Term 1 Week 2 - February 12th, 2025
From The Principals Desk
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a wonderful start we have had to the 2025 school year! All classes including our new kindergarten cohort have settled into their new learning environments with great confidence and enthusiasm. We are looking forward to a successful and positive year ahead.
We celebrated our Welcome Mass and Student Leaders Induction this morning. We congratulate our Year 6 student leaders and look forward to their ongoing positive leadership and role modelling throughout the year. It was also great to have families in attendance at our first official function for the year.
As with every school year, it is sure to be a busy and eventful year ahead. Please be sure to keep your eye on the calendar and upcoming events notices and know that family members and carers are always invited and welcome to join us at our events throughout the year. In saying that, our first school assembly will be this Friday at 2.20pm in the assembly room. Our new Student Representative Council members from years 3-6 will be inducted into their roles at this week’s assembly. All are welcome!
Parent Information Evening - Wednesday 19th February, 2025
We have our Parent Information sessions for years 1-6 in week 3 here at school. (Kindergarten had theirs during the transition program late last year)
The purpose of these meetings are to inform parents and carers of the curriculum content, expectations and general information for the year ahead. So come along to understand your child's school context so that you can support them in their efforts to succeed!
These meetings are held in stages within the stage classrooms. Times for each stage have been staggered to cater for families with children in different classes.
1st Session: Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) 5:00pm – 5:30pm
2nd Session: Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) 5:40pm – 6:10pm
3rd Session: Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) 6:15pm – 6:45pm
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.
It has been a pleasure catching up with families and students each day as we embrace the new school year. May the year ahead be one of positive relationships, successful learning and gratitude.
Save the date: Wednesday 5th March - St Joseph’s School Community Group meeting. All invited, encouraged and welcome!
Have a great week.
Peace and blessings,
Jason Clarke
Principal
Start the School Year Safely: Tips for 2025
As children return to school, it's important to prioritise their safety on the journey to and from school.
Take time to discuss these key safety tips with your child:
- Getting In and Out of the Car:
○ Always use the door closest to the curb to prevent stepping into trac.
○ Make sure your child waits until the car has completely stopped before exiting.
- Walking Safely:
○ Encourage distraction-free walking by asking your child to remove headphones and put away devices while crossing streets.
○ Teach your child to stay alert, follow track signals, and use designated pedestrian crossings.
- Using the Bus Safely:
○ Wait at the bus stop together, standing at least one step back from the edge of the road.
○ Always meet your child at the bus stop on the same side of the road—never call them across from the opposite side.
○ Wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street, ensuring it is safe to cross.
- Using Wheeled Transport:
○ Remind your child that helmets are mandatory when riding a bike in public—it’s the law.
○ Encourage helmet use and protective gear for other wheeled activities, such as scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.
Never sacrifice safety for convenience, source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/.
Sharing the Gospel
Embracing the Jubilee
In 2025 the Church invites us into a Jubilee Year, a sacred time of renewal, mercy, and joy. Rooted in Biblical tradition, a jubilee is more than just a celebration - it's a call to restore relationships, deepen our faith, and live out God's love in tangible ways. As parents and educators, we have a unique opportunity to bring the spirit of Jubilee into our homes, schools, and communities.
The Jubilee Year is a time to reset - to forgive past hurts, let go of grudges, and open our hearts to God's mercy. In families, this can mean practicing forgiveness, having open conversations, and encouraging children to seek and offer reconciliation. At school and in the wider community, it can mean fostering kindness, generosity, and renewed commitment to service.
In the coming weeks we will look at practical ways to live this Jubilee Year. We hope and pray that 2025 will be a year that embraces hope for you all.
GOD MOMENT
When Ozzy excitedly shared his pride in Beau’s first-ever Kindergarten work with Mrs Traise and the class.
Induction & Welcome Mass
St Joseph's came together today for our Induction and Welcome Mass lead by Year 6.
During our Mass, we celebrated our new Year 6 leaders for 2025. We pledged our commitment to our new leadership roles and received our badges that were blessed by Fr. Peter. We asked God to guide us and teach us how to build a caring and happy school. We look forward to doing our best and following in the footsteps of Jesus.
~School Captains 2025~
Bonnie Lindsay & Indigo Cleak
~Student Disciples 2025~
Bonnie Lindsay, Nate Linkins, Ace Colleton, Amira Folkers, Micah Rempis, Zoe Lindsay, Isla Alley, Frank Ahrens, Lalyta Brockbank, Will Hoffman, Imogen Rudman, Indigo Cleak, Lyla McMahon, Annabel Casey, Micah Bedser and Noah Bowley.
~Sports House Captains 2025~
MacKillop House- Nakoha Heterick & Misha Reed
Parker House - Imogen Rudman & Will Hoffman
Leonard House - Jaxon Mann & Nate Linkins
Curriculum News
Our First Day of Kindergarten
Our new class of Kindergarten students have officially begun their first year of formalised schooling with GREAT success. Throughout the day, each student found a moment to let their beautiful personalities shine and were VERY eager to show Mrs Traise all the things they can do and all that they know. Our wonderful school is a whole lot more magical with you all in it. We are SO proud of the way the children settled into the busyness that is Kindergarten. We also have to say a massive thank you to our incredible Year 6 buddies. What incredible role models you all are! Now, bring on the rest of the year!
Sports News
TWEED ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVAL:
Our Zone Swimming Carnival is set for Wednesday 19th February at TRAC Murwillumbah. A compass permission request will be going out tomorrow. There is no cost for this event as it is covered by our Diocese. Mrs Martin will walk students to the pool and manage the team for the day (parents are welcome to attend). I will be there too but will be allocated a job for the day. Students attending the carnival are to arrive to school next Wednesday wearing their PE uniform.
Wishing the following students the best of luck and I hope they enjoy the day’s competition:
Girls: Yasi, Lyla, Isla, Lalyta, Pippa, Shelby, Macy, Ella, Amelia, Bonnie, Sierra, Meadow, Millie and Clara.
Boys: Nate, Jaxon, Nakoha, Levi, Sam, Ace, Archer, Frank, Carter, Lorenzo, Luca, Harry, Lincoln, Will, Joseph and Luca.
The Junior and Senior Relays were formed based on the four fastest swimmers from the 50m Freestyle times for each category. Wishing our relay teams the best of luck!
Jnr Relay Girls: Amelia, Meadow, Sierra & Millie
Jnr Relay Boys: Carter, Luca, Lorenzo & Will
Snr Relay Girls: Pippa, Shelby, Ella & Bonnie
Snr Relay Boys: Levi, Jaxon, Sam & Ace
If your child progresses onto Diocesan, it will take place on Tuesday 4th March in Murwillumbah.
The two students who broke school swimming records on the day of our carnival: Shelby and Carter will be presented with their record breaking certificates at our first whole school assembly which is set for this Friday 14th February.
LEAGUE TAG:
We are excited to welcome two coaches from League Tag to join us during PE for the next three weeks of this Term! It’s a great way to build fitness leading up to Cross Country which is set for Friday 28th March (week 8, Term 1) on our oval!
RUNNING CLUB:
To help prepare students for Cross Country (which is set for Friday 28th March week 8, Term 1) we will be holding our Friday morning running club on the council grassed area next to our school oval starting 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!
PROFESSIONAL RUNNING / ATHLETICS COACHING IN MURWILLUMBAH:
I am excited to announce two extremely talented and accomplished athletes now working in Murwillumbah who are passionate to build kids (and adults) running abilities! Courtney and Jack will be working alongside our running clubs and offering their own sessions in town.
Their sessions involve: Wednesday and Friday afternoons with Courtney and Jack holding a Junior Running Development group for kids' fitness and skills. This is for all levels of fitness ages 6-16yrs! Each session is spilt into appropriate groups depending on age, ability and level where they will build the fundamental skills of running, learn proper technique and drills, build running fitness, speed and endurance, for Cross Country, Athletics and all sports. The Friday session includes a separate coached fitness strength and running session for the parents during the same time the junior session runs. There is also a one-on-one coaching session option for more serious runners looking to improve their running technique, agility, fitness strength and nutrition.
Courtney and Jack have both excelled in their own sporting endeavours as professional athletes and bring these experiences and skills to our local area! Courtney is an Australian Junior and Open track and field 3000m, 5km, 800m and 400m medallist, Junior World Triathlon Champion, Professional World series Half Ironman 1st place, Japan Ironman World Series Triathlon Half Ironman 1st place, Automatic qualification World Championships France, Triathlon Ironman Australian Championships 3rd Professional Female and Top 100 World Triathlon ranking long course sport!! Jack Gill is an elite runner and soccer player having played in the English Junior Soccer National level, English Schools State Cross Country Runner and Multiple World Series Long Course Trail Running top 10 elite finishes!!
Coaching for over 16 years and competing as an Elite Runner and Professional Triathlete for
over 10 years. With all this knowledge and experience, Courtney loves to help people receive the correct coaching support and guidance. Jack is a certified fitness, strength and running coach, he is also a certified Holistic lifestyle and sports Nutrition coach. Specialising in men’s and junior running, fitness and strength. Jack is an elite runner with a background in many sports. He loves to coach, and share his knowledge and experience to help others reach their sporting goals.
Website: www.gillyscoachingandwellness.com
Email: gillyscoachingandwellness@outlook.com
Phone: 0466805502
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) are asked to nominate for the Tweed Zone Winter Trials. Interested students were given a “How To Nominate” note today which explains how they can register for the Tweed Zone Winter Trials. Once registered, the selector for your chosen sport will email you the date, time and location of the trials. These trials will take place after school in Week 4 or 5 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.
ZING / DANCE FEVER:
Last Friday we began our first week of Zing (formerly known as Dance Fever) for our School Sport in Term 1. This year Zing will be teaching the students from two programs.
The first five weeks will be their Body, Mind, Wellbeing Program. This program focuses on: understanding our emotions and how to deal with them, antibullying and strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Students will be given yoga mats to lay on and wireless, noise cancelling headphones which will have calming music played and the instructors voice fed into all headsets. This allows for a distraction free environment as the instructor leads them through various stretches, poses, breathing techniques and guided meditation. I hope the students will enjoy the opportunity to relax, unwind and learn important strategies for managing life’s stresses! In the remaining five weeks of term, students will be learning a variety of Dance styles looking at various components of dance, including Hip Hop, the Cha Cha and the Foxtrot!
Library News
Book Club orders can either be made through the online LOOP for parents (see below) or you can send your childs paper order with cash in an envelope, down to the office and we will process it for you.
Book Club issue 1 orders need to be sent to the office or ordered on line by Monday, 24th February.
LIBRARY LOVERS DAY
The 14th February is not only Valentines Day, but also Library Lovers Day.
Library Lovers Day is an exciting event for schools to celebrate the importance of libraries and the love of reading during the month of February.
We celebrate this day with a fun library display of books all about love and love stories.
General News
2025 School Bus Passes
Kinetic bus service has advised there is a School Bus Pass Amnesty Period until 28th February 2025. All students awaiting delivery of their Bus Passes can travel without a pass during this time. Passes will be delivered to the school, and distributed to students by classroom teachers.
If you have changed home address or changed schools since 2024, or have never applied for free Student Travel Pass, you can do so via Transport NSW:
https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/ticket-eligibility-concessions/school-student-travel
(See link below)
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.
LOST PROPERTY
The items below have been handed in. We believe they may be from the last week of school. If you think these are your childs, please call into the office to collect.
We have also found one childs Croc shoe - size 2-4 year old that was found out the front of the school.
REMINDER: Please label all of your child's clothing, lunch boxes, drink bottles and equipment so we can find the owner if misplaced.
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 12 February 5:30 pm - Mass
Thursday 13 February 8:15 am - Mass
Friday 14 February NO Mass today
Saturday 15 February 8:30 am - Legion of Mary Marian Valley Bus Trip
5:30 pm - Rosary
6:00 pm - Vigil Mass
Sunday 16 February 8:30 am - Rosary
9:00 am - Mass
10:15 am - Baptism
Health and Wellbeing
Parent News
Community Sports News
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