New Pope

We are delighted to welcome Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Elected as the 267th successor of St Peter, Pope Leo XIV brings a spirit of humility, wisdom, and a deep love for the global Church. His vision of hope, service, and unity inspires faith communities around the world, and we look forward to the renewal his leadership will bring. As he begins this sacred mission, we keep him in our prayers.

Welcome, Fr Slyvester

We joyfully welcome Fr Sylvester Emetuche as the newly appointed Dean and Moderator of the Cathedral Parish. On Monday, Fr Sylvester took time out of his busy schedule to meet the staff and students of St Joseph's. He spoke to the classes about the meaning of Peace, as part of the phrase spoken each time students of St Joseph's greet an adult, 'Peace be with you,' and how he enjoys a great game of soccer.

We look forward to seeing Fr Sylvester at Joey's over the coming weeks and months. 

Around the Classrooms

As we continue to celebrate the Easter season in the Catholic Church, white cloths adorn our prayer tables. This is a symbolic gesture that reflects the joy and triumph of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Easter is not just one day—it is a 50-day season that stretches from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. During this time, the Church is filled with the light and hope of the Risen Christ. White is the liturgical colour of Easter, representing purity, joy, and the glory of the Resurrection. By placing white cloths on our prayer tables, we visually express this sacred season in our classrooms and homes.

The white cloth serves as a reminder that Jesus is alive and with us. It calls us to live as Easter people—filled with faith, hope, and love. In our school community, we continue to pray together, reflect on the Gospel stories of the risen Jesus, and look for ways to share His light with others through acts of kindness and compassion.

May - A month of devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a central figure in the Catholic faith. When the angel Gabriel told her she would become the mother of God’s Son, she responded with faith: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary stayed faithful throughout Jesus’ life, and she is honoured for her trust in God and care for others.

The Month of May and Mary Traditionally, the month of May is dedicated to devotion to Mary, and it is an important part of Catholic identity. Many Popes have promoted this beautiful tradition, encouraging the faithful to pray the Rosary, place flowers before her statue, and reflect on her life. As our spiritual mother, Mary is an example of saying a committed “yes” to God. Her life reminds us to trust God, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Prayer to Mary, Mother of Jesus

Mary, our gentle Mother,

You said "yes" to God with love and trust.

Help us to listen to God's call in our own lives.

Guide us to live with kindness,

courage, and faith.

Pray for us and protect our school community.

Amen.

Our school community will pray to Mary on Friday, 23rd May, with whole school meditation at 8:45am. 

Meditation will be held prior to our Mercy Assembly.

Saturday, 24th May is the feast day for Mary, Help of Christians. The patron saint of Australia. 

Hope all have a wonderful few weeks, 

Trina Neilson

Semester One Reports – Key Changes

Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) has introduced updated formatting and content for Semester Reports across all schools in the Townsville Diocese. These changes will be reflected in our Semester One Reports. Below is a summary of key updates:

Application to Learning Scale
The effort scale is now titled Application to Learning and uses a 4-point scale:

Excellent – Consistently demonstrates an exceptional application to learning.

Very Good – Usually demonstrates a strong and consistent application to learning.

Satisfactory – Generally meets expectations in their application to learning.

Needs Attention – Sometimes meets expectations in their application to learning.

General Comment

Reports now include a single General Comment. Subject-specific comments for Religion, English, and Mathematics have been removed.

Achievement Standard Indicator
A statement is included indicating that ‘Working With – WW’ or a ‘C’ represents the expected level of achievement by the end of the year.

Attendance Information
Any attendance concerns, such as frequent lateness or absences, will be noted in the General Comment.

Prep Reporting
Prep students are assessed and reported on in Religion, English, Mathematics, and Health and Physical Education. While students continue to engage in Science, Technologies, The Arts, and HASS, these subjects will not appear on the Prep report.

Learning Statements
Our school has also updated the way learning statements are presented. They now appear as summary dot points outlining key learning for the semester.

If you have any questions regarding the new format, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jwallace@sjnwtsv.catholic.edu.au.

May 2nd - Pupil Free Day

Our teachers examined the updated Mathematics curriculum with a focus on how to assess, track, and support student progress. As part of this process, they explored the new TCE reporting guidelines to develop a shared understanding of the revised marking schemes and the changes required to meet reporting expectations.

The Amazing Race is back!

The sun was shining, and our Year 3 and Year 5 students took on one of the most exciting events of the year! Unique to St Joey’s, this race is no ordinary competition. Students will navigate a timed scavenger hunt using a map and their problem-solving skills to crack maths puzzles and riddles along the way.

With an obstacle course thrown into the mix, this high-energy adventure is designed to get students thinking, moving, and applying maths in a fun, real-life context.

The competition was fierce! Congratulations to the Banana Bros — Reggie, Oscar, Leo, and Lisandro — who claimed victory in the Year 3 Race. In Year 5, The Flamingo Detectives -Giovanna, Charlotte, Franca, and Imogen - took out the top spot with their impressive physical and mathematical skills.

Beachathon Logo Challenge – 2025: Playground Possible

We set a challenge… and our students rose to it! From Prep to Year 6, over 60 creative and colourful entries were submitted for the 2025 Beachathon logo competition: Playground Possible. It was no easy task, but we narrowed the field to a shortlist of 20 finalists.

Then came the vote! Students cast their votes anonymously by dropping a piece of LEGO into their chosen entry’s box. The excitement was high, and while the winner was anyone’s guess, our “security team” kept a close eye to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Congratulations to Olivia Rolley for her winning design for 2025.

Have a great week.

Julie Wallace

Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking, and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

Year 3 and Library Collaboration

This term, our Year 3 students have been diving deep into the wonderful world of picture books through a collaboration between their classroom teachers and the school library. Students are exploring a selection of picture books, examining characters, vocabulary, language features, and the power of illustrations. This is an example of how classroom and library learning can work hand-in-hand to drive literacy development. By analysing story elements in the books, students are not only building deep reading skills and writing techniques, but also developing an appreciation for literature in its many forms.