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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
Last week, both campuses celebrated the wonderful female role models in our lives with a morning tea on the Secondary Campus hosted by the Year 8s and an assembly, open classrooms and a picnic on the Primary Campus. It was wonderful to see the beautiful bond between the children and their loved ones. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for these events and a special thank you to Lucy’s Tea Rooms for the exceptional catering of the picnic boxes.
Walk to School Day was a huge success on Friday morning with a large group meeting at Bernard Park to walk to school. There was a great energy amongst the group as we navigated our way through town.
School Uniform
A reminder to all families that our school uniform is not negotiable. Please check that your child/children have the correct items on each day before they leave home and make arrangements to purchase new items if required.
Assessment period
Both campuses head into assessment periods over the next couple of weeks as exams and in-class assessments and assignments are given to students to determine where their grades are sitting. It is important during this time that attendance is regular, and that work is completed on time. Equally important is monitoring the sleep patterns and social media use of students to ensure that they are arriving at school in a state ready to learn and function at an optimum level.
Pupil Free Days
Please note that Friday 31 May is a scheduled Pupil Free Day for the school. All staff will be off site at professional development. Monday 3 June is a Public Holiday for WA Day.
With God’s blessings,
Andrea Woodgate
Principal
Dates for your Diary
Week 6
| Monday 20 May: | Wellness Week at Secondary Year 6 Perth Mint Excursion |
| Tuesday 21 May: | Year 9 Outdoor Ed Excursion Primary Choir Performance at Bethavon Board Meeting 6:30pm |
| Wednesday 22 May: | Reconciliation Rehearsal 3:45pm |
| Thursday 23 May: | Year 9 & 10 Rosary Early Close |
| Friday 24 May: | Primary Cross-Country (Year 1-6) |
Week 7
| Monday 27 May: | Year 9-12 Examinations commence |
| Tuesday 28 May: | Year 9-12 Examinations Pre-Primary Liturgy The VANS Lightning Carnival P&F Meeting 3:30pm |
| Wednesday 29 May: | Year 9-12 Examinations Year 7 Immunisations |
| Thursday 30 May: | Year 9-12 Examinations ACC Cross-Country Early Close Sacrament of Reconciliation 6:00pm |
| Friday 31 May: | Pupil Free Day - Staff Professional Development |
Weekly Gospel Reflection
This week's clip has a focus on 'The Ascension' and how we need to get to work to contribute to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Congratulations to this fortnight's "Spirit of Jesus" Award winners: Xavier Coe and Harrison O'Driscoll.
Marian Lecture
Thank you to the parishioners and St Joseph's School Staff who attended the first Marist Marian Online Lecture on Tuesday 7 May.
The afternoon was hosted in the Fourviere block on the Secondary Campus and included drinks and nibbles while viewing the lecture from Professor Amy-Jill Devine. Professor Devine spoke of the Jewish context of Jesus. It highlighted how Christians can draw an enormous amount of understanding in how crucial the Jewish heritage was to the 1st Century Israelites as Christianity formed.
We thank the Marist Association, Professor Devine and all parishioners who attended. The lecture is an annual event, so feel free to contact the school in 2025 to register your attendance.
Lloyd Reidy
Religious Education Coordinator
World Cheerleading Championships
Over the weekend of 27-29 April, Casey Lawler (Year 11) who is a Competitive Cheerleader and trains at TNT Allstars Cheerleading in Booragoon, travelled to Orlando in Florida and competed with her team, the ‘Nukes’, at the World Cheerleading Championships
Casey has been working hard for the last 8 years to make it onto a team that could compete at the World Cheerleading Championship Competition. Last November, the Nukes successfully won at Nationals and, as National Champions, received a Bid to compete in the USA. There they competed in the International Open Small Co-ed Level 5 division against 23 other teams from around the world.
Day 1 of competition required them to score highly enough to make it through to Day 2. They achieved a good, clean run with a couple of deductions for their routine. They were faced with changes to their routine and a quite a few hours of intense training to change things up and raise their scores to place higher on Day 2.
Going into Day 2, the team kept a great mindset and had a strong determination to ‘Globe’ at Worlds, which would require them to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd. They took to the stage and competed a strong, clean routine and, at an intense awards session a few hours later, they placed 3rd in the World, Bronze Medallists. This has made them the first team in WA to Globe and place at a World Championship. They were also competing for the Nations Cup, which is based on the highest scoring teams from each country, and they placed 2nd for Australia.
Congratulations, Casey – we are all very proud of you!
Dear Families & Friends,
As staff continue to implement routines in the Berry Street Education Model, we do ask that parents ensure students in all year groups are punctual to class in the morning. Classroom doors open at 8:30am, with welcome routines starting at 8:45am. These morning routines use greetings, positive primers and announcements to assist the children to start the day by feeling welcomed, safe and ready to learn, so it is important that students are in attendance and settled during this time.
We hope everyone had a fabulous weekend celebrating with the wonderful women in their lives. It was lovely to see the Primary students, their mothers and families visit the classrooms to complete Mother’s Day activities and share in a picnic lunch last week. Many mums went home with newly painted nails and special crafts!
On Wednesday, the Pre-primary classes visited the Perth Zoo to explore living things and what they need to survive. They came back filled with information and stories about the animals they saw. Over the past week, I have also been lucky enough to join in their classroom activities and hear the inquiry questions they are using to build their knowledge. I can’t wait to see how they showcase their learning.
God moments:
- Visiting the Little Joeys, playing with the glitter playdoh and watching the new artificial grass being installed.
- Playing Numero with Year 3 and Year 4 students and seeing them improve their strategic thinking so quickly.
- Visiting Year 5 at the end of each week to sing along to their ‘Fun Friday’ music.
- Celebrating many student successes with staff as we start to unpack our school data leading up to reports at the end of term.
- Singing ‘My Lighthouse’ with the choir and trying to learn their actions to the words
- Meeting many wonderful mums and families at our Mother’s Day picnic.
Linley Waters
Head of Primary
Class in Focus: Kindy Gold
During the first few weeks of Term 2, Kindy Gold has been exploring rain and the water cycle.
We learnt all about the story of Noah's ark and how it rained for 40 days and 40 nights and made beautiful murals to illustrate the story. We did an experiment that showed how it rains, by using shaving cream as the clouds and coloured dye for the rain, and then made a cool rain painting.
We also explored how a rainbow is formed with water and sunlight. We used a glass of water and a torch to make a rainbow and painted rainbows on our ark mural.
Lastly, we talked about storms and what you see and hear during a storm. We were very lucky to see and hear a storm at school and we drew pictures to show what a storm would look like and finger-painted muddy puddles for Peppa Pig.
For the rest of the term, we will be going 'under the sea' and learning all about the creatures that live there. We started by making an ocean in a bottle.
As always, we have been busy exploring our indoor and outdoor environments and learning through play. We also loved it when our mums visited, and we got to paint their fingernails!
What do we know about the Noahs Ark Story?
- Pippa - He sent out a dove.
- Isla – He sent a rainbow to say the flood is all gone.
- Darcy – They wanted to keep the animals safe.
- Cleo – There is a boat.
- Gus – There is a rainbow.
- Harrison – Every single animal went in the ark.
- Iris – It rained for 40 days and 40 nights and he sent out a bird.
- Madison – God told him to build a boat and he built it and he put all the animals in the boat because it was going to rain.
- Delta – When the flood comes, he saved the animals.
Rhonda Oliver
Kindy Gold Teacher
Year Five Kings Park Excursion
The Year Five students, teachers and education assistants are buzzing with excitement after our visit to Kings Park on Friday of Week 3 this term. The sights seen and discussions that we engaged in connected our school curriculum to the real world in a myriad of ways, leading to curiosity about plants and their features, land ownership and dispossession and even different ways to measure time!
In small groups, we enjoyed solidifying our understanding of adaptations of plants from our focus of biological science last term. We sketched a variety of flora and discussed their structural features and how these help each plant to survive in its environment. We also enjoyed learning about Gija Jumulu - a giant boab tree which is estimated to be 750 years old and was transported 3200km from Warmun in the Kimberley region of our state down to Kings Park in 2008.
Additionally, our excursion provided us with an opportunity to reflect on the impact of war and the service of the ANZAC soldiers past, present and future. We discussed how war impacts the soldiers, families and the economy, making links to Religious Education and Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) as we went.
We took a break for lunch and admired the busy city and the beautiful scenery while sharing how the place that we were in - Perth city, may have changed since it was first established. This discussion linked with our current focus in HASS - Colonial Australia.
After a chat and full bellies, Miss Armarego, Mrs Sullivan, a couple of parent helpers and many Year Five students walked the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk - a walk which pays tribute to the to the bravery of Australian troops who fought in Papua New Guinea in WWII. The walk consists of 300 steps (return) and has a vertical rise of 62m. Many students commented on how fit the soldiers must have been to climb similar terrain during WWII. With tired legs and reflective hearts, we boarded the bus back to school to end Week 3 of the term.
We would like to thank all the parent helpers who volunteered their time and enthusiasm for our excursion and contributed to a memorable day.
Krystal Armarego
5 Blue Teacher
Primary Cross-Country Carnival
The St Joseph’s Cross-Country Carnival for students in Years 1-6 will take place on Friday 24 May at the Primary Campus. All students from Years 1-6 will need to wear their Sports Uniform on the day.
The race times below are approximations only and the distances will not be exact.
|
Year Group |
Time | Distance |
| Year 1 | 9:10am Boys 9:20am Girls 9:30am Mixed Fun Race |
900m |
| Year 2 | 9:40am Boys 9:50am Girls 10:00am Mixed Fun Race |
900m |
| Year 3 | 10:10am Boys 10:20am Girls 10:30am Mixed Fun Race |
900m |
| Recess - 10:45 - 11:10am | ||
| Year 4 | 11:10am Boys 11:20am Girls 11:30am Mixed Fun Race |
1.1km |
| Year 5 | 11:40am Boys 11:50am Girls 12:00noon Mixed Fun Race |
1.5km |
| Year 6 | 12:10pm Boys 12:20pm Girls 12:30pm Mixed Fun Race |
2km |
Medals will be presented at the first assembly following the carnival. Two students will be selected from each competitive race to participate in the Meckering Cross-Country in Term 3 on Friday 16 August.
Cameron Watson
Primary Physical Education Coordinator
I hope that all our mothers and people who take on the mothering roll in our community had a lovely Mother’s Day last Sunday. Our Year 8s hosted a delicious Mother’s Day Morning Tea on the Secondary Campus and it was huge. I’d sincerely like to thank all of the families who attended. Our Year 8s were very proud of themselves and being able to showcase their abilities is always wonderful. Obviously, I needed to test everything and needed to be rolled out of the room.
Last Thursday night, the Combined University Roadshow presented to students and parents. Thank you to those who attended. The evening was very informative for those students wishing to go to university after high school.
On Wednesday of this week we invited a guest speaker, Jade Lewis, to present to the whole Secondary school. Her presentation, 'Just Say No', was a powerful message about her lived experience with drug addiction and how to develop responsible and powerful drug and alcohol awareness and prevention. This was an education about the real dangers and consequences of drug use and equipping people with alternative ways to live a drug free, fulfilled, motivated life in a world full of temptations.
This is a fresh message of hope to young people who are seeing an increasing rate of drug experimentation, addiction, crime, violence and in some cases death.
On Wednesday night we held the 2025 Year 11 Information Evening. This was an opportunity for us to discuss the courses on offer here at St Joseph’s, at Northam TAFE and through the online world of ViSN (Virtual School Network - online courses). There was a lot of information for our Year 10s and their parents to take on board in one evening. The information given can also be found on our school website. All Year 10 parents will be emailed an appointment time to come in and discuss their students' course selection for 2025.
Year 7 parents, please remember to complete the immunisation forms through the online platform, whether your child is participating or not. The immunisations are taking place on Wednesday of Week 7.
Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary
News from the English Department
Sherlock Holmes
On the Monday 22 April, the Year 12 ATAR English class was pleased to welcome Mr Frederick Rutter to present to the class on the detective fiction of Sir Arther Conan Doyle. Mr Rutter is a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Western Australia and appeared in character (and dress) as Lord Adair, Earl of Maynooth from the year 1891.
Mr Rutter gave a fascinating talk that covered a lot of the history, and some of the peculiarities, of the Sherlock Holmes stories. His presentation was further enlivened by a suitcase of props (including the very bullet that injured John Watson in the British retreat from Afghanistan!).
Students will be able to draw on elements of Mr Rutter's presentation in their genre study of the development and evolution of detective fiction.
Daniel Matthys
Head of English
News from the HASS Department
ANZAC Trailer
On Wednesday 1 May, the HASS department welcomed Mr Graham Brooks and his ANZAC trailer to the campus.
The ANZAC trailer includes a number of displays that relate to Australia’s experience in wartime. The trailer also included some interactive elements such as military uniforms, which students were able to dress in. The trailer was a timely addition to the HASS curriculum on the Wednesday after ANZAC day.
Daniel Matthys
Head of HASS
Year 7 Town Walk
On Tuesday 7 May, both Year 7 classes went for a walk around Northam as part of the 'Liveability' topic in Geography. Students completed a survey of the town and looked at features that make it a pleasant place to live.
Students also considered the range of facilities available to people in the Avon Valley and will be using this information to complete a fieldwork booklet and make a video.
The students were beautifully behaved and enjoyed the walk in the sunshine. Many thanks to Mr Vogel and Ms Williamson-Holley for their assistance.
Nicole Parker
HASS Teacher
Food Studies
Year 10
The students in the Year 10 Food class recently completed their cupcake challenge. They designed their own cakes and icing as a prelude to the Year 11 cake decorating task.
We had some beautiful results.
Year 8
Last week, the Year 8 Foods class completed their Mexican Marvels Assessment. They investigated Mexican ingredients and then came up with their own Mexican meal design.
They did an amazing job.
Carol Farson
Food Teacher
Children, Family and the Community
For the last two Wednesday afternoons, the Year 12 Children, Family and the Community students held a playgroup for 0-5 year olds. The students engaged the children in activities they had prepared as part of their assessment. Lots of fun was had by all and the little ones loved taking home their masterpieces. Stay tuned for more playgroups later in the year.
Carol Farson
Children, Family and the Community Teacher
Physical Education
ACC Basketball Semi Finals Match
Congratulations to the Junior Girls who played at the ACC Basketball Semi Final match on Thursday 9 May. The students put up a competitive performance against John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, but unfortunately were defeated by their outstanding plays and skills. Good luck to John Septimus Roe in the Grand final.
Thank you again to Andrea Woodgate and the parents who attended the match with their students, and especially Michael Dymnicki for his contribution in coaching and supplying uniforms for the students across all their matches.
Adrienne Suckling
Head of Health & Physical Education
News from the VET Office
Congratulations to Bronte Harvey in Year 10 on the successful completion of her Workplace Learning at Toodyay District High School. Bronte worked with a Year 2/3 class supporting the classroom teacher with the delivery of the curriculum, including a Swimming Carnival.
Nursing & Healthcare
At the beginning of the year, students in Year 9 completed a survey identifying future career pathways that interested them from a list of offerings from Central Regional TAFE.
Last week a group of Year 9 students who selected Nursing and Healthcare as an industry of interest were escorted to CRTAFE for a Career Taster event. Students spent time in the simulated hospital ward and worked with robotic mannequins taking blood pressure, pulse and observing CPR.
These events are run periodically throughout the year by CRTAFE and, if there is enough interest, students attend a morning of hands-on activities learning about what studying for a career in that industry involves.
TAFE Open Day
On Monday 13 May, the Year 10 students joined other students from the wheatbelt area to explore the study options for Year 11 and 12 offered by Northam TAFE. Students spent the morning on rotation listening to lecturers explain the courses on offer, participating in hands-on activities and talking to existing students studying a variety of courses.
Students gained valuable information about the Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) qualifications on offer, which will assist them in making an informed decision when undertaking the Year 11 subject selection process this term.
Year 9 Mindflight Incursion
Last Friday, the second cohort of Year 9s took part in the 'Midflight' Incursion. They used cutting-edge VR Technology to engage in immersive, hands-on experiences centred around various career and trade related scenarios. Students explored forklift driving, plane simulators, Marine Biology - squid dissection, heart surgery, being a restaurant chef and many more.
Afterwards, the students identified three new things that they were skilled at and explored how to go about researching their career path.
Caroline Marriott
VET Coordinator
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 to download from 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 the Primary or Secondary Admin Office and Ms Quinn will arrange for the deduction of the Levy from your School Fees Account.
Sharon Quinn
Business Manager
Term Time Opening Times: Mondays - 3.15pm to 4.45pm
Thursdays - 2.45pm to 4.15pm
REMINDER: Students are required to wear their winter uniform for Term 2 and 3.
Families wishing to access the Uniform Shop are advised that the online shop is the preferred method of ordering uniforms. Please note we cannot accept email or telephone orders.
If items are required to be tried on, then an appointment should be made through our online booking system. As the Uniform Shop is a small space, we continue to limit numbers, so an appointment is required.
For details of our new online Booking System for Uniform Shop Appointments, please see the attached flyer.
