Dear Parents,

It has been ‘business as usual’ with Mrs Beavan away and I would like to thank all the staff for ensuring that the weekly routine has run smoothly. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Beavan back on Monday, recharged after enjoying some well deserved family time.

It was exciting to welcome our new Kindergarten students for 2020 for their final Orientation Day this week. The children have enjoyed a range of activities and have settled into the school routine extremely well. We look forward to formally welcoming them and their families to St Joseph’s next year.

On Friday we observe All Saint’s Day and on Saturday All Soul’s Day. During the month of November we remember family members and friends who have passed away and pray that they be granted eternal rest.

Just a reminder that a pupil free day will be held on Friday 8^th November for staff to attend a Spirituality Day. We will meet with staff from St Mary’s Batlow and St Patrick’s Gundagai to reflect, pray and develop ways to share our faith in our school communities.

I look forward to the student’s showcasing their learning at the school assembly on Friday afternoon.

Wishing everyone a happy week ahead.

Kind Regards

Liz Murray

Swimming

Next week a permission note will go home regarding Term 4 swimming commencing in week 6 through to week 9.

ASSEMBLY:  Tomorrow Friday (1st November) at 2:45pm, please join us.

MONDAY CANTEEN:  Thank you to our Mums who have volunteered to help out on Canteen this term.  If you can help in week 8 and 9 please let Lauren Roche know.

Last Friday, we all particpipated in a dress up Colour Day. We were raising money for the Nazareth Home for World Mission Month. Everyone dressed in a range of colours and they looked fantastic! We were given Rosary Beads in the church and we said the prayers for each country. After lunch, we played relays and Red Rover Cross Over which was organised by the Year 6 leaders. We raised $101.00. Thank you to all students for wearing blue, green, red, yellow and white colours for all the missions and for raising money for these families who are living in poverty and really need our help.

- From Harry and Toby

In Maths K,1,2 have been investigating fractions through a range of 'hands on' activities including the cuisenairre rods.

In Literacy K,1,2 have been writing information reports on Dinosaurs.  They have been learning how to research facts and set out an information text.  Henry, Laura, Ollie, Alice, Lily, Nicholas and Culley have recently published their latest texts.  The whole class have enjoyed reading their books.

Bonnie, Panav, Sodoni, Kruz, Brydee, Chris, Indiana, Edward, Eva and Rueben enjoyed their final orientation visit on Tuesday afternoon. They participated in a music lesson with Mrs Parker and maths, IT, and sport with Mrs Dean. Over the four orientation sessions, the children have become very familiar with the staff, students and school routine. A big thank you to Mrs Dean for organising a range of wonderful learning activities and providing each child with a ‘big school’ pack that included number cards, an alphabet chart and name writing activities. The children received a certificate on completion of their orientation visit.

This week in Maths we have been learning about Place Value and Number. We played a fun game called, 'Salute.' We were in groups of three and one person was the adjudicator and the other two people were playing the game. When the adjudicator said "Salute" they then told the players what the two cards added up to. Player 1 would look at Player 2's card and then work out the difference to add up to the total number and guess their number. We also played the game using subtraction as well. Then we played 'Rock and Roll Place Value' where we had to roll 6 dice each and then place the numbers into the highest 6 digit number possible. The person with the highest number then played the next person and so on.

Yesterday afternoon, we played Rugby with Tom. We played lots of games and learnt lots of new skills. We had lots of fun learning this and enjoyed Tom teaching us.

In Religion, we have been writing about our family traditions and telling some funny stories.

In Integrated Studies, we have been learning about Earth's Place in Space. We did an experiment to test the energy of the sun. We put a thermometre in a cup of water and put it in full sun for 10 minutes and one in the shade for 10 minutes. We tested the degrees of both experiments. Our results showed, that the outside temperature was 31'C and it took 22 seconds for the temperature to rise 1'C in full sun. It took 25 seconds for the temperature to rise 1'C in the shade.

- From Harry and Toby

St Joseph's were very lucky recipients of the lastest book series 'The Grower, The Heartbeat of Australia' and 'The Grower' The Roots of Australia'.

This set of books were proudly donated by John Nicoletti to enable young Australians to connect with where their food and fibre comes from.  As an adolescent John left home with $200 to his name and carved out a great life for himself in agriculture.

We would like to thank Mr Nicoletti for his very generous donation of the two books to our school, we feel very humbled to be chosen.

Library:  As the end of the year approaches please start looking for library books.  Some children have 'lost' books at home.  I will send reminders home closer to the end of term.

School Play:  Your children have taken home their lines for the play.  We ask that you please practise with them and help with articulation and expression.  

Thank you for your assistance, Mrs Parker.

REMINDER:  TERM 4 PUPIL FREE DAY - FRIDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2019

Staff will be attending a Spirituality Day

McAULEY 2020 YEAR 7 ORIENTATION DAY - FRIDAY 8th NOVEMBER

Keep up to date with events happening at St Joseph's via our electronic school calendar (please note dates can be subject to change).