Latest Newsletter Term 2 | Week 9

Key Information

Term 2 - Important Dates

Week 10

• Monday 23rd June - Mid-West Athletics Trials - Hughenden & ALPHA Session - 5.30pm -  Staffroom
• Tuesday 24th June - Spirit in Action - 3 to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 25th June - Year 5 Retreat (periods 3 to 5)
• Thursday 26th June - Deadly Dancers - Cloncurry State School - 2.30pm
• Friday 27th June - Assembly - 8.30 - MMS & Dress Like Your Teacher Day & LAST DAY OF TERM 2
  

What's on in Week 10?

Tuckshop News

Staffing Update:
Miss Samie will be finishing up in the tuckshop at the end of the term. We're thankful for Miss Samie jumping on-board in Term 2 to get our tuckshop up and running. The advertisement for this position is now live and will close on Monday 23rd of June - please see the link for the advertisement here.  Your help in sharing this link would be greatly appreciated.  

Tuckshop Orders:
Please ensure orders are placed on https://myschoolconnect.com.au/ by Wednesday at 8.30am. 

Volunteering:
Our tuckshop relies on the generosity of volunteers each week. If you would like to volunteer in our tuckshop please join the school's tuckshop facebook group - St Joseph's Tuckshop Crew. A friendly reminder that a tuckshop volunteer induction must be completed prior to volunteering. 

Please see the office if you need any help with ordering through the app or website. 

Uniform Shop

Our Uniform Shop is open to orders being placed via the app: https://myschoolconnect.com.au/

Please give us 24 hours to organise collection of your order; we usually contact you when your order is ready to collect.

If you would like to try on sizes, the Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesday mornings from 8.10-8.30 and Wednesday afternoons from 2.30-3.00.

Miss Heather 

Principal's News

Welcome to the final newsletter of the term.

What a busy week we have had following the Cloncurry Show last weekend. I would firstly like to say a massive thank you to our wonderful community for making the long weekend such a success. Firstly, to the parents, carers, family members, and friends who volunteered their time on the show gate — we couldn’t have done it without you! To our dedicated staff who installed and packed down the incredible student art and writing displays — your hard work showcased our students' talents beautifully. To the families who came out and enjoyed the weekend — your support is what makes the show so special year after year. 

Also, a huge congratulations to Miss Mia, crowned Cloncurry & District Showgirl for 2025, and to Miss Louise, our well-deserved runner-up! You both represented our school and town with pride and grace.

We wish Miss Mia all the best as she travels to Longreach this weekend for the Subchamber, our region's Showgirl judging. We will be cheering you on from Cloncurry! 

It was wonderful to join so many of you at the Bush Dance on Thursday night. It is by far one of my favourite events. The happiness and joy that floods the Mary MacKillop Shed is so contagious. This wouldn’t have been possible without Miss Jill. Thank you so much Miss Jill for working with our students on this event and for all the work that you put in behind the scenes to make it possible. This is a fantastic example of why Miss Jill was our 2025 nomination for the Spirit of Catholic Education Award. 

Respecting Professional Boundaries
At St Joseph’s Catholic School, we are committed to fostering respectful and professional relationships between families and staff. As part of this commitment, school-related concerns should only be raised through appropriate communication channels during school hours.

Approaching staff in social settings, contacting them via personal phone numbers or engaging through personal social media accounts about school matters is inappropriate. These expectations are outlined in our Parent Code of Conduct, which supports a respectful school environment.

If you have a concern, please contact the school directly through official channels. Our staff are always willing to engage in meaningful conversations at the right time and in the right context.

We appreciate our families’ support in upholding these professional boundaries and ensuring a respectful environment for all.

Semester One Reports
The term is flying by and our teachers are busy preparing reports on each of our students' progress in Semester One. Assessment and reporting is a vital part of education as it provides a time for both students and teachers to reflect on the work that has been completed, while critically thinking and planning for what needs to occur moving forward. 

While reporting is often formal, we do encourage parents and carers to make regular informal contact with classroom teachers to discuss your child’s wellbeing, progress and goals. At St Joseph’s we are consistently striving to maintain and sustain regular dialogue between our teachers, students and parents to best meet the needs of our students. 

