NEWSLETTER

STEAM Challenge in Year 1/2

This week in STEAM, our Year 1/2 students took on a creative thinking challenge! They were asked to solve a problem using only building blocks. The task? To construct something with four sides and six blocks high. Not only did the students rise to the challenge, but they also engaged in deeper thinking by answering follow-up questions about their designs. It was wonderful to see their problem-solving skills and imagination in action!

Catholic Identity

Throughout his ministry, Jesus often used parables (stories) to help explain his teachings. Many parables involved the use of images of vegetation known to the region at the time. The parable of the Mustard Seed is one such example. The message Jesus portrays is that from little things big things grow. The mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds grows to become the largest of all plants. Here at St Joseph’s School, we are entrusted with supporting our parents as they nurture their children to grow and become the best they can be in whatever direction they choose to take in life. At St Joseph’s School we focus on the education of the whole child, intellectually, morally, emotionally, spiritually, religiously, physically, and socially, providing many varied learning opportunities and experiences in the process. It is great to see all children engaging with the learning opportunities presented to them each day. 

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

Make your own obstacle course by going over 2 things, through 3 thing, under 2 thing, around 4 things and between 2 things.

Write or draw where you could stand in this room so the door is to your left/right?

Years 4-6

Find your school using Google maps. Where could you go that is close to 2.25 kilometres away from the school?

When Ms Smith leaves home each morning she travels in a North direction to get to school. What suburb might she live in?

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.

Teaching and Learning Update

Music & Drama - S McCullough

In Music and Drama, the Year 6 students continue to work on their graduation video. Year 3/4 students are completing a stobie pole art project. Year 4/5 students are preparing a passion project 

presentation, and the junior primary classes are learning about kindness and how being kind can help us to make and keep friends.

Physical Education - D Nguyen

Reception - Year 2

In the second half of the term, students continue to develop key Fundamental Movement Skills and Gross Motor Skills. Emphasis is also placed on improving accuracy, fluency, and technique in skill execution. The students have been highly engaged in developing their abilities through multi-skills circuit stations, which have been both fun and beneficial for their overall growth.

Year 3 - 6

After completing the Lacrosse unit, students are now enthusiastically focusing on Touch Rugby. Key skills such as running, dodging, passing, and understanding the rules of the game are being actively taught. Additionally, students are honing their teamwork and communication skills in each PE lesson. Alongside these activities, there is a strong emphasis on improving aerobic fitness through fitness circuits and building individual running capacities.

Sporting Schools / Carnivals

We proudly participated in the Catholic Schools Lacrosse Carnival in Week 4, where a record 44 students represented the school with great pride and enthusiasm. We look forward to the upcoming Touch and Cross-Country Carnivals later in Term 3, where students will have more opportunities to showcase their skills.

Australian Government Anti-Bullying Rapid Review Consultation

The Australian Government recently announced an Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. The Review will look at current approaches to addressing bullying in schools, what is working and what needs strengthening, with the aim of providing options for the development of a consistent national standard for responding to bullying and its underlying causes in schools. The Review is now accepting submissions. The Review co-chairs, Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson AM, are seeking views from students, parents, teachers, and those involved in school education across the country. Submissions can be made anonymously if preferred. To provide feedback through the submission process, please visit www.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-review. This page contains instructions on how to participate, along with the Review’s Terms of Reference.

STEM Open Day

As part of Catholic Schools Open Week (Term 3 Week 3) and as a lead up to National Science Week (Term 3 Week 4), you are invited to join our school STEM Open Day on Tuesday August 5, 11:30am-1:30pm in the school grounds. Parents and family members will have the opportunity to join our children as they work in class groups engaging in STEM learning activities planned by our teaching staff. It is hoped that as many of our parents and carers as possible will be able to join us as it provides teaching staff with an opportunity to showcase the learning which takes place as part of our ongoing STEM learning focus. 

Pupil Free Day Monday June 16

On Monday this week (June 16)  we held our Term 2 Pupil Free Day. The focus of the day was on Indigenous Education, particularly the connections between Aboriginal Culture and Christian Values. The day was facilitated by Australians Together. As part of the day, the school will receive Curriculum Resources and 12 months of ongoing support from the Australians Together team.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified - the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.

School Band

Duncan Kilburn is once again coordinating our 2025 School Band. Duncan is a talented musician in his own right and has for many years worked with our school band, providing budding musicians across the school with the opportunity to develop their skills. Several of our children attend band practice with Duncan on Thursdays during lunchtime and after school. Duncan has also overseen the school’s entry into the Battle of the Rock Bands Primary Schools Competition which was held at Nazareth College Flinders Park Campus this week. Established band members began preparing for the Battle of the Bands competition in Term 1.

This term the band has expanded to take in children new to the school band program. New band members have been working alongside existing band members to prepare for events to be held later in the year such as the Semaphore Street Fair, St Joseph’s on the Green and whole school assemblies held in Terms 3 and 4.

Sun Smart School

Our school meets the Cancer Council’s requirements of the Sun Smart Program, making us a Sun Smart School. Our children are required to wear their school bucket hat when outside during Terms 1 and 4 which are the hottest parts of the school year. In 2021 we moved our Sports Day to take place in April/May each year in line with recommendations of a Sun Smart School. Our Sun Protection and Hot Weather School Policy is regularly updated and can be found on our school website under Community, Welfare, Your Child’s Welfare.

How does Exercise affect Mental Health and Wellbeing?

Physical activity promotes many aspects of child and adolescent development, including social and emotional skills, as well as physical development of motor skills. It also supports mental wellbeing. We know that high levels of inactivity can lead to a greater risk of both physical and mental health problems. 

Physical activity:  

Physical activity:  

• can increase levels of serotonin and endorphins; the neurotransmitters involved in regulating and improving mood
• promotes sleep - which also helps regulate moods, increase energy levels and improve memory and learning
• increases the connections between the brain neurons, which improves memory and learning capacity 
• pumps blood to the brain to boost mood, concentration and alertness 
• promotes relaxation by reducing skeletal muscle tension 
• provides children and young people with an outlet for excess energy and frustration, which relieves tension
• provides an opportunity for children and young people to socialise and meet new people, reducing loneliness and isolation
• improves motor and cognitive skills, which boosts self-esteem 
• distracts children and young people from negative thoughts.

These benefits also serve to improve classroom behaviour and promote a more positive learning environment. 

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.

Term 3 Preschool and Reception Intake

St. Joseph’s School will once again have a Pre-school and Reception intake at the start of Term 3 this year. Our Term 3 new Pre-school children will replace those moving into Reception as part of our Term 3 Reception intake. The criteria for starting Pre-school or Reception on the first day of school in Term 3 is that a child will have turned 4 (Pre-school) or 5 (Reception) between 1 May and 31 October in that year. This week we held the first of three transition visit mornings for our new Pre-school and Reception children with the aim of supporting their new start.

Diary Dates

Term 2 Concludes - 3:00pm Thursday July 3.

Term 3 Commences - 8:45am Monday July 21.

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.

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

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Yesterday, Mr Higgins' Year 3/4 class led a beautiful liturgy. The students participated with reverence and enthusiasm, sharing prayers, readings, and reflections. It was a lovely opportunity for the school community to come together in faith and celebrate the values we share. Well done to all the students for their thoughtful contributions.

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

Mass this term:

• Tuesday 24th June St John the Baptist 10am
• Friday 27th June Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 10am

A Community Prayer theme for Our Lady Help of Christians (Saturday 24th May) and for Sts Peter and Paul (Sunday 29th June) as these celebrations fall on weekends.

SPORTS VOUCHERS 
The Sports Vouchers program provides a discount of up to $200 on sport, dance, music or learn to swim fees for children living in South Australia in Reception to Year 9, each calendar year. The aim is to increase the number of children participating in physical activity by helping to reduce cost as a barrier.

Applications may be made at any time.
More Information: https://www.sportsvouchers.sa.gov.au/

TENNIS AUSTRALIA - OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS SUBSIDY PROGRAM  
This program aims to offer young people aged 5 - 17 facing disadvantage or adversity the opportunity to continue their tennis journey with subsidized coaching by a qualified tennis coach. 
The objectives of the program are to:

• Reduce financial barriers to participation in sport outside of school for children and young people.
• Use tennis as a vehicle to strengthen resilience, promote self-worth and build a sense of belonging in children and young people.
• Provide continued access to opportunities to experience success and social connection.

Funding of up to $400 per person per year for coaching fees and an additional $100 per person per year for club membership and/or competition fees is available.

This program is available on an ongoing basis.
More Information: Opportunity Knocks | What We Do | Australian Tennis Foundation | About Tennis Australia | Tennis Australia

Dear Parents and Caregivers.

Welcome to OSHC.

The children were learning and making Tom Boys with great success. This activity      supports the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience, while also giving children a sense of achievement as they create something with their own hands. It encourages focus, creativity, and perseverance, making it a valuable hands-on learning experience."

Children explored nature in a creative and hands-on way by making their very own   living flower bracelets. Using pieces of plants and freshly picked flowers, the children carefully arranged their treasures onto strips of sticky tape. They thoughtfully chose colours, textures, and shapes, enjoying the sensory experience of working with natural materials.                                                                                                                                 

In OSHC children are in a safe supervised environment; learning happens while children play, have fun, and make new friends.

Please feel welcome to visit.

Morning care in OSHC is available, 6.30-8.30am.                                          

Afterschool care in OSHC is available 3.00-6.00pm Monday to Friday, 2.45-6.00pm Tuesday.

Please remember to make a booking when you need OSHC.

All bookings can be made by ringing or messaging the OSHC mobile on 0437 863 067. If there is no answer leave a message on the service. I will call or message you back. Making a booking helps us keep the child/educator ratio in line with legislation. 24 hours’ notice is necessary when cancelling a booking or charges will occur.

All parents using OSHC will need to check their myGov app to check for messages.              

When you attend OSHC Casually- Please remember check your myGov app and Centrelink for messages. When parents use OSHC casually you won’t automatically receive CCS (Childcare Subsidy). Follow the prompts-confirming that you used the OSHCservice. Centrelink is just confirming that you are using the service.

Parents/caregivers are welcome to read the OSHC Policies, feel welcome to ask and I will make copies available for your perusal.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mieke   

OSHC Director   

On Friday May 23rd, 44 student-athletes from St. Joseph's Ottoway proudly represented our school at the Catholic Schools’ Lacrosse Carnival.

The carnival was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and great sportsmanship. From the very first whistle, our students demonstrated remarkable skill, determination, and teamwork. Whether it was scoring goals, making crucial saves, or encouraging teammates from the sidelines, each student contributed to a memorable day of sporting excellence.

A sincere thank you to Ms. Michelle, Ms. Piantedosi, Mr. Higgins, and Mr. Pick for their dedication and support of our teams on the day.

Congratulations to all involved, we look forward to more exciting moments at upcoming carnivals throughout the year!

Daniel Nguyen
Sports Coordinator

Goodstart Angle Park currently have vacancies in the Nursery (0-2), Toddler 1 (2-2.5) and Toddler 2 (2.5-3 years) rooms.

A Retreat: Nothing Can Separate Us From The Love of God Saturday 21st June 9:15am - 3:30pm At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church 420 Seaview Road Henley Beach.

Speaker: Fr Mark Sexton

The day will include:

Mass 9:15am

Talks given by Fr Mark

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Reflection, Reconciliation

Prayer Ministry

Benediction

Please bring your own lunch tea/coffee provided. Enquiries and bookings phone Pauline 0403002240 by 19th June Cost by Cash Donation All Welcome

16^th Pupil Free Day