Term 3 Week 1

What's on at St Joey's

Principal's Messages

Dear St. Joseph’s, Charlestown Community,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday break with your families. As we embark on Term 3, I am thrilled to introduce myself as the Acting Principal while Mrs. Kate Drake enjoys her European adventures.

My name is Kate Wilson, and my substantiative position is the Assistant Principal at St. Benedict’s, Edgeworth. It is an honour to step into this role at St. Joseph’s, and I am excited to work alongside such a dedicated and vibrant community of staff, students, parents, and parish members.

I would like to welcome the MacBain family to our St. Joseph’s community this term. The MacBain family have Carter starting in 5 Red and Eli starting in 1 Blue. I am sure you will all join me in ensuring their start to our school is a smooth and happy one.  

We have an exciting term ahead filled with engaging learning opportunities and fun activities. Early this term, we have several special events to look forward to, including the Grandparents Day, Aspire performance production, NAIDOC celebrations, touch football and netball gala days, tennis, Dio athletics, and the Feast of Mary McKillop. These events promise to be enriching experiences for our students, fostering both their academic and personal growth.

I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to work alongside the dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, supportive parents, and the  parish community of St. Joseph’s. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and community spirit in shaping the future of our children.

In the coming term, I am committed to maintaining the high standards of education and the nurturing environment that St. Joseph’s is known for. I am eager to contribute my experience and passion for education to further enrich our school community.

Thank you for welcoming me into your community. I look forward to meeting each one of you and working together to ensure a successful and enriching term ahead.

Warm regards,

Kate Wilson
Acting Principal
St. Joseph’s, Charlestown

Assistant Principal

As we step into Term 3, I am filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.  Term 3 is packed with a diverse range of extracurricular activities that cater to the interests and talents of our students. From sports competitions to music, choir and drama performances, robotics, public speaking and liturgies, there is something for everyone. I encourage all students to get involved where possible and make the most of these opportunities to develop new skills and make lasting memories. Our school thrives on the active participation of our community. I encourage parents and guardians to get involved in school activities and events. Your support and engagement are invaluable to our students' success and well-being.

Our school is committed to fostering an environment where kindness thrives. We encourage students to be mindful of their actions and words, understanding that their behaviour sets the tone for a positive and inclusive atmosphere. By embracing kindness, we not only build stronger relationships but also create a supportive network that empowers everyone to succeed. Kindness is more than just being polite; it's about showing empathy, understanding, and compassion towards others. Small acts of kindness, whether it's offering a helping hand, sharing a smile, or simply listening to someone, can make a significant difference in the lives of our peers.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Kathryn Hill

Assistant Principal

office of Safeguarding

News from the Religious Coordinator

Dear Families Please see details below about some important celebrations this term.

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop’s Feast Day- 8^th August

We will celebrate this special Feast Day of Australia’s first saint on the 8^th of August at 10:30am at school with a whole school liturgy. Children will then spend the afternoon in sporting activities and in the spirit of St Mary Mackillop, raise money for those in need for the Catholic organisation Catholic Care which provides soup kitchens for those who are unable to afford food.

Father’s Day Celebrations- 30^th August

We will celebrate on the afternoon of the 30^{th of} August starting at 12:30pm. Fathers, grandfathers and family members can enjoy a hot lunch followed by an array of activities such as trivia, basketball and Lego. Finishing up with a prayer and a Father’s Day Song on tar.

Primary Coordinator

PB4L Focus: Live Like Jesus – Be Honest

At St Joseph’s we learn and practice the value of honesty. Honesty means to be truthful in all the aspects of your life. It shapes our character and our relationships and involves not telling lies, trying not to hurt anyone through poor choices or behavior and knowing when to apologies and take responsibility if we have been untruthful. When we are honest, people learn to trust our words and actions.  

In PB4L we discuss with the class:

• What is honesty and dishonesty?
• How does honesty relate to trust? 
• Why is honesty important? What does it mean to you?
• What are the possible consequences when we are not honest or lie? 
• How do we take responsibility if we have been dishonest?

Honesty is explored in different contexts and scenarios e.g. home, school sporting games, when playing with siblings. Jesus is our role model as a person of integrity, whose words and actions were consistent with his beliefs and teachings. He spoke the truth with love and empathy, helping to guide people towards making right decisions. Jesus was committed to truth and honesty by standing up for his beliefs, confronting injustice, and challenging powerful religious and political authorities of his time.

We discuss with students why honesty is important:

• It builds trust with our friends and family, and this strengthens relationships.
• Honesty reflects our inner values and shows that we have the courage to stand by what is right, even when it may be difficult or unpopular.
• Being honest demonstrates respect for ourselves and others by taking responsibility for our actions and choices.

By embedding honesty as a value at St Joseph’s, we help create a positive and supportive community for everyone.

ICAS Reminder

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher-order thinking skills in English, Maths, Writing and Spelling. There is a fee associated with student participation.

Visit: https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas/ if you are interested in your child participating. It takes place from Monday 5^th August (Week 3).

Kind regards,
Frances Courtney

Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Kobe Williams and Jeremy Hill who recently  represented the Hunter Wildfires for Rugby Union at the NSW State Championships. 

Happy Birthday to the following students

We wish the following students a very happy birthday.

P&F News

Welcome back to term 3.

Dear Parent and Friend, welcome to the first meeting of the term! This is an excellent opportunity to connect with other parents, teachers, and the school community.

The meeting will take place on the 29th of July at 6:00 pm. All are welcome to attend, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Please come along and be a part of shaping our school community. Your input and participation are valuable to us. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you

Amale Yi.

Fees

Welcome back to term 3 

Dear parent, you may have received your fee statement over the holidays, thank you to all who have been making regular payments, and to the families who have finalised their fees.

I would also like to remind any families who may be experiencing financial difficulties to please reach out to our admin office at your earliest convenience. We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise,  please do not hesitate to contact us .PH; 4943 5414
 
Thank you
Amale Yi.

Canteen News

Kelly our Canteen Officer would love to see you if you have a spare couple of hours to assist in the canteen. Volunteers need to be registered with our CSO, by following this link: https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/people/volunteer/

Once cleared please sign up for a shift. The children love to see you here!

https://signup.zone/ZYkfNzsbws83p9yHM

Uniform Shop

All enquiries to email: our volunteers. Shop open Monday and Friday at 8.45- 9.15am

chl.uniformshop@mn.catholic.edu.au

ORDER via the QKR App

OOSH

The before and after school care at St Joseph’s is provided by St Nicholas OOSH, Diocese of Maitland Newcastle.  Open form 7am-8:30am and 3:00pm-6:00pm. 

Please contact Michelle for further information.  

MICHELLE BIRCH 
NOMINATED SUPERVISOR | ST NICHOLAS OOSH    
P 0429 435 571     M  0429 435 571   
Email michelle.birch@stnicholasmn.org.au   Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au  

Readathon MS

Congratulations to Lola and Lily Darby for taking part in the MS Readathon.

Please see link attached for any donations

.https://www.msreadathon.org.au/fundraisers/Darbstars?