Week 3, Term 3 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we celebrated the feast day of Mary of the Cross Mackillop with a special prayer service and some fun activities for the students, including a special BBQ lunch. We were able to reflect on her wonderful achievements in establishing the Sisters of St Joseph’s and gain an understanding of the incredible person she was, especially her love for educating children and her love for God. Thank you to all our volunteers who assisted us on the day. It was lovely to have the use of our community kitchen and see how easy it is to use, especially for community events. I would like to remind our families that you are welcome to attend our Monday morning prayer each week in the Parish Hall, starting at 8:45am until 9am, run by our students.  This is a whole school gathering and a lovely way to start the week.

“All kids need is a little help, a little hope
and someone who believes in them”.

Magic Johnson

There are a number of things to watch out for during this week:

• The Catholic Schools magazine in the Advertiser on August 13
• Our School Open Day (see the separate newsletter article for further information)
• Students, Milania and Theo, are being featured on CESA adverts for our school at Firle Plaza and at bus stops on Magill Road, St Bernard’s Road and The Parade, Kensington

Enter in the draw to win a TreeClimb or Beachouse voucher thanks to our friends at oOh! Media.

All you need to do is post a photo of your child/children with any of the Catholic Schools Open Week outdoor advertising (bus shelters, shopping centre panels or billboards) to Facebook and use the hashtag #CatholicSchoolsOpenWeek to be in the draw to win!4 lucky voucher winners will be chosen via random draw on Friday August 26 2022 at 12pm.

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions that a parent makes.

This Catholic Schools Open Week, we are hosting an Open Day on Monday 22 August 2022 at 9.15am.  This is an opportunity for families to come and see our school in action and discover the benefits of a Catholic education here at St Joseph’s Tranmere.

Please feel free to invite friends or family members who might be interested in learning how a Catholic education can set their child up for life.  Book a place by calling the school office on 8431 2834.

Recently, 3/4RM student, Janis attended the GARMA FESTIVAL (29 July - 1 August) in North Eastern Arnhem Land. She was fortunate enough to take part in many educational activities which included attending health & youth forums, bands, films, art exhibitions, basket weaving and spear making workshops.

The festival was attended by Aboriginal and Corporate leaders, celebrities, NT & Federal politicians, the Prime Minister and US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy. They all camped there over the nights.

Janis participated in so much, including the Bunggul (ceremonial dances) of nearly every clan group, much to the delight of all the ladies and clan leaders. 

While in NT, Janis made lots of friends attending DHUPUMA BARKER COLLEGE Campus and participated in Gunyangara Youth activities. She had a few visits to BUKU LARRNGGAY at Yirrkala to see all the different artwork designs and  competed in the regional Touch Football Tournament. Janis loved playing with her little nephews! 

On the way back, Janis had a day in Kuranda, Cairns and five hours of fun in Brisbane singing and dancing with her cousin Ivy.

We have all enjoyed Janis, sharing her experiences since returning.

GARMA   http://online.flippingbook.com/view/851063035/              

DHUPUMA BARKER  https://barkerbarang.edu.au/about-our-schools/dhupuma-barker             

BUKU LARRNGGAY   http://yirrkala.com/  

This term in Religion we are looking at what makes us a Catholic school. We started by looking at different catholic symbols and what they represent.

Then we went on a ‘treasure hunt’ to find symbols around our school that tell us we are a catholic school. Here are photos of some of the symbols  we found.

On Monday we celebrated the Feast Day of St Mary of the cross MacKillop. We went to the Gums and enjoyed a free sausage sizzle and ice block. We also designed a statue that represents Mary MacKillop with our buddies in 3/4MC.

Our class then drew pictures of Mary and chose a quote that we liked and felt would be a good motto for us.

Today Jane Godwin, an award-winning author, came to our school!  She gave us some great tips and tricks on how to write a good book.  We learned the four most important things to remember about writing a book are ideas, planning, drafting and editing.  Jane is a great author and is really passionate about writing.  We enjoyed hearing about her favourite books and her journey to becoming a professional author by observing things around her.

Mia, Donnie and Ryan (Student Leadership Marketing Team Members)

Our Year 5/6 Debating Team presented well prepared arguments on the topic "Best friends should be banned in schools."  Congratulations to Scarlett, who won the "Speaker of the Night" award.

Semester Two Fee Payments

A reminder for those families who selected to pay their school fees each Semester that the deadline for making your Semester Two School Fee payment is 11^th August 2022.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you will have any difficulty in making the payment by this date or wish to change your payment method.

OSHC Fees - Payment options

Thank you to our families for your OSHC payments.

A reminder that, for payments made by Direct Deposit into the school bank account, it is essential to quote your surname and ‘OSHC fees’ in the description.  If this information is not included, it is difficult to identify that your payment is for OSHC fees and there is then the possibility that it is not receipted against your OSHC account.

The following OSHC payment options are available at our school:

• Cash / cheque – through the office boxes or at the OSHC desk (sealed in an envelope marked with your child’s name, class and “OSHC Payment”)
• Eftpos / credit card - at the school office
• Credit card via telephone – T (08) 8431 2834
• QKR – payment using the QKR app.  Download instructions are available from the office
• Direct deposit into the School’s Bank Account  - BSB: 085-005, Account: 45 478 5404

Many thanks for your assistance, Janet Price 

Come and join our Family Play Group facilitated by SPiCE (Supported Playgroup in Catholic Education) for you and your child (birth to 5 years).

When  -  Tuesday mornings in term time from 9.00am to 11.00am

Where -  Small Parish Hall (entrance from Birkinshaw Avenue)

Come along and spend some time with your child and meet other families while learning together through play.

If you wish your child/children to attend Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) for either Before or After School Care, we require registration with 'Fully Booked' prior to session attendance.  This system is both user friendly and streamlined to ensure that registration is a simple process and that families are able to manage their own bookings/cancellations as needed.

Initial setup will require you to register an account and complete all necessary information required using the following link: http://stjotran.fullybookedccms.com.au/family/    

Please contact Angela Girolamo agirolamo@stjotran.catholic.edu.au or Melanie Heaney mheaney@stjotran.catholic.edu.au if you require further assistance.

It is important to note that when you create your bookings through Fully Booked, the session type will automatically default to the Full Casual rate.  If this is not what is required, you will need to deselect the ticked box in the top left hand corner of the booking screen and select available options from the drop down menu.  Unfortunately we are unable to change past bookings, so please make sure you go through this process to ensure the correct rate is charged. 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Melanie Heaney

OSHC  Director

Information for Volunteering - Due to changes in the Child Protection Act

At St Joseph’s School Tranmere, we are always grateful for the support given by our volunteers.  Volunteering applies to a wide range of activities in the school including attending excursions, coaching sports teams, reading in the classroom, helping in the many committees and many other school-related activities. 

If you would like to act as a volunteer in the school, you are required to have a 6-point check.  Please provide the school with copies of the following:

• Completed CESA Volunteer Registration pack - available from the school office
• A Catholic Police Check Clearance or Working With Children Check (WWCC from the Department of Human Services  (if you need to obtain this clearance please come to the school office)
• A RRHAN-EC (Responding to Harm, Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care) training Certificate
• Work Health and Safety on-line Induction for Volunteers Certificate
• Work Health and Safety signed form
• COVID Status Certification

Please note: that all these processes are mandatory and must be completed in order to volunteer/continue to volunteer.  This requirement is designed to ensure our children are protected and safe at school.

If you are missing any documentation above I can send you links to complete the paperwork once I receive your Completed  CESA Registration Pack

Angela Girolamo, WHS Administrator