St Joseph's Catholic School The Strand eNewsletter

TERM ONE DATES

Last Swimming Lesson (Year 4-6) - Wednesday 2nd April

Holy Week Liturgy - Friday, 4th April - 8:45am

Bill Nettle Cup & Netball Challenge (Year 6) - Friday 4th April

Last day of Term One - Friday, 4th April

TERM TWO

Monday, 21st April - PUBLIC HOLIDAY

School begins Tuesday, 22nd April

Thursday, 24th April - ANZAC Day Liturgy - 8:45am

Friday, 25th April - ANZAC DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Parent Teacher Interviews - 29th - 30th April

(Bookings open on the 22nd and close on the 25th April)

Friday 2nd May - Student Free Day

Monday 5th May - PUBLIC HOLIDAY

P & F Mother's Day Stall - Wednesday 7th May

Mother's Day Liturgy & Breakfast - Friday 9th May at 8.45am

P&F Mother's Day Lunch - Saturday 10th May - Touch of Salt

The Amazing Race - Yr 3 & 5 - Tuesday 13th May

Cross Country - Friday 16th May

School Photos - Tuesday 10th June

SJS Athletics Carnival - Friday 13th June

FRIDAY, 2nd MAY is a student-free day.

Please make arrangements for your child/ren to be cared for.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the Catholic Church. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection, observed by millions of Catholics around the world. This special day reminds us of our mortality, our need for repentance, and our call to draw closer to God.

Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays), is a time for Catholics to reflect on their lives, repent for their sins, and seek to grow in their relationship with God. Traditionally, Catholics take on special acts of penance, prayer, and almsgiving during this period, as a way to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.

Ash Wednesday is not just a reminder of our mortality, but an invitation to renew our hearts and minds in faith. It is a call to examine our lives, make amends where necessary, and embrace the journey of transformation through God’s grace.

Our school community gathered for Ash Wednesday this week with a whole school liturgy and prayer.

As we enter this season of Lent, let us use this time to reflect, renew, and deepen our commitment to living out the teachings of Christ in our everyday lives.

Project Compassion

Spanning across the six weeks of Lent, Project Compassion brings thousands of schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for the most marginalised communities around the world. The theme this year is Unite Against Poverty.

St Joseph's will be hosting three fundraising events for Project Compassion this year.

Families are encouraged to place small change in your child's Project Compassion donation box that came home this week. Donation boxes are to be returned to school by Monday, 31st March.

For more information about Project Compassion and Caritas Australia, please click here.

World Day of Prayer

Friday, 7th March, our school joined with many others around the world in observing the World Day of Prayer, a special occasion dedicated to prayer, reflection, and solidarity with our global community.

Each year, the World Day of Prayer highlights a different country or region, with a unique theme that reflects the hopes, struggles, and dreams of people from that part of the world. This year’s theme is 'I made you wonderful,' and it invites us to reflect on the Cook Islands.

Joey's students and staff participated in a whole school meditation.

Home

Year 1 Religion Lessons

This term, our Year One students have been exploring Christian teaching that all people are created in God's own image, with dignity and natural rights. They have been learning about living in accordance with God's plan for all creation: living safely and happily in community and in loving relationship with God, with a responsibility to care for all creation and using God's gift of freedom to make choices responsibly.

Hope all have a wonderful few weeks,

Trina

NAPLAN - Year 3 and Year 5

NAPLAN begins at St Joseph’s on Wednesday, 12th March. This annual assessment period runs throughout this week and into next week, measuring students’ literacy and numeracy skills.

Our Year 3 and Year 5 students have been engaging with materials to ensure they feel confident and prepared. We aim to keep the experience as low-stress as possible, reinforcing that NAPLAN is just one of many ways we support student learning.

Wednesday 12th March - Writing
Thursday 13th March - Reading
Monday 17th March - Conventions of Language
Tuesday 18th March - Numeracy

Writing at Joeys - The Writing Revolution

At St Joseph’s, our writing journey begins in Prep, where students learn the fundamentals of sentence structure—moving beyond the common fragments of spoken language. From the very start, our young writers focus on identifying the ‘who’ and ‘what’ of a sentence, laying the foundation for clear and structured writing.

But we don’t stop there! As students progress, they build upon these skills, learning how to expand their ideas, add detail, and develop sentence variation. By the time they become our most experienced writers, they are confidently crafting paragraphs that link ideas seamlessly.

Writing is an essential skill, and our structured approach ensures every student develops the tools they need to express themselves effectively. We are proud of the growth we see in our students as they move from forming simple sentences to composing thoughtful, well-structured pieces of writing.

Attendance - Late Arrivals and Early Departures

As outlined at our Parent Information Evening in February, any late arrivals must report to the office with a parent or guardian to collect a late slip. This ensures your child's safety in the event of an emergency. Our school day begins promptly at 8:30am, with a warning bell at 8:25am.

Punctuality is important, as late arrivals and early departures disrupt valuable learning time and morning play, which helps students transition smoothly into the school day.

Supervision is available from 8:00am
Morning play occurs from 8:15–8:25am

Please be aware that frequent late arrivals are recorded in Semester Report Cards. We appreciate your support in ensuring students arrive on time, ready for a great day of learning!

Have a great week.

Julie Wallace

Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning

Love	Isabelle Storey	Isabelle is a kind, caring and loyal friend to others. She goes about her day in a quiet manner and is willing to share her skills with others who require help. Isabelle is a humble person who never boasts about her achievements or strengths. Her calm nature helps those around her to feel at ease and she is able to support her friends when they are feeling upset. Thank you for making our classroom a more loving place Isabelle.
	Nixon Reinke	Nixon is kind and thoughtful and his positive attitude means he is always surrounded by friends. He demonstrates the Mercy Value of Love by being kind, considerate and fair with everyone in our classroom. Nixon has a quiet and comfortable presence and is respectful of others. You will usually find him with a smile on his face and a laugh to share. Thank you Nixon, we are so happy to have you in 3A.
	Ben Beasley	Ben is a kind and caring member of our classroom. He always looks out for his mates and shows compassion towards them. Within our classroom, Ben ensures he is encouraging and supportive of everyone, and participates thoughtfully in his work. On the playground, he always includes others and helps people when they need help. Ben has had a great start to grade 5 and is a wonderful member of 5B. Thank you, Ben!
	Mia McLennan	Mia is a shining example of kindness and compassion in 6A. Her constant smiles light up the room, bringing joy to those around her. Mia is always thinking of others, often putting their needs before her own, which shows her genuine caring nature. Her selfless actions embody the true spirit of the Mercy Award of Love, making her a beloved member of our school community. Mia’s heartfelt generosity and care are truly inspiring.
Community	Evie Wake	Evie is a kind, considerate and patient member of our Joey’s community. She always participates enthusiastically in classroom discussions and is very helpful during group work. Evie waits patiently for her turn and listens respectfully when others are speaking. She responsibly helps in the classroom, setting up for people in the mornings and again in the afternoons. Thank you Evie, you make the room a friendlier and happier place to be!
	Rosa Pietrobon	Rosa is a wonderful member of our school community and we are so lucky to have her in 1B. She is a student who is always ready to help others both in the classroom and the playground. Rosa has a kind heart and takes time to teach others things they may need guidance with. She always displays a positive attitude towards her schoolwork and sets a great example with her behaviour. Thank you for being a part of our Joey’s community, Rosa. We are truly blessed.
	Matilda Beetham	Matilda Beetham is a wonderful example of community spirit in our class. Not only is she excellent at organising herself, but she truly excels at the end of each day when she quietly and calmly helps to pack up. Matilda has a keen eye for what needs to be done and takes the initiative to ensure our classroom is always neat and tidy. Her actions make a difference and set a wonderful example for her classmates. Congratulations Matilda for receiving the Mercy Award of Community.
Excellence	Amelia Knott	Amelia goes above and beyond in everything she does. She consistently participates in class discussions. Amelia is a diligent worker who seeks clarification if unsure. She is curious and enthusiastic about new topics. Amelia checks her answers for accuracy and this is evident in her results. She is an amazing role model for others. Keep up your amazing work Amelia.
	Harriet Willey	Harriet is a hard worker who works diligently and responsibly. She follows classroom routines and always participates in classroom discussions with appropriate questions and useful information. Harriet sets a wonderful example in the classroom, and even better than that she positively influences others around her. A very worthy recipient of the Mercy Value of Excellence Award, well done Harriet.
	Quinn Jurss	Quinn has worked extremely hard this term displaying a keen interest towards his learning. He is continually striving to achieve his best and has shown great determination to improve his handwriting. Quinn remains resilient and keeps going, even when tasks become more difficult. Keep up the amazing work Quinn!
	Amelia Murphy	Amelia brings a bright and friendly personality to our classroom and always strives to do her best. She is an excellent listener and tries hard to put her best effort in. Amelia sets a wonderful example not only with her schoolwork but also with her behaviour. She is a caring friend who goes out of her way to help others. Thank you, Amelia, for making our classroom such a lovely place to be!
	Harrison McDonald	Harrison is a determined learner who always tries his best. He understands how important it is to have a good flow of learning and he strives to understand topics deeply. Harrison is a self-starter and asks for help when he gets stuck. This positive and resilient attitude towards learning is how Harrison shows excellence. Great job, Harrison!
	Maggie Denmead	Maggie is a dedicated and efficient learner who approaches every task with focus and determination. She consistently gives her best effort, ensuring that her work is thorough, thoughtful, and completed to an excellent standard. Beyond her own learning, she contributes positively to the classroom environment by staying engaged, encouraging her peers, and helping to maintain a smooth flow of learning. Well done on your excellent start to the year, Maggie!
	Eva Vincent	Eva is a diligent student whose excellent bookwork reflects her strong attention to detail and commitment to learning. Her responses in class discussions are always thoughtful, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topics and a willingness to engage in learning. Eva takes pride in her work, ensuring every activity is completed carefully and accurately. Her dedication helps maintain a smooth and productive flow of learning, benefiting both herself and our whole class. Great work, Eva!
	Amity Smith	Amity is a standout example of excellence in keeping with the Joey’s 5 R’s. As a quiet achiever, she has grown to demonstrate a determined work ethic and a commitment to her academic pursuits. Her recent impressive performance in the Maths tables test is a testament to her dedication, rigour, and hard work. Furthermore, Amity's willingness to continually develop her skills is commendable. Congratulations, Amity, on persevering and pushing on to reach new highs!
	Kyan Colahan	Kyan Colahan has demonstrated a wonderful commitment to extending himself with his learning. He listens well and is attentive in lessons making full use of every learning opportunity. He is willing to ask questions if he needs to. His achievements in Mathematics have highlighted his desire to do well and serve as a great example to his classmates. Thank you, Kyan.
	Alfred Dowd	Alfie has excelled in creative writing this term in 5A. His exceptional use of ambitious vocabulary and his mastery of sentence construction have dazzled us all. Alfie's thrilling stories capture the imagination and showcase his remarkable talent as a young writer. With his impressive skills, there is no doubt that his works could one day be published. Congratulations Alfie for receiving the Mercy Award of Excellence!
	Madilyn Wiltshire	Madilyn has consistently shown the Mercy Value of Excellence in our mathematics lessons. She stays actively engaged and works diligently, maintaining focus throughout each class. Madilyn tackles every challenge with determination and collaborates well with all staff members. Her dedication and effort have contributed to a fantastic start to the year. Keep up the great work, Madilyn!
	Tom Andrews	Tom has exemplified the Mercy Value of Excellence by working diligently to catch up on missed lessons. He displayed resilience and dedication in both Maths and English, collaborating effectively with staff. Tom actively participates in class discussions and volunteers to read, consistently staying engaged in his learning. Keep up the great work!
	Eloise Woodhouse	Eloise has shown independence in her learning throughout the term. She is always organised and ready to learn. Eloise works quietly and demonstrates her ability to always try her best, even if the work is tricky. She asks for help if needed and is proud of her efforts. Well done, Eloise. Continue to work hard and reach for the stars.
	Harrison Chandel	Harrison's natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning bring a wonderful richness to 6A. His dedication to excellence is evident in every task he undertakes, inspiring his classmates with his commitment and positive attitude. As a role model, Harrison demonstrates the importance of hard work in achieving great results. Congratulations to Harrison for being nominated for the Mercy Award of Excellence. His influence and drive make our classroom a better place for everyone.
	Alec Verzeletti	Alec has engaged in the Year 1 learning with rigour and enthusiasm. He has grown in confidence to tackle tricky tasks and to share his knowledge by contributing to class discussions. Alec has worked hard in Sounds Write and has grown his independence to blend words when reading. Well done on all your hard work, Alec!

