NEWSLETTER

This Term in Reception, we have been exploring procedure text in a hands on and delicious way! The children learnt about sequencing steps and using instructional language such as first, next, then, and finally.

To bring our learning to life, we made jam sandwiches together! The children carefully thought out the steps and then followed each step before enjoying their creations.

This fun activity helped students understand how instructions work while practising important fine motor skills, turn taking, and listening skills. Everyone loved seeing and tasting the results of their procedural writing.

Welcome to Term 4. I hope you and your family had the opportunity to rest and refresh in preparation for this term.

It has been pleasing to see our children return to school after the recent holiday break refreshed and settled. At St Joseph’s School we talk a lot about the 5 Keys to Success; Confidence, Resilience, Persistence, Getting Along and Organisation. Children have been busy putting the Keys to Success into practice. This has been evident through their engagement in the learning opportunities presented to them throughout each day and the way they have been interacting with each other both in the classroom and school yard.

Catholic identity 

During Week 8 of Term 3 our school once again participated in the Religious Literacy Assessment Tool (ReLAT) test, an assessment in Religious Education for all Year 4 students in South Australian Catholic Schools. Religious Education (RE) is a core Learning Area in all Catholic schools. It is a foundation for all learning and is integrated into the life of the school through prayer, liturgy, community building and social justice programs. 

ReLAT focuses on knowledge content which is core to the Year 3/ 4 Crossways Religious Education curriculum. As a basic knowledge test, ReLAT complements the continuous, fuller, and deeper assessment of learning that occurs in the RE classroom. The ReLAT assessment is not a measure of a child’s faith nor their participation in the broader life of the Catholic community.

The ReLAT assessment tool is an online multiple-choice test with 35 questions. The data from the ReLAT assessment is collated and used by the school to inform whole-of-school professional learning needs and the continuous improvement of teaching in Religious Education. 

Curriculum News

I have included two mathematical tasks which you might like to have a go at with your child/children.

This week’s Mathematical tasks:

Reception to Year 3

Write down everything you know about the number 7.

I have written a secret number between 10 and 30. It is an odd number. What might it be?

Years 4-6

Three consecutive odd numbers add to give a number between 150 and 200. What might the numbers be?

I am thinking of a number. If I divide the number by 6 there is a remainder of 3. If I divide the number by 4 there is a remainder of 1. What might my number be?

Happy inquiry.

Reading is another core learning area here at St Joseph’s School. Children develop their reading skills, knowledge and understanding by reading regularly. At St Joseph’s School regular reading at home forms a major part of homework set each evening. Why not create regular timeslots throughout the week whereby all electronic devices in the home are turned off and members of the family spend 15 minutes reading together. 

Happy reading.

School fees for 2026

We are pleased to inform our school families that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2026 school year. It is at the heart of Catholic education that our school and all Catholic schools are affordable and accessible to all.

In addition to the ongoing fee-freeze, further fee remissions are available to any family who is struggling to pay school fees due to financial difficulties. Families should contact finance officer Kali Brown or myself for more information.

Pupil Free Day Monday November 10

Monday November 10 will be a Pupil Free Day. All staff will be involved in our annual Staff Reflection Day. This year we will focus on Saint Mary MacKillop and our Josephite Charism. Our day will be held at the Bethany Josephite Centre, Kensington. As this is a whole staff day, Mieke Vandenbos and the OSHC staff will join us and as a result OSHC will not be available on Monday November 10.

School Master Plan Update

Work on Stage Three of our School Masterplan (refurbishment of downstairs classrooms, relocation of canteen and student toilets) is progressing nicely. Building of our new canteen space is now complete with the new canteen now operational. Building work has commenced on developing the two new downstairs classrooms and new toilet block. This work is scheduled to be completed in January 2026 in readiness for the new school year.

