Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families,

At today’s assembly I spoke to all the students about being kind and making good choices and how we make many choices every day. I then spoke about another good choice we all must make each and every day and that is to use good manners.

I reminded the children that ‘good manners’ is not only an expectation of St Joseph’s, but is also an expectation of you, the parents and carers. I then talked about good manners being ‘magic words’ which have a powerful, almost magical effect on people. Using these words help make other people feel important and appreciated. They strengthen relationships, and can even help mend strained relationships. And they promote kindness and respect across everything you do, every day. I then finished with using these words regularly is a sign of politeness and good manners, which helps to create a more pleasant and harmonious environment for everyone.

I would love it if you could continue this conversation at home.

Uniform Reminder

It is important that all students wear the School Uniform and take pride in their appearance, as this is a very public way of exhibiting our school identity. It is the responsibility of parents and families to ensure that our children wear the correct uniform to school every day, which includes our hair and jewellery expectations.

Wearing the correct uniform when representing the School

At St Joseph’s, we are very fortunate to have many opportunities for our students to participate in learning and sporting activities off the school grounds. While we love seeing our students enjoying sport and representing the school, and having the opportunity to do so, it is very important that the correct uniform is being worn to such events. Unless stated in the event information which is communicated to families and parents via Compass, all students are expected to wear the appropriate full school uniform to all events. Only students who present to a school event in the correct uniform will represent the school. Students not following school expectations will remain at school.

Principal’s thoughts on the importance of Fathers

Fathers, or father figures, play an important role in a child's development and can affect a child's wellbeing, social competence, performance in school, and emotional regulation.

Through positive parenting, a dad can bring many amazing things to his family. Dads are teachers, guides, motivators, they are strong, inspirational and challenging. But most of all, dads bring love, comfort, authority, security and stability into their families. Together with mums, dads balance sensitivity and warmth with discipline and structure.

Positive interactions with a father will influence how a child relates with other people. 

As human beings, we grow up by imitating the behaviour of those around us, that’s how we learn to function in the world. If a father is caring and treats people with respect, the young person will grow up much the same.

So, being a father is a very important full-time job, which drives and shapes the structures of families in our community, town and country.

Celebrating Father’s Day at St Joseph’s

The Friday prior to Father’s Day, the St Joseph’s staff put on a special Father’s Day BBQ lunch, to acknowledge our fathers and father figures. The afternoon was very busy with many of our dads turning up for a sausage sandwich or two. It was a great afternoon, and I thank all of our families who were able to participate for attending. The kids love seeing mum and dad at school.

Photos of the big day in the following section.

Fruit Break at St Joseph’s

Each morning our students enjoy a small fruit snack as they begin their learning day.

At St Joseph’s, fruit break looks like fruit and vegetables which are ready to eat, such as carrots, celery sticks, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, snow peas, or easy-to-eat seasonal fruit such as a small apple, a container with hulled strawberries, a peeled mandarin or banana.

The following foods are NOT suitable during fruit break: fruit juice, fruit products such as roll-ups or straps, potato or veggie chips, fruit in syrup, popcorn, yoghurt, or messy fruits such as oranges, mangoes etc.

All students are asked to bring their fruit break in a reusable container to school each day. This container must be separate to their lunch box, as only the fruit break container is to come into the classroom.

I appreciate your continued support in this.

Communicating with the School - a reminder about contacting a member of staff

St Joseph’s has several means for you to communicate with our staff, you can;

• make an appointment with them at a mutually convenient time through the front office (65 62 5501), or
• send an email directly to the desired teacher(s) work email (https://www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au/staff), or
• send a message directly to the desired teacher(s)by Compass Connect, or
• send a note into school with your child.

Our teachers are committed to providing the best education and support for your children. It is not an expectation for St Joseph’s staff to monitor, read, or respond to work-related communications outside of their scheduled hours, nor is it acceptable to contact staff about school related matters via their personal accounts.

You are of course welcome to send emails and messages at a time convenient to you, however, please understand that if sent to a teacher outside of their working hours, they may not respond until they are back on duty.

If you have an urgent concern, please consider whether it can be addressed during working hours. If immediate attention is required, then please send an email to the school, or staff member, and they will respond at an appropriate time.

We will continue to communicate important updates and information in a timely manner. However, non-urgent inquiries will be addressed during the teachers' working hours.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child or an event at school, please contact the school.

Thank you

To all of our families, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning throughout Term 3. I look forward to welcoming our students back to Term 4 on Tuesday the 14th October.

As always, I thank you for your ongoing support.

Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay

POSTCARDS FROM THE MACLEAY

This week, our students took part in an inspiring community project called “Postcards From the Macleay,” hosted by the Benevolent Society. Led by guest facilitators Skye and Anika, the activity encouraged students to express their thoughts and feelings about life in the Macleay Region.

Students were invited to write postcards sharing what makes them happy and what makes them sad about their community. They also imagined if they were the “Boss” of the Macleay, and what changes they would make to improve the area.

These class-based activities gave our students a powerful opportunity to have their voices heard and reflect on their experiences in the Macleay. It was wonderful to see so many thoughtful and heartfelt responses, highlighting the pride and care our students have for their community.

We thank Skye, Anika, and the Benevolent Society for partnering with us to support our students in this meaningful project!

Families are asked to conveniently take their 10c drink containers straight to the High Speed Depot Drop Off at 47 South Street, South Kempsey whenever it suits you. 

The School Office has small cards with our NEW Crunch Account details on it to keep in your car (or use this bar code).

All proceeds are used to assist with our St Joseph’s veggie garden and related learning activities.

Collection bags are still available in the Canteen Foyer. Children who recycle by visiting the High Speed Drop Off will still receive a prize from the Enviro Prize Box (see Mrs Hagger in the Canteen). Just be sure to bring in your docket to Mrs Tarrant.

The Council of Catholic School Parents is hosting a number of helpful webinars for parents on a variety of topics.  You may also like to subscribe to the ParentTalk newsletter, which provides interesting articles for parents in Catholic schools.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS