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

Sad News

This has been a challenging week for staff, students and families of our School community as we learnt of the passing of one of our Year 11 students.  I would like to thank those who have reached out with messages of support, it has been appreciated.  Please continue to keep the School community and the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Meckering Cross Country

Last Friday our students represented the school magnificently at the Meckering Cross Country carnival. Along with some outstanding individual results, our students won both the Primary and Secondary shields. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Pupil Free Days

Next Monday and Tuesday are pupil free days. There will be no staff at school for either of these days.

Dowerin Field Days

A reminder that families wishing to attend Dowerin Field Day are asked to attend on Wednesday if possible so that our classes are not disrupted for two days.

Father's Day Celebration

We are holding our whole school Father’s Day Breakfast on Friday, 1 September. This event will be held on the Primary campus. Dads, Grandads and special men of our community are invited to attend breakfast with their child starting at 7:30am. Tickets sales will close at 12:00pm on Wednesday, 30 August. Tickets can be purchased for $5 through https://events.humanitix.com/st-joseph-s-father-s-day-celebration

Sacrament of Eucharist

Congratulations to our students who made their First Holy Communion last Sunday.  It was a beautiful Mass - you all looked magnificent and your sense of reverence was wonderful to watch.

Weekly Gospel Reflection

Please see attached the Gospel reflection for this week. Secondary students were able to view this in Homeroom on Monday and Primary teaching staff were able to use elements of the video for explanation of the week's focus being 'Walls and Bridges' and how we can use both metaphors for the creation of a revolution of love. 

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, 

I have the pleasure of writing to you from New South Wales.  Mrs Smith, Mr Gargano and I have represented St Joseph’s at a 3-day Marist Retreat titled Footsteps.  The retreat provided us with the opportunity to reflect on and deepen our understanding of St Marcellin Champagnat and Marist Education in Australia.  I was incredibly proud to share how the Marist spirit is nurtured at our School and reflected upon how we can be more ‘responsive to the emerging needs (of students) and educating them to contribute to the building of a more just world – giving them a voice and inspiring hope.’ (Marist Association, 2023)   

Outside with a statute of St Marcellin.

Bilya Festival Parade 

I am excited to share with you that our St Joseph’s Float won ‘Most On Theme’ at the 2023 Northam Bilya Festival Parade. Thank you to all the classes who made decorations for our float and to our Year Six student leaders for decorating the ute so beautifully. 

May you all have a beautiful week ahead. 

Michelle Christian
Head of Primary

Book Week at the Northam Boulevard 

To celebrate Book Week, the Year Six Student Leaders wore their costumes and attended the Northam Boulevard to read stories to the community.  The heartwarming scene drew children and parents together, fostering a shared love for the magic of storytelling.  

 
When the Student Leaders returned to school, they presented prizes donated by Joseph (Northam Boulevard) to the winners of their colouring-in competition. Congratulations to Harlee Year 1, Geo Year 2 and Madison Year 4.  

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Northam Boulevard for giving our students this opportunity. 

Jessica Morris 

Class in Focus:  Year 2 Blue

In English we have been focusing on Poetry.  Our Talk for Writing text was 'Aliens wear Underpants'.  We have created our own clay aliens and innovated our own poems about Superheros.

In Maths we have been investigating time and money.  In HASS we have been learning about Connection to Place, exploring our personal connections and Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander's connections. 

We had a lot to look forward to this term including, our Choral Speaking performance, the Feast of Assumption Mass, West Coast Eagles incursion, Worm Farm incursion, experimenting during Science Week and dressing-up for Book Week. 

Jessica Morris
Year 2 Blue Teacher

Class in Focus:  Year 4 Gold

Students in Year 4 Gold are becoming handwriting superstars!  With the excitement of pen licenses being up for grabs this semester, students have been working tirelessly to improve their handwriting and earn the privilege to write in pen.  I have been blown away by the overall improvement in the presentation of work and look forward to awarding every student with their pen licence over the remainder of the semester.  

Congratulations to the students who have earned their licence already. You are all wonderful writers! 