Staffing News

This term we’re delighted to welcome Bernadette Romeo as our new Communications and Marketing Officer. Bernadette’s first day was Thursday 16 October, and she will be with us two days a week (generally Thursday and Friday). She will also be supporting another school in her role, with some flexibility around special events so she can be part of key moments in our community.

Bernadette is part of the wider Communications and Marketing team at the Catholic Education Office. Her role is dedicated to working alongside schools to help build their profile and continue to grow enrolments. The Catholic Education Office is pleased to provide this dedicated resource to our school community, and we’re excited to see the benefits of having Bernadette’s experience and fresh ideas on board. I hope you will join me in welcoming Bernadette to our school.

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity. Resilience enables you to take calculated risks and capitalise on opportunities. Karen Reivich & Andrew Shatte, 2011.

Resilience does not come from rare and special qualities, but from the everyday magic of ordinary human resources in the minds, brains and bodies of children, in their families and relationships, and in their communities. Masten, 2001.

Research suggest that resilient people live longer and have better overall health, cope with adverse stressors in more adaptive ways, persist longer on difficult tasks and perform better in school and work, are less likely to experience mental health problems and are less passive and fatalistic in their thinking.

At St Joseph’s School we aim to build resilience amongst our children in a number of ways including; Striving for Excellence, using teacher feedback to grow and improve, Restorative Conversations, learning about the Five Keys to Success, Buddy Classes, involvement in extra curricula activities, leadership roles within the school, and Respecting Each Other including those who have different interests and opinions to our own.

To learn more about how you can support the wellbeing of your child, visit Be You (formerly Beyond Blue). The website also provides a range of resources and ideas to support the mental health and wellbeing of our young people. I encourage you to visit the website at https://beyou.edu.au/and have a look for yourself.

Kiss and Drop Zone Speed Limit 10km per Hour.

A reminder that the school Kiss and Drop Zone along Rosewater Terrace has a speed limit of 10km per hour. Please ensure you observe the speed limit when using the Kiss and Drop Zone as this is an area where children are entering and exiting the school in large numbers.

A reminder also that the school Kiss and Drop Zone is not a place to park your car if you need to enter the school grounds as this holds up all incoming and outgoing traffic. It also leads to children exiting their cars on Rosewater Terrace and having to manoeuvre between traffic, raising further safety concerns. If you need to come into the school grounds, parking is available along Rosewater Terrace and on Ina Avenue.

Thank you in anticipation of your support with these important safety matter.

Audiri App

To keep up to date with what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events why not download the AudiriApp from the App Store on your mobile phone. Once downloaded simply search St Joseph’s School, Ottoway and add to your Audiri page. Many of our families currently use the Audiri App to keep up to date with what is happening across our school.

I hope you have a positive end to the working week and an enjoyable weekend.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Parent Centre - near the office entrance

Please make yourself comfortable and help yourself to tea, coffee and biscuits.

The room will be open most days 8:25am and 2:30pm

School Photo Day 

School photos were held on Monday 20th October. Our catchup day will be next Monday 27th October. Students need to be in full school uniform. Neat hair with blue accessories only.

See below details on how to order your child photos.

Talking to your child about the age restrictions 

As we approach 10 December, when the new Social Media Minimum Age law comes into effect, it’s important for families to start preparing for the changes. 

If you have children under 16 who currently use age-restricted social media platforms, they will be directly impacted by the new law.

To support your children through this transition, it’s helpful to: 

·         Talk openly about the new age restrictions and why they’re being introduced. 

• Understand how your child currently uses social media and explore how these changes might affect them. 
• Reassure them that these changes are about safety and wellbeing, not punishment. 

To help guide these conversations, eSafety has developed practical tips for parents and carers to start these conversations to support you in starting and managing discussions in a calm and constructive way. 

Find out more

School card application deadline is 21^st of November 2025

If you are yet to apply, please see Kali in Finance or submit online. 

Australian Girls Choir Open Day

Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform. You’re invited to come along to our November Open Day to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC! To confirm your booking, visit ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc