First Holy Communion

Congratulations to our Joey's kids received their First Holy Communion on Sunday at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. This sacred occasion marks the final step in their sacraments of initiation, and they are now full members of the Catholic faith and family.

We thank Fr. Sylvester for celebrating the sacrament with us. 

Staff Professional Development

Last Wednesday, our teachers embarked on a Pilgrimage of Hope, walking together from St Joseph’s School to ANZAC Gardens and back. This journey included three significant stops. At each stop, teachers were invited to engage in contemplative prayer. 

1. St Joseph’s Church – Visio Divina: Teachers engaged in “divine seeing,” a form of prayer that invites us to pause and gaze at sacred art with the “eyes of the heart.” Teachers used the images of the church's high altar and stained glass windows to make connections to God's presence.

2. The Strand – Dadirri (First Nations Deep Listening): Teachers practised Dadirri, a First Nations form of contemplative listening and silent awareness. Rooted in Ngangiwumirri culture, Dadirri guides participants to “listen deeply, sit in stillness, and reconnect with ourselves, others, and the land”

3. ANZAC Gardens – Ignatian Spirituality in Nature: Immersed in God’s creation, teachers experienced Ignatian spirituality by hearing God’s Word through the natural world. This aligns with the Ignatian principle of “finding God in all things,” especially through listening and reflection in the outdoors.

The afternoon offered a precious opportunity to reflect, rest, notice, and wonder. Teachers considered deeply what it means to teach religion in a Catholic school.

Our heartfelt thanks to all staff who participated and to our school community for supporting this spirit-filled initiative. May each step taken on that afternoon continue to shape how we teach, learn, and live our faith together.

Year 4 and Prep Mass

On Friday, our Year 4 and Prep students had the joy of celebrating Mass together (in their PJs!) with Fr Sylvester.

It was a beautiful opportunity for the children to:

Gather in celebration and song, lifting their voices in praise and unity.

Take part in the Sacred Meal, deeply participating in the Eucharist—the “holy meal” that renews Jesus’ command from the Last Supper: “Do this in memory of me.” By joining the Liturgy of the Eucharist, our students experienced how Mass is both a communal banquet and a moment of deep communion with Jesus.

Our heartfelt thanks to Fr Sylvester, the Year 4 and Prep teachers, and all the students for making this Mass such a vibrant and faith-filled experience. May these shared moments continue to inspire our children’s faith and sense of belonging in our school’s Catholic community.

Each of our classes will have an opportunity to attend Mass over Semester Two.

 Hope all have a wonderful school holiday break, 

Trina Neilson

Assistant Principal - Religious Education