From the Principal's Desk

Dear Members of St Joseph’s Family,

As we approach the halfway point of this term, we can’t help but feel vey grateful that our lives are back to a new normal.  At our Mass for Mary yesterday, I spoke to the Secondary students about having much to be thankful for but that there are many in our families, our School, our community and our country who are really doing it tough.  I spoke about our mother Mary being a wonderful intercession for our thoughts and prayers and it is in these tough times where it is important that we call on the help and strength of Mary to get us through.  This Saturday marks the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

Marcellin Day

Last Friday we celebrated one of our founders, St Marcellin Champagnat, with a sea of blue.  Both campuses held an Assembly to present some very special awards for those in each class or year level who had displayed the traits of our founders.  I was very proud to read the incredible attributes of our very worth winners.  Mrs Bogoni’s Year 6 class also entertained the Primary campus with a Founders’ edition Game Show – it was fantastic!  We were also very blessed to have two gentlemen who were original students in the first class of Year 4 students at St Paul’s in 1948.  Brother Terry Orrell went on to become a Marist Brother himself and Mr Eric Chidlow was a Principal and executive member of the Catholic Education for many years.  It was a privilege to have both of them with us.

Years 4-12 Athletic Carnival

Today we were blessed with dry weather which allowed for a great day to hold our Interhouse Athletics Carnival.  Congratulations to Ms Frost and Ms Suckling for putting together such a great carnival.  Thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to help at stations during the day.  Thank you to the students for your House spirit and enthusiasm.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't hold out to let us finish and we ran overtime with our last events.  The winners of each of our year levels, Primary, Secondary and Overall House Shields will be announced on Wednesday 19 August with photos and full results in our next newsletter.

Next Week

A reminder that students have 2 pupil free days next week on Monday and Tuesday.  On Monday, staff are thanked for the extra commitments required when working in a Catholic school and they get a day off to sleep in and enjoy, while on Tuesday staff are heading all over Perth to spend a day in service of others.  It is an opportunity to give back and truly appreciate how lucky we are.  I will be away from Wednesday to Friday next week as I am on retreat with other Catholic Secondary Principals.  If you have any concerns,  please contact the Head of Primary or the Head of Secondary. 

Enjoy the long weekend!

God bless. 

Andrea Woodgate
Principal 

Primary News                                   

Year 4 - Schoenstatt Shrine Excursion

On Tuesday 11 August, our Year 4 students travelled to the Schoenstatt Shrine for their first excursion of the year.  The students were greeted and welcomed by Sister Lizette and Mr Henry, who would run the activities for the day.

Throughout the day, the students were kept well engaged decorating their own candle, learning the clothes that a Priest wears for Mass, were given a tour of the Shrine and lastly, wrote down and discussed some things they would like to improve about themselves.

It was an insightful and extremely eye-opening excursion for the students, as they even were able to taste the un-consecrated bread that is generally given out at Mass.  This was the highlight of the day for many as it was the first time they had tasted the bread.

Kathy Pollard & Ben Hewitt
Year 4 Teachers

Class in Focus:  Year 2 Blue

2020 has been a crazy year for everyone with all the challenges and hurdles we have had to overcome.  However, here in Year 2, we decided to make this challenging year the best year yet.

How did we do this you ask?

Well… we combined forces!

We are now a class of 44 students with 3 wonderful adults.  Year 2 do most things together.  Each day we get to choose whether we would like to set up our desk in Ms Drudi’s or Mrs Smith’s room.  We are taught by 2 different teachers and we always get to sit next to a new friend.  We absolutely love being one class and here’s why...

Bentley:   We have two teachers that can help us when we have a question.
Halo:   We get to meet lots of different friends.
Paige:   It makes it easier because one teacher can teach us whilst the other one sets up the activities.
Klay:   We have two teachers to plan lots of different activities for us.  I enjoy learning from two teachers.
Ryan:   It is fun being able to pick where you want to sit each day.
Year 2 class:   It’s so much fun!

This term, the Year 2 class have been travelling around the world.  Sadly, Mrs Woodgate wouldn’t allow us to go on an excursion around the world, so we have had to be a bit creative in our classroom.  In Week 2, we flew to our first destination: New Zealand.  We watched a video which explained some of New Zealand’s famous landmarks and traditions and learnt all about the Haka war dance.  We utilised Mrs Chomiak’s talents and decorated some mini pavlovas with cream and fruit.  As you can see from our smiles, this was probably the highlight of the day.

                         

In Week 3, we travelled to Canada.  Mrs Smith has a friend called Lynn who lives in Calgary.  She showed us some photos of the shops, schools and parks near her house.  We learnt that Canada has special bins in their national parks to stop bears eating all the scraps. Mrs Smith helped us make waffles and we got to smother them in Canadian maple syrup, it was delicious!

We have loved learning about the world’s different cultures and hope that Mrs Woodgate will one day let us go on our excursion around the world.

Rebecca Drudi
Year 2 Blue Teacher

Class in Focus:  Year 6 Blue

 

Montana Bogoni
Year 6 Blue Teacher

Primary Science Week

Term 3 Week 4 was Science Week!  The Year 6 Student Leaders ran some fun science experiments at lunchtimes with students from throughout the school.

One experiment we did was Milk Patterns.  All you had to do was put milk on a plate, add in food colouring, then put in dish soap and it would expand and make really cool colours.

On Tuesday, the students made Lava Lamps.  We put oil and food-colouring at the bottom of plastic cups, then filled the rest of the cup with water.

On Wednesday, we did the magic flip!  We added salt to a water bottle with water in the bottom and then we flipped it and it was supposed to land every time.

The kids had a wonderful time and anyone was able to join in.

Ben Hewitt
Year 4 Blue Teacher

Year 5 Excursion to Fremantle Prison

On Wednesday 19 July, the Year 5 students went on excursion to Fremantle Prison.  We split into two groups and were lucky to have Mr N, Ms Reynolds, Mrs Parker, Ms Dymnicki and Mrs James supervising us.  When we arrived in Fremantle, we were an hour early for our tour, so we had a relaxing lunch on the grass outside the prison.  After this, Ms Reynolds took us for a walk to a local park and we played chasey for half an hour.

                                                                           

When we arrived at the prison, we went on two tours, exploring the Convict History and Modern Prison.  We learnt so many cool facts, including that the prison only shut in 1991, the escapes of Moondyne Joe, and the failed escape of a man who covered himself in butter to squeeze through the bars, only to fall off a drain and break his leg!

The Year 5s in Mr N’s group were able to see so many different parts of the prison - from the Guard Tower, to the theatre.  A group favourite was re-enacting the many arrests of Moondyne Joe.  We got really into the characters and there were definitely some Oscar worthy performances.  We were amazed at the Chapel and the amazing artworks throughout the cells.  We loved our time there and cannot wait to head back!

The Year 5s in Ms Reynolds’ group were shocked at the living conditions within the prison cells.  We saw a timeline of reconstructed cells that displayed how originally convicts only had a mattress and a pot, up until some had beds and a TV!  We were all impressed at the artwork in Peg Leg Pete’s cell, which was painted by him whilst he was incarcerated.  After touring the general cell blocks, we went inside the solitary confinement cells, which were dark, bare and scary!  As a group, we agreed how lucky we were to have warm beds and a comfortable room to sleep in.

 

In conclusion, the Year 5 excursion to Fremantle Prison was an absolute blast.  We loved visiting Fremantle and learning about the history of the convicts in a prison that only closed down 29 years ago.  We have learnt so many interesting stories that we cannot wait to share in our Informative Writing unit for English!

Tim Natkanski & Caitlin Reynolds
Year 5 Teachers

Cooking with Vegetables

This term, the Year 2 classes have been learning from the Year 12 Food Science & Technology students.  In the first week, we looked at lots of different types of vegetables.  Some of the vegetables included pumpkin, corn, potato, zucchini, sweet potato, carrot and broccoli.  We all had mixed feelings about eating vegetables.

Over the next couple of weeks we got to go to Secondary and visit the Year 12 Cooking classroom.  We broke into small groups and started preparing different recipes that contained vegetables.  Groups either made vegetable fritters, chocolate zucchini muffins or pumpkin scones.  While all of the food was baking or frying, we really enjoyed cleaning and drying the dishes, playing with worms in the worm farm,  planting vegetables in the garden, wiping down the tables and making our menu boards.  We took photos of our food in the light box and got ready for our mouth watering vegetable feast.  All the dishes tasted amazing, delicious and simply scrumptious. Nobody complained about eating their vegetables!

We would like to thank the Year 12s, Ms Johnston and Mrs O’Driscoll for letting us try different vegetables, cooking with us and all of their hard work and effort they put into having us in their class.  Most of all, it’s important to remember to eat your two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables.

Year 2 Blue & Year 2 Gold

Year 3 Cake Stall

As part of our Technologies program this term, the Year 3 classes have been researching, planning and preparing a cake stall.  This will be held on Tuesday 25 August 25 during recess in the undercover area.  All items will be priced at 50c and the proceeds will be donated to St Joseph's Care.  There will be a variety of delicious items for sale on the day.
Ruth Adams
Year 3 Blue Teacher

NSSA Cross Country

The NSSA Cross Country was held on Monday 3 August.  With a looming forecast of rain, the event was held under blue skies and all students performed admirably.  It was a change to previous years, with only the top 2 competitors competing.  St Joseph's School was victorious, taking home numerous medals and overall Champion School.  A big thank you to Raelene Wallace for her help as track marshal.

Individual results are as follows:
Year 3 Girls - 3rd place Matilda Marwick, 4th place Mackenzie Miller
Year 3 Boys - 1st place Logan Collins, 2nd place Harrison Robert
Year 4 Girls - 1st place Maddison Haddrill, 2nd place Alexie Wallis
Year 4 Boys - 1st place Marcus De Barros, 2nd place Zac Parker
Year 5 Girls - 1st place Emmeline Hills, 2nd place Genevieve O'Driscoll
Year 5 Boys - 2nd place Benji Park, 4th place Connor Oliver
Year 6 Girls - 1st place Jianna Matres, 3rd place Kayla Willmott
Year 6 Boys - 1st place Jaxon Wallace, 3rd place Aaron Clements

All students are to be commended for their efforts and they will now travel to compete in the Meckering Cross Country on Friday 21 August.  

Carrie Frost
Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary News

Learning Area in Focus:  Science

Year 7
This term the Year 7 students have been studying the Earth and how it sits in space.  They have looked at the scale of the solar system using plasticine models and completed an animation of the the phases of the moon using keynote.  This topic will culminate in our annual Astronomy night where they will able to view the objects they are studying. 

                         

Year 9 Lemon Battery Experiment
The Year 9 students conducted an experiment where they made a battery out of a lemon.  They began by adding one zinc and copper probe into the lemon and measuring the voltage.  Rather than run two lemons in series, they added one more piece of zinc and copper into the lemon and connected all the probes up to the voltmeter.  The voltage had doubled.  They then continued to add one more set of probes, finding the voltage would increase by the same amount each time.  Eventually they ran out of space on their lemon and some of them started to resemble an Echidna.  They ended realising the electricity is not in the lemon.  The acid in lemon is the electrolyte allowing the electrons to move from the zinc to the copper.

                                                

Year 10 Science
Our Year 10 B Science class are discovering who they are!  No, they are not achieving self-actualisation, they are instead undertaking the equally challenging task of understanding how our DNA determines our physical and behavioural traits.  I am continually blown away with how hard this group of students works to understand difficult concepts such as DNA and heredity.  I'm sure they come by there determination honestly.  Maybe one of these students will end up proving this in a future study.

Year 11 Biology
This Semester the Year 11 students have moved on to studying body systems.  They have examined the effect of temperature on enzymes.  Coming up is learning about the respiratory and digestive systems in different organisms and will be conducting dissections to fully understand the systems.

Year 12 Biology
The Year 12 group have been studying their final unit this term looking at how the body reacts to change and infectious diseases.  Covid has been useful for these students in understanding how pandemics spread and what can be done for prevention which is part of the unit.  This week they have looked at bacteria and how antibacterials work as well as what surfaces carry lots of bacteria.

Year 11 Physics
The Year 11 Physics class have been investigating effects of gravity on force and motion, which included a recent experiment determining the acceleration due to gravity for our location using a pendulum and using the viscosity of a fluid to identify the terminal velocity of a falling object in an open tube.  The students have taken these practical results and imbedded them as part of their scientific understanding.  The students have now commenced their rocket construction in preparation for their launch day, which will generate data to determine velocity, altitude, momentum, impulse and acceleration experienced, so still plenty of learning to go.

Year 12 Chemistry
The Year 12 Chemistry students have been doing a series of organic chemistry practicals to use their theoretical knowledge of various hydrocarbon groups such as acids, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones in situations where they are not told the specific substances they are working with, so needing to apply a series of chemical tests to obtain observable results to identify the unknowns.  The students have succeeded on every occasion and have demonstrated a high ability of application of knowledge through investigation, well done!

The students also conducted experiments to produce hydrocarbons called esters, these are often used to generate fragrances, in items such as perfumes or scented candles.  Once again, the students enjoyed creating these through the chemical processes and then attempting to identify the scents generated, not all were pleasant!

Mike Hillyer, Michalie Ruoss, Ryan Sinclair, Kylie Wallis, Jada Yengkopiong, Nita Budas & Mark Gargano
Science Learning Area Staff

Year 12 Food Science & Technology Demo Class

Year 12 Food Science & Technology students taught the Year 2's the superpowers of 7 different vegetables, then we got them to try them raw and cooked.  We described them and discussed our likes and dislikes.  The following week, we taught them to cook using these vegetables.  We made sure they washed their hands, wore an apron and everyone had a task to do and was involved in the cooking and cleaning process.  They made a menu board and presented it to the class.  Everyone got to try each others food.

       

It was interesting but very messy!

Travis
Year 12

Year 12 Geography Excursion

The Year 12 ATAR Geography students recently travelled to Perth to further their learning about the characteristics of Perth, the challenges it faces (such as traffic congestion), and strategies to address the challenges.  The students went to the 33rd floor of a skyscraper to see 360-degree views of Perth and completed two walking tours, one through the CBD and the other from East Perth to Optus Stadium across the Matagarup Bridge.

Year 8 HASS Project

In HASS, the Year 8 students have recently completed a project making 3D models on a variety of topics all about Medieval
Europe. The students presented their models to their class. Topics covered included medieval food, the feudal manor,
developments in architecture, Joan of Arc, and a castle siege.

           

Katiejean Enright
HASS/Geography Teacher

Our School

Family Afternoon & Sausage Sizzle

St Joseph’s School will be hosting a Family Games Afternoon and Sausage Sizzle on Friday 4 September betweem 4.30pm and 6.30pm on the Primary Oval and Undercover Area.  There will be games, Sausage Sizzle, Bouncy Castle and pony rides.  No need to RSVP, just come and join the fun.  Please direct any queries to Michelle Johnson on 9621 3565.

Michelle Johnson
Chaplaincy Worker

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

Our toilet transformation project for the primary toilets is nearly complete.  During the holidays a group of mums came in and put up all the door decals that had been kindly donated, cut and designed by Michelle Marris.  We are so pleased with the outcome and believe the children have really welcomed the change.  The last part for this project is to put up some posters on the back of the doors that can be changed regularly and suited to the needs of the students. 

The scheduled August meeting was cancelled last week due to a large number of our executive committee not being available.  We have seen a huge increase in popularity for the evening time slot, therefore moving forward we will be holding our meetings at night for the rest of the year. 

The next regular P&F meeting is on Thursday 17 September at 6.45pm, Dukes Inn Hotel. 

We are very excited to hear such positive news from the recent class get-togethers for Pre Primary, Year 1, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. The introduction of class contacts for each year group has helped many families make some new friends and connections and also put a face to a name.  We understand that not everyone was able to come along to these, however the class contacts are already planning some more events for later in the term or next term.  We still have Kindy, Year 2 and Year 3 to have their get-togethers, so if you haven't received further information for these, please let us know. 

For our Secondary families, we have had some great ideas put forward in how to help you stay connected and support each other.  We hope to introduce these soon. 

This week, the Book Fair Sub-committee met to start planning the week long event which is due to be held in Term 4 in the Primary Library.  Scholastic Australia decided to move "Book Week" this year to a later date due to the global crisis, in the hope that most of the schools would be able to participate.  If you would like to be part of the Book Fair and can offer your assistance in some way, whether that is setting up, working it during school lunch time or after school, or packing up at the end of the week, please contact Lauren Holten, our Book Fair Coordinator, on 0407222401 or comment on our Facebook page (link below).  

The next meeting for the Book Fair is on Wednesday 2 September at 6.00pm at Lume.

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 families choose to board at Northam Residential College:
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.

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