Term Two - Week Five
Our Vision and Mission
Vision Statement
With Jesus Christ as their role model, all children can and will achieve.
Mission Statement
Inspired by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and in partnership with parents, our Parish and the wider community, we aim to impart a holistic education on all children in our school. We endeavour to live by the values of our school motto.
Learning, Understanding and Peace.
St Joseph’s is distinguished by a great sense of belonging, where each person is valued and where learning is enjoyable.
Prayer of the day
Acts 18:9-18. God is king of all the earth – Ps 46(47):2-7. John 16:20-23.
Solace in Christ
‘Cancer, and cancer, and cancer. My mother, my father, my wife. I wonder who is next in the queue.’ Thus wrote CS Lewis, lamenting the deaths of his loved ones and the seeming futility of his prayers.
In every generation people have endured suffering. For the ancient Jews, time was divided into two periods: the present age of hardship and a forthcoming golden era. The interval between these was anticipated to be a period of intense tribulation, known as ‘the birth travail of the days of the Messiah’. Fully aware of this Jewish context, Jesus reassures his followers, promising, ‘I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you’.
Ultimately, Lewis’ own journey through suffering led him to profound solace in Christ, transforming him into a source of comfort for others. He poignantly wrote, ‘Through suffering, we release our hold on the toys of this world’.
SCHOOL NEWS
Principles Message
It was lovely to see all the smiling faces of our students when I returned to school on Monday. Our students really do look after those in our school community. I was so humbled to hear the children asking how I was and if I was feeling better. The children made my return to school so much easier. Thank you for the messages of support I received over the past four weeks. I am well on the road to recovery and looking forward to the remainder of the term.
Call out for donations of unused push bikes
We would love donations of push bikes that you have lying around at home that are no longer used for the children to use at school. They must be in good working order. Please drop off at the container on the bottom field when you can. Many thanks in advance.
The Biggest Morning Tea
On Thursday morning, we gathered as a school community to celebrate the Biggest Morning Tea, an annual fundraising event held across Australia to support the Cancer Council and its vital work in cancer research, prevention, and support services.
There was an abundance of delicious treats to enjoy — from cakes and scones to biscuits, fruit, and so much more — all generously shared for a wonderful cause. It was a heartwarming morning of connection, generosity, and community spirit, all while supporting those affected by cancer.
As a school community, we have raised a total of $263.05 Thank you to everyone who came along to support!
CWA Public Speaking Competition
This week, four students from Years 3–6 took to the stage to deliver thoughtfully crafted and engaging presentations as part of the CWA Public Speaking Competition. Archie Sullivan (Year 3), Riley Elliott (Year 4), Gil Dowling (Year 5), and Bryson Elliott (Year 6) proudly represented our school, presenting at the CWA Hall in Robertson Park, Orange.
Gil Dowling delivered an engaging and thoughtful speech titled "The Yellow Brick Road." Gil was awarded Highly Commended for his confident presentation — Congratulations, Gil!
A special congratulations to Archie Sullivan, who won the Year 3 division with his entertaining and insightful presentation, “A Day in the Life of a Parent.” Archie will now prepare another presentation to present at the Inter Group Public Speaking Competition in Week 9. Well done, Archie – a fantastic achievement!
We are incredibly proud of the effort each student put into preparing and presenting their speeches, and the way they represented our school with pride.
DIBELS Testing
All classes are currently completing DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) testing. DIBELS is a set of short, one-minute fluency measures used to assess early literacy skills in Kindergarten through 8th grade. It's a tool for identifying and monitoring reading development.
Harmony Day Poster Competition
We received exciting news that Georgie Bowman has been named Runner-Up in the Year 6 category of the 2025 Harmony Day Poster Competition. Georgie’s creative and meaningful artwork has earned her an invitation to the official award ceremony at NSW Parliament House later this month. Well done, Georgie — a fantastic achievement!
Life Education
This week all students attended the Life Education Van. The visit was very worthwhile with students thoroughly enjoying their time in the Van.
Kinder
Maverick: The best part was when Harold tried to steal the carrot.
Bentley: I liked when Healthy Harold poked his head out and said "Hello".
Elsie: I liked when I got to ring the doorbell.
Skyla: I liked when I got to pick a planet and talking about our friends.
Year 1
Nylah: I liked when Healthy Harold copied Jessica.
Jack: When we are playing a game online, we should play with a trusted adult like mum or dad.
Year 2
Quinnie: We learned that when we are on a device and something scary pops up, we need to tell an adult.
Year 3
Edie: I liked when we all got to play Scissors, paper, rock against Healthy Harold because he was cheating.
