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

Festival of the Arts

Last Tuesday, our Years 2 and 4 students travelled to Perth to take part in the choral speech section of the Festival. Both cohorts were fantastic as their timing and rhythm stood out from the rest. Thank you to Mrs Smith for coordinating this experience for the students. 

Last Friday night I had the pleasure of watching our five school bands perform at Sacred Heart College in this year’s Catholic Schools' Festival of the Arts. I was incredibly proud of all our students as they not only held their own against other schools, but they stood out with their performances.  A big congratulations and thank you to Kitt Byfield for preparing the bands so well.  

Inter-house Carnival

This week we were blessed with a magnificent day for our Years 4-12 Inter-house Athletics Carnival. There was a lot of fun and laughter in the air as well as some impressive results by many students. I would like to thank the PE team on both campuses, in particular Adrienne Sucking and Carrie Frost, who put an enormous amount of work into ensuring that a huge day like that runs smoothly.

Congratulations to Lenihan House who took out the Secondary Shield as well as the Combined Shield, and to Leonard House who won the Primary Shield.  Individual year level results can be found below:

A heartfelt thanks is also extended to parents who helped out on the day, either with the track or field events or in the canteen ensuring that everyone was fed. We really do appreciate your time.

Staffing Farewells

Sadly, this week we are farewelling two staff members who are leaving us. Ms Cherie Trinder has been working in Admin roles on both campuses for the last twelve months. She has stepped in beautifully and we thank her for her dedication. Mr Simon Roberts has been our Senior Groundsman for the last six years and has worked incredibly hard to keep both campuses looking neat and tidy. Simon is leaving us for medical reasons, and we wish him all the best as he moves into the next chapter of his life. 

Bilya Street Parade

We are excited to be joining in this year’s Bilya Street Parade as part of the Avon River Festival. Thank you to those who are going to join me walking behind our Winter Wonderland decorated ute. I look forward to seeing you tonight at 5:30pm. 

May you all have a wonderful weekend.

Speak for Faith

Congratulations to Abi Parker (Year 12) for competing in this year's Annual Speak For Faith competition in Perth last weekend.

Abi performed incredibly well with her speech on Freedom as she was required to speak for 5 minutes on the topic. This was followed by an impromptu speech on the topic of 'advice for teachers' that she was required to speak about for 2 minutes.

Abi's main speech was judged extremely highly, but it was the impromptu section that really sorted out the competition, with only 6 competitors from 30 going through to the final next weekend. 
 
Congratulations to Abi and we look forward to continuing our ongoing success in Speak for Faith in future years.  

Marist Youth Connect Night

On Tuesday 8 August some of our Senior Secondary Students journeyed to Newman College to participate in the 3rd Marist Youth 'Connect' Night in WA for 2023.

Students gathered with other students from Newman College and Bunbury Catholic College to discuss elements of perspectives and plans beyond school life.

The night revolved around the charisms of Marcellin Champagnat and particularly the Marist year focus of 'Created and Called'.

The night included games, Liturgy and a Q & A session that allowed students to learn about God's plans for us in amongst a Marist setting. Our students enjoyed the time away to reflect and develop as a group. We wish to thank Issy Ochtman,  Marist Youth Ministry and Newman College for hosting us during our visit.

 Weekly Gospel Reflection

Please view the Gospel reflection for this week.

This week's clip has a focus on 'A Wise and Discerning Heart' and how finding Christ is like finding buried treasure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ESzSwLHa3M

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, 

What a busy couple of weeks we have had! Our Years 2 and 4 students represented our school so well at the Spirit of the Arts Festival: Choral Speech Section and the Primary Bands shone on stage last Friday night in the Contemporary Band Section. Thank you to Mr Byfield, Mrs Smith and all of the parents and staff who supported these students.

Years 4-12 Inter-house Athletics Carnival

Our Years 4–6 students showed great sportsmanship and energy during our Years 4–12 Inter-house Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to Leonard for taking out the overall Primary Shield and to Lenihan for winning the Combined Shield. Special thanks to Ms Frost, Ms Suckling, Mr Watson and Mr Greenley for all their hard work in preparing our carnival.  

Science Week 

Next week, we will be celebrating Science Week with a range of fun and interesting Science experiences. All students from Kindy to Year 6 will be making a worm farm. Each student is asked to please bring in a clean 1.25L – 2L soft drink/water bottle with the top removed, similar to the picture below. 

Mr James and our senior students will also be holding an exciting Science Afternoon on Thursday. 

Monkey Bars 

Last week, we installed some new monkey bars in the Years 1 – 6 Playground. Thank you to the P&F for funding this project; we are so grateful to all of the volunteers and for all they do for our community.  

May you all have a beautiful week ahead. 

Michelle Christian
Head of Primary

Class in Focus:  Pre-Primary Blue

Pre-Primary Blue have started Term 3 well. Our theme this term is ‘Let’s Get Creative’, and we have already been busy creating works of art to be proud of. Each week we explore a new storybook and discuss the themes within them. So far this term we have read Rainbow Bear, Eat Pete, Elmer and this week we are going to meet Edward the Emu.

We continue to enjoy our specialist classes and are very excited about AUSLAN being back. We have learned how to sign our colours, some animals and can sign the song ‘I Can Sing a Rainbow’.

In The Arts, we are learning all about the art of Drama. The children are having a blast with Mrs Smith.

In Science we are discovering the ways in which things move and in Digital Technology we are learning coding. Last week we got to have a try of the Bee Bots. The children were able to get the Bee Bot to move to their partners by coding the algorithm for it to follow.

In Week 1 we had a very special visit from Pirate Pete. He told us tales of his journey along the Avon River and asked us to make him a new pirate hat as he had lost his along the way. So, in Talk 4 Writing we are learning ‘How to Make a Pirate Hat’.

We have also been practising our athletic skills for the upcoming Sports Carnival. As you can see, things are very busy in Pre-Primary, and we still have over half a term to go! 

Kym McCarthy
Pre-Primary Blue Teacher

Class in Focus: Year 6 Gold

Oh my! It is hard to believe that we are more than halfway through the year!

In English, we are learning about suspense writing techniques that influence a reader’s perspective on characters and events in a narrative. Students use figurative language with the suspense tools to create a piece of writing that is engaging for the reader. We use different images as stimulus for writing narratives. We are enjoying this unit very much as students are encouraged to let their creativity run wild.

In Mathematics we have been investigating decimals. This term we have been adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals. We have even looked at multiplying and dividing decimals with the powers of 10. Additionally, if this doesn’t challenge us enough, we intertwine all these skills and use them to solve worded problems.  

In Religion we have been learning about how the elements of the Sacrament of Eucharist relate to serving others in the community. We discuss how influential Jesus is and the ways he has served His people. When we receive the Eucharist, it motivates us to communicate with God and to volunteer our efforts and time towards helping those who may need it.   

This term in HASS, we have been excitedly investigating the timeline of the groups of people who migrated to Australia and the policies and processes involved with migration. We even had Ms D’Silva’s parents come into class and talk about their migration experience to Australia too! Now, all our attention is towards researching a famous Australian migrant, and their life changes, struggles, relevant policies that existed, and so on and so forth.  

Finally, we had the privilege of planning food stalls and sporting activities on Marcellin Day last week. We enjoyed the creative freedom and the level of responsibility and leadership that was passed onto us. We can’t wait for another opportunity to serve our community!

Here are some photos of our English activities, Migration Incursion and Marcelllin festivities for you to enjoy:

Lauren D'Silva
Year 6 Gold Teacher

Hello from Bunker Bay. I am currently at a Secondary Deputy Conference where we are discussing ways in which we can use AI Technology in Future Innovator’s project-based learning and youth entrepreneurship to prepare our students for the future. Post-school looks very different for our students, than it did for us, and listening to the companies speaking at this conference has been very inspiring.  

Last Monday our Years 8 and 9 students watched a performance called Techno Bully by Starr Production. Despite the serious nature of the subject, the play exposed the misuse of technologies and offered positive strategies to deal with cyber-bullying. Students found the play quite entertaining, with lots of laughter through a serious problem.

Secondary will be taking part in Book Week festivities in Week 6. We will also have a dress-up day on Monday, 21 August. Please remember that costumes need to be appropriate for school. We will have prizes for each year level and one for best group costume. Extra points will go to creativity and home-made. 

God Bless

Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary

Science Learning Area in Action

Secondary Science

Year 7

This term is full of excitement for the Year 7 Science students. The students are involved in understanding the Earth in space. Next, they will investigate the Earth’s resources, and that will begin in Week Five. The students appear to have a wealth of knowledge about the Earth in space, whether examining the solar system or eclipses or the seasons. There are two Year 7 Science classes, and all students in both classes have immersed themselves in the principles and content for this term. 

Year 8

This term the students are working on energy and machines. Recently the classes looked at how much energy was in food. We burnt different types of chips to find out how much heat they transferred to a set volume of water when ignited. This was very popular with the class but not so much with everyone who came into or near the laboratory afterwards. Grain waves were the absolute winners.

Year 9

This term the Year 9 classes are undertaking a really large project. They are working on an environmental assessment that the school has been involved with for 28 years. The group travelled to Eadine Springs and carried out some field survey work and took samples of soil and water. For the next few weeks, they will be carrying out experiments in class to allow the comparison of results with previous years’ data. The soil experiments will finish this week with the water samples being processed next. The final assessment for this will be an environmental impact statement report written by each student.

Year 10

The Year 10 group is currently studying Biological sciences and have recently examined cell structures and organelles. The topic has moved through investigating cell replication processes, mitosis for growth and development and meiosis for reproduction, gaining an understanding of the steps and key terminology at each of the phases. The most recent discussions in these classes included looking at genetics and inheritance, particularly at predicting traits using key terms such as dominant and recessive characteristics.

Year 11 Chemistry ATAR 

Year 11 Chemistry students are having the best taste of chemistry. After all, our biological systems are in fact chemical systems. Presently, they are investigating how intermolecular forces affect the separation of dye using the thick layer chromatography. In addition to this, they are investigating what pH means in the real world, and so, they are measuring and finding out the pH of chemicals commonly used in their homes. 

Year 12 Chemistry ATAR 

This is the final term of Year 12 Chemistry. They have gained the understanding of processes involved in chemistry. We began with chemical equilibrium, and we shall finish with chemical synthesis. In the process, they will have acquired the understanding of buffer systems and polymers, all of which are useful in our world. Who knows where these students will go or where this knowledge will be applied. The future is bright for them, and the opportunities are widespread.

Years 11 and 12 Human Biology ATAR

Human Biology this term continues with the Year 12 students the looking at evolution of hominids (humans) and the evidence that we have to show these changes.

Year 11 students have been looking at reproduction and in the next few weeks will be carrying out dissections of rats to compare the organ structures of males and females.

Year 11 Integrated Science General

Our Integrated Science students are currently studying a Chemistry unit and are looking at atomic structure and chemical reactions. One of the practicals associated with this is called the Flame Test. Students place pop sticks soaked in different solutions above a flame and observe what happens. Results show different coloured flames corresponding to different elements/metallic ions present in the solution.

The students will also be looking at chemical changes and chemical reactions which will involve some interesting practical experiments later this term.

Year 11 Physics ATAR

The Year 11 Physics students have been investigating motion, by experimenting with a range of objects examining velocity and acceleration. Using ticker tape timers to gain practical data and comparing this to theoretical values by using appropriate trigonometry. The students have then been considering the physics behind acceleration, or negative acceleration, linking this to personal reaction times and stopping distances in a range of vehicles in diverse conditions. Through application of the Physics, students have increased their awareness of what the impact of stopping distances can be and why we must concentrate on the road when behind the wheel.

Year 12 Physics ATAR

The Year 12 Physics students are also pondering motion, but moving from the regular and mundane Galilean or Newtonian world and moving into Einstein’s theory of special relativity, with the emphasis on the’ thought experiment’. This means now the students need to consider the effects on high speed, very high speed objects and the results on length or even the perception of time from different observers. So along with various calculations and the implications on real-world systems such as a Global Positioning System, the students get to work through the ‘twin paradox’, where one twin ages less quickly that the other due to the motion experienced, how? Special relativity of course!

Mark Bundock, Jada Yengkopiong, Cam Greenley, Andrew Ellis, Steve Rigney, Gerhard Vogel, Nita Budas and Mark Gargano
Science Learning Area Staff

Learning Areas in Action

The Arts

Starrs Productions, “Techno Bully”

The Years 8 and 9 students had the opportunity on Monday 7 August to watch a  production from Starrs Production who are currently touring Western Australia from over East. Students were treated to a two person show that highlighted some of the possible issues surrounding internet use. The play highlighted the powerful theme that though we are often anonymous when we use the internet, our behaviour has real world effects on people’s lives. Many thanks to Starrs Productions for the amazing production and to Northam’s Link Theatre for hosting the play.

Daniel Matthys
Arts Coordinator

Children, Family and Community

This term the Year 11 Children Family and Community class have been looking at childhood nutrition and menu planning for toddlers and prep school aged children. For their task they were required to plan a healthy school lunch and prepare it in a bento box.

The students made fantastic colourful, nutrient rich meals and had some great ideas. One of them being Amelia Davies' Protein Balls. Please find the recipe below.

Protein Balls

Easy and quick energy balls. Make as breakfast bites for the whole week! Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Warning: Contains nuts

Prep Time:

10 mins

Additional Time:

30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup ground flaxseed
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (Optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine oats, peanut butter, ground flaxseed, chocolate chips, honey, chia seeds, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Remove chilled dough from the refrigerator; roll into twenty 1-inch diameter ball.  Serve and enjoy.

Carol Farson
Food Technology Teacher

Workshop 

Year 7s are learning CAD (Computer Aided Design) this semester using Autodesk Inventor Pro 2023. The project including a stepped block, rubber wheel and note pad holder.

Year 8s are constructing a Pot Stand using hand tools. This project is teaching how to mark out a piece of work with reference to a drawn plan. It also covers learning to use hand tools such as tenon saw, chisel, mallet, hand plane and try square. Students will also learn to countersink holes for screws.

When we perform tasks at height that require a stool, we often have other tools that we need to carry. The Year 9s are attempting to solve this problem by creating a wooden stool with a tool caddy attached. The students are marking out, cutting and finishing the product out of pine and MDF, using a combination of hand and machine tools.

Year 10s are working on two projects. Half are finishing off a hall table using mortise and tenon joints with bent legs made of Jarrah and the rails being Tasmanian Oak. The other half are constructing a carry tray made from Tasmanian Oak and joined using box joints.

Year 12s are finishing off their bookshelves before commencing their final project of their own choice. The students have put in a great effort and the results are awesome.

Mike Hillyer
Workshop Teacher

Secondary Sporting News

Inter-house Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday 9 August students in Years 4 to 12 attended the Inter-house Athletics Carnival at Bert Hawke Oval. Although the morning fog hung around for most of the 100m races, the students, staff and parents enjoyed the excitement of some close races and great House spirit. All students involved put in their best effort throughout the day with a few records broken and lots of PB’s. We would like to give a huge thank you to all the parent helpers who jumped in on the day and to all staff who helped with the pre-carnival and during carnival events.

Thank you to Cameron Greenley and Cameron Watson for jumping in this year to help Carrie Frost and I coordinate the carnival.

Congratulations to all medal winners and the House winners.

Record Breakers

Lily Parker equalled record 1.31m in Open High Jump

Jackson Byfield Yr 4 Javelin 19.92m

Evelyn Adams Yr 4 Javelin  19.6m

Mattia McPherson Yr 7 Javelin 22.25m; Marley Ferguson also broke this record with 22.1m

Parker Byfield Yr 7 Javelin 28.93m

Mackenzie Miller Yr 6 400m time of 1:18.15

Lily Parker Open 400m time of 1:12.64

Lilian Ferguson also broke the record with a time of 1:14.62.

Some early events also broke the record:

1500m -

Open Lily Parker 6:05.83

Yr 8 Cooper Lyons 5:45.00

Yr 8 Isabelle Dymnicki 6:23.80

Yr 10 Kale Treloar 5:10.81

800m -

Lily Parker 2:53.85

Carnival Results - Brief Team Scores 

Adrienne Suckling Carrie Frost
Head of Learning Area - Health & Physical Education

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

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 Required

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  - 

Our Primary Canteen Helper Roster for Term 2 is below. Volunteers are urgently needed so please consider offering an hour or two one morning.   

Primary - Week 5  

Primary - Week 6

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    

During Term 3, students are required to wear 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

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! 

Inter-house Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday, the P&F ran the canteen for the athletics carnival, providing a small menu of lunch options for students, staff and parents/caregivers. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help cook, serve and clean up. A massive thank you to Yvette Boyland who once again went above and beyond in organising the canteen, food and baking some tasty treats for everyone. Thank you to all our helpers - the canteen wouldn’t have been a success without each and everyone you! 

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: 2.00pm to 3.00pm (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 next week and can be purchased through Humanitix. There will be NO DOOR SALES. Tickets are $5 each and include 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 and will then be open after school for parents to make purchases. Each class will also be given designated timeslots during the day where students can purchase books.  

This years theme is ‘Hats Off to Reading’ 

A signup sheet for volunteers will be made available soon.  

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 classroom. 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 President

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.

School Dental Therapy Centre