 4, Year 6 students, that are eligible, will undertake the Sacrament of Confirmation in November. If your child is catholic and you would like them to complete this sacrament please e-mail Kathy Pollard on kathy.pollard@cewa.edu.au to discuss and complete the necessary paperwork. 

Dear Families & Friends, 

It is hard to believe that we are already in Term 4! The Year 5 students are excited about their camp in Week 5, the Year 6 students are preparing to transition to our Secondary Campus, our new build is running on time, and the whole school is a buzz for our Grandparent’s Day celebration. It was wonderful to see so many Grandparents this morning and the children enjoyed showing you around their classrooms and the school. 

Confirmation

On Wednesday, 26 October our Year 6 students will be participating in a Retreat Day in preparation for their Confirmation being held on Sunday, 30 October at 10:30am. Please keep all of the children celebrating this important sacrament in your thoughts and prayers.

National Teacher Appreciation Day

Did you know that Friday, 28 October if Teacher Appreciation Day? A day celebrated across Australia which recognises the important job our teachers have. Your child might like to make a card or pick a flower from your garden to give to their teacher on the 28^th.

May you all have a beautiful weekend.  

Michelle Christian
Head of Primary

Year 4 Fremantle Prison Visit

On Wednesday 21 September, the Year 4 students travelled to Fremantle for a visit to the Fremantle Prison.

During last term, we had been learning about the First Fleet and the history of Convicts, comparing how they were treated in their daily lives to that of our lives now as children. We participated in two tours of the prison, looking into the olden days past history when the prison was first built, to the more modern history of the Prison.

Students were able to put into perspective what they have already learnt about the day to day life of convicts. We saw Moondye Joe’s prison cell and heard his story in depth of the many escapes that he attempted over his time of imprisonment. Moondye Joe was only one of the prisoners we heard about on the tours, we were also given insight into the many different prisoners and their different escape stories that were attempted. We also went up a narrow and windy staircase to the top bridge, where we overlooked the prison from the eyes of the guards. We saw the watch house and the tiny contained room they had while on watch.

Overall, students were very invested in the history of the prison and thoroughly enjoyed the excursion. It is one excursion that they will remember for a long time.

Nadia Golding and Edward Ewing
Year 4 Teachers

Class in Focus:  Pre-Primary Gold

‘Let’s Get Creative’ is our theme for Term 4 in Pre-Primary. We are all very excited to be able to use our imaginations to design and create our own masterpieces using boxes, paints, glitter, feathers and many other crafty items.

During our literacy sessions, we have been working very hard on writing sentences, making sure that we are using capital letters and full stops. Letter formation is also a focus for this term, practicing writing on lines and holding our pencils correctly.

In Maths, we have been busy collecting information about our classes likes and dislikes. We then use that data to tally our results and create our own bar graphs. We have found that chocolate ice cream is more popular than strawberry and that more people prefer dogs to cats.

In the afternoon during Investigation time, we love being able to play in the puppet theatre and café. It is always so much fun performing a puppet show to our classmates followed by a refreshment from the café during intermission.

However, our favourite part of the day is lunch time. We are now able to join the ‘Big Kids’ in the ‘Big Playground’. It has been so much fun playing on the oval and the new nature playground. We love being able to see our friends and siblings from other year groups and they have been doing such a wonderful job of looking after us as we are getting used to the new lunch time routine.

Liz Grubisa
Pre-Primary Gold Teacher

Class in Focus:  Year 2 Blue

Arrrh me hearties!

We discovered some jewels outside our classroom and followed a trail which led to a TREASURE CHEST! The treasure chest was full of GOLD, which we were all able to have a piece of. Following this activity, we were hooked on the theme of pirates, treasure and beaches!

We learnt our new 'Talk for Writing' text, Magic Beach.
We made connections with the story by creating some magical artwork.

In HASS we have been investigating Continents and Oceans. We have been learning to name and locate them on a map. We can sing some catchy songs to remind us!

I look forward to seeing what the rest of Term 4 brings!

Jessica Morris and Kylie Gorbig
Year 2 Blue Teachers

Year 6 Excursion Fremantle Markets

Last Friday the Year 6’s went on an excursion to the Fremantle Markets to interview small business owners in preparation for their FunD Day in Week 8, where they will be running their own business stalls. We were so lucky to have six small business owners volunteer their time to chat to the students about how to start a small business, and give them some tips for their stalls. Some of the owners even gave them some free gifts!

We then tackled the chaos of the lunch hall to enjoy some exquisite cuisines before heading to the Esplanade Park for some social time and finally heading back to school. We want to say a big thank you to our parent helpers who gave up their time to come with us and made the day that much more engaging for the students!