Mikala Thomas
Year 4 Gold Teacher

Despite a really tough few weeks, we have had some highlights and a bit of fun over the last two weeks. 

The Year 9 Food Trucks were a roaring success.  At only $2 a plate, it was a real bargain and so delicious.  

Book Week was celebrated on the Secondary campus for the first time in a long time. Staff and students put a big effort into creating some wonderful characters.  Special mention to Obelix, Literature and The Three Blind Mice.  Thank you to our wonderful Student Leadership team who put the event together and ran music and prizes for the Parade. 

We started Wellness Week on Monday with Mindful Monday.  Students had picnic blankets and colouring books for a brain break.  

On Tuesday students enjoyed a healthy snack at recess with fruit and vegetable platters out on picnic blankets set up around the school.  Note to self: less celery, and more oranges. 

Walking Wednesday found almost the whole school; staff and students, on the top oval walking together.  We had some beautiful music, the sun shining and a strong sense of togetherness.  Mr Reidy and staff then took a group of students walking along the river where students could reflect on their feelings and say a prayer.  It was truly beautiful.  Thank you, Mr Reidy. 

Thursday was Together Thursday and we encouraged students to do something nice for someone else without telling them.  This was evident in the way the students looked out for each other throughout the day. 

Friday was Fitness Friday.  Students arrived in their sports uniform and participated in a staff verses student basketball game.  The competitive nature of some of our staff will be put to the test!  I volunteered to play but felt this would create a handicap rather than an advantage.  The final score was Students 12 to Staff 11.

A reminder that next Monday and Tuesday are student free days.  

Week 7

Next Wednesday, Years 7 to 10 students will share in a Talk Money Incursion. Talk Money with Ecstra Foundation is a free financial education program that teaches young people money lessons for life, helps students be confident when talking about money and to make informed financial decisions. 

Delivered by trained facilitators, the workshops are aligned to the Australian curriculum and the National Consumer and Financial Literacy Framework. 

We are looking forward to the workshops and, if you would like to know more, check out their website at www.talkmoney.org.au. 

Year 7 – Period 1 9 – 9:55am – Spending and Saving Workshop A 

Year 8 – Period 2 9:55 – 10:50am – Spending and Saving Workshop A 

Recess 

Year 10 – Period 3 11:15 – 12:05pm – Making Money Work Workshop A 

Year 9 – Period 4 12:05 – 12:55pm – Making Money Work Workshop A 

Friday is set to be a big one!  The day starts at Primary with the Father’s Day BBQ Breakfast and we have the ACC Athletics Carnival.  Happy Father’s Day to all of our dads.

God Bless

Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary

Mathematics Learning Area in Action

Many of our Mathematics classes are currently completing Investigations.  The Year 12 Methods students are applying their knowledge of logarithms to the practical problem of measuring sound using decibels. 

The Year 11 Methods students are making comparisons between number patterns from a set of sequences. 

Year 8’s commenced work on their statistical investigation and students will provide evidence of their calculations and use this information to make conclusions.   These tasks are open-ended, which means there is more one possible solution!

Investigations give students opportunities to apply concepts they have learnt in the classroom to the broader world.   

Kylie Wallis, Michelle Ridout, Andrew Ellis, Sharon Cusack, Daniel Vernede and Mike Hillyer
Mathematics Staff

HASS Learning Area in Action

Exploring the Past: Unveiling Medieval Society through 3D Models 

In a journey through time, Year 8 Humanities students embarked on a captivating exploration of medieval Europe.  Over the past several weeks, these young historians delved into the intricacies of medieval society, unearthing its social dynamics, cultural tapestry, economic structures, and political landscape.  What truly set this learning experience apart was the students' creative culmination of their studies - intricate 3D models that vividly brought to life the essence of medieval times. 

The immersive project aimed not only to enrich students' understanding of history but also to cultivate their research, critical thinking, and presentation skills.  By delving into primary and secondary sources, students uncovered the multifaceted layers of life during the medieval period.  From the grandeur of knights and castles to the humbler aspects of peasants' daily existence and even food, they gained insight into the diverse roles and relationships that shaped the era. 

