eNews Term 4, Week 1, 2024

Dear Students, Parents, and Staff, 

I am honoured to have had the opportunity to serve as the Acting Principal of our wonderful school for the past five weeks during Mrs Ros Oates’ leave. It has been a rewarding experience, and I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to lead our learners, educators, and the broader school community. 

Throughout this period, we have continued to foster a positive and engaging learning environment. I want to extend my gratitude to our dedicated staff who supported Nicki Clifford and I in our acting leadership roles and continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our learners receive the best education possible. Your commitment does not go unnoticed. 

As Mrs Oates prepares to return, we will continue to work together throughout Term 4, modelling our school moto, “In all things Kindness”, and strive for excellence in all that we do. 

Visit from Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC 

On Wednesday, May 16, our school had the distinct honour of hosting Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor General of South Australia. The primary focus of her visit was to engage with our students, fostering a sense of connection and community. 

Throughout the day, many positive remarks were made about our student leaders. They received commendation for their commitment and dedication in nominating for their leadership positions. It was heartwarming to witness the excitement and curiosity of our students as they recognized the significance of the Governor's role in South Australia. 

Our student leaders truly shone during this visit, representing our school with pride and enthusiasm. The interaction not only inspired our students but also highlighted the importance of leadership and community engagement. We are grateful for this memorable experience and look forward to future opportunities to connect with distinguished visitors. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this visit a success! 

St Joseph’s School Represented at the ACEL Conference 

St Joseph's School was proudly represented at the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) conference, recently held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Joanne Gibbon, the Pedagogy Implementation Leader, at St Joseph’s, attended the conference on behalf of the school and the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO). St Joseph's has been working closely with AERO this year to implement explicit instruction in Mathematics, a key focus aimed at improving teaching practices and student outcomes. 

During the presentation, AERO’s Hannah Matthews and Dylan Evans discussed the importance of structured and purposeful implementation. They highlighted the four stages necessary for bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring evidence-based strategies like explicit instruction are applied effectively in schools. 

Joanne Gibbon took the stage to share St Joseph’s journey with the implementation of explicit instruction. She spoke about the critical role that leadership support has played in the success of this process and emphasised how the collaborative efforts of the staff have been instrumental in driving change. Joanne underscored that without strong leadership and a team-based approach, the implementation would not have been as effective. 

This recognition at the ACEL conference marks a significant achievement for St Joseph's School. The conference provided an excellent platform for showcasing the school’s commitment to educational excellence through the adoption of evidence-based practices. Joanne’s presentation highlighted how St Joseph's, as a regional school, is leading the way in embracing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, with a focus on sustainability and impact. 

Joanne Gibbon’s contribution to the conference demonstrated the school’s ongoing dedication to enhancing education for its students and solidified its role in the broader conversation about effective teaching practices in Australia.  

Warm regards,  

Jamie Mulcahy (Acting Principal) 

OCTOBER ~ THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY 

Many of the world’s religions use beads, knotted rope or other tangible things people can hold to help them when in prayer.  In the Catholic Tradition we use rosary beads as one of the ways of assisting us to pray.  The month of October has been dedicated to the rosary in the church’s liturgical calendar. 

Some of you may be familiar with the rosary as in some cultures the rosary plays a very important part of their prayer life, whilst others may not have heard about them.  The origins of the rosary are a little unclear but the use of strings of beads to count prayers has been found from the middle ages.  It is thought the structure of the rosary gradually evolved between the 12th and 15th centuries and during the 16th century; the structure of the five-decade rosary based on the three sets of mysteries prevailed. 

Tradition holds that St Dominic devised the rosary and was instrumental in its widespread use during the twelfth century although there are no records of this.  Moved by a vision of Mary our Blessed Mother, he preached the use of the rosary in his missionary work.  Other more recent well-known visions of Mary include St Bernadette at Lourdes and the three shepherd children at Fatima.  All involved Mary requesting the world praying the rosary to bring people back to Christ and for peace in the world. 

The rosary is a series of prayers in honour of our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The whole rosary is composed of twenty decades.  A decade consists of: The Lord’s Prayer, ten Hail Marys and the Glory be to the Father.  The rosary consists of five decades of beads and each five decades is given specific times from the Bible of Mary and Jesus life for us to reflect on.  We call these the ‘mysteries’, because so much of our faith is a mystery to us but we still believe.  There are four groups of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous and Glorious.   

The five Joyful Mysteries include the Annunciation (Lk 1:28) when the angel came to Mary asking her to be the Mother of God, the visitation when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1:41-42), the birth of Jesus (Lk 2:22-23), the presentation of Jesus in the temple (Lk 2:22-23) and finding Jesus in the temple (Lk 2:46).  Next, we have the five Sorrowful Mysteries where we asked to reflect on Jesus agony in the garden (Lk 22:44-45), The scourging at the pillar (Jn 19:1), the crowning with thorns (Mt 27:28-29), the carrying of the cross (Jn 19:17) and the Crucifixion (Lk 23:46).  The Luminous mysteries of the Baptism of Jesus (Mk 1:11), the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1-2), Jesus proclaims the kingdom (Mk 4:23), Jesus is transfigured (Lk 9:28-29) and Jesus gives us the Eucharist (Mt 26:26).  The last mysteries, the glorious mysteries begin with the Resurrection (Mk 16:6), The ascension (Mk 16:19), The descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven (Rev 12:1) and The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven (Rev 12:1).

In week 8 of term 3, our energetic Year Five students embarked on an unforgettable adventure at Wirraway Camp in Strathalbyn, nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills. The camp provided an incredible opportunity for our students to engage in a variety of outdoor activities, foster teamwork, and create lasting memories.

The experience included horse riding, where students learned to care for and ride the horses partnered to them. With enthusiastic smiles, they participated in the activities with their horse, building confidence and connection with the animals.

Students also had the opportunity to try archery, a highlight for many. Under the expert guidance of instructors, the students honed their focus and precision, discovering their inner marksman (or markswoman). The friendly competition brought out everyone’s competitive spirit, with plenty of cheers and laughter echoing through the air.

In a unique twist, our students participated in sheep herding, where they learned the skills needed to guide the flock. This hands-on experience taught them about responsibility and cooperation, as they worked together to manage the animals.

The Wirraway group games fostered teamwork and creativity, with challenges that encouraged collaboration and strategic thinking. It was heartwarming to see students supporting one another, cheering on their peers, and building camaraderie.

Of course, the adventure wouldn’t be complete without plenty of outdoor exploring. Students took the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature, discovering the diverse wildlife that the Adelaide Hills have to offer.

Throughout the camp, our Year Fives represented St Joseph's with enthusiasm and respect, showcasing their school spirit and values. They returned with stories to share, friendships strengthened, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Students from Reception to Year 6 delved into the exciting world of drama by exploring key elements such as tableau (frozen pictures), facial expressions, voice, and movement to embody various characters and animals. Through improvisation, they brought unique characteristics to life, using emotions to express their roles. Collaborative group activities fostered teamwork and communication, while the use of stick puppets and masks added a creative dimension to their performances. The students eagerly showcased their newfound skills, culminating in vibrant drama presentations for the class.

Congratulations to our talented students who participated in the 36th Annual Catholic Schools Music Festival on September 24, 2024! The performances of classics like "Puttin' On The Ritz," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," and the "Off to See the Wizard" medley were outstanding. Your hard work and passion shone through, making it a memorable event for everyone involved!

Please see The Southern Cross newsletter.