Sam Rodgers, Cameron Watson and Ken James
Year 6 Teachers

Head of Secondary

Hello from Secondary, 

We will have a very busy last term, with cancelled and scheduled events taking place. Last week our Year 9 /10s Specialised Sport students went to Perth to the indoor Beach Volleyball Courts to play, the Year 7 – 9 students attended the Turn up in Blue for Mental Health week at Bernard Park. And our Year 7s had a Day at the Museum.  

Our Year 12s head into the ATAR Examinations from 31 October and we wish them all the very best for those. The Year 11 ATAR Examinations commence on 4 November and will run until 15 November. We then have the Year 10 Examinations 21 – 23 November and finally the Year 9 Examinations 5 – 7 December. If your child is completing an exam this term, remind them to start their study program early and include plenty of exercise.  

This week we have had the team from Loving for Life at St Joseph’s Secondary. Inspired by the love of Christ, these programs encourage adolescents to analyse the existing attitudes around what makes a relationship healthy and sustainable and grow in their confidence to choose ways of living that enhance dignity, safety and wellbeing.  By participating in the Loving for Life programs, young people strengthen their friendships, family relationships and communities. 

Our Year 10s have taken on the Camino Walk from Stoneville to Midland and finally on Friday we say farewell to our Year 12s with Graduation Mass and Supper.  

Next week, for the first time, some of our Year 9s will take on the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA). If your child is involved, you would have received an email in regard to days and times. This is in place of completing it in Term 1 2023. Our Year 10s will be busy next week with a science excursion for the extension class and the Outdoor Education class away on a camp to put the skills they have learnt this year to the test.  

I would like to extend a special thank you to those parents who have emailed me to supervise the Year 11 examinations. I am still looking for a couple of parents to cover the 9th, 11th, and 14th November. Please, if you can spare the time, we would be very grateful. 

Finally, I would like to remind our school community that we do not want lollies brought to school. They are classified as junk food and we as a school are trying to promote healthy food choices. There are many websites with healthy alternatives, please see below for some quick ideas.

Thank you

Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary

Examination Season

At the end of Week Two, I feel the appropriate comment is… Isn’t time just flying by!

In just over a week our Year 12 ATAR students will commence their WACE examinations. (Please don’t forget your personalised examination timetables from SCSA) and at the end of Week Five, from Friday 4November, our Year 11 ATAR students commence their examinations (With Chemistry).

In Week Seven, from 21November the Year 10A students sit their examinations and not to be outdone and to finish the term off in Week Nine our Year 9A students complete their end of year examinations on 5 - 7 December.

As such, students preparing for examinations, need to now find their vibe!

How do you retain information, how do you reflect on your knowledge, what’s your performance plan, what’s your form on examination day?

Some students make a lot of notes on index cards, each linked to a category or topic. Others write out their notes and use different coloured highlighters, others change all their written notes into diagrams, charts and pictures, know what works for you and use it.

Routine is important, your body will respond to what it knows. Don’t suddenly cram until 1am the night before examinations, especially if this is three hours after your regular time to go to sleep, you will pay for this the next few days, not just the day after. If you are needing to cram it all in and do ‘an all nighter’, clearly something has gone very wrong with your preparation regime, don’t fall into this trap.

Eat well and healthy, the day of the examination, a good breakfast is important, your brain is going to tick over and require many kilojoules for you to find the correct responses-don’t skip meals.

With each examination it is important that you have the confidence to back yourself. Don't listen to others and second guess your choices. Trust that what you have done is right for you. This might mean, on the day of the examination avoid spending time talking with others and comparing your preparation.

If you are a person that naturally gets anxious before an examination, this will probably just increase your nerves and convince you that you don’t know anything. If you need to, sit by yourself, or chat with other students, who are not talking about the examination, now is the time to do the right thing by you.

When the examination starts, execute your plan, do you complete all the questions you definitely know first, do you complete all the extended answer questions, once again follow your plan, not what others say is a good idea. Remember to ignore what others are doing in the room, especially the teachers or invigilators, if you are doing the right thing, you have no concerns.

Remember, the only person who can determine your success is you. Let the examination scores be a true reflection of your ability and demonstrate your potential, try your best.

Just a little something stated on our school crest, fidelity. Indeed, have fidelity, be faithful to yourself and allow your talents to be on display, good luck students. 

Mark Gargano
Year 7 - 12 Teaching and Learning Coordinator

Turn up in Blue Day

Students from Years 7-9 attended the annual ‘Turn Up In Blue’ event at Bernard Park. They enjoyed playing minigolf, soccer darts and spud toss and got the opportunity to participate in painting, decorating hats, drumming, flower arranging and potting plants to name a few activities. The students interacted with many local businesses and support services invested in mental heath within our community and they came home with a bounty of freebies!

A big thank you to HolyOak and all the local businesses and agencies for the fabulous event.

Amanda McLaughlin
Secondary Teacher

Learning Area in Focus:  HaSS

Year 7 students had a wonderful day at the museum. The Dinosaurs of Patagonia was an engaging and exciting display of dinosaur bones dating back over 170 million years. The students also had time to explore the other galleries and especially liked the galleries ‘Wildlife’ ‘Cosmos’ and the blue whale skeleton.

The Year 7s are to be congratulated on their engagement and behaviour on the day. Thanks to all the parent helpers who assisted.

Nicki Parker and Renee Marasco

Secondary Teachers

From the VET Office

Student Successes

Congratulations to Liam Elliott and Laithan Skelcher who completed 55 hours of Workplace Learning this term.  Workplace learning occurs when a student’s program includes the individual student spending a period
of time in a workplace under the direct to supervision of an employer in order acquire generic and transferable and/or specific work skills.  Thank you to PJ & DE Robinson and Western Power for hosting St Joseph’s School students.

Caroline Marriott
VET Co-ordinator

Secondary Sporting News

Upcoming Health and Physical Education Events

Year 10 Outdoor Education Camp – 26 to 28 October (Week 3)

Inter-school Sports (Floorball, Netball and Basketball) - Date Changed to 11 November (Week 5) 

• Nominations Closed

St Joseph's Tennis comp - Tuesday 15 November (week 6) 

• Check List outside staff room 
• Nominations open to all year 7 to 10 students 
• Nominations close 28th October 

Hills Netball Comp - Friday 18 November (week 6) 

• Check List outside staff room
• Nominations open to Year 9 & 10 Girls
• Nominations close 28th October 

Indoor Beach Volleyball Year 9 and 10 Sports Science

During Week One, the Year 9 and 10 Sports Science classes participated in an intra-school Indoor Beach Volleyball competition.

The students reported that they had a fun and enjoyable day with the Championship game being very close and also with a special mention that Mr Vernede is very good at volleyball. Overall it was a fantastic competiive experience where the students learnt a lot and would definatley love to do again.

Grace:

‘The indoor Beach Volleyball excursion was a great experience with the Year 9 and 10’s. Throughout the day we competed in our teams in a volleyball tournament using the skills previously learnt in our sports science classes. This created a fun and supportive team environment. It was a very enjoyable day with students learning and having fun.’

Thank you to Mr Daniel Vernede, Mr Justin Boccardo and Mrs Michelle O’Driscoll for helping make the excursion such a success.

Adrienne Suckling
Head of Learning Area - Health & Physical Education

School Calendar

As we have transitioned over to our new website you will be able to access our school calender via the website or the Schoolzine app. Please ensure that you keep refering to this calendar as events planned at the start of the term may have been moved or cancelled and new events added. 

There are many events planned for Term 4, and you are encouraged to check the calendar for upcoming events that may involve your family.

Andrea Woodgate

Parent Participation Scheme

Parent Participation Levy cards are now due to be handed in to the Business Manager as soon as practical.  These can be dropped into either Admin Office and Ms Quinn will arrange for the deduction of the Levy from your School Fees Account.

Sharon Quinn

Business Manager

Opening Times:                           Mondays -   3.15pm to 4.45pm       
                                                     Thursdays - 2.45pm to 4.15pm    

We are now in Term 4 where students are required to wear their summer uniform.

Please also keep in mind when ordering, that your items will go home Tuesday and Friday of each week, as Monday and Thursday are the days the Shop is open.  When placing an order via the Online Shop, it will appear on a report the following day.  For example; if you place your order on Monday, the report issues on Tuesday which means it will not be organised until Thursday, and will go home on Friday.

Michelle James 
Primary - 9621 3524

Canteen Support - Volunteers Required

The Primary Canteen has a new Summer Menu in Term 4, please check the current menu and daily specials before ordering. 

You are encouraged to order online.  If we experience connectivity issues with the online ordering, please revert to using lunch bags to place orders for that day. 

Recess or snack items ordered online are available for students to collect from the Canteen at their Recess break.  Milo pops and icypoles can be collected from the Canteen following the second lunch bell.  

