22 July 2025 (Week 1 Term 3 2025)
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Welcome back to Term 3! We hope your children have had a restful and refreshing break and are ready for a term full of learning, growth, and fun. We’re excited about all the wonderful things happening this term and can’t wait to share them with our students and families.
Some key highlights for Term 3 include:
- The blessing of our new St Joseph statue
- Our Junior and Senior Discos this Thursday
- NAIDOC celebrations
- Mary MacKillop Feast Day and Service Afternoon
- Family Day celebrations
- A number of students will receive their First Eucharist this term
This Thursday, we’re particularly looking forward to the Junior and Senior Discos! A huge thank you to the parent helpers who have made this event possible and to our teachers for generously giving their time to support it.
On Friday, we invite all parents and parishioners to join us for a special liturgy for the blessing of our new statue of St Joseph in the school hall at 2:00 pm. Bishop Greg will preside over the Liturgy of the Word alongside Fr Max, and will bless this beautiful new addition to our school grounds. Placing our patron saint so prominently at the school entrance helps to truly cement our identity as a Josephite school. St Joseph stands as a model for our students: family-focused, humble, and a servant leader.
We are currently in the midst of planning our 2025 Family Day, which will be held on Friday, 22 August, with this year’s theme: Book an Adventure. For families new to our school, Family Day is our biggest community celebration of the year, and we would love for you to be a part of it. The day will begin with a prayer service, book reading and student awards, followed by a BBQ lunch and a rotation of fun, themed activities for students and their families to enjoy together. We also have our book fair in the library. Your generous donations of books are what help ensure our library is such an amazing resource for our students. It’s always a joyful celebration of our school spirit, love of reading, and community connection. Please see the RSVP form in the Mission section below to let us know if you’ll be attending so we can cater accordingly.
Sadly, I won’t be able to attend Family Day this year, as I’ve been given the opportunity to present a research paper I co-authored at the Australian Catholic Education Conference, which happens to fall on the same day. While I’ll miss being there for one of our most enjoyable events, I know the day will be in the very best hands with our amazing staff and leaders.
A quick reminder that from this term, we’re trialling a fortnightly newsletter format. As always, Compass remains the central platform for all school communication, and we’ve worked hard to ensure it’s being used effectively to keep families informed.
We’re looking forward to a fantastic term ahead and thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.
2025 School Census – Friday 1 August
The annual Non-Government Schools Census will be held on Friday 1 August. The purpose of the Census is to collect data about school staff and student enrolments to inform government funding and policy for non-government schools.
A Privacy Collection Notice is available, outlining what information is collected, why, and how it may be used:
Uniform and Grooming Reminder
A reminder, as we commence Term 3, of the uniform expectations are provided below.
School shoes should be black, soft, polishable leather – not suede, canvas or skate shoes. Shoelaces will be done up correctly at all times. Jewellery is not allowed; however, students who have pierced ears may wear sleepers or studs. Students with multiple ear piercings must have clear studs worn in these holes. Children will be asked to remove all ‘excess’ jewellery and place this in their School bag. Please also note that ribbons, scrunchies, etc, worn in the girls' hair should be in School colours: white, light blue, and navy blue. Students are asked not to wear coloured nail polish. Dyed hair is not permitted, and shoulder-length hair should be tied back for health reasons. Hair that is shoulder-length must be tied up. No hair should cover the eyes. We do not tolerate “trendy” hairstyles such as fades, undercuts, lines, mullets, etc.
Our school has a winter bomber jacket and tracksuit pants. We thank parents for their support in ensuring their children are wearing the full school uniform. This helps ensure we are well represented in our school and in the community.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations next week
Although NAIDOC Week was officially celebrated during the school holidays (7–14 July), we are excited to mark this important occasion as a school community during Week 2 of Term 3.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, and the week is a time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about and reflect on the strength and richness of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. It is also an important week for our own indigenous students, our Jarjums.
Our school has planned a range of meaningful and engaging activities to honour this important time, including:
Monday – NAIDOC-themed assembly and native fruit tree planting to symbolise growth, connection to Country, and future hope.
Wednesday – A BBQ lunch supported by parent helpers, and a special performance by the Ballina Coast High School Indigenous Dance Group after recess.
Friday – At our Friday assembly, we’ll present NAIDOC awards and welcome local Elders and community members to take part in our celebrations.
Throughout the week, students will also participate in beading workshops, making bracelets, necklaces, and keyrings using traditional and Torres Strait Islander colours and materials.
We look forward to a wonderful week of celebration, learning, and reflection—grounded in our shared commitment to reconciliation and respect.
Staffing Changes
We have a few minor changes to our Joey's team from this term.
Mr Pearson is away for the first four weeks of term for his teaching practicum; we wish you the best of luck! Ms Charlotte Goodwin, who already works with us one day a week as an Enrichment Tutor and is also studying to be a teacher, will head from Year 6 into Year 4 for the term and take on Mr Pearson’s role for the first four weeks of the term.
We also bade farewell to Mr Trickey, who has been an Enrichment Tutor in Year 6 two days each week at the end of last term. Thank you, Mr Trickey, for the contribution you have made to our school community in your time with us. You will be missed!
Mrs Deb Bomba has been appointed to replace Mr Trickey on Wednesdays and Thursdays for the remainder of the year. She has had an overseas holiday booked for over a year and so will commence with us in Week 3, Term 3, I know everyone will make her feel very welcome as she joins our community.
Scripture Reflection
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we encounter the familiar story of Mary and Martha, two sisters who welcome Jesus into their home. While Martha becomes consumed with the tasks of hospitality, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening attentively to His words. When Martha expresses frustration that Mary isn’t helping, Jesus gently reminds her that Mary has chosen “the better part.”
As parents, it’s easy to relate to Martha. We live in a world that rewards busyness, multitasking, and constant doing. Between school lunches, washing uniforms, work deadlines, and after-school activities, our days can feel like a blur of logistics. And yet, in the midst of all this, Jesus gently calls us, like He called Martha, to pause, to sit, and to listen.
This Gospel isn’t about choosing between being a Martha or a Mary. Rather, it invites us to bring balance to our lives; to make space for both service and stillness, doing and being. Our children need both the structure we provide and the presence we offer. Taking time to be truly present, to listen to them, to pray with them, to model moments of quiet and reflection, is a gift that forms them deeply.
May we find, even in the chaos of family life, small moments to be like Mary; sitting with Jesus, even if just for a few quiet breaths.
You are invited to listen to Bishop Greg’s Homily from Sunday’s Mass.
ICAS Assessments
It’s the last week to register your child for ICAS assessments!
Learn more about ICAS here: icasassessments.com/products-icas/
How to participate in ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please go to the Parent Portal to register for your chosen subjects.
Use this link to log directly into the shop and start registering:
Maths before bed
If you solve the puzzle, come and tell Mr Crosby your solution.
St Joseph Statue Blessing
We are looking forward to the blessing of our statue of St Joseph this Friday. We are grateful that Bishop Greg will be visiting each of our classes and answering questions from our students before the blessing.
Families and parishioners are warmly invited to join us for the 2pm Blessing and stay for a shared afternoon tea. We ask parents to please bring a plate to share with our parishioners and visitors. Students will be given an icypole to sweeten the afternoon tea!
Disco
We can’t wait for our school disco this Thursday! Students can wear their disco finest and adorn themselves with glow sticks, available for purchase for 50c from the canteen. A cash-only canteen will be running thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers for drinks, icypoles and snacks. We look forward to seeing you there!
Mary MacKillop Feast Day Celebration and Activities
On August 8th, Catholics celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Our school was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary MacKillop’s order of nuns, and is a significant part of our school's identity. Her famous saying, “Never see a need without doing something about it”, is well known and acted on by our students.
All families and parishioners are invited to join us for our Liturgy of the Word in the church at 12.30pm.
Students will then participate in service activities with their classes, including visiting Maranoa, spending time with parishioners, preschool visits and environmental stewardship. More information will be sent out soon via Compass!
Family Day
We are very excited to have Family Day on August 22nd this year. The theme for book week this year is ‘Book an Adventure’.
The day will begin in the hall at 9.15am with a prayer service, student awards, and a special book reading. Afterwards, all students will take part in a Book Week character parade across the stage — an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the creative and fun costumes.
We will then move into fun, family group activity rotations on the theme ‘Book an Adventure’ and enjoy a BBQ lunch, generously supported by the parish.
Please RSVP for our Family Day BBQ via this link by Wednesday, 13th August for catering purposes.
We look forward to a fun day with all our families!
Teach your child the essential skill of being organised. Start with assisting them to pack their bag and lay out their uniform the night before. You are helping them on the path to self-responsibility.
Teaching your child organisational skills is a valuable and empowering endeavour that sets the foundation for self-responsibility and a sense of control over their own lives. Here are some tips to help your child develop organisational skills, starting with preparing for school:
- Establish a Routine. Create a consistent daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, and leaving for school. A structured routine provides predictability and helps your child develop a sense of time management.
- Prepare the Night Before. Encourage your child to pack their school bag and lay out their uniform the night before. This proactive approach reduces morning stress and ensures that everything needed for the school day is ready to go.
- Use Checklists. Create checklists for morning and evening tasks. Checklists provide a visual guide for your child to follow and help reinforce the habit of being organised. As their skills improve, they may not need the checklist.
- Model Organisation. Lead by example. Children often learn by observing, so showcasing organisational habits reinforces the importance of being well-prepared.
- Adjust and Adapt. Recognise that organisational needs may change over time. Be flexible and willing to adjust strategies based on your child's evolving responsibilities and needs.
🧠 Free Online Workshops for Parents: Autism & ADHD
We’re pleased to share two free, high-quality online workshops for parents and carers, designed to support families with children who may have additional needs.
Autism for Parents
A 5-hour, self-paced course to help parents and carers:
- Understand the characteristics of autism
- Respond to behaviours with practical strategies
- Create sensory-friendly environments
- Care for their own wellbeing
ADHD for Parents
This 5-hour workshop helps families to:
- Recognise the traits of ADHD
- Learn effective support strategies
- Manage focus, routines, and emotional regulation
- Understand common challenges at home and school
➡️ Access both courses here: https://aus.oltinternational.net/courses#parent-courses
Courses are free to access, self-paced, and developed by education and health professionals in consultation with parents. A certificate of completion is available for a small fee.
NSW CCSP Parent Conference
The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents are hosting a special 30-year anniversary Parent Conference in Sydney. Keynote speakers include Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell and Daniel Principe. Conference tickets cost $30, and parents/carers need to arrange their own travel and accommodation in Sydney. For more information and to book, go to https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/2025-conference.
