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NOVEMBER 11TH2013

FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES

ECUADOR 2013 (part 2)During the October Week holiday nine pupils and two teachers accompanied Father Martin Chambers on a life-changing trip to the shanty town of Nueva Prosperina, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In the first of several features over the coming weeks the pupils reflect on their experiences. Here S6 pupil Heather O’ Rourke writes about her visit to the house of Nueva Prosperina resident Shirley Limones.

Every day after school, we would visit a different family or parishioner in the community. At times this was very joyful, but there were other times when we found it difficult to deal with how some of the people have to live their lives in Nueva Prosperina.

I felt that the first Monday was a hugely significant day of our trip. It was definitely the first day that the group really stepped back and had to really think about what we had just heard. We visited the Limones family in their home; mum Carmen, her two daughters and her son.

I remember how welcoming they were. We were lucky enough to hear the amazing story of the 18 year old of the family, Shirley. She was such a nice girl and we all had so much in common with her and her younger sister Fátima. We certainly had a long discussion about One Direction – they are huge fans to say the least. Both girls go to the Sagrada Familia school.

Shirley was nine when she was diagnosed with osteoporosis – a condition that affects bones and makes

them weak, fragile and more likely to break. This led to Shirley incurring endless problems with her leg. Shirley was hospitalized for a year from the age of nine to ten. She told us she felt as though she had almost lost, or wasted, time in her childhood that she can never regain.

The first operation she needed would cost her family £5,000. This was problematic in their current situation. Overall she has had 10 operations and each one since the first cost the family £3,000. They told us about their struggle to afford the essential operations. Her mum had to spend around £20 a week on her condition. They begged on the streets for money to cover a blood transfusion. The family held bingo games in the streets and ran many more fundraising events. The tight community definitely helped the family.

It is extremely difficult to deal with any medical conditions in the situation that they are all in. Shirley mentioned she wanted to be like any other girl. She wanted to be more active or even just wear heels but her condition has stopped her and, regardless, she has dealt with this amazingly.

The Limones family is inspirational. Their hard work and dedication to Shirley really touched us. Their positivity that shines through is something we have all taken away.

When we left I remember the group enduring possibly the first noteworthy moment of pure reflection and it was really amazing. It affected each of us differently but visiting them benefitted us no matter what we took from it.

Next week we will run another piece by one the group who visited Ecuador.

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM:ECUADOR 2013

Ben Davis,Acting Headteacher

Grassyards RdKilmarnockKA3 7SL

01563 526144

www.saintjosephsacademy.co.ukTwitter: @StJoAcad

Innovative Learning and Teaching in Science

As the pictures of pupil work on the fo l lowing pages demonst ra te , creativity and imagination is alive and well in the S1 - S3 (Broad General Education) curriculum.

Pupils are encouraged to problem-solve and to apply fresh thinking to old challenges as they get to grips with some tough scientific concepts.

The photos in this week’s newsletter showcase in particular the displays in the department, the models of atoms produced by S3 pupils for homework and work under taken on the elements.

All wonderful stuff indeed and good examples of the way that Curriculum for Excellence has been a very positive experience in the Sciences.

S5/6 Childcare Class Halloween

We are delighted to offer Intermediate 2 Childcare as part of our senior phase curriculum. The course is taught on campus by a lecturer from Ayrshire College.

As a part of the course the pupils had to create and lead an experience for younger pupils to develop planning skills and to learn more about the deve lopment needs o f young

children. Our girls didn’t need to be told twice! They threw themselves into developing a spooky Halloween Ghost Tour around St. Joseph’s very own haunted house.

They liaised with St. Andrew’s Primary School DHT Mr. Curley and managed to arrange for primary school classes to be the audience for their ghoulish treat.

The experience was a great success and involved the youngsters ensuring all manner of ghastly and disgusting frights all arranged by the senior pupils.

S3 Enspire Day

We used to run PSE days, but this year we have, on the back of the great success of the Enspire Festival, rebranded them as Enspire Days. We are also involving pupils in leading and planning the days so that they get what they want from them.

Last week the S4 pupils had an excellent and useful morning on study skills. Next week it is the turn of S3 who will focus on issues of mental health and resilience through a variety of tasks and workshops.

We are also ensuring that the day is fun with a few surprises thrown in as well. Should make for some great pictures in next week’s issue.

WEEKLY HOMEROOM REFLECTION: Remembrance Day

On Monday, November 11th all pupils took part in services of Remembrance

across the school in Home Room. A main service, led by pupils took place

in the Hall. The services were prepared last week and Remembrance was

the theme of all Home Room classes. Pictured right and below are crosses made

by pupils for the services.

IMPORTANT DATES

November 16th Feast of St. Margaret, House Mass

November 21st Diocesan Youth Forum

November 22nd S3 Enspire Day

November 26th S4 Parents’ Evening, 4.00 pm - 6.30 pm

November 28th Christmas Fair

November 29th Feast of St. Andrew, House Mass

SEASON OF ADVENT

December 2nd Tracking reports issued

December 4th Prelims for S4 begin in some subjects

December 9th Parent Council Meeting, 7 pm

December 12th Christmas Disco

December 16th Christmas Concert

December 19th Christmas Panto

December 20th School closes for Christmas holiday

January 6th 2014 School reopens

STV Referendum Debate Success

It is some time now since the English department invested time, money and energy in setting up a debating society as part of their Enterprise fund work. Pupils in many classes now enjoy debating and public speaking as a regular part of their curriculum. Led by Mrs. Hill the school’s formal debating work received a wonderful boost this week when two S5 pupils (Ramsay Heron Cunningham and Sarah Kelly) beat strong competition from other schools to secure a place in the finals of the STV/ Debating Matters Referendum Schools debate today. Well done to both pupils and to Mrs. Hill for all her work in preparing the team. Ramsay was also named Speaker of the Day.

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

― Albert Einstein