Term 2 Week 6

What's on at St Joey's

Principal's Messages

Dear Parents,

In Week 4, I attended a gathering of over 350 Principal delegates from all corners of NSW including more than 40 from our own diocese. We heard from some amazing guest speakers from China, UK and New Zealand as well as those in Catholic Education throughout Australia. This year's conference provided an exceptional professional learning experience for Principals, with an inspiring theme: Living Waters: Leading with Hope, Inspiring Faith Communities. The power of the speakers, the focus of the master classes and the networking with other Principals across the state have given me great confidence in knowing that we are strong as a Catholic School community, within our own gates, within our diocese and within NSW. I return with key learnings in my toolkit such as: 

1. Listen, Pray and be Patient! 
2. Find moments of joy and hope... ‘our hope has strong roots, which no storm of life can uproot’. 
3. Fix the past or Invent the future?
4. Systems do not innovate, but people do!
5. Brief moments have big impact.
6. More doesn’t equal better!
7. Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.

Obviously, it would be redundant for me to unpack this list for you given it took me a lot of listening and talking over three days to even compile it (and this is but a fraction of what was covered – just those that struck me). However, I leave it here as acknowledgement of my time at the conference, my learnings I now bring back to school and my renewed commitment to the work we do here. I also leave it here with acknowledgement and thanks to the staff, especially the executive team who led the school so wonderfully while I was away, especially in the extreme weather conditions we faced! 

Catholic Schools Week Liturgy (CSW): Pilgrims of Hope

Last Friday, schools from across our diocese gathered at the Cathedral to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a special liturgy, united under the theme Pilgrims of Hope. The event beautifully highlighted the vital role Catholic education plays in nurturing faith and fostering community spirit. As pilgrims on this shared journey, our school councillors reflected on their commitment to hope, service, and the core values of Catholic education. We look forward to welcoming you this Wednesday for our CSW Open classrooms and Liturgy. This will be followed by the FACE meeting—an important opportunity for parent voice and involvement.

Exciting Musical Collaboration with Anna Kerrigan from ASPIRE!

Last Thursday and Friday, we were thrilled to welcome Anna Kerrigan from the ASPIRE team, who visited each of our classes to co-construct the script for our upcoming school musical. Every class contributed creative ideas inspired by our theme of Hope. The musical will be held on 6th November at The Factory, Trinity College. We will share more information as the year continues, and the production develops!

Congratulations to Mrs. Michelle Turner! We are delighted to share that Mrs. Michelle Turner has welcomed a healthy baby boy, weighing 3.2kg and measuring 51cm. We send our best wishes to Michelle, Cameron, Arlo, and their newest little family member as they enjoy this special time together.  

Thank you for your continued support as we journey through another exciting and fulfilling term together.

Warm regards,

Kathryn Hill

Assistant Principal

In the last newsletter, I spoke about teachers finalising assessments and preparing Semester reports. An important ‘next step’ in our feedback on student progress to families is student-led conferences.

At the heart of our school community is the belief that education is a partnership between home, school, and child. This partnership is not just a philosophy—it is a relationship that grows stronger when we come together with a shared purpose: to nurture the whole child in faith, learning, and life.

Our upcoming Student-Led Conferences are a powerful expression of this partnership. These conferences are more than a showcase of work—they are a celebration of student voice, agency, and growth. When students take the lead in sharing their learning goals, reflecting on their progress, and identifying areas for improvement, they are developing essential skills in communication, self-awareness, and responsibility.

For parents and teachers, this is a unique opportunity to listen deeply, affirm each child’s efforts, and offer guidance that is both supportive and empowering. It’s a moment to witness learning through the eyes of the student and to walk alongside them as they set meaningful goals for the term ahead.

We encourage all families to approach these conferences with openness and encouragement. Ask your child what they are most proud of. Celebrate their challenges as well as their successes. And most importantly, remind them that learning is a journey—one that is enriched by the love and support of a community that believes in them. Bookings for these conferences will open in Week 8.

Together, as partners in faith and education, we continue to build a learning environment where every child is known, valued, and inspired to grow.

God Bless,

Maryanne Hacker

Office of Safeguarding

News from the Religious Coordinator

The Feast of the Ascension

Yesterday, Catholics around the world celebrated the Feast of the Ascension. This Feast occurs 40 days after Easter Sunday and signifies Jesus’ return to the Father; His ascension into heaven. Jesus did not leave us alone because He sent us the Holy Spirit, soon after which we celebrate next week on Pentecost Sunday. When Jesus left, He left the authority of the Church in Peter’s hands. This authority has been handed to Popes throughout history.

Catholic Schools Week

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. We give thanks for our beautiful school and we are united with other Catholic Schools across the Diocese and indeed the world by the Jubilee Theme, One Call, One Mission, Pilgrims of Hope. As companions on this sacred journey of life, we are called to accompany one another with hope , love and faith.

