From the Principal's Desk

Dear Members of St Joseph’s Family,

We have made it to the end of a huge year! Congratulations to staff and students on a year full of hard work.

Assemblies

What an amazing week of assemblies we have had on the Primary campus.  It has been lovely to watch the delight on the young students faces as they receive their Certificates.  The celebration for the Year 6 students was a wonderful way to acknowledge the conclusion of their primary education.  We wish them well as most head to the Secondary campus, with a few heading to new schools in Perth.

Semester Reports

Reports will be distributed via SEQTA Engage on Monday afternoon.  For those who have logged into SEQTA before but cannot remember your password, please use the reset password function.  If you cannot remember the email that you used, you will need to have it reset.  A welcome email was sent out this week to families with children in PP to Year 12 who had never logged on before.  If you are unable to access the reports, please contact the Admin Office before Thursday afternoon and you will be assisted.

Donation to St Joseph Care

Today at the Primary and Secondary Assemblies, I was honoured to be able to present Father George and Father Konrad with a very large cheque on behalf of the staff, students and parents of St Joseph’s School.

As a result of fundraising from the Colour Run in Term 1, the Leonard House day activities, the Primary FunD day and the ticket and food sales from the Drama Production we were able to donate a grand total of $5, 856.  Congratulations, everyone!

Student Success

We found out this week that we have a third student who has been selected to take part in the Harry Perkins Medical Program during the January holidays.  Alyssa Farrell applied and was successful and we congratulate her on her success.  This is quite a feather in the St Joseph’s School cap as we will have three out of 30 participants in this prestigious program.

Immersion Trip

This week Hannah Morrison and Katie Harris, along with Mr Bransby, returned from their Marist Philippines Immersion trip.  I have heard that Hannah and Katie were wonderful ambassadors for our School and that the trip, while exhausting, was a life-changing experience for the whole group.  We look forward to hearing more about it next year.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

Last week, eleven of our Year 11 students spent four days immersed with 6000 other young people at the ACYF in Perth.  The experiences these students took part in allowed them to experience and connect with their faith in a whole new way.  Grateful thanks to Mr and Mrs Bogoni for accompanying the students.  Again, we look forward to hearing more about the ACYF next year.

2020 Dates

A detailed calendar will be released to the parents at the beginning of the 2020 school year and will also be available on the school App once it is completed.  To allow for planning you may wish to record the following dates:

First day of Term 1 2020:  Monday 3 February
Student Free Day:  Tuesday 3 March
Colour run:  Friday 3 April
Last day of Term 1 for students:  Thursday 9 April
Good Friday:  Friday 10 April
Easter Sunday:  Sunday 12 April

First day of Term 2 for students:  Wednesday 29 April
Last day of Term 2 for students:  Friday 3 July

First day of Term 3 for students:  Monday 20 July
Catholic Day (School closed):  Monday 17 August
Student Free Day:  Tuesday 18 August
Last day of Term 3 for students:  Friday 25 September

First day of Term 4 for students:  Tuesday 13 October
Last day of Term 4 for students:  Friday 11 December (to be confirmed)

Farewell to departing families

I would like to take the time to say farewell to those families who are leaving the School.  We thank you for trusting us with your child’s education for the duration of their time with us.  We wish you well for all that lies ahead.

Staffing Changes

It is always sad at this time to say goodbye to staff members moving onto other schools.  This year we farewell Mrs Jen Wright, Ms Adeline Hendriks, Ms Sarah McBride, Ms Chantel Smith, Ms Kaity Passmore and Sister Irene.  We also thank Ms Dinneen, Mrs Elfverson and Mr Hill for their work throughout this year.  We wish all of them the very best for their future careers.

We welcome back for 2020 Mrs Kathy Pollard who returns from 12 months leave and Mr Locky Patterson, also returning to us.

We will welcome the following new staff.  On the Primary campus we have Ms Bonnie Norrish teaching in Year 1, Ms Sandra Murgia teaching in Pre-Primary and Mr Tim Natkanski teaching in Year 5.  On the Secondary Campus we have Mrs Kylie Wallis teaching primarily Years 7 and 8 classes, Mr Jada Yengkopiong teaching Chemistry and Science and Mrs Amanda McLaughlin teaching Religious Education.  We are still trying to find an English teacher.  We have also employed an extra Education Assistant for the Secondary campus and we welcome Mrs Beth Beglin to the team.

