Term 1, Week 6

What's on at St Joey's

Principal's Messages

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the families who attended our Welcome BBQ. It was wonderful to see so many parents, students, and staff come together to share food, conversation, and laughter. Events like these highlight the close-knit community we are so proud of at St Joseph’s, where genuine connections between families and the school create a strong foundation for student success.

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to fostering a school culture built on collaboration, trust, and our shared Catholic values. We believe that by working together—parents, teachers, and students—we create an environment where every child is supported to grow in faith, learning, and character. Through open communication and mutual respect, we strive to nurture a community where every family feels welcomed and valued.

Yesterday Students and staff from MacKillop Parish and St Joseph’s proudly joined the Diocesan Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope celebration, walking together from Nobbys to the Cathedral. The pilgrimage was a powerful expression of faith and unity, culminating in a beautiful Mass and a joyful festival. It was a meaningful opportunity for our school and parish community to connect with the wider diocese, reflecting on hope and renewal in this special year.

This week we begin the church season of Lent, and this week is marked by two important liturgical celebrations, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) and Ash Wednesday. On Wednesday Years 3-6 will attend our parish mass. K-2 will celebrate with a liturgy in their classrooms. We also launch the Project Compassion initiative. The Project Compassion Launch is a meaningful and inspiring event, reminding us of the importance of compassion, generosity, and social justice. It highlights the impact of Caritas Australia's work in supporting vulnerable communities and encourages us to take action through fundraising and awareness. As we begin this Lenten journey, may we be inspired to give with open hearts and make a difference in the lives of others.

Lent is a time for spiritual renewal, a time to reflect on our lives and to consider and act on ways to become closer to God. On Ash Wednesday we receive a cross of ashes on our foreheads to remind us to turn back to God and to live lives filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and kindness. We are encouraged to take time for reflection and to distance ourselves from anything that may draw us away from God. This means examining our actions, thoughts, and habits to ensure they align with our faith. By reflecting on our daily choices and making intentional sacrifices, we strengthen our connection with God and grow in faith.

We have also been inundated with enquiries for Kinder 2026. If you have a child starting Kindergarten in 2026, can you please complete the enrolment form using this link: Enrol online | Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle 

Our Kindergarten Open Day will be held on Tuesday 11th March. We will hold an information session and take families on a Tour of our school. Our morning session is from 9:30-10:30am and our evening session is 6-7pm.

Congratulations to our swimmers who represented St Joseph’s at the Lakes Regional Swimming Carnival, last week. Well done everyone! 

Congratulations to the Quinlan family on the birth of a brother, Montgomery, for Olivia in Year 1. We also Congratulate the Palmieri family on the birth of a brother, Rome, for Levi in Kindergarten. We wish you all much love and happiness. And finally, we congratulate the Bower family on the birth of sister, Valentina, for Winnie in Year 1. 

 This newsletter we introduce our Year 4 and Year 3 teachers by sharing their 'Meet the Teacher' profiles. Have a read and make sure you say hi and introduce yourselves if you haven't met already.

We look forward to many more opportunities to connect throughout the year!

Warm regards,

Kathryn Hill

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.

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the coming weeks, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will undertake the NAPLAN assessment. NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is an important tool that helps us understand and support our students' learning journeys.

At our Catholic school, we believe in nurturing the whole child, and while NAPLAN provides valuable data on literacy and numeracy skills, it is just one aspect of our students' education. Our dedicated teachers work tirelessly to create a balanced and enriching curriculum that fosters academic growth, spiritual development, and personal well-being.

We encourage our students to approach NAPLAN with confidence and a positive mindset. It is an opportunity for them to demonstrate their learning and for us to identify areas where we can provide additional support. Remember, NAPLAN is not about ranking or competition; it is about understanding and improving.

To our parents, your support is invaluable. Ensuring your child gets a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time can make a significant difference. Encourage them to do their best but also remind them that their worth is not defined by a test score.

Key NAPLAN Dates for 2025:

• Test Window: 12–24 March 2025

Let us continue to work together as a community, guided by our faith and commitment to excellence, to support our students in all their endeavor's.

Kind regards,

Maryanne Hacker
Assistant Principal

Office of Safeguarding

News from the Religious Coordinator

Jubilee- Year of Hope One Call- One Mission

Yesterday, across the Diocese Catholics responded to the call to come together for the Jubilee year of Hope. It was a joyous morning, marked by a pilgrim walk from Nobby’s Beach to the Cathedral, the sharing of Mass and a celebratory festival with food, face painting and an array of stalls. As Christians we are called to be people of hope. To put our trust in God as we face the joys and hardships of life. We pray that as a community we may listen and respond to the call to live lives of hope as we journey together.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

Shrove Tuesday and Lent

This  Shrove Tuesday Mini Vinnies will be selling piklets/ pancakes in keeping with the tradition of feasting prior to the commencement of Lent and raising money for Project Compassion. Project Compassion is the Lenten Season initiative by Caritas to support the development of communities around the world. Giving to project Compassion is one way we can fulfill our call to draw closer to God through giving, prayer and using our time and resources wisely to help others.  See https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/

Wednesday 5^th March is the first day of Lent and it is referred to as Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, Christians are given a cross on their forehead which is made from the ashes of burnt Palm Sunday leaves from the previous year. This year, years 3- 6 will be attending the Parish Mass at St Mary Immaculate at 9:30am, while infants students will have their own liturgy in their class and mark the day. Parents and families are welcome to attend the Parish Mass at 9:30am.

Sacramental Program

The Mackillop Parish is now at the stage of organizing the Sacramental Program for this year. The sacraments are a very momentous time in our lives as disciples of Christ, and we are very excited to journey with you and your family as your children take this step.

To register your child for the sacramental program, please follow the link to complete the  Sacramental Program Form. It can also be found on the Parish Website. The sessions will be held on Monday evenings, at 6:30pm, at St Mary Immaculate Church, Charlestown. Please see dates below:-

Dates for Sacramental Program 2025

Reconciliation

• Session 1 – 17th March @ 6.30pm
• Session 2 – 24th March @ 6.30pm
• Sacrament – FRI 28th March @ 6.30pm

Confirmation

• Session 1 – 28th April @ 6.30pm
• Session 2 – 5th May @ 6.30pm
• Sacrament – FRI 9th May @ 6.00pm

First Communion

• Session 1 – 9th June @ 6.30pm
• Session 2 – 16th June @ 6.30pm
• Sacrament – 21/22 June @ Mass

The cost to cover the books for the entire program is $25. Banking details are below:

BSB: 066739 A/C No: 100012059 A/C Name: CCF Reference: Please use your child’s surname followed by ‘Sacrament’ i.e. Voigt Sacrament

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Parish Office.

Blessings, Bridget Voigt Sacramental Convenor – Mackillop Parish

ST MARY of THE CROSS PARISH HUB

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm

PO Box 107 (7 Milson Street) CHARLESTOWN NSW 2290

T: 02 4943 4153 E: stmarythecross@mn.catholic.org.au

W: mackillopcharlestown.org.au

 Save the date

19^th March-  St Joseph’s Day. Come and join us at school for a liturgy on tar at 10:15am including our annual St Joseph’s Day art contest and picnic following.

2^nd April- Stage 1 will attend the Parish Mass at  9:30am at St. Mary Immaculate Church, Charlestown. Families welcome to attend.

Primary Coordinator

PB4L - Positive Behaviour For Learning – ‘Keep Our School Clean’

This fortnight, our PB4L focus is ‘Keep our school clean’ at St Joseph’s. The primary students participated in School Clean Up Day on Friday 28^th February. Infants will follow with a clean up this Friday 8^th March. School Clean Up Day in Australia is in its 35^th year as an annual event that encourages students to take responsibility for their environment by cleaning up their school grounds. It is part of the larger Clean Up Australia Day, which aims to reduce waste and protect natural spaces.

In Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’’, he talks about our responsibility to care for our common home. Pope Francis reminds us that the little decisions we make in our everyday life can have a big impact for a better future. It was amazing how many pieces of rubbish we picked up in the gardens, pathways and corners of our playground and common areas. Thank you to all the students and staff to committing to this event and making our school a cleaner and safer places to be.

