Term 1 Week 4 - February 26th, 2025
From The Principals Desk
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we enter week 4 of term we are really back into the swing of the school year. The students have settled into their new class environments and our kindergarten students are starting to make the school their own, with more and more confidence each day.
Digital Technology Student User Agreement (DTSUA):
This year all students' families will receive a digital user agreement, the DTSUA was sent out through Compass last week. The agreement needs to be completed by the end of Week 5 Term 1. Any agreements that are not returned will see those students unable to access devices at school. Weeks 1-5 are a grace period for all students.
Please read through the agreement carefully with your children.
St Joseph’s School Community Group - Meeting Wednesday 5th March
As most would be aware our Parent Forum has been replaced by the new parent representative model, the St Joseph’s School Community Group. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday 5th March and everyone is welcome! The first meeting will involve sorting the focus direction areas for the group, (how parents and family members can get involved to help improve student outcomes), setting some protocols for how the group will function and some information input from our pastoral care team. A more detailed agenda will be emailed to families this Friday.
Congratulations to our Zone Swimming team who performed well on the day and brought the Zone Aggregate Shield back home to St Joseph’s!
I am in Coffs Harbour Tuesday-Thursday this week at an Educational Leaders Gathering (Lismore Diocese Principals, Priests and Catholic Schools Office leaders), so I will see you on Friday.
Date saver: Welcome Disco Friday 14th March 5.30pm
Peace and blessings,
Jason Clarke
Principal
Sharing the Gospel
GOD MOMENTS
We witnessed a God moment when the Year 6 students were amazing buddies! They were so generous and caring with the new Kinders, showing true leadership just like Jesus.
We witnessed a God moment as the Zone Swimming team walked in the footsteps of Jesus, showing kindness, respect, and true sportsmanship when they represented St Joseph’s this week.
Pastoral Care
"S.O.L.E Superstar" Awards
Week 2 Term 1
Kinder
Beau Dallaway-Sinden
Skyla Daniel
Year 1
Kayley Bray
Alice Walsh
Year 2
Joseph Hunt
Clara Polson
Year 3
Frank Wilkinson
Mia McMahon
Year 4
Carter Alexander
Corey Bray
Year 5
William Owen
Pippa Bourke
Year 6
Imogen Rudman
Levi Campbell
Week 3 Term 1
Kinder
Kyah Kaleyias
Payton Keevers
Year 1
Jesse Bedser
Isabel McMahon
Year 2
Halen Jandura
Delilah Cleak
Year 3
Elsie McLeod
Mila Kendall
Year 4
Koen Jandura
Daisy Morphett
Year 5
Kaeden Jandura
Sam Stovold
Year 6
Zoe Lindsay
Noah Bowley
Curriculum News
Highlighting High Potential Learners
This semester, four of our talented Year 6 students started the extension program designed for high-potential learners. Imogen Rudman, Lyla McMahon, Nate Linkins (English), and Levi Campbell (Mathematics) engaged in advanced video lessons led by high school teachers, tackling challenging activities typically reserved for high school students.
This opportunity not only allowed these students to deepen their knowledge in their respective subjects but also gave them a glimpse of future learning opportunities. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and enthusiasm in embracing these advanced challenges!
They will participate in these lessons for terms 1 and 2. There will be a new round of Year 5 students who will be nominated for the program for terms 3 and 4.
Stage 3 Science and Technology With Mr M: Exploring Photosynthesis
This week in Science and Technology, the students of stage 3 delved into the fascinating process of photosynthesis and its crucial role in sustaining both plant and animal life. As part of their learning, the students created detailed models to demonstrate how photosynthesis occurs. These models are now proudly displayed around the classroom, highlighting the students' creativity, teamwork and strong inquiry skills in science.
Learning Gallery
Fun in Maths - Year 1
Stage 3 Micro-bits Science
What do tiny tech devices and anial survival have in common? Stage 3 students have been finding out in their Survival of the Fittest unit! They’ve been investigating how plants and animals adapt to their environments and using Micro:bits to collect and analyse data in exciting hands-on experiments. With curiosity and teamwork, they’ve explored real-world science and technology, developing problem-solving skills along the way. It’s been amazing to see their enthusiasm as they experiment, discover, and connect their learning to the world around them!
Stage 3 Writing Collaboration
In Stage 3, students develop their writing by collaborating with peers and using figurative language to create vivid mental images in the reader’s mind. They experiment with similes, metaphors, and sensory details to make their writing more engaging and descriptive. They refine their work through peer discussions and structured feedback, by giving specific praise and suggesting meaningful edits. This process helps them enhance their creativity, improve clarity, and build confidence in their writing.
Safe-T On The B.I.K.E
Wellbeing Through Music at St Joseph's Primary, South Murwillumbah.
We are very excited to share the link to our film clip and lyric video for the Safe - T On The B.I.K.E song.
Thanks to CJ Shaw, Mr Motion & the Catholic Schools Office, Lismore.
Enjoy!
Sports News
TWEED ZONE SWIMMING RESULTS:
Our St Joseph’s Swimming Team had a fantastic day last Wednesday competing at the Tweed Zone Swimming Carnival! Our team represented themselves and our school with outstanding sportsmanship! Congratulations to all our swimmers:
Girls: Yasi, Lyla, Isla, Pippa, Shelby, Macy, Ella, Amelia, Bonnie, Sierra, Meadow, Millie & Clara.
Boys: Nate, Jaxon, Nakoha, Levi, Sam, Ace, Frank, Carter, Lorenzo, Luca, Harry, Will, Joseph & Luca.
The official results have not come out yet but the students progressing on to Diocesan have been published! Congratulations to the following students who are now progressing onto Diocesan in a week’s time:
Carter: Jnr 200IM, 10Yr 50m Freestyle, Jnr 50m Backstroke, Jnr 50m Butterfly, Jnr 50m Breaststroke & Jnr Relay – and awarded Jnr Age Champion!!
Pippa: Open 100m & 11Yr 50m Freestyle
Amelia: Jnr 200IM
Bonnie: Snr 50m Butterfly
An extra special congratulations to Carter for breaking two Zone Swimming Records!! The 10Yr 50m Freestyle and 10Yr 50m Breaststroke.
Our school won the Aggregate Shield (Champion small school award)!!
We wish you all the best of luck as you prepare for Diocesan next Tuesday 4th March in Murwillumbah!
RECORD BREAKING CERTIFICATES PRESENTED:
Shelby and Carter were presented with their record-breaking certificates at our first whole school assembly recently.
Shelby broke the 10Yr 50m Breaststroke in a time of 51.75! This record stood for 13Yrs and was previously held by Anthea Warne!
Carter broke all six records! Five of which were previously held by Zayne and stood for 9yrs! These were the 50m Backstroke (4 seconds off the record), 100m Freestyle (5 seconds off), 50m Freestyle (6 seconds off), 200IM (13 seconds off) and 50m Butterfly (16 seconds off). The sixth record was previously held by Russell Chandler taking 8 seconds off the record which has stood for 16yrs!!
Congratulations Shelby and Carter, such a fantastic achievement to break a school swimming record!
AFL NSW AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL ALL SCHOOLS GIRLS 12YEARS AND UNDER TRIALS
Pippa is heading to Woolgoolga tomorrow to attended the NSW AFL All Schools trials. The entire state is divided into 6 locations with Woolgoolga being the closest trial for the girls. This catchment area would be similar to Diocesan level however twice as difficult with Catholic Schools, Public Schools and Independent Schools all coming together at these trials! We wish Pippa the best of luck and hope she enjoys her experience!
TWEED ZONE WINTER TRIALS:
Students in Yr5 and Yr6 who play at a high level in their chosen sport (Netball, Soccer, Hockey, Rugby League or Rugby Union) have nominated for the Tweed Zone Winter Trials. These trials will take place after school this week or next depending on the sport. Parents will be required to transport their child to the trials. We wish those students who have nominated the best of luck at the upcoming trials.
This week there will be NRL on Wednesday: Ace, Asher, Misha, Nakoha, Jaxon, Xavier and Archer and Thursday Netball trials: Bonnie, Allira, Esther and Ella. Next week is Soccer and Hockey will progress straight through to Diocesan trials. Good luck to the above students this week!
LEAGUE TAG:
We have been enjoying our NRL coaches who have been visiting our classes during PE sessions for the past two weeks. They have been promoting both League Tag and Tackle as both sports are now open for sign up. Any interested students can sign up through the Colts website or Facebook page.
ALF COACHES TO VISIT IN PE: This Thursday and next Thursday we will receive a visit from some AFL coaches! This will take place during our PE sessions as they come to promote the local AFL sign up for the season. The AusKick program starts next Tuesday 4th March and runs for 6 weeks at Rabjones Oval in town. For $90 you get an awesome participant pack (shirt, ball, backpack, pump and footy cards), 6 weeks of AFL with weeks 5 & 6 running for 2hrs! It’s a great way to kick off the season with lots of fun footy games and skills!
SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: On Friday 28th March (week 8) our School Cross Country will be taking place on our school oval! We will be running this event first thing in the morning with Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 going first then the 3km races followed by the 2km races – Boys then Girls to avoid the longest races hitting the hottest part of the day (a parent information sheet with full details re; timetable etc will be sent out closer to the date).
Students in Year 2 may choose to run in the Year 2 race (which is a 500m loop along the council grassy area) or if they are turning eight this year, they may wish to compete in the 8/9Yr race which is predominately Year 3 students (2km course). Students cannot do both races. Students in Yr2 who choose to race the 2km course are eligible to progress onto Zone if they finish in the top 6 of that age category (8/9Yrs)!