Happy Christmas

On behalf of the staff of St Joseph’s School, we wish all our families a Happy and Holy Christmas.  We hope you are able to spend time with your loved ones and we pray that the Lord will keep you safe.

 

God Bless

Andrea Woodgate
Principal

Our Faith

St Joseph's Parish Christmas Mass Times

This year, to celebrate the Birth of Christ, St Joseph's Parish Northam will be offering a Mass at the times and Centres outlined below:

Christmas Eve
Northam	Children's Mass	5.00pm	All children are invited to attend this Mass and are encouraged to come dressed in     Christmas costume (e.g. Angels in white, Shepherds, Kings, etc.)
Northam	Vigil	9.00pm
Jennacubbine		6.30pm
Toodyay		5.00pm
Christmas Day
Northam		8.00am
Wundowie		9.30am
Cunderdin		10.00am

Children’s Liturgy Sessions @ Weekend Masses

The Children’s Liturgy team currently conduct sessions for children during the Sunday 8.00am Mass and they are now seeking expressions of interest from families who may like to bring their little ones to a session during Saturday’s 5.30pm Mass.  Children are fully supervised at these sessions which are held in the Parish Hall.  Readings, prayers and short activities based on the Gospel of the Mass are shared before the children return to their families at the Offertory.  If you would like to take advantage of this wonderful offer, please contact the Primary Admin Office and your details will be passed on to the Servite Sisters, who will contact you.

Parish Nativity Play

As the Advent Season is drawing near, the Children’s Liturgy team are also preparing to recite the story of Christ’s birth at the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass.  To enable an impressive performance, we are looking for support from the children (and families) of the Parish.  Anyone interested in participating in the Children's Nativity Play is asked to speak to Sr Glory or leave your name and contact details at the Primary Admin Office and we will pass the information on for you.  Alternatively, you can contact the Parish Office on 9622 5411.

Michelle Johnson
Chaplaincy Worker

Our Primary Students

Thank You

On a personal note, I would like to thank the hardworking staff who work tirelessly every day to give our students a wonderful education. To the students, parents and supporters of our School community, a sincere thank you for another fabulous year.  The School environment is one of positivity and enjoyment and I love being a part of it. 

I wish everyone a safe and Holy Christmas and look forward to seeing you back in 2020!

Rebecca Clarke
Head of Primary 

Primary FunD Day

Last Friday’s FunD Day was a huge success.  There was a large variety of stalls ranging from the famous Haunted House and popular waterslide to a sweets store and an obstacle course.  The Year 6’s did a great job in making sure all age groups could participate in the events.

On behalf of the Year Six students, we would like to thank all the staff that made FunD Day possible - Mrs Clarke, Mrs Marasco, Mr Hewitt and all the staff.  We would also like to give a big cheer to all the students who participated.  Everyone behaved appropriately and responsibly at all stalls.  The funds raised from our day will be donated to St Joseph’s Care.  Thank you all once again.

Lauren and Emma
Year 6 Students

Our Secondary Students

International Year of the Periodic Table

Well done to all the students and staff who participated in the Secondary Science Learning Area special project this year.  2019 was the International Year of the Periodic Table, which was in recognition of the work 150 years ago by Dmitri Mendeleev for identifying physical and chemical similarities in elements and proposing a table that demonstrates these trends, which is now well known and seen in classrooms and laboratories everywhere and referred to as 'the Periodic Table'.

Students in Science classes, including senior secondary Biology, Chemistry and Integrated Science, through the second half of the year selected an element and designed and decorated a tile with a relevant image that captures the importance of that element, along with its name symbol and some key scientific data.  This periodic table will soon be mounted ready for 2020 classes.  Thank you and well done once again students on your excellent artistic scientific skills.

Mark Gargano
Teaching & Learning Coordinator Years 7-12

Our P&F

2019 - 2020

On behalf of the P&F Executive, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to all members of the School community for your continued support of the P&F throughout 2019.  We hope to see you in 2020 and extend a warm welcome to all our incoming families to join us in the new year.  For information on the P&F, check out our Facebook page; see link below. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764507137145087/?ref=bookmarks

Georgia Haddrill
P&F President

Our Community

Northam Dental Therapy Centre Holiday Information

The Northam Dental Therapy Centre will close for the holidays with our last day being Thursday 19 December 2019.  We will re-open on Thursday 30 January 2020 as of 8.00am for business as usual.  During the holiday period, in case of an emergency please contact:
20 and 23 December 2019 (phone 0437 202882)
24 December 2019 to 24 January 2020 (phone 9313 0552)
28 and 29 January 2020 (phone 93130552 or 9454 4034), or contact your Private family dentist.
Thank you for a wonderful year and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2020.

Marist Ex-Students Reunion

Students of all former and current Marist schools are warmly invited to a Reunion to be held at Newman College, Empire Ave, Churchlands on Wednesday 22 January 2020.  The event will start at 4.30pm with Mass in the College Chapel, followed by a BBQ tea and fellowship in the College grounds.  BYO everything.  Enquiries to Ambrose Depiazzi on 0419 912 187 or Kevin Wringe on 0407 511 104.  RSVP is not necessary.

Northam Lawn Tennis Club – Junior Tennis Coaching

Enrolments are now open. Sessions take place at the Northam Country Club on Wood Drive each Wednesday afternoon for eight weeks beginning Wednesday 5 February to 25 March 2020.  Lessons cater for all ability and ages from 4-18 years and are conducted in small groups with experienced coaches from Frontier Tennis, who travel up from Perth each week.

Session times are approximately between 3.15pm – 6.30pm and are offered for the following levels:
Pre Tennis (PP)      30mins/45mins per week - no tennis experience or coaching (Limited to ages 4-7)
Beginner      45mins per week - little tennis experience or limited coaching, which includes three seasons of pre-tennis
Intermediate      45mins per week - some ability to rally, some coaching experience but learning to serve and score
Pre-Squad/Squad      1hr per week - able to rally and prior coaching experience but working on serve, technique and scoring

The above groups are a guide only and are dependent on ability, ages, enrolment numbers, Coordinator and Coach decision.  Please request an enrolment form via email below.  Coaching groups will be finalised by 27 January 2020 with notifications sent soon after. Placement cannot be guaranteed if a session group is already at capacity at time of enrolling.  Please request an enrolment form via email: lynnetagliaferri@hotmail.com  For further information, including coaching fees, please contact Lynne on 0427980989.

Scouts!

Girls and boys who are in Pre-Primary and have had their 5th birthday can now join Joey Scouts in Northam!  Joey Scouts is all about discovery and excitement, and we are excited that we can now take five year olds into Joey Scouts.  We meet on Mondays after school from 4.00pm to 5.30pm, and we do registrations all throughout the year. 

Northam Scout Group meet on Mondays and Thursdays after school at 46 Burnside Avenue, Northam.  Joey Scouts (5-7 years) meet Mondays from 4.00pm to 5.30pm, Cub Scouts (8-11 years) meet Thursdays from 4.00pm to 6.00pm and Scouts (11-15 years) meet Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.  Venturers (15-17 years) meet on Friday nights 7.30pm to 9.30pm with the Bilgoman District Venturer Unit. 

Anyone wishing to join Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts or Venturers is welcome to come along to our meetings and try for free.  We are also looking for adults in the community that would like to become an adult volunteer with Scouting, from parent helpers, committee members, and Leaders – many hands make light work, so please contact us to find out more about becoming an adult member of Scouting.

Uniform Shop 

Opening Times:                             Mondays - 3.15pm-4.45pm
                                                      Thursdays - 2.45pm to 4.15pm

Holiday Times:
Tuesday 28 January 2020 - 9.00am to 12.30pm       For new families (by appointment only) 1.00pm to 3.30pm

Can’t Get To The Shop?

Families who find they are unable to attend the Uniform Shop during opening hours are able to place an order by sending in a request by email to the School’s email address : admin@sjsnortham.wa.edu.au  or families can now use the SchoolZine app to place an order.    Orders will be filled and distributed to students or sent to the relevant Campus Admin Office for collection as soon as practical.

Michelle James 
Primary - 9621 3524

Primary Canteen

Canteen Assistance

I would like to sincerely thank all our parents, caregivers, grandparents and other members of the School community for your assistance and support of the Canteen during 2019.

Without your generous support, we would not be able to provide this service to our School and I look forward to seeing many of you again in 2020.

Carmel Moore
Primary - 9621 3525