Dear Families,
Father’s Day and Tips for Dads
We celebrated Father’s Day on Sunday. I trust all the fathers in our community had a fine day. Thank you to Aly Giannitto for organising the Father’s Day Stall and the P&F Committee for their assistance on the day.
The effect fathers have on their children is paramount. Today, I share with you some brief thoughts (which I have gained from ‘The Fathering Project’), regarding the influence of a father on a child's confidence and resilience.
Not every child has the natural resilience to cope with challenges or disappointments and need support to help build the skills and confidence to deal with life's challenges.
The most common factor among children who demonstrate resilience is a strong relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other trusted adult. A father (or significant male role model) is often seen as a solid foundation for safety and security, and children will look to dad for guidance. The following points are pertinent food for thought.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude towards your own challenges. Talk about them as opportunities to learn and improve.
- Build coping skills. Talk to your child about how to develop strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
- Allow your child to take on healthy challenges and risks. Provide opportunities for them to build confidence by taking on challenges and encourage them to work through problems and dilemmas.
STEM MAD (Make a Difference) Congratulations
Earlier this week our STEM MAD Year 6 students (Ash, Sirat, Matthew and Arky) flew to Melbourne, with STEM Specialist Teacher, Nicholas Polvere and Deputy Principal, Ingrid Douventzidis to represent Catholic Education South Australia, as they came first in the primary school category here in SA recently. It is wonderful that our school is representing our state on the national stage. By all accounts, it was a successful trip.
Tarcoma Gate – change of hours
As an added safety measure, the Tarcoma Avenue gate will be locked from 9:30 – 2:30pm each day. A sign on the Tarcoma Ave. gate will specify to use the Portrush Road or Marian Road gates during the stated times. Thank you for your understanding on this matter.
Building work update
Building work for the Stage 1 construction (eight new classrooms with added facilities) commenced earlier this week. Extra temporary fencing has been installed on the eastern side of the school playground, where the project is taking place. This does mean that some play space is currently not accessible. However, this is not forever, and there are still ample areas for the children to play and interact during recess and lunch.
Hats are back on
As we are now in 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, etc. Please ensure you remind your child/ren to place their labelled hat in their school bag each day. From next week, children not wearing a school hat when outdoors (not before school or after school) will be directed to an undercover area.
Parents and Friends Disco and Bunnings BBQ
What a lot of fun at the recent Student Disco (held on Friday 2 September in the school Gym). Thank you kindly to the P&F Committee for organising this event and to the volunteers who assisted.
On Sunday 16 October, St Joseph’s Payneham Parents and Friends will be involved in a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Kent Town. If you are in the area, please come over and say ‘hi’ and purchase a sausage and drink. All the proceeds will go back to the school. If able to assist in the way of donations of sausages or bread, please contact P&F member Kayla Holding at: kaylaholding86@gmail.com
Parking in the Parish/School Driveway and Driver Etiquette
As detailed recently, there will soon be a sign indicating no parking in the Parish/School Driveway. This is in place for the safety of our children and community members. Moreover, the driveway needs to be kept clear (it is only for authorised vehicles) as it is an emergency entrance/exit. Thank you for following this regulation.
Further, as we know, school drop-off and pick-up times are busy for everyone. We want this to happen in a safe and courteous manner, including not parking or stopping your vehicle in residents’ driveways, along solid yellow lines and in ‘no parking/standing’ areas. Therefore, please demonstrate consideration and patience, as well as travelling slowly around the school.
Volunteering at St Joseph’s
A reminder that to volunteer at St Joseph’s Payneham you will need to have a current Catholic Police Clearance, which can be applied for through the school office or alternatively, hold a current DHS (Department of Human Services) Working with Children's Clearance.
In addition to the appropriate Police Clearance, all volunteers will need to forward their COVID Vaccination Certificate (showing double vaccination) and complete the RRHAN (Responding to Risk of Harm, Abuse and Neglect for Volunteers) Course. Please go to the following link, login and complete the RRHAN training by clicking on Non-department for Education Staff: https://www.plink.sa.edu.au
On completion of the training, please either bring in a copy of your certificate and COVID Certificate or send them via email to info@stjopayn.catholic.edu.au Should you have any queries or wish to become a Registered Volunteer, please contact the Front Office
Student Free Day
You may have noticed on the Term Three Calendar that the last Friday of this term, 30th September, is a Student Free Day. Staff will be involved in professional learning with the other Catholic primary schools in our region. If requiring care, OSHC will be available on this day.
Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
final contest. Each student is to be commended for their commitment, persistence and participation.
bookings must be made each week via Qkr App.
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