From the Principal's Desk

Dear Members of St Joseph’s Family,

It has been an excellent start to the second half of the school year.  We had 15 new students start their schooling with us this term and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to each and every one of them and their families.  Students as well as staff have returned eager to get straight back to their routine.  I know that many staff are very grateful not to be in the same position as their Victorian colleagues.  It is also wonderful to be able to resume camps and excursions.  This week, our Year 5 students visited Fremantle Prison, the Pre Primary classes ventured out to Haddrill Farm and the Years 11 & 12 Outdoor Education students have been mountain biking and hiking around Lake Leschenaultia for the last three days. 

The Primary students were very excited to return to find that the toilet renovation project had been finished.  A huge thank you to Michelle Marris and her band of helpers for rejuvenating our tired toilet blocks. 

                                       

Assemblies

Last Friday, we were very pleased to acknowledge the hard work undertaken by our Secondary students in Years 11 and 12 over Semester One.  It was wonderful to have parents attend to share this Assembly.  We congratulate our Award winners and offer encouragement to all our students to continue to work to the best of your capabilities during Semester Two!

The Year 4 Blue class conducted a wonderful (and very energetic) Assembly this morning.  Well done to Mr Hewitt and his students for a very interactive item!  We also congratulate our students who received a Merit Certificate - well done to a fantastic start to Term 3!

Student Success

I am very pleased to share the success of our Secondary student, Matilda Lyne, on her winning entry in the RSL Sandakan Student Scholarship this year.  Matilda presented a beautiful poem as her entry piece.  Well done, Matilda!

 

Secondary Build 

The Secondary campus is a hive of activity as the next stage of the building program kicked off during the holidays.  All going well the builders are hoping to be completed by the end of October or early November.  Students are once again being very patient as their play space has been reduced for a few months. 

The slab was laid last week for the new Administration building on Duke Street and the steel should hopefully arrive in about a week so the framing for the building can begin.  The internal courtyard has been completely dug up as pipework is relocated to allow for the new staff workspace.  The footings for this building will hopefully be laid within a week.  Demolition has begun on the old sports shed near the canteen, which will be extended, and a new toilet block created. 

Marcellin Day

Next Friday, the School will celebrate one of our House Days, this time it’s Marcellin’s turn.  Students from Kindy to Year 12 are invited to wear something blue in return for a gold coin donation which will be donated towards Marist Missions and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition.  Student Leaders will be making sure that their respective campuses are well fed.  Primary student leaders will be selling lots of blue goodies at recess and the Secondary student leaders will be running a sausage sizzle at lunch time.  Each campus will also be celebrating the day with an Assembly - Primary at 8:45am and Secondary at 11:00am.  During this time, the Awards which we were unable to give out on Founders Day in Term 2, will be presented to well deserved students who have displayed behaviour in line with the example set by our Founders.  Parents of the award recipients will be notified. 

Early Years Open Day

On Tuesday 11 August from 9:00-11:00am we will be holding an interactive session for anyone in Northam and the surrounding area who may be interested in enrolling their children in the coming years at St Joseph’s for Kindy or Pre-Primary.  Children will have the opportunity to take part in activities, play with the equipment and parents will be able to look in the rooms and talk to the staff.  I would ask current families to spread the word to family and friends who may be interested. 

Uniforms

Thank you to those who made an effort over the holidays to ensure that school uniforms are up to scratch and that hair styles are appropriate for School.  There has been a noticeable improvement on both campuses.

God bless. 

Andrea Woodgate
Principal 

Primary News                                   

Pre Primary Liturgy

On Thursday, both Pre Primary classes gathered in the Undercover Area for their combined Liturgy.  The theme of the Liturgy was about gathering together in community and recognising God among us.  The students read, sung and worshipped brilliantly as well as enjoying the presence of many parents.

Thank you to Ms Marino and Ms Murgia for preparing the students and encouraging a willingness to celebrate in thanks for the many blessings we have.

Lloyd Reidy
Religious Education Coordinator

Welcome Back to Term 3

Welcome back to all staff, students and families.  It was wonderful to see everyone return back to school after the Term Two holidays looking very relaxed and ready for another busy term.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ms Darcy O’Connor to our Primary Campus as the new Education Assistant in Kindergarten Blue.  Additionally, Ms Emma Mercuri, a student teacher from the University of Notre Dame, will be completing her professional experience program in Year 1 Blue with Ms Nadia Muzzarelli.  Please make both ladies welcome to our campus.