Please keep in mind when ordering that items will be sent home within 2-4 days of ordering.
Disclaimer:
All returns and or exchanges of uniforms to be made within the school term (3 months) of initial purchase.
Michelle James
Primary - 9621 3524
The Primary Canteen is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The Secondary Canteen is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
You are encouraged to please 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.
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 send back your Canteen Assistance form or, for Primary, sign up online: the new Volunteer Sign-up Page is now up and running - click here.
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 (Primary) Desrae Smith (Secondary)
9621 3525 9621 8104
Movie Night
Don't forget our movie night to be held on Saturday 18 May at the Primary Campus. The movie showing will be ‘Elemental’. Click on the link below for your last chance to purchase tickets - just $10 per family.
This year there will be food vans available, although you are welcome to bring your own food. Gates will open at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm showing. Please note all school grounds will be out of bounds (especially the playground). We ask for parents' cooperation in keeping children away from playgrounds, classrooms etc.
Bingo Night
Our first big fundraiser for the year! This year we will be raising funds to go toward the senior school Health program. In particular to provide extra resources for mental health. Bingo night will be an adults only event. It will be held on Saturday 8 June. Further details are to come.
If you wish to help out in any of the above mentioned events, please do not hesitate to contact myself or the school.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 28 May at 6.00pm in the PAC at the Primary campus.
If you require more information or would like to discuss any school or P&F issue, you can contact me at anytime 0424 288 354. No question is too silly, I am here to help in any way. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out!
Follow us on Facebook
To stay up to date with the P&F please follow our Facebook page for more updates. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764507137145087
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: northam@perthcatholic.org.au *
Website: www.northamchurch.com
Parish News ~ Children's Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy sessions are held during the 8.00am Sunday Mass.
*Please note the new email address.
Better Health Program
Registrations are open for the Better Health Program running throughout the term. Better Health Program is supported by the Child and Adolescent Health Service and funded by the Department of Health. It is a free healthy lifestyle program for families of children aged 6-12 years who are above a healthy weight.
- Online places available as soon as you register! Start when you are ready to make healthy changes as a family!
- Online (available now!)
- https://betterhealthprogram.org/wa or 1300 822 953
- FREE
Bakers Hill Junior Golf
Leeuwin Ocean Adventures
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation provides a range of tailored programs suitable for various ages, backgrounds and abilities. Our voyages aim to:
- Foster Leadership: Develop leadership skills through hands-on experiences and challenges aboard our iconic tall ship, STS Leeuwin II.
- Promote Teamwork: Encourage teamwork and collaboration in a dynamic and engaging maritime environment.
- Enhance Personal Development: Unlock hidden potential, boost self-confidence, and instil a sense of responsibility and accountability.
- Inspire Environmental Awareness: Connect students with the marine environment, fostering a deep appreciation for our oceans and promoting sustainable practices.
For more information on opportunities during the July School Holidays, please see the flyer below.
School Dental Therapy Centre
Please note that the School Dental Therapy Centre is available to see school-aged children from Pre-Primary to 16 years of age at 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
Parenting Workshops
Parenting Connection is presenting a number of webinars and information sessions over the term. For more information, please see the flyers below.
This year Auskick will be kicking off from Friday 3 May to 21 June for 8 consecutive sessions. Our Friday afternoon sessions will run from 4:30pm - 5:30pm at the Pool end of Jubilee Oval at the Northam Recreation Centre.
We are looking for a new Auskick coordinator, if you are interested in this role, please contact us asap. The role comes with one season of mentoring by previous coordinator.
Auskick is for boys and girls from 5 to 8 years. It helps build ball skills, hand and eye coordination and teamwork, giving kids a basic understanding of team sports preparing them for later in life.
It is a requirement that you register online and to secure your place, Kids sport vouchers are available at https://kidsport.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/kidsport/apply-for-kidsport-1/. We strongly suggest that your register early so that your child receives their Auskick pack before commencement of program. Cost is $75 per player.
To register visit https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/608b64. should you have any issues please contact aflauskick@afl.com.au or contact the temporary coordinator.
Please keep in mind that this program is only possible with parent support and each family will be required to assist at least once over the course of the 8 weeks. If you can consistently assist by running groups, please contact Angela at northamjuniorfootball@gmail.com and I will make sure that you have all the required information. For up-to-date information, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077340198010
NOTICEBOARD