First Newsletter Term 3 | Week 1
Key Information
Term 3 - Important Dates
Week 2
- Rock Pop Rehearsals begin (Parent emails have been sent)
- Tuesday 22nd July - 100 days of Prep/100 days left of Year 6 Dress Up
- Tuesday 22nd July - Hearing Screening Prep -Yr 3 begin
- Wednesday 23rd July - QLD Cricket visit (Prep - 6)
- Friday - Assembly 8.30am MMS
Week 3
- Catholic Education Week
- Tuesday 29th July - Spirit In Action 3-4pm - Cards to Community
- Wednesday 30th July - Catholic Education Week Liturgy 9am
- Thursday 31st July - Merry Muster Float Creation & Rodeo Dress Up Day (Sun safe clothing) & Newsletter Distributed
- Friday 1st August - IPRASS Day - No School
- Friday 1st August - Merry Muster Float.
Week 4
- Monday 4th August - Dance North (Y1-Y6)
- Wednesday 6th August - Yr 4 Retreat
- Friday 8th August - Assembly & Mary McKillop Liturgy
Week 5
- Bullying NO WAY Week
- Tuesday 12th August - Spirit In Action - Vinnies Visit 3pm-4.30pm
- Friday 15th August -Fete Raffle Ticket Winners Announced (Selling the most tickets and class prize for most tickets sold)
- Friday 15th August - School Fete 5pm-9pm
- Newsletter distributed
Week 6
- UMY School Camp - (returning 24th August)
- Friday -Year 2 on Assembly
- Premier Reading Challenge concludes
Week 7
- Book Week
- Tuesday 26th August - Book Week Dress Up Parade - 8.40 am - Primary Quad ** a reminder, no animals as part of Book Week costumes.
- Tuesday 26th August - Spirit In Action - Vinnies Visit 3pm-4.30pm
- Wednesday 27th August - Year 3 Retreat
- Thursday 28th August - Tennis Australia (P-Year 6)
- Friday 29th August - Year 6 Bike Excursion to the Dam
Week 8
- Monday - Thursday 1st - 4th September Father's Day Stall
- Thursday 4th September - Learning Breakfast//Father's Day Breakfast 7.45am-8.20am
- Thursday 4th September - Odd Socks Day/Assembly 8.30am
- Friday 5th September - Reflective Practice Day - No School
- Sunday 7th September - Children's Liturgy
Week 9
- National Child Protection Week
- Thursday 11th September - Prep Enrolment Interviews
- Friday 12th September - Staff Appreciation Day
- Newsletter distributed
Week 10
- Monday & Tuesday, 15th/16th September - Prep Enrolment Interviews
- Monday 15th September - Board Meeting 5.15pm
- Tuesday 16th September - Spirit In Action - Vinnies Visit 3pm-4.30pm
- Wednesday 17th September - Year 2 Retreat
- Wednesday & Thursday 17th/18th September - Vinnies Clothes Sale
- Friday 19 September - Dress By Vinnies Day/Jump Off Day (Jump Rope for Heart)
Tuckshop News
Please note that there will be no tuckshop in the coming weeks as we will be completing mandatory training and inductions in this space.
We will let you know once tuckshop is up and running again.
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 first newsletter of Term 3,
An email was sent to all parents and carers at the start of the holidays with important information for the term ahead. Please take some time to read this. If you didn't receive it please check your junk folder. We had a number of parents who didn't receive emails in Term 2 due to this.
We have had a wonderful start to the term, filled with community and culture as we celebrated NAIDOC Week with a variety of meaningful activities stretching right across the week.
Our celebrations began with two of our emerging leaders attending the Elders Luncheon at The Cloncurry Precinct, a special opportunity to connect with community and learn from our local Elders. This was followed by a NAIDOC liturgy as part of our Call to Action Assembly, uniting our school in reflection and gratitude.
On Tuesday, our deadly dancers travelled to Evolution Mine to share their talent and spirit through traditional dance—an experience enjoyed and appreciated by all who attended. Thursday saw our Year 7 to 9 students visit the Careers Expo at the Council, exploring new opportunities and pathways inspired by NAIDOC’s focus on future generations.
We ended the week by joining the town’s NAIDOC March on Friday morning—a proud moment of solidarity and celebration—before returning to school for a day filled with NAIDOC-themed activities that deepened our learning and sense of belonging.
A heartfelt thank you to the Cloncurry NAIDOC Committee, the staff at the Cloncurry State School, and Miss Leonie Ansell for their dedication and hard work in making this week so special. Together, we have celebrated, learnt, and grown—a wonderful start to the term!
The week isn't over yet as we welcome new or potential families onto school grounds this morning for our Open Day. You're welcome to come along from 9 to 11am. This would be a fantastic opportunity for your child to show you their learning area.
Term 3 Events
We have quite a few events this term including QLD Cricket, Catholic Education Week, Twilight PD, Merry Muster Float Creation, Dance North Visit, Cricket Blast Cup, Mary MacKillop Feast Day, School Fete, UMY
Camp, Book Week, Tennis Australia Visit, Prep Enrolment Interviews for 2026, RUOkay Day, Year 2-4 Retreats, Dress by Vinnies Day and Staff Appreciation Day. Please check the parent calendar that has been emailed for specific dates.
Holiday Improvements: Enhancing Our School Learning Spaces
While many students enjoyed a well-deserved break over the holidays, our school was a hive of activity with exciting improvements taking shape. We are delighted to share that a new dividing door has been installed in the library, thanks to the hard work and expertise of Simon Bell and Ryan McDonald. This upgrade has created a flexible, additional learning space that is already making a positive impact on our daily routines. The doors can be closed for classes, or folded back for the library to return to one space.
Currently, our Year 3 students are making great use of this new area, engaging in focused literacy and numeracy classes each day. The new setup has created the best environment for learning and growth.
Pupil Free Days:
● Friday 1st August - IPRASS Day - No school
● Friday 5th September - Reflective Practice Day - All staff completing PD - Pupil free day for students
Staffing Update -Welcome to Daisy Faust, Our New Occupational Therapist
We are thrilled to welcome Daisy Faust to St Joseph’s as our new Occupational Therapist. Daisy will be travelling between our school and the other Catholic schools in Mount Isa, offering specialised support across the region.
As a school, we have invested in having an internal Occupational Therapist to strengthen support for both our students and staff. Daisy’s expertise will be invaluable in ensuring our learning environments remain inclusive and responsive.
We look forward to the positive impact Daisy will have on our school community and are excited to see her contributions help our students and staff thrive.
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.
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. Thank you to the wonderful parents who expressed interest and/or have cleared their schedule to come along to these sessions. I know how busy you're and I appreciate your dedication to this renewal journey. I am also excited to present to you our three draft strategic priorities:
- Continue to strengthen & embed a culture of team work;
- Strengthen Behaviour Management and Academic Intervention;
- Create a sustainable and future-focused school environment.
School Feedback Survey:
Townsville Catholic Education Office (TCE) collaborates closely with all schools and colleges across the Diocese to consistently improve the Catholic school experience for students, staff, and families. A vital part of this effort is listening to the voices of our school communities.
Over the coming weeks, TCE will send out a survey to all staff and families. These surveys are a vital tool that helps us as a school reflect on growth and areas of improvement from year to year to directly shape future planning, guide school improvement efforts, and foster environments where both students and staff can flourish.
All students in years 5 to 9 will complete the survey in class with the support of their classroom teacher.
Staff and families will receive the surveys via email on Monday, 4 August, and we kindly ask that you complete them by Monday, 18 August. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts and help us build a stronger and more responsive school communities.
May God Bless you and your families for the weeks ahead.
Mrs Samantha Kelley,
Principal
Deputy's News/Curriculum
Welcome to Term 3. We hope the school holidays provided an opportunity for rest, time with family, and a chance to recharge.
This term, we are continuing to prioritise student achievement in literacy through two key whole-school initiatives: Accelerated Reader and Writer’s Toolbox. These programs aim to strengthen reading and writing skills across all year levels. Accelerated Reader helps students choose texts that match their reading level and monitors their understanding through regular comprehension quizzes. Writer’s Toolbox equips students with practical tools and strategies to plan, organise, and improve their writing across a variety of text types.
NAPLAN Individual Student Reports (ISRs)
This term, families of students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 will receive their child’s NAPLAN Individual Student Report (ISR). These reports will be posted home in the coming weeks.
The ISR provides a clear overview of your child’s performance in Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), and Numeracy. Each section shows how your child performed compared to the national average and the proficiency standard for their year level.
Some key points when reading the report:
- The proficiency standard represents the level of achievement for students at that year level
- The national average gives a point of comparison with students across Australia
- The light green shaded section represents the middle 60% of students in that grade
Overall, we are incredibly proud of what our students have achieved in this year’s NAPLAN assessments. The results across all four tested year levels show pleasing growth, and it is a credit to the hard work of our students and staff. While not every child may have experienced the same level of success, it’s important to recognise that every student has made progress in their own way – and that growth looks different for each learner.
NAPLAN provides schools and families with a snapshot of a student’s development in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation, and Numeracy. However, it is just one piece of the puzzle and does not capture all aspects of your child’s learning, effort, or potential. Children are far more than a single test result, and we encourage families to celebrate both academic progress and personal growth.
It’s also worth noting that Queensland has some of the youngest students in the country—due to our state's entry age. These age differences can influence how students engage with the test and may impact how their results compare to peers in other states (year on year, this has the greatest impact in the Year 3 cohort). This context is especially important when interpreting your child’s report and understanding their overall development.
While it’s valuable to acknowledge a student’s achievements, it’s equally important to continue supporting their learning journey by setting goals, encouraging curiosity, and celebrating effort along the way.
We encourage families to view the NAPLAN results as just one part of a broader picture of learning. Should you wish to discuss your child’s report or gain a clearer understanding of the results, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or a member of our leadership team.
I wish you all the best for this upcoming term.
Mr Dean Kelley
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Welcome to Term 3
A warm welcome to all our families, new and existing as we begin Term 3. I trust the holidays offered families a time of connection, rest and renewal, and I look forward to all that lies ahead in this busy and enriching term.
This term already brings with it several significant moments on our calendar, most notably Catholic Education Week in Week 3, and the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop in Week 4. These events invite us to pause and reflect on who we are as a Catholic school community.
Catholic schools are not just places of learning, they are communities of faith. At St Joseph’s, we journey together (students, families, teachers, support staff, and parish) as a united people, walking in the light of Christ. We grow in our relationship with God, who has called each of us by name, and we grow together, supported by the loving and faith-filled environment of our school, our homes, and our parish.
This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love”. These three words capture the heart of our mission:
- Faith ignites growth;
- Hope fuels support;
- Love welcomes all.
Together, these values shape a school community that nurtures students’ spirits, supports staff, and embraces families for creating a place where all are welcome, and all can thrive. Our school motto, “Guided by God’s Spirit,” reflects this mission. It reminds us that everything we do in our school is done with hearts open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. In this way, our community becomes a living expression of God’s presence and grace.
The beauty and integrity of Catholic education lie in its commitment to make a real and lasting difference, not just within our school gates, but far beyond them. It challenges all of us to live the message of Jesus with courage and compassion, to strive for excellence, and to become people who bring life and light to others.
In Loving Memory
We were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected passing of Michael Chaplain, a respected and well-known member of our Cloncurry community. While some within our school may not have known Michael personally, we recognise the impact his loss has had on many in our parish and local area. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
NAIDOC Week Liturgy
We began the term this week by coming together for a whole school Liturgy at St Colman’s to celebrate and honour NAIDOC Week. It was a meaningful time for our school community to reflect on and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
First Assembly next Friday Week 2
Our first assembly for Term 3 occurs on Friday 25th July 2025 . Prep and Year 6 students will join together to lead a special prayer, celebrating two significant milestones; 100 days of Prep and 100 days left of Year 6. Please join us for this assembly and stay for a cuppa afterwards.
Catholic Education Week Celebration Week 3
In Week 3, we will celebrate Catholic Education Week. Families are warmly invited to join us on Wednesday at 9:00am for a special Liturgy in the Mary MacKillop Shed to mark this occasion. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together in faith and celebrate what makes Catholic education so special.
Feast of Mary MacKillop
On August 8, we honour the life and legacy of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint and a woman of deep faith and courageous action. Mary MacKillop believed wholeheartedly in the power of education to bring about positive change. She was passionate about ensuring every child, especially those in rural and disadvantaged communities was given the chance to learn and grow with a sense of hope and purpose.
Her faith was not only something she believed, but something she lived each day through her words and actions. Our school was the last school St Mary MacKillop founded before she passed away.
We will come together on Friday August 8th to celebrate her Feast Day with a special Liturgy, giving thanks for her enduring influence on Catholic education and the values we continue to uphold today. The Liturgy will occur at the beginning of our fortnightly assembly.
Being a Feast Day, students will enjoy a delicious treat for morning tea, a sausage sizzle lunch finished with a cool treat for second break. During our middle session, students will participate in a variety of activities.
Youth Mass Update
Please note that our first scheduled Youth Mass has been cancelled as it coincides with the Quamby Rodeo. I’m looking forward to attending this local event for the first time and immersing myself in this community tradition. Our next Youth Mass is still scheduled for September 13th.
Children’s Liturgy – August 17th
The first Children’s Liturgy for the year occurs on Sunday, August 17th.
Details about Mass times at St Colman’s can be found below.
St Colman’s Mass - Upcoming Schedule
Date Mass Time Presider
July 20, 2025 Sunday Mass 8.30 am Fr Peter Christie
July 27, 2025 Sunday Mass 8.30 am Fr Peter Christie
Aug 3rd, 2025 Sunday Mass 8.30 am Fr Nnaemeka Njezi
Aug 10th, 2025 Sunday Mass 8.30 am Fr Col Reinhard
Alpha program
St Colman's Parish is running a weekly course in Christianity called ALPHA. It can help people to understand the ways of Jesus. It resumes again this term each Monday night tonight from 5.30 - 7.30 in our staffroom.
Each Alpha session includes:
- A shared meal
- A short talk on a different aspect of the Christian faith
- Time for open discussion in small groups
There’s no cost to participate, and everyone is welcome—whether you're new to faith or have been part of the Church for years.
Wishing everyone a great start to Term 3!
God Bless,
Ms Lei Nelson
Assistant Principal of Religious Education
First Nations - NAIDOC Week Celebrations
On Monday 14th July our Emerging Leaders began our NAIDOC celebrations as they attended the Elders Luncheon at the Cloncurry Precinct. The remainder of our school gathered together in St Colman's Parish for a NAIDOC Liturgy.
On Tuesday 15th July, our Deadly Dancers were invited to perform at Evolution Mine’s NAIDOC Celebration. Our dancers performed 2 dances as part of the celebrations. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase the dances they’ve been learning this term and to celebrate the rich culture and spirit of our community.
On Wednesday 16th July, students in Years 7-9 attended the Careers Expo being held at the Cloncurry Precinct where they engaged with a range of local organisations, industries, and community members. Throughout the expo, students joined Cloncurry State School students and interacted with representatives from a variety of fields and members of the wider Cloncurry community. The students also gained the insights of keynote speaker, Derrick Cusack. Derrick is a proud Kalkadoon man, five-time marathon runner, business owner, and ambassador for the Emerging Leaders Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadshow. Derrick’s story of perseverance, cultural pride, and commitment to community wellbeing was an inspiring highlight of the day.
On Friday 18th July, students participated in the towns NAIDOC March and after returning to school the Deadly Day Out. This was a significant opportunity for our students to celebrate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history, and community. After the march, students enjoyed performances from our prep students at St Joseph's, a Deadly Dancers performance, and a community sausage sizzle. After returning to school students took part in a series of engaging rotations designed to celebrate and acknowledge First Nations culture. These activities included sand art, beading, and boomerang designing. Students had a wonderful day of learning, celebration, and cultural connection.
Miss Leonie Ansell
Emerging Leaders Coordinator & First Nations Education Leader
Classroom News - Emails Sent
This term, we are focused on enhancing the way we communicate with all families. Thank you for sharing your feedback—it is greatly valued as we continue to strengthen our partnership. Clear and timely communication is essential in supporting your child’s experience at school. We hope these updates keep you informed about what’s happening this term and that, together, we can make the learning journey even more meaningful for our students.
All families should have received an email from your child's classroom teacher, welcoming you back to the term and outlining the term ahead. Please check your emails for this communication and any upcoming events.
Sports Highlight
We would like to congratulate Michael Curley, Sam Drake and Louis Macnamara who participated in the State Champs for 10-12 Year olds Rugby League. Sam was selected as the Players player for their team.
We also have several students travelling this weekend for Rugby League and Cross Country. A big congratulations to Owen, James and Brydee who will be competing in Cross Country and to Kale who will be in Cairns competing for Rugby League.
Save the Date - Copper & Cattle FETE 2025