As you are aware, St. Joey's School is committed to teaching positive mental health strategies to prevent mental ill health and build young people’s capacity to deal with adversity. We’re proud to be implementing TRP’s evidence-based whole school wellbeing program to support positive mental health in the classroom, staffroom and wider community. Students in Years 3-6 are engaging in weekly lessons to understand and strengthen their practice of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy, with regular opportunity for parent/carer involvement.

The Resilience Project site has a wonderful resource, Parent & Carer Hub, where you can find the evidence based strategies taught in the classroom that can be complemented at home.

The Hub can be accessed via the secure link below, with no account setup or login required: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2025-parent-carer-hub-inspire-3/

Please find attached some further information that may be of interest.

New_Parent_Hub_electronic_link.pdf

The Power of Collaboration

Our library is more than just a place to borrow books—it’s a space for rich learning and collaboration. This term, I have collaborated with the Year 6 teachers on a literature response project, using a collection of texts that explore First Nations peoples’ deep connection to Country.

With our guidance, students engaged with a selection of picture books, novellas, digital interactive stories and a short film. The students practised 'deep reading', analysis, and critical thinking—making connections and discussing shared themes of culture, determination and connection to the land, sea and sky.

This collaboration between the teacher librarian and classroom teachers creates a powerful combination of expertise in the curriculum, resources, and the children's individual abilities. By working together, we're driving literacy and fostering thoughtfulness, understanding, and a love of reading and literature.

Mrs Tracey Sloan, Teacher Librarian