Term 1, Week 10

What's on at St Joey's

INVITATION - FUN NIGHT AT MCDONALDS 

Our school is planning another fantastic NAIDOC Celebration for 2025. To contribute to the cost of engaging local knowledge holders and providing awesome resources for this event, our school is holding a McDonald's Family Fun Night fundraiser! Please bring the family along to McDonalds Charlestown (Pacific Highway) on Wednesday 9^th April between 6pm and 7pm.

10% of all proceeds made within this hour will be donated to our school. So... the more purchases made, the better for our fundraiser! That's definitely a good excuse to treat yourselves and have a night off cooking and cleaning up! Thank you for your support. Please RSVP via the link below:

 https://forms.office.com/r/yS01KfktBG

Principal's Messages

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a wonderful first term of school it has been. It is hard to believe we have 9 school days to go. There have been so many great experiences both inside and outside the classroom, with our students involved in a variety of learning experiences, sports, liturgical celebrations, community events and fundraisers. Thank you to all our staff and to our parent and grandparent volunteers who have made this term such a success. We are blessed at St Joseph's with a dedicated team and a caring community! Thank you!

Thank you for the easter treat donations for our upcoming Easter raffle. The prizes always look so lovely and will be delicious too, I am sure!

Lent: 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday.

Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” The Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God's great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and one another.

Building Resilient Children: As parents, we have a responsibility to guide and support our children. There have been many times when I’ve wanted to step in and smooth the way for my own children, making sure they avoid frustration or discomfort. Some of us are naturally more persistent and determined—think of an artist who patiently works on a difficult painting, layering colours until they get it just right. Others prefer to avoid frustration, setting their paintbrush down at the first sign of struggle. No matter where our children—or we—fall on this spectrum, it’s important to recognise the value of discomfort. As parents, we need to learn to tolerate our children’s frustration, disappointment, and setbacks, rather than always rushing in to fix things for them. We must guide them to handle discomfort, rather than removing it for them. If we teach them coping strategies and encourage problem-solving, they will gain the confidence to face future challenges independently and build resilience. Our role is to be supportive, engaged, and empathetic—without always stepping in to make things easier. After all, our goal as parents is to raise independent, resilient young adults who can navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

At St Joseph’s, we recognize that learning behaviours and mindset play a key role in motivation and engagement. As part of our Positive Behaviours for Learning program, we encourage students to reflect on their attitudes, responses, and perseverance in the face of challenges. We introduce students to the concept of a Growth Mindset, which helps them view challenges as learning opportunities and mistakes as valuable steps in the learning journey.

Learners with a Growth Mindset can:

• Learn from their mistakes
• Use feedback constructively
• Embrace challenges
• Persevere in their learning
• Approach tasks with effort and a positive attitude

By fostering these qualities, we help our students develop the resilience and determination they need to succeed both in school and in life.

Year 5 Changes: Due to an increase in Learning Support Services, Mrs. Maryanne Hacker will now take on the role of Learning Support Coordinator while continuing as Assistant Principal. As a result, Mrs. Hacker will not have a classroom teaching role. We are pleased to welcome Mr. Joseph Watts to Year 5 Blue, where he will be teaching alongside Mrs. Kyla Flanagan. Mr. Watts will be in the classroom on Wednesdays and Fridays this term. Next term, Mr. Watts will commence his teaching internship in Year 5, meaning he will be in the classroom full-time, with Mrs. Flanagan as his early careers mentor to support his development. I know you will all extend a warm welcome and support him as he begins this journey with us at St Joseph's. 

Below in this Newsletter we meet our Kindergarten teachers, Librarian, Music/Drama teacher and Mr. Joseph Watts. 

Deepest sympathy to the Hill family on the loss of Jeremy and Anna’s nonna. We keep you all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength. Amen

God Bless,

Kathryn Hill

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Mindfulness in Our Daily Lives

Mindfulness means being fully present in the moment, aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgement. For our young students, this can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to breathe deeply, notice the beauty around them, or reflect on their feelings. By incorporating mindfulness into their daily routines, children can develop a greater sense of peace and focus, which can enhance their learning and relationships.

Mindfulness at School

Mindfulness can also be a valuable tool for children at school. By practicing mindfulness, students can improve their concentration and reduce stress, which can lead to better academic performance. Here are a few ways mindfulness can assist children in their school life:

1. Enhanced Focus: Mindfulness helps children stay present and focused on their tasks, making it easier for them to concentrate during lessons and complete their work efficiently.
2. Stress Reduction: Mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and mindful breaks can help children manage their stress and stay calm.
3. Improved Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness teaches children to recognise and manage their emotions, leading to more positive interactions with peers and teachers.
4. Increased Resilience: By practicing mindfulness, children can develop resilience, helping them to cope with challenges and setbacks more effectively.

Connecting Mindfulness with Prayer

As we journey through Lent, it's a great time to help our children grow spiritually. Lent isn't just about giving things up; it's also about adding practices that bring us closer to God.

Prayer is a cornerstone of our faith, and when combined with mindfulness, it can become even more powerful. Encouraging children to start their prayers with a moment of silence, focusing on their breath and inviting God's presence into their hearts is a great way to begin making this connection.

Blessings,

Maryanne Hacker
Assistant Principal

Office of Safeguarding

Religious Coordinator

Sacramental news

Congratulations to the group of children who made their first reconciliation on Friday evening. Reconciliation is the first of the sacraments of initiation. Next term students will make their Confirmation and finally Holy communion in term 3.

Preparing for Holy Week

Next week we will hold two reflections at school in preparation for Holy Week.

On Wednesday 9^th April We will remember Palm Sunday at 10:30am

On Thursday  10^th April we will remember The Last Supper.

Year 5 and 6 will be leading us. Please join us for these important events

Stage 1

Stage 1 will be attending the Parish Mass on Wednesday 2^nd April at 9:30am. Please feel free to join us.

Next Term Events

9^th May  Mother’s Day- 8am breakfast, 9am liturgy at school

4^th June Catholic Schools Week, 10:15am at school

Easter Liturgical Times 2025

Primary Coordinator

 Grow Your Mind Program – Term 2

We have invested in the Grow Your Mind program, an Australian mental health and well-being initiative designed for schools. It teaches students about emotional resilience, brain function, and positive mental health strategies through engaging lessons, storytelling, and activities. It aligns with the NSW and Australian curriculum and provides excellent resources for teachers, students, and families to create a supportive school environment.

In Term 2, the students will have an introduction to the neuroscience of the brain through 5 animal characters to represent the key parts of the brain. This can help them understand their emotions, behaviours, and learning processes in age-appropriate ways.

The characters are:
* GUARD DOG (AMYGDALA) - keeping us safe, noticing threats & acting as an alarm system
* WISE OWL (PRE FRONTAL CORTEX) - decision making & executive functioning
* ELEPHANT (HIPPOCAMPUS) - memory & learning
* SIFTING SOOTY (RAS) - attention & filtering information
(* ENSTIVIE OCTOPUS (INSULAR CORTEX) - bodily awareness, processing emotions, sensory experiences

We look forward to sharing more of our learning with you next term.
For now, link and visual explains them all: https://youtu.be/daTfpekObQ8

Kind regards,

Frances Courtney (Primary Coordinator

News from The Hub

Congratulations to our amazing Stage 3 Hub Leaders, who received their badges at assembly in Week 8. Our Hub Leaders help in the Hub during recess and are so very valued by Mrs Gibson and Mrs Hoffman. Thank you for all you do: Ana, Oscar, Sadie, Annie, Emmy, Louis, Jensen, Chris, Cooper, James C, Charlie, Owen, Eden, Aria, Ben, Heath, Ruby, Eadie. Adie, Olve, Siobhan, Maya, Isla, Ogni, Hunter, Huon, Owen K, Daly, Jesse, Flynn, Reid and Finn.

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.

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.

Students who have completed the challenge in 2025

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

Rocky 3B, Ellie 3B, Sadie 5B, Evie 6B, Spencer 4R, Oscar 5R, Jesse 5R, Boe 5R, Ruby 6R and Leo 3B.

Library Bags

Unfortunately, we have had quite a few books returned to the library that were damaged and ruined due to being wet. Please ensure your child (all students K-6) brings a library bag on their library day to avoid drink bottles being leaked onto the books. If a student returns a damaged book more than three times, parents will receive an account and will be charged, which will go towards buying replacements. Thank you all for your support.

Happy reading!

Mrs Gibson – Teacher Librarian

Mrs Hoffmann – Library Assistant

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.

Garden News

Sporting News

Congratulations to Frankie and Otto Gruska who attend the Maitland/Newcastle Hockey tryouts. They were both successful and have been selected to attend the Polding Trials in May.

 Congratulations to Reid, Flynn and Jesse who trialed for the Rugby League Diocesan team for U11s at Salamander Bay. We are very excited to announce that Reid was selected and will trial for Polding in early May at Bathurst. All 3 boys did the school proud. 

 Swimming Program: 'A Splash of Colour Swimming Program' - a FREE holistic swimming program helping people from diverse backgrounds learn to swim with skill and confidence.

https://splashofcolourswimming.com.au/sign-up

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!

Congratulations to Ashlyn who competed in the ACKA 2025 Chitokai Autumn Championship Karate Tournament. Ashy competed in Soft Baton, Belt Tag & came away with a Bronze medal in Kumite. Well Done Ashlyn!

Happy Birthday to the following students

We wish the following students a very happy birthday.

Family And Community Engagement

As the leader of our school, I deeply support the role of parents and carers as first educators and prioritise partnering with our students’ caregivers to ensure each child is nurtured to their potential.

To this end, I seek to incorporate family voice in our school’s operations and at a diocesan level.

As part of the upcoming FACE Forum, I will be calling for nominations for the role of Federation Representatives for our school (ideally, two representatives will be elected).

If you are interested in taking on this role and would like to know more about what it entails, please refer to the attached document. 

Our First meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd April at 5pm in our Staffroom. 

If you would like to nominate but cannot attend the meeting, please email me via CHL-Admin@mn.catholic.edu.au. You are also welcome to contact me to ask any questions about the role and what it entails.
Warm regards,
Kathryn Hill

School Fees

Dear St Joseph’s Parents,

I hope this message finds you well and that you’ve had a great term.

Thank you to all families who have already commenced payment of their fees. We truly appreciate your continued support. Your timely payments help us maintain the quality and resources that make our school so special.

This is a friendly reminder that Term 1 school fees have already started. With only two weeks remaining in the term, the CSO requires regular payments to be made now and throughout the year.

If you have any questions about your balance or need assistance with the payment process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the admin team. We are happy to help.

Thank you again for being such a valued part of our school community.

Thank you

Amale Yi

Good for Kids - Screen Free Fun

Screen-free fun for the kids this holidays!

Dealing with Disappointment

OOSH News

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  

School Holiday Fun

Meet our Staff

Canteen News

OUR CANTEEN IS OPEN WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

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: 

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.  

  ST NICHOLAS OOSH         Visit us online www.stnicholasoosh.org.au