It’s the time of term again for me to remind families to check Compass logins. Semester 1 Report Cards will be uploaded to this platform next week. If you are having issues logging into Compass, please contact the office as soon as possible so they can assist.

A friendly reminder that reports will look different this year due to the recent reporting changes across the Diocese. Information has been sent home via email earlier in the term and has been included in Teaching and Learning newsletters to outline these changes. 

Staffing Update:
Miss Samie, our Tuckshop Convenor will be departing our school at the end of the term. We’re grateful to have had the tuckshop back up and running this term. The advertisement for the position is still open and will close on Monday 23rd of June. I am hopeful that we will have tuckshop available in Term 3, however, please be mindful that this may not be in the first few weeks. After a staff member is employed they must complete a food safety course and induction and compliance modules. Once tuckshop is up and running again in Term 3 I will be sure to let you know. On behalf of the St Joseph’s community, I would like to thank Miss Samie and wish her all the best with her new salon. 

2025 Mark Mappas Medallion - Volunteer Nomination:
We are currently calling for nominations for our 2025 Mappas Medallion Recipient. This recognises outstanding volunteer service within our community. Each year, a volunteer is awarded a Mappas Medallion in recognition of outstanding service across our school community. This is a wonderful way to acknowledge the incredible volunteers in our school and all other schools in the Townsville Diocese. 

This volunteers medallion is sponsored and coordinated by Catholic School Parents Queensland in memory of the late Mr Mark & Mrs Tom Mappas of Ingham who made an outstanding contribution to Catholic Schools in the Townsville Diocese over many years.

Criteria:

• Recipients must be or have been volunteers at the time of the outstanding service.
• Recipients will have demonstrated their commitment to a local Catholic school community over a significant period of time.
• Recipients may have contributed through their P&F/parent group and/or through other voluntary activities for the school community (e.g. family engagement events, tuck shop, uniform shop etc.)
• Recipients no longer directly associated with the school may be nominated.

Please nominate a volunteer (or couple) that you would like to see acknowledged for their outstanding service as a volunteer by Friday 1st August 2025 (Term 3 - Week 3) on this linked Google Form.

Queensland Catholic Education Commission - Funding - New Buildings:
You may have seen recent commentary online regarding our school’s exciting facilities upgrade, following a recent interview aired on ABC North West Queensland. I’d like to take this opportunity to provide some context and share the positive news behind this important project.

In 2022, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Cloncurry was successful in securing a significant government grant to support a major upgrade of our facilities. This funding was administered by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) under the Queensland Government Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) and the Australian
Government Capital Grants Program (CGP). This funding is allocated to Catholic schools and is distributed through QCEC to improve infrastructure. 

We are incredibly proud that QCEC chose to invest in St Joseph’s Catholic School, Cloncurry. This decision reflects a strong commitment to supporting rural and regional schools. It means that our wonderful town and school community will benefit from modern, high-quality facilities—ensuring our students have the best possible learning environment now and into the future.

School Renewal:
In Term 1 parents/carers gathered as a parenting body to provide feedback on the following areas: 

• Are we true to our mission and purpose?
• Are we focused on continuous school improvement?
• Do we have high expectations for our staff and students?
• Are our learning environments supportive and orderly?
• Does effective learning and teaching take place at our school?

A Google Form was then included in newsletters for parents who couldn't make it - thank you for your valuable feedback. 

On Monday 21st and Tuesday the 22nd of July a verification team will be travelling to St Joseph's Cloncurry to assist the school in verifying the data collected and goals moving forward. If you participated in the feedback session in Term 1 or provided additional feedback in Term 2 and would be available on Monday 21st or Tuesday 22nd of July for approx. 1 hour (exact time to be confirmed) to join this process please send me an email at skelley2@sjctsv.catholic.edu.au. 

The purpose is to understand the parent voice in the School Renewal processes and your respective discernment of school improvement priorities.

May God Bless you and your families for the last week of the term next week and for the upcoming holidays.  

Mrs Samantha Kelley,
Principal 

Deputy's News/Curriculum

Semester 1 Reports
Earlier in the term, we shared some information about changes to our reporting format. As a reminder, these changes have come about through our alignment with the wider Townsville Diocese and reflect a shift towards clearer, more purposeful communication between home and school.

A quick reminder of the changes:

• Learning Area Comments Removed – Instead of comments for each subject, reports will now include a short statement outlining the key learning that took place.
• Application to Learning – This replaces effort grades. It reflects how students approach their learning, complete tasks, and respond to feedback. This is rated on a four-point scale: Needs Attention, Satisfactory, Very Good, Excellent.
• Achievement Standards – Reports now make it clearer that a “C” or “Working With” grade is the expected level by the end of the year.
• Prep Reports – Prep students will receive results for English, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education, and Religion. Other learning areas are taught but not reported on.
• General Comment – Teachers will continue to include a brief comment at the end of the report to give an overall picture of your child’s progress and engagement.

Another significant area that has changed is the “Interview Recommended”.  In past reports, this section simply had a “Yes” or “No” option. Under the new system, this has been replaced with one of the following: Welcome, Requested, or Unavailable. 

• Welcome – While a formal interview may not be necessary based on the teacher’s professional judgment, families are always welcome to request a meeting. This could be for a deeper understanding of the report, to ask specific questions, or simply to check in on how their child is tracking.
• Requested – The teacher is requesting a meeting with the parent or guardian. This may be to discuss current progress, set goals, share observations, or collaborate on a plan for support in Semester 2.
• Unavailable – This is the least common of the three options. It may indicate the teacher is fully booked in the early part of Term 3, currently on leave (personal or professional), has already met with the family or has a meeting booked. This avoids duplication while still honouring open lines of communication.

At St Joseph’s, we truly value the partnership between home and school. Please know that you are always welcome to reach out to your child’s teacher at any time during the year—not just at reporting time—if you would like to discuss their progress or raise any concerns. 

Student reports will be available through the Compass app at the end of next week. A text message/email will be sent to notify you once they are accessible to parents and guardians.

As we won’t have a newsletter in Week 10, I’d like to take this chance to wish our students a well-earned rest and our parents and carers a break from the usual routine—whatever that might look like for your family. We look forward to seeing everyone back for the start of Term 3.

Mr Dean Kelley
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Focus on the Good!

A little while ago, one of my daughters (who clearly knows me well) gave me a pack of positivity cards. My first thought was whose birthday is coming up that would appreciate this? But in the end, I decided to keep them for myself. One day, not long after starting my role here at St Joseph’s and juggling everything, I opened them up and the first card I turned over was this: “Focus On The Good.” To my surprise it was the message that I needed.

It is these little reminders that we need to keep in mind in our daily actions with our partners, children, and those around us.  As a parent, daughter, friend or colleague, we can find ourselves being critical or disappointed. I know I’m not alone when I say it’s all too easy to zoom in on the things that didn’t turn out so well. Often, it’s not that we intend being negative, it’s just that our brains are kind of wired to pick up what’s wrong before they celebrate what’s right.

Every person has their own strengths and gifts.  Some are quiet but brilliant thinkers, some are quite creative, and some are social butterflies who bring life to the room. Some are natural encouragers, others are problem-solvers, and some just have a calming presence that steadies everyone else. We all have areas where we struggle to develop, but that’s just one part, not the whole story. Focusing on the good in others doesn’t mean we are ignoring their flaws; it just means choosing to see the whole person, not just the messy parts.

This is the message Jesus shared with us, yet we still struggle with this idea to this day. So, let’s try and be game changers and start noticing more of the good in others around us. As we move forward into the second half of the year, let’s take a breath and remember, focus on the good!

NAIDOC Liturgy - First Day of Term 3
All students from Prep to Year 9 will be attending a NAIDOC Liturgy on the first day (Monday 14th July) of Term 3 during our Call to Action time. This special celebration will honour the history and culture of First Nations people.

Students who have agreed to participate in the liturgy, will receive their roles to take home and practise over the holidays. We look forward to beginning the term with this meaningful and respectful celebration.

Children’s Liturgy
Commencing in term 3, Children's Liturgy will be offered during Sunday Mass. This opportunity will take place once each term, providing our young parishioners with an age-appropriate reflection on the Gospel in a welcoming and engaging setting.

The first Children's Liturgy is scheduled for Sunday, 17th August.

If you have any questions, or would like further details, please do not hesitate to contact me at: lnelson5@sjctsv.catholic.edu.au.

Youth Mass
It has been wonderful to see the number of families attending our Youth Masses this term. These gatherings have become a meaningful way for our school and parish community to come together in faith and connection. Personally, I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know more families in our lovely community. 

Youth Masses will continue in Term 3, with the next celebrations scheduled for Saturday 26th July and Saturday 13th September. As always, we will come together for a shared dinner afterwards. 

We look forward to seeing as many families as possible on these special evenings.

St Colman’s Mass - Upcoming Schedule

Join us in welcoming back to our parish for the month of July, Fr. Peter Christie.  Below is the presider schedule for upcoming Masses:

 Date                  Mass             Time           Presider

 June 22, 2025         Sunday Mass         8.30 am           Fr Will Brennan

 June 29, 2025         Sunday Mass         8.30 am           Fr Will Brennan

 July 6, 2025             Sunday Mass          8.30 am           Fr Peter Christie

July 13, 2025            Sunday Mass          8.30 am           Fr Peter Christie

July 20, 2025           Sunday Mass          8.30 am           Fr Peter Christie

July 26, 2025            Youth Mass             5.30 pm               T.B.A

July 27, 2025             Sunday Mass         8.30 am           Fr Peter Christie

Happy Holidays and God Bless,

Ms Lei Nelson
Assistant Principal of Religious Education

First Nations

A Special Report: Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of Indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities and is a great opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://sjctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

Miss Leonie Ansell
Emerging Leaders Coordinator & First Nations Education Leader

Guidance Counsellor

Understanding Adolescence
Adolescence is the transitional stage of development that is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority, redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between 10-24 years. During this time, they experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.

During adolescence, a child's brain can be considered as being “under-construction”. The rate at which this progresses will vary depending on the individual and also their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. However, it does not need to be. Setting boundaries, implementing consistent monitoring and maintaining a strong and loving connection will help families adjust during this time.

It is also an important time to keep the communication lines open through clear and age appropriate conversations. Speak openly about changes that they are experiencing and be conscious of their mental health as many of the conditions people confront in adulthood, can begin to manifest in adolescence.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to guide and best support their young person as they transition through adolescence.

Here is the link to your Edition https://sjctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/understanding-adolescence

Miss Cassandra Little
Guidance Counsellor

Pastoral Care

Supporting Positive Behaviour at St Joseph’s Catholic School
At St Joseph’s, we have high expectations for all of our students and are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment.

We encourage open communication between home and school. If your child comes home with any concerns about something happening at school, please reach out to their classroom teacher as a first step so we can look into it and support those involved. Early communication helps us respond quickly and effectively.

If you have any concerns or would like to get in touch, please feel free to contact me directly at hmccall1@sjctsv.catholic.edu.au.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students grow into kind, responsible young people.

Supporting Positive Behaviour at St Joseph’s Catholic School

School Uniform, Appearance, and Arrival Expectations
As the cooler weather sets in, we’d like to remind families of some important aspects of our school uniform and personal appearance expectations at St Joseph’s Catholic School, Cloncurry.

Cold Weather Uniform
St Joseph’s Catholic School jumpers are available for purchase through the Uniform Shop. The uniform shop is open on a Wednesday between 8 to 8.30am and 2.30 to 3pm. If you would like to purchase an item from the uniform shop outside of the opening hours, these can be purchased on the MySchoolConnect website/app and you will be notified when your order is ready and collection can be made from the office.

The uniform shop also sells long navy pants. A large proportion of our families do prefer to purchase long tracksuit pants externally from the school, however, please ensure they’re navy.

We also have a limited number of second-hand jumpers in a range of sizes which are currently available for purchase from the Uniform Shop for $5 each.

Hair Expectations
We ask for your support in ensuring that student hair remains neat, tidy, and moderate in appearance at all times:
● Hair must be of a natural colour.
● Long hair must be tied back, using navy or school checkered scrunchies, hair ties, or clips.
● Styles such as undercuts, extreme fringes, scraggly hair, and other non-traditional or extreme styles are not permitted.
● Hair must be worn off the face and above the collar at all times.

Shoes and Socks
● Academic shoes must be fully enclosed black leather (no mesh or coloured
markings). Slip-on shoes, canvas shoes, and boots are not permitted.
● Sports shoes are to be worn only on designated PE and sports days and must be fully enclosed trainers or joggers.
● Socks must be plain white or navy, free from visible logos or markings, and must
cover the ankle.

Uniform Breaches and Communication
Maintaining these standards helps promote a respectful, consistent school environment and supports student wellbeing and focus. We understand that at times there may be valid reasons for not adhering to uniform guidelines—such as medical issues or damage due to unforeseen circumstances. If this occurs, a written or verbal explanation must be sent to the school office or your child’s classroom teacher.

● The Classroom Teacher (Prep–Year 6) and Homeroom Teacher (Years 7–9) monitor student uniforms.
● If a student is in breach of uniform expectations, teachers will communicate with families.
● Continued breaches of the guidelines may result in appropriate consequences for the student, in line with the school’s policy.

Arriving at School
Recently, we have noticed students arriving at school before 8:00am. Please note that students should not be on site until 8:10 am as there is no supervision before this time.

The only exception is Tuesdays and Thursdays, when Chaplaincy Breakfast begins at 7:45am.

We appreciate your ongoing support. If you have any questions or need assistance with uniforms, please contact the school office.

$1000 Board Fundraiser for UMY School Camp - All tickets have been sold!! Draw will take place in Week 10 at our last assembly for the Term!

Best regards,

Miss Hannah McCall
Pastoral Leader

Youth Ministry

Spirit in Action (SIA) & Mini Vinnies 
Last Tuesday, the SIA and Year 6 Mini Vinnies leaders went for their second after school visit to our local St Vincent De Paul shop to help the ladies with some tasks. They sorted some donations, tidied the toy room, and still had time to take a funny photo!

Our next visit is Tuesday next week - please refer to the Compass event and email that I sent earlier this week. 

We love serving our community! ❤️‍🔥

Year 5 Retreat
Next week, the Year 5 students will participate in a half-day retreat experience at school. 

The title of the retreat is Journeying with Jesus and follows the theme of love. Understanding God's love for us, how we can develop our relationship with Jesus, and the role that the Holy Spirit plays in our lives are central to this retreat. This also connects to some of their Religious Education learning from class.

For more information, please refer to the Compass email that I sent this week. 

Please, let me know if you have any questions!

Alpha
St Colman's Parish is running a course in Christianity called ALPHA. It can help people to understand the ways of Jesus. It is being held each Monday from 5:30 PM to 7 PM with dinner included. It began on May 26, and next Monday 23/06 will be our final session for the term before the holidays. 

Please think about this opportunity to share about our faith and to ask any questions. This exciting opportunity is open to all staff, parents, and community members!

Yours in faith, hope & love!

Mr James Delaney ❤️‍🔥
Youth Ministry Middle Leader

Library News

📚 Premier’s Reading Challenge – 10 Weeks to Go! 📚

There's still time to join the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge! With 10 weeks remaining, students have until Friday, 22 August 2025 to complete their reading record.

The Challenge is all about fostering a love for reading, whether it's for learning or pleasure. Students can record a variety of books they've read, including:

• 📖 Books borrowed from the library
• 🏠 Home readers
• 🎧 Audiobooks
• 📚 Books read during lunch breaks or library lessons
• 📖 Books read to them (Prep – Year 2)
• 📘 Books read on Accelerated Reader

Even if a student hasn't finished the Challenge but has read and recorded some books, they are encouraged to still submit their reader record form. Every bit of reading counts!

Let's keep reading and make the most of the remaining weeks!

Miss Jamie-Lea
Librarian

Prep

Dear Parents and Carers,

And just like that, we have completed the first semester of Prep!

Over the past week, our Little Learners have been excited to learn about the letters and sounds of L and U. Students practiced identifying, writing, and sounding out these letters through fun activities, stories, and songs. It’s been wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they become more familiar with the building blocks of reading and writing.

In Math this week, we introduced the new focus text One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab, which helped our Little Learners explore the concept of addition. This creative and engaging story has been a fantastic way to introduce early addition in a meaningful context.

Looking Ahead to Week 10, we will continue building on our understanding of addition by creating and solving our own addition sums. In Literacy, Prep will be introduced to the letters and sounds of B and J, as well as the new ‘Tricky Words’; look, one, his, and here.

We’re also excited to share that in Term 3, we will begin Literacy Rotations—a daily, structured time that supports targeted reading and writing practice. During these sessions, we would greatly appreciate the support of parent helpers. If you are available to assist from 9-9:30am, please let me know. Your involvement can make a big difference in supporting student learning.

Thank you for your continued support as we wrap up a wonderful first term. We are so proud of all that Little Learners have achieved so far and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Yours in fun and learning,

Miss Mae-Louise Brock, Mrs Renee McConachy, Miss Josie, and Miss Rachel

Year 1

Hello Parents and Carers,

Crazy to think it is the end of the first semester!

This week, our students have been busy consolidating their knowledge from all the topics we’ve explored throughout the semester. It’s been wonderful to see how much they’ve learned and how confidently they can now make connections across different subjects.

One of our highlights this week was revisiting our unit on weather. The students demonstrated what they’ve learned by creating their very own weather mobiles! These creative and colourful displays showcase different weather types, and reflect their understanding of patterns, symbols, and vocabulary related to weather.

Another activity the students have thoroughly enjoyed involved exploring 3D shapes. They’ve been hands-on with constructing different shapes and even used them to create characters and models. This playful approach to learning geometry helped reinforce their understanding of shape names, properties, and how 3D objects can be used in everyday design.

It’s always exciting to see students bring their learning to life through hands-on activities. 

On Tuesday, our Year 1 class had a special visit from Father Will as they explored the meaning of the Eucharist. Together, they recreated the Last Supper, the meal Jesus shared with His disciples before He was crucified. It was so lovely to see the children asking thoughtful questions and engaging in the experience as they shared a meal together. A meaningful opportunity for our students to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith. Thank you, Father Will, for being part of this experience.

The Last Supper

Have a wonderful week,

Miss Erin Haley and the always fun Year 1’s

Year 2

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the end of Term 2! It has been a busy and productive few weeks in the Year 2 classroom.

In Maths, we’ve been focusing on addition and subtraction. The students have been gaining confidence as they keep practising these important skills. In the coming week and into the start of next term, we will be launching a classroom shop! Students will have the opportunity to "purchase" various items and practise their addition skills by calculating the total cost.

In English, students have been getting creative with their narrative writing. We’ve been learning how to plan our stories before writing, helping us to structure our ideas and bring our imaginative tales to life.

In Religion, we explored the stories Jesus Heals the Blind Men and The Greatest Commandment. On Thursday, we were lucky to have a visit from Father Will. The students were very excited and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Father Will spoke to us about the Sacrament of Penance and how it connects with the story of Jesus Heals the Blind Men. It was wonderful to see the students so engaged.

We’ve also been busy completing our assessments across a range of subjects. In Science, we wrapped up our unit on the Solar System and will soon be exploring materials in our next unit. In HASS, students completed their learning on Significant Places and People and will next be investigating the topic Then and Now, focusing on how changes in technology have influenced the way we work, communicate, and travel.

It’s been wonderful to see the growth and dedication each student has shown throughout the term. Wishing everyone a safe and restful holiday break!

Miss Tess Motti 

Year 3

Welcome to Week 9!

This term has flown by so quickly, and we are proud of how hard Year 3 has been working. All assessments for the term have been completed, and marks are now being finalised. The students have shown great effort and persistence throughout all subjects.

Science
Our science work for the term is complete! With the main curriculum covered, we will spend the final weeks engaging in some fun and exciting challenges to continue growing our scientific thinking and curiosity.

HASS
In HASS, we are finishing off our work on places and features of Australia. The students have enjoyed learning about different landscapes, natural landmarks, and the important features that make our country so unique.

Religion
We have completed our Religion assessment and are now wrapping up the final lessons on the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The class has done well exploring the meaning and importance of each sacrament.

Mathematics
Last week, we began our work on Multiplication. We are learning to understand grouping and arrays, which is helping students visualise and build their understanding of multiplication in a hands-on way.

English
In English, we are continuing with our unit on Informative Texts. We’ve been focusing on language features, sentence structure, and expanding our vocabulary to make our writing even stronger. The students have become more confident writers and readers.

Homework and Final Weeks
There will be no homework given out for the remaining week of the term. However, if any parents would like extra activities for their child to complete at home, please feel free to get in touch—I’m happy to provide printed material.

Warm regards,

Mrs Deirdre Koekemoer, Mrs Sharon McLauchlan, and Miss Sonnie
The Year 3 Teaching Team

Year 4

Hello Everyone,

It has been a busy two weeks of assessments, finishing up units of work and preparing for our presentation of our Biomes. The students have been working very hard and should be proud of their results.

Thanks to everyone who came along to see our prayer presentation last Thursday.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mary and Chilla who were our students of the week!

Biome Presentations- The students may have come home with a list of items they would like for their Biome group. This list is just a suggested list that their group has come up with, not a requirement, so if there’s something impossible on there eg. sew 10 African animal costumes by Tuesday, please don’t feel any pressure at all to provide this.

Report Cards
Report cards will be sent home next week. If you have any questions or concerns after reading your child’s report, please feel free to email me to arrange a time to chat. If an interview has been requested, I’d love the opportunity to meet with you. A strong partnership between home and school makes a big difference in supporting your child’s learning and progress.

Mrs Lesley Wall and Miss Sonnie 

Year 5

Hi Year 5 Parents and Carers,

Over the past fortnight, Year 5 students have been hard at work completing assessments across all subject areas. In English, students planned and constructed persuasive texts arguing whether or not students should walk or ride to school. It was wonderful to see them apply their reasoning skills and persuasive language techniques to present strong arguments.

In Mathematics, we have wrapped up our focus on multiplication and division strategies. Students are now applying this knowledge to solve equations involving unknowns — an exciting challenge that builds deeper mathematical thinking.

In Religion, we have been exploring Communities of Faith in Australia and in Science we have been investigating light — its sources, how it travels, and the ways it can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed.

Reminders

• Sport uniform: Tuesday
• Technologies: Tuesday
• Arts: Tuesday
• HASS: Tuesday and Wednesday
• House shirt: Wednesday
• Sport: Wednesday
• Health: Thursday
• Languages: Friday

Miss Leonie Ansell

Year 6

Dear Families, 

As we head towards the close of Term 2 (and Semester 1), I would like to thank you all for your continued support. Your children continue to impress in their effort and ability to live our core values of Love, Serve, Lead and Strive. Reports will be distributed in Week 10, with follow up meetings either teacher requested or welcome in early Term 3. It is important to remember that the A-E grades reflect what the teacher has assessed and seen during the whole semester (not just in one week of assessment tasks). The grade C means that students are currently working at their year level, which is of no cause for concern or alarm. If students are achieving A/B grades, the teacher has evidence of a student's application of learning to an increasing number of new situations. Students below expected year level would already be receiving some additional support in the classroom and with Mrs Cullen and generally have an Individual Education Plan.

Mathematics - In our learning we have been investigating mental (with jottings) strategies for division. The main strategy we have looked at is named 'Split and Divide'. Students are able to practice their understanding of division, connected to multiples and multiplication facts. We have discussed the technical terms for division - dividend, divisor (the number you divide by), and quotient (the answer in division). The Split strategy prepares for the Expanded Strategy for Division (before students investigate the 'bus stop' or compact standard algorithm for division).

Science - In our Physical Sciences investigations on electricity, we have used Makey Makey and Micro:Bit electronics kits and block software to prepare an activity for younger students. We'd love for you to come into school during Science Week to see our student displays and investigations.

Science Week is:
9th-17th August (Week 6 in Term 3).
Wishing you all a wonderful Week and the best holiday time together as a family.

Mr Mike Tarleton and Mr Larry Cullen

Primary Subject Spotlight

Primary Arts Overview - Dance Term 2 
The Arts have been in focus in the last two weeks. Firstly, Congratulations to all the students on their wonderful display of Art at the Cloncurry show. The school section was awash with colour and creativity. It was lovely to walk around the pavilion and see our students shine in the many different creative sections of the Handicraft and Art sections. 

This term, each class was assigned a continent in which they explored National or cultural dances from some of the countries.

Prep took a trip around the world and viewed dances from each continent. They identified the body parts used to move, the instruments used to create the music and the tempo of the music. They also practiced some of the moves they viewed. They completed each dance class with fun social dances that encouraged them to move their bodies to the rhythm of the music.

Year 1 explored Africa. They identified that drums were used in most of the dances they viewed. Many dances they viewed were of cultural significance and could not be copied. The Dihne and the Kassa were celebratory dances that were shared with the community at Harvest time and something they could recreate.

Year 2 viewed many First Nation and Islander dances while exploring Oceania. Most of the dances they explored were sacred and out of respect they learned that those dances were not to be copied. Instead, Year 2 had the opportunity to create dances inspired by the dances they viewed. They particularly enjoyed creating their school Haka.

Year 3 had many dances to choose from when they explored North America. The final three dances the students chose were swing, line dancing and hip hop. The dances were challenging and the students rose to those challenges and performed with much enthusiasm.

Year 4 explored the colourful dances from Europe. From the victory war dance of Scotland to the social percussive dance of the Schuhplattler, the students discovered how different the dances were from the different parts of Europe. Their favourite dance was the Cifra from Hungary, a folk dance that is mostly used now in schools to teach rhythm.

Year 5 explored the vibrant dances of South America. They explored the elements of dance and identified them in the Cueca, Samba and Merengue. Small foot movements, stamping and clapping were common features in the dances they explored.

Year 6 explored dancing from Asia. They discovered that the 1000 Hand Bodhisattva, a traditional Chinese performance, is performed by the deaf community in China. They found modernity in the tradition when they explored Bollywood dancing and the Russian Kalinka. Mostly they had fun putting their showcase together.

Thank you for attending and participating in last night’s bush dance. Congratulations to each class for their hard work, preparation and performance. It was a wonderful community night celebrating our students and dance. 

Miss Jill Smith
The Arts Classroom Teacher

📬 Digital Technology Newsletter – Term Recap
Prep – Year 6 | Term 2 Highlights

Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been an exciting and hands-on term in Digital Technologies! Across all year levels, students have been exploring the role of technology in our world, building digital skills, and creating solutions for real-life needs. Here's a look at what we’ve been learning this term:

🟢 Prep – Data Safety Awareness

Our youngest learners in Prep have been introduced to safe and respectful use of technology through engaging stories, discussions, and guided activities. While Prep students are not formally assessed, they explored:

• What personal information is and why it's important to keep it private
  
• How to stay safe online, including asking for help from a trusted adult
  
• Using technology kindly and respecting others online
  
• Recognising devices they use at home and school
  

🟡 Years 1 & 2 – Exploring Digital Systems

This term, students learned about the hardware and software that make up digital systems. They:

• Identified different digital devices and their uses
• Explored how devices help us at school and home
  
• Recognised the components of digital systems (e.g., screen, mouse, keyboard)
  
• Continued learning about safe and responsible use
• Learnt how to use google docs: changing fonts, sizes and colours as well as inserting pictures from the internet.
• We also used our digital cameras to take photos and upload them to our computers.
  

Through hands-on exploration, they gained confidence in using classroom technology purposefully and safely.

🔵 Years 3 & 4 – Meeting User Needs

Students explored how to design digital solutions that meet the needs of users. They:

• Created basic interactive projects and apps
  
• Collected information through surveys to better understand user preferences
  
• Designed with the end user in mind, making adjustments based on feedback
  
• Started thinking about how digital systems process data
  

Students loved sharing their designs and seeing how technology can solve real problems.

🔴 Years 5 & 6 – Designing Digital Solutions

Our senior students worked through the process of creating digital solutions to real-world challenges. They:

• Followed a design thinking process to identify problems and brainstorm solutions
  
• Used platforms like Tinkercad to develop interactive projects
  
• Applied knowledge of input, process, and output to design effective systems
  
• Evaluated their solutions based on user experience and functionality
  

It was fantastic to see students collaborating, testing, and refining their digital creations.

🎨 Looking Ahead – Design Technology

For the rest of the year, our focus will shift to Design Technology, where students will explore how to generate, plan, and create solutions using materials, tools, and processes. They’ll engage in hands-on making, building, and designing – a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity with problem-solving.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students grow as confident, curious, and capable learners in the digital and design space!

Warm regards,
Miss Lisa Pucciarmati
Digital & Design Technologies Teacher

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