Week 1 Term 4 2023

Dear Families,

The Power of Patience: Teaching Delayed Gratification to Your Child

In our often fast-paced world, the ability to delay gratification has become a valuable life skill, and it's never too early to start teaching it to your child. Delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of an immediate reward in favour of a larger, more fulfilling one later down the track. Here are some key benefits of instilling this important trait in your child's life.

Improved self-control: Teaching your child to delay gratification helps them learn self-control and discipline. It allows them to make thoughtful decisions rather than impulsively choosing short-term pleasures. This skill will serve them well throughout their life, enabling them to resist negative peer pressure and make responsible choices.

Better academic performance: Delayed gratification is closely linked to improved academic performance. Children who can focus on studying and homework, even when they'd rather be doing something else, tend to achieve better grades. They understand the importance of investing time and effort for long-term goals, such as good grades and a successful future.

Enhanced problem-solving skills: Encouraging your child to wait for the right moment can foster creative problem-solving. Instead of seeking immediate solutions, they'll be more inclined to think critically and consider various options to tackle challenges.

Stronger emotional resilience: Delayed gratification teaches children that not everything in life comes instantly. They learn to cope with disappointment and frustration, which are valuable emotional skills. This resilience will help them navigate the ups and downs of life with a positive attitude.

Financial responsibility: Understanding the concept of delayed gratification can lay the foundation for financial responsibility. Children who learn to save and invest for the future, rather than spending impulsively are more likely to manage their finances wisely as adults.

Improved relationships: Delayed gratification isn't just about resisting the urge to buy something immediately. It's also about waiting for the right moment to speak or react in a conversation. Teaching this skill can lead to better communication and healthier relationships with peers and family members.

So, how can you help your child develop delayed gratification?

Set a good example: Children learn by observing their parents/caregivers. Show them how you can wait for things patiently and make responsible choices.

Use everyday opportunities: Teach delayed gratification through simple daily activities. Encourage them to finish their homework before playing or to save their money for a special occasion or item, instead of spending it right away.

Praise their efforts: Celebrate their successes in delaying gratification, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in encouraging this behaviour.

Encourage goal-setting: Help your child set achievable goals. Breaking goals into smaller steps can demonstrate the value of patience and persistence.

In summary, teaching delayed gratification is a valuable gift you can give to your child. It equips them with essential life skills that will help them succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. By nurturing this ability early, you're helping your child build a foundation for a brighter future.

Appointment of new Assistant Principal, Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM)

As you would have read in my circular earlier this week, I congratulate Patrizia Puglia on her appointment as the new school APRIM. Patrizia is currently the Director of Religion and Spirituality at St Michael’s College – Primary Campus. Patrizia will commence in her role at the start of the 2024 school year.

Staffing, 2024

I congratulate both Michael Mastrangelo (current Year 6 teacher) and Shana Phillips (Year 1 teacher) on winning a respective position in other Catholic schools for 2024. Michael has been successful in being appointed to Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Albert Park; whilst Shana, has secured a role at St Martin de Porres School, Sheidow Park.

Next year, we will welcome the following teachers to St Joseph’s Payneham: Ben Williams (currently teaching at St Mary’s Memorial School, Glenelg); and Melinda Harding (on maternity leave this year, in 2022 taught at Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School, Queensland).

End of Year Student Reports

For the End of Year Student Report, we will be opening the SEQTA Engage, which means families will be able to access their child’s Report Card online. This will save time for office staff, money (envelopes and paper copies), as well as being environmentally friendly. Families who wish to have a hard copy, can request this from the Front Office.

Term Four Calendar and key dates

The Term Four Calendar was distributed at the end of last term. I particularly highlight the following whole school events taking place during Term Four:

• Sports Day, Friday 3 November (at Payneham Oval); and
• End of Year Christmas Concert, Wednesday evening, 29 November (on school grounds).

School Uniform Reminder

As we are now in Term Four, all students are expected to wear their summer uniform. We also seek your ongoing support in ensuring students are meeting the school uniform expectations, including having hair that is clean, neat and well-groomed at all times. Cuts and styles which are extreme are not acceptable. Hair that touches the collar must be tied back. Thank you to the families who consistently send their child in neat, clean, full, and correct uniform.

Building and Infrastructure Update

The new building is nearing completion, ready to house our junior primary students from 2024.

Work to the construction of the car park, on the corner allotment at Tarcoma Avenue and Portrush Road will be re-commencing very soon.

A new nature playground will be constructed over the December and January school holiday period, replacing the current playground. The endeavour is for the playground to be open for play at the beginning of the 2024 school year.

Congratulations

I offer my best wishes to:
- the Skaqaj family (Kristjan, 3MM and Isabel, RJN), on the birth of a boy, ‘Domenic’.
- the Musolino family (Mason, 1DC and Zahlia, RJN), on the birth of a boy, ‘Jordyn’.

Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
 

Last term many of our Year 4 students celebrated their First Holy Communion. First Holy Communion is a time when our students are invited to share in the Eucharistic. This is the part of the mass where the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus.

It was wonderful to see all the students dressed up with beaming smiles on their faces. We are grateful to Father Michael, Sr Josie, our dedicated teachers and parents who have lovingly guided the students. The reception of this sacraments is not the culmination of a process but the beginning of a lived relationship with Jesus and His Church.

