Filter Content
- Message from the Principal
- Mission & Learning at Joey's
- Term 4 Event Schedule
- Student Awards
- Sports News
- News from the Enviro Team
- Health & Wellbeing
- Canteen News
- St Joseph's OOSH & Vacation Care
- Term 4 eSAFETY PARENT WEBINARS
- Catholic School Parent Australia's Free Family Engagement Resources
- Supporting Diverse Learning
- School Fees
- How to Purchase your child's School Uniform
- Learn more about COMPASS- School Communication Platform APP
- How to Apply for a Bus Pass
- Child Safety Handbook
- BILLBOARD
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE & PRAYERS
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families,
Last week, a servant of our Parish Community, Mr Col Hassett, passed away. Col was a great man of our parish and the broader community. His service was recognised by Pope Francis in 2022 when he was awarded the Benemerenti Medal. Col never waned in his dedication and commitment to the Catholic Church including its schools, nursing homes, charities, volunteer groups and family groups within the parish as a body.
A most kind, caring, humble and exceptional human being. Col is a true legend of the Parish and broader community and will be deeply missed. May he now share his eternal reward for his lifetime of loving service for others.
Term 4 Begins
Last week we saw kids bound and skip back to school with large grins and smiles. It was great to see the children again.
With the completion of week 2, we move closer to the end of the 2024 school year. As such, I have outlined below the schedule for the last weeks of the 2024 school year, and the first week of the 2025 school year.
Please note the final day of the year for all students, being Wednesday 18th December 2024.
Please contact the school if you have any questions regarding this schedule, being aware that more information regarding certain events will be published as they get closer.
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2024 |
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Friday 6th December |
Giving Mass & Ceremony of Light, |
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Monday 9th December |
2024 Awards Ceremony, School Hall, 10:00am |
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Tuesday 10th December |
Year 6 Farewell Mass & Lunch, 11:45am |
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11th - 13th December |
Year 6 Farewell Camp |
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Tuesday 17th December |
Kindergarten to Year 6 Community Day |
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Wednesday 18th December |
Last day of Term 4 for all students. School concludes for Christmas break. |
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2025 |
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Monday 3rd - Wednesday 5th February |
Year 1 to Year 6 Assessments - |
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Monday 3rd - Friday 7th February |
Kindergarten Best Start Assessment - |
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Thursday 6th February |
Year 1 to Year 6 students first day of school |
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Monday 10th February |
Kindergarten’s first day of school |
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Tuesday 11th February |
Whole school Photo Day |
As always, I thank you for your support in regards to your child’s ongoing learning.
Guy Campbell
Driving Excellence in the Macleay
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?
As is so often the case, there is repetition in our 
Gospel readings that we cannot ignore as coincidental. This weekend, Jesus, asks: 'What do you want me to do for you?' James and John wanted glory – one to sit at his right hand, one to sit at his left, living in His glory. Bartimaeus asked for sight. Not a small thing. In fact, a very significant thing. But just asking for the playing field to be relevelled. Bartimaeus was requesting simply to have the same capability as others in society to enable him to become self-reliant. To be fair to James and John, they did say in last week’s Gospel, that they were willing and able to drink from the cup and be baptised with Jesus. But thinking back to our most familiar Bible stories, I don’t recall any of the apostles, springing to their feet when Jesus called them, as Bartimaeus does, “throwing off his cloak” in his haste. What sticks in my mind from other stories are doubts (Thomas), fear and doubt (Peter walking on the water), denials (Peter again), excuses, hesitations (just wait, I need to take care of something else first). These narratives make me feel very much like an apostle! I think I would’ve fitted in perfectly to their never-fully-on-top-of-things environment. Bartimaeus is a great model for us. His unquestioning faith was evident. Reflection by Leonie Duck
Prayer
Lord, I pray that I may have the grace to be a humble servant-companion.
Amen
Sourced from; https://cms.vinnies.org.au/media/5mjf0s5q/srg_sept_dec_2024_web.pdf?folder=nsw__spiritual-reflection-guides&path=5mjf0s5q%2Fsrg_sept_dec_2024_web.pdf
With Mrs Krystal Brady, Assistant Principal, Learning & Teaching and Mrs Erin McGovern, Assistant Principal, MissionSOCKTOBER
Today St Joseph’s celebrated our annual CRAZY SOCK DAY fundraiser to support the great work of Catholic Mission Australia.
Thank you for your enthusiastic and generous participation in Socktober, this year. Last year 37 schools in Lismore Diocese participated in Socktober, raising a wonderful and impactful $29,874 for a Children’s home in Timor Leste. The clinic is now very grateful as they are now far better equipped to treat conditions such as tuberculosis, acute diarrhea, pneumonia, bronchitis, skin diseases, anemia, hypertension, arthritis and babies in need of nutritional support.
This year’s Socktober project focuses on the Don Bosco Caring Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Established in 2003, the DBCC was created to provide vulnerable children with a loving and safe environment where they can access education and ongoing support. Most children come to the DBCC from challenging situations including being orphaned or abandoned, and family violence.
WORLD TEACHER DAY
Today was ‘World Teacher Day’ and as part of our Assembly we acknowledged and congratulated our wonderful teachers on the incredible job they do every day to support our amazing students and thanked them for making St Joseph’s such a wonderful community to be part of!
ALL SAINTS FEAST MASS
Please join us for a whole school Mass next Friday 1st November, 9:30am to celebrate the solemnity of All Saints, our Parish Feast.
All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church.
We also warmly invite all families to Mass on Sunday 3rd November, 9:30am to celebrate All Saints Feast Day as a parish community.
Students have been involved in some All Saints Feast Day colouring in competitions and these will be displayed in the church and winners selected.
1 MILLION CHILDREN PRAYING THE ROSARY
Last Friday, 18th October, the students of St Joseph’s 
participated in the ‘One Million Children Praying the Rosary’ campaign led by Aid to the Church in Need (Australia and New Zealand). The aim of this prayer initiative is to show that the trusting power of prayer by children can ‘fly like an arrow straight to the heart of God’ and consequently can have great influence when nation and world wide we engage in the prayer of the Rosary for peace and unity for all. It was a beautiful prayer experience for our students to be part of.
2024 EXURO RETREAT
On Tuesday, 9 Year 5 students travelled to Port Macquarie to join other students in Exuro. The students listened to testimonies from High School students in ways they could be Gods disciples and lead the way in spreading this message and engaged in fun activities.
It helped to guide students toward living responsible and just lives by teaching and modelling the Gospel values of love of others through compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, advocating for justice and service to the poor and marginalised.
The students had a great day and worked well with other like minded students.
LIFE EDUCATION
Healthy Harrold and the Life Education van will be visiting 
St Joseph's Primary in Weeks 3 & 4 of this term.
Due to our full calendar this term, we will be unable to move any timetabled sessions to fit in with external commitments or appointments.
Should you wish to purchase any Healthy Harrold merchandise, please click on this link.
BUDDIES GETTING IT DONE
This week the Year 6 buddies visited Kindergarten to practice their fluency reading.
STUDENT NEWS
Two of our students, Amelia and Sophia Reichel competed in the Queensland State Terathlon Pony Club Championships representing NSW.
Both girls constantly scored well across the four disciplines (swimming, running, show jumping and shooting) resulting in Sophia placing 9th overall and Amelia 3rd - she won the running component convincingly with a 6 second lead.
Due to this performance Amelia has achieved qualification and has been invited to the 2025 Australian Tetrathlon National Championships.
Rounding out this year the girls will compete in their first interstate laser run and biathle event in Victoria next month, with their coaches anticipating Amelia will also qualify for the 2025 National Modern Pentathlon championships.
Well done girls, we'll be cheering you both on!
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.
Term 4 - Weeks 1 & 2
Awards will be presented on
Friday, 25th October at 1.05pm
Parents/Carers Welcome
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CLASS |
MARY MACKILLOP AWARD Recognises Catholic attitude, behaviours & helping those in need |
ST JOSEPH'S Recognises positive actions witnessed within our school community |
CATHERINE McAULEY Recognises a growth mindset & effort in learning |
THE VALUES AWARD
RESPONSIBILITY |
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KHonour |
Charlie Lane | Alice Forrest | Alexander Watson | Oscar McGovern |
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KSpirit |
Gabriel Anto | Christiano Abin |
Mihira Prakhya |
Billee Delforce |
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KTruth |
Ireland Cudlin | Kinsley Thurlow | Leo Burley | Hallie McMurray |
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1Honour |
Hamish Unterrheiner | Mason Skinner | Tobias Tuck | Poppie Rose |
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1Truth |
Nickolah Dallas-Morgan | Mackenzie Fraser | Leo Clarke | Harley Welch |
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2Honour |
Taylah Morris | Nandini Barman | Scarlett Toms | Fern Green |
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2Truth |
Fletcher Smith | Ivy Fraser | Tex Duncan | Blake Micallef |
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3Honour |
Ayva Battle | Wyatt Donney | Magnus Johansson | Eden Passmore |
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3Truth |
Mariano Abin | Thomas Simpson | Jay Toomey | Oliver Strachan |
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3/4 Spirit |
Lennox Edwards | Mackenna Dillon | Bella Dallas-Morgan | Carter Wade |
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4Truth |
Amali Webber | Mia Greenslade | Liam Fulford | Sophia Downing |
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5Honour |
Izabelle Rose | Maddison Russell | Belinda Rudder | Buddy Moorehead |
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5Truth |
Jack Brett | Glydel Clarke | Grace Harman | Saoirse Kennedy |
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6Honour |
Lachlan Betts | Lara Potter | Charlie Fitzgerald | Finley O'Donnell |
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6Truth |
Zavier Gill | Noah Davies | Amy Read | Astin MacKay |
SWIMMING
Yrs 3 and 4 are doing weekly swimming to progress their water safety capabilities and yrs 5 and 6 will complete 5 weeks of elective sports and then resume weekly pool visits. Thank you to all parents for getting their children organised on these days.
Year 2 will start their ‘Learn to Swim’ sessions next week. Some are already on the journey with their swimming capabilities so this is a good opportunity to consolidate.
KINDER AND STAGE 1 LEAGUE TAG DAY
All had a fantastic time at the League Tag Gala day and future champions shone through with elusive runs, great tags and amazing tries. Thank you to NRL staff, St Paul students and teachers for sorting teams, refereeing and getting games under way.
AFL
This week all children were spoken to about after school AFL starting on Tuesday 12th Nov and running for 4 weeks.
Venue – fields behind school
Times – 3.15 - 4.15 PM
A flyer was sent home with further details and how to register - alternatively, click on this link or refer to the flyer under the "Billboard".
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART
Every year we participate in Jump Rope for Heart and this year we continue the tradition of skipping for one or all of these reasons
1. skipping to raise funds
2. skipping to log up hours or,
3. just skipping for exercise.
Register now at https://www.jumprope.org.au/parents and join our skipping challenge!
When you register your child online you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your child a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors.
Register and create your own secure webpage at jumprope.org.au/parents.
Thank you for getting involved in Jump Rope for Heart! (Jump off Day in Week 6)
NSW STATE ATHLETICS
Emily Scott today took part in the NSWPSSA State Athletics Championships held at Olympic Park, Homebush. This is always a great experience with children from all corners of the state coming together to compete. Well done Emily.
RESULTS - a personal best, 1.25m high jump!
DANCE FEVER
K- 6 are having a ball as they work their way through the choreography of dance moves with our two visiting dance teachers Maddison and Chloe. Can’t wait to see the finished products. This will continue until week 5 and then all classes will have 5 weeks of gymnastics.
UPDATE:
School drop off is no longer available.
We have recently updated our account details for our 10c Return and Earn Recycling
Program.
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.
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.
HEALTHY LUNCH BOX WEBSITE
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 CroweFRIENDLY REMINDER ABOUT CUTLERY
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.
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/
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.
Please find below a download to the
"Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools" resource.
In Week 5 of this term, the Diocese Fees team we will be writing to all families with students enrolled for 2025, asking them to nominate a payment frequency from the following options:
Families who do not nominate a frequency will default to quarterly payments.
Payment for events and excursions will continue to be managed through Compass.
Available payment methods are Bpay, Compass Pay, Centrepay Deduction or cash/EFTPOS at the school office. Your Bpay details appears on your monthly statement emailed at the start of each new month.
We recognise the financial pressures that families may face and strive to offer
flexible payment options to accommodate different circumstances. For more
information and to contact our Diocesan Fees Team, please visit the Diocese of
Lismore Catholic Schools 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.