Thursday 27 October 2016

1. Principal's News - Week 3, Term 4 2016

Maths
Whole staff professional development in maths
I have observed some amazing maths happening throughout the school.  I'm particularly impressed with our SH1 corridor which has some of our young students doing some quite tricky long division and multiplication problems.  They posed me an "Impossible problem that even the principal can't do."  I could do it as it happens, but it was a recurring decimal and they were right - I'd never get to the end of it.  Pretty impressive!

One of our foci this year has been maths and its likely to continue into 2017.   Our whole staff was enthused by some very useful maths professional development on Wednesday with Shona McRae of the University of Otago.

Health and Physical Education
The staff have reported to the Board on Health and Physical Education.  Its really good to see that the huge majority of our children are achieving at the expected levels in this curriculum area.  We are delighted that so many of our children are excelling in weekend and after school sports teams which is only a small part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum area.  The teaching strands that we cover extensively in school are: Personal Health and Physical Development, Movement Concepts and Motor Skills,  Relationships with Other People and Healthy Communities and Environments.  For more information on how our children are achieving with Movement Concepts and the many ways we cover this curriculum area, have a look at our board report Health and Physical Education Board Report

We are lucky to be well resourced with athletics equipment and have the space to use it and we've enjoyed the input of St Kevin's PE students who have worked with the children on athletics.  The children have been out practising regularly for their athletics day on Monday and every child has had a growth mindset and improved with practice.   We look forward to you joining us to celebrate the senior athletics at 9.00 am on Monday.

Parent Survey
We have received many responses to our parent surveys.  Thank you for the thought you are putting into your responses.  The survey closes at the end of the day this Friday.

Respect
We are still enjoying a growth in respect in the school.  It is very pleasant to be greeting each other, smiling, giving way and saying thank you.   Everyone benefits.

God bless,
Lorraine Frances-Rees


2. Special Character - Week 3, Term 4 2016

We will be celebrating 'All Saints Day' with a school liturgy 
 on Tuesday 1st November at 9.00 am in the school hall. 
Family and friends are welcome to join us.

Here's another interesting passage from 'Painting Rainbows with Broken Crayons' by Bernadette McCarver Snyder, This little book is full of prayers for Teachers, Parents and other Caregivers.

When Did Discipline Become A Dirty Word?
Why am I always at the wrong place at the wrong time, Lord? When I was growing up, children were to be seen but not heard, Discipline was IN. Adults ruled, children obeyed. Now I finally get to be an adult and discipline is OUT. Adults no longer rule, children seldom obey. How did you let this happen, Lord?
It's my turn and I want to be obeyed. I want discipline to become an admired word again instead of a dirty one. Well, I don't MEAN discipline. I mean constructive discipline.
It seems that discipline comes from the same root word as disciple - and that shows how we should all act. Help me, Lord, help us ALL to be disciples, showing children the value of being your followers, of obeying your rules, of leading a disciplined life so it can be a good, moral, ethical life. 
There are enough dirty words being tossed about today, Lord. Help us to find again the merit and the potential of the words discipline and disciple.
And, Lord, I know I am not really at the wrong place at the wrong time. This is MY time, the time you gave me - so it is the right time. Help me to make the most of it.


For the next four weeks our Religious Education teaching is focused is on the 'Communion of Saints' Strand. Please refer to your Family-Whanau Book for material to help you support your children during our teaching of this strand.
Year 1/Mary: Page 19
Year 2/Saints and Inspiring People: Page 22
Year 3/Life, Death and Christian Hope: Page 25
Year 4/Choices: Page 28
Year 5/Saints and Inspiring People: Page 31
Year 6/Mary: Page 34
Year 7/ Choices: Page 37
Year 8/Life, Death and Christian Hope



3. School Notices - Week 3, Term 4 2016

Altar Servers
Saturday 29th October - Indya & Mackenzie Cunningham, Bronson Bartlett and Molly Whittaker
Sunday 30th October - Rhea Ratgali, Seth Bartley, Jonathan Jorgensen and Henry Robinson

Birthday Greetings to:
Taine Stewart-Cooper, Nicolas Mendoza-Gonzalez,Tristan Serrano and Elias Fraser

All Saints Art Competition
The Special Character leaders have decided to do an All Saints Day competition for all ages. The competition started yesterday and has to be in by 2 November. The task is to make a sketch of a saint you like and send it to the year 8 class or the Special Character leaders. Make it colorful and bright. You are allowed to use paint, glitter and pastels. We will announce the winners on 18th November and we will pick 2 winners from the junior school and 2 winners from the senior school and there are so cool prizes on the grab so make sure to hand it in before 2 November. Thank you, Rhea and Michael.

Athletics
Senior - A reminder about the senior school athletics being held on Monday from 9.00 am.  Please wear your PE gear and bring your sun hat, sun block, long trousers, jacket, water bottle etc. Lunch will be at a later time for all the athletes at 12.20 pm. Thank you to the parents who have offered to help as marshals. All parents welcome.  Trophies and certificates will be presented at Kotuitui on Friday 4th November at 2.30 pm.
Junior - The junior school athletic activities will be held next Thursday from 1.00 to 2.00 pm.  All parents welcome.

Basketball

There is a rules clinic for all referees, coaches and players being held on Saturday 19th November at the stadium on Morgans Road, Timaru.  Classroom sessions from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and on court sessions from 1.00 to 2.30 pm.  Everyone welcome.  For more information contact South Canterbury Basketball on scba.gm@xtra.co.nz or phone 03 686 2906.  A similar clinic will be held in Oamaru sometime next year but no date has been advised.

Cricket Draw - Saturday 30th October

4th Grade A - St Joseph's v Valley - SKC Artificial 2
4th Grade B - St Joseph's v Eastern - SKC Artificial 1

Found
A paua necklace has been handed into the office.  Please collect if it is yours.

Mobile Phone Appeal
It would be great if you could rummage around in your drawers and toy boxes and bring into school any unwanted mobile phones you may have.  Phones collected help our school gain valuable rewards and the environment benefits too by keeping our landfills free of mobile phones and their array of hazardous toxic substances.  Please drop any unwanted mobile phones you may have into the collection box in the school office.

Nacho Lunch
The Home & School are organising a Nacho lunch next Thursday in the hall and it will cost $5.00. (A bowl of crunchy corn chips with a mild beef mince chilli con carne topped with sour cream and grated cheese).  A form has gone home with each family today and orders need to be in by next Tuesday 1st November.

Subway
Subway lunches cost $2.50 only for tomorrow.

Touch Rugby
The draw was unavailable at the time the news blog went to print.  Please check the North Otago Touch Rugby website for the game times.

Year 8 Camp
Today the Yr 8 students learnt how to put up their tents in preparation for their camp in two weeks time on Mt Somers. Team work and co-operation were on display in this exercise.





Community Notices
  • St Kevin's College Truffles Fundraiser - The Home and School are making and selling chocolate truffles as a fundraiser. They will be made on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November and cost $5.00 a dozen. For orders please contact Paula Brien at St Joseph's School by emailing pbrien@stjoseph.school.nz or phone 027 437 1291.  (They are yummy!!)
  • CleanTime Solutions - They clean commercial, office, rental and residential places, floors, windows, carpet and upholstery, car care and grooming services and liability insurance cover.  They are suppliers of cleaning chemicals, hygiene products, janitorial and machines and automotive grooming products. For further information contact Binesh Shukul on 027 321 0116 or email info@cleantime.co.nz
  • OSCAR Summer Holiday Programme - Pre- Christmas 19th to 23rd December and January 9th to 27th excluding weekends.  For more information contact Jenny on 021 156 5871


4. Diary Dates - Week 3, Term 4 2016

OCTOBER
Friday 28                   -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm
Monday 31                -  School Athletics
                                      -  Chinese Cultural Meeting from 6.30 to 8.00 pm

NOVEMBER
Tuesday 1                  -  All Saints Day Liturgy Mass at 9.00 am in school hall, all welcome *
                                      -  North Otago cricket for Yr 5 & 6 *
Thursday 3                -  School Mass at 9.15 am
                                      -  Young Vinnies & Yr 7 ECB’s
                                      -  Home & School Nacho Lunch for $5.00
                                      -  Junior School Activities (Athletics) from 1.00 to 2.00 pm
Friday 4                      -  Scholastic Book club orders due in today
                                      -  Athletic trophies and certificates presented at Kotuitui *
                                      -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm
Monday 7                   -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley
                                      -  Reconciliation Parent Meeting 1 at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 8                  -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley
Wednesday 9            -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley
                                      - Pasifika Fono at 7.00 pm
Thursday 10             -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley
                                      -  School Mass at 9.15 am
Friday 11                   -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley
                                      -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm
Monday 14                 -  Reconciliation Parent Meeting 2 at 7.00 pm
Tuesday 15                -  Yr 7 Camp
                                      -  Home & School Meeting at 7.00 pm
Wednesday 16          -  Yr 7 Camp
Thursday 17              -  Yr 7 Camp
                                      -  Technology for Yr 8 only at SKC
                                      -  School Mass at 9.15 am *
Friday 18                    -  Yr 7 Camp
                                      -  Technology for Yr 8 only at SKC
                                      -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm *
Monday 21                 -  North Otago Athletics
Wednesday 23          -  Family Learning Hui from 7.00 to 8.00 pm
Thursday 24              -  School Mass at 9.15 am
Friday 25                    -  Yr 8 Orientation Day at SKC all day
                                       -  Picnic followed by games from 5.30 to 6.00 pm *
                                       -  Family Learning Hui at 6.00 pm *
Sunday 27                  -  First Reconciliation after Mass at 9.30 to 11.00 am
Monday 28                 -  Yr 6 Activities Week – note new date
Tuesday 29                -  BOT and Home & School social dinner
Wednesday 30          -  Filipino Pagsasama from 6.30 to 7.30 pm

DECEMBER
Thursday 1                -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin’s *
Friday 2                      -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin’s *
                                      -  Yr 1-6 social  - Xmas theme from 6.00 to 7.30 pm
Saturday 3                 -  Santa Parade, parish float
Thursday 8                -  Transition to 2017 afternoon from 2.00 to 3.00 pm *
Friday 9                      -  Yr 7 & 8 Social
Tuesday 13                -  End of Year Liturgy for Yr 8 *
Thursday 15              -  End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm *
Friday 16                   -  Last assembly/carols from 12.00 to 12.30 pm *
                                      -  School finishes at 12.30 pm


Thursday 20 October 2016

1. Principal's News - Week 2, Term 4, 2016

RESPECT
This week we have had a big focus on the basics of respect.  This means:

1. Good manners - saying please, thank you and excuse me, standing back to let adults pass, opening doors for others and greeting each other and having basic conversations in a thoughtful manner.

2. Uniform - showing respect for our school by wearing the correct uniform.  There are still one or
Atlanta and Jack show correct school uniform, senior boys wear the blue shirt
two children wearing non uniform jerseys or hats.  Please help your child by making sure they have the correct uniform. We are also able to help with uniform, so if there is a financial strain please let me know so that we can help.

3. Environment - there certainly is less rubbish lying around this week - so well done everyone for making a big effort.  Still a little way to go for zero rubbish and to make sure we are caring for the whole environment of our school.


The children have been excellent.  Please support us and them by discussing and reinforcing these things at home.

Our Vision and How We Do Things at St Joseph's

Our vision and the reason behind what we do at St Joseph's are our vision statement:

'Reach for the stars as lifelong learners in the Catholic Faith', 

and our charter goal for teaching and learning:

'Every child engaged and empowered in deep learning for success'.

The way we do things at St Joseph's is how we make this vision a reality.   The yellow boxes are the teaching and learning practice we had in place in our very successful 5 year ERO review and which still underlies our practice.   We may put these things into practice in different ways at different times but the basics remain the same.  We have to make sure the basics are as strong as ever so we are presently reviewing the way we put these things into practice. We want to be sure what we do in the school and the classroom best enables our goals of engaged, empowered, deep learning for success.


Surveys
I am sending out parent surveys and you will receive an email link to make your response.  Please take the time to respond.  It is very important that I hear what everyone has to say and I've asked questions on a variety of topics which will help us to make decisions for 2017.  I have also done extensive staff surveys and have started surveying students.  All of this information will be used to help us make good decisions for our next steps.

We have some yellow stickies and sheets up in the foyer for you to also add comments there if you wish.

SACRAMENTAL ENROLMENT

Congratulations to our children who enrolled at mass on Sunday to start their sacramental programs. They met their parish prayer partners who will pray for them and support them over the next year. They will be doing their first Reconciliation on Sunday 27th November.

Communion of Saints
The children will be learning about the Communion of Saints in RE.  To find out more please have a look at: Communion of Saints for parents

UPCOMING HOME AND SCHOOL DATES
The home and school is the fundraising body for the Board of Trustees.  Every parent and caregiver is automatically part of the Home and School.  We have a very small group of parents who do a lot for the school by raising money and facilitating social events for the school.  We would very much like more parents to become involved as all of your children benefit from this work.

The Home and School raises money to support the extras that make our school great and we need all parents to help.  Please contact Rachel Fowler 0272378234  if you would like to join in with helping for one of these upcoming functions.

Thursday 3rd November – Nacho Lunch - $5 a plate

Friday 25th November – Picnic followed by games and Family Learning Hui, 5.30pm

Board and Home and School social dinner – Tuesday 29th November – details and venue TBC.

Friday 2nd December – Year 1-6 Social – Christmas theme – wear tinsel or something sparkly.  6-7.30pm

Saturday 3rd December – Santa Parade - The parish is organising a float and we would like to present the Nativity scene with children and for the children to also come as angels and shepherds to accompany the float and hand out lollies and have fun!


Friday 9th December – Year 7 & 8 social – Dinner for year 8s arrive 5pm for 5.30pm.  Year 7s arrive for dancing 7pm.  Supper provided by the year 7s at 8.45pm.

Principal's Award

My first principal's award went to Joseph Spillane.  I was particularly impressed with the way he welcomed me into the school and how he is able to initiate respectful conversations with adults.

I am very impressed overall with our year 8 group and they are providing a good example of responsible and respectful behaviour in our school.

God Bless,
Lorraine Frances-Rees
Principal

2. Special Character - Week 2, Term 4 2016

Already into Term 4 and it is moving quickly along. A very busy term for teachers with Government requirements, reports and making plans for 2017!!! 
I just read a passage from a little book called 'Painting Rainbows with Broken Crayons' by Bernadette McCarver Snyder, which has prayers for teachers, parents and other caregivers. I think this passage could apply very much to how many of us are thinking at the moment. 

Do I too often see without seeing?
Lord, today I was thinking about something I heard a long time ago. Some wise person said that each day you should take the time to stop and look at something in your world and say, Isn't that beautiful?"
I know that the world at-large and my private world runneth over with beautiful things, but it's easy to take them for granted or to just not notice anymore. I speed along the highway, passing fields of rainbowed wildflowers; I hurry through a mall, not noticing the faces of those walking past; I race through an art gallery, looking with one eye at the masterpieces because the other eye is busy checking to see what the children are touching that is untouchable.
I see without seeing.
I have allowed complexity and busy-ness to crowd into my life until there is too little room left for beauty. What a loss, what a shame.
I am ashamed, Lord. When I take the time, I revel in the beauty of the world. I love to gather wildflowers, watch a waterfall, sit in a crowd and notice the amazing diversity of the faces you have made. But I too seldom take the time.
How can I gift children with the love of beauty if I do not cultivate it more in myself? Slow me down, Lord, so I can learn and then teach this lesson: At least once each day, let me stop to look closely at one of the wonders of this world and say, "Isn't that beautiful?"

Take Care and God Bless
Ann Dooley/DRS

3. School Notices - Week 2, Term 4 2016

Altar Servers
Saturday 22nd October - Joseph & Sebastian Spillane, Samuel Plieger and Joshua Criddle
Sunday 23rd October - Jonathan Jorgensen and Arthur Cartlidge

Birthday Greetings to:
Levi Crowder, Samuel Plieger, Seth Sinclair, Shaykla Meikle and Annelise Johnston

Lost
Bronson Bartlett has lost his named school polar fleece.  Please check to see if your child has picked it up in error.

School Athletics
The senior school will be holding their athletics day on Monday 31st October for the whole day.  (Children who are aged 8 or older on 1st October are involved).  We need to run this even safely and adequately and would really appreciate some help with the rotations.  If you can help out either for a full or part of the day, please email Mrs Souness on tsouness@stjoseph.school.nz as soon as possible.

Subway Lunches
On Friday 28th October, Subway are having a one off special on their 6" subs which will cost $2.50. If you are going to order Subway next week, please take a bag and write out your order before Friday morning.  Thank you.

Teacher Only Day
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow due to the 'Teacher Only Day'.

Touch Rugby Reps
Anybody interested in playing touch rugby reps for U12 and U14 grades, please check the North Otago Junior Touch Facebook page for further information.

