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Thank you Grandparents!
What a special treat it was to spend such a beautiful day with our Grandparents today. It was absolutely wonderful to share stories of “In my day….” with the older members of our community. Thank you for making today so exciting and memorable.
A special mention goes to Year 1 and the beautiful prayer assembly they led today.
Children’s Week 2022
Every day is Children's day here at St Joseph's.
Every week is Children's week at St Joseph’s.
Children's Week is observed annually in Australia to recognise the anniversary of Australia's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Children's Week presents an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate the children in our lives.
In 2022 the national theme of Children's Week relates to Article 27 of the UNCRC - all children have the right to an adequate standard of living including housing, food and clothes that support their development.
Hats Off to our Teachers!
Australia celebrated World Teachers' Day today, Friday 28th October. Our teachers have shown great resilience during these challenging times all so they can give our students the best possible future.
We would like to thank our teachers for everything they do to support and nurture our Joey’s children. Today we celebrated ‘Hats Off' to our teachers with a special morning tea.
Maths Olympiad Congratulations
Each year some of our Year 5 and 6 students participate in the Maths Olympiad National Competition. The maths questions are designed to stimulate and challenge students at primary school level. It teaches major problem solving strategies and strengthens students’ mathematical intuition. This year we were very fortunate to have Mr Pat Kelly support the students in their preparation. This was invaluable for our students as he was able to work through past questions and develop their skill set and confidence to attempt such challenging questions.
We would like to congratulate all the students who took on this challenge this year. The problems are difficult and require a high level of problem solving skills. We would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Gene Smith who finished first in our school and achieved a score in the top 25% of individual scores. We would also like to congratulate Matilda Coleman who received the Encouragement award. Matilda finished second in our school.
There have been some uniform items that are not matching our expectations appearing, and it is timely as we settle into the term to check on what is appropriate and ensure you are sending your child to school in the correct items.
Areas that are most often not correct:
- Socks - Navy with green stripe socks from St Agnes' Catholic Parish Uniform Store (for wearing with new uniform) or plain white socks above the ankle (for wearing with previous uniform). No other coloured socks to be worn at any time.
- Shoes - Black (no other colours) polishable shoes to be worn on regular school days with all uniform choices and joggers (predominantly not bright colours) to be worn only on sports days. Black polishable joggers can be worn on all days.
- Jewellery is not permitted to be worn except for simple studs or sleepers or medical bracelets. All other items are to be left at home.
- Hair should be neat, clean and of the student’s natural colour. Hair should be styled off the face for both boys and girls. Long hair (boys and girls) must be tied back from the face in the interests of hygiene and safety using elastic, ribbon or headbands in the school colours.
- Extremes in hairstyles are not permitted. Shaved in patterns are not permitted. Save these choices for holiday periods when there is time for it to grow out before school returns.
- Nail polish is not permitted.
Please note: 2022 is a transition period for uniform changes. From 2023, there are to be no variations to the prescribed uniform, so as you are replacing school shoes and accessories when they are worn out, all students are expected to have all correct items - see parent handbook for full details.
Read LessDuring Peer Support this week the children looked at the qualities their friends may have and the concept that we choose friends based on the qualities we admire in them. They explored the skills of friendship, specifically those of cooperating and listening.
During the week encourage your child to show they are interested in the person they are talking to by being an active listener.
Wheelchair Basketball
All of our students from Years 2 to 6 had a fantastic time provided by Wheelchair Sports NSW educator Robert. Students were given a chance to experience a game of Wheelchair Basketball, raise disability awareness and road safety amongst peers, and most of all, everyone had loads of fun!
We look forward to this special incursion each year to enrich the children’s understanding of personal safety, being resilient and optimistic, giving your best and trying something new.
Tennis Regional Finals
Congratulations to our Year 3 and Year 4 students who made it through to the Tennis Regional Finals on Wednesday. Our students displayed exceptional perseverance and sportsmanship while competing against other schools.
Yours in Sport
David Lynch
KBB | Luca Godwin | Henry Preston | Charlize Roach |
KHB | Maxi Clement | Eva Richards | Elijah Takiari-Carter |
1CS | Isabelle Mat | Duaansh Sachan | Daniel Shijo |
1PS | Malakai Enriquez | Flynn Wallis | Ivy Cutler |
2B | Zoe Bentley | Hannah Cooper | Lincoln Picton |
2DT | Faith Ojeda | Jenson Jarvis | Matihias Bridger |
3B | Ivy-Lea Harris | Sonny Hancock | Kooper Salan |
3MH | Mearah Canty | Tilly Scott | Brayden Johnson |
4MM | Lucas Fernando | Gemma Cooper | Zoe Lawrence |
4R | Dustin Clement | Amica Tuddenham | Toby Smurthwaite |
5BH | Charli Hoitink | Lacey Sinclair | Tomas Butler |
5T | Lailah Watson | Aislinn Suveesh | Ariannah Beard |
6H | Noah Dowd | Amelia Thompson | Willa Corless-Brown |
6L | Joseph Hunt | Ruby Comer | Edvin Benny |
Rugby League
Starting on Thursday, Maxwell Bear, our local NRL development officer, will run a three week ‘Ready to Play’ program with our Kinder to Year 4 students.
The program is a non-contact skill-based participation program that provides the perfect introduction to Rugby League for primary school students. The action packed program ensures all participants are highly engaged and finish each session sweating and smiling.
Summer Sports Trials
On Monday nominated Year 4 and Year 5 students will trial for Zone Touch Football and Basketball. Touch Football will be held at the Sporting Fields on Verge Street in Kempsey. Our updated time of bus departure is 7:45am from school. There is a possibility that the fields may be closed on Monday. Please keep a close eye on your emails for an update as soon as we hear any news.
Basketball trials will take place at the Port Macquarie Indoor Stadium starting at 9:00am and are expected to finish at 1:30pm. Please remember that parents/carers are required to arrange private transport to and from the stadium.
David Lynch
Sports Co-ordinator
As part of our Workplace Health and Safety responsibilities, we practised our emergency drills last term just in case we are ever faced with a real emergency during the school day. The staff and students have listened to our new sirens and the instruction messages which follow. We have practised a lockdown and two fire drills, requiring us to evacuate to different locations.
In the next fortnight, we will practise a whole school evacuation which will require us to move off site. Students and staff will practice moving in supervised groups, out the back gate and across the road to Panthers, our safe place. Please look out for an email with more details in the coming week.
Pathway to Year 6 School Leadership
Year 5 are busily preparing to become our future school leaders and have undergone formation opportunities during Semester 2. This term Year 5 have been writing resumes and speeches to present in preparation for next year's leadership. We have asked all students to look inward and reflect on the qualities they possess and how they have contributed to the school during their time at St Joseph’s.
Next week our 16 Student Representative Council (SRC) nominated candidates will deliver speeches to Years 3 to 6. We acknowledge their courage in putting themselves forward and eagerly await their speeches on Thursday morning at 9:10am. We wish all our future leaders the best during this time.
Mental Health Month - Theme ‘Tune In’
This week, staff decided to celebrate ‘Mental Health Month’ with a Big Blue Table Morning Tea - an opportunity for staff to stop, tune in to themselves and to the staff community.
All staff contributed to the ‘blue’ theme by dressing in something blue, baking something blue or bringing in some blue treats.
Staff have also made a generous donation to ‘Beyond Blue’ to aid them in providing more support for increasing resilience and wellbeing across all communities.
It is possible that the staff will make the Guinness Book of Records for the most cupcakes consumed in one day!
Kelly Russell
School Counsellor
2022 Newcastle Permanent Primary Schools Soccer Gala Day - Expression of Interest (Year 4 and 5)
2022 Intensive Swimming - Kinder to Year 2
2023 SRC Speeches Year 5
Production of 'Aladdin Jr' (Kinder to Year 6)
Week 4 - Term 4 2022
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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 2022 and 2023 school term dates are listed below. They are also located on our website. Click on the words “TERM DATES” on the home page.
TERM 4
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 4 - Monday
10th October 2022
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Monday 7th November 2022
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes for Term 4 - Thursday
15th December 2022
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Friday 16th December 2022
Other Holidays in 2022
Christmas Day - 25th December (Public Holiday)
Boxing Day - 26th December (Public Holiday)
TERM 1 2023
School Administration Day (Pupil Free)
Friday 27th January 2023
Year 1 to 6 Maths Assessment Interviews
Monday 30th January and Tuesday 31st January 2023
Kindergarten Best Start Interviews
Monday 30th January to Friday 3rd February 2023
Year 1 to 6 commence classes for Term 1
Wednesday 1st February 2023
Kindergarten commence classes for Term 1
Monday 6th February 2023
Last day of classes for Term 1
Thursday 6th April 2023
TERM 2
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 2
Monday 24th April 2023
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes Term 2
Friday 30th June 2023
TERM 3
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 3
Monday 17th July 2023
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes Term 3
Friday 22nd September 2023
TERM 4
Kindergarten to Year 6 commence classes for Term 4
Monday 9th October 2023
Kindergarten to Year 6 last day of classes for Term 4
Thursday 21st December 2023
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Friday 22nd December 2023
Other Holidays in 2023
Australia Day – 26th January (Public Holiday)
Good Friday – 7th April (Public Holiday)
Easter Monday – 10th April (Public Holiday)
ANZAC Day – 25th April (Public Holiday)
King’s Birthday – 12th June (Public Holiday)
Labour Day – 2nd October (Public Holiday)
Christmas Day - 25th December (Public Holiday)
Boxing Day - 26th December (Public Holiday)