St Joseph's School Taree eNewsletter

Principal message

Dear Parents and Carers,

The readings at the weekend Catholic masses reminded us that we should always try to show others the unconditional love that God has for us, especially those who may not do the right thing by us. In practical terms, as Catholic people we strive to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us and pray for those who treat us badly. This is a challenge that we are supported in by our faith and through the example of God’s forgiving love for us. We are asked not to be judgmental or to condemn others but to show understanding and compassion just like the unconditional love God has for us.

It has been disappointing this week to be contacted by families in relation to several negative behaviours from children towards one another that have caused harm to an individual or group of children. These behaviours are happening at school in classrooms and on the playground, and at home through social media applications or while students are at play.

At St Joseph’s, we model the values that are foundational to our Josephite charism such as care, love, respect, service, belonging, safety, honesty and trust. When we witness examples that are not aligned with our values, we take the time to explore what is going on in each situation and for each child. We try to build the perspectives of all involved so that students develop a greater understanding of one another and realise the impact of their words and actions. There are always many perspectives and when we listen to the voices of our students and their parents, we can discern the truth that generally lies somewhere in the middle of these perspectives. We are grateful for the voice of our parents in this process because it provides an opportunity to teach students in the area of social and emotional skill development. Aside from the learning that takes place throughout our investigation of behaviour challenges, there are also consequences for serious breaches of school expectations of behaviour. Throughout this process, we always show the respect, care and love that God expects of us as Catholic people for the students and families we serve. The conversations are gentle, open and honest, reinforcing the importance of student voice in finding a resolution. Thank you for trusting our professional response and the care we show for your children in these matters.

The Parent Information sessions were a great success, and I thank all who could attend for your engagement in this option. I understand that not all families are able to participate due to work commitments and know that our teachers will contact you to provide all the information you need to get your child off to a good start for the 2025 year of learning at St Joseph’s. We also took this opportunity to troubleshoot any access difficulties to our two most important communication platforms - Compass or SeeSaw. We are more than happy to support other families who continue to have access problems and ask that you pass this message on to them.

School fee accounts have been set-up for the year. There are some important points that families should consider in relation to the fees.

If you have a Health Care Card, you are entitled to a reduced tuition fee BUT you need to present your HCC to the administration office at the start of each year so this discount can be applied.

Families with more than one child receive a discount on their tuition fees and only pay one Building Levy per family.

Payments can be made weekly, fortnightly, monthly or in lump sums throughout the year by BPay, cash, Direct Deposit or through Centrepay but it is most important to set this up early in the year to manage your payments well.

Fee reductions can be considered when families are having hardship. The completion of an application for fee relief and an appointment with myself to discuss options is required each year. Please be sure to make these payments early to be considered for this option.

Parents and carers will be contacted by the school if they have not responded through payment by our administration staff. This is an important part of their role and an important part of ensuring St Joseph’s is financially sustainable. All conversations with our staff need to be respectful at all times and any disrespectful behaviours will be considered in breach of our Community Code of Conduct.

Please check out the Community Code of Conduct below.

Week 5 of an 11 week term is already here, and at the end of this week, we enter the Autumn months.

Remember to show as much love as possible in all you do and say.

Yours sincerely,

Brooke Stephens

School_Community_Code_of_Conduct_1_.pdf

Assistant Principal

As the new school year began we were lucky enough to also have new Teachers and Learning Support staff begin here at St Josephs's. We would like to introduce you to our new staff for 2025. Please give them a nice warm welcome when you see them around.

New Teaching staff- Top Row

Miss Rachel Nolan- Year 1 Mis Lexi Wholert- Year 2 Mr Jake Bramble- Year 6 Mrs Helen Khatker- Kinder

New Learning support staff- Bottom Row

Miss Leanne Curtis- Year 4 Mr Ananth- Year 1 Mrs Melissa Langdon- Year 6 Ms Tammy Tunstall- Year 2/4

Kia May Wall

Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator

Celebrating Our Opening School Mass & Commissioning of Student Leaders

We were blessed that Father Kevin and Deacon Vince were able to join us and come together as a school community for our Opening School Mass, marking the beginning of the 2025 school year. This special Mass was a time to give thanks for the year ahead, seek God’s guidance, and reflect on our mission as a Catholic school.

A highlight of the Mass was the Commissioning of our 2025 Student Leaders, where our School Captains, Vice Captains, Sport Captains, Committee members and senior students were formally entrusted with their roles. With the support of our parish and school community, these students pledged to lead with integrity, service, and a commitment to living out the values of Jesus.

A Call to Leadership & Service

As a school founded on the spirit of St Joseph and the Josephite values, we encourage our leaders to be role models, inspiring their peers and making a positive impact in our school. Their commissioning reminds us all that leadership is not just about responsibility, but about serving others with kindness, respect, and a heart for justice.

We invite families to register their child for the 2025 Sacramental Program, a special opportunity for students to deepen their faith and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.

📅 Parent Information Session:

📍 When: Thursday, 20th March at 3:30 PM

📍 Where: School Library

This session will provide an overview of the program, key dates, and what’s involved in preparing for each sacrament. If you’re unsure whether this is the right time for your child, we encourage you to attend and find out more.

📌 How to Register

To express your interest, please complete the registration form via the QR code below or contact the school office.

RCIC_Sacraments_Brochure.pdf

Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday

Next week, our school community will mark the beginning of Lent with two significant celebrations—Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Shrove Tuesday – Led by Our School Captains

On Shrove Tuesday, our School Captains will help organise a pancake celebration, reminding us of the tradition of using up rich ingredients before the fasting season of Lent. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our student leaders to serve their peers and foster a sense of community and generosity.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy – Led by Year 4

The following day, our Year 4 students will lead our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 10:30am, guiding us in prayer as we enter this season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. With the distribution of ashes, we will be reminded of our call to turn back to God, live with kindness, and prepare our hearts for Easter. We look forward to the families who can attend.

Anthony Hunt

Religious Education Coordinator

Primary Coordinator

This year a main feature of our school improvement plan is to build a culture of feedback for students and our staff. We are using this in our academic learning as well as our social/emotional learning.

A culture of feedback for learning is one where giving and receiving feedback is seen as an essential part of growth and improvement. This environment encourages open, constructive, and continuous exchanges between teachers and students. The key is to create an atmosphere where feedback is seen as a tool for learning, not just evaluation.

Here are some key elements that we are working towards in our school:

Students need to feel safe in sharing and receiving feedback. If individuals fear negative consequences (e.g., being judged, ridiculed, or penalized), they’re less likely to be open to giving or accepting feedback. Psychological safety ensures that our students feel respected and supported, which can make them more receptive to growth.

Feedback should be given as soon as possible after the relevant action or behavior. It should also be specific rather than general so that the student knows exactly what they did well or where they can improve.

Feedback should be focused on providing clear directions for improvement, not just identifying weaknesses. Offering suggestions for how to improve or alternative strategies can empower students to take action.

A culture of feedback isn't one-sided. Both giving and receiving feedback should be part of the learning process. Encouraging our students to give feedback to others helps improve the overall quality of the feedback and the learning environment.

Feedback should be delivered in a way that respects the individual’s dignity. It's important that we teach our students to be accountable to delivering their peer feedback in a positive and non threatening way. We often use sentence starters to guide them through this part of the process.

A growth mindset should underpin the culture of feedback. When our children see feedback as a tool for learning and development rather than a critique of their inherent abilities, they are more likely to embrace it.

Feedback doesn’t only come in formal evaluations. Regular check-ins, informal conversations, and self-reflection exercises all help to keep the feedback loop active. Encouraging individuals to reflect on their own performance also allows them to take ownership of their learning process.

Recognizing improvements and progress—no matter how small—reinforces the positive aspect of feedback. It helps people see that feedback isn’t just about addressing weaknesses, but also acknowledging growth and achievements.

Loretta Riddiford

Primary Coordinator

Class Awards

We are so proud of Max Kempe, Levi Ferguson, Kiera Ma & Lachlan Zeng who attended the orientation session for the Virtual Academy class. They will be part of this program during the 2025 School year. The Virtual Academy is an opportunity for high potential students from across the Diocese to connect as they learn remotely.

Seasons for Growth

Seasons for Growth: Learning to live with change and loss

Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives. At St Joseph’s Primary School we recognise that when changes occur such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions and natural disasters children may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering an education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence later this term.

This program is facilitated in small groups of up to 7 participants and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need to practice new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and develops peer support networks. Participation in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.

If you think your child/ children would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to him/her about it. We are pleased to be able to offer this successful program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those involved. If you require further information, please contact Kia May Wall, Anthony Hunt or Deacon Vince Ryan (Site Coordinators).

Momentum- Identification, Drivers license & Employment

Check out this opportunity in community for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people between the ages of 16-55!

Creative Opportunities...ASPIRE!

Our schools are lucky to have the ASPIRE team working to provide creative opportunities for our students. Check out the calendar and flyers below. Please make contact with the ASPIRE team or Mrs Amidy at school if you have any questions.

0006916_CSO_ASPIRE_2025_Calendar_A3_05_WEB_INHOUSEV2F_1_.pdf

2025_FLYER_CREATE_CHOREOGRAPHY_1_.pdf

0007263_CSO_ASPIRE_WOW_GALLERY_LESSON_PLANS_2025_03_INHOUSE_WEBF_1_.pdf

CSO_ASPIRE_JNR_THEATRE_MAKERS_2025_1_.pdf