Many of the restrictions put in place for Covid-19 will need to continue this term until further notice.  While parents are permitted back on the school grounds, unfortunately they are still not able to enter the classrooms.  Staff members will be at each gate in the mornings to welcome students as they arrive at school.  As a school, we encourage parents to continue to embrace the independence of their children and only come onto the school grounds in the afternoons after the siren has sounded.  I would like to thank our school community for their cooperation and willingness in working with us as we face these challenges together.

Rebecca Clarke
Head of Primary

Class in Focus:  Year 3 Gold

This term our theme is MasterChef and the students are absolutely loving it!  On Monday, Week 1, we joined classes with Year 3 Blue and enjoyed a fantastic day completing fun MasterChef activities such as making mud pies, making chef hats, decorating our own cupcakes and even the dreaded blind-taste test.  Don’t worry, it was just baby food!  Our class would like to thank Mrs Adams for running the day.

In English we are focusing on procedure writing.  So far, we have written two procedures.  One on “how to make a mud pie” and another on “how to make the most disgusting sandwich in the world”. The students have shown what a wide imagination they have with many sandwiches including some very disgusting ingredients such as ear wax, sheep intestines and even vomit for sauce!

In Maths we have been focusing on four-digit numbers and mass.  The students have enjoyed using a digital and balancing scales to weigh different items in the classroom.

In Technology the students have been designing their own bake sale.  There are so many different foods on our menus like doughnuts, cakes, cupcakes and meat pies!  They are absolutely loving it!

In Science the students are learning about chemical change and have recently conducted an experiment on what is the fastest way to melt an ice cube.  The students found that putting an ice cube directly under the sunlight was the fastest!

The students have all settled back in school and can’t wait for what new MasterChef activities are coming up next.

Cameron Watson
Year 3 Gold Relief Teacher 

Learning Area in Focus:  Primary Health & Physical Education

In Health Education, the Year 3's have been learning about what it means to be healthy.  They have learnt about the different types of health and the importance of a balanced lifestyle.  They have learnt about healthy habits, including how to be Sun Smart.  They all made a little book to share their knowledge with their friends.  

                                              

In Sport, the Years 1 to 3 classes have been learning the skills of netball.  The Years 4 to 6 classes have been preparing for the Athletics Carnival in Week 4.

The Year 4 classes were fortunate to have members of HockeyWA visit the School last week to run a coaching clinic ahead of their exhibition match and coaching clinics held over the weekend.

Carrie Frost
Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary News

Learning Area in Focus:  Religious Education

Year 7
Year 7 students have been studying how we can live our lives to the full.  We have discussed how people grow and develop and that this growth leads us to a closer relationship with God.  At the end of last term we played some fun revision games including Jenga, Religion Head Banz and definitions match cards.

Year 8
Year 8 students have been studying the purpose of creation and how it affects people and provides for human needs.  They have discussed what they appreciate about creation such as the mystery around it and why we often take it for granted.  The students created a montage of their favourite parts of creation while understanding that we need to be stewards of creation not only for the current generation but for future generations, too.

Year 9
Year 9 students have spent the last couple of weeks studying the different emotions that we experience during our lives and how they can move us to make both positive and negative choices.  They have discussed how God created emotions as part of human behaviour and we come to learn from our emotional experiences as part of being human.  This is in preparation for their upcoming essay that will address the difference between our emotions and behaviours.

Year 10
The Year 10's are at an exciting time of the year where they get the opportunity to explore the influence of conscience and decision making.  This topic will have students investigate how the church is a place of healing and the promises of Christ's salvation.  This topic flows on from the lessons and activities that the 10's were involved in during their Retreat last term. 

Year 11
Students in Year 11 General have just completed their topic on 'Moral and Ethical issues'.  This topic had students investigate how the Church responds to the needs of all the world in moments of ethical issues.  We were lucky enough to receive a visit and question &  answer session with Tina Gunter on moral issues that relate to teens.

Year 11 ATAR students have completed the topic on the influence of religion upon individuals.  They have studied the life of Jose Sanchez Del Rio and Father Rob Gallea and the incredible drive these individuals have to make a positive influence for others.

Year 12
Year 12 Religious Education classes have kicked into top gear.  The General class have completed the Pilgrimage topic and investigated the historical impact of the New Norcia monastery on Catholicism in Western Australia.  The ATAR class are now working through the different societal views of Freedom.  They have investigated lives and stories of people such as Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and Maximillian Kolbe who's search for freedom impacted the roles they played in society.  From these understandings, the aim is to match the Catholic understanding of Freedom to the lives of humanity past, present and future.