Welcome
We warmly welcome Liam Lindsay and Flyn McLaren to our new entrants class this week.
Community Notices
  • Christian Life Centre Alternative to Halloween - held on Monday 31st October from 6.30 to 8.00 pm at 17 College Street, Oamaru.  The theme is 'By the Sea'.  It is open for primary schools ages year 1 to 8.  $2 gold coin per child.  There will be games, fun, music, prizes, goody bags for each child.  For enquiries, ph 437 2666 between 9.30 am to 12.00 Tuesday to Friday.  A flyer has gone home with each child.

4. From the Classrooms - Week 1 and 2, Term 4

Year 3 God Poems

God
God sounds like children singing
God smells good like the sea
God tastes sweet like chocolate cake
God looks strong like mountains with snow on them
God feels warm like a hug from Mum
From Satua


God
God sounds like bees buzzing and birds singing 
God tastes like the holy bread in Church 
God smells like the pollen of flowers
God looks like the beautiful birds
God feels like kind loving and caring people
From Hannah

God
Tastes like the wine and the bread when I have it. 
Sounds like blooming flowers in summer and birds tweeting in summer.
Feels like pets giving you a warm hug. Love family and friends.
From Ivy-Belle

God
God looks like laughter, kindness, helping, hugs and smiles
God looks like green leaves swaying in the wind
God feels like Miss Day being your friend
God smells like the deep ocean.
From Alexie 

Opo’s Story

We are really PROUD of Paolo in Year 5!
He has come a long way with his writing and his schooling. Paolo has been working really hard on this story
and now we see why! What an amazing and emotional piece of writing. Congratulations on all of your wonderful
hard work! I have been told by his mother that Paolo is currently writing a book at home and is on chapter 13!!!
I think we have an author in the making here :-)
Opo’s Story
In the beautiful oceans there was a female dolphin that gave birth to a beautiful little dolphin
named Opo. Opo loves to play, hide and hunt for stuff in the ocean, until one day when Opo
was swimming with her mother - a big boat was above them, a net came and Opo’s mother
pushed her out of her way, so Opo wouldn’t get caught by the net. The net caught her like a
prison, then a harpoon came and shot her in the back.


Opo was crying; so she swam far away. The water was turning red, all of Opo’s joyful memories
became a sad terrifying nightmare.

She was swimming for two days and two nights, until Opo reached an island.

It was a peaceful morning, the sun was rising so bright, the wind was quiet, the water was quiet as
well (just a little bit). Opo was afraid because she had the feeling that the boat was following her
and that it would chop her into meat for sale, (don’t worry the boat wasn’t following her).

Opo went to the island and not thinking about the boat that killed her mother. In the island there was
a harbour - at the harbour there was a beach, and at the beach there were kids playing and mums
were watching them play. It reminded Opo of her and her mother playing, Opo was depressed and
jealous at the same time.

Opo looked to her right, nobody was there except there was one 9-year-old girl, she had loooong
blonde hair, she had yellow eyes, she was wearing a pale white dress, white as paper and one more
thing; she was wearing a dolphin necklace. She looked at Opo like she wants to eat her but she
wouldn’t do that to a beautiful dolphin. Then she said to Opo “Hi my name is Kelly, don’t worry I’m
not chopping you into thousands of pieces of meat for dinner, I am just trying to feed you some
food”, she throws the food and Opo jumps out the water and catches the food in mid-air.

Kelly was surprised, “wow that’s sooooo cool, I wanna be friends with you!”

A dolphin friends with a female child. Sounds like making friendship.

Kelly let’s go or you’ll be left behind, hurry up!” her dad called for her to come back. Her house is
600 meters away from the beach.

“Goodbye Opo, we will be friends forever and forever. Bye!” She ran up the stairs and walked home
with her father.

Opo was really happy that she made a new friend. Kelly came back the next day to play with Opo
the dolphin, every day Kelly and Opo meet with each other. They play, eat and talk to each other at
the same place.

10 years went by quite quickly. Kelly and Opo grew up. They both are in a dolphin seaworld
where there's dolphins jumping, going through hoops and stuff.

In Opo´s head; his mother is cheering for Opo and telling her to do her best and always saying to
think before she does her performance in front of many people.

Opo will never forget her mother, Opo still think of her mother, that died when she was a baby.
Every time she thinks of her mother; Opo will always love her mother.

The End
By Paolo Mordeno


Athletics with SKC - Yr 8


During the past 5 weeks on a Monday, some St Kevin's students as part of their Yr 13 PE

leadership course come to help for an hour with athletics rotations with the Yr 7 & 8 students.