NAPLAN 2025 - National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy

Year 3 and 5 parents, please make sure you have the NAPLAN dates in your diary for Weeks 7 and 8 (dates below). Testing will occur in the morning session and we appreciate student being on time as they are utilising computers for most test. Year 5 students must bring their laptops and headphones fully charged each day. If any students are absent for the testing period, please update Compass and notify the teacher in advance so that we can reschedule the test in the second week.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN or know you have upcoming appointments on these dates, please contact your child’s teachers to let them know.

 Kind regards,

Frances Courtney - Primary Coordinator 

Academic Representation

Congratulations to Isabella C, Eli S and Daniel B who have been selected to represent the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools at the 2025 da Vinci Decathlon in just a few weeks! This prestigious academic competition challenges students in areas such as mathematics, engineering, code-breaking, and creative problem-solving. The children are working hard in preparation for the event, and we are incredibly proud of his achievement. If you see him around, be sure to wish him good luck!

News from the Classroom

In Science, Year 4 are learning about how natural processes and human actions change the Earth’s 
surface over time. This week, students took a closer look at the different layers of Earth’s surface and 
explored how tectonic plates move slowly to form mountain ranges. Our young scientists demonstrated 
excellent teamwork, recorded observations and crafted some incredible diagrams to illustrate the 
changes they discovered

Aboriginal Education

Aboriginal Education 

What a fantastic start to 2025 we have had at St Joseph’s!!!

I have loved visiting all our classes to lead learning experiences that explore our connection in Powaikaliko Malang (Catholic Community of Schools), and to learn more about our school totem, the werekata (kookaburra). You can find our totem proudly displayed on our story pole at the front of the school.

I look forward to further opportunities to work across all grades, integrating Aboriginal perspective learning experiences for students that align with the units and content being taught in class.

Our Native Resource Garden ‘Ka-u-ma Ngarra’ continues to look fabulous and I’m excited to spend a lot of time there with students in 2025.

Significant Cultural Dates

13th February: Anniversary of the National Apology

This is the anniversary of the National Apology, made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations.

The National Apology to the Stolen Generations was a recommendation from The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal Children from their Families, as published in the 1997 Bringing them Home Report by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The students and staff at St Joseph’s Primary School recognise this hugely significant event in our Country’s history and journey towards Reconciliation.

Please click HERE for more information

Danielle Shaw

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher

Hub News

Borrowing
Welcome back to the Learning Hub for 2025! At St Joseph’s, we love and value our library and collection so 
very much and students take great pleasure in borrowing. We recommend families keep a reminder about 
student library days somewhere visible in the house (like the fridge), so that students can remember their 
library bags each week and return the books from last visit.
Each library lesson, Kindergarten students are encouraged to borrow two books, Year 1 are encouraged to 
borrow three books and Years 2-6 are encouraged to borrow four books. If students have forgotten to return 
their books over consecutive weeks, we will ask that they just borrow one book to keep in the classroom until 
the majority of books have been returned. If books have somehow been damaged or misplaced, please see our 
friendly library staff to let us know.
Gotchas
Gotcha tickets are handed out during library lessons in The Hub to reinforce good choices and positive 
behaviour. Students take the Gotcha ticket home and write their name and class on a raffle ticket. Twice a 
term the raffle is drawn and up to 20 students can win a prize from Mrs Gibson’s prize box each time!

PRC 2025
The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading in students, and to enable them to 
experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and 
to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten 
to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.
At St Joseph’s, the PRC is not compulsory for all students but is strongly encouraged by both class teachers 
and the library staff. The challenge is promoted regularly and students are rewarded for their achievements.
Key Dates
• Monday 24th February – Challenge officially opens.
• Friday 22
nd August – Challenge closes (midnight).
Student Logins
All students at St Joseph’s have been registered for the PRC. Unfortunately, the PRC staff have re-set all 
student passwords. This means that all students who have participated in the challenge before will have a new 
password. Every child’s username and password for the PRC will be written on a bookmark and will be sent home 
this week. Please reach out to Mrs Gibson or Mrs Hoffmann if there are issues with passwords and they can be 
reset.
How to add books to online reading logs
It is best to use a desktop computer or laptop for the PRC site. It is a good idea to develop the habit of adding 
books once finished to reading logs regularly, so titles are not forgotten. 
1. Google PRC or go to https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html . 
2. Click on ‘logon’ and type in the student’s specific username and password.
3. Click on the ‘Student Experience Site’ linked within the home page. 
4. Search for books and add books that have been read to the student’s reading log.

Here is a short video explaining how to add books to reading logs using the student site -
https://prcsupport.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/24000023273
On completion of the PRC
* K-2 (Infants) students have a target of 30 books and 3-6 (Primary) have a target of 20 books.*
Once a student has completed the PRC, their progress will be reflected in our PRC display in the library. 
Students will also receive a gotcha ticket when they have completed the challenge and a special certificate 
from the Premier of NSW at the end of the year.
Happy reading!
Mrs Gibson – Teacher Librarian
Mrs Hoffmann – Library Assistant

Garden Group

Term 1 in Garden Group!

The garden team have been so busy!

We returned to giant sunflowers planted as seeds last year. We have admired their blooms and eaten their seeds.

Carrots have grown long and strong over the break,  and students have enjoyed munching on them straight out of the ground.

We have also eaten an abundance of cherry tomatoes, cucumber and herbs to taste and enjoy.

In the coming months we will be planting snow peas as part of our winter crop.

Plans are also in place for a new scare crow as growth in the garden slows into Winter.

School Fees

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well. As we continue to work together to provide the best possible education and environment for your children, I would like to take a moment to remind you of the importance of regular and timely payment of school fees.

School fees play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our institution. They enable us to maintain our facilities, provide quality resources, and support the various programs and activities that enrich your child's learning experience. By making regular payments, you contribute directly to the success and well-being of our school community.

All families should have now received their fee statements, and you should be able to view your total amount due on Compass. If you have not received your statement or are unable to access it, please contact our admin office for assistance.

We understand that managing finances can sometimes be challenging, and if you ever encounter any difficulties, please do not hesitate to reach out to our admin office. We are more than happy to discuss flexible payment options or assist in any way we can.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Together, we can ensure that our school remains a place where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Thank you 

Amale Yi

Sporting News

Congratulations to Billie, Leni, and Leo for achieving Diocesan Age Champion titles in swimming! Your hard work, dedication, and determination in the pool have truly paid off. This is an incredible achievement, and you should all be very proud of your efforts. Well done! 🎉🏊‍♂️🏆

A special shout-out to our record breaker- Billie Eder Snr Girls 50m Backstroke time 34.20 broke 2010 record of 35.52

What an achievement!!

Hall of Fame

We love celebrating the achievements of our students both in and out of the classroom! If your child has recently accomplished something special in sports or any extracurricular activity, we encourage you to share their success with us. Whether it's a competition, performance, or personal milestone, we'd be thrilled to feature their accomplishments in our school newsletter. Please let us know so we can celebrate their hard work and dedication!

Mason won his Oz Tag grand final last week. His team won 8-4, Mason scored 1 try and got lots of tags.

Billie spent last Friday, Saturday & Sunday racing at the NSW Country Championships in Sydney at SOPAC. She swam brilliantly & came away with 3 Medals. 🥇 🥈🥈
🥇 200m Backstroke
🥈100m Backstroke
🥈50m Backstroke

Happy Birthday to the following students

We wish the following students a very happy birthday.

Family And Community Engagement News

This year, St Joseph’s, along with other schools in the Diocese, will transition from the Parents & Friends (P&F) model to the FACE (Family and Community Engagement) model. FACE focuses on strengthening partnerships between schools, families, and the wider community to support student learning and well-being. This new approach encourages meaningful collaboration, open communication, and shared responsibility, creating a more inclusive and connected school environment.

One of the major changes with the FACE model is the opportunity for parents to form a group to help organise various school activities. This could include a team coordinating events such as our Easter Raffle, Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts, and community social events. Participation is flexible—there’s no commitment to organising everything, just helping when you can.

By actively engaging parents and community members, FACE aims to enhance student outcomes, foster a strong sense of belonging, and build a positive school culture. 

Please email admin of you would like to assist in organising our Easter Raffle. Thank you. 

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 8am-10am

See Elaine and Ian from Wearitto for all your Uniform needs.

Our uniform shop is run by Wearitto: St Joseph's Primary School - Schools - Wearitto

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 OOSH for further information.  

   Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au  

Healthy Lunch

Meet The Teacher

In each Newsletter we will share information about each staff member. In this edition we meet the principal and our Years 4 & 3 teachers: