Week 9 Term 3 2024

Family Traditions

Recently, I read an article on the Happy Families website, written by Dr. Justin Coulson, who explores how family traditions provide children with a sense of meaning and stability.

With the Term Three holidays fast approaching, it's a great time to consider deepening family connections through traditions. Unlike routines, which are designed for efficiency, traditions are purposeful and intentional, aimed at fostering bonds, imparting values, creating shared experiences, and building lasting memories. These traditions offer predictability, security, and a feeling of belonging to children.

Traditions can range from daily practices, like a special wake-up song or family dinners with meaningful conversations, to weekly activities, such as a Sunday roast or movie night. They can also include occasional or seasonal events, like camping trips, annual holidays, or cultural celebrations. Such practices not only enhance family cohesion but also instil daily life with significance. By incorporating these traditions, families can offer children a sense of steadiness and identity, countering feelings of separation and creating a more connected and meaningful family life.

Be mindful of what you do with your family. When you see something enjoyable, find a way to repeat it regularly and make it part of what it means to be in your family. Before you know it, you’ll start reaping the rewards of having created a new tradition.

Father’s Day Stall & Father’s Day Morning

Thank you to our P&F members for coordinating a successful Father’s Day Stall on Thursday 29 August, for organising various items on the Father’s Day Morning. Thank you to Ernie (our School Board Chairperson) for organising special guest Mark Ricciuto to speak at the Father’s Day Morning. It was great to see lots of dads and father figures from the community attend the morning in our School Gym.

Congratulations Fr Michael

Fr Michael celebrated his 10-year anniversary as a Catholic priest on Thursday 29 August with a Mass in the Church and supper in the Gym. It was wonderful to see the clergy, parishioners, community and school members, and the family and friends of Fr Michael gather to celebrate the special milestone.

Tournament of Minds Competition

Selected students from Years 3-6 were involved in the Tournament of Minds Competition at Adelaide High School on Sunday 8 September. The students did an excellent job presenting their long term and spontaneous challenges to a panel of judges. A special thanks to Emily (our Gifted Education POR) and Specialist teachers for preparing the students for this event.

R U OK Day

On Thursday 12 September, we celebrated R U OK DAY! A day where we check up on our family and friends, and people in our community, to ask one important question... R U OK? It was a great opportunity for the students to meet with others at school, but importantly ensure everyone has somebody to talk to if they have a problem. Thank you to the P&F who kindly donated ice blocks to the students on the day. 

Festival Choir

Our school will be participating in the Catholic Schools Music Festival on Wednesday 25 September at the Festival Theatre. Our School Choir is looking forward to the event. I thank our School Choir Trainer (and Voice Coach), Julia Johnson, in preparing the students for this special occasion.

Grandparents Day

Tomorrow, Friday 20 September, we celebrate Grandparents Day (or Special Friends). It promises to be a great morning. Please refer to the details which were circulated recently via Audiri.

Canteen Volunteers

We rely on volunteers to help run our Canteen. We are desperately seeking volunteers for Term Four. Currently, we only have a small number of dedicated volunteers, however, we do require more, especially on Fridays and on special food days. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sarah Roma on 0401 929 639 or via email: sroma@stjopayn.catholic.edu.au 

Carlo Acutis Building Opening

I remind you about the early notice for the official opening of the Carlo Acutis Building, taking place on Thursday 20 February 2024 at 10:00am.

P&F future purchases

The P&F are proud to announce that we will be funding the following items for students at school: 

• Student chairs, approx. cost $9000-$12,000. 
• Change table for the Preschool; approx. cost $500-$900.
• Pillows for Reception classroom break out spaces; approx. cost $100-$200. 
• Spheros, for STEM, approx. cost $4000-$5000. 
• Apple TVs; approx. cost $7500 (however, to be confirmed).
• Lastly, $50,000 has been committed to a new future Preschool play space, with timing of its construction is to be confirmed.

Condolences

I extend my sympathies to:

• The Demaria family (Valentino in 3VM) on the passing of his great grandmother.
• The Gilbert family (Gabriel in 1MP) on the passing of his grandmother.
• The De Ieso family (Eddie in 6CK and Oliver in 2SW) on the passing of their grandmother.
• The Buonsanto family (Leila in 2GG and Sebastian in RecCL) on the passing of their grandmother.

Diary Dates and Term Four Calendar

The Term Four Calendar will be distributed to you at the very beginning of Term Four. In the meantime, I highlight a couple of whole school events taking place next term:

• Sports Day, Friday 8 November (at Payneham Oval); and
• End of Year Christmas Concert, Wednesday evening, 27 November (on school grounds).
• End of Term Three and Beginning of Term Four
• Please note that Term Three concludes on Friday 27 September at 3:00pm. Further, the first day of Term Four, is Monday 14 October, beginning at 8:40am.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during my time as Acting Principal this term from Weeks 6-10. We welcome back Simon who will be returning to school at the start of Term Four from his leave. I express my best wishes to you all for the upcoming holiday break. I hope you find time to relax and create new traditions with your family. Looking forward to seeing you all in Term Four.

Keep well!

Michael Musolino
(Acting Principal)

Serving as Acting Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s Payneham School since Week 6, Term 3 has been an invaluable experience which has supported my leadership journey. Working alongside Michael Musolino in his role as Acting Principal has given me valuable insights into the daily operations of our school, a rewarding shift from my classroom responsibilities. Since stepping into this leadership role, my capacity has been strengthened through opportunities to support, inspire and guide our school community, fostering growth and positive change. I am grateful to everyone for making this journey a positive one that has significantly contributed to my growth in leadership.

R U OK Day

On Thursday 12th September staff and students dressed in casual clothes with a splash of yellow, to acknowledge R U OK day, participating in various activities including Buddy activities and a Buddy lunch. Teachers and students had in depth discussions around the the 4 key steps when having a wellbeing conversation with someone which include:

1. Asking R U OK?
2. Active listening
3. Encouraging action
4. Checking in

By following these key questions, could assist a friend, family member to open up and show them they are supported and find strategies to manage one’s wellbeing.

Thank you also to our P&F Committee for providing all students with an ice block on the day.

When our Year 6 Executive Team, consisting of Luisa, Julian and Aiden, were asked key questions about R U OK day, their responses showed insight and an in depth understanding of its significance.

What does R U OK day mean to you?

• To me R U OK Day is a reminder to check in on your friends and family members to make sure they are coping in their day to day lives. (Julian)
• To me R U OK Day means that everyone gets a chance to ask and reassure everyone is ok which can remind people to ask more often so everyone knows they will have someone to talk to. (Luisa)
• R U OK Day means to me that people check on others on this day. R U OK also means to give help, advice as well. (Aiden)

What did you enjoy about R U OK day?

• I enjoyed eating the cupcakes and also having fun with my buddy at lunch time. I also liked asking my friends if they were ok. (Julian)
• Something I enjoyed about R U OK Day was that everyone joined in to wear something yellow and I also heard people checking in with others to make sure they were ok. (Luisa)
• I enjoyed the cupcake that we got on R U OK Day. It was also good wearing casual clothes. (Aiden)

What are some tips for student wellbeing?

• Some tips I would give to other students is that when you are upset it could help a lot to speak to someone you trust or do something that might distract  you from your worries for a while. (Luisa)
• Some tips for student wellbeing include exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, limiting screen time and spending time with family and friends. (Julian)
• Some tips for student wellbeing are to take breaks, breath when you’re stressed and for some people (or me) listen to music. (Aiden)

As we head towards the end of Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all families a restful break with loved ones and look forward to seeing you all again in Term 4.

Many thanks,
Tania Melfi

A Term of Faith and Community in Reflection

As we come to the close of another busy and fulfilling term, I am reminded of the rich spiritual moments that have shaped our school community over these past weeks. From hosting a ‘Made in the Image of God’ (MITIOG) Parent/Caregivers Information Evening, led by APRIMS from schools across our region, to implementing the Preschool – Year 6 MITIOG Sexuality and Respectful Relationships Curriculum, to celebrating Father’s Day, and to commemorating the Year 4 Memorial Mass of Saint John Chrysostom, this term has been filled with opportunities for us to reflect, and grow together in faith.

One of the most enriching experiences this term was our staff spiritual retreat day, where we had the privilege of immersing ourselves in nature. It was an invaluable chance for us to press pause, step away from our busy routines, and reconnect with God’s creation and each other. The retreat was structured around three sessions, each offering a unique pathway to reflection and renewal:

1. Time in nature, allowing us to draw inspiration from the beauty and stillness of God’s creation.
2. A screening of Pope Francis’ ‘The Letter’, followed by a group dialogue that invited us to engage deeply with the message of caring for our common home and for one another.
3. Artistic reflection, a creative space where we could express our thoughts and spiritual insights in a creative and meaningful way.

A reading from the Gospel of Mark (6:31)

The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

Now, as we prepare to celebrate Grandparents’ Day tomorrow, we are reminded of the deep legacy of faith passed down through generations, and we honour the memory of Jesus’ own grandparents, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne. This celebration is a special time for us to give thanks for the wisdom, love, and guidance that grandparents and grandparent-like figures offer in the lives of our children.

As we close the term, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire school community —students, staff, families, Fr Michael, and Sr Josie — for your continued collaboration and support. May this time of rest be a blessing for each of you, and I look forward to what the next term will bring as we continue to journey together in faith.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and renewal in the weeks ahead.

Patrizia Puglia