What is it like to learn at St Joseph’s? School
We compiled a list of frequently asked questions about learning at St Joseph’s Payneham, then asked our students, staff and parents to share their experiences with you.
Learning at St Joseph’s: Frequently Asked Questions . 1 What do you like to do in Preschool?
. 2 What have you learnt to do in Prep? . 3 What were the highlights of your primary school years? . 5 What are your favourite subjects? . 6 Is St Joseph’s a sporty school? . 7 What other extracurricular opportunities are there? . 9 How would you describe a St Joseph’s? . 10 What are some of St Joseph’s traditions? . 11 How is St Joseph’s different? . 12 What do you like about our co-education Catholic school? . 13 What’s your favourite place in the school? . 14 St Joseph’s says it is a local school with a global outlook. What does this mean? . 15 What do students love most about St Joseph’s? . 16 What do parents love most about St Joseph’s? . 17 What do staff love most about St Joseph’s? . 18 Where do our graduates go? . 19 What do past students say about St Joseph’s?
What do you like to do in Preschool?
“They have so much fun but they don’t realise how much they are learning. It’s a real privilege to teach Preschool and to see how much they grow and learn here”.
Ø play with my new friends Ø ride the bikes around the bike track Ø identify insects on our bug hunts Ø plan what to plant in our garden Ø make potions in the mud kitchen Ø dig big holes in the sandpit Ø go to the library because I love borrowing books Ø Sport – I love running Ø Playing in the Gym Ø be a ‘busy bee’ because you do all the jobs – welcome parents at home time, be a line leader during the day, and set up activities and morning tea Ø sing with my friends and the music teacher Ø learn another language
St Joseph’s Payneham operates a two-day a week, co-educational, Preschool program, from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Set in the spacious part of the school, the program offers a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment for girls and boys turning four by 30 June of the year of enrolment.
What have you learnt to do in Preschool?
Ø Count to 100 in 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s Ø How to code using Bee- Bots Ø Construct with play dough
Ø Read Dr Seuss books Ø Read some words and do the actions Ø Plant seeds and water our garden Ø Write letters, stories and books Ø Make drawings of our mums and dads Ø Paint and draw and do collage in Art Ø Be like Gabby Get Along, Oscar
Organised and Ricky Resilience Ø Race at Sports Day Ø Play musical instruments
“When I went to Reception I looked at all the hard work I had done in Preschool and felt proud”.
The importance of the foundational learning achieved in Preschool cannot be underestimated. It is the key to growing great learners.
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What were the highlights of your primary school years? Ø The Year 6 Retreat. Starting with a BBQ breakfast and collaborative activities through the day. Rock climbing, shared pizza lunch lots of fun, but at the same time you learnt so many things.
Ø Becoming a leader: When I started at St Joseph’s in Year 2 the first thing I thought about was when I could be a leader of the primary school like the Year 6 students. To become a leader in Years Reception to Year 2 we do the gift of giving where we use our own time to do something for someone in need. In Year 4 and 5 we practise leadership skills on the Student Representative Council (SRC). In Year 6 we put our leadership skills to the test by trying to make a difference in the school that is beneficial.
Ø Year 4 camp because all the activities were challenging but also fun and exciting. You got the chance to interact with different people and make new friends. Ø Learning the Recorder and Ukulele in Year 3 because it was the first time we all learnt how to play a musical instrument
Ø I found many great friendships here and so many great teachers to guide me through my primary school life.
Ø The Whole School Concert every three years because of the lovely pieces played through the night. You feel proud during your performance.
Ø Sports Day at Santos Stadium- a great family day for our school where we test our sporting skills and really have lots of fun
Ø Grandparents Day and Bookweek: All our grandparents come and watch us parade dressed up as our favourite Bookweek characters with them.
Ø In Year 3, I really liked how all the boys and girls made me feel really welcome when I first started.
Ø Maths Olympiad: It’s really challenging and makes you feel like you have accomplished something and you solves problems.
Ø All the in school activities like choir, band, swimming, athletics and Robotics, coding. Also the St Joseph’s Day picnics at Payneham Oval.
What was it like starting at a new school ?
Caring staff work together to support the new students as they transition into our school. Their new surroundings include purpose-built classrooms and specialty areas. Specialist subject teachers such as Italian, S.T.E.M, Music and Physical Education (PE), take all students for all these lessons. There are many activities designed to help the student settle in, including buddies, Class and lunchtime activities with buddy classes. The New Beginnings Program occurs during Term 1 and focuses on establishing friendships and making connections with their new environment and new teachers. There a great opportunity for the students to reconnect with the new friends they made during their school visits.
I was a bit nervous when I started school, but it was also very exciting as I was ready for a new start and to meet new friends. I overcame my nerves by keeping myself busy with my new friends. My teachers and friends helped me settle in and making me feel welcome. So far this year I have enjoyed Sports Day, starting new sports, meeting new people and making new friends
I found starting school very exciting and a little scary. I didn’t know many people but I soon made lots of new friends and I was no longer scared. Everyone was very welcoming and helped me settle in. All the teachers and older students have helped me when I was lost or didn’t know where to go or what to do. This year I have enjoyed athletics, the Cross Country carnival, the swimming program, making new friends.
I was excited to start at St Joseph’s Payneham’s as I could choose from many sports the school offered. All the teachers are very nice and supportive and that helps us learn. There were also many activities to help us make new friends. All the school sport competitions have been lots of fun.
What is your favourite subject?
Ø I love HASS because we learn about the world, the way it works and what’s changing in it. We can express our opinions and ideas freely and debate ideas to gain a better understanding. Ø Maths, because there is always just one answer. Once you know the process you can work anything out. Ø Visual Art: I’ve always enjoyed art as a hobby but studying it as a subject provides more opportunity to learn about different artists, different styles and techniques and apply these to my own works. I like doing experiments, and in Visual Art we experiment with colours, shapes and techniques. In Art, I can express my creativity and my thoughts freely in a powerful form.
Music: As it is a specialist subject, we have a fun learning about tone, pitch, and even writing simple musical scores using Garageband. Science is fascinating. I love to say ‘why’ about everything and find out and understand how everything works.. PE: We play and learn about sport but we also learn things like health and wellbeing, which I love. English: We are given creative freedom with our work. I love that the work is interactive on one note and the teachers involve us in class discussions where everyone shares their ideas. My teacher is really supportive of everyone’s ideas and encourages us to have confidence in our abilities. Italian: I love learning a new language and the fact that St Joseph’s offers such a challenging, yet engaging and enjoyable subject. S.T.E.M I enjoy learning in this area, as I am naturally curious. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. We solve problems, we asking questions, and exploring the world around us. Coding Robotics and Virtual Reality are some of my favourite things to explore.
What is the Religious Education Program like?
Religious education is more than formal instruction; it is a conscious pathway to the development of the whole person as a model of Christ and permeates all facets of life at St Joseph’s Payneham. Its foundations are laid in the home and built in partnership within the parish community. The SJP is an entrusted participant in this collaboration.
Ø We connect with the Catholic faith and traditions in meaningful ways at SJP, which enrich our lives. Ø St Joseph’s plays an important part in the lifelong relationship with Christ through it’s Sacramental Program in Year 3 and 4. Ø The culture and climate of school life - the way people treat each other, interaction with the parish, the religious symbols and celebrations, school prayer and Class and whole school masses are especially praised and valued. Ø Christ is visible in all areas of learning and teaching, at SJP ensuring all students develop their full human potential in a meaningful way. Ø We learn about our Catholic traditions.
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Love in Everything
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What other extra curriculum activities are there? Â
Ø Music is fantastic here. There is the Choir and the School Ban d. You choose from Voice coaching, learning the Guitar, Pian o an d Flute and a musical production every three years. Ø Some community service activities. Ø A list of clubs and activities, like Chess, Rob otics/Coding Club, Reading Group and even a Drone Club coming soon so you can get your drone licence! Ø Social Justice groups working with Outreach organisations like Adelaide Day Care Cen tre, Catherine House etc.
How would you describe a St Joseph’s student?
A St Joseph’s Payneham Students… Ø helps others
Ø likes making new friends Ø does brave things like talking in front of the class and asking someone new to play with them Ø is an enthusiastic learner and a great listener Ø practices reading and writing every day Ø is persistent and resilient Ø helps others when they are in the learning pit Ø is kind, caring, confident and inclusive Ø is willing to be involved and try different things Ø is approachable Ø is supportive Ø is fun and kind to everyone Ø is honest and independent Ø has a positive mindset Ø never gives up Ø is a friend forever Ø lives Love in Everything Ø is proud to be a SJP student Ø
What
Ø Whole School Mass Celebration s
are some of St Joseph’s traditions?
Ø Year 6 Graduation
Ø Grandparents Day and Bookweek Ø Preschool Art Show Ø Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Stall Ø
Catholic School Music Fes tival
Ø Year 6 Graduation Dinner Ø Astronomy Nigh t
Ø St Anthony’s Feast
Ø Preschool Graduation Ø Swimming Week Reception – Year 6 Ø Aquatics week Ø Year 6 Camp & Retreat Ø St Joseph’s Day Picnic Ø SR C Leadership Ø Sports Day P- 6 Ø Walka th on Ø Quiz Nigh t
How is St Joseph’s different?
Where do I start? The communication, the care, the attention to detail, the sense of community, leading in technological advances, the amazing arts, academic and sporting success, the Nature Play area with it’s vegie garden, the amazing Vacation Care and Before School Hours Care ...all of this points to fantastic school that has developed a great caring and loving culture. SJP provides a holistic environment in which the students are encouraged in all aspects of their lives to try, to learn and grow. St Joseph’s sees the students as individuals and treats them accordingly – individual people and individual learners. The staff takes the time to know each student, and what makes them smile.
St Joseph’s Payneham provides an individual education for each and every student. They have exceptional teachers, support staff and leadership who work together to develop a program at the level of each child. They set high, but reasonable, expectations that allow the students to achieve incredible things.
SJP makes you feel like you are part of a family that dates back generations. It is an amazing community to be a part of where the Principal and the Deputy are seen interacting with families.
People are supported through their problems, whatever they may be. St Joseph’s Payneham is different to other schools because there’s an indescribable aura that you feel the moment you walk in the gates. It’s one of warmth and belonging. Irrespective of who you are, you are welcomed with open arms and, in no time at all, SJP feels like home.
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Discover the Difference