Dear Parents and Carers

As we come to the end of an historic year I wanted to say thank you for your ongoing support of St Joseph's.  It has been an amazing year,  one filled with success and celebration.  I am incredibly grateful to the staff, students and families who have given so much throughout the year to ensure our 150th was amazing.

While there is excitement surrounding the Christmas break this is also a difficult time of the year where we farewell many families, staff and students.  To all the students and families leaving our school, I want to say thank you for what you have contributed during your time as part of our school community.  St Joseph's is a special place and you have helped to make it that way.

For Lorelle, Belinda, Chelsea, Jacinta and Abbie,  our amazing staff members leaving this year,  this is not farewell as hopefully St Joseph's will always be a place where you feel welcome.  Thank you for everything you have done during your time at the school.  I sincerely hope you leave us with fond memories of your time here.  We will miss you but wish you all the very best as you embark on new adventures.  Sincerely, thank you.

I would like to officially congratulate Mrs Julie Wallace who has been successfully appointed as Assistant Principal - Pedagogy and Learning (APPL).  This is a new role within the schools in the Townsville Diocese and brings into perspective the importance of effective pedagogy and engaged learning within schools.  Julie has been working in a similar space in our school for the last 3 years and now will take up this new role. Congratulations Julie.

Finally I would like to thank the wonderful staff.  It has been a massive year for our school and one that would not have been possible without the dedicated and hard working staff of St Joseph's.  As always they have gone above and beyond expectations to make sure our students are provided with every chance to succeed. I am incredibly thankful to them for all they do and have done throughout the year.  We are indeed very fortunate to have the calibre of staff we have on a daily basis.

I hope that you have a safe and relaxing break and a Merry Christmas.  I look forward to seeing you all again in 2024 for our 151st year!

Kind regards

Tim

The first of December today brings forth the enchanting season of Christmas - a time when joy and warmth fill the air, marked by twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a sense of togetherness. Beyond the hustle and bustle lies the heart of Christmas: the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The significance of Jesus' birth embodies the message of hope, love, and compassion - values that resonate deeply with the spirit of Christmas and shine at Joey's. His teachings of kindness, forgiveness, and selflessness serve as guiding lights, inspiring countless individuals worldwide to embrace empathy and generosity.

The traditions associated with Christmas, from decorating trees to exchanging gifts, hold symbolic meanings tied to this sacred event. The Christmas tree symbolises life and renewal, while the exchange of gifts mirrors the sentiment of the Three Wise Men offering presents to the infant Jesus.

Amidst the festivities and celebrations of Christmas, it is important to reflect on the essence of this holiday. It’s a time for gratitude, a reminder of the love shared with family and friends, and an opportunity to extend a helping hand to those in need.

At our Thanksgiving Mass yesterday, we presented the Castle Hill St Vincent de Paul Conference with a collection of donated goods. Early next week, members of the Conference, together with Joey's staff will sort and pack these goods into hampers to be gifted throughout the Townsville community. Thank you for your ongoing support and donations.   

Hope all have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, 

Trina

Semester Reports

Semester Two Reports will be published via Compass on today Friday 1st December at 12pm. You will need your Compass username and password to access these reports. Please see the office if you do not have this information. 

If your child is in Year 6 or if you are leaving our school please download your child's report from Compass before 30th December. After the 30th of December, access via Compass will not be available.

For instructions on how to access your child's report, please follow the steps outlined in the document below:

2023 - What a year!

As we bid farewell to 2023, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional teachers and dedicated school officers. Their commitment to providing engaging and meaningful learning experiences has been instrumental in shaping our students' educational journey. Behind the scenes, our expert team has invested countless hours in training, refining their practices with evidence-aligned pedagogies. Anticipate exciting new writing practices on the horizon for 2024—stay tuned for the unveiling!

Joey's is truly an extraordinary workplace, and it's all thanks to our remarkable Joey's kids. Describing the essence of being a Joey's Kid may be a challenge, but it's unmistakably evident in the playground. Acts of kindness, unwavering determination, and an authentic spirit define what it means to be a Joey's Kid.

Parents, a sincere thank you for your commitment to your children's learning. Whether it's attending PT interviews, reading with your child, or participating in our parent swimming race, your involvement plays a crucial role in providing the best opportunities for your child. Indeed, it takes a community to raise a child, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have you as integral members of our team.

Last but not least thank you to Tim and Trina for their steadfast support in enabling our teaching team to access progressive, evidence-aligned professional learning opportunities, ultimately benefiting our students. Without your backing, we wouldn't have the ability to shine a guiding light on the path to success.

Wishing you all a restful holiday season and looking forward to an engagine 2024!

Julie Wallace

Learning and Teaching Adviser