From the Principal's Desk

Dear Members of St Joseph’s Family,

Well, we have finally made it to the end of what has been a very strange year.  I would like to sincerely thank the staff for their incredible work throughout the year.  We truly are blessed to have such high-quality staff who always go above and beyond and they certainly deserve a well earnt rest over the holiday period.

Farewell to Mrs Clarke

Today we farewelled Mrs Clarke in an emotion filled final Assembly.  The students did a wonderful job of letting Mrs Clarke know just how they feel about her as they joined in the singing of a song, with the words especially written for her.  There was not a dry eye in the house.  We wish Rebecca the best of luck as she takes this next step in her career – we know that St Columbus will love her just as much as St Joseph’s has.

        

Semester Reports

Reports will be distributed via SEQTA Engage on Tuesday next week.  For those who have already logged into SEQTA before but cannot remember your password, please use the ‘reset password’ function.  If you cannot remember the email that you previously used you will need to have it reset.  A Welcome Email was sent out today to families with children in Pre Primary to Year 12 who had never logged on before.  If you are unable to access the Reports, please contact the Office before Wednesday afternoon and you will be helped.

2021 Calendar Dates

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

TERM 1
First of Term 1 2021: Monday 1 February
Pupil Free Day: Friday 26 February
Colour run: Friday 19 March
Last day of Term 1 for students: Thursday 1 April
Good Friday: Friday 10 April
Easter Sunday: Sunday 12 April

TERM 2
First day of Term 2 for students: Tuesday 19 April
Pupil Free Day: Friday 4 June
Last day of Term 2 for students: Friday 2 July

TERM 3
First day of Term 3 for students: Monday 19 July
Pupil Free Days: Monday 16 & Tuesday 17 August
Last day of Term 3 for students: Friday 24 September

TERM 4
First day of Term 4 for students: Monday 11 October
Last Day of Term 4 for students:
Yr 11 Friday 5 November
Yr 10 Friday 26 November
K-Yr 9 Friday 10 December (TBC)

Staffing

Primary staff departures – Mrs Rebecca Clarke, Ms Sandra Murgia, Ms Caitlin Reynolds, Mrs Sue Trenorden
Primary new staff – Ms Syona Fernandez, Mrs Liz Grubisa
Secondary staff departures – Mr Shane Bransby, Mr Luke Bogoni, with Dr Michalie Ruoss and Ms Katie Enright both on Maternity Leave, Ms Shahn Johnston (12 months leave)
Secondary new staff – Ms Arabella Adeline, Mr Mark Bundock, Mrs Annette Fox, Mr Daniel Matthys, Mr Gerhard Vogel, Ms Sally Woods

Mrs Renee Marasco will be moving to teach on the Secondary campus for the 2021 school year.  We are in the process of finding a replacement teacher for her.  This has lead to a reshuffle of some existing staff members – Mr Ben Hewitt will move to Year 6 and Mrs Nadia Golding will move to Year 4 for 2021.

School Councillor – Mrs Sue Kerrigan has been our Councillor for the last 10 years and has just moved to Queensland to be near some of her family.  We thank Sue for all that she has done for many hundreds of students and their families over the years and wish her well as she settles into life in sunny Queensland.  Mrs Carroll Kowald will be filling the position of School Councillor for Term 1.  The position will be advertised during Term 1.

Farewell to departing families

I would like to take this 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 and we wish you well for all that lies ahead.

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.  I look forward to seeing you back in 2021.

God bless

Andrea Woodgate
Principal 

Our School

Presentation Assemblies

Last Wednesday, we came together for campus level Assemblies to present this year’s academic and citizenship Awards.  Whilst it was disappointing that we could not celebrate as a whole School, we were grateful to be able to recognise the hard work of many students at the two Assemblies.  A full listing of Award recipients and photographs of the presentations are provided here.

                   

Year 6 Farewell Assembly

Last Friday, we held our farewell Year 6 Assembly to acknowledge the students as they depart primary education and head off into secondary schooling in 2021.  Students received a Graduation Certificate and enjoyed a yummy Graduation cake , kindly donated by the Buck family.

                                                   

Andrea Woodgate

Primary News                                   

Year 6 FunD Day

The annual Year 6 FunD Day was held last Friday and again was another great example of the wonderful experiences we offer our students on the Primary campus.  Hearty congratulations goes to our Year 6 students and teachers on the massive effort that goes into organising such a fabulous event!  All the monies raised will be donated to St Joseph’s Parish Care.

Year 6 Camp

On Monday 7 December, a very excited group of Year 6 students and teachers headed off for a fun filled three-day camp at Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp.  The theme of the camp was ‘Leadership & Friendship’ with students participating in activities that fostered their team building and leadership skills.  Thank you must go to the students for the outstanding behaviour and willingness to ‘have-a-go’ at some challenging activities despite the rather hot weather.  A big thank you also to Mrs Marasco, Mrs Bogoni, Ms Hince, Mr Hewitt and Mr Selvam for assisting with the camp.

Farewell & Thank You

As the year comes to an end, I would like to acknowledge the fabulous work that all the staff of the Primary campus put in every day. This year has been a bit challenging.  However, we got through it together and became a stronger team because of it.  To the staff that are leaving St Joseph’s and starting the next chapter of their teaching lives, I wish you the very best.

I would like to wish our Year 6 students and families all the best as they enter into the next chapter of their educational journey.  I hope that the transition to Secondary is smooth and you continue to strive to do your best at everything you attempt.

Finally, it is with great sadness that I farewell this wonderful School community that has been a big part of my life as a former student, staff member and parent.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the school community for the support that has been given to me as a member of staff at St Joseph’s School for over twenty years.  I am humbled by the wonderful cards, emails and gifts that I have received over the past few weeks.  Teaching is more than a job for me it is a way of life and I would not choose to do anything else.  It has been an absolute pleasure to lead this amazing School community for the past few years and I wish each and every one of you continued success in the future.

Wishing everyone a happy and Holy Christmas, stay safe over the school holidays and all the best for 2021!                               

Rebecca Clarke
Head of Primary

Primary Genius Hour

Lawn Bowls
Throughout Semester Two, the Lawn Bowls students have had great success learning the art of bowling.  Many students began the course with very little knowledge of the game, yet all have made excellent progress in developing skills on the forehand, backhand and the drive.

We offer our special thanks to the Northam Bowling Club and the Hockey Association for allowing us use of their facilities.  And an extra special thanks to Mr Brad Parker and Mrs Elaine Higgs for allowing us to borrow their equipment.
Lloyd Reidy

Lego Club
Throughout the year, participants in Lego Club have had the opportunity to challenge themselves with weekly building tasks that have included building Mars Rovers, wrecking balls, wind powered vehicles and balloon powered cars.  They also had the chance to create their own stop motion films using Lego.  The students showed great creativity with all their builds and took great pride in their end products.  Congratulations to all our Lego Masters!
Ruth Adams

Secondary News

Learning Area in Focus:  The Arts

Year 9 Drama
The Year 9 students have been busy this term.  They finalised their costume selections and completed their in-class performance.  Our students all did a wonderful job portraying their characters and keeping the storyline moving in our script, ‘Murder Malodorous’ by Tom Vaughn.

                                   

The last few weeks of term, we have been critically viewing the film ‘Inkheart’ and contributing loads of fantastic ideas of how we can perform this story on stage in 2021.  Students have had some wonderfully innovative notions and methods and strategies of creating fire, magic and the enchanted world of books.  We look forward to a mid-year performance next year.

Year 10 Drama
The Year 10 students have worked very hard on their rehearsals for ‘Exit the King’ by Eugene Ionesco and have finalised their in-class performance for this year.  The students did a fantastic job of creating interesting characters and depicting the sensitive and taboo topic of ‘Death comes to us all’.  Well done, students.

                                   

The last few weeks have seen the Year 10 students enjoy the fun and antics of performing the Commedia dell’arte script of ‘The Love for Three Oranges’ by Doreen Heard.  Lots of laughter and hilarity immersed students in a completely different drama genre where they were able to exercise alternative skills to the more serious tone of ‘Exit the King’.

Rebecca Doughty & Lucie Lombardini
Secondary Arts Learning Area Staff

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

Come along to Extend and enjoy an engaging program of activities with your Extend team!  Enjoy an indoor and outdoor program of high and low energy activities, plus healthy food to fuel healthy bodies.  We are open until 2.00pm on Thursday 24 December and will recommence our 2021 program on Monday 11 January.

At all times our COVID safe practices are in place.  If you see us cleaning our surfaces, or the children and Educators washing their hands regularly, don't be surprised!  We look forward to welcoming your children to our program and encouraging them to embrace existing friendships and make new ones.

To enrol and book, head to https://www.extend.com.au/families/enrolments-and-bookings/  For more information on your school’s program, visit https://www.extend.com.au/families/find-myschool/  For further assistance contact us at support@extend.com.au

Summer VacSwim Lessons

Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.  VacSwim in January offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations during the long break.  Not only are they a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.  Your children can start as young as five years old.  There are programs for everyone, from beginners to advanced swimmers.  Students 13 years and over can enrol in stages 13-16.  Stage 16 enables them to achieve their Bronze Medallion.

Not only is VacSwim a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.  Don’t wait!  Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim

Carols On Fitzgerald 2020

A free community Carols event will be held tonight - Friday 11 December from 5.00pm to 900pm on the Village Green, Fitzgerald Street, Northam.  There will be market stalls, local food vans and a lighting of the Christmas Tree.  Bring a chair or picnic rug and enjoy the Carols service.  Activities will include water slides, traditional kids’ games, Nativity Photo Booth and family craft stations.  This event is alcohol free and is hosted by Bridgeley Church of Christ, YouthCare, Northam Chamber of Commerce and Northam Women in Business.

Uniform Shop 

Opening Times:                             Mondays - 3.15pm to 4.45pm - Shop will be open on Monday 14 December for families to access!    
                                                      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.  Please note that all orders must be paid for before they will be released.  Once payment has been received, orders will be filled and distributed to students or sent to the relevant Campus Admin Office for collection as soon as practical.  For your convenience with payment, you can provide your credit card details along with your Order, pay by credit card over the phone through Primary Admin (9621 3500).

Michelle James 
Primary - 9621 3524