Amanda McLaughlin, Luke Bogoni & Lloyd Reidy
Religious Education Team

Blue Origin Remote Online Presentation

Late last term, the Astronomy group from our Secondary da Vinci Club were offered an interesting experience.  The opportunity was for this group to chat with key personnel from Blue Origin remotely via Teams.

Blue Origin is a privately owned and run, US-based aerospace company that has developed a range of sub-orbital and Low Earth orbit launch capabilities and recently their ‘Blue Moon’ lander was selected by NASA as the successful human lander systems design for the 2024 crewed return mission to the Moon.

A motivating experience that enhances student’s knowledge with an eye on what developing careers are available out there for creative thinkers with skills and experience in science, mathematics and technology.  We share some thoughts from a few students involved.

‘Talking with Sarah Knights from Blue Origin was a great experience because it allowed for everyday people like us to talk with a professional researcher who is a part of something greater and to try to help in further the development of living in space and space exploration. Also, getting some information of what new technology is being developed to help getting into space more efficiently and able to have more mass being brought to orbit, which will allow for more possibilities to be open such as going sub-orbital and experiencing micro-gravity and allowing for tests to be run in this environment.
 
We also got to chat about what Blue Origin is really about in what their goals are. Instead of exploration and inhabiting other planets like SpaceX and NASA, Blue Origin is more focused on reducing cost of space travel for people like us being able to travel into space at an affordable price and sustainably.’  Francisco

‘With our Q & A with Blue Origin, we learnt that their main goal is to get people like us going up into low orbit so, that industries can use materials from space in everyday life. We learnt that currently, Blue Origin are building reusable materials to build their rockets out of so, that the rockets can be used countless times minimising environmental impact.’   Sandra

‘The experience was fascinating. Learning about the other big space corporation [Blue Origin] in the US and their goals was impressive. Building reusable rockets to allow steady transportation and aiming to allow the average person to experience Zero G is incredible.’ Gubek

‘The Blue Origin talk was an exciting endeavour into reusable rockets that can do amazing things such as, take us to space. It was very exciting and I learnt very much from this wonderful experience. I learnt about the capabilities of the Moon's soil the amazing power of Blue Origin's two reusable rockets and also about the future of environmentally sustainable spacecraft.  Overall, it was a wonderful education experience for us all.’  Kate

‘The Blue Origin video call was an exciting experience that the da Vinci Club students were able to take part in. We learned many new things about space and space travel such as reusable rockets and random facts about the Moon's soil.  We had a great time meeting and talking to Blue Origin's program manager, Sarah Knights and hope to have similar experiences like this one in the near future.’ Kimberlea

‘What I thought was interesting was how Blue Origin is trying to be the foundation for younger generations and motivating them for careers in science and engineering.’  Swaka

‘I found the chat very interesting. It gave me lots of new information about them, the new space technology and relevant space facts.’ Benjamin

Mark Gargano
Years 7-12 Curriculum Coordinator

Our School

2020 Fees, Health Care Card & Pension Card

Term 3 School fees accounts have now been issued.  Unless families are paying by Direct Debit (DD) or another regular payment scheme, the School requires payment of the final 1/3rd by Friday 14 August.  Parents/guardians are advised that if you have a Centrelink Family Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or a Department of Veteran’s Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, and have not come forward with your card, please visit or contact the Business Manager through the Primary Office immediately, so that discounted fees can be calculated and the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS) rebate claimed, if applicable.

Steve Johnson
Business Manager

Tree Planting Thanks

We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the Year Six classes for coming out and helping plant some trees for our ‘Shade, Shelter, Fodder’ hill revegetation project on our farm.  The kids were amazing and planted around 1,536 trees! 

We look forward to keeping the classes updated on their progress over the years to come.  Thank you also to the staff and School for allowing the children to participate.

Ben & Joanne Smith

Library Assistance - Parent Participation Points

Our Library Officer is seeking volunteers to assist with book covering.  Sets of books will come with necessary covering material and adhesive to use and Points can be accumulated towards the Parent Participation Levy, an annual levy set per family.  Please leave your contact details with our Admin ladies and I will be in touch with you when I have a supply of books ready.

Kylie Dymnicki
Library Officer

Our P&F

P&F News

Welcome back to Term 3 and welcome to all the new families that have joined us over the break.  The Parents' and Friends' Association (P&F) has been busily putting together a group of contacts for each year group who will be organising some fun get-togethers outside of school hours for the children and parents. 

This year has been a very different year and has meant the P&F hasn't been able to hold as many social events for our families as normal.  Given we have had a large number of new families start the year, join us during the remote learning period or have just started we felt it was important to do something to build those connections and networks. 

Each year group will have 4 to 5 parent contacts that you can access to ask those questions specific to your child's class, help build those friendships and also just to have a chat, if needed.  Currently they are organising some events or catch-ups for you to attend with or maybe without your child, it's up to the group what they decide.  These finer details will be sent out to you as soon as they have it sorted, along with the parent contact names and mobile numbers.

We hope this brings lots of 'friendraising' events and helps build our school community in a positive way.  As more COVID restrictions are lifted, we will look at holding some bigger events later in the year but for now this is a great starting point with each year group. 

The P&F have a private facebook page and we would love as many families as possible to stay connected on there, please click on the link to join:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764507137145087

Georgia Haddrill 
P&F President

Our Community

Northam Residential College ~ Boarding Opportunities

Have you ever considered boarding at Northam Residential College for your children?  Here are some reasons why our families have chosen Northam Residential College:
“My child was spending too much time on the school bus each day”
Northam is able to provide the very best public or Catholic education and course options in the Wheatbelt.
There are amazing Government subsidies available to significantly reduce the boarding fees.
Your child can participate in any sporting or recreational activity they choose as we will transport them to and from that activity each time.
Healthy and nutritious home style meals provided each day by our own college Chef.
Your child will have their own private, comfortable, and secure bedroom.

Northam Residential College is a home away from home.  Perfectly located on the edge of town, we provide all the structure, routine and support your child will need to succeed.  Please contact us to find out just how affordable and worthwhile boarding at Northam Residential College can be.  T: 9621 0077 E: Northam.ResCol@education.wa.edu.au

EXTEND Before & After School Care

At Extend, we have expanded our usual safety procedures to incorporate national recommendations regarding CoVID-19 prevention.  We continue to be updated with the most recent health advice to ensure our processes are always the most current health and safety processes.  Extend B&ASC is available to families of St Joseph’s School Northam.  Please note bookings are required and this can be done at www.extend.com.au.  Contact Stephanie Richardson, Coordinator, on 0498 789 033 or email sjnortham@extend.com.au.

Auskick 2020

Auskick 2020 started on Friday 24 July from 4:00-5.00pm at Bert Hawke Oval.  Auskick is for boys and girls from 5 to 8 years of age.  It helps build ball-skills, hand-eye coordination and team work.  It is a requirement that you register and pay online.  Cost is $70 per player.

To register visit http://www.play.afl/auskick if you are experiencing difficulties registering your child please email aflauskick@afl.com.au Please keep in mind that this program is only possible with parent assistance to help keep the evening running well.  Please consider registering yourself to lend a hand when registering your child.

Northam RSL ~ Auxiliary Craft Weekend

The Northam RSL Sub Branch Auxiliary are hosting a weekend of craft activity over 15 & 16 August (9.00am-4.00pm).  Cost is $10.00 per day.  BYO lunch with morning and afternoon tea provided.  You are invited to bring along any unfinished items you want done, tables will be set up with power cords, no bookings required as there will be heaps of room.  Come along and join in the fun!  For more information, please contact Donna on 0409 290 972 (after 6.00pm).

Northam Scouts - Girls & Boys

Northam Scout Group meets on Mondays and Thursdays after school at 46 Burnside Avenue, Northam. Joey Scouts (5 and in Pre-Primary - 7 years) meet Mondays from 4.00-5.30pm; Cub Scouts (8 - 11 years) meet Thursdays from 4.00-6.00pm and Scouts (11 - 15 years) meet Thursdays from 6.30-8.30pm, Venturers (15 - 17 years) meet on Friday nights 7.30-9.30pm with the Bilgoman District Venturer Units, and Rovers (18-25 years) meet with Mundaring Rover Crew. 

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.  Come and join in with the fun of Scouting.  Please contact Amanda Abbott, Group Leader, on 0409 206 607 or gl.northam@scoutswa.com.au for more information

Northam Netball ‘NetSetGo’ Program

The Northam Netball Association advises that they will be conducting a 6 week program of Suncorp NetSetGo school students aged 7 to 10 years. This program will be held at the Northam Rec Centre on Saturdays commencing 15 August through to 19 September from 10.15am-11.30am. Online registrations will be available until Wednesday 5 August. Kidsport is available. Please register through the link: https://netball.resultsvault.com/common/pages/reg/welcome.aspx?type=6&id=89895&entityid=39667

Uniform Shop 

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

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

Term 3 - Winter Menu

Families are advised that the Winter Menu is now in operation.  Please check this out on our Website for daily menu options and prices.

Carmel Moore
Canteen - 9621 3525