From the Principal's Desk

Dear Members of St Joseph’s Family,

Founders’ Day last week was a wonderful celebration of our founding orders.  Saint Marcellin Champagnat and his order of Marist Brothers and Saint Emilie de Vialar and her congregation of Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition were remembered for the work they did to bring education to regional Western Australia.  On this day, we focused on the traits of these founders who showed great courage and commitment to their belief that all children deserve a quality education.  We thank them for paving the way for the School we have become today.

                                        

Beautiful Masses were celebrated for each campus, and at the end of each we recognised those students within our community who display qualities of our founders.  These are my favourite Awards each year as they are wonderful tributes to well deserving students.

Both campuses then came together for lunch and an afternoon of tabloid games.  A huge thank you to the Year 10 students and Ms Suckling for organising and running these games.  Congratulations to Marcellin House who won the Founders’ Day shield!

Year 11 2022 Parent Information Evening

Next Wednesday evening at 6:30pm an information session will be held at the Secondary Campus for parents of students entering into Year 11 next year.  This meeting is very important for parents to attend as it well assist in explaining the ATAR versus General pathways available and also the Subject selection on offer to students next year.

Enjoy your weekend.

God Bless

Andrea Woodgate
Principal

Primary News                                            

I hope that you are all keeping warm and well during these cold Winter days.  We have had a very busy couple of weeks on the Primary Campus.  Last week, we celebrated Founders' Day and it was such a privilege to be able to acknowledge one child from each class, who received an award for sharing the spirit of our founders daily at School.  Choosing recipients for such awards is a difficult task for teachers, as so many of our children endeavour to make Jesus real in our community every day.  It is one of the reasons I love working at our School so much.

School Photos

This week, we held our school photos and it was lovely to see all of the new haircuts and the smiles on our student’s faces.  I would like to say a special thank you to Bailey, Milly, Jeremy and Isabelle, who as Year 6 Student Leaders, helped me to ensure that our photo day ran smoothly.  Your assistance was greatly appreciated.

Pre-Kindergarten

I am excited to announce that we will now run two days of Pre-Kindy each week.  Mrs Jessica Morris and Sr Glory will be taking our Tuesday group, and Ms Kelsey Siegert and Sr Glory will continue taking our Thursday group.  We will be looking at the possibility of offering a two-day Pre-Kindy Program in 2022.  If you would like to express your interest in this, please contact Admin.

Interschool Cross-Country Carnival

This coming Monday 21 June, we have a group of talented runners from Years 1 to 6, representing our School at the 2021 NSSA Cross Country Carnival.  We wish all of these children the very best of luck.

May you all have a lovely weekend.

Michelle Christian
Head of Primary

Class in Focus:  Year 6 Blue

Wow!  This term has gone so quickly, with so many exciting events occurring.  Our students favourite was the Winter Carnival, where they competed against all the schools in Northam.  The students demonstrated great sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the day. They all had an amazing time, and they would like to thank all the high school coaches, umpires, teachers, parents, and in particular Ms Frost, for organising the day.

This term, our theme is the Olympic Games.  The students have learnt the history of the ancient and modern-day Olympic Games, as well as past and present Olympians, in the lead up to the Tokyo Games in July.

In English and HASS this term, the students have focused on researching and writing information reports about past and present Olympians.  In the next couple of weeks, the students are focusing on writing recounts in the form of newspaper reports about an Asian country.

                                                                      

In Maths this term, the students have been focusing on converting and simplifying improper and mixed fractions.  Currently the students are focusing on multi-digit-multiplication, they are creating their own multiplication board or card game.

In Religion, the students have been learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  They students have just finished creating a brochure that explains what it is and why is it important to our Catholic faith.

In Art, the students have been creating fantastic art pieces that tell a story about Japanese culture.  Below is a picture from one our fantastic artists, Genevieve O’Driscoll.  The artwork represents Japan’s involvement and creation of the Nintendo games and consoles.

                                                       

The students are having an amazing term, with so many fun-filled and exciting activities.  With two weeks before the school holidays, the students will be working hard before a long and well-deserved break.

Cameron Watson
Year 6 Blue Teacher

Pre-Primary ‘Jungle Gym Excursion’

On Tuesday 15 June, all our Pre Primary students travelled to Willetton to take part in a fun session at Jungle Gym.  Students participated in several activities throughout the day that were designed to develop gross motor skills and muscle strength.

                                 

The day was split into two sessions.  One session saw students participating in gymnastic style obstacle courses, where they were required to tumble, jump, climb and balance on a variety of jungle-themed apparatus.

                                    

The second session gave students the opportunity to choose free time activities including flying foxes, trampolining and foam pits.  We all had a ball running to the different areas.  Even the teachers got to join in!

                                      

The students had a fantastic excursion and learnt new many new skills that they can take back to the playground.

Liz Grubisa & Lauren Marino
Pre Primary Teachers

Secondary News

Year 8 Retreat

The Year 8 Retreat was held on Tuesday 8 June.  The day began with Mass celebrated by Father George and included our local parishioners.  Throughout the day, students were involved in reflection time, games, skits and Q & A sessions with the 24/7 Ministry Team of Western Australia.

The theme for the day was 'God's Creation' and specific topics covered were:
- Appreciating our uniqueness
- The complications of changing behaviour for acceptance
- Value and dignity

Our School community extends a huge thank you to 24/7 Team and the students look forward to seeing them return to Northam in years to come.

Lloyd Reidy
Religious Education Coordinator

Learning Area in Action:  Science

Digital Technology
The Year 7’s have been engaged in project-based learning for this term.  Students are currently tasked with a foley project.  Foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and coconuts to imitate horses’ hooves.  Students were tasked to add sound to a selection of black and white silent film clips via recordings of their own personally made foley sounds.

With three weeks left of our Digital Technology Unit, students are looking forward to their first two terms of Home Economics (Food).

Wise Women Excursion
On May 26, twenty-eight girls from Years 10A and 9A Science made the long drive to Murdoch University to attend the Wise Women Excursion, exploring opportunities for women in STEM. 

Our female students attended two keynote lectures by successful female STEM professionals and engaged in practical, hands-on STEM workshops in the mathematics and forensic science disciplines.  Challenges involved students opening four locks using their mathematic skills to solve clues and using new technology to solve a wrongful conviction case.

Arabella Adeline
Secondary Science Teacher

The Murdoch University Wise Women excursion did a great job hosting the Years 9A & 10A young girls all around WA.  The excursion was a great experience for us St Joseph’s girls as it opened up a great opportunity for us to show our real talents.

All the Years 9 & 10 girls really enjoyed the day out and would highly recommend it for the upcoming years.
Charlee (Year 10A Science)

Learning Area in Action: Health & Physical Education

Physical Education:
In Physical Education this term, we have been working on a variety of sports from Years 7 to 12 including Netball, European Handball, Gaelic Football, Modcrosse, Basketball and Hockey.  Students have improved over the term with the individual skills and game play. Students in Years 9 and 10 have learnt the basics of running a sporting program and the administrative roles involved as they participation in a Student Run Sports program.  These students participated in scoring, umpiring, coaching and equipment set up and maintenance.

We are looking forward to starting Athletics in Term 3 in preparation for Inter-House Athletics Carnival.

Outdoor Education:
Students in Years 9 and 10 have been participating in Orienteering throughout Term 2 for Outdoor Education.  Students have developed their map reading and compass skills in practical scenarios as they orienteer around the Northam Scout Hall area.  Thank you to the Northam Scouts for allowing us to use their facilities for these activities.  In Term 3, students will be moving onto canoeing, where they will build their skills for a 5km and 10km paddle along the Avon and Murray Rivers.

                                                                 

Adrienne Suckling
Secondary Sports Coordinator

Years 9 and 10 Drama Performance ~ Important Notice!

Please note that the details for this year's performance is below:

Performance:	‘Magic and Mimes’ and ‘Inkheart’
When:	1.15pm Friday 25 June 2021
Where:	Primary Campus SMPAC Auditorium
Who:	Parents, grandparents, neighbours and family friends are welcome
RSVP:	RSVP your intention to attend by Monday 21 June via email to rebecca.doughty@cewa.edu.au

Parents of the Years 9 and 10 Drama students are reminded that they will be dismissed from the Primary Campus at the end of the performance.  Bus students will be able to catch their bus from this campus.

Rebecca Doughty
Secondary Drama Teacher 

Our School

2021 School Fees

Term 2 School fees accounts have now been issued.  Unless families are paying by Direct Debit (DD) or another regular payment scheme, the School required payment of the second 1/3rd by Friday 14 May.  If you have missed this deadline, please visit or contact the Business Manager through the Primary Office immediately, so a payment plan can be set up for you.

Steve Johnson
Business Manager

Our P&F

Remember to join our Facebook page;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1764507137145087/?ref=share

Georgia Haddrill
President

Our Community

Centre for Adult Faith – Term 2 Courses

Adults who are interested in attending any of the Centre for Faith Term 2 courses are advised that we have a selection of courses and sessions available during daytime, evenings or online.  Visit our website for more details about each course and how to register.
cfe@perthcatholic.org.au

Extend Winter Program

Extend Before & After School Care will operate a school holiday program during the July school holiday break.  The list of enchanting excursions, cool incursions and chill activities with the Extend team are now being opened up to families - those who book in advance will benefit from Extend’s Early Bird rate.  For bookings, visit: extend.com.au or email: support@extend.com.au for more information.

Northam Dental Clinic Update

From Monday 26 July to Friday 13 August 2021, final year students in the Curtin University Bachelor of Oral Health degree will be coming to our clinic, as part of their country placement.  Your permission will be sought prior to your child having any treatment undertaken by one of these students.

Dental students must have demonstrated a high level of clinical competence, appropriate to the procedure to be undertaken before they can undertake patient care.  These students will work under the direction of qualified dental professionals, in this clinic, to continue to provide high quality dental care to your children.  Please feel free to discuss any concerns with our clinic staff.
Annie Hayes, Northam Dental Therapy Centre, c/- Northam Primary School, Duke Street, Northam (Ph: 0458 644 530).

Better Health Program

Is your child aged 7 to 13 years of age, above a healthy weight and in need of support to improve eating and activity habits?  The Better Health Program is a free, 10-week, online program for children and families.  The weekly sessions offer free resources and weekly coaching calls with trained and qualified health coach to help keep you on track.  Participants are provided with a fitness tracker as well.  Get involved and start collecting weekly tokens and prizes.  To register or find out more, contact 1300 822 953 or email betterhealthprogram.org

York Family Playgroup - Free Parenting Workshop

The York Family Playgroup, supported by Department of Communities/Parenting Connection/Relationships Australia is offering a free parent workshop, ‘Emotion Coaching Your Child”.  This free 2 1/2 hour practical workshop on understanding your child’s emotional world will provide you with tools on how to guide and communicate with them throughout life’s joys and upheavals.  There are three dates available during July.  Refreshments are provided.  For all enquiries, including an RSVP, please contact yorkfpg@gmail.com or ring Rachel on 0401 061 693.

July Holidays - Football Academy

The Troy Longmuir Football Academy is holding a two-day course at Jubilee Oval on 7 and 8 July.  For all details, please contact Troy on 0403 478 195 or visit www.tifa.net.au

Uniform Shop 

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

Can’t Get To The Shop?

The restriction on the number of families able to access the Uniform Shop at one time will remain in place due to the amount of stock we are now carrying.  Families are encouraged to continue to order uniform items via the online shop.  Please note we are no longer accepting email or telephone orders.

Please keep in mind when ordering, that your items will go home Tuesday and Friday of each week, as Monday and Thursday are the days the Shop is open.  When placing an order via the Online Shop, it will appear on a report the following day.  For example; if you place your order on Monday, the report issues on Tuesday which means it will not be organised until Thursday and so go home on Friday.

July Holiday Opening Times
The Uniform Shop will be open on Friday 16 July from 9.00am to 12 noon for current families.  The Shop will then open between 1.00pm and 3.00pm for new families, by appointment.  Please contact our Admin Offices if you would like to make a booking.

Michelle James 
Primary - 9621 3524

Canteen News

Primary News

The Primary canteen is working overtime lately, with lunch numbers soaring and extra catering on the go.  Together with all our students, I really appreciate any help you can offer.  Shifts range from all day to small 3-hour shifts, to help make it manageable for our families.  Anyone can volunteer; mums, dads and grandparents are all welcome and appreciated!

Our Canteen Helper Roster for the next two weeks is below.  Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to assist us so far, it is greatly appreciated. 

Primary - Week 10  

Tuesday	22 June	Cat Naughton
Wednesday	23 June	Lee-Ann Prinsloo
Thursday	24 June	Julie Sandrini
Friday	25 June	Desrae Smith	Soup of the Day:  Chicken & Sweet Corn

Primary - Week 11

Tuesday	29 June	Julie Sandrini
Wednesday	30 June	Lee-Ann Prinsloo
Thursday	1 July	Cat Naughton
Friday	2 July	Desrae Smith	Soup of the Day:  Pumpkin

If you are able to assist us, please sign up online at  https://signup.com/go/LQaHAbC

We are both looking forward to working with you.  If you have any queries, please contact us on the number below.

Kerri & Angela
Canteen - 9621 3525