2025-11 Newsletter - Term 3 Week 1
Principals Message
Welcome back to Term 3! It has been a wonderful start to the term, filled with energy, enthusiasm and a strong sense of community.
A heartfelt congratulations to all students for their creativity and enthusiasm during our Book Week Parade – what a fantastic celebration of literature and imagination! Thank you to our families and staff for your ongoing support, and to everyone who contributed to the success of our Book Fair.
Last week we also gathered for a beautiful Mass to acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC Week. The theme for 2025, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” was meaningfully reflected in the student packs and engaging classroom activities. It has been uplifting to see all students learning and celebrating the rich culture and history of our First Nations Peoples.
Sincere thanks to all staff who contributed to making these events so successful. They do not just happen – they require thoughtful planning, collaboration, and a team of dedicated staff working together to bring them to life. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
We look forward to a busy and exciting term ahead as we continue our preparations for our upcoming school musical The Billabong Prank, along with planned excursions and lots of engaging learning across our classrooms.
Congratulations also goes to our Year 5/6 class of 2024 who have achieved First Place in the CWA International Primary School PowerPoint Project, with their outstanding work on France. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to their hard work and creativity. A special thank you to Mrs Nicholson for her guidance and support of the students throughout the project. We are proud to have received this award multiple times over the years. We also extend our gratitude to the CWA for their generous monetary prize, which will be used to support learning experiences for Year 5/6 students.
We warmly welcome back all staff and extend a special welcome to Mrs Katrina Embleton who joins our team as an Administration Assistant. We are also pleased to welcome Miss Washbrook ( Learning Support) and Miss Simpson (Classroom Teacher) , who will be supporting our school in casual roles this term.
Thank you for your continued support of our school – we look forward to a rewarding and productive term ahead.
In faith & truth,
Simone Taylor
Reflection Beginning of Term Reflection – A Prayer for Peace
As we begin a new term together, we are reminded of the importance of creating a sense of peace – in our hearts, in our homes, in our school, and in the wider world.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
This message reminds us that peace begins with each of us. When we speak kindly, act with compassion, and live out the values of our Catholic faith, we help to create a community where all feel safe, supported, and loved.
As a school community, let us commit ourselves to being peacemakers – listening with open hearts, working through challenges together, and showing understanding and forgiveness.
Let us pray:
Loving God,
As we begin this new term, fill our hearts with your peace.
May our homes be places of love and calm,
May our school be a place of safety, joy and learning,
And may our world grow in unity through the actions of those who follow your call to justice and mercy.
Help us to be instruments of your peace each day.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Parents & Friends Meeting
Our next P&F Meeting will be held on Monday 11th August 2025. Commencing at 6pm. Everybody welcome.
Country Women's Association
We are thrilled to announce that St Joseph’s Catholic School has been awarded First Prize in the International Country of Study competition, proudly hosted by the Country Women’s Association (CWA).
In 2024, our students explored the rich culture and traditions of France with great enthusiasm, creativity, and curiosity. Their hard work and thoughtful engagement were recognised with a generous cash prize from the CWA, for which we are deeply grateful.
Participating in this annual program has become a much-loved part of our learning calendar, offering students a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of other cultures and broaden their global perspective.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Country Women’s Association for supporting schools through this enriching initiative. The prize money will be used to further enhance educational experiences for our students.
Congratulations to all involved!
Appreciation - Portland Art Purchase Society
We would once again like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Portland Art Purchase Society for their generous donation of $1,000 in support of our school's arts program.
The Society has been a long-time supporter of our school, with their ongoing contributions over the years making a significant impact on the creative opportunities we are able to offer our students. Their generosity has helped nurture a love of the arts, allowing students to explore their talents, build skills, and express themselves in meaningful ways.
We are truly grateful for this continued partnership and look forward to using the latest donation to further enhance our arts program. On behalf of all students and staff, thank you once again to the Portland Art Purchase Society for your commitment to the arts and to our school community.
Uniform reminder
At St Joseph’s, we take great pride in the way our students present themselves each day. Wearing the correct school uniform helps to promote a sense of belonging and school pride, as well as setting a positive tone for learning.
We kindly remind all families of the importance of ensuring that students are wearing the full and correct school uniform each day, including appropriate footwear and accessories. This includes:
Correct winter uniform
Black, polishable school shoes (not sports shoes) with the formal uniform
Sports uniform worn only on designated sport days
Long hair tied back neatly
Minimal jewellery – small stud or sleeper earrings and a watch only
It is lovely to see the students wearing the new softshell jackets for the Winter months.
We thank you for your support in maintaining high standards and ensuring that our students represent St Joseph’s with pride and respect.
If you have any questions or require support with uniform items, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.