Book Week and Celebrating Reading
This week is ‘Book Week’! This year’s theme, ‘Reading is Magic’, really should be promoted, as there is so much to cherish about reading – I include the benefits of reading below.
First, I take this opportunity to thank our Library staff, Ms Manuela Ciniglia and Ms Giovanna De Meo, for the additional work in the lead-up to, and during Book Week.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our annual Book Week Parade tomorrow, on the asphalt, commencing at 9:00am.
A core purpose of Book Week is to celebrate literature, books and reading. I provide the benefits children achieve by engaging in reading.
- Reading improves listening and early literacy skills.
- Reading builds vocabulary; there is research indicating that one of the common links between successful individuals in their careers, is they each have a large repertoire of language.
- Another benefit of having a large vocabulary includes being able to process information at a faster speed; once you know and understand a word, it lightens the load on your working or short-term memory.
- An extensive vocabulary also builds the connections in your brain so that new lines of reasoning open; all of which help with higher order learning and thinking and understanding.
- Reading prepares children for school and beyond.
- Reading improves academic performance – in all subject areas.
- Reading positively affects and boosts children’s mental and physical health.
- Reading literature allows students to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, as one can gain a perspective of what the characters in the book are experiencing.
- Reading can build a development of empathy, as it helps students build and maintain better relationships; for example, play time is more positive for students who can listen to others, articulate their opinions rationally and be flexible in their approaches to others.
- Reading daily can reduce stress in our body.
- Reading promotes sleep; when reading before bed, it tends to reduce tension in the body, which then fosters sleep.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Last week, many of our Year 4 students celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. I thank our Parish Priest, Fr Michael Romeo, Sr Josie, our APRIM, Mrs Patrizia Puglia, and Year 4 teachers, Ms Bernardette Robinson, Ms Rosanna Parrella, Ms Sara Altobelli, Ms Melinda Harding, and the respective families for preparing the children to receive this Sacrament.
Catholic Schools Open Week
This week is also ‘Catholic Schools Open Week’. It is a time to highlight what is great about Catholic Education and closer to home, acknowledging the magnificent work that happens here at St Joseph’s. Thank you for choosing St Joseph’s Catholic School Payneham and your contributions to the school community.
Fr Michael Romeo, 10-year ordination anniversary
As highlighted at the beginning of this term, Fr Michael Romeo celebrates his 10-year anniversary as a Catholic priest on Thursday 29 August. This is an important milestone for Fr Michael and our community. Mass in the church will occur at 7:00pm, followed by light refreshments in the school Gym. It would be wonderful to show our support for Fr Michael on this significant occasion.
STEM MAD (Make a Difference) Congratulations
Recently some students at our school participated in the STEM MAD challenge at UniSA (Mawson Lakes campus), made up of the following Year 6s – Lilly D., Aidan N., Louisa M. and Hugo H-B. My congratulations to the team for achieving third place, but more importantly for their commitment, innovation and collaborative spirit devoted to the initiative. A big thank you to Mr Nick Polvere, for his work and support he gives to STEM MAD.
Meeting with teachers
A reminder that you can make a time to meet with your child’s teacher/s at any time throughout the year. A quick email or chat indicating that you’d like to meet with the respective teacher to work out a convenient time is all it takes.
Surname displayed in car for Marian Rd after school pick-up and moving efficiently on Marian Rd
As promoted, if you collect your child/ren in the ‘pick-up’ area along Marian Road after school, we’d love to trial having your family surname written on a piece of A4 paper, placed on the front passenger side windscreen. From a staff perspective, this will allow for easy visibility, so when on yard duty the staff member can call out the surname ahead of time, preparing your child/ren ready for pick-up, and hence speed up the collection process. Obviously, your help is required, in writing your family surname on an A4 white, keeping it in your car, and placing it on the front passenger dashboard when collecting your child. If there are family members who regularly do the pick-up, promoting this initiative with them will be appreciated. Thank you to those who have already got on board.
Further, please ensure there is efficiency when dropping-off and picking-up your child on Marian Road. Moving along in a safe and proficient manner assists with traffic flow.
Carlo Acutis Building Opening
I was recently provided with a date for the official opening of the Carlo Acutis Building. This will be taking place on Thursday 20 February 2025 at 10:00am. Please place in the diary for early next year.
National School Improvement Partnership Survey
A final reminder about the National School Improvement Partnerships (NSIP) survey. The survey is being offered to Catholic schools across South Australia. When you access the survey and enter the specific code for our school community (details below), all the relevant information will be sent to our school. Staff and Year 2-6 students have participated in a sim ilar survey, and like the parent/caregiver survey, all responses are confidential. Please click on the following link www.NSIPartnerships.com.au and enter the unique school code SJSPHLLLP. The survey closes on Friday 23 August 2024.
Father’s Day Morning, Friday 30 August
A reminder to all dads and significant men in our community, about our Father’s Day morning on Friday 30 August. Complimentary coffee will be available from 8:45am (from just outside the Gym), followed by a Q+A session with Mark Ricciuto (starting at 9:30am). If you are yet to RSVP and would like to attend, please email the Front Office at jcolangelo@stjopayn.catholic.edu.au
Further, thank you to the Parents and Friends Committee for organising the upcoming Father’s Day Stall and I wish all dads, and father figures a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday 1 September.
Hats are back on soon
From the start of September, as per our Sun Smart Policy, students need to be wearing hats when outdoors i.e., recess, lunch, P.E. lessons, after school sport trainings, OSHC, etc. Please ensure you remind your child/ren to place their labelled hat in their school bag each day. From the start of Week 7 (Monday 2 September), children not wearing a school hat when outdoors will be directed to an undercover area.
School Closure Day, Friday 6 September
As per the Term Three Calendar, please note that Friday 6 September is School Closure Day. This means that it is a Student Free Day, and unfortunately OSHC will not be available.
Condolences
I extend my sympathies to:
- The Sassano family (Emilio, 3MM) and the Freda family (Sienna, 2TM and Alessia, Preschool), on the passing of their maternal grandmother.
- The Koutsounis family (Nikolas, Preschool), on the passing of his paternal grandfather.
- The Salem family (Andre, 6AM and Sebastian, 4PA), on the passing of their maternal
great grandmother, as well as paternal uncle.
My Leave
As recently communicated, I will be on leave from next week, 26 August until 27 September 2024 (the last five weeks of Term Three). As detailed, Mr Michael Musolino will be Acting Principal and Ms Tania Melfi will be Acting Deputy Principal in my absence. I know the school is in good hands. Please show your support to them during this period.
Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
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