Filter Content
- Message from the Principal
- SJ News Episode 6
- Mission & Learning at Joey's
- Student Awards
- 2024 Semester One K-6 Student Report Guidelines Background
- Sports News
- News from the Enviro Team
- Kempsey Eisteddfod - Vocal & Instrumental | Speech & Drama Program 2024
- LEGO Masters Competition
- Health & Wellbeing
- Canteen News
- Want to Explore more about the Catholic Faith?
- Catholic School Parent Australia's Free Family Engagement Resources
- NSW Premier's Reading Challenge 2024
- What is the NCCD?
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- School Fees
- Learn more about COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
- How to Purchase your child's School Uniform
- How to Apply for a Bus Pass
- Child Safety Handbook
- BILLBOARD
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families,
GROWTH MINDSET
Good, better, best
At our last assembly I spoke to all the students about respect. I outlined respect as a feeling of admiration and acknowledgement for someone as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I then spoke to all students about the importance of treating everyone and everything with care, and to treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself. I concluded the talk by reminding everyone that you don’t have to like everyone, but you have to be kind to everyone, and showing respect is one way of doing this. And that by doing this, we can help make St Joseph’s a happy and safe place to be.
It would be great if you could continue this conversation at home.
WINTER WARMTH UNIFORMS
While we are experiencing these very cold mornings and days, I am fully understanding of the importance to ensure our children are cosy and warm at school. However, I am seeing several students out of uniform as they enter school in the mornings, and while I appreciate the hectic nature of a school morning, I ask that all students wear the assigned school uniform to school every day. We have several warm options available such as jackets, fleece jumpers, unisex trousers (for our academic uniform), track pants (for our sports uniform), and navy cotton footed tights for girls. Beanies, scarves and gloves are not school uniform, and should not be worn to school. I am also seeing long sleeve T-shirts being worn under blouses and shirts. These are also not school inform, and If worn, must be accompanied with the school jacket or fleece in order for them not to be seen.
If on occasion, the incorrect uniform has to be worn to school, please either, contact the class teacher through email, or send a note with your child outlining why the incorrect uniform item is being worn and when this will be rectified.
MINOR HALL UPGRADE
In preparation of next term's Joey’s Presents…,
we have replaced the School hall stage curtains with a full set of new ones. The next time you visit us for our fortnight assembly, please make sure you notice our brand-new curtains.
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
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Who Moved?
This weekend’s Gospel is meant to be about the awesomeness (in the word’s true and original sense) of the power of God. “Even the wind and sea obey Him.” What can also be noticed in the Gospel is the urgency with which the disciples feel the need to wake Jesus and get him to fix things. This wouldn’t be the first rough seas or storm they would have been in. Why were they so scared? Their abruptness (“Don’t you care that we are perishing?”) suggests great panic. There are times when we can all feel like the disciples – suddenly thinking about God and what He can do for me in a panic, when something has or is going terribly wrong. By contrast, there are people who seem to have a quiet and consistent faith. God is there with them all the time, and nothing seems to ever create a drama in their lives. This is not to say that bad things don’t happen to good people – we know this happens all the time. Many of these people I am sure have had many challenges in life.
There are times in our lives when our faith is calm and regular, and times when it is questionable and uncertain. However, in those times when you feel or think that God has gone out of your life, you might need to think about who moved. What is it about those times of doubt that make us forget our faith? - Reflection in part by Leonie Duck
Prayer
Lord, help me to put you at the centre of my thoughts at all times. Amen
Sourced from: https://cms.vinnies.org.au/media/aeudns1a/srg_may_sept_2024_web.pdf?folder=nsw__spiritual-reflection-guides&path=aeudns1a%2Fsrg_may_sept_2024_web.pdf
With Mrs Krystal Brady, Assistant Principal, Learning & Teaching and Mrs Erin McGovern, Assistant Principal, MissionKINDY BUS SAFETY VISIT
Last Friday Kindergarten had a Bus Safety Talk from a local Busways driver. They were very engaged in the session and learnt about the importance of staying four steps back from the road whilst waiting for the bus, wearing seatbelts and other important safety messages. We then had a ride around the block to practice what we had learnt. It was a great learning experience for the students, they very much enjoyed the bus trip, and they each got a Bus Safety pack to take home.
MATHEMATICS WITH MR CAMPBELL
UNIVERSAL FUN IN YEAR 1
HELPING THOSE IN NEED THIS WINTER
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has launched its annual Vinnies Winter Appeal with a focus on the Working Homeless, an emerging group of people who are experiencing housing hardship and disadvantage despite being in employment.
To help raise fund towards this worthy cause, our Mini Vinnies Team will be holding our annual "PJ/Jersey Day" on Friday 28th June. Please come to school wearing your favourite pyjamas or jersey (with school shoes) and bring a gold coin donation.
Also, to encourage students to get involved and help spread awareness there will be donuts for sale at lunch one for $1, and prizes for the class who raises the most funds. 
NAIDOC WEEK 2024
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
STUDENT SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS
Student Wellbeing Officer and Student Social Worker
As part of our St Joseph Community we value the learning, faith, physical and emotional development of every student. Along with a caring community of teachers, we have a Student Wellbeing Officer who offers another level of support for students who may be going through a difficult time or needing some strategies and/or support to manage social and peer relationships. 
Student Wellbeing Officer - Jasmine Abigall
"Hi everyone, my role is to offer guidance to students who require additional support in the playground. I assist students in managing and navigating social or friendship challenges and provide a listening ear for any worries or concerns they may have. You can locate me on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the playground, or you are welcome to join my lunchtime group in the iHub."
BUILD A HABIT OF GOOD ATTENDANCE
If your child is avoiding school, contact 
your child’s teacher so together you can explore what is happening for your child.
If your child is avoiding school, it's crucial to proactively address the issue by contacting your child's teacher. Teachers play a key role in observing and understanding students' behaviours and can collaborate with you to identify and address any challenges your child may be facing.
Share your observations about your child's behaviour and express any concerns you may have. Be open and honest about the challenges your child is facing in attending school regularly.
Collaboratively work with the school and your child to explore possible causes for your child's avoidance of school. This could include academic challenges or social issues. Work together to develop and monitor strategies to address the identified issues.
You can seek advice free from NSW Parentline 1300 1300 52.
Watch Help! My kid doesn't want to go to school by Maggie Dent.
Term 2 - Weeks 7 & 8
Awards will be presented on
Friday 21st June at 1.05pm
Parents/Carers Welcome
|
CLASS |
MARY MACKILLOP AWARD Recognises Catholic attitude, behaviours & helping those in need |
ST JOSEPH Recognises positive actions witnessed within our school community |
CATHERINE McAULEY Recognises a growth mindset & effort in learning |
THE VALUES AWARD
RESPECT |
|
KHonour |
Memphis Smith | Everly Bruce | Lola Smith | Angus Clarke |
|
KSpirit |
Emilia Ford | Carter Dallas-Morgan |
Avani Carroll | Reef Lainey |
|
KTruth |
Sylvie Meehan | Archer Dowling | Cinch Matthews | Zarli Tammjarv |
|
1Honour |
Finnly Clay | Ron Jineesh | Mila Buckley | Allira Holdaway |
|
1Truth |
Rex Jineesh | Anya Lunn | Mackenzie Fraser | Harriet Downing |
|
2Honour |
Ari Tolman | Marcella Mainey | Richard Tian | Sophia Reichel |
|
2Truth |
Fletcher Smith | Raymond Harman | Tex Duncan | Lennox Nolan |
|
3Honour |
Eden Passmore | Lexie Kirkman Dates | Ryan Carroll | Tate Buckley |
|
3Truth |
Indiana Watson | Francesca Tamblyn | Kiera Goodman | Veronica Button |
|
3/4 Spirit |
Camille Pereira | Mackenna Dillon | Hugh Atkinson | Brax McManus |
|
4Truth |
Max Delforce | Gregory Horgan | Amali Webber | Layla Fraser |
|
5Honour |
Kieran Tolman | Madeline Battle | Maddison Russell | Quinn Woods |
|
5Truth |
Georgina Collins | Kiara Scott | Emily Scott | Glydel Clarke |
|
6Honour |
Hope Weston | Hunter Glass | Terrence Liang | Chayse Jones |
|
6Truth |
Idabelle Tamblyn | Lleyton Kemp | Caleb Fairhall | Spencer Atkinson |
The new K-6 syllabuses for Mathematics and English have required new reporting guidelines (including new templates) aligned to the new requirements. In 2024, the new English and Mathematics syllabus outcomes will be reported on K-6.
In addition to the changes to align with the syllabus outcomes, other aspects of the reports have been reviewed in consultation with Assistant Principals Learning and Teaching to ensure they meet mandated requirements; are informed by current evidence; are contemporary in language; meet parent expectations, and enable school autonomy and systemness. These interim guidelines provide information on the following aspects of the Student Report for Semester 1, 2024 and will become part of the revised Quality School Educational Program Guidelines.
Please click here to learn more.
With Mr Watts
UPCOMING
PRIMARY ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Just a reminder that the annual Primary (Years 3-6) Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday 24th June at Services Park Sporting Fields.
Further details below:
COST: NIL
TRANSPORT: Walking to the venue
BRING & WEAR: Sports uniform, school hat, joggers, school jumper/jacket
water bottle, sunscreen, morning tea and lunch.
If you have not yet consented please log in to your Compass portal and do so by Sunday 23rd June - the office staff will greatly appreciate your support.
DIOCESAN RUGBY UNION GALA DAY
Our rugby team travelled to Coffs Harbour last week for the Diocesan Rugby Union Gala Day. We generally do well in this tournament and again put in a good show. Although the team did not come home winners they can be very proud of themselves for their performances against very good opposition.
The team included:
- Ari Abigall
- Spencer Atkinson
- Lachlan Betts
- William Clarke
- Noah Davies
- Drew Edwards
- Asher Higley
- Zak Kane
- Lleyton Kemp
- Astin Mackay
- Hunter McIver
- Jason Micallef
- Finley O'Donnell
A big thanks to Mr Damo and Mr May for driving the boys up early.
POLDING TOUCH TRIALS
Noah Davies travelled to Parkes last week for the Polding Touch Trials. After a day of touch, Noah progressed to the Possibles/Probables match but did not make the final cut. Well done Noah for a great commitment stretching over two years with touch trials beginning in 2023.
HOUSE CAPTAINS 2024
House Captains were elected in time for the upcoming Primary Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to all our 2024 captains:
CARMEL: Amelia Latham and Noah Davies
LOURDES: Cheyanne Matheson and Hunter McIver
MERCY: Sienna Delforce and Lachlan Betts
FATIMA: Indy Hawtin and Josh Delaney
LOWER PRIMARY SPORTS CARNIVAL
10c RETURN AND EARN RECYCLING
for families, you can now take your 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 Crunch Account details on it to keep in your car.
Prize Box (see Mrs Hagger in the Canteen).
SUSTAINABILITY HUB
old phones, batteries, used stamps, prescription glasses, toothpaste tubes/brushes and plastic writing implements.
Please feel free to drop these into the bins located in the canteen foyer.
If you have other items that you think the school may be able to use for art/craft etc please contact us.
Please click the link to view the Programs for the upcoming 2024 Kempsey Eisteddfod for Speech & Drama and Vocal & Instrumental.
For your convenience, below is the timetable of the St Joseph's class entries.
Further information may be found on their Facebook page - Kempsey Eisteddfod Society Inc
The SRC will be running a 'LEGO Masters' competition, commencing in Week 8 of this term, and are looking for any LEGO donations.
If you have spare and/or unused LEGO at home and are happy to donate it to the School, could you please drop it into the Office at your convenience.
Thank you in advance, all donations are greatly appreciated.
The Healthy Lunch Box website is your one-stop shop for recipe inspiration and information to help you add more fruit, veg and wholegrains into your child's diet to improve their health.
Lots of quick and easy recipes and snack ideas.
Informative blogs about healthy eating.
Healthy swaps.
Interactive lunch box builder that helps parents and kids plan and pack a healthy lunch box with foods they like.
With Mrs Hagger and Mrs CrowePRIMARY ATHLETICS CARNIVAL CANTEEN
2024 CANTEEN MENU
OFFSITE BAGGED LUNCH
This special lunch bag will be an option for any offsite events that are held locally (no hot lunches will be delivered offsite).
The Offsite Lunch Bag consists of chicken & salad wrap or sandwich, bottle of water, muesli bar, pkt plain chips and a piece of seasonal fruit for $15. Select "Offsite Bagged Lunch" from the Compass Canteen Menus.
STUDENT BIRTHDAY BUNDLES
Should you have any queries please contact our Canteen ladies, Mrs Hagger & Mrs Crowe.
Catholic School Parents Australia has 
developed free resources to strengthen the home-school partnership! The new video workshops help guide primary and secondary parents, principals, and school staff to take a holistic approach to their children’s well-being and educational
experience.
