Wishes for the end of 2024

As we approach the end of 2024, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our school community for your ongoing support, kindness, and friendship throughout the year. This has been a fantastic year filled with a wealth of activities and learning, and we are grateful for the incredible opportunities our students have had to experience life to the fullest. We especially celebrate our Year 6 Class of 2024 as they mark the end of their primary school journey.

The spirit of St Joseph has been alive in our school, guiding us to act with courage, compassion, and humility - values that define 'the Joey’s way' and the type of school we aspire to be every day. I am incredibly grateful to our dedicated staff, who consistently go above and beyond to ensure that students feel cared for, valued, and respected. Their expertise and commitment are truly a blessing to our school, and I hope they enjoy a well-deserved break before returning in 2025, ready for another exciting year of learning.

I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the children, as without them, there would be no school! I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing in their joys, supporting them through challenges, and having the privilege of contributing to the people they are becoming.

As we prepare for 2025, we acknowledge the many successes and the incredible support from our staff, the Parent Community Group (PCG), and all members of our school community. I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, filled with the hope and joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus in our lives and hearts. May God bless you all and keep you in His care.

Year 6 Class of 2024

Rosemary Saunders Star of the Year Award

This is the fourth year we have presented the Mrs Saunders Star of the Year award. Mrs Rosemary Saunders taught at St Joseph’s for over 40 years. She was known for her smile, her positivity, compassion, friendliness and absolute consistency as a teacher, friend and person. Each week Mrs Saunders awarded a Star of the Week, where every child in the class would write a positive affirmation about that child and the child would receive a certificate laminated with affirmations from classmates.

The Star of the Year was voted upon by the students and adults in each class to nominate a classmate who has shown consistent positivity, a smile and friendliness throughout the year. The recipient received a medal, sprig of rosemary, and a certificate of affirmations at our End of Year Assembly. It was wonderful to have Ro’s daughter, Emma, and grandaughter here with us once again to present the recipients with their awards.

Congratulations to all our student recipients.

Absent: Maisie Wynter (KW)

Our 2025 Staff

As Christmas approaches, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing positive, meaningful relationships in our children’s lives. In a world where digital interactions are becoming increasingly common, this festive season offers an opportunity to help our children focus on the value of real-world connections.

Encouraging a Digital Pause 

The holidays are an ideal time to step back from the pressures of social media and online communication. We encourage you to consider helping your child take a break from these platforms—perhaps even closing their accounts—to rediscover the joy of being fully present in the moment. These platforms can sometimes expose children to unnecessary pressures or inappropriate content, and taking a break from them can create space for healthier, more fulfilling interactions.

Building Social Skills 

The skills children develop in real-life interactions are essential for their growth. Over the Christmas break, encourage your child to engage in activities that strengthen these skills, such as outdoor play, family games, and community involvement. These moments not only build strong relationships but also lay the foundation for their future wellbeing and success.

Resources for Parents 

To support you, we recommend the following trusted resources that provide practical advice to help you create a safe and positive environment for your child, both online and offline.

• eSafety Commissioner: Provides valuable information on online safety, bullying prevention, and managing your child’s digital footprint.
• ThinkUKnow: Provides education on cyber safety, empowering both parents and children to navigate the digital world securely, including guidance on trends and risks.
• Parentline NSW: Confidential and free counselling service offering support and guidance for parents and carers on a range of topics including managing family dynamics and children’s behaviours (1300 1300 52).

Our Catholic schools are deeply committed to helping students build the emotional resilience and social intelligence they need to flourish. Your support at home plays an essential role in this journey. By guiding our children toward meaningful offline interactions, we equip them with the tools to become compassionate, respectful, and confident individuals - today and in the future.

May this Christmas be a time of peace, joy, and love for your family.

You're Invited to Christmas Mass

In Year 1, we have been enjoying exploring the concept of mass with lots of hands-on activities. We have practiced weighing various objects, comparing their masses, and even made their own scales to better understand how weight is measured. 

During week 8 and 9, Port Macquarie Basketball Association have offered to provide school wide basketball lessons for all of our students to wind down the school year. They taught us how to dribble, shoot, and work together as a team. It was so much fun learning new skills and playing games with our friends!

Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -

For your convenience 2025 school term dates are listed below. They are also located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.