We pray that as a school community:

We will love and forgive others from our heart.

We will support the marginalised.

We will see God in every person.

We will care and protect our common home.

We will be united in prayer and service.

Please join us on Thursday for open classrooms and our liturgical celebration.

Sacramental Program

Preparation for the final sacrament of initiation, Holy Communion/ Eucharist will start again next Monday June 9th at Mary Immaculate Church at 6:30pm. The sacrament will be celebrated on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of June. Please keep these children in your prayers.

Bishop’s Appeal for the Manning

In view of the recent severe flooding in the Manning area, we will be supporting the Bishop’s Appeal in Week 8 on Tuesday the 17th June. The Mini Vinnies will be holding a cake stall. More information with be released soon.

Primary Coordinator

Kind regards,

Frances Courtney - Primary Coordinator

Aboriginal Education

We have certainly been very busy at school with important cultural events occurring amongst a deluge of rain!! Last week our school held a beautiful Liturgy of remembrance and healing to recognise National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. It was lovely having family members join us for this special occasion and very special to have John, a dad in our school community who shared his meaningful contribution to our liturgy procession and scared space.  

Following our liturgy, I guided students through grade-based lessons around the importance and significance of recognising National Sorry Day. We explored how this day is a way for all people to acknowledge that things in our country’s past happened to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that should never have happened. We learnt there were specific laws that discriminated against First nations peoples and there were government policies that facilitated the forced removal of children as part of the stolen generations. At the heart of this, we explored the notion of healing and how the continued resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has enabled First Nation cultures to thrive despite immense hardships faced since 1788.

 In our lessons, we also explored this year’s Reconciliation theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’. Within this theme we learnt about the importance of using past events to help guide us towards a fair and harmonious future as we all journey together. We looked at the official Reconciliation artwork completed by Bree Buttenshaw - a proud Kalkadoon woman and a talented digital artist who lives on Quandamooka Country. Bree uses Australian Native plants in this artwork as they exemplify resilience. Thriving in one of the harshest climates on Earth, these Australian native plants demonstrate the power of endurance and regeneration.

Students loved the chance to connect with this artwork by decorating their own copy of it.

SAVE THE DATE: Our next cultural celebration is NAIDOC day. We would love family and community members to join us for yet another amazing celebration!! Please save the date Wednesday 6^th August and join us for our Morning Ceremony and/or Afternoon Ceremony on NAIDOC day.

Significant Cultural Events

Monday 26^th May: National Sorry Day

Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

Click HERE for more information about National Sorry Day

Tuesday 27^th May – Tuesday 3^rd June: Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The 2025 Reconciliation theme-  ‘Bridging Now to Next’, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Click HERE for more information about Reconciliation Week

HUB News

PRC 2025

Student Logins

Please reach out to Mrs Gibson or Mrs Hoffmann if you would like your child to bring home their PRC login details and if you experience any issues with logging in.

An update of students who have completed the challenge so far in 2025:

Congratulations to the following students who have recently finished the PRC. These students have had their names added to the PRC display in the library and received their Gotcha ticket.

Sam S KR, Isla A 5R and James M 6R.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Last week we celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime at St Joseph's. We participate every year in this fun event. The NSS is all about enjoying stories and being exposed to quality literature. We listened, along with the majority of children in Australia, to the same story at the SAME TIME! It really is amazing to be part of something so large. The book "The Truck Cat" by Deborah Frenkel is a beautiful story of belonging, connection and inclusion and we all enjoyed the text very much. In the Hub, there have been some fun 'Truck Cat' themed activities available.

Library Learning

For the remainder of this term, students in Kindergarten to Year 3 will be conducting an author study on Aura Parker. Students will create either a booklet, a PowerPoint Presentation or a Canva presentation about Aura’s life and work. Aura is a talented artist and has written and illustrated 7 picture books.

Here is more information about Aura if your children have come home discussing her work! Home | Aura Parker

Students in Year 4 are working towards creating a digital recount from the perspective of a child convict. We will use Adobe ‘Animate your Voice’ to tell the story of the child convict that students have researched.

Students in Years 5 and 6 are working towards planning, researching, writing and recording an episode of a podcast. We will be using Adobe Podcast to record our episodes and this will be in collaborative effort.

Happy reading!

Mrs Gibson – Teacher Librarian

Mrs Hoffmann – Library Assistant

Class News

YEAR 1 CLASS NEWS

In Year 1, we have been focusing on setting individual student goals in writing and place value. The students are aware of their goals, which are displayed in the classroom, and they are working towards achieving them.

In religion we have been exploring ways that Jesus was part of a family.

We have been making connections between Jesus’ family life and our own family experiences.

Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Emily!
We are incredibly proud of her amazing achievement as a finalist in the Lake Macquarie Young Dobell Art Competition. Her talent, creativity, and dedication truly shine through—well done, Emily.

Story Dogs News

Exciting News – Story Dogs Program Expands at St Joseph’s Primary School!

We are thrilled to announce that our much-loved Story Dogs program is expanding!

Please join us in warmly welcoming two new volunteer dog teams—Ruby and Lyn, and Isha and Vanessa—who will be joining Ted and Leonie in helping make reading a fun, rewarding, and confidence-building experience for our students.

Ted and Leonie currently visit every Tuesday and Wednesday for two hours. Starting Thursday, 29th May, Ruby and Lyn will begin their two-hour sessions every Thursday, and from Friday, 30th May, Isha and Vanessa will visit for two hours each Friday.

The Story Dogs program is a unique partnership with classroom teachers designed to boost students' confidence, literacy skills, and love of reading. Just like Ted and Leonie, Ruby and Lyn, along with Isha and Vanessa, will meet weekly with the same six students for one-on-one reading sessions lasting 15–20 minutes.

Ruby and Isha are gentle, patient, and attentive listeners who don’t mind a few mistakes—they’re simply there to enjoy a story and help students discover the joy in reading. With the calm and encouraging support of Lyn and Vanessa, students will feel relaxed and motivated in a positive reading environment.

Meet Our New Reading Companions!

Ruby and Lyn - Ruby is a gorgeous Groodle who adores her family, children, people, running, and long walks.

Vanessa and Isha - Isha is a gorgeous Labradoodle who enjoys walking and playing.

Both dogs have been busy at home practicing on their Story Dog reading rugs with stacks of books in preparation for their exciting new roles.

With their friendly presence and the support of their dedicated handlers, Ruby and Isha are sure to make a wonderful impact at St Joseph’s. We can’t wait to see the smiles, progress, and confidence bloom in our students.

Welcome ‘Ruby’ and Lyn and ‘Isha' and Vanessa!

School Improvement Plan

2025 School Improvement: At St Joseph’s, we are committed to continuous improvement and growth in all areas of school life. In 2025, we will be focusing on our three School Improvement Goals, which will guide our efforts to enhance student learning, well-being, and engagement, ensuring the best possible outcomes for all.

Happy Birthday to the following students:

We wish the following students a very Happy Birthday!

School fees

Dear St Joseph’s Families,
Hope you are all well. It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by. As we move through Term 2, we’re reminded of what a busy and exciting year it’s been. Thank you for being such a valued part of our school community.
We would like to gently remind families who opted to allocate their school fees annually that these payments are now due.
A heartfelt thank you to those families who have already finalised their school fees we truly appreciate your prompt attention and support. We’d also like to thank those who have been making ongoing payments throughout the year. Your continued commitment is greatly valued.
If you are unable to finalise your annual fees at this time, please contact our admin office. We’re more than happy to work with you to adjust your payment schedule to weekly or fortnightly instalments; whatever best suits your circumstances.
Thank you once again for your continued support.
Amale Yi

FACE - Family and Community Engagement

Our next Family and Community Engagement (FACE) meeting will be held on Wednesday 4th June, straight after our Catholic Schools Week Liturgy - approximately 11:00am in the HUB. All are warmly welcome to attend.

We will be sharing our Learning Goals and Vision, and we’re keen to hear your input on these, as well as upcoming fundraising initiatives. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to support our school community.

New Canteen menu

We’re excited to let you know that our school canteen will be serving a Winter Special on Thursday June 12th – Butter Chicken with Rice for just $7.00!

It’s a warm, hearty meal perfect for the colder days, and we know the students will love it.

🍛 Butter Chicken + Rice
💲 $7.00
Available: Thursday June 12th only.

QKR will be open on the 6^th of June And will close the 10^th of June.

Please put your orders in for catering.

Thank you 

Amale Yi

Canteen News

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well! As we continue to provide a welcoming and efficient canteen service for our students, we are reaching out to ask for your help.

The canteen plays such an important role in our school community, and we rely on the support of volunteers to keep it running smoothly. Whether you can spare an hour or two a week or just help occasionally, your contribution will make a big difference. Tasks may include serving food, assisting with preparation, or helping to keep the canteen tidy.

Volunteering in the canteen is a rewarding way to get involved in school life, connect with other parents, and support our students.

If you’re able to help please contact Kelly on Kelly.brands@mn.catholic.edu.au or our admin staff. Thank you so much for considering this opportunity. With your help, we can ensure our canteen remains a happy and efficient place for our students.

 Amale Yi

Uniform Shop

Normal Shop Hours - Every Tuesday and Thursday 8:00am - 10:00am 

Our uniform shop is run by Wearitto. See Elaine and Ian from Wearitto for all your uniform needs.

Good For Kids - Good For Life

OOSH

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

Please contact Taylor for further information.  

Taylor Richardson  
NOMINATED SUPERVISOR | ST NICHOLAS OOSH    
P 0429 435 571     M  0429 435 571   
Email taylor.richardson@stnicholasoosh.org.au Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au