Father Michael has sent a letter to all Year 4 families inviting them to have a discuss with their child about the opportunity to participate further in the life of the parish by becoming involved as either Altar Servers, Readers or members of a children’s choir.

Family Letter

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation workshop will be held on the 8th November at 6.30pm in the Church.

Father Michael will be leading this workshops, guiding our children through this sacred sacrament.

Father Michael will be sending out a detailed letter to all families soon, outlining the plans and activities scheduled for the Reconciliation workshops. This letter will provide you with comprehensive information about what to expect, how you can support your child during this meaningful journey and the dates proposed for the celebration of this sacrament.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Father Michael or myself. 

Thank you for your cooperation and active involvement in your child's religious education.

All Saints Day

Wednesday 1st November, we celebrate All Saints Day. On this Solemnity, the Church remembers the saints in Heaven—those who are canonised as well as the countless unnamed saints.

All Saints Day is celebrated by Christian from a number of different traditions. 
For us, the day is observed by remembering and thanking God for all saints, both dead and living. It is a day to glorify Jesus Christ, who by his life and death has made the saints holy through Baptism and faith., 

All Saints is a day to remember, venerate, the saints.

Year 3-6s will gather for Mass in the church at 9.15am on this day.

Masses and Liturgies
The School and Parish encourage and welcome families along to Mass every weekend. Saturday night Mass is at 6pm. Sunday Mass is at 8:00am and 11:00am.

Class Masses/Liturgies this term are listed below.
Parents are welcomed to attend and stay for a cup of tea/coffee.

Term 4 Class Mass/Liturgy Schedule

• Reception – Friday 24th November 10:15am Liturgy in the Church 
• Year 1 – Friday 27th October 10:15am Liturgy in the Church 
• Year 2 – Friday 1st December 10:15am Liturgy in the Church 
• Year 3 - Friday 24th November 9:15am Mass in the Church 
• Year 4 - Friday 27th October 9:15am Mass in the Church 
• Year 5 - Friday 8th December 9.15am End of Year Whole School Mass (Yrs. R-6) in the Church
• Year 6 - Wednesday 1st November 9.15am All Saints Day  Mass (Yr3-6) in the Church and
• Tuesday 12th December 9:00am Graduation Liturgy (Year 6s).

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC)

The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) is a child safety program for children and young people from age 3 to Year 12.

It teaches children to:

• recognise abuse and tell a trusted adult about it
• understand what is appropriate and inappropriate touching
• understand ways of keeping themselves safe.

The KS:CPC is mandated in all preschools and schools and is taught by teachers who have completed a full day KS:CPC training course.

More information can be found on the KS:CPC website: http://kscpc.2.vu/DE_ParentsCarers. 

The Gifted and Talented (G&T) @ St Joseph’s School

The Gifted and Talented (G&T) program at St Joseph’s is designed to support students who show exceptional abilities or talents in specific areas such as academics, arts, music, leadership, and other fields. These programs aim to provide our students with an enriched and challenging educational experience tailored to their individual needs and interests.

The essence of giftedness is advanced development.

• Students who are gifted have the potential to perform at levels significantly beyond what we might expect for their age.
• A student may be intellectually or creatively gifted. They may be physically gifted, or gifted in some areas of his.her social and emotional development.

At Payneham we use several approaches and strategies to support the education of gifted children.

Here are some common strategies:

1. Differentiated Instruction:
Gifted students may be involved in a more advanced curriculum in subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Language Arts.

Gifted students can move through the curriculum at an accelerated pace, allowing them to progress faster than their peers.

They could also explore topics in greater depth, encouraging advanced critical thinking and problem solving.

2. Enrichment Programs- SJP CREATIVE MINDS PROGRAM:
Special Classes are also offered that cater to the student’s area of giftedness.

The following four programs are being offered this year as our CREATIVE MINDS PROGRAM:

• Academy Sports (Physical Education) Adrian Mastrangelo
• Bebras Competition (Computational thinking and problem solving) Emily Parrella
• STEM MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Nicholas Polvere
• JAM (Musical Ensemble) David Shinn
• Maths OLYMPIAD- challenging mathematical minds

3. Personal Learning Plans (PLPs):
We always create individualised plans that cater to the specific needs and interests of all our  students.

4. Professional Development for Teachers:
Teachers receive specialised training to effectively instruct and nurture gifted students in their class, ensuring they are challenged appropriately.

5. Identification of G&T Students:
A General Ability Test (AGAT) is administered in Term 1 to all Preschool – Year 6 students to identify our gifted children.

The AGAT is a test of general intellectual ability, designed to assist teachers in their assessment of students’ learning potential and overall aptitude.

The test takes students about 45 mins to complete. If students perform highly in AGAT, they are then given the opportunity to take part in our CREATIVE MINDS program.

Observations of class teachers and the collection of class assessment data also assist us  in better targeting the specific intellectual needs of our learners.

St Joseph’s is continually evaluating and developing our G&T support strategies to nurture the talents and potential of gifted students, helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Preservice Teacher

On Monday we welcomed Sarah, a pre-service teacher who began her placement with us this term. Sarah will be working with Jen Mastrangelo’s Reception students.  I know you will all make her feel very welcome at our school.

Kind Regards
Ingrid Douventzidis