Year 4
Lacey: I learnt what to do and not what to do when I am playing an online game.
Year 5/6
Maisie: We learnt what is in Cigarettes and Vapes and what they can do to our bodies. We also learnt how important a healthy lifestyle is as we continue to grow.
Centacare Counselling Program
Centacare has finalized recruitment for a new Counselor in our school. Mr Matthew Walls will join our school as school counselor next Wednesday, 4th June. Matt will be here every Wednesday. If you feel your child could benefit from sessions with Matt, please contact your child’s teacher.
Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Dustin Lawrence, Hugo Ansted, Amzi Arokiaswamy and Huon May who all competed at the Diocesan Spelling Bee at St Mary’s Wellington on Wednesday. It was a great experience for the boys with Hugo making the final of the stage three section. Hugo got to the fourth round of the unseen words. A great effort.
Pupil Free Day
Reminder: Friday, 20th June will be a Pupil Free Day.
Student of the Week
ST JOEY'S COOKING CLUB
Cooking Club
Cooking club preparations for the Biggest Morning Tea!!
SPORTS NEWS
EMMY Carnival
This week you should have received information regarding the EMMY Athletics carnival on Friday 13th June. The carnival will be held at the Recreational ground in Manildra. This year St Joseph’s will be competing as two houses, Yuranigh and MacKillop. Please ensure permission notes and lunch orders are returned to school as soon as possible.
FROM THE REC
Confirmation
Our Year 6 students are currently preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, a special time in their faith journey where they will be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
As part of their preparation, the students have been thoughtfully choosing a Saint’s name—a role model in faith whose life inspires them to live with courage, compassion, and commitment to God. They have also been selecting a sponsor, a trusted and faith-filled adult who will support and guide them as they continue to grow in their relationship with Christ. Each student is also writing a personal letter to Father Greg, our parish priest, sharing why they feel ready to take this next step in their faith and what Confirmation means to them.
At home, families are encouraged to support their child’s journey by praying together, sharing stories of faith, and talking about the importance of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
We keep our Confirmation candidates in our prayers during this special time and look forward to seeing our school community supporting these students on Sunday, 15th June 2025.
Date to remember:
- Sunday 15th June, 10am - Sacrament of Confirmation
- Sunday 22nd June, 10am - Sacrament of First holy Communion
Upcoming Masses:
- Wednesday, 4th June (Week 6): Primary mass - 9:30 AM
- Wednesday, 11th June (Week 7): Infants Mass – 9:30 AM
Miss Taylah Woodhouse
Religious Education Coordinator
STUDENT WELLBEING
Resilience Lesson snapshot
Year 5/6
An Emotional Literacy lesson where students use a catastrophe scale to assess the intensity of reactions to various scenarios. Students understand how the catastrophe scale functions as a tool for categorizing problems and challenges based on their severity. They differentiated between different emotional states and explored how this tool can aid in emotional regulation.
Year 4
An Emotional Literacy lesson for Year 4 students explored how excessive screen time affects their body and mood. Through group activities and discussions, students reflected on moments or activities away from screens that can bring a sense of joy, calm and connection and recognize that these activities can assist with emotional regulation.
Year 3
An Empathy lesson for Year 3 students explores how empathy involves noticing and responding to the emotions of others. Through discussion, acting and craft, students build their understanding of different emotions and learn to identify the emotions of others through observing their facial expression, attitude and body language, clarity of tone of voice and emotional behavior.
Year 2
An Emotional Literacy for Year 2 students where they discovered how they are not their emotions. Through games and discussions, students will practice naming and taming their emotions.
Year 1
An Empathy lesson for Year 1 students explored what conflict and compromise mean. Through text-to-self connections, discussion and role play, students recognized that a compromise can be reached when they show empathy by being willing to listen to the ideas of others and ‘meet in the middle’.
Kinder
An Empathy lesson where students explored the benefits of kindness for both the giver and receiver. The children practice empathy by being kind, caring and friendly towards others.
P & F / CANTEEN NEWS
Hello families and friends.
See below some information regarding upcoming Parents and Friends Events.
- Save the Date for our Street Stall on June 27th. We will be calling for volunteers to work on the day and for baking closer to the time.
- We are looking for used bikes in ‘ride-able’ condition for use at play time on the newly rolled bike track. Please contact the school office if you can help!
PIE DRIVE
Thank you to everyone that ordered, we will require a couple of helpers to sort pies. Please contact the office if you are available on the 12th June.
Delivery date for pies is Thursday 12th June. Pickup will be from 2:30-3:15 pm.
HEALTH MATTERS
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
