Term 3 Week 9

Principal's message

Dear Parents and Carers,  

Great news for our school with two of our students successfully representing St Joseph’s Taree at the Regional Public Speaking competition held at Wingham last week. The students will now represent the Manning Region at the Diocesan Public Speaking finals. Congratulations to Adam John (Kinder) and Serah Sanju (Yr 3) on your achievement! We are also extremely proud of Alirah Griffiths who competed at the Polding Athletics Carnival in the 200m event. Alirah placed fourth in her heat, and this is an amazing effort given the level of the competition. Well done, Alirah! Our Scriptwriter’s also attended a day at Forster with the ASPIRE Team and we love being able to provide these opportunities for our budding writer’s.  

St Ignatius' College - First Nations Scholarship Program

In breaking news...Cooper Lovelock, one of our Year 6 students, successfully applied for a First Nations scholarship to St Ignatius' College, Riverview, in Sydney for the start of Year 7...how good is that!

After submitting his initial application, supported by one of our previous principals, Mr Mark Mowbray, Cooper had a couple of interviews before learning last week of his success. In his final visit, he spent an hour and a half touring the facilities. In Cooper’s words, ‘...it seemed like a resort!’ Cooper met with the Indigenous Education Liaison person, Kaleb Taylor, and with other First Nations boys who he will meet with regularly to build strong connections. These relationships will be one of the great supports in place to assist Cooper to manage the changes that will come with this courageous step he has taken for his high school years. The family also noted that all of the staff were very friendly and welcoming. Cooper sat with one the mentoring groups, where they had boys from all years in a small group, led by a teacher. Cooper said '...the teacher was so relaxed, she let the boys eat and sit backwards on the chair!’ Cooper’s mother, Jo, said Cooper seemed shocked by that. 

When we asked about the interviews, Cooper and Jo said that they asked questions like: 

• Who do you admire? 

• Tell me about your role model and why you like them. 

• Favourite song? 

• Favourite subject? 

• Favourite sport? 

• If you get homesick, what would you do? 

• What does boarding school mean to you? 

• Why do you want to go to boarding school? 

• What will you tell your friends? 

• Any friends going to boarding school? 

• Know anyone who has gone to boarding school? 

 The staff of St Joseph’s Taree are so proud of Cooper and the courage and belief in himself he has shown to apply for and accept this exciting opportunity for his high school education. We look forward to hearing about the next steps and maintaining a connection with Cooper through the first years of his time in the big smoke! 

We are asking that any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families of students currently in Year 4 and 5, contact our administration office and we will connect you with Mr Mowbray and support you through the process.  

Cooper with Kaleb Taylor at St Ignatius' College

Manning ASPIRE Production

In November this year, our creative students have the opportunity to perform at the Manning Region ASPIRE Production at the Manning Entertainment Centre. Our Scriptwriters have already been working hard to develop the script and Anna Walker, the production manager for ASPIRE, is now calling for nominations from Years 4-6 in the areas of vocal, drama, art and instrumental. We can nominate 6-8 students in each area. Teachers will nominate students, however, if you feel like this is something your child would really enjoy, please make contact with your child's teacher. Mrs Amidy (Yr 3 teacher) and Mrs. O’Dwyer (Creative Arts teacher) will put forward our school nominations. 

St Nicholas OOSH 

If you haven’t already done so, please register for the holiday program at St Nicholas OOSH using the following link. Stevie, the nominated supervisor for our service, is very happy for families to drop in any morning and book directly with the team. Stevie is at school from 6.30am until 9.00am each day.  

St Nicholas OOSH Holiday care 

Wishing all of our families a happy end to Term 3 and beautiful spring break. 

Yours sincerely,

Brooke Stephens 

Assistant Principal Report

2025 Curriculum Focus Day 

Our Year One, Year Five and Creative Arts Teachers recently participated in the annual COSI (Continuum of School Improvement) Curriculum Focus Day, held at Holy Name Primary School in Forster. This year's focus was on two key learning areas: Creative Arts and Mathematics. 

The day provided a valuable opportunity for our school to collaborate with colleagues from Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle, ensuring compliance with NESA and government guidelines in a supportive and collegial environment. 

Staff were able to share their programming and pedagogical practices with colleagues from across the Manning region, engaging in rich discussions and providing constructive feedback between schools. Educational Officers will now take the insights gained and present them to the system leadership team, who will develop a list of commendations and recommendations to guide our next strategic cycle. 

We have much to celebrate in our teaching and learning space, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to growth and improvement. 

Public Speaking  

On Wednesday last week, four of our students attended the Regional Public Speaking Competition at Saint Joseph’s Wingham. These students were Adam John (Early Stage 1), Indie-Rose Anson ( Stage 1), Serah Sanju (Stage 2) and Millie-Rose Hardes (Stage 3). Each prepared and presented their speeches to a high level, and we are so proud of their efforts. 

A heartfelt congratulations to Adam for winning the Early Stage 1 competition, and to Serah for the runner up position in Stage 2. Both students will be attending the Diocesan Competition at St Patrick’s Lochinvar.  

We are lucky to have such motivated speakers at our school and wish you both the best of luck!  

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Religious Education Coordinator Report

Sacramental Program

This is a very special week for our parish and school community. The students taking part in this year’s Sacramental Program (RCIC) will celebrate their First Holy Communion. Please keep them and their families in your prayers as they receive the Eucharist for the first time and deepen their relationship with Christ.

Father's Day Celebration

On Friday, 5th September, our Year 2 staff and students led our Father’s Day celebrations. The morning began with our Father’s Day Breakfast at 7:30 am, followed by a beautiful liturgy to give thanks for fathers, grandfathers and all who play a fatherly role in the lives of our children. Thank you to Year 2 for preparing this special occasion.

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Student Formation Days

In the coming days, several year groups will be taking part in Student Formation Days:

• Year 5 – Tuesday 16th September

• Year 6 – Monday 22nd September

• Year 3 & 4 combined – Wednesday 24th September

These days provide our students with time away from their normal routine to reflect, learn, and grow together in faith. They are designed to invite students to encounter the Gospel in a real and personal way, deepen their understanding of Catholic life, and see how they can live out the values at the heart of our school Vision and Mission. This approach flows directly from our Josephite charism, inspired by St Mary MacKillop, which calls us to serve with open hearts, be attentive to the needs of others and nurture each child’s spiritual journey.

We encourage parents to support these days by talking with your child about what they experienced, how it connects to their life, and helping them live out these values at home.

As Mary MacKillop encouraged: “Find happiness in making others happy.” 

Primary Coordinator Report

PB4L 

 Another term draws to a close, I wanted to remind our families of the excellent resource we have on our school website- School TV. I have included a link below to the home page with all the topics available to you. There are so many areas to explore that may suit your needs at any given point of time in your parenting journey. 

https://tareesj.catholic.schooltv.me/ 

In our last newsletter, we let you know that we have a focus on understanding diversity and inclusion and provided some resources for you to potentially use with your children. School TV also is a good source of reliable information for parents about neurodiversity.  

https://tareesj.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/neurodiversity 

In this fortnight, we are turning our attention to celebrating student achievement. As the term winds up, we can celebrate the learning gains our students have made throughout this period. In the classrooms we will check in on the progress the students have made towards their learning goals and identify the next steps for Term 4. Every child learns at their own pace, and we want to recognise the support they receive from their teachers and parents to keep them motivated and striving to be their best. We want to celebrate their growth by reflecting on how far they have come, as they are all at different stages of their learning journey. We are proud of our learning growth is the next school wide focus. This statement is part of our new matrix, which will be officially launched once the signage is completed. It’s being prepared for sharing with our community to ensure clarity and alignment moving forward. 

Wellbeing 

As spring gets into full swing, there is such a variety of fresh food available, and you may be looking for some new ideas to feed your family. At school we are still promoting ‘fruit break’ or ‘crunch and sip’ where the students have a break to eat fresh fruit and vegetables ad drink water to enhance their learning capacity. 

 Use the link below to help spice up your weekly menu or lunch boxes. 

https://www.healthyliving.nsw.gov.au/food/healthy-recipes 

Loretta Riddiford 

Primary Coordinator 

3-6 Pedagogy Mentor Report

Pedagogy in Action: Focus on Small Group Instruction 

This semester, a key focus across our Years 3–6 classrooms has been the implementation and refinement of small group instruction. This targeted approach to teaching allows educators to work closely with students in smaller, more manageable groups, ensuring that each child receives the support, guidance, and challenge they need to succeed. 

Small group instruction is a powerful strategy for delivering personalised learning. It enables teachers to tailor lessons to individual student needs, address specific learning gaps, and extend those who are ready for more complex content. By fostering closer connections between students and teachers, this approach also promotes increased engagement, confidence, and collaboration in the classroom. 

As we continue to embed this practice into our teaching routines, we are already seeing positive outcomes in both student progress and participation. Our commitment to evidence-based strategies like small group instruction reflects our dedication to high-quality teaching and learning for every student. 

A Big Term of Learning – Time to Rest and Recharge 

As we approach the end of Term 3, it’s a great time to reflect on what has been a big term of learning across our school. From engaging classroom programs to exciting projects, excursions, and specialist lessons, our students have shown incredible focus, growth, and enthusiasm for their learning. 

In particular, our focus on small group instruction in Years 3–6 has provided valuable opportunities for students to receive more targeted, personalised support. Across all year levels, teachers have been working hard to deliver engaging, differentiated lessons that meet the needs of every learner. 

With so much rich learning taking place, it’s no surprise that our students (and staff!) are ready for a well-earned break. The upcoming holidays are an important time for students to rest, recharge, and reset, so they can return refreshed and ready to make the most of Term 4. 

Term 4 is always a busy and exciting time as we begin to wrap up the year, celebrate achievements, and look ahead to new challenges. We’re excited for what’s to come and are proud of the progress students have made so far. 

We thank families for their continued support and wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable break! 

Tarnya Jones 

3 – 6 Pedagogical Mentor 

Sports News

Polding Athletics 

A huge congratulations to Alirah on her achievement of representing our Diocese at the Polding level, competing in the 200m race! Well done, Alirah – we celebrate your hard work and success, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next! 

NRL 7’s Competition – Teams Selected and Ready to Go! 

We are thrilled to announce that our NRL 7’s teams have now been selected, and we are eagerly preparing to compete in the upcoming tournament on Thursday, 26th September. 

This is an exciting opportunity for our students to showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship on the field. We look forward to seeing them represent our school with pride! 

Important information and permission notes will be sent home shortly via Compass. We kindly ask all families to complete the permission form and make the necessary payment through Compass as soon as possible to ensure your child can participate. 

Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait for a fantastic day of rugby league action! 

Cricket 

I am calling for Cricket nominations for students from Years 4 and 5.  There has been a change to PSSA Cricket dates which has changed our cricket dates. At this point in time Dio Cricket with be the 12th of November.  I am required to have our nominations in by the 29th of October.  I would like to have our regional nominations completed by the 22nd of September.  

These trials will only be for Year 4 and 5 students as it is for 2026, PSSA cricket trials in Term 1 of 2026. 

Please send me any nominations you have by Friday the 12th of September.  With your information, can you please send the students name, playing history and if they play in a specific position.   

Yours in Sport 

Tarnya Jones  

Sport Coordinator 

Gifted Education Mentor report

From the Gifted Education Mentor’s Desk 

It’s hard to believe I’ve already been part of our wonderful St Joseph’s school community for nine months! This term has been full of exciting developments across our gifted education programs. 

Our Virtual Academy (VA) students have been diving deep into their inquiry projects, showing impressive curiosity and creativity. I’ve also had the pleasure of observing and working with students in classrooms across the school, gaining valuable insights into their learning styles and strengths. 

Another highlight has been supporting students in the public speaking competition, where their confidence and expression continue to grow. 

Looking ahead to next term, I’m thrilled to see our VA students bring their projects to life for the final showcase—a celebration of their hard work and passion. 

We’ve released a new blog for families of high potential and gifted children: 

Seeing the World Like Leonardo, Einstein, and Aristotle – Three Ways to Nurture Genius Thinking in Your Child 

It highlights three ways children view the world - connecting ideas like Leonardo, imagining possibilities like Einstein, and seeking patterns and purpose like Aristotle - and offers practical tips for families to support these strengths. 
https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/news/seeing-the-world-like-leonardo-einstein-and-aristotle/ 

Thank you for your continued support as we nurture the talents of our gifted learners! 

Warm regards, 
Terri Cornish-Allen 
Gifted Education Mentor Project Officer 

Uniform Shop

To help minimise disruptions and ensure smooth operations in the office, we kindly ask that all school uniform orders be placed using the link below which can be found on our School website:
https://stjosephstaree.schoolzineplus.com/form/7

The School uniform Shop will be open for families on Tuesday mornings 8.30-9.30am Wednesday afternoons 2 - 3pm and Thursdays mornings 8.30-9.30am. 

In the event of an emergency and uniform needs to be purchased please call the office prior and make a suitable time with office staff.

Thankyou for your understanding.

Awards

Decorate Your Space- National Child Protection Week

This year’s theme for National Child Protection Week was "Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action." To support this, Year 6 has created a display at the front of the library, embracing the idea that we walk together to turn words into action.

As part of the display, every student in the school has a paper shoe featuring their photo, symbolising that we all take steps together in support of one another. In addition, Year 6 students have made a worry doll for each child, representing the importance of speaking up when we’re feeling worried or unsafe. These dolls serve as a reminder that it's okay to reach out for help—that someone will listen, support us, and take action with us to find a solution.

Over the past two weeks, teachers have continued these important conversations in classrooms. Students have participated in a variety of activities aimed at increasing their awareness of how to stay safe and reinforcing the message that every voice matters.

Free family fun at the Parliament of NSW

Friday 10 October 9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Visit us at Australia’s oldest Parliament as it opens its doors for Family Fun Day, an open day packed with fun educational activities for families with children aged up to 12 years. This year’s highlights include:

• Visiting our heritage chambers
• Playing music and drawing with Blak Douglas
• Having your say in a committee role play
• Travelling through time with historical storytelling  
• Making craft animals and objects
• Learning how to vote 
• Enjoying live music and engaging with roving historical figures

Discover, learn and have fun at this free one-day-only event!  

Parents/carers can learn more and get their free ticket by visiting our website: 

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/visit/events/Pages/Family-Fun-Day-2025.aspx 

Or book directly with Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1329207227599?  

If you have any questions, please email dps.education@parliament.nsw.gov.au.  

T (02) 9230 2047

Taree United Cricket Club

Taree United Cricket Club are seeking players for the 2025/26 cricket season for junior and senior teams. Please contact Matt Kennewell on 0439 648 860 for more info.