Week 6 - Term 1 Newsletter 2025
Principal's Message
NAPLAN
Next week students in Years 3 & 5 will be sitting their NAPLAN Assessments, with testing taking place next Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th. These test sessions will take place as follows:
- Monday 17th March - Writing (Year 3 will be a pen & paper test) & Reading
- Tuesday 18th - Language Conventions & Numeracy
We wish these students the best of luck, and I know their classroom teachers have made it clear to the students that these tests are merely an opportunity to showcase what they know and can demonstrate and what they can improve on. Whilst I acknowledge NAPLAN can be contentious in some households and that it only shows a snapshot of a child's learning profile, as a school, we use this data further to inform our teaching & learning in the classrooms & particularly look at long-term trends and areas to improve as a school.
Parent Forum AGM & Class Parents Contacts
Thank you to all our parents who could attend our Parent Forum AGM in Week 5. It was lovely to meet as a group and set out the direction for 2025 with regard to Parent Voice, Parent Community and Parent Learning. I want to reiterate that ALL PARENTS are welcome to attend our Parent Forum Meetings each term; it is not a closed meeting, so please, if you are even interested in finding out more, make sure to attend our Term 2 meeting.
As this meeting was also an AGM, we were able to elect the Executive for the 2025 School Year, and I am pleased to announce the following parents have accepted positions on the Forum:
- Chairperson: Lauren Kirkland
- Secretary: Rebekah Berridge
- Treasurer: Bec Upston
- Parent Assembly Reps: Bel Chapman, Lauren Kirkland & Bec Upston
- Parish Rep: Alysse Gallagher
An equally important role within the Parent Forum is our Class Reps; please find below our Year Level Representatives:
- Kindergarten: Aneeka Jones
- Year 1: Caitlyn Thomas
- Year 2: Alison Barrett
- Year 3: Nellie Buckley
- Year 4: Belinda Chapman
- Year 5: Connie Ellis
- Year 6: Jacinta Roux
After consulting with the Parent Forum and our Class Parents for 2025, please be advised that all Class Parent Reps that sit on the Parent Forum will be provided with all families' contact details for each of their classes. The purpose of this request, which is done each year, is to enable our class parents to create their own email/messenger/WhatsApp group, allowing for further communication regarding both 'in-school' and 'out of school' events and, most importantly, for our new families to remain connected with and hold a sense of belonging.
If you WOULD NOT like your personal contact details shared with your Class Parents, please contact the School Office directly; otherwise, I will presume you are happy for this to occur.
Thanks again to our Parent Forum members for showing initiative in this & I trust that this will ensure student wellbeing is at the forefront.
St Joseph's Feast Day - NEW DATE Monday 7th April
As you may be aware, due to the past week of weather we have postponed celebrating the Feast Day of St. Joseph to Monday 7th April (Week 10), as a school community. We warmly invite you to meet us at Brooms Head Beach to help us celebrate this day as a school community.
During this day, students will participate in a Liturgy by the beach, a beach walk & organised class activities. It is anticipated that this will be a day of reflection and relationship building amongst all students & staff and an excellent opportunity to strengthen our community.
We will start with our Whole School Liturgy at the Lagoon (beach-side) as you pass the Bowling Club upon entering the town. Students will walk down the beach from the Caravan Park to the Lagoon and, following the liturgy, will proceed to walk back and participate in some class-based beach activities. We intend to set up an organised area (dependent on campers) near the undercover BBQ area. Any parental assistance to help with serving lunch would be greatly appreciated.
Please note that we will still be celebrating this Feast Day with a Mass over at the church and parents are more than welcome to attend.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
Please be advised that our Term 1 Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 10 this term (Monday 7th - Thursday 10th April). Please note Interviews are strictly 20 minutes, and spaces are limited. All parents/caregivers are encouraged to attend these meetings to discuss your child’s transition into the new school year and, together, set important learning goals for Term 2 and identify ways we can each best support your child.
Information will be sent out late next week via our Compass APP. Interview times will be booked through the COMPASS PORTAL.
If you have any issues with the booking process, please ring the School Office on 66452340, and we can book you in.
Alternate arrangements - END OF DAY PROCEDURES
If your child is being picked up by another adult not on our school records as one of your emergency contacts, you must notify the school of your alternate arrangements. Since transitioning back to school this year, we have had several incidents of confusion around the end-of-day pick-up. I ask that if you are having another parent collect your child on your behalf, you ring the Front Office on 66452340 before 3 pm to ensure that both staff and the student/s are aware of this change and that in the event of a regular arrangement being granted that the School Office has been provided permission in writing.
I trust you have a settled and safe weekend with your families.
Thanking you,
Dale
Upcoming School Dates
- Monday 17th March - NAPLAN starts (Week 7)
- Wednesday 19th March - St Joseph's Feast Day Mass (Week 7)
- Tuesday 25th March - Silent Disco & Welcome BBQ (Week 8)
- Wednesday 26th March - School Cross Country, Wherrett Park (Week 8)
- Thursday 27th March - Diocesan Winter Sports (Week 9)
- Wednesday 2nd April - St Joey's Art Night (Week 9)
- Monday 7th April - St Joey's Celebration Day @ Brooms Head (Week 10)
- Mon 7th - Thur 10th April - Parent Teacher Interviews (Week 10)
- Tuesday 8th April - McAuley Catholic College Open Night (Week 10)
- Friday 11th April - Easter Liturgy (Week 10)
- Friday 11th April - Last Day Term 1 (Week 10)
Leader of Learning
Building Strong Spellers Through Evidence-Based Teaching
At St Joseph's we know that learning to spell isn’t just about memorising word lists. It’s about understanding how words work. That’s why we’ve taken a whole-school, evidence-based approach to spelling that ensures students build strong foundations and confidence in their writing.
As part of our School Annual Improvement Plan, we are strengthening our whole-school approach to spelling. This means using research-backed programs, working together as a teaching team and regularly reviewing student progress to make sure every child is getting the support they need.
In Kindergarten to Year 2, students develop essential reading and spelling skills through InitiaLit, a program that provides explicit, structured lessons in phonics, vocabulary and comprehension. From Year 3 to Year 5, students continue to build on this knowledge with SpellEx, which helps them understand spelling patterns, sounds and word meanings in a way that makes sense. In Year 6, Sound Waves supports their growing skills with a focus on applying spelling knowledge to more complex words.
What makes these programs so effective? The key is explicit instruction. Teachers don’t just present spelling rules. They guide students step by step, providing clear explanations, modelling strategies and giving students plenty of practice. This structured, engaging approach ensures that all students, regardless of their starting point, have the support they need to succeed.
Importantly, we don’t take a ‘set and forget’ approach. We regularly review student progress and use data to adjust our teaching, making sure that every student is getting what they need. This means that if a student needs extra practice with a particular concept, we can respond quickly, and if they’re ready for more challenge, we can extend their learning.
Across all classrooms, we see students engaged and actively involved, playing word games, breaking words apart to understand their structure and applying their knowledge in their writing. It’s fantastic to see their confidence grow as they develop a deeper understanding of language.
Mrs Mclennan
Leader of Mission
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Last Wednesday, we came together to mark the beginning of our lenten journey with a special Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Although not the Mass we had planned, it was still a beautiful liturgy that gave us all moments of peace and reflection. This special liturgy prompted students to think about the meaning of this season. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a time when we prepare for Easter by focusing on prayer, repentance, and making changes to be closer to God. The ashes that were placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, remind us that we are all humans who make mistakes, and are in need of God’s love and forgiveness. It’s a time to reflect on how we can grow spiritually and make better choices to help us live more like Jesus.
As Lent is a time for prayer, below I have included some ideas on how you can pray with your child.
- Prayer is communication.
It can be spoken or silent. It can be a song or a story. It can be a picture or a dance. - Prayer can be done as often as you like.
Every week. Every day. Every hour. - Prayer can be done however you want.
There’s no right or wrong way to pray. - Prayer can be shared, but doesn’t have to be.
It can be done alone or with a favourite toy. It can be done with friends, family or pets. - Prayer can be done anywhere.
It can be done in your room or at the kitchen table. It can be done out in the playground, at the park or even at the zoo. - Prayer can be done in any mood.
You can be happy, sad, angry, scared or confused when you pray. - Prayer can be for yourself or someone else.
If you know someone who could use a little help — add them to your prayers. - Prayer doesn’t need a certain structure, length or specific words.
Whatever words you use, long or short, however your prayer comes out is fine. - Prayer doesn’t need a special occasion.
