With
Mrs Erin McGovern, Assistant Principal - Mission 
Mrs Claire Thurlow, Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Today we held our first Assembly for the year, and introduced our new Student Awards. It was great to see all the smiling faces as students were recognised for such a terrific start to the year and settling into learning and school routines. 

It has continued to be a wonderful and busy start back into 2025 with many different learning experiences happening for our children across all grades K-6. 

This term we have History excursions to Timbertown, Bus Safety Visits, walking excursions to local places in our community, Stage 1 students are off to the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie to view a production, plus many sporting activities and representative opportunities to just name a few. We also had students in Year 6 attend a visit to St Paul’s College to experience a ‘day in the life’ of high school and some Stage 3 students also attended the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides, hosted by Dhina Durriti Aboriginal Corporation.

Help your child to have a positive start to the year
by building the habit of consistent routines that
support good attendance 

It has been great to see students getting back into the swing of school routines, and we encourage families to support their child with transitioning back into the school year by setting up good routines at home, including earlier bedtimes. See these tips on how to build good habits. 

Building the habit of good attendance is crucial for a positive and successful school year. Here are some tips to help your child develop this habit:

• Establish a Routine. Set a consistent daily routine for your child, including wake-up times, breakfast, and a specific time to leave for school. Having a predictable schedule helps your child understand the importance of punctuality.

• Create a Positive Morning Environment. Make mornings enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere at home. Encourage open communication and express your enthusiasm for the day ahead.
   
• Establish Clear Expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations regarding attendance and emphasise the importance of being present at school every day unless there's a valid reason for absence.

Help your child establish a positive and consistent attendance habit, setting the foundation for a successful school year. 

If your child is struggling in any way, please reach out to the classroom teacher or school office for support, as we have many great resources and strategies to share with families or particular students struggling with morning drop off or separation anxiety. 

Watch this clip by Michael Hawker for strategies to help an anxious child return to school.

Due to the increasing complexity of trying to navigate the online world, and with our students' safety and wellbeing at the forefront of our minds, we have secured a visit and Parent Talk from Australia’s leading Cyber experts, YSafe. On Monday 17th March, St Joseph’s is hosting a Cyber Safety Parent Session in person with David Smith from YSafe.

See the attached flyer for all the details and register your attendance for this fantastic opportunity. 

ASH WEDNESDAY

Wednesday the 14th February marks Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten period, a significant time in our Church’s Liturgical Calendar. On Wednesday we will observe this special day as a school at Mass, and students will have their foreheads marked with ashes as part of our Catholic tradition. Preceeding Ash Wednesday, is Shrove Tuesday and what is also known as Pancake Tuesday. Traditionally, Catholics would use up ingredients like butter, sugar and eggs that would normally be abstained from during the penitential season of Lent by making pancakes/pikelets. On Tuesday our School Canteen is helping us celebrate this tradition by selling pancakes during the first lunch break, $2 for 2 pancakes with butter.

FAMILY CONNECT IN SCHOOLS

The wellbeing of our students and their families is paramount here at St Joseph’s and we are lucky to have some extra support built into our school community through a Program Worker from Family Connect in Schools. If you have any concerns about or need assistance/support with being linked into specialist services such as, external providers for Healthcare, Housing, Domestic Violence, Centrelink, Disability/NDIS, counselling services, culturally appropriate supports etc, please contact the front office. More information is attached.

1S COLLAGE CREATIVITY

1S have been using their creative flair whilst practising their collage skills during art lessons. These fabulous Pete Cromer inspired birds are now happily 'perched' on a wire 'branch' in our classroom for all to admire. 

STAGE 2 HISTORY INCURSION

Last Thursday Grade 3 and 4 had some local Aboriginal Elders visit as a part of history and our local community. Our students learned about Dunghutti country and what it means to our elders Aunty Eileen, Aunty Lily-Anne, Uncle Buck and Uncle Cyril. They shared stories of growing up in the Macleay and how it has changed since their childhood. 

We heard about how they could get across the river by swimming halfway (then walking the rest), to how they moved away but found their way home again as well as their big families.

We had LOTS of questions for our wonderful guests but sadly ran out of time. Hopefully we will see them again soon.

6T FLYING HIGH WITH STEM

6T welcomed Mrs Fraser to their class for their first STEM lesson last week.  All the students absolutely loved this lesson and had so much fun constructing their own kites! 

LENT 2025

Lent_2025.pdf

THE CANTEEN WILL NO LONGER PROVIDE CUTLERY TO STUDENTS WITHOUT LUNCH ORDERS

Please ensure your child brings their own cutlery to school in their lunchbox, as needed.  The canteen will not provide spoons and forks for students who have brought their lunch from home.

Thank you for your continued support.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School photos were taken this week. 

If you have any queries regarding photo ordering or sibling photos please contact Margaret at MSP Photography on 6583 1968 or click through to their website.