Messages from Don: S J St Joseph’s School Renmark Term 1 Week 4 ~ 24th February 2017 RESPECT ~ SAFETY ~ LEARNING ~ TRUST Honouring Our Past ~ Creating Our Future S R 1/2 class students with their kindness rocks. Dear Families, Friends and Students, Whilst visiting all the classrooms and interacting with the students, I have experienced a true sense of positive learning and enthusiasm. I am also very pleased with the positive support, interaction and collaboration of parents/carers. This was highlighted at our recent Assembly, volunteering in classrooms, attendance at Induction Ceremony, involvement in Electives and assistance at SAPSASA Swimming. This allows us to foster a positive learning environment at St Joseph’s Renmark. The Season of Lent: As a Catholic School we enjoy the many dimensions of learning that we provide. The season of Lent is upon us and we are so proud of the way we embrace the life long learning experiences that this will provide. We will enjoy eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and we will join with our local parishioners for our Ash Wednesday Mass. The students will take on the responsibility of helping those less fortunate than themselves through Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion work. The students also understand and act out their awareness that their work for Project Compassion is more than simply placing coins in a box. The teachable moments for promoting social action during Lent is alive and well in our school. The Lenten season certainly allows us to learn how we can be better people in society and also reminds us that learning is not only about numbers and letters. Safety Alert about Hats and Draw Strings The recent incidents involving children and their hats has certainly created significant media and community interest. Our response was immediate and direct. Opinions in the media have questioned whether this was an overreaction or was it a genuine concern for the children. I need to unequivocally respond to our community by highlighting that the safety and wellbeing of our children will always be our first priority with all decisions. However, whist reflecting on this incident it does concern me that we are in a society that does not allow for accidents to happen without the fear of litigation or people laying blame. I am committed to leading our school community that promotes a learning environment that encourages creative thinking and risk taking. We will teach our children about resilience and how they can deal with losing and getting knocked down. We will not overprotect our children and wrap them up in cotton wool. They will learn how to deal with conflict and that it is not always bullying. Children will learn about independence and responsibility and how to deal with issues when they arise. Finally, parents and caregivers are encouraged to guide their children and not try and fix everything up for them. Children will get hurt and have accidents and we will help them when needed. These are the skills that will hopefully help our children in an evolving, complex and challenging modern day society. Parent/Teacher Online Interview Process: This year we will again have interviews at the start of the year (Week 6) instead of at the end of the term. The aim is to be proactive and at the same time establish positive parent/teacher relationships earlier. We are using an online system to book your times. Please refer to the included parents details about booking your time. Please see your class teacher if you have any problems or questions. THRASS Parent workshop: I wish to thank all the parents who attended our THRASS workshop last night. They were given Daniel, Kyra & Hudson wearing hats with NO strings!
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Messages from Don:
S J St Joseph’s School Renmark
Term 1 Week 4 ~ 24th February 2017
RESPECT ~ SAFETY ~ LEARNING ~ TRUST
Honouring Our Past ~ Creating Our Future S R
1/2 class students with their kindness rocks.
Dear Families, Friends and Students,
Whilst visiting all the classrooms
and interacting with the students, I
have experienced a true sense of
positive learning and enthusiasm. I
am also very pleased with the
positive support, interaction and
collaboration of parents/carers. This
was highlighted at our recent Assembly, volunteering in
classrooms, attendance at Induction Ceremony,
involvement in Electives and assistance at SAPSASA
Swimming. This allows us to foster a positive learning
environment at St Joseph’s Renmark.
The Season of Lent:
As a Catholic School we enjoy the many dimensions of
learning that we provide. The season of Lent is upon
us and we are so proud of the way we embrace the life
long learning experiences that this will provide. We
will enjoy eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and we
will join with our local parishioners for our Ash
Wednesday Mass. The students will take on the
responsibility of helping those less fortunate than
themselves through Caritas Australia’s Project
Compassion work. The students also understand and
act out their awareness that their work for Project
Compassion is more than simply placing coins in a box.
The teachable moments for promoting social action
during Lent is alive and well in our school. The Lenten
season certainly allows us to learn how we can be
better people in society and also reminds us that
learning is not only about numbers and letters.
Safety Alert about Hats and Draw Strings
The recent incidents involving children and their hats
has certainly created significant media and community
interest. Our response was immediate and direct.
Opinions in the media have questioned whether this
was an overreaction or was it a genuine concern for the
children. I need to unequivocally respond to our
community by highlighting that the safety and
wellbeing of our children will always be our first
priority with all decisions.
However, whist reflecting on this incident it does
concern me that we are in a society that does not allow
for accidents to happen without the fear of litigation or
people laying blame. I am committed to leading our
school community that promotes a learning
environment that encourages creative thinking and risk
taking. We will teach our children about resilience and
how they can deal with losing and getting knocked
down. We will not overprotect our children and wrap
them up in cotton wool. They will learn how to deal
with conflict and that it is not always bullying.
Children will learn about independence and
responsibility and how to deal with issues when they
arise. Finally, parents and caregivers are encouraged to
guide their children and not try and fix everything up
for them. Children will get hurt and have accidents and
we will help them when needed. These are the skills
that will hopefully help our children in an evolving,
complex and challenging modern day society.
Parent/Teacher Online Interview Process:
This year we will again have interviews at the start of
the year (Week 6) instead of at the end of the term.
butterfly and the team relay. All students should be
very proud of their efforts. A big thankyou to the
families who helped with supervision and
timekeeping on the day.
Kyerin Grundy
School Dentist:
Darcy Slagter
Happy Birthday for the month of January:
Sophie Crook
The SRCs had their second meeting this week to discuss
some whole school activities that we could run during
recess and lunchtimes under the shelter. The students
worked together to design posters to hang up around
the school to advertise our first activity, the Beep Test,
which will run at recess on Friday in Week 5.
Emma-Lee O’Dea
As a part of the Sporting
Schools Australia Program,
we have been lucky enough
to receive a grant ($2,640)
which provides our school
with new sports equipment
and specialist coaching.
This term we have received brand new tennis
equipment, such as nets, racquets and tennis balls. I
would like to thank Mr John Pick, from the Renmark
Lawn Tennis Club, who over the next few weeks will
provide specialist tennis coaching during PE lessons for
the whole school.
Kyerin Grundy
SRC Meeting:
What’s new at school?:
Photo Day Advise:
Envelopes for our School Photos
were sent home during the week.
Please be advised of the following
details.
ALL envelopes must be
returned prior to Photo
Day, even if you do not intend to order some.
Return your envelope with payment or on-line
details to the front office.
Sibling envelopes are available on request.
Normal full SUMMER Uniform must be worn (NO
PE clothes)
Please avoid appointments on this day where
possible. Advise if you will be away immediately.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
PHOTO DAY IS THURSDAY MARCH 9th
As a part of our Leadership Program the Year 7s
walked to the Renmark Club to learn about leadership
in the hospitality industry. The students had a great
time and learnt lots about what skills are required to be
a good leader. We thank the General Manager of The
Renmark Club, Mr Darren Baker, who gave up his time
to talk to the students.
Kyerin Grundy
Year 7 Leadership:
“Mr Baker trusts and respects his workers and as Manager has to take responsibility for their actions and works with them to improve their workplace.” Maiya
“We learnt how leadership is a team role and everyone has a part to play to ensure work is a happy and safe environment.” Ava
Recycling Furniture:
A huge thank you to Adrian Hunt for his valuable time
and resources in building shelving and work bench area
in the Maintenance shed recycling old school tables and