Parents with students in Year 2 who would like their child to compete in the Yr3 race (8/9Yr – 2km race) will email me closer to the date at: samantha.daly@lism.catholic.edu.au to let me know that their child is choosing to race the 2km course and is capable of competing in this distance.
It is encouraged that most students in Year 2 will compete in the Yr 2 race and only choose the Yr3 – 2km race if they have been consistently training for the 2km distance.
We will be practicing both the 500m distance and the 2km distance in PE lessons so students in Year 2 know which distance best suits them.
RUNNING CLUB:
To help prepare students for Cross Country, we will be holding our Friday morning running club on the council grassy area starting this week at 8.20am or whenever you arrive to school! Come to run as little or as much as you like to build your fitness for Cross Country!
SATURDAY RUNNING CLUB – TWO SESSIONS ONLY: This year the Zone Cross Country course has been completely changed to avoid the camping area and moving vehicles at the Showground. There will be two opportunities to test out the Zone Cross Country course before the day of competition! This Saturday 1st March we will be meeting at the Murwillumbah Showground in the large grandstand and again in a fortnights time Saturday 15th March at 8am. Both Courtney and Jack will be there to get to know keen runners in the area (professional athletes featured in the last newsletter who coach kids of all abilities). This a community based running group, open to families from all schools in the local area and is a great opportunity for children to run with a range of ages and abilities – all ages welcome! Parents are responsible for their children and must be able to supervise at all times (even if from the stands but we encourage all levels of participation!) Last year we had a great turn out including babies in prams and dogs on leashes so join us for a walk / run and finish with a coffee from our local coffee provider Alistair Gibb!
PROFESSIONAL RUNNING / ATHLETICS COACHING IN MURWILLUMBAH:
I have had a lot of parents asking for Courtney and Jack’s contact details from the previous newsletter. (professional athletes featured in the last newsletter who coach kids of all abilities). They will be at the Saturday morning running club this week at the Showground 8am and also contactable through the below details:
Website: www.gillyscoachingandwellness.com
Email: gillyscoachingandwellness@outlook.com
Phone: 0466805502
Library News
~LIBRARY BORROWING TIME~
The Premier's Reading Challenge is now open!
Start reading and recording your books NOW!
More about the challenge in our next newsletter.
General News
PBS Shield Results:
Term 1 - Week 2 Term 1 - Week 3
WINNER - LEONARD WINNER - PARKER
Thank you to DINKI DI'S for your very kind donation of a new library trolley for our classroom. Your help in our community is greatly appreciated!
LOST PROPERTY
An ice pack has been found. Please call into the office to collect if it is your.
School Fees
Families' 2025 school fees for the full year are now posted and can be viewed in Compass. This is a Diocese wide change from the term by term billing we have done in the past. In term 4 last year you will have selected your preferred payment frequency. More information on payment installments and due dates in the following pages. For any fee queries please contact the school office or Jason.
Canteen News
Canteen Term 1
Our Canteen is open Fridays only this term. If we're able to build a larger pool of volunteers, we can review opening on Wednesday's for Term 2!
- Parents can order through Compass up to 3:30pm the day before.
- There is a link below with how to order.
- Parent and grandparent volunteers are URGENTLY needed this year. How can I help?
- Volunteer occasionally, regularly, or go on our back-up list. We will pair you with an experienced volunteer if it is your first time.
- Make our cookie dough (this can be done at home with ingredients and recipe supplied.)
For information on volunteering, please contact our canteen manager Elise Alley or Jacinda in the school office on 66721 867.
Our current Term 1 roster is below.
Compass Help for Parents
Have you logged onto Compass?
Compass is a school management solution that allows parents and cares to access up-to-date and meaningful information about St Joseph's school and your child's progress.
Compass is a user-friendly app that will allow you to pay school fees, send out sick notes. contact teachers, order from the canteen and give permission to attend and pay for excursions and sporting events.
If you haven't set it up yet, please click on the link below to see what it is all about.
If you need any assistance using your Compass account, please contact the school office. We are here to help with any questions you may have about:
• accessing Compass
• viewing your newsfeed
• fee balance
• canteen ordering
• school events
• permissions & payments
Information is also available in the links below.
Parish News
Wednesday 26 February No Mass today
Thursday 27 February No Mass today
Friday 28 February 10:45 am - Opening of the Holy Door
11:00 am - Adoration & Reconciliation
12 noon - Mass
12:30pm |7:30pm - Private Prayer & Reflection
Saturday 1 March 6:00 pm - Vigil Mass
Sunday 2 March 8:00 am | 1:00 pm - Church Doors open
8:30 am - Rosary
9:00 am - Mass
10:00 am - Parish Cuppa / Morning Tea
Health and Wellbeing
Parent News
Community Sports News
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