Dear Parents and Carers, 

We have made it to the end of a very tough year.  As we take time to reflect on the year we have had, we need to remember to be grateful for the many experiences we have had this year, the lessons we have learnt and the memories we have made.  We have a lot to be grateful for and so much to celebrate.  

As our Year 6 students finish their time at St Joseph's so do a number of families. Some families have spent many years as part of our school, some a much shorter time but all have left their mark on our school community.  Thank you for your contribution to St. Joseph's during your time here.  On behalf of the school community, we thank you and wish you all the very best for the future and every success and happiness. 

To our parents, carers and grandparents who support the St Joseph’s school community, we are very grateful for all you do.  In a year that threw so many challenges at us all, I would like to thank you for your continued encouragement and support.  The staff and students thank you for all you do to help make our school a wonderful community. 

To our students.  What a year you have had!  You have all given your best under some difficult circumstances and we are very proud of you.  You have lived out our Mercy Values of Love, Community, Excellence in so many different ways this year.  The best part of our job is watching the students grow and discover new things about themselves.  Personally, for me, it is all about the look on a student's face when they finally get something or have achieved a new personal goal.  For some students, this can take longer than for others, but what is important is that no matter what the situation, our students are always trying to do their best.  Each and every student has made some amazing progress throughout the year and they should all be very proud of their achievements. 

On a personal note, as this is my last newsletter at St Joseph’s I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people.

Firstly I would like to thank Tim.  For my first time in leadership, I couldn’t have asked to work with anyone better than Tim.  His unending support, encouragement and advice have helped shape where I am today.  Tim’s belief in me has meant the world to me and the fact that I am ready to take the next step in my career is in no small part due to him.  I appreciate you so much, Tim and value everything that I have learnt from you.  The words thank you aren’t enough to express the gratitude I have for all that you have done for me over the past three years.  I am lucky to call you not only a mentor but also a friend.  

Jan, thank you for your support and guidance over my time here at Joey’s.  I have learnt a great deal from you and will miss you.  It has been an absolute joy and privilege to work with you over the past three years.  I will be forever grateful for the kindness and friendship.    

To the amazing ladies in the Office, Karen, Lorelle and Belinda for their ongoing support.  Thank you for your patience and dedication and for always being willing to lend a hand and help me whenever needed.  The work that these ladies do holds everything together.  

To the Joey’s staff who have gone above and beyond this year, thank you.  Thank you for your unending support, not just this term but over the past 3 years.  I have truly loved working with you all and wish you nothing but happiness for what is next to come.  

Although this week I am saying goodbye to my Joey’s family, it is important to remember that farewells are not forever, nor are they the end.  Goodbye is simply the words that are used to express how much I am going to miss each and every one of you.  Nothing will ever diminish the important role that the staff, students and families here at Joey’s have played in my life.  I wish you all the very best and may you all be blessed with many happy adventures and amazing experiences.  Although I am sad to be saying goodbye I am excited about my move and will forever cherish the memories I have made here at Joey’s.  Thank you for being such a big part of my life for the past three years.

Finally, I hope that this Christmas season provides you all with an opportunity to relax and enjoy time with family and loved ones.  If you are travelling, please take care and stay safe.  The true joy of Christmas is the love of Christ, shared with family and friends. May you find His peace, love and joy in the coming New Year.  Have a very holy, happy and safe Christmas. 

Until we meet again,

Take care and God Bless.

Amanda

Sacramental Program

Our parish has advertised the dates for the Sacramental Program for 2021. Students from Year 3 ( 8 years) and above are invited to participate. Year 2, 3 families have been emailed an invitation and as the program for 2021 begins early, it would be appreciated if you could email the parish office for an enrolment form before the end of the year. 

Christmas/Giving Mass

It was lovely to finish our 2020 school year with our Christmas and Giving mass yesterday. The children did beautiful readings and processed in with the symbolic gifts of love, community, compassion, hope, justice, forgiveness and joy- the gifts from God that we value every day at St Joseph’s. Special thank you to Fr Siby for celebrating Mass with us and to Seana Mokrzecki for her assistance. As only the Year 6 parents as well as the parents of 2021 school leaders were able to attend, thank you to Jason Bennett for livestreaming the Mass. 

It was also a chance to say goodbye to students and staff who are leaving our school, including our Year 6 class. We thank them for their contributions and we have certainly been enriched by their presence.

Reports 

Semester 2 Reports will be available on the Compass Portal on Friday, December 4th at 12pm. Here is the information on accessing the reports. 

Loving God,

During this holy season of Christmas,

we ask for your blessing on all families.

Let Mary’s openness to your wondrous ways

be an inspiration to place all trust in you.

Let Joseph’s courage provide hope during times of anxiety and uncertainty.

Let Jesus’ life ignite all families with a spirit of light and love.

May the grace that encircled the Holy Family widen to embrace all families.

For this we pray. Amen

The year has flown and has been challenging with Covid19 but always rewarding. I warmly thank our wonderful students, staff and parents for their support in both my role as Learning and Teaching Adviser and for the last weeks of Term 4 covering the APRE role for Amanda. 

May God’s peace be in your hearts and homes this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.  Jan

Sport@Joey’s 2020

Despite some obstacles presented to us all in 2020, St. Joey’s were still able to continue our sporting tradition. The year got off to a memorable start with our school swimming carnival held at Kokoda Pool. Tobruk pool was in the final part of its renovation, so we were lucky that Kokoda was able to host our lessons and carnival. This year, Faulkner was victorious (narrowly holding off the fast finishing Ryan team) securing the Overall Trophy. The Spirit Shield was again on offer, with Benjamin taking the coveted prize. At our A Schools Interschool Carnival, we managed to continue our outstanding run from last year, winning the A School Average Trophy (based on student numbers) and Runners Up Trophy. The Cathedral School were narrow winners by 10 points overall. Our mighty Prep - Year 3’s enjoyed their swimming lessons this term back at Tobruk Pool.

In Athletics, we managed to conduct our carnival here at Joey’s on our school grounds. Shot Put, High Jump, Long Jump and Sprints were held over four consecutive weeks. In the narrowest of margins, Ryan triumphed over Faulkner with Benjamin taking the Spirit Trophy. Unfortunately, the Interschool carnival was cancelled.

Without our Cross Country event this year, St. Joey's annual and very popular 'Townsville 2 Cairns Challenge' took on even greater significance in Term 2. Students learning from home joined students attending school to participate. This initiative helped to develop some fitness and stamina in a fun way. Every lap that each child completed was recorded to a year level tally. The emphasis is on having a go and enjoying a jog. We did so well this year that when we 'arrived' in Cairns, we turned around and ran back to North Ward. What an effort!

Our netballers enjoyed participating in the annual Staff v Student grudge match. The staff were in outstanding form and managed to finish victorious. Miss Donna is to be congratulated on training the team throughout the year, despite not having the chance to participate in the NQ Netball Cup.

A large number of Year 6 students represented St. Joey's at the annual Woolworths Cricket Blast School Cup in Term 3. The event was held at Endeavour Oval and conducted by Queensland Cricket in conjunction with the Brisbane Heat. The emphasis was on inclusion, where every student batted, bowled and fielded. Our leaders are to be congratulated first and foremost on their school spirit and sportsmanship. They showcased their skills from the Sporting Schools Cricket clinics and importantly had a lot of fun along the way. It was a joy to hear our school war cry belted out many times on our return trip.

Our NQ Cowboy and Joey’s dad Josh Maguire was our Adopt A School Cowboy again in 2020. Josh has done a magnificent job in advocating the ‘Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well’ message, however he spent a large part of the year in a ‘bubble’ and was unable to join us regularly. Matty Bowen filled in for the NQ Cowboys and he managed to visit us and many other schools in Townsville.

 A highlight of the year again was the Walla Challenge. Students in Years 4-6 were assigned mixed teams and played a round robin event that culminated in the World Cup final. Our finalists Argentina and Italy put on a wonderful display at our Walla Cup final. The cheering crowd inspired the players from both teams, with Italy holding on to a 15-5 victory. Both teams showcased great skill, effort and most importantly, Joey's sportsmanship. The Year 6 sporting pastoral group are to be commended on their tireless efforts in organising this community building event. We look forward to Walla in 2021.

Congratulations to Jack Whelan, Elle Johnston and Kate Blackmore on their efforts at the Queensland Hockey championships held in Ipswich. They were up against strong opposition and acquitted themselves with great distinction. In a year where most sports were unable to offer such opportunities, we are grateful that our Joey's students got the opportunity to represent Townsville and NQ.

This year our school community mourned the sad loss of Tennis Townsville's much loved professional, Wayne Hannah. Wayne had a very long association with Joey's, going all the way back when providing lessons on our outdoor basketball court over 20 years ago. Many of our students have had the privilege of being coached by Wayne when he undertook lessons for Sporting Schools or simply just helping out. We are proud of the strong relationship forged between Tennis Townsville and our school. Wayne was largely responsible for this. He was always the first to donate (tennis gear) for Beachathon & that was no different this year. Joey's school is a better place for having had Wayne part of our community. May he rest in peace.

School Carnivals 2020 

Congratulations to all houses on their determination and spirit shown at our house carnivals. We can’t wait to see what happens in 2021.