Principal’s News Week 6 Term 2 2014

Fish & Chip Learning Evening

Thank you to all of our families who were able to attend on Monday evening. Our feedback suggests that the opportunity to socialise and share a meal together, combined with the early start as well as being able to listen to the students share their learning, helped to make the event a huge success.

This term, all of us have gone ‘open’ with our learning. We realise that sharing through our blogs has helped to engage our children and parents in learning at St Joseph’s. Research indicates that parent engagement supports student participation and achievement. Student engagement supports the motivation to learn.

Central to lifelong  learning for all of us is the ability for us to apply our knowledge and skills flexibly and creatively in different situations. Learning the skills necessary to adapt to 21^st Century technology are challenges for all of us. But if we have a ‘growth mindset’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc  anything is possible.

During the course of the evening we introduced our new Twitter handle. You can create your own account and follow us @StJoesOamaru 

 Congratulations to the Misiloi family who won the $50 petrrol voucher. 

Reading Workshops

Mrs Siobhan Burke will be running reading workshops next week to support you to help your child at home with their reading. If you are interested in attending a session on Monday at 3:30pm, Tuesday at 2pm or Thursday at 2pm then please contact sburke@stjoseph.school.nz

Confirmation

Congratulations to all of the children who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation last Saturday. Thanks to Mrs Dooley and Fr Wayne for preparing our children and to all of the prayer partners and helpers who supported this special celebration.

Pasifika Fono Workshop

We were fortunate to welcome our South Island Pasifika Advisor,Tufulasi Taleni to St Joseph's to give a special presentation to staff, children and families at a recent Pasifika fono. We thank Mrs Misiloi for the beautiful welcome and Mrs Plieger for organising this excellent afternoon. 

Senior Production

St Joe’s Has Got Talent is coming together and we are looking forward to it ! The performances will be held at St Kevin's auditorium on Thursday 3rd July at 1:00pm and 6 pm. Food will be available from 5:30 pm onwards.The Home and School are going to provide the food so that families can enjoy a meal together. They will send out an order form closer to the time.  Next week, tickets to the matinee and evening shows will be available from the office for a gold coin donation. We will take the juniors to the matinee as a school group and we recommend that little brothers and sisters attend this session as well. 

Whitestone Learning and Change blog

Many of you are aware that we have formed a network with other local schools. We believe that together we can achieve more for our children and their learning and achievement. You can access some news about our developments here

Fr Wayne’s school and parish presentations

Last week Fr Wayne celebrated 40 years in the priesthood. After our presentation of a canvas that is now hanging in his office, there was a beautiful mass and Parish presentation of a trip to Raratonga. Congratulations on such an achievement Fr Wayne! We are so glad that you lead the way in showing us how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.