There are certain prayers appropriate to special occasions but you don’t need to wait for a special time to pray. - Prayer doesn’t have to be a request.
It can also be used to give thanks for what you have already received. “Thank you,” is a perfect prayer.
St Joseph’s Feast Day Brooms Head Celebration Postponed
Due to the ongoing impact of Cyclone Alfred, we have had to make the decision to postpone our St Joseph’s Celebration day that was to be held next Tuesday, 18th March, at Brooms Head.
We have rescheduled our Celebration Day to Monday, 7th April (Week 10). By rescheduling, we hope we can all celebrate our patron saint together safely, and we look forward to celebrating this day with you all.
Friends, family and parishioners are still invited to celebrate with us at our St Joseph’s Feast Day Mass to be held on Wednesday, 19th March at 12pm at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Maclean.
School Parish Mass
All family and friends are also warmly invited to attend our Parish School Mass on Sunday, 23rd March, at St. Mary's Church commencing at 8:30am. This mass will be led by our students and staff. If you would like your child to be involved by reading or welcoming parishioners at the entrances, please email me at louise.senz@lism.catholic.edu.au
Baptisms
Congratulations to Cooper, Oli and Alexis Want who will be baptised this Sunday, March 16th! This is a beautiful and special moment in your faith journey, and we are so excited to celebrate with you. May this sacrament bring you closer to God and fill your hearts with His love and peace. We look forward to supporting you as you continue to grow in your faith. Enjoy this wonderful occasion—it's a truly joyous step in your spiritual life!
Mrs Senz
Class News - Year 2
Year 2 Class Learning!
Year 2 has been full of excitement and brilliant ideas over the past few weeks!
In Maths, we have been diving into the world of patterns, and students have been deepening their understanding of sequences and number relationships. We have been exploring patterns in nature and patterns in numbers. Students have discovered how patterns can grow by adding more each time or shrink by taking some away.
In Writing, we have been reading ‘Peggy’ and ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, which are both fun curricular narratives (starting and ending in the same place, but with an adventure in between). We’ve been using the author’s use of different sentence types to inspire our work on writing compound sentences and complex sentences.
On the creative side, Visual Arts has been all about learning how colour can help artists express emotion and mood. We’ve looked at Warm and Cool colours and made artworks, showing the difference between these two colour groups.
Year 2 has had a great start to the year, and we’re deep in our learning now. Looking forward to seeing where our journey takes us!
Miss White
Pastoral Care - School Counsellor
Helping Your Child Manage Their Worries
In light of the recent weather event I thought it might be helpful to provide some strategies for helping your child manage their worries.
As parents, it’s natural for us to want to protect our children from worries. While we can’t shield them from every concern, we can help equip them with the tools to manage their feelings effectively. Here are some practical steps to help your child navigate their worries.
1. Encourage Open Communication
Let your child know it’s okay to talk about their worries. Create a safe, non-judgmental space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Ask open-ended questions like, “What’s on your mind?” and listen attentively without immediately offering solutions.
2. Validate Their Feelings
Avoid dismissing their worries, even if they seem small. Instead, acknowledge their feelings with phrases like, “I can see that this is really bothering you.” This helps them feel understood and supported.
3. Teach Problem-Solving Skills
Help your child break down their worries into manageable steps. Ask questions like, “What do you think could help?” and guide them toward finding practical solutions. Encourage them to think of different ways to approach their concerns.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques
Teach simple breathing exercises, mindfulness, or visualisation techniques to help them manage anxious feelings. For example, deep belly breathing or imagining a calm, happy place can be effective strategies.
5. Encourage a Balanced Lifestyle
Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep play a crucial role in emotional well-being. Encourage activities that promote relaxation and joy, such as playing outside, reading, or engaging in creative hobbies.
6. Model Healthy Coping Strategies
Children often learn by observing their parents. Demonstrate how you manage stress in a healthy way, such as talking about your feelings, taking deep breaths, or engaging in self-care activities.
7. Limit Exposure to Stressful Triggers
Monitor and manage exposure to distressing news, TV, movies, video games, or overstimulating environments. Encourage age-appropriate discussions about worries related to the outside world.
8. Offer Reassurance Without Overprotecting
Reassure your child that they are safe and loved, but avoid excessive reassurance, which can reinforce anxiety. Help them build confidence in handling challenges rather than trying to remove all obstacles for them.
9. Know When to Seek Professional Help
If your child’s worries persist, interfere with daily life, or you’re concerned it's escalating into anxiety, consider seeking support from a counsellor, your GP or paediatrician. Early intervention can be beneficial in developing healthy coping mechanisms.
By guiding your child with patience and understanding, you can help them develop the resilience and confidence needed to manage their worries effectively.
The Catholic Schools Office has put together some helpful resources specifically for parents following the recent weather event. You’ll find a link to here, or you can also access them via the St Joseph's website.
Wishing everyone a smooth transition back to our everyday routines.
Jess Jones - School Counsellor
Pastoral Care - School Chaplain
Social Justice- Project Compassion Week 2 of Lent
St Joseph’s is participating in Project Compassion. Spanning across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.
We get involved by watching the stories of Project Compassion, hosting fundraisers, joining a Caritas Conversation, and downloading resources.
This week our journey introduced us to Lam, a young man from rural Vietnam with a passion for graphic design, who faced limited career prospects due to his disability. With support from the I-SHINE program, he pursued IT training and now runs a successful freelance graphic design business.
Your generous support can help to change the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Join us this Lent to raise much-needed funds for people living in poverty.
Together, we can make a difference now and
For All Future Generations
Each class has a donation box where students can donate to this fundraiser or you can donate by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion.
Seasons for Growth Stage 2
We are offering our Seasons For Growth program to all stage 2 students. It’s a fantastic initiative designed to support students through personal challenges and help build resilience. Please see compass for participation over the coming weeks. We will be taking limited numbers so please keep posted for further information.
Ms Juana Mead - Student Wellbeing Officer
School Sport
Diocesan Swimming Trials
Congratulations to Talia Tasi & Albie Patten who not only represented our school, but also the Clarence, at the recent Lismore Diocesan Swimming Trials last Tuesday 4th March in Murwillumbah.
PLAY OUR WAY IS COMING TO NEW SOUTH WALES!
She Hoops is coming to Yamba April 8 in collaboration with Basketball NSW, bringing basketball clinics and leadership workshops with Guest Player Mikaela Ruef and Head Coach Nat Hurst.
Girls Basketball Clinics (All Levels)
Whether you're stepping onto the court for the first time or fine-tuning your game, our fun, supportive, and high-energy clinics are designed for girls of all skill levels. Led by top coaches and professional female players, this is your chance to grow, learn, and have a blast!
Leadership Workshop (16+ years)
A space for women to come together, learn, and grow. Inspired by the culture and success of the Australian Opals, this interactive workshop explores leadership in different ways, on and off the court. Whether you’re a player, coach, parent, or just love being part of the game, this is for you.
Basketball Clinic Registration - https://t.ly/PDpmI
Leadership Workshop Registration - https://t.ly/_x1zJ
Anthony Gilchrist - Sports Coordinator
Library News
Book Club catalogues have been sent home with students and are due by Thursday 27th March. If you wish to purchase, please order online at scholastic.com.au/LOOP
All book orders earn our school free books!
Mrs O'Brien
Parent Forum
Thank you to the parents that our attended our first Parent Forum meeting, if you were unable to make it, don't fear we will be hold another meeting in term 2!
This years Parent Forum Executive consist of:
- Chairperson: Lauren Kirkland
- Secretary: Rebekah Berridge
- Treasurer: Bec Upston
- Parent Assembly: Bel Chapman, Lauren Kirkland & Bec Upston
- Parish Rep: Alysse Gallagher
Class Parent Representatives:
- Kindy: Aneeka Jones
- Year 1: Caitlyn Thomas
- Year 2: Alison Barrett
- Year 3: Nellie Buckley
- Year 4: Belinda Chapman
- Year 5: Connie Ellis
- Year 6: Jacinta Roux
Easter Raffle
We would like to ask for donations for our fundraising Easter Egg Raffles which will be drawn at the Easter Liturgy on Friday 11th April. Any Easter related gifts (chocolate, craft etc) can be dropped into the front office.
Silent Disco
The most anticipated event of the year is coming.... The Silent Disco! Tuesday 25th March 5pm-7pm. Head HERE to purchase headphones for students and siblings. There will also be chicken and gravy rolls, snacks and drinks available to purchase on the night.
Lauren Kirkland - Chairperson of the Parent Forum
Community Notices
