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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
Well, it has been a big couple of weeks at St Joseph’s School and we have had many visitors coming through both campuses.
Last Friday, on the Secondary campus, we hosted the Commissioners from the Catholic Education Commission of WA, for their August meeting. As I explained to the students, these people make all the biggest decisions about what Catholic schools can and can’t do so it was a big deal for them to not only visit us, but to hold their meeting at our school.
Today, fourteen Catholic Primary Principals from the Eastern region also visited and held their meeting on the Primary campus with a quick visit to Secondary to understand the complexities of a two campus school. On both occasions our students were outstanding and our visitors left impressed with the manners and kind nature of our students. I was like a proud mamma bear showing off our beautiful school.
Athletics Carnival
Thank you again for your patience and understanding regarding the postponement of the Athletics Carnival. The logistics of rescheduling is huge, so trust me when I say it wasn’t a decision made lightly. Keep all your fingers and toes crossed that next Wednesday, 14 August, has better weather as we have another go at holding the event. Please refer to the email sent out on Wednesday regarding the details for the 14th.
New uniform
Yesterday, we had the opportunity, before the samples were returned, to take some photos of students in the new uniform. The students were all very excited to see it all come together. Once we have dates for stock arrival and ordering, we will let you know.
Schooling Destinations 2025
Families are asked to inform the school if their intention is to withdraw their children from St Josephs for the 2025 school year. We understand that family situations change, so ask that you let us know ASAP. This can be done by emailing admin@sjsnortham.wa.edu.au or by competing the Departure Form on the school website. Some year levels have very long wait lists and families who are desperate to get their children into the school.
Today we farewell and thank Ms Tanika Pember for her time as a member of the Heath & PE team for most of the year. We wish her well as she moves back to Perth.
Lastly a reminder that Monday 19 August is a Pupil Free Day in order for our staff to complete their Christian Service Day.
With God’s blessings,
Andrea Woodgate
Principal
Dates for your Diary
Week 5
| Monday 12 August: | National Science Week |
| Tuesday 13 August: | Year 7 & 8 Gamechangers Retreat |
| Wednesday 14 August: | Pre-Primary Jungle Gym Excursion Year 4-12 Athletics Carnival |
| Thursday 15 August: | Feast of Assumption Masses Early Close |
| Friday 16 August: | Meckering Cross Country Primary Assembly (4 Blue) |
Week 6
| Monday 19 August: | Pupil Free Day |
| Tuesday 20 August: | Year 9 Childcare Career Taster Primary Choir to Catholic Performing Arts Festival |
| Wednesday 21 August: | P&F Book Fair Book Week Parade Year 11 & 12 Outdoor Ed Camp |
| Thursday 22 August: | P&F Book Fair Year 11 & 12 Outdoor Ed Camp Early Close |
| Friday 23 August: | P&F Book Fair Year 11 & 12 Outdoor Ed Camp |
Weekly Gospel Reflection
This week's clip has a focus on 'Bread that Endures' and how God's love is everlasting for us to seek happiness.
This week's 'Spirit of Jesus' Award winners are Max Fudge and Tayla John.
Lloyd Reidy
Religious Education Coordinator
Dear Families & Friends,
I have been excited to start teaching ‘Friendology’ in Year 4 this week. This program covers essential friendship skills such as making new friends, recognising what a healthy friendship looks like, how to manage ‘friendship fires’ and dealing with ‘mean on purpose’ behaviour in an appropriate way. The students have already learnt how to be interesting and interested in conversations with new friends and the Four Friendship Facts. As this is a trial, I would love to hear any feedback from parents whose children may be talking about it at home throughout the term.
It was disappointing that we couldn’t go ahead with the Athletics Carnival this week, however this gives us all more time to practise! I have really enjoyed hearing the students cheering each other on during their Sport lessons as they race along the oval track in preparation. We are looking forward to a great event next week.
Spirit of Jesus moments:
- Hearing the beautiful manners of Margred (Pre-Kindy) when out on lunch duty;
- Watching Thalia (Kindy) persevere on the monkey bars during her play time;
- Seeing Mrs Smith’s retro school jacket ready for the Athletics Carnival, how cool!
- Singing about the ‘Four Friendship Facts’ with Year 4 students to the tune of Happy Birthday;
- Observing the competitiveness and encouragement of staff during their Staff Olympic events - Go Marcellin!
- Being curious about the Year 1 paper mâché projects they have been working on. I can’t wait to see how they turn out.
Linley Waters
Head of Primary
Class in Focus: Pre-Primary Blue
Pre-Primary Blue has hit the ground running in Term 3.
The students proudly presented their work for parents and visitors to see during the Open Night. It was lovely to see the children sharing their achievements with their parents and it was great to meet many families who will join us in Pre-Primary next year.
This term we are conducting an Inquiry into the Paris Olympics. Each week we will visit a new country and find out some interesting facts about it. In our dramatic play area, we have our very own airport to get us there too! We have learnt all about how the Olympics started, the sports that were involved in ancient times, what the symbols of the Olympics means, what happens with the torch and what happens in the modern Olympics. We have even had a go at some of the sports themselves. We have created olive leaf crowns that were presented to the winners in the ancient Olympics, an Olympic torch handprint craft with the Year 5s and crafted our very own gold medals.
We had our class assembly in Week 4 and look forward to our excursion to Jungle Gym in Week 5, a beekeeper incursion in Week 6 and the Early Primary Sports Carnival in Week 7.
What a whirlwind Term 3 is turning out to be!
Kym McCarthy
Pre-Primary Blue Teacher
Class in Focus: Year Three Gold
We can’t believe that it is Week 4 already! Year 3 Gold have been so busy that the time has just flown by!
This term we have adopted the phrase ‘Kindness and Respect’ as our class motto. In our Morning Circle each day we often discuss how we can show kindness and respect to others around us, both openly and secretly. The students have often been tasked with the job of throwing kindness bombs out to those around them, and to come back and report on what they have done to show kindness to others, as well as the reaction their kindness has had in those around them. The discussions always bring a smile to everyone’s face and allow us to reflect upon how we are treating those around us as well as how we can improve.
During Maths, students are learning how to tell the time to the nearest minute, which is sometimes challenging, although fun when we suddenly realise how close we are to break times when we read the clock properly! We are also learning all about fractions and how we use them in our daily lives.
In English we have begun our new class novel, 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe', which everyone is thoroughly enjoying! We hope to be able to watch the movie when we have finished the book. The Kingdom of Narnia has also been the inspiration for our writing this term, as we look at creating information reports. Students had a great time creating a map of the Kingdom of Narnia from a sample of text, then creating their own map of their own kingdom to inspire their own writing.
SpellEx is continuing as our spelling program, and we are having a great time learning new songs and rhymes to help us spell our tricky words, as well as learning some new terminology such as open and closed syllables.
Overall, the students in Year 3 Gold have returned to school after their break keen to impress, and they are certainly doing that!
Ruth Adams
Year 3 Gold Teacher
The Year 12 Graduation sashes have arrived and so I checked the calendar, and our Year 12s only have 28 school days left! Scary thought for some parents and students. Some of our Year 12s are working towards their exams for university and others are looking forward to full-time work and independence. Students on either pathway may be feeling some stress and concern about leaving the known to travel into the unknown. Please advise students to share their concerns with House Coordinators, teachers, myself or the school counsellor. We have all been there!
Letters will be coming home to Year 12s and their parents with some calendar “save the dates” for their last weeks at school.
Fingers crossed that the weather improves for next Wednesday so that we can run the Athletics Carnival. We had some very disappointed students this week.
On Thursday, Secondary students will be attending Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at 9am. We will then, “Fingers crossed”, have the Secondary Athletics Carnival Assembly at 9:45am in the Undercover Area at the secondary campus. If you would like to attend, you will be welcome.
On Friday we will have a selection of students who have been training hard attending the Meckering Cross-Country Carnival. We wish them all the best of luck.
God Bless
Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary
Softshell Jackets
We have a limited number of pre-loved softshell jackets available to purchase for $30 each (cash or card). If you are interested in having a look at what's available, please go to the Secondary Admin Office.
Curriculum News
Science and da Vinci Club - Questacon visit
On Monday 29 July, the Questacon roadshow tour visited the Secondary Campus. Questacon is our national Science and Technology centre, based in Canberra. The aim of the road tour was to highlight and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) options beyond school to Year 9 students. These students will be making course selections in 2025 for Senior Secondary, with sound selections setting them up for a wide array of growing opportunities in these exciting and rewarding STEM fields.
The program, titled ‘Strange devices’, presented the innovation cycle of ‘Think, Make, Try and Refine’ to create solutions to simple problems using an inquiry and collaborative approach.
The two Year 9 science classes ran through the 90-minute challenge, followed by the Secondary da Vinci Club group. All the students found the workshop entertaining and, through participation, it provided an opportunity to identify a process to create solutions using a fresh approach, often finding unique answers.
Thank you to our Questacon presenters Jade and Len and the Australian Government for funding this opportunity. Also, thank you to Mr Bundock, Mr Greenley and Mr Hillyer for involving your groups throughout the day.
Mark Gargano
Head of Science
News from the VET Office
Congratulations to Riley Clayton who has completed his Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies. Riley has completed units underpinning the necessary skills to research information as well as resolve routine issues whilst working in a 21st century workplace. Riley will be able to pursue a variety of educational and industry pathways. Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies units of competency can be used as ‘prior learning’ towards a number of other TAFE courses, including a Certificate III Information Technology or a Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking).
Congratulations also to Bronte Harvey who has completed her second work placement for 2024. This time, Bronte has been working at Simply Spectacles, learning the role of Optical Assistant. After a client has been assessed by the Optometrist, Bronte has been responsible for supporting customers by assisting them with choosing lenses and frames, answering any questions that a customer may have and preparing orders when the glasses arrive from the manufacturer.
Career Directions Expo
All Year 10 students, and students studying the General course in Year 11 and 12, attended the Northam Recreation Centre on Wednesday 31 July to engage with over 50 exhibitors at the Career Directions Expo.
The theme for the 2024 event was ‘Find your Fit’ and focused on providing students with the opportunity to:
- explore different career options and pathways
- connect with real employers about real jobs
- access information on vocational training and further education, and
- learn about apprenticeships and traineeships.
Students asked questions, gathered information and enjoyed the interactive activities.
Messines Bee Farm Incursion
A multiage group of students at the Secondary Campus were treated to an incursion by Messines Bee Farm to talk about career exploration in the area of Apiculture. Thanks to the additional pilot funding from CEWA for an Agricultural Career Taster. The students inspected a real hive and watched new baby bees hatching, listened to a presentation on the history of beekeeping, industry innovation, training pathways and career opportunities, and participated in hands-on activities using a variety of bi-products of honey bees.
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
Name: David Carter
Position: School Advisory Council Board Member
Year Group of Children at St Joseph's: I have two boys attending St Joseph's Northam, Edwin in Year 7 and Miles in Year 4.
Why did you join the SAC: To contribute and give something back to the school community. I attended all of my schooling at St Joseph's Northam and to now see the effort and dedication it takes to keep the school environment positive. I wanted to contribute to ensure other children receive the same as I did years before.
Favourite School Event/s: It's hard for me to pick a favourite, I love attending the school carnivals but it's hard to go past Grandparents, Mothers and Fathers Day events.
Contact Details: carterda2407@gmail.com
Name: Caroline Dix
Position: School Advisory Council Member
Year Group of Children at St Joseph's: Year 3 and Kindergarten
Why did you join the SAC: I joined the SAC to be involved with and support our school community in a meaningful way. Being a part of the SAC allows me to give my view on matters of importance, and also to represent all other parents and members of the St Joseph's community.
Favourite School Event/s: Any event where parents are actively involved (e.g. Mothers/Fathers day)
Contact Details: caroline.dix@basf.com
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.
We look forward to working with you. If you have any queries, you are always welcome to contact the Canteen on the numbers below.
Angela Sandrini (Primary) Desrae Smith (Secondary)
9621 3525 9621 8104
I hope you are all enjoying Term 3. Below are further details about P&F events this term.
Interhouse Athletics Carnival
The P&F will be running a scaled-back canteen for the Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 14 August. An email was sent out on Wednesday with details of lunch options. We are still looking for volunteers, so if you can help on the day please get in touch!
Book Week
Book Week is back for another year! This year it will run from Tuesday 20th - Friday 23 August, with the Parade on Wednesday morning. A flyer was sent home on Wednesday with further details including opening times. If you require another flyer or further information, please contact the school.
Primary Disco
Get your dancing shoes ready for the Primary Disco! This year it will be held on Friday 30 August. The running times will be the following:
Pre-K, Kindy, Pre-Primary: 2.00pm-3.00pm
Years 1-3: 4.00pm-5.00pm
Years 4-6: 5.30pm-6.30pm
Tickets are $5 each and will be available next week. Please note, Pre-K, Kindy and Pre-Primary students will not be required to purchase a ticket. Instead, we are asking for a gold coin donation. Lolly bags will also be available to purchase for $1.
Camino Walks
The two remaining Camino Walks will be held in September. The Year 10 Camino Walk will be on Thursday 5 September. The Year 11 walk will be held over two days on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 September.
As always we are looking for volunteers to help out with each event. Remember many hands make light work and these events will not be able to happen without our volunteers!
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 Monday 9 September at 3:30pm 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 on 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.
Come and Try Karate
Are your children interested in trying Karate? See the flyer below for information regarding a free session at the Northam PCYC. Registration is required.
Better Health Program
The Better Health Online Program is available year-round to support families to lead happy, healthy lives! Watch the full YouTube testimonial here to see what families have to say after taking part.
The Better Health Program focuses on healthy eating, being active, sleeping well, and managing screen time. Families receive free resources and are supported weekly by a dietitian/nutritionist. Forming healthy habits and fostering a healthy family lifestyle can be enjoyable!
- Available online when you are ready to start!
- Learn more at Better Health Program or call 1300 822 953.
- FREE of charge.
VacSwim Enrolments Now Open
For more information, visit education.wa.edu.au/vacswim
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
NOTICEBOARD