The constructed 3D models served as tangible gateways to the past, showcasing a holistic representation of medieval society.  These models were not mere artistic creations; they were meticulously designed educational tools.  Each facet of medieval life was intricately detailed - from the bustling marketplaces, castles, farmyards, and blacksmith shops that underscored economic interactions to the symbolic chivalric code that defined the social hierarchy. 

Natalie Williamson-Holley
HASS Teacher

English Learning Area in Action

Year 7s:

Our Year 7 students have been deeply engaged with a novel study this term. Each class has been assigned a novel in a distinct genre. Ms Williamson-Holley’s class have been exploring the world of 19^th Century Australia and South-East Asia with the historical fiction work The Smuggler’s Curse. Mrs Marasco’s class has immersed itself in a world of spying and secret agents in the action-adventure novel, The Recruit. Meanwhile, Mrs Parker’s class has engaged with the realities of asylum seekers and refugees with the Morris Gleitzman classic Boy Overboard.

Year 8s:

The Year 8 students have been studying visual persuasive texts with a focus on advertising and Public Safety Announcements (PSAs). Students have engaged with the key concepts of audience and language features to analyse how texts utilise the values of their audience for persuasive effect.  Students have been busy the past couple of weeks with their own creation of persuasive texts including anti-vaping posters, cyber security posters, and even anti-school uniform posters.

Year 9s:

This term, Year 9 students have been studying newspapers. Students have worked hard developing articles, obituaries, classifieds and advertisements for a class newspaper.

Recently we were privileged to host a visit from two local newspapers. Staff from the Northam Advertiser provided an information session about how their local paper is developed. Staff explained that advertising space is sold and community groups contribute articles for each edition about upcoming events and activities in the community.

A staff member from The Toodyay Herald attended to share his experiences as a Journalist also. Michael has travelled to many places as a journalist and was able to share some of these experiences with the class. He was passionate about the role of journalists in holding others accountable and ensuring the public had an objective image of what is happening in their communities. Michael encouraged students to follow journalism as a career.

It was very generous of both groups to visit our students and share their wisdom and experiences and Year 9 students were very grateful.

Year 10s:

The Year 10 students have been continuing their investigation into the idea of the American Dream in the Scott Fitzgerald classic, The Great Gatsby. Students will further be looking at modern adaptions of this classic with the 2013 Baz Luhrmann film adaption.

The Year 10 Course B students have recently completed a unit of study on sales pitches and have demonstrated great humour and creativity in selling their own 'impossible products' including the paper rain jacket, the clear mascara, and the unbreakable (already cracked) screen protector.

Nate Blackhurst with his product, the paper rain jacket.

Year 11s:

The Year 11 ATAR students have recently watched a pair of Australian text dealing with the difficult theme of race in Australia. Students viewed a documentary on the Adam Goodes booing saga, The Final Quarter and a 2003 modern western The Tracker. Students have engaged with how both texts can help them to understand the ATAR curriculum and have completed an assessment where they have suggested their own texts as possible areas of study for future studies.

The Year 11 General students have just finished a unit on advertising where they have applied their analytical skills to examples of advertising. Students have further applied their creative skills to advertisements of their own making including for fast food, fragrances, and health products.

Year 12s:

The Year 12 ATAR students have completed their own examples of interpretive texts explaining a person, event, idea or representation to their audiences. Student texts have been written on topics as diverse as Taylor Swift, sport washing, and the recent film Into the Spiderverse. In the past couple of weeks students have been engaging with the concepts of voice, perspective, mode, and context in watch a documentary on the Cronulla Riots.

The Year 12 General students have been engaging with representations of the Australian identity in media. Students have been looking at scenes from Australian classics including Crocodile Dundee and have spoken about politicians or actors that are generally regarded as representatives of Australia. Students have critically appraised what the Australian identity is and how this is changing in the 21^st Century.

Daniel Matthys
HOLA: English

ASDAN & VET

ASDAN 

On Tuesday, students enrolled in the ASDAN program arranged and ran the Father’s Day stall at the Primary Campus.  Each year students try and offer something different from the previous year for students to buy for the special men in each child’s life.  This year knitted beanies were very popular, and of course, chocolate is always a big favourite.  Thank you to everyone who supported this annual event. 

VET

Congratulations to Grace Whiteaker, Charlee Fricker and Courtney Matanga who all completed their Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies.   The Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies has given these students a sound knowledge about the human body and health, as well as the study skills to support their further learning.   This course will help them meet the requirements for entry into a number of higher-level health related courses, such as Diploma of Nursing at TAFE or Nursing or Health Degrees at university. 

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 3 is below. Volunteers are urgently needed so please consider offering an hour or two one morning.   

Primary - Week 7 

Primary - Week 8

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.

As we head towards Term 4, now is the time to look at their summer uniform and get replacements if necessary.

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! 

Book Fair

Book Week is over for another year, and what a successful Fair we were able to have for our students! Thank you to all the parents/grandparents/family who came in and purchased books - as a result we have raised $3320.00 to purchase books for our School. 

A massive thank you to all the helpers who volunteered their own time to come in and assist with setup/pack down and the after-school sessions. It has been a hectic week, and as we wind the Fair down, there are a few things to let you know. Any students who have not taken a book home that they purchased, do not worry – some were able to pick up the last copies and will be coming home today. Those who still haven’t received a book - these have all been backordered with Scholastic and should arrive in the next two weeks.

Thank you also to the parents who donated a book to their child’s classes, and a special thanks to those that donated to a class they don’t have children in. These will have special tags placed inside before being handed out to the classrooms.

Lauren Holten
Book Fair coordinator

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

Please note that the School Dental Therapy Centre has reopened in their Northam Centre, located on the Northam Primary School campus.

If any students require Dental Care please contact us at the following:

Northam Dental Therapy Centre

c/- Northam Primary School

entry via Duke Street

0458 644 530

NorthamDTC@dental.health.wa.gov.au

Better Health Program

The Better Health Program is a free, 10-week healthy lifestyle program for you and your child run during each school term. Weekly discussions include topics such as good nutrition, forming positive habits, becoming a healthier family and being physically active.  

The program is available online and face-to-face formats.  Both versions include a bunch of great freebies and a reward at the end!

Visit at Betterhealth

Phone 1300 822 953

Better Health Flyer

Better Health Flyer 109.34 KB

WA Female Football Academy

At the West Australian Female Football Academy, our aim is to help female footballers evolve their football knowledge and abilities at all levels of the game with programs designed to assist in the development of female footballers from beginners to elite level.

Registration is now open for our Future Stars 2-day Super Clinic which will be running during the September school holidays. This time we’ll also be at the home of the West Coast Eagles!

Our participants have the opportunity to be coached and learn AFL skills firsthand from some of the West Coast Eagles AFLW coaches and players including; Jess Sedunary, Jaide Britton, Shanae Davison, Charlie Thomas, Krstel Petrevski and Lauren Wakfer!

Registration Link: https://www.waffa.com.au/future-stars-super-clinic-september-holidays-metro

Springtime Stargazing

Spring is the perfect time to get out under dark country skies and be in awe of the sparkling stars and planets overhead.  But that’s not all, let’s throw in a close encounter between Saturn and the Moon, the Spring Equinox AND Scorpio!

The Spring Equinox is on 23 September and marks the transition from winter in the southern hemisphere. The number of hours of daylight will almost equal darkness! 

Spring is a great time to find the constellation Scorpio!  It’s a large constellation that forms the shape of a scorpion!  It is currently visible throughout the evening, lying directly overhead at around 8.00pm.  Look for a reddish star called Antares that lies in the centre of the constellation. See if you can find the curve of Scorpio’s body and the sting in its tail stretching across the sky!

Something interesting: Antares is a super-giant red star several hundred times the diameter of our Sun and is about 600 light-years from Earth.

When to look: after 8.00pm during spring.

Which direction to look: Directly overhead.

For some fun stargazing, the full Moon makes a close approach to brilliant Saturn on 27 September and the pair will look stunning together. For those with telescopes or high-powered binoculars, check out the beautiful ring system of Saturn.

Donna Vanzetti and Carol Redford, Astrotourism WA

www.astrotourismwa.com.au