Due to high demand on our quality food and service we need helpers to ensure that our kids get their lunches on time.   In order to function to our highest potential, we ideally need 2 or more  volunteers a day.  Volunteering is a great way to teach your kids about giving, modelling them for the future.  Also, every shift you do at our School helps you towards qualifying for a Parent Participation discount on your annual fees.  

We would love to welcome you into our fun, and busy environment and see the smiles on your children’s faces when they see you in their school.  If you are able help, please sign up online at the new sign up link https://signup.com/go/esPvGqK

Our Primary Canteen Helper Roster for the first two weeks of Term 4 is below.  Volunteers are urgently needed so please consider offering an hour or two one morning.   

Primary - Week 3  

Primary - Week 4

I look forward to working with you.  If you have any queries, you are always welcome to contact the Canteen on the number below.

Angela
Canteen - 9621 3525 

Parish Priest - Fr George James

Assistant Priest - Fr Konrad Gagatek

Mass Times ~ Saturday Vigil @ 5.30pm

                   ~ Sunday Mass @ 8.00am  

Presbytery Phone: 08 9622 5411
Email: northamcatholicchurch@iinet.net.au
Website:  www.northamchurch.com

Parish News ~ Children's Liturgy 
Children’s Liturgy sessions are held during the 8.00am Sunday Mass.

Next P&F Meeting 31st October

The next P&F meeting will be held at 6pm on Monday 31 October at the Secondary Campus. Please come along and join us and become involved in your school community. New members are always welcome.

Please pencil in the AGM which is scheduled for Wednesday 17 November, all office bearing positions will be vacated and election of new positions will occur.

Class/Library Book Covering

Ever wanted to help from the comfort of your home?

We have boxes of books processed and ready to be covered, all supplies (tape and plastic) provided. Pick-up is from our primary campus.

Welcome to anyone new, grandparents and friends can cover on your behalf.

All support and help is appreciated.

Please don't forget to complete your parent participation form.

Email Kylie Dymnicki, Education and Library Assistant: 8605svc_library@cewa.edu.au

Canteen Assistance

A reminder about Canteen assistance - if parents have an hour to spare after dropping off their kids, or between 11.30am and 12.50pm, Angela would appreciate any help you can offer her.  The number of lunch orders coming in is the highest it's ever been, which means more food to get ready.  You can also have these volunteer hours marked off on your Parent Participation Card, which deducts $100.00 from your school fees.  Your kids will also love seeing their parents at School!

See our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764507137145087/?ref=share for more updates.

Lauren Holten
President

Strengthening Children and Teens Against Anxiety

Astrotourism WA ~ Spectacular Night Skies

A Total Eclipse of the Moon!  Coming to Your Skies 8^th November!

The FACET Workshop on Dark Sky Tourism has been rescheduled to 29^th November 2022. It will be a fantastic opportunity to meet solar eclipse expert, Dr Kate Russo!

A Total Lunar Eclipse is occuring on 8th November when the Sun and Moon are perfectly aligned in their orbits, with the Earth in the middle.  As the Moon travels around the far side of the Earth, it passes directly into the shadow of the Earth.

To add to the magic of it all, the Moon turns a coppery-red during a total eclipse, earning it the nickname of ‘Blood Moon’.  As the Moon passes into the full shadow of the Earth, called the umbra, the Sun’s light passes through the atmosphere of our planet and is scattered, losing most of the blue light. This means that the light that reaches the lunar surface is predominantly red in colour. This effect is known as Rayleigh Scattering and this is also how our sunsets are created.

When to look:  From 7.00pm to 8.50pm, 8th of November. 

Which direction to look: In WA, the Moon will rise, mid-eclipse, starting low in the eastern horizon. 

Enjoy the magical transformation of the bright full Moon into a slowly darkening coppery ball, hanging mysteriously in space.

Another colourful grouping occurs on the 11^{th of} November with Mars forming an Orange Triangle with two red super giant stars, Betelgeuse and Aldebaran.  The Moon lies right next to Mars, adding to this special spectacle.

When to look: After 10pm, on the 11th of November.

Which direction to look: North-east.

Enjoy these confetti of colour in the night sky.

Find more stargazing tips and country events at www.astrotourismwa.com.au.  If you’re a budding “astro-enthusiast”, check out… Stargazers Club WA’s telescope classes and astronomy events for beginners at: www.stargazersclubwa.com.au.

Northam Art Prize - A.V.A.S

The Avon Valley Arts Society are holding the '2022 Northam Art Prize'.  Entry form and poster below. The Youth Award is for artists aged 12 to 18 and there is no entry fee for the first entry.  There is a total prize pool for the Youth Award of $500 with $250 for 1st, $150 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd.