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

Welcome back to Term 2.  I hope that you have all enjoyed a break over the holidays with a smooth start to the term.

This is a busy time of the school year in regard to major events, so it is important that families are aware of upcoming dates. There is likely to be many emails coming from the School with important information in each one so please take the time to read them carefully. 

The first three events are coming up quickly 

1. Marcellin Day 2 August - Students are welcome to wear blue for the day. Those not dressing in blue should wear their normal school uniform. Gold coin donation for Term 3 charities. 

1. Years 4-12 Interhouse Athletics Carnival 9 August – an email was sent out today with details and there is a big shout-out for volunteers both in the Canteen for the P&F and to help run a field event. 

1. Avon River Festival Street Parade 11 August - This is always a fun event as we take part in the street parade. An email will follow early next week with details about what to wear and where to meet. We hope to have a big representation on the night. 

Congratulations 

We have a very talented group of students who are excelling in both National and International Highland dancing competitions. As this newsletter goes live, we have a group competing in a competition in Sydney (Lily Parker, Mia Parker, Grace Brayshaw, Alexie, Charlie and Heidi Wallis and Sadie Grogan). We wish them the best of luck. We would also like to pay special mention to Grace Brayshaw who placed first for her age group in an international competition during the school holidays.

Dates for your diary

Weekly Gospel Reflection

Please view the Gospel reflection for this week.

This week's clip has a focus on 'Evil within Goodness' and how Christ related it to harvesting a crop through parables.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JFs7gnrrgc

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.

Dear Families & Friends, 

Thank you to all our parents and guardians who made the time to meet with their child’s teacher this week.  If you were not able to come in for a meeting across the past 3 days, and would like to talk to your child’s teacher, please message them through Seesaw to arrange a suitable time. 

Performing Arts Festival 

Term 3 is our Performing Arts Season and we have several groups of children entering the Catholic Schools' Spirit of the Arts Festival. Everyone is welcome to come along and support our students, tickets can be purchased through http://www.spiritofthearts.com.au 

Tuesday, 1 August: Choral Speech – Years 2 & 4 

Friday, 4 August: Primary & Secondary Bands 

Friday, 25 August: Primary Choir 

Marcellin House Day 

This coming Wednesday 2 August is Marcellin House Day. All students are invited to come to school in ‘blue’ free dress. Any students not wearing blue are asked to wear their normal school uniform. Our Year 6 Marcellin students will be selling blue treats at lunchtime, all items will cost 50c. The Year 6 students will also be running some free lunchtime activities.  

Athletics Carnival 

On Wednesday, 9 August we will be holding our Interhouse Athletics Carnival for students in Years 4 – 12. We look forward to having families come along to cheer on our students. It will be a normal school day for students in Kindy – Year 3, their Junior Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday, 1 September. 

May you all have a wonderful week ahead.  

Michelle Christian
Head of Primary

Welcome to Term 3. It is a very busy term, especially for the Year 12s who are completing their courses and finishing their secondary schooling. The Year 12s have been given a laminated timetable of the important dates for them over the next 10 weeks. Please keep them in your prayers. 

We are looking forward to the Interhouse Athletics Carnival, taking place on 9 August at Bert Hawke Oval with some of our more competitive students vying for A division in the lead up trials. Please join us on the day and lend your voice to the cheering. 

Last Wednesday was the Secondary Awards Assembly. We had an amazing parental turnout which was fantastic for the students. We have moved parents to the front of the church so that they are able to hear clearly and see their children receive their award/s. Congratulations to all of our recipients.

The Secondary Parent/Teacher interviews were held this week. If you missed out on making a booking, please email your child’s teacher directly and request a phone call. 

God bless 

Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary

From the Teaching and Learning Office

Curriculum Matters

A well-balanced life is the key to success! 

What does this actually mean? 

Looking through a range of resources, not only do you identify different definitions for success, but also different concepts of a well-balanced life. 

Perhaps, we can look at the balance of after-school sport and how this interacts with school commitments. 

If we look at school commitments, this means keeping up with your class work, finishing textbook questions, preparing for assignments and studying for upcoming tests. 

After school sport, will involve training and competitions against other teams, which may extend to the weekend. One should not be used as an excuse for not completing the other. 

Having a successful academic semester, means committing to completing all requirements for that subject. If this is becoming more difficult, or assignments are beginning to be incomplete or being submitted late, then this is an indication that there is an imbalance. 

After school sport, as a part of your life balance is important, but perhaps not multiple activities, or in some cases every day after school. A balance, a compromise must be considered, if your afternoons are occupied and you are unable to have enough energy to complete homework, something must give. 

To try and get on top of the new semester, sit down and map out the key events, it may actually mean, adding dates for assessments to an actual physical calendar, keeping them visible, this means that you will more likely prepare for these, or continue to work towards completing these tasks.  

If you are aware of due tasks, you need to plan your time to complete these and to plan effectively. It is no good spending 15 minutes attempting an assignment the night before it is due, then presenting the next day with a note from a parent, that indicates there was no time to complete it - especially if it was given a week or more ago. 

Map out your time, when do you have time, what do you need to use it for- completing assignments, finishing in class questions, reading the textbook chapter, you need a plan. 

If you find yourself without adequate time, some decisions need to be made and for some people they may be tough ones. To create time, you may need to forego an afterschool sporting commitment. Yes, I did write this. As fun as sport is, in most cases, this will not be a career, this is not what will enhance your ability to enter the workforce. If you are unable to complete schoolwork and your excuses are a range of sporting activities, you need a balance, it may mean that the balances are tipped away from school-life. 

Surprisingly, school is important. Not completing an assignment for English or Mathematics or any Learning Area, may seem like a little thing, but if we relate this to the big picture, by not finishing this task, you would not have completed these concepts, which means you are behind for the next key concepts. Once you start getting behind in concepts in Year 7, it affects Year 8, which affects Year 9 and so it goes. Having a successful academic school career, opens up more opportunities beyond school, this opens up a diversity of professional and vocational pathways, salaries and opportunities. 

Please do not limit your possibilities by not completing work and using external excuses. Use your time wisely and efficiently and strive for success at every opportunity, especially your next assignment.  

Mark Gargano
Years 7 - 12 Teaching and Learning Coordinator

Lego Masters Retreat

As part of the reward afternoon for students with good standing at the end of Term 2 a group of students participated in a Lego Masters competition.

In the first warm up round students had to make two creatures fighting each other.  For the second round students had to complete a marble run, which included ramps and tunnels. All students enjoyed the challenges and the winning team on the day were Owen Smith and Xavier Ross.

Andrew Ellis
Secondary Maths Teacher

From the VET Office

Congratulations to Xavier Coe and Sebastian O’Reilly who finished their work placement through St Joseph’s Work Placement Program in Term 3.

Xavier explored the work of an Education Assistant in a primary setting and Sebastian worked in hospitality.

Thank you to Toodyay District High School and BB’s Café Northam for supporting our students to gain valuable work skills. 

Work placement is available for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. Students work in one or more paid or unpaid workplace/s for one day per week to develop a set of transferable workplace skills.

Please follow the link on the St Joseph’s website to the VET information page for more information and get in touch if you would like to complete a workplacememt this term.

Caroline Marriott
VET Co-ordinator

Year 7 Game Changers Retreat

Last Friday, 21 July, Marist Youth Ministery Perth had it’s final Game Changers Regional Retreat Day for 2023. This was also WA's first Game Changers Retreat with both Newman College and St Joseph's School Northam. Marist Youth Ministry is so excited to finally have St Joseph's on board with Game Changers.

With the help of some AMAZING Marist Volunteers, the wonderfully curious group of Year 7's faced many challenges throughout the day. From dodging laser beams to 'planting seeds' (both literally and figuratively), this was truly a day for the students to remember.

With the symbol of the Year 7 Le Rosey track being a ‘star’, we provided a space for the students to reflect on the role models, or ‘stars’, in their own lives. Everyone had the chance to spend time reflecting on the qualities that they notice in their personal role models, and how they can grow to reflect these qualities as individuals.

The retreat also allowed many opportunities for students from both Marist schools to connect with one another and learn to work as a team. In short, we can't wait to see the students from both schools unite again next year.

Isabelle Ochtman
Marist Youth Ministry WA Regional Assistant

School Calendar

The school calender is accessed via the School website or the Schoolzine app. Please ensure that you keep refering to this calendar throughout the year.

You are encouraged to check the calendar for upcoming events that may involve your family.

Andrea Woodgate
Principal

Parent Participation Scheme

Did you know that the School offers a reduction in your school fees?

Families have the ability to work off a portion of their fees through voluntary help at the School. This is a great way to get involved and set a wonderful example of vollunteering for your child.

Whilst assisting in the Canteen is an obvious way to help, other activities encouraged include:

• Classroom assistance
• Reading assistance
• Officiating at swimming & athletics carnivals
• Gardening
• Running or assisting with fundraising activities
• Covering books for the Library

Forms and pamphlets are available from the Primary Office or download through the website at https://sjsnortham.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/86/parent_participation_card.pdf

Once completed, please hand in to the Business Manager, Ms Quinn, by the end of Term 3 - the forms 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

Year 10 School Based Immunisations

If you would like your child vaccinated through the year 10 School Based Immunisation Program, please follow these instructions which include links to the online consent.  

1. Log in to your VaccinateWA (external site) account. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one first (external site). If you received any Covid vaccinations at the WA Health Clinics you will already have an account.
2. From your homepage, click ‘Add or manage dependants’.
3. Click ‘Register dependant’ to create a new account for your child.
4. The ‘My contact details’ screen will be displayed. Fill in details for your child.
5. Your child’s (dependant’s) VaccinateWA homepage will be displayed. This will include all the vaccination programs they are eligible for. Select the relevant school-based immunisation program.
6. Your child’s dashboard for that vaccination program will be displayed, follow the 3 steps below to complete registration.
7. Complete Step 1: ‘About me’, which requires you to enter the school name and year group.
8. Complete Step 2: ‘Health Questionnaire’.
9. Complete Step 3: ‘Consent’. This step will outline the details of the vaccines you consent to your child receiving. Once you have selected your option, click ‘Submit’.

If your child missed having their vaccinations at the year 7 School Based Immunisation Program in Term 1, we are offering a catch up day at School on Tuesday 8^th August.  Please follow the instructions above which include links to the online consent.  If you completed the consent and your child was absent in Term 1 you do not need to consent again.

Your child will not receive their immunisation at School if the Consent is not completed prior to Tuesday 8^th August 2023.  There are paper based copies at the School reception if you prefer this method. The link below provides all information regarding School Based Immunisations and is a great resource.

https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/School-based-immunisation-program

The Year 7 & 10 Parent information sheets are a quick reference for those who prefer not to follow the links above. 

Early Years School Entry Health Assessment

The Avon and Central Wheatbelt Community Nurse, Aimee Leeson, has provided each Kindergarten student with a Confidential Enrolment/Consent Form and asks that parents/guardians complete the Form and return this to School as soon as practical. 

This important Early Years Health Assessment will be undertaken during this year with students being withdrawn from class.  Should you have any queries regarding your child’s Assessment, please contact Aimee Leeson, Community Health Nurse Avon & Central Wheatbelt Primary Health, phone 9690 1320 or email:  aimee.leeson@health.wa.gov.au

The canteen continues to operate with the WINTER MENU - please check the current menu and daily specials before ordering.

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.  

Canteen Support - Volunteers Urgently Required

AS OUR NORMAL HELPERS ARE UNAVAILABLE THIS TERM WE ARE URGENTLY NEEDING NEW HELPERS PLEASE!

In order for the canteen to continue to provide a service we urgently need helpers to ensure that our kids get their lunches on time. Please contact Angela on 9621 3525 or call the school office if you can please help!

To function at 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/TyRWDdj

Our Primary Canteen Helper Roster for Term 3 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 Sandrini
Canteen - 9621 3525 

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

It is now Term 3 and students are required to continue wearing  their winter 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

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope everyone enjoyed their break and have settled back into the school routine. There are so many exciting events happening this term that the P&F are involved in. If you would like to volunteer or can help out in any way, please reach out via the school or by phone, 0424288354. Remember: many hands make light work! 

Our next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday, 5 September at 3.20pm in the kindy room. All parents and caregivers are welcome and we encourage everyone to come along and see how you can help out! 

Primary Disco

The primary disco will be held in term 3 on Friday, 25 August. The session times are below: 

Pre-K to Pre Primary: 2pm to 3pm (last hour of school) 

Years 1-3: 4.00pm to 5.00pm 

Years 4-6: 5.30pm to 6.30pm 

Tickets will go on sale in week 4 and can be purchased through Humanitix. There will be NO DOOR SALES. Tickets are $5 and includes a lolly bag.  

Since this will take place at the end of Book Week, the theme for the disco is ‘Favourite Book or Movie Character’.  

There will be a signup sheet for parents to volunteer for setup, decorating and pack up. Remember, events like this cannot go ahead without the generous time given by volunteers! It’s a great way to get involved, meet new parents and the kids loving having you there! 

Book Week

Book Week will run from Monday 21 August. The Book Fair will start also on this date following the parade. A letter was sent home this afternoon with more information regarding the parade, and times the fair will be open.  

This years theme is ‘Hats Off to Reading’ 

A signup sheet for volunteers will be made available soon.  

Athletics Carnival

The senior athletics carnival will be held on Wednesday 9 August. The P&F will be running a food stall, supplying hot food and drinks for the day. If you can help out, even if it’s just preparing toasties, cooking soup, sausage sizzle, please reach out. A signup sheet will be available for volunteers with time slots throughout the day.  

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 Library.

Welcome to anyone new, grandparents and friends can cover on your behalf.  All support and help is appreciated.  

Please remember to complete your parent participation form.

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

Next P&F Meeting

Our next P&F meeting will be held Tuesday, 5 September at 3.20pm in the kindy room. All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend and we encourage everyone to come along and see how you can help out! 

Follow us on Facebook

To stay up to date with the P&F please follow our Facebook page. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

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

Casey Pearse
P&F Chair

Parish Priest - Fr Stephen Jean Paul Victor

Assistant Priest - Fr Rubenson Cardona

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.

First Eucharist to be held 10.30am Sunday 20 August 

School Dental Van

Protecting your children from harm is just as important online as it is in the real world. As a parent or carer, you can play an important role in helping children have safe and positive experiences online.

The internet offers an exciting world of experiences for children and the whole family. It can be entertaining, educational and rewarding. However, using the internet also involves risks and challenges.

Children might be exposed to content that is sexually explicit, violent, prohibited or even illegal. They may also experience cyber bullying or be at risk from contact by strangers.

Children may - unknowingly or deliberately - share personal information without realising they may be subject to identity theft, or that they are leaving behind content that might not reflect well on them in the future.

By taking an active role with talking with your kids about the risks and answering their questions or concerns about something that they find on the Internet you can help them stay safer online.

For more information on keeping your children safe online try the following websites:

• iParent is an online resource developed by the Office of the Children’s E-Safety Commission where parents can learn about the digital environment and keep updated on their children’s technology use. Guidance for using safety settings on your family’s web-connected devices, tips for choosing movies and games and strategies for keeping young people safe online is available. esafety.gov.au
• Stay Smart Online is the Australian Government's online safety and security website, designed to help everyone understand the risks and simple steps we can take to protect our personal and financial information online. staysmartonline.gov.au/
• Raising Children Network http://raisingchildren.net.au.

Astrotourism WA ~ Country Star Gazing

A Meteor Shower and a Super Blue Moon – August Has It All! 

Stargazers have plenty to see this month, starting with the Perseids Meteor Shower!  It is generated from comet Swift-Tuttle and renowned for producing bright meteors. The shower peaks on the night of the 12th/13th of August but can be viewed several days either side of the peak. The best views will be under dark skies, after midnight.  The further north you are in WA, the better you will see this meteor shower. 

Meteor showers occur as planet Earth crosses the orbital path of a comet. As comets pass by the sun, the extreme temperatures heat up the nucleus causing debris particles to spread out creating a comet tail.  As Earth passes through this debris cloud, we see the fiery spectacle of a meteor shower. 

When to look:  From midnight to early morning, 12 - 13 August. 

Which direction to look:  Low on the northern horizon. 

At months end we will be treated to a Super Blue Moon! The Moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly oval shaped or elliptical. So, every month there’s a time when the Moon is at its closest distance to Earth (at perigee) and another time when it is at its furthest distance from Earth (at apogee). 

When perigee coincides with the full Moon, it’s popularly called a “Supermoon”.  This ‘super’ phenomenon will occur on the 31August.   To add more cosmic excitement to the mix, it will also be a Blue Moon!  This is the popular term for a second full Moon in a calendar month. While the Moon won’t actually turn blue, it’s still worth going out and observing the Moon, as blue moons only occur once every 2 or 3 years!  

Does a Supermoon look bigger to the naked eye? Find out at https://astrotourismwa.com.au/supermoon/  

Events Coming Up

19 August, BYO Telescope Class

Perseids Meteor Shower

Ready to see up to 60 meteors per hour? This year is great for the Perseid Meteor Shower!  Best viewed low on the northern horizon and after midnight.

https://astrotourismwa.com.au/perseids-meteor-shower/

July Planet Party

Across the month of July, stargazers will be treated to a sunset display as Mars, Venus and Mercury take centre stage.  Starting on the 10th, Mars will appear right next to the bright star Regulus and Venus! Keen eyed observers may also spot the ISS passing by this triplet of lights around 6pm. Watch Mars drift away from Regulus and Mercury and take centre stage throughout the month, culminating in Mercury making a very close approach to Regulus on the 29th. 

Enjoy a super month of cosmic viewing! 

Stargazers Club WA’s telescope classes & astronomy events for beginners at: www.stargazersclubwa.com.au.

Or visit Donna Vanzetti’s YouTube Channel, Star Tracks Space Adventures.

For more dark sky tourism news and events visit Astrotourism WA. For more astronomy for beginners visit Stargazers Club WA and dont forget to look up!