The resources also include guides for local facilitators to run through the video workshops in collaborative sessions with principals, staff and families. Insights from experts like Andrew Fuller, John Hattie and Donna Cross inform the workshop’s research-backed strategies.
The resources can be found on the Gearing Up for Parent Engagement website.
The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is an initiative of the NSW State government. It aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student - to read, to read more and to read more widely.
This is an optional challenge that can be done at home. Students are welcome to borrow challenge books from the library during their class lessons, which our teacher librarians will identify for them. Throughout the year your child’s teacher may also log books for your child that have been read in class. Students can include any books read from the end of the 2023 challenge on their 2024 reading record. Key dates for the 2024 challenge are:
- 26 February 2024 - challenge opens for student entries
- Friday 23 August 2024 - challenge closes for student entries
- Friday 6 September 2024 - final date for coordinator validations of completed reading records.
Term 2 PRC booklists are now live - 158 new books have been added (please click booklist update to view).
In order to complete the Challenge, students must read the following number of books based on their Challenge Level:
|
Challenge Level |
Number of books you must read |
Minimum number of PRC books |
Maximum number of Personal Choice books |
PRC book lists you can read from |
|
K-2 |
30 |
20 |
10 |
K-2, 3-4, 5-6 |
|
3-4 |
20 |
10 |
10 |
3-4, 5-6, 7-9 |
|
5-6 |
20 |
10 |
10 |
5-6, 7-9 |
|
7-9 |
20 |
10 |
10 |
5-6, 7-9, 9plus |
|
3-9 (see rules on PRC site) |
20 |
10 |
10 |
All booklists |
Book lists can be found when your child logs into their account via this link; using their unique username and password. Each child has a unique username and password, if you would like this please contact your classroom teacher. Please take the time to explore the site.
If you are having trouble logging your own books online, please download the online PRC Reading Log, once complete return to school ensuring your child’s name is on the top, and we will upload the information for you. If you have any questions feel free to contact us for more information.
Happy Reading!
WHY JOEY'S OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE?
We have two dedicated classrooms on the St Joseph's Catholic Primary School campus in Kemp Street, West Kempsey. The classrooms are filled with resources and games to suit children from Kinder to Year 6.
Students from all schools in the Macleay Valley and surrounds are welcome at Joey's OOSHC.
Joey's OOSHC has a proud history of providing high quality out of school hours care for than ten years. Joey's dedicated and experienced staff plan and manage programs that offer both fun and educational opportunities.
To find out more and to explore the enrolment process visit our website at https://www.joeyskempsey.org.au/
To learn more about the COMPASS Platform please click here
About the Compass Platform
The Compass platform is a web-based system that is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome & Safari) or by using the Compass School Manager iOS or Android App.
Parents have the ability to;
- Receive notifications about school events, news and information
- Enter an explanation for absences
- Communicate with your child’s teachers,
- Update your family contact details (mobile phone & email)
- View your child’s timetable and the school calendar
- Download and view your child’s academic reports
- Book parent-teacher conferences (parent/teacher interviews)
- Pay and provide digital consent for events (No more permission slips)
- Order lunches from the Canteen
- Pay school fees
WHEN YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONCERN - CONTACT NORTH COAST HEALTH CONNECT
North Coast Health Connect is a free (bulk billing) new service providing health support and advice from registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays. If you are a resident or visitor to the North Coast, you can speak or live chat with a nurse. The nurse will ask some questions to understand what’s troubling you and then provide advice on what your next step should be.
This may include self-care advice to help you to manage your health (or that of a loved one) from home, or the nurse may recommend a GP appointment or a consultation with a pharmacist. The nurses are able to book an appointment for you directly with a local general practice or pharmacy or if appropriate, can transfer you to a 24/7 GP telehealth service. If the nurse believes you need to attend an emergency department or see a different health service, they will let you know.
Visit https://northcoasthealthconnect.org.au/ for more info and save as a contact for when you need it
https://northcoasthealthconnect.org.au/communication-resources/ (1)
This incredible service will help families access ‘on the day’ healthcare which is bulkbilled and is a vital and important service in this area.
Currently we have 220 GP appointments each week, supported by 23 GP clinics, across the entire North Coast region to access.
Visit https://northcoasthealthconnect.org.au/ for more info and save as a contact for when you need it by visiting https://qrco.de/bdkiJm or by scanning the QR code below.
