Indigenous Inspired Art

In recent weeks we have been creating artwork inspired by Australian Indigenous artists. We began using the drawing tool in Word to create some art that told a story.

Last week, we designed some AFL football jumpers to coincide with Sir Doug Nicholls round to recognise and celebrate indigenous players and their culture. We would like to share some of our art with you.

Catholic Identity

On Sunday May 24 the Catholic Church celebrated Pentecost. Pentecost is a time when we celebrate and acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us by God. One way to think of the Holy Spirit is of the words and actions of Jesus being lived out through others today. During Pentecost, classroom Religious Education programs will centre on the Holy Spirit at work in our lives today. Our weekly communal prayer will also reflect upon the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

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

A family has 5 children. We know at least two of the children are girls. Draw as many possibilities as you can as to what the family might look like.

Someone asked the teacher a question and she replied “Maybe.” What might the question be?

Years 4-6

My sister was complaining that it was always extremely hot on her birthday which spoilt the activities that had been planned. When might the date of her birthday be? Explain your answer.

Design a spinner for which the chance of spinning green is 3/9.

Happy inquiry.

Children develop their reading skills, knowledge and understanding by reading regularly. Below are some strategies you might like to try at home to support your children’s learning:

• Encourage and model reading in the home
• Listen to your child read their reading material and ask specific questions related to what they have read
• Read with your child
• Share what you are reading with your child
• Read your child a bedtime story
• Read to your child in your family’s first language
• Talk to your child about the different situations you find yourself in whereby you are required to read texts.

Happy reading.

Preschool & Occasional Care Teaching and Learning update

Preschool and Occasional Care have had a productive and engaging start to the term, welcoming Mrs Crosbie back into the Preschool room. During the first two weeks of this term, the children participated in a range of “getting to know you” games and helped shape our emerging program based on their interests.

In the lead up to Mother’s Day, Preschool and Occasional Care explored what makes our mums special and shared a variety of stories celebrating the important role they play in our identities and our Preschool community.

Following a magnetic colour mixing experience, the children showed great enthusiasm for experimenting with colours. They delighted in naming the new colours they created and demonstrated strong communication, curiosity, and collaborative learning.

This interest has led us to extend our exploration into the colours of Autumn, incorporating an Indigenous perspective by introducing the children to the Kaurna seasons.

In numeracy, we are focusing on height and measurement. In literacy, children are learning to write their names, identify the number of letters in their names, and recognise the letters that make up their names.

How do Children Play?

As children grow, the way they play will change. Below are examples of play for children of different ages:

Babies (birth to around 18 months)

With babies you might try:

• music, songs, gentle tapping on your baby’s tummy while you sing, bells or containers filled with different objects - these activities can help develop hearing and movement
• objects of different sizes, colours and shapes to encourage a child to reach and grasp
• sturdy furniture, balls, toys or boxes to get a child crawling, standing and walking
• play with movement (for example, holding a baby while singing, swaying or gently dancing)
• play with words, such as in simple rhymes, animal noises, books, blowing raspberries and playing peek-a-boo.

Toddlers (around 18 months to three years)

A toddler might enjoy: 

• big and light things like cardboard boxes, buckets or blow-up balls to encourage them to run, build, push or drag
• chalk, rope, music or containers can encourage jumping, kicking, stomping, stepping and running
• hills, tunnels or nooks that encourage physical activities like crawling and exploring
• experimenting with different sounds and rhythms (try singing, dancing and clapping along to music with your child).

Preschool children (around three to five years)

Ideas to get your pre-schooler’s mind and body going: 

• Old milk containers, wooden spoons, empty pot plant containers, sticks, scrunched-up paper, plastic buckets, saucepans and old clothes are great for imaginative, unstructured play.
• Simple jigsaw puzzles and matching games like animal dominoes help improve your child’s memory and concentration.
• Playdough and clay help your child develop fine motor skills.
• Favourite music or pots and pans are great for a dance concert or to make up music.
• Balls and frisbees can encourage kicking, throwing or rolling. When encouraging your child to kick or throw, try to get them to use one side of their body, then the other.

School-age children

School-age children can have fun with the following objects and activities:

• Furniture, linen, washing baskets, tents and boxes are great for building.
• Home-made obstacle courses can get your child moving in different ways, directions and speeds.
• Rhymes or games like “I spy with my little eye, something that begins with...” are great for word play and help develop literacy skills.
• Simple cooking or food preparation like measuring, stirring and serving food is great for developing numeracy and everyday skills.
• Your child’s own imagination - with imagination, your child can turn themselves into a favourite superhero or story character. If your child is interested, you could think about getting them into some sports or team activities for school-age children. Other possibilities include after-school or holiday art and craft activities.

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.   

May the love of the Risen Lord continue to be with us.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Audiri App has been replaced by EdSmart

As you may be aware we have moved away from using the Audiri App to using EdSmart which is an email-based product. Information regarding what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events will now be communicated to families using EdSmart. Be sure to monitor your email inbox for school updates.

The school has cancelled its subscription with Audiri.

Mass and Liturgy

Mass for Our Lady Help of Christians will be celebrated as a liturgy during our community prayer time as Fr Marek is recovering from his broken arm and surgery.

You are always invited to join us. The next Masses will be:

• Most Sacred Heart of Jesus mass at 10am on Friday 12 June.
• St John the Baptist mass at 10am on Wednesday 24 June.
• Saints Peter and Paul mass at 10am on Monday 29 June.

Some other dates for the diary:

• Multicultural Day - Monday 24/8 starting with Whole School performance from Sean Choolburra
• Father's Day breakfast and liturgy - Friday 4/9

All In for National Reconciliation Week 2026

At St Joseph’s we embrace National Reconciliation Week. This year’s theme for is “All In”. This week reminds us that reconciliation is something we all share and take part in every day - not just during this celebration.

At St Joseph’s we believe all have a role to play in building respect, understanding, and fairness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reconciliation needs all of us working together to create positive change.

Prayer for Reconciliation

Loving God,
You call us to walk together in respect, truth, and love.
Help us to be “All In” — to listen deeply,
to learn with open hearts,
and to stand for justice and fairness for all people.

Guide our community to build strong relationships
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
and to honour the stories, culture, and wisdom of this land.

May we be people of action at St Joseph’s,
working together to create a more just and hopeful future.

Amen.

Zoo Excursion Highlights

Students from the R/1C and 2/3H classes recently enjoyed an engaging and memorable excursion to the zoo. Throughout the visit, they explored a wide range of animal exhibits, discovering fascinating facts and observing many of their favourite animals up close.

The day provided a wonderful opportunity for hands-on learning, as well as enjoyment beyond the classroom. It was a fantastic experience filled with curiosity, enthusiasm, and many smiling faces.

Private Instrumental Tuition

St Joseph’s partners with Hallmark Music Studio to provide in-school private instrumental tuition on various musical instruments as one-on-one lessons for students of all ages.  There are currently limited vacancies for piano, guitar and violin.  Lessons are provided throughout the school day by visiting music tutors with one lesson a week - with a major benefit of in-school lessons being no after school run around taking children to after school music lessons.  Parents/caregivers are responsible for the payment of all lessons for the term and the costs are not included in your school fee’s.  If you are interested in enrolling your child, please see reception for a brochure and further information, or email: kylie@hallmarkmusicstudio.com.au

Free Family Sensory Play at Markets at the Mill

Join Wild Little Minds at Markets at the Mill on Saturday 21 June for a free, nature-inspired sensory play experience for children and families.

Children can explore a range of hands-on sensory activities designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, learning, and connection through play. Activities are child-led and created using non-toxic, eco-friendly materials.

• Saturday 21 June
• 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Hart's Mill, Port Adelaide

Come along, say hello, and enjoy a wonderful day of play, community, and family fun.

Wild Little Minds - Sensory Play Experiences

Wild Little Minds offers nature-inspired sensory play experiences designed to support children's development through play. 

You’re invited to the Life in the Spirit Seminar. “Come Holy Spirit, Fall Afresh On Us!”

Saturday 6th June 9:15am - 4pm and

Sunday 7th June 9:30am - 3:30pm

Speaker: Fr Josy Sebastian MSFS

At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church 420 Seaview Road Henley Beach.

Please bring your own lunch tea/coffee provided. Enquiries and bookings phone Pauline 0403002240 by 2nd June Cost by Cash Donation All Welcome

Tuesday, 16 June - 

Preschool Transition Visit 9:15am-10:45am. Reception Transition Visit 9am-11am

Tuesday, 23 June - 

Preschool Transition Visit 9:15am-10:45am. Reception Transition Visit 9am-11am

Tuesday, 30 June - 

Preschool Transition Visit 9:15am-10:45am. Reception Transition Visit 9am-11:30am