Like many of our homes and businesses, St Joseph’s was also directly affected by the rising flood waters, which for the first time since 2001, breached our classrooms, canteen and other facilities.Three classrooms were made completely inoperable, suffering damage to furniture, flooring, and resources. Other critical areas such as the Joey’s OOSH facility, an intervention room, canteen, playgrounds, tennis courts, toilets, maintenance shed, garden sheds, and the vegetable garden, were also inundated and heavily impacted.

In response, the School has prioritised checking in with local families affected by the flood to ensure wellbeing remains at the forefront of our support. Recognising the emotional and financial strain experienced by many, staff have been, and will continue to offer care and guidance alongside learning support, to help students and their families navigate this difficult period.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, the spirit of the St Joseph’s community has shone brightly. Staff have tirelessly rallied to ensure learning continues without interruption. Online learning platforms and take-home learning packs aligned with current curriculum units were swiftly developed and distributed, keeping students engaged during this difficult time.

Staff have worked hand-in-hand with the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools, stripping damaged classrooms, removing flood debris, cleaning and sanitising furniture, and relocating teaching and intervention spaces to prepare for a safe and timely return to school. The road to recovery is underway with a rebuild plan that includes the restoration of classrooms, canteen, OOSH facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts, and toilets.

These projects will be managed carefully to ensure a safe, vibrant, and inspiring learning environment for all students is returned as quickly as possible. While this event has deeply impacted the community, it has also highlighted the strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication of the St Joseph’s family. Together, we are committed to restoring not only our school but also the hope, routine, and joy of learning for every child.

As we move forward, we remain grateful for the incredible teamwork of our staff and families who continue to support our students and help rebuild a brighter future for St Joseph’s.Please see photos in the below section.

A PERSONAL THANK YOU FROM THE PRINCIPAL

I would like to publicly acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our St Joseph’s staff. From a call out during the flood itself, to the mammoth clean up after, and preparation of student distance learning. I cannot appropriately put into words how thankful I am to work with such an unselfish group of people.

Thank you.
Guy.

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ST PAUL'S COLLEGE

On behalf of the St Joseph’s community, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to St Paul’s College for their incredible generosity in offering us the use of their facilities. This allowed us to support families who needed to return to work or assist with flood recovery efforts. I thank the School Principal, Mr Melville, and Assistant Principal, Mrs Fullbrook for their wonderful support.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR ALL OUR MOTHERS

We celebrated Mother’s Day with a beautiful, yet energetic mass. It was great to see so many mothers and motherly figures who could make it on the day to experience mass with your children.  Our student readers did a great job sharing the Liturgy of the Word, and all mothers were given a special flower to symbolise love, creation and life.

While celebrating Mass is a pivotal part of Catholic life, it is faith and family that binds us all together. I ask that we all remember the importance of having something worthy to believe in, something which teaches all of us how to be a responsible, loving and caring member of our community. Church is a way to acknowledge the importance of family and faith in our community. I remind all of our beautiful St Joseph’s families that faith is what stabilises a community, shapes who we are and instils us with values that define what we consider to be normal and abnormal. We should never be ashamed of our Catholicity.

I hope to see you at Mass in the future.

“Let the little children come to me, do not stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mk 10:13-14

EMBEDDING EXTENSION AND INTERVENTION INTO LEARNING

Ongoing literacy support programs continue to run throughout our learning weeks here at St Joseph’s. While many of these programs occur outside of the classroom, they are strongly linked to classroom learning outcomes, and help, support, encourage and improve student learning and growth. At St Joseph’s we understand the importance of both intervention and extension in enhancing the learning growth of all our students, allowing them to achieve their full potential across all subject areas.

KINDER CLASSES IN 2026

I have started the interview process for our future 2026 Kinder students, and while it has been interrupted by the school closure, we are again up and running. It is exciting to see classes filling up so early in the year, which is great news for our schools continuing positive growth. The 2026 Enrolment application window has now closed.

WINTER WARMTH

As we head into the colder weather, we usually see a few non uniform items, such as beanies, scarfs, jumpers and jackets worn into school.In order to keep the high standards of St Joseph's a matter of pride within our community, I ask that all students present to school wearing the school uniform correctly. We have several warmer uniform items, such as the St Joseph's Track Jacket or Fleece Jumper, track pants and trousers.The track pants must be worn with the schools sports uniform only, while the unisex trousers must be worn with the schools academic uniform  only.

BEING PERSISTANT AND HAVING A GROWTH MINDSET

At our last school assembly, I spoke to the students about Perseverance, explaining that perseverance is what drives you to keep working even when you want to quit. I outlined how having perseverance, or being persistent, will help you learn all through life, and how this is similar to having a Growth Mindset.

People with a growth mindset believe their abilities and intelligence can be developed and improved through dedication, determination and perseverance. Having a growth mindset can help you learn, improve, and overcome problems.

I then informed the students that they all have the potential to be anything they want, however, they have to work hard in order to achieve it because nothing comes easy and you only get out of anything, what you put into it.

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

Again, it was an honour to spend the day with our Captains, who represented the school with the maturity and respect that I expect from all of our St Joseph’s students.

OUR MOBILE PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY

Bringing mobile phones and electronic devices (including; laptops, iPads, digital/video cameras, electronic games, smart watches etc.), to school, is strongly discouraged. The School takes no responsibility for the safety and security of these devices.

For security purposes, mobile phones must be handed into the office before the 8:55am bell each day, and are to be collected after the 3:10pm bell. Students may leave their phones switched on and on silent in order for messages to be received by that device only. Smart watches and other devices worn or carried on a person, are not to receive messages or be data active during the school day.

Any photographic or video material taken at School or at a School event must be used in an appropriate manner or else consequences may apply. This includes the use of a school device under staff instruction. Consequences will apply when students contravene this policy. Depending on the severity of the offence, consequences may include, detention, suspension or termination of enrolment.

If a student’s mobile phone or electronic device is seen and or heard whilst the student is under the Schools duty of care, an Assistant Principal will contact parents, informing them of the action and consequence. This policy aims to reduce class distraction and cyber bullying, control inappropriate access to social networking sites and help to manage potential legal and sensitive issues that may arise.Parents and Caregivers, I am sure that you all agree how important is for the school to have complete control and knowledge of the information coming into the school and going out from the school. Therefore, I ask that all communications to and from your children, while they are at school, goes through the front office or through a member of staff.

As always, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning and growth.

Guy Campbell

Driving Excellence in the Macleay