St Joseph's Primary School South Grafton eNewsletter

From our Leadership

Welcome

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, our school community has embraced this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with faith-filled hearts. This journey began with the joyful celebration of Shrove Tuesday, followed by a reflective Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of our spiritual preparation for Easter.

On Shrove Tuesday, the school was filled with joy following the tradition of using rich ingredients before the Lenten season of fasting.

While we had planned to gather for an Ash Wednesday Mass, the unfolding weather conditions meant we were unable to do so. However, our school community still embraced the significance of the day with reverence and reflection.

We are grateful for everyone’s patience and support as we navigated the challenges of the weather, ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

As Pope Francis reminds us in this Year of Hope:

"Hope does not disappoint. It is a virtue of the heart that does not close in darkness, that does not stop at the past, but looks to the future."

In this spirit, we continue our Lenten journey with hope and trust in God’s plan. We ask for His blessing upon our school community and the wider community during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. May He watch over all those affected, keeping them safe and strengthening them in this time of uncertainty.

Thank you once again for your understanding, resilience, and faith. May this Lenten season bring us closer to Christ and to one another.

NAPLAN

At St Josephs, we take great pride in the learning progress of our students, and NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is one of the many ways we reflect on their growth and success. Each year, students in Years 3 and 5 participate in NAPLAN, which assesses key skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy.

NAPLAN is not about passing or failing—it is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned and to build confidence in their abilities. While these assessments provide valuable insights for teachers and families, they are just one part of a student’s learning journey. At St Joseph's, we know that our students are so much more than a test result—they are creative thinkers, problem solvers, and compassionate individuals with talents that go beyond the classroom.

2024 NAPLAN Results

According to the latest My School Data, our school has performed well in the 2024 NAPLAN compared to statistically similar schools, demonstrating the dedication of our students, the expertise of our teachers, and the ongoing support of our families.

As we prepare for the 2025 NAPLAN tests, we encourage our students to approach them with a positive mindset—to try their best, stay calm, and see this as an opportunity to shine. Every student at St Joseph's is a success story, and their growth, resilience, and effort are what truly matter.

A heartfelt thank you to our teachers and families for their ongoing commitment to student learning. Together, we continue to provide an environment where every child can flourish and achieve their best.

Those student’s families participating in NAPLAN have already received information about our delayed start.

School Counselor

At St. Joseph’s, the school counsellor plays a vital role in supporting the emotional and social wellbeing of our students. This service provides short-term support, typically up to six sessions, to help students navigate challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

Families are an essential part of this process. If you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please speak with their teacher. If needed, the teacher will submit a wellbeing request to the Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Team for review. If appropriate, the school counsellor will then contact parents to discuss the next steps and arrange support for the child.

We are committed to working together to ensure the best outcomes for our students. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Our school counsellor is Bel Chapman.

Upstanding Behaviour

An upstander is a student who actively steps in when they witness bullying by intervening, interrupting, or speaking out against it. Their role is vital, as the absence of an upstander often leaves the person being bullied feeling isolated and unsupported. When bystanders remain silent, it can reinforce the belief that others are indifferent or even condone the bullying behaviour.

Why Teach Your Child to Be an Upstander?

It encourages empathy and kindness.

It helps create a safer and more inclusive school environment.

It empowers children to speak up against unfair or hurtful behaviours.

It shows others that bullying is unacceptable.

How Can Kids Be Upstanders?

Children need to be encouraged by their families and teachers to be upstanders. Give them some practical tips for ways to help others by discussing the following ideas with them:

Directly address the bully: ‘Stop it! That's not fair.’ ‘Leave them alone.' 'Picking on people isn’t cool.’
Support the person being bullied: ‘I'm here for you.’ ‘Let's go play together.’ ‘I'll walk with you to get help.’
Tell an adult: ‘I'm worried about [student’s name].' 'I think they're being bullied.’

Snitching

Children often worry about being labelled a 'dobber,' 'tattler,' or 'snitch' when dealing with bullying situations. This fear can make them hesitant to be an upstander or report incidents to you or teachers.

Let your child know that their feelings and fears are valid. Reassure them that you understand their concerns about being labelled negatively and that you will navigate the situation with care.

Help your child understand that reporting bullying is not about ‘snitching’ on someone but about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of a peer. Explain that it's important that teachers are aware so that we can take appropriate actions to stop the bullying behaviour. Help your child see this important action as Responsible Reporting.

Talk to your child about being an upstander both in person and online. By taking action, they can help create a school environment where everyone feels safe and respected.

At the heart of our school lies the principle that every person is created in God's image and is worthy of the dignity that God gives to every person.

Learning and Teaching

Below are the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for Writing and Mathematics that students will be working towards in their groups.

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria- Writing

During the Writing sessions, students will use the Success Criteria to reflect on their own writing and their peers' work, engaging in both self-assessment and peer assessment to identify areas for improvement. Teacher feedback will also be provided to guide further progress. At the end of the learning cycle, students’ achievements based on the Success Criteria will be reported, and individual goals will be established. These goals will then be incorporated into the group’s overall Success Criteria to inform precision teaching in the next learning cycle.

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria- Mathematics

Parent Community Group

The first fundraiser is fast approaching, a Krispy Kreme Donut Drive!

Please return your order form and money by Wednesday, 26 March.

Principal-Danny Rankin

Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell

Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue

Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green

Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin

Winter Sport Trials

The Winter Sports Trials have been rescheduled for Thursday, 27 March.

Good luck to Henri and Noah who will be trialling for the Diocesan Soccer Team.

Cross Country

The school Cross Country will be held on Friday, 4 April. Further information will be provided in the coming weeks through Compass.

Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus

Ginnagay Ngujawiny -Hello You Mob,

Stage 1 have been learning about ‘What Is An Aboriginal Family.’ We have also discussed the roles that each family member takes on, to enable each person to perform their duties for their family.

There are a few ways, we as Aboriginals acknowledge ourselves when we are talking about family.

Extended Family
Mob
Kinship

We use these terms when talking or asking about our or other people's families.

In stage 1 we started to learn about the role of the Aboriginal Woman. The women in traditional Aboriginal culture are respected for their role as the life giver. The women have many roles such as healer , story teller, primary carer of the children and the gatherers of food; collecting berries, shellfish, small animals, water, vegetables and eggs. The women are also capable of making hand tools and clothing.

One food staple that the women made was damper. Damper, also known as bush bread or seed cake, is a European term that refers to bread made by Australian Aborigines for many thousands of years. Damper is made by crushing a variety of native seeds, and sometimes nuts and roots, into a dough and then baking the dough in the coals of a fire. The bread is high in protein and carbohydrate, and helped form part of a balanced traditional diet. Millstones for grinding seeds into flour have been discovered which have been dated to 50,000 years old.

Today we make our damper using SR Flour, pinch of salt and water. Once it is made you eat it hot with lots of butter and golden syrup. It is also very nice to eat with chicken soup. There are a few ways to cook the damper in an oven, in a camp oven covered in hot coals or over hot coal in a frying pan.

Stage 1 had some damper with butter, golden syrup or honey. It was absolutely yummy!

Attached is a video of how to make damper in a frying pan.

https://youtu.be/xg2BeNDQlM0?si=YJt3CEKlL0t-4Ldc (Grans Damper)

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

Uniform_Price_List_2025.pdf

Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.

ES1: Claire, Alexander, Jagger

Stage 1: Olivia, Indiana, Levi, Noah

Stage 2: Rubin, Daisy

Stage 3: Joy, Alice, Portia

School Calendar

TERM 1 2025

Week 6

Friday, 14 March - School Assembly 2.15pm

Week 7

Wednesday, 19 March - St Joseph's Feast day, Liturgy in Mercy Hall at 1.15pm

Week 8

Friday, 28 March - School Assembly 2.15pm

Week 9

Thursday, 3 April - Kindergarten Family Night 5.30pm to 7.30pm

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: