Term 1 Week 4, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Families,
Please keep our Holy Father Pope Francis, who is very unwell, in your prayers throughout the coming weeks.
School Mass
Last Thursday, we officially welcomed our new Kindergarten students to St Joseph Primary with a lovely wooden carved cross inlaid with an image of our Patron, Saint Joseph; which was presented to each student. We also commissioned our School Captains and Leaders of Sport, Mission and Creation for 2025.
Ash Wednesday
As we approach the sacred season of Lent, we begin with Ash Wednesday next week on 5 March, a day of reflection, repentance, and renewal. On this special day, we are reminded of our faith’s call to humility and spiritual growth. The ashes placed on our foreheads symbolise our commitment to turn our hearts toward God, seek forgiveness, and embrace a life of kindness, prayer, and service.
At St Joseph’s, we will mark this occasion with a Mass for primary students (years 3-6) and a special liturgy for our infants students (years K - 2). During these celebrations, students and staff will have the opportunity to receive ashes and reflect on the meaning of this season. Details of these ceremonies are in the flyer attached. We hope you may be able to join us.
Lent and Project Compassion
This Lent, which begins the day after Ash Wednesday, our school is proudly supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, a campaign that encourages us to “Unite Against Poverty” by showing compassion and generosity to those in need. Through fundraising and awareness activities, our students will learn about communities facing poverty and injustice and how small actions can make a big difference.
We invite families to support this important cause by participating in our school’s fundraising initiatives and discussing the values of kindness and giving at home. Together, we can help create a more just and hopeful world for all.
School Annual Improvement Plan- Mission
At St Joseph’s, we are committed to deepening our students' faith journey through a whole-school approach to evangelisation, inspired by the charism of St. Joseph—a model of faith, humility, and service.
Our school's annual improvement plan this year focuses on some key initiatives to meet this outcome.
These include:-
- All students journeying with the candidates preparing for the sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Holy Communion. In doing so, our school community will deepen its understanding of these important sacraments in the Catholic tradition.
- Staff engaging in formation to strengthen their knowledge and skills in different forms of prayer.
- Establishing a deeper understanding of our school’s social justice initiatives and the core reasons why we serve others.
Through this plan, we seek to nurture a vibrant, faith-filled school community where students grow in love, faith, and service.
School Annual Improvement Plan- Teaching and Learning
At St Joseph’s, we are committed to ensuring all students are supported, nurtured, and challenged to become thriving individuals, capable learners, productive citizens, and future leaders. Through a strong focus on pastoral care and excellence in learning and teaching, we aim to provide every student with the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our school’s annual improvement plan this year focuses on key initiatives to optimise student learning and engagement through a consistent approach to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and pastoral care. These include:
- Developing a whole-school data plan for Mathematics and English to inform teaching and learning.
- Using current Mathematics data to create school structures and groupings that best support student learning and align teacher professional learning.
- Analysing Grammar and Punctuation data to guide professional learning and strengthen literacy instruction.
- Developing and implementing a whole-school Continuum of Care to ensure every student is supported in their learning and wellbeing.
Through these initiatives, we seek to create a learning environment where every student is engaged, challenged, and empowered to succeed.
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
During the next two weeks, teachers will employ explicit and differentiated teaching strategies based on the clearly defined Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for each group shown below. These objectives will guide both educators and students in the pursuit of specific educational goals for their group as well as their own personalised goal, fostering a focused and structured learning environment. Additionally, teachers and students will utilise these criteria for teacher feedback, self-assessment and provide constructive feedback to their peers, promoting a collaborative and reflective approach to learning.
Writing Learning Intentions and Success Criteria:
Mathematics Learning Intentions and Success Criteria:
NAPLAN Reminder – Years 3 & 5
A reminder that NAPLAN assessments for students in Years 3 and 5 will take place in Weeks 6 and 7. A parent information flyer has already been sent home with details about the assessments.
If your child has not yet brought in a set of corded headphones, please ensure they do so as soon as possible, as these are required for the assessments.
Thank you for your support in preparing our students for NAPLAN!
Parent Community Group Meetings
This year, we will hold four Parent Community Group (PCG) meetings, where parents can come together to support our school. We encourage all parents to attend and be part of these important discussions.
The first fundraiser is fast approaching, a Krispy Kreme Donut Drive!
An order form will be sent home with your child on Friday. Please return your order form and money by Wednesday, 26 March.
Parent Pickup and Traffic Management
In order to keep all of our school community safe we ask that families do not park in the staff car park (disabled parking only is permitted). Please take notice of the orange traffic cone which has been placed at the entrance of the staff car park as a reminder. We also ask that you also do not walk through this carpark with your children.
When collecting your child from school please enter and exit the school via the parent pick up gate near the crossing flags. This helps ease congestion in the bus waiting area and keeps everyone safe by using the footpaths provided. Thank you for contributing to a safe and orderly exit from school.
A reminder that any adult collecting your child from school must be on your child's emergency contact and collection list. Please email or call the school to update your list.
Child Protection Policies and Procedures
All schools in NSW undergo yearly checks in many areas of compliance. One such area is child protection. For your information; all staff at St Joseph's are mandatory reporters - this means that we are required by law to report a child at risk of significant harm to government authorities. All staff hold a current working with children check (WWCC) and complete yearly self-administered legal training (SALT). A link to the Child Protection Policies and Procedures can be found on our school website at the following address
https://www.sgrafplism.catholic.edu.au/policies
Family/ Teacher Interviews
Thank you to those families who have chosen to meet with your child’s teacher over the coming weeks. Teachers find this time invaluable as they get to know their students.
If you are unable to attend a meeting please email your child’s teacher and arrange a phone or face-to-face interview at a mutually convenient time.
Year Coordinators
In 2025 we introduce the teachers who will be Year Coordinators across the school. This gives our families a first point of contact for any feedback, concerns or questions. Please find your child’s coordinator and email listed below.
Kindergarten Carly Delevante carly.delevante@lism.catholic.
Year 1 Michelle Vidler michelle.vidler@lism.catholic.
Year 2 Aleisha Hayward-Bryant aleisha.haywardbryan@lism.
Year 3 Matthew Green matthew.green@lism.catholic.
Year 4 Carissa Pursey carissa.pursey@lism.catholic.
Year 5 Larissa Deleiuen larissa.deleiuen@lism.
Year 6 Joe Stewart joe.stewart@lism.catholic.edu.
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
What's happening in Stage 3?
In Mrs Deleiuen's writing lessons, students are engaging in an exciting unit exploring the concept of narrative, with a focus on characterisation. Using the novel The Wild Robot and the animation Origins, students will learn how narrative patterns create expectations and how these stories can be made more engaging.
Throughout the unit, students will examine key elements of storytelling, including how different cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, use protocols in communication. They will also develop their own science-fiction narratives, applying their learning about characterisation and storytelling techniques.
We look forward to seeing their creativity shine!
In Mr Stewart’s writing lessons, students are diving into an exciting unit focused on characterisation and narrative. Using the novel Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence and the animation Quest, students will explore how characters are represented in literature and develop their own creative writing skills.
Throughout the unit, students will experiment with dialogue and characterisation, learning how authors bring characters to life. They will draw on shared experiences of texts, read and viewed to plan, draft, revise, and present their own imaginative narratives.
We look forward to celebrating their creativity and the incredible stories they bring to life!
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Congratulations to all students who competed at the zone swimming carnival in Maclean on Monday, 24 February. All students had a great day and showed their St Josephs spirit.
A big congratulations to Henri and Noah who are off to represent the Clarence Zone in Soccer for the Winter Sports trials. Both Henri and Noah are now trying out for the Diocesan team on 7 March. Good luck to both boys.
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,
Kindergarten has been learning all about Barrmarrany, which is the word for family in Gumbaynggirr language.
We have been learning how an Aboriginal family structure works compared to their family structure.
Aboriginal families are very important in how they identify and connect with each other. Aboriginal families are like other non-indigenous families, there are grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings and cousins.
Each person has a role in the family in regards to kinship, values and responsibilities. The responsibilities involve caring, discipline and education.
Aboriginal families rely on strong family ties as a means of passing on their cultural beliefs and values from generation to generation.
KINSHIP IS AT THE HEART OF AN ABORIGINAL FAMILY
Kindergarten listened to the story Miimi Marraal (Mother Earth) by Melissa Greenwood. Melissa is a Gumbaynggirr woman, this story tells how we work as a family to look after each other and our country. Miimi Marraal is mother earth and she helps us carry our creation stories of our people. Our stories involve how animals, plants and mountains (juluum), rivers (bindarray) and our seas (gaagal) were created. By working together as a family we teach our future generations how to respect our culture, families and environment, so we have a future for generations to come.
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus - Aboriginal Education Worker
School Notes
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
Please be advised our School Office is open between 8.20am and 3.20pm daily.
UNIFORMS
The school uniform is available to purchase through the Compass app.
Orders will be sent home with your child, please advise the Office you would prefer to collect it.
Uniform collection times are Tuesday and Thursday between 8.30am - 8.45am & 2.30pm - 3.00pm.
MEDICATION
If your child is currently taking medication at school, parents are now required to complete the Medication permission form available through the Compass app.
If you have previously provided a paper copy, you will need to complete the online form to meet the new 2025 requirements.
ABSENCES
Only full day absences are to be entered into Compass, for partial absences - arriving late or leaving early please phone the School Office to notify.
Late arrivals - Parents are reminded to accompany your child to the Office to provide the reason for your child's late arrival.
Change to afternoon travel arrangements may be emailed to the school if before 12.00pm sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au
After 12.00pm please phone the School Office on 6642 2899 with any changes.
Please notify the School Office if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, Principal approval may be required.
SCHOOL FEES
BPay is the preferred payment method for school fees.
Scheduled payments can be set up using BPay. The Biller Code and your personal reference number can be found on your Fee Statement.
Paying through BPay ensures that your payment goes directly to your account. Any enquireies please contact the School Office.
Uniforms
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
ES1: John G, Lucy, Hugh, Sophie
Stage 1: Sophia, Kohan
Stage 2: Esther, Summer B, Lexington, Ruby
Stage 3: Eli, David, Phoenix
School Calendar
TERM 1 2025
Week 4
Monday, 24 February to Friday, 28 February - Family/Teacher Meetings
Friday, 28 March - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 5
Monday, 3 March to Friday, 7 March - Family/Teacher Meetings
Wednesday, 5 March - Ash Wednesday
Week 6
Tuesday, 11 March - POSTPONED -Parent Group Meeting 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Thursday, 13 March - POSTPONED -Kindergarten Family Night 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 14 March - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 7
Wednesday, 19 March - St Joseph's Feast day
Week 8
Friday, 28 March - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 9
Friday, 4 April - School Cross Country
Sunday 6 April - Parish Family Mass 9.30am to 10.30am
Week 10
Wednesday, 9 April - Easter Pageant for all families 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Thursday, 10 April - Last day of Term 1
Friday, 11 April - Staff Development Day (Pupil free day)
Canteen
Canteen Open every Wednesday and Friday
Canteen orders are placed through the Compass portal prior to 8.30am. Our menu has been updated and the following new items are now available to order:
- Banana Bread (gluten free)
- Fried rice with meat
- Chicken nuggets (gluten free)
- Frozen pinapple rings
- Jelly cup (diet)
Volunteers are always welcome, please leave your details with the School office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
