Filter Content
- Message from the Principal
- Mission & Learning at Joey's
- Student Awards
- Sports News
- News from the Enviro Team
- Canteen News
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- Health & Wellbeing
- NSW Premier's Reading Challenge 2024
- Catholic School Parent Australia's Free Family Engagement Resources
- Term 3 eSAFETY PARENT WEBINARS
- 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
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families,
Yesterday, the students and staff of St Joseph’s celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This significant feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the Mother of Jesus Christ from the Earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God. We thank Father James for celebrating the Mass for us.
THE VALUE OF BEING HONEST
At our last assembly, I spoke to all students about the value of being honest. I outlined the importance of honesty, saying it is more than just not telling lies. Being honest also relates to both speaking and acting truthfully. It means; you don't say things about people that aren't true; owning your actions; and acting in a way that you know is the right thing to do.
Today within society we see dishonesty everywhere, even from people and organisations who we trust as being honest. While for most parts we have no control over this, I remind us all to be cautious when blindly trusting what we are being told as the truth. Ask questions and look deeper into the real purpose behind these untruths being said. Is someone benefitting from these untruths? Who? As I tell our children all the time, it is up to us as individuals to control what happens to us. Work hard, have goals and be honest to yourself and to those around us.
I would love it you would continue this conversation with your children.
VIDEO GAMES CLASSIFICATION RATINGS
Parents, families and caregivers, I feel it is important to bring to your attention again my concern that some students are playing video games and reading literature which is well above primary school age classification. Several popular video games such as the ‘Grand Theft Auto’ franchise, has a classification ranging from MA15+ for medium level animated violence, Adult themes, strong drug use, sexual references, to R18+ for drug use, while ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ and ‘Poppy Playtime’ are rated M for horror themes.
I ask all parents, ‘do you know the games your children are playing and do you know their classifications?
An R-rated film may contain, adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, while, titles given an M rating may have content that includes, intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
Due to the interactive nature of computer games and the active repetitive involvement of the participant, computer games may have a higher impact than similarly themed depictions of the classifiable elements in film, and therefore greater potential for harm or detriment, particularly to minors.
Classifications
M - MATURE
Material classified M is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age.
MA 15+ - MATURE ACCOMPANIED
Material classified MA 15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category.
R 18+ - RESTRICTED
Material classified R 18+ is legally restricted to adults. Some material classified R 18+ may be offensive to sections of the adult community.
Please see the links below for more information;
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2012L01934
https://www.classification.gov.au/classification-ratings/what-do-ratings-mean
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ (although this is a U.S. site, it may give you a sense of the appropriateness of the title).
I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
HARD LISTENING
I share with you these words of wisdom from 
Sr Mary Coloe PBVM… “(This weekends) Gospel is the whole purpose of this long discourse by John, which focusses on the Christian Eucharist.
The first Disciples all had personal experiences of Jesus. They lived with him, heard his words and expressed their belief in him directly. However, by the time of John written for his Johannine community, they were possibly second or third generation Christians, or followers of the Way. They had no personal contact with Jesus, so where can these Christians experience Jesus’ presence and express their faith in him?
At this point we, today, are drawn into the narrative, for like the Johannine community we have not encountered Jesus of Nazareth. Our encounter must be through sacramental symbols of bread, wine, the Word, and of course the faith community gathered. Again, the contrast is between the Eucharist and the manna, for the life Jesus offers is eternal. The Jewish Christians of John’s community have not lost touch with their traditions, nor have they lost touch with the God of their ancestors who fed them bread from heaven.
In and through Jesus, God’s nourishing gift of life for the world is available to all people of all ages.” Sr Mary concludes with this challenge, “But what is our response? The invitation is given, “Come and eat my bread and drink my wine”, but some find this too hard to accept. Pope Francis reminds us that, “Indeed, the Eucharist is God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for authentic life because in the Eucharist Christ himself is truly in our midst to nourish, console and sustain us on our journey.” And importantly, “The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” How often do we share Eucharist together as Conference or Council?
PRAYER
I will bless the Lord at all times, the Lord’s praise always on my lips.
Amen
With Mrs Krystal Brady, Assistant Principal, Learning & Teaching and Mrs Erin McGovern, Assistant Principal, Mission
BOOK WEEK
Book Week this year will be held next Tuesday, 20th August at 10.00am.
Year 1 have been enjoying storytime in the library with Mrs Roberts in the lead up to this year's Book Week.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Attention Parents of Year 3 Students
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Monday 23rd September 2024, at 5:30pm, at All Saints Catholic Church, Kempsey.
In preparation, we are inviting parents and caregivers of Baptised Year 3 students to attend an information session on Wednesday 21st August, at All Saints Catholic Church, beginning with Mass at 5pm followed by an information session held in the church at 5:30pm.
At the Parent Session, Fr James will provide guidance and insight into this Sacrament, how to support your child, choosing a Catholic sponsor for your child, as well as Parish forms to be completed. If you are unable to attend please contact the School so we can make alternative arrangements.
Year 3 students are the year group that takes part in this Sacrament, however, if you are interested and your child is in year 4, 5, or 6 and would like to make their Sacrament, please contact the School.
Students will be engaging in a program during religion lessons at school to prepare and teach them about this Sacrament, and will also be engaging in a retreat experience here at school. Students will be bringing home a ‘Confirmation Student Workbook’ with some activities to complete at home.
The students will also be partaking in a Commitment Mass during school time where they pledge their commitment to learn about and participate in this Sacrament. All parents and families are warmly invited to attend. Confirmation Commitment Mass, 9:30am, Friday 6th September, 2024.
As parents and caregivers, we ask that you support your child’s preparation by talking with them about the Sacrament of Confirmation, nurturing and building their understanding of the Sacrament and how it strengthens their faith through confirming the promises that were made at their Baptism.
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation has always been linked to Baptism. Together with the Eucharist, it forms one of the three Sacraments of Initiation. Confirmation confirms what occurs in the initial and primary Sacrament of Baptism.
In the Sacrament of Confirmation the Minister of the Sacrament lays hands on your child, prays over them on behalf of the Church family, and anoints them with chrism - sacred oil blessed by the Bishop the previous Easter. As the person is signed with oil the Bishop says, 'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.' The actions of prayer, laying of hands and anointing with oil is a solemn and ancient gesture that can trace its roots back to the earliest Christian communities of the first century.
Confirmation is the Sacrament through which the Holy Spirit is given in a special way to us. It is the Sacrament of spiritual strength. The Holy Spirit is given for our spiritual strengthening, which is brought about in a most particular way through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
On Thursday 15th August, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a beautiful Whole School Mass. We especially thank our wonderful singers led by Mrs Hart and Mrs Bryant who sang a beautiful reflection song, and Fr James for such a lovely celebration.
On this Feast, Catholics traditionally celebrate Mary going to heaven. We remember how at the end of her life Mary was taken up to heaven to be with God. Mary is very special because she was chosen by God to be the mother of God's son, Jesus. There is an important difference between the ascension of Jesus into Heaven after His Resurrection, and the assumption of Mary. To ascend is to rise up under one's own power; while to be assumed means something that is done to one. Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, had no need of assistance; whereas Mary did not have this power. The tradition is that 'God took Mary, body and soul, to heaven after her life on earth had come to an end'.
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools have updated the procedures for monitoring and supporting schools to promote student attendance. Every school day builds upon the previous one, making it essential for students to attend regularly. Regular attendance is crucial as it fosters resilience and enables students to form vital social connections. Across all NSW education systems the expected level of student attendance is above 95%, and we aim to support all of our students to achieve this.
If your child’s attendance is below 90% you may receive a COMPASS communication in the coming weeks. We acknowledge that there may be many reasons for absences and you may have already provided information to the School about why your child has been away. However, this communication is to ensure all parents are aware that their child’s attendance is currently at or under 90%.
We believe that by working together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Please ensure you contact the School if you would like any support with your child’s attendance.
FATHER'S DAY LUNCH & PLAY INVITATION
HEY WARRIOR PARENT WORKSHOP
Please see the attached flyer for more details and rsvp.
HEY WARRIOR STUDENT WORKSHOPS
A SPECIAL MASS TO CELEBRATE
SISTER CABRINI
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Sister Cabrini has worked in the Kempsey community for 70 years. Her life and ministry has been founded upon genuine care and compassion for all people, with deep humility and gentleness. As a Sister of Mercy, she worked as a primary school teacher, began the “Choice” programme for teenagers and was instrumental in the work of the Catherine McAuley House Women’s Refuge in Kempsey for many years. Her parish activities have included hospital visitation to the sick and dying and assisting the lonely, poor and marginalised.
Our church community is having a special Mass to celebrate Sister Cabrini’s 90th birthday and her 70 years of being a Sister of Mercy on Sunday 8th September at 9.30am. The children of St Joseph’s are going to sing a song for her on the altar after Mass, before the cutting of her birthday cake.
If you would like your child/children to participate in honouring Sister Cabrini, please contact the School office so that your child/children can join in song practices.
Kind regards,
Helen Hart
Term 3 - Weeks 3 & 4
Awards will be presented on
Friday, 16th August 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
HONESTY |
|
KHonour |
Amelia Simpson | Logan Griggs | Leo Johnston | Quinn McMeekin |
|
KSpirit |
Harper Dyet | Olivia Hanna | Gabriel Anto | Savannah Vinas |
|
KTruth |
Hallie McMurray | Leo Burley | Ireland Cudlin | Ruby Farlow |
|
1Honour |
Mila Buckley | Poppie Rose | Annabella Lomas | Hamish Unterrheiner |
|
1Truth |
Nickolah Dallas-Morgan | Archie Browne | Azaleia Donney | Noah Malcolm |
|
2Honour |
Marcella Mainey | Fern Green | Sophia Reichel | Azariah Akee |
|
2Truth |
Xavier Roach | Zavier Batterson | Evelynn Russell | Sayler Sproule |
|
3Honour |
Lexie Kirkman Dates | Aurora Rylance | Wyatt Donney | Ryan Carroll |
|
3Truth |
William Mitchell | Oliver Strachan | Peyton McConnell | Tony Jerin |
|
3/4 Spirit |
Bella Dallas-Morgan | Wyatt Workman | Lennox Edwards | Harper Kennedy |
|
4Truth |
Amelia Reichel | Asher Van Hugten | Ezra Higley | Max Delforce |
|
5Honour |
Nevaeh Lewthwaite | Evie Brady | Thomas Lockman | Jhyden Widders |
|
5Truth |
Lillyan Moore | Jack Brett | Arlie Wade | Vincent Thurlow |
|
6Honour |
Gemma Rayward | Laura Lockman | Hunter Glass | Terrence Liang |
|
6Truth |
Amelia Latham | Hunter McIver | Sianna Dickson | Ari Abigall |
With Mr Watts
DIOCESAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP
The Dio Championship set down for Friday 16th August has been postponed until Tuesday 20th August due to wet weather. Wishing all the below students the very best on the day.
Cohen Davies, Ryder Sproule, Hallie Edwards, Noah Davies, Tilley Cook, Idabelle Tamblyn, Ari Abigall, Lleyton Kemp, Amailia Brandt, Mia Greenslade, Lennox Edwards, Benji Browne, Lachlan Betts, Bailey Smidt, Emily Scott, Claire Meehan, Astin Mackay, Zak Kane, Mason Gagnuss-Vale, Jazmin Crilley, Francesca Tamblyn.
RUGBY LEAGUE | LEAGUE TAG
We have now completed two weeks of NRL skills and all classes are getting much enjoyment out of the fundamental skills games.
This will lead into participation for Stage 2 and Stage 3 in a Rugby League 7s and League Tag Gala Day at Kempsey on Tuesday 17th September.
SOCCER | TOUCH
Also coming up is a Soccer / Touch Gala Day on Thursday 5th September. This year we will be travelling to Port Macquarie rather than Macksville due to a clash of dates.
10c RETURN AND EARN RECYCLING
To make Return and Earn Recylcling more convenient 
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.
School drop off is still available for those who prefer.
All proceeds are used to beautify our school grounds and assist with lunchtime gardening activities.
Collection bags are available in the Canteen Foyer. Children who recycle through either way will still receive a prize from the Enviro 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.
With Mrs Hagger and Mrs Crowe2024 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.
VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED
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/
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.
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:
- Friday 23 August 2024 - challenge closes for student entries
- Friday 6 September 2024 - final date for coordinator validations of completed reading records.
The Term 3 PRC booklist is now live - 186 new books have been added to the booklists. Students will now be able to add these books as PRC titles to their reading records on the student experience site and main site.
Please note: If students have previously added any of these new titles as choice books, they will need to manually remove them from their reading record and re-add them as PRC titles.
You can access the booklist update via the excel document available for download - this document also contains the books added in the previous update.
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!
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.
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.