18 February 2025 (Week 3 Term 1 2025)

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Dear St Joseph’s Community

We’ve had a wonderful start to the 2025 school year! Our students have quickly settled into their learning and adapted to new class routines. A special mention to our Kindergarten students, who have transitioned smoothly into school life. They are already a cherished part of our community, with their Year 6 buddies offering fantastic support in these early days.

Some important information below. 

Opening Mass and Leaders Commissioning

On Tuesday, we celebrated our Opening School Mass and Year 6 Leaders Commissioning. Thank you to the parents who joined us for this special occasion. These prayerful gatherings remind us that our school is centred on the Mission of Jesus Christ and called to share His word.

Last Wednesday, our Year 6 leaders participated in a leadership retreat led by Mrs Miller and Mrs Jones, exploring what authentic Christian leadership looks like—following the example of Christ. The students reflected on their own leadership qualities, discerned their areas of focus for the year, and nominated themselves for leadership groups. While not everyone received their first preference, each student has been placed in a role that aligns with their strengths and gifts.

We are pleased to introduce our five Year 6 leadership groups for 2025:

📖 Library

⚽ Sport

🌱 Environment

📣 Media and Communication

🙏 Mission

These students will work alongside staff members to take on leadership responsibilities, and we look forward to celebrating their contributions throughout the year.

Our leaders and their teams are shown below.

Cross Country 2025

Next week on Friday we look forward to our annual Cross Country event. Last year, we had planned to join St Joseph’s Coraki to strengthen the bond we’ve built since supporting their community during the floods. Unfortunately, the weather forced a change of plans.

This year, we’re excited to return to Coraki for our Cross Country on Friday of Week 4. Kindergarten students will stay at school for a special Kinder Cross Country later in the term, supported by their buddies once they’ve settled in. More details are provided in Sports News, and we warmly invite parents to join us at Coraki for this event. 

Keep an eye out for the coming Compass Event.

Assemblies 2025

A reminder that our fortnightly assemblies will continue in even weeks each term. Please note, there will be no assembly in Week 10 due to a Staff Development day, and no assembly in Week 4 due to the Cross Country.

We will do our best to notify parents ahead of time if their child will be receiving an award, so you can attend if possible. All family members are welcome at our assemblies, and we look forward to celebrating student achievements together.

St Joseph Statue

For some time, we’ve hoped to have a prominent statue of St Joseph, our patron and namesake, at our School, but finding one has been a challenge. That changed last week when Fr Max discovered a St Joseph statue tucked away behind the Chancery in Lismore. Thanks to the generosity of Bishop Greg and Greg Isaac, Diocesan Business Manager, we’ve been entrusted with its care.

“Joe” is now in our front office, awaiting a clean and to be repainted. Our plan is to place him on a plinth outside the Administration building.

A huge thank you to Fr Max for making this happen. If you see him, please share your appreciation.  What a wonderful blessing it will be to have St Joseph at the entrance of our School!

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION 

In this Sunday’s Gospel from Luke’s (Luke 6:20-23), Jesus offers us the Beatitudes—blessings that challenge the way we see the world. Unlike Matthew’s version, Luke’s Beatitudes are direct and speak to those who are poor, hungry, grieving, and rejected. Jesus reminds us that God’s kingdom turns the world’s values upside down: the last will be first, and true blessing comes not from wealth or status but from trust in God.

As parents, these words encourage us to teach our children that success isn’t measured by possessions or popularity but by kindness, faithfulness, and a heart open to others. When we live with compassion and gratitude, we reflect God’s love and help our children see that the greatest blessings are often found in simplicity, generosity, and faith.

NCCD Data Collection

Please see below a document providing information about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

REMINDER: Digital Technology Student User Agreements DUE

At St Joseph's, we prioritise responsible and safe digital citizenship. To foster this, we use a variety of digital technologies to support and enhance engagement and creativity within learning. 

To ensure a shared understanding of our expectations, all students and their parents must sign a Digital Technology Student User Agreement each year. This agreement outlines the expectations for using digital technologies within our school and informs parents how digital technologies are managed and supported within our school and across the Diocese.

Parents are reminded that these agreements are due THIS FRIDAY, 21 February. Late returns will impact student access to devices at school.

NAPLAN Information for Parents and Carers

NAPLAN dates (Year 3 & 5): 

• Wednesday 12th March- Writing

• Thursday 13th March-  Reading

• Friday 14th March- Conventions of Language

• Monday 17th March- Numeracy

Why do students do NAPLAN?

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

Why do students do NAPLAN?

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by letting them know that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Some explanation of NAPLAN is useful to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the tests; however, it is not necessary for parents/carers to do this. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance.

How is my child’s performance reported?

From 2023, NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards. There is a standard for each assessment area at each year level. Proficiency standards provide clear information on student achievement. They are set at a challenging but reasonable level expected of the child at the time of NAPLAN testing, based mainly on what has been taught in previous years of schooling.

Student achievement is shown against 4 levels of proficiency: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support.

Call for Parent Representatives!

Each year, we put a call out for Class Parent Reps. This role doesn’t require too much time commitment but has a positive impact on strengthening our school community. 

As a Class Parent, you will:

🔹 Help connect parents and teachers – Be a friendly point of contact for parents and help share updates or reminders
🔹 Support classroom activities – Assist in organising parent volunteers for events and excursions
🔹 Encourage involvement – Help spread the word about school-wide initiatives, fundraisers, and year group social opportunities
🔹 Create a welcoming community – Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for parents, students, and teachers

This is a team effort, and you won’t be doing it alone! If you’re interested, please complete the Expression of Interest form by clicking this link or contact Kate Jones for further information. The more parent reps, the merrier!

We’d love to have you on board! 

Reconciliation Information Evening (Year 4 and above)

A friendly reminder that the information evening for Reconciliation is this Wednesday, 19th February. Students in Year 4 and above who have been Confirmed are eligible for this Sacrament. 

Later this year, students who have confirmed and made their first reconciliation will be able to receive their First Holy Communion, a special milestone in the Catholic Church. 

Important Dates for Sacraments:

Reconciliation (Year 4 and above):

19th February: Reconciliation Information Evening at 6pm in the staff room

11th March: First Reconciliation in the Church at 6pm

Confirmation (Year 3 and above):

20th March: Confirmation Parent Information Evening 6pm in the staffroom

10th June: Sacrament of Confirmation celebrated with Bishop Greg

First Communion (Year 4 and above):

20th June: First Communion Parent Information Evening 6pm in the staffroom

23rd and 24th August / 30 and 31st August: First Communion (attend one Mass)

Opening School Mass & Year 6 Leaders Commissioning

Congratulations to our Year 6 Leaders on their commissioning today. We know they will make meaningful and positive contributions to our school community within their roles. 

Positive Behaviour Focus

Budding Scientists & Sustainable Feasts in Stages 2 & 3!

This term, our Stage 2 and 3 students are diving into the fascinating world of food and sustainability, thanks to an exciting integration with the OzHarvest Feast program! This hands-on initiative perfectly complements their Science units, bringing learning to life in a delicious and meaningful way.

Stage 2 students are exploring the journey of food from farm to fork, investigating the different food groups and the importance of a balanced diet. The OzHarvest Feast program is helping them understand where their food comes from and the impact our food choices have on the environment. They'll be learning about reducing food waste and how composting can help create a healthier planet. Get ready for some budding chefs and environmental champions!

Meanwhile, Stage 3 students are delving deeper into the science behind food production and consumption. They're investigating the impact of food production on ecosystems. The OzHarvest Feast program is providing a real-world context for their learning, highlighting the importance of reducing food waste and supporting sustainable farming practices. Students will be participating in hands-on activities, from analyzing future farming techniques to designing their own sustainable meals.

Both stages will be participating in exciting Feast activities, learning about the importance of reducing food waste and creating delicious meals from rescued ingredients. This unique opportunity will not only enhance their scientific understanding but also empower them to make informed choices about food and sustainability. We’re excited to see the innovative ideas and delicious creations our students come up with! 

We are extremely grateful for this opportunity as OzHarvest has provided our school with 6 electric fry pans, other kitchen utensils and a gift voucher to Woolworths to purchase the ingredients. Stay tuned for updates and photos showcasing their culinary and scientific adventures!

A Message from ‘O’ (our School Counsellor)  

Welcome to Term 1, 2025. 

Hi everyone, for those who have not met me yet, my name is Ofunneka Anyanwu, popularly referred to as “O”, and I am the School Counsellor. I would like to welcome you to St Joey’s formally and I hope you and your children have had a positive start to the term.

As part of my role, I run several individual and group sessions to cater to the Wellbeing needs of the children at Joey’s. 

I am running groups again this year for our anxiety management programs; Cool Kids and Cool Little kids. These programs are evidence-based programs based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). 

Cool Kids is targeted at school age kids, ages 7-12 (Cool Kids), and helps the kids learn ways to manage anxiety so that it no longer interferes with their (and your) everyday lives. Cool Kids with Autism Spectrum (ASD) adaptation is also available. 

Cool Little kids caters to children ages 3-6 years of age, this program focuses on teaching young children, through their parents, to build confidence and develop skills to help them manage anxiety and other negative emotions as they grow.

If you feel that your child may benefit from this support, please do not hesitate to contact their class teachers to initiate the Wellbeing process. If you need additional information, please email me ofunneka.anyanwu@lism.catholic.edu.au. I am happy to answer any questions. For more information about the program please visit the Macquarie University website and this helpful factsheet.

Seasons for Growth

Seasons for Growth is a small group peer-support educational program designed to support children who have experienced significant change, loss, or grief—such as separation, divorce, death of a loved one, or other major life changes. The program helps children explore their feelings, build resilience, and develop strategies to manage change in a safe and supportive environment.

If you believe your child would benefit from participating, please complete this form to express your interest.

Joey's Combined Cross Country 2025

Our annual Cross Country will be taking place on Friday February 28. This year we will be travelling to St Joseph's Coraki, as they will be hosting this event. There will be a limited canteen running on the day, and lunch order paper forms for this will be sent home this week. We ask that these orders and payment (cash only - no exceptions) be returned by Monday 24th February.

Full details will be available soon in Compass Events.

Book Club catalogues were sent home, this is just a friendly reminder for you to get your orders in before 9am, Monday 21st February. We recommend ordering directly through Scholastic.

Help your child to have a positive start to the year by building the habit of good attendance.

Building the habit of good attendance is crucial for a positive and successful school year. Here are some tips to help your child develop this habit:

• Establish a Routine. Set a consistent daily routine for your child, including wake-up times, breakfast, and a specific time to leave for school. Having a predictable schedule helps your child understand the importance of punctuality.
• Create a Positive Morning Environment. Make mornings enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere at home. Encourage open communication and express your enthusiasm for the day ahead. 
• Establish Clear Expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations regarding attendance and emphasise the importance of being present at school every day unless there's a valid reason for absence.

Help your child establish a positive and consistent attendance habit, setting the foundation for a successful 2024 school year. 

Watch this clip by Michael Hawker for strategies to help an anxious child return to school.

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by advancedlife on Tuesday, April 1.

It is our preference that ordering be completed online. Order envelopes are available from the office for those who prefer to pay using cash - correct money please. These envelopes are given directly to the photographer on photo day and no change can be given. 

Sibling photo order envelopes are available from the office upon request. 

You will receive an email with further information including payment options.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advanced order code:

FVN BRY PY4

Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to: enquiries@advancedlife.com.au