Latest Newsletter Term 3 | Week 7

Key Information

Term 3 - Important Dates

Week 8

• Monday - Thursday 1st - 4th September Father's Day Stall
• Wednesday 3rd September - Fire Drill - 10.30am
• Thursday 4th September - Open Classrooms & 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
• Friday 5th September - Mount Isa MultiCultural Festival (Good Shepherd Parish)
  

Week 9

• National Child Protection Week
• Monday 8th September - Surf Life Saving Bush to Beach Program (Time TBC)
• Tuesday 9th - Thursday 11th September - Vinnies Clothes Sale
• Wednesday 10th September - Staff & Student Morning Prayer
• Thursday 11th September - Prep Enrolment Interviews Commence
• Friday 12th September - Staff Appreciation Day & Newsletter distributed

Week 10

• Science Week - All Week
• Monday & Tuesday, 15th to 16th September - Prep Enrolment Interviews Continue 
  
• Tuesday 16th September - Year 5 Camp Information Evening 
• Wednesday 17th September - Year 2 Retreat - Period 4 and 5
• Wednesday & Thursday  17th/18th September - Vinnies Clothes Sale
• Friday 19 September - Assembly at 8.30am in the MMS / Dress By Vinnies Day / Jump Off Day (Jump Rope for Heart) 

Tuckshop News

Please ensure all orders are placed in the My School Connect App by 8:30am on Wednesdays. 

Upcoming Specials

Week 8  - Hotdog and Banana Bread Muffins

Week  9 - Butter Chicken and Lemon Jelly Slice

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 our Week 7 newsletter, 

This week, our school community has felt the impact of seasonal illnesses, particularly among our UMY students just returning from camp, who were affected by flu-like symptoms. Wishing a speedy recovery to all students and families—hopefully everyone is already on the mend and feeling better. It must be going through to town as my two little ones have also been stuck down with a cough. 

A wonderful spirit swept across our school this week as we celebrated Book Week together and Ride to School Day today. Highlights included:

• Book Week Parade: On Tuesday, the quadrangle came to life with creativity as students showcased their costumes in a lively parade. We acknowledge a best dressed and runner up on the day, but the purpose of Book Week is to bring a love of reading to life in our school. As students prepare their costumes for Book Week it provides valuable time for children to speak with family members or loved ones about their favourite books or to explore books they hadn't read before. Students also have conversations at school when they're dressed up as the explain their character and the story of their book. I was delighted to have students running up to me on Tuesday morning with their book in hand, showing me passages or pictures that support their costume. 
• Prep–Year 2 Excursion: Our younger students visited The Cloncurry Precinct to enjoy a session with Humphrey B Bear, delighting in the world of storytelling.
• Ride to School Day: Today, our community kicked off the morning with a massive Ride to School event. It was our biggest turnout yet—the bike racks were overflowing! Take a look at the incredible number of bikes in front of the office when collecting your child this afternoon. As always we had some wonderful staff and parent volunteers who made this possible - THANK YOU for always going above and beyond. 
• Year 6 Dam Excursion: Our Year 6 students set off for their annual ride to the dam this morning, creating new memories as a cohort and practicing some skills they have learnt in class this term. 

The week was topped off by the excitement of welcoming our secondary students and staff back to school following their camp. Mr Kelley and Miss McCall have included snippets from the camp in their newsletter articles this week, but as a Principal it was fantastic to speak with students about their camp this week and most of all it was impressive to see the new relationships and bonds that had been formed. 

Upcoming Important Events
Next week is packed with key activities—please watch for the “What’s On This Week” update on Facebook and Compass this Saturday. In the meantime, here’s a quick overview to help plan your week:

A note that I will be absent at the start of Week 9 to attend the Principals Conference in Townsville. These ongoing professional learning opportunities provide a chance for me to join with Principals from the 29 schools across our Diocese for Professional Development. These courses not only ensure our school, St Joseph's, continues to strive for excellence, but provides myself with an opportunity to ensure I am remaining current and striving for excellence as the Principal at St Joseph's. 

Pupil Free Days:
● Friday 5th September - Reflective Practice Day - All staff completing PD - Pupil free day for students
● Tuesday 7th October - Professional Development Day - Pupil free day for students

Staffing Update:
As you're all aware, Mr James Delany, has been offered an incredibly opportunity this term to be the Acting Assistant Principal of Religious Education at Columba Catholic College's primary campus in Charters Towers. I excited to let you know that James will be continuing in this position in Term 4 as well. Although sad for us at St Joseph's this is an amazing opportunity for James and I am sure you will join me in congratulating James when you see him in Cloncurry when he comes back to visit throughout the term. 

Media Consent:
At the time of enrolment, parents are asked to consent to the use of their child’s name and image in various forms of media to promote the school and Catholic Education. If you DO NOT wish to consent to your child's photograph/video appearing as stated in the below, and you wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent, you must notify the school by phone or email, clncry@tsv.catholic.edu.au. 
 
If we do not hear from you to make any changes, your original consent provided will remain in effect.
 
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO/MEDIA CONSENT - snippet from enrolment agreement:
Photos, video footage and work samples of students are used regularly by the school for the purpose of acknowledging the efforts of the student, or for promotion, marketing or advertising the school or Catholic Education.
 
I consent to the student being photographed or filmed for school/College, Catholic Education or Townsville Catholic Diocese related communication or for education purposes. 

I understand this may include media (e.g. television, radio, publications), school/College publications (e.g. newsletters, year books), online media (e.g. websites) and social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram). 
 
I understand it is my responsibility to notify the school/College if I do not wish to consent to the student’s photograph/video appearing in any or all of the above, or if I wish to withdraw this authorisation and consent. Please note the student’s name and voice may be included with the photograph/video.
 
I understand the copyright of such images will be retained by the school/College, Townsville Catholic Education, the Diocese of Townsville or their contractors, and there will be no remuneration or compensation for the images.

May God Bless you and your families for the week ahead. 

Mrs Samantha Kelley,
Principal 

Deputy's News/Curriculum

Canberra & Snow Excursion 2025
Last week, our Year 7, 8, and 9 students had the incredible opportunity to travel to Canberra and the snow. Across the week, students explored some of our nation’s most significant institutions, engaged in hands-on learning experiences, and built lasting memories with their peers.

Highlights of the week included a visit to the High Court of Australia, which, surprisingly, was one of the most engaging sessions for many students. They also enjoyed their time at Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, and the Australian Institute of Sport. Of course, the snow day at Selwyn Snow Resort was a standout, with students skiing, snowboarding, and simply enjoying the novelty of snow. Another firm favourite was a stop at Westfield for some retail therapy—no surprises there.

Beyond the itinerary, one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was the chance for students to connect and engage with each other in a setting outside of school. Watching them support one another on the slopes, laugh together over a game of bowling or mini golf, and share in new experiences made the trip truly worthwhile.
Our students were fantastic ambassadors for St Joseph’s, showing respect, enthusiasm, and curiosity at every venue. These kinds of experiences not only deepen their understanding of Australia’s history, culture, and institutions but also strengthen friendships and build independence.

A huge thank you must go to the staff who attended, as the days were long and extremely full, and their efforts ensured everything ran smoothly. We also thank our parents for trusting us with their children and supporting this rewarding opportunity.

Hopefully, all students came home with stories of enjoyment, excitement, adventure, and maybe even a few funny mishaps along the way. Most of all, we hope the memories made on this trip will stick with them for years to come.

Upcoming Pupil Free Days (Professional Development Days for Staff)
Please note the following dates for upcoming Pupil Free Days, which are designated as Professional Development Days for staff:

• Friday, 5th September
• Tuesday, 7th October

These days allow our staff to continue their professional learning, particularly around curriculum planning and best-practice teaching. In the upcoming pupil free day on Friday 5th of September our staff will be joined by staff from St Joseph's Catholic School, Mount Isa, to cover the following topics:

• Version 9 Curriculum Implementation

• NSSAB Guidelines and TCEO PACER Document – We will look at the recent updates to these documents and consider their implications for classroom practice, time allocations, and compliance.

• Data Literacy – We will look at how to interpret and respond to data sets effectively, including navigating Data Hub, unpacking NAPLAN and PAT results, and understanding expected outcomes and expected growth. 

• MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) – We will look at our shared understanding of MTSS, how it is currently being implemented in our academic (inclusive education) space, and how it will influence our future strategic direction. We will also explore the next stages of implementation.

We thank you for your support and understanding.

Mr Dean Kelley
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Book Week Celebration
This week, our Primary courtyard came alive with excitement as students dressed up and joined in a joyful Book Week parade. It was wonderful to see their creativity and enthusiasm on display.

The power of stories is amazing. Especially how they can transport us to another world, spark curiosity, and inspire us. As a Catholic school, we also recognize that the greatest story is that of Jesus in His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation He brings. Reading the best book of all, the Bible, allows us to enter this story, experience God’s love, and find fulfillment and guidance in our daily lives.

Social Justice Sunday
Social Justice Sunday is held each year on the last Sunday of August. Established by the Australian Catholic Bishops, this day invites us to reflect on important social, economic, and environmental challenges. Each year, a special Social Justice Statement is released to inspire awareness, conversation, and action in our communities.  

The 2025 - 2026 statement ‘Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving People Living in Homelessness and Mental-Ill Health’, provides an understanding of the daily realities faced by those experiencing homelessness and mental ill-health, while also highlighting the challenges of ensuring they receive adequate care and support.

A copy of the statement can be accessed here: https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2025/08/06/signs-of-hope-on-the-edge-social-justice-statement-2025-2026/

Father’s Day Assembly
Next weekend (7th September), we celebrate Father’s Day. This is always a special time to thank and show our love to all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in our lives.

We look forward to celebrating together at our Father’s Day and Learning Breakfast next Thursday (4th September), and warmly invite all families to stay afterwards for our fortnightly assembly starting at 8:30 am.

Thank you to all the fathers and father figures who are part of our school community. Happy Father’s Day!

Youth Mass Update
Please note that our scheduled Youth Mass for September 13th has been cancelled as it coincides with the ‘Beat the Heat Festival’ weekend.

Our other Youth Masses this year have been very well attended, and it has been wonderful to come together afterwards and share a meal as a community. We look forward to continuing this tradition next term, with our next Youth Mass planned for Saturday, 25th October (Term 4). Families and children of all ages are warmly invited to join us.

Sacramental Program - First Reconciliation commencing - Term 4
St Joseph’s School and St Colman’s Parish will hold a First Reconciliation program next term. The program will include 2–3 consecutive preparation sessions to help students deepen their understanding of this special sacrament. Families interested in their children participating are invited to email me at lnelson5@sjctsv.catholic.edu.au to express their interest. 

An information session for families will be held in St Colman’s church at a date and time to be advised. 

 St Colman’s Parish – Alpha Course
St Colman’s Parish is currently running a weekly Alpha course, a program that helps people explore the life and teachings of Jesus in a welcoming and relaxed setting. Although we are nearing the end of the series, you are warmly invited to join us!

When:   Monday evenings, 5:30–7:00 pm
Where: School staffroom

Each Alpha session includes:

• A shared meal
• A short talk on an aspect of the Christian faith
• Small-group discussion and conversation

There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome, whether you are new to faith or have been part of the Church for many years.

St Colman’s Mass - Upcoming Schedule

Join us in celebrating the Eucharist. Below is the presider schedule for upcoming Masses:

Date                  Mass             Time           Presider

Aug 31st, 2025        Sunday Mass       8.30 am          Fr. Nnaemeka Njezi

Sept 7, 2025            Sunday Mass      8.30 am          Fr. Mick Lowcock

Sept 14, 2025          Sunday Mass       8.30 am          Fr. Will Brennan 

Sept 21, 2025         Sunday Mass        8.30 am          Fr. Col Reinhard 

Sept 28, 2025         Sunday Mass        8.30 am          Fr. Col Reinhard

God Bless, 

Ms Lei Nelson
Assistant Principal - Religious Education 

Pastoral Care

UMY Canberra Camp
Our Upper Middle Years students have just returned from an incredible week in Canberra, exploring all that our nation’s capital has to offer. Highlights included meeting the Governor-General, visiting Parliament House and the High Court of Australia, a fun-filled day in the snow, hands-on science at Questacon, and plenty of laughs along the way with our fantastic bus driver, Mark.

We are very grateful for the support of the Australian Government through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. The Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. Through PACER, our school received $1050 per student, which helped reduce the overall cost of the trip for our families and made this unforgettable learning experience possible.

🌟 Father’s Day Stall – Week 8 🌟
Our Father’s Day Stall is happening Week 8 from Monday 1st September to Thursday 4th September during First Lunch (unless sold out prior).

Students can purchase a range of gifts for Dad! Prices from $3–$15 (cash only)

💙All proceeds will go towards supporting our Student Representative Council (SRC) initiatives!

“I Knew I Was Giving My Child Bad Advice, But I Didn’t Know What Else to Say!”  

This is one of the most common things that parents have said to us over the years when it comes to friendship issues. And, we’ve heard from numerous children and educators who have shared some of the unhelpful or inappropriate advice well-meaning parents have given children.

When parents are activated by their child’s friendship issues (especially if someone has been cruel or malicious – what we call in our Friendology curriculum, “Mean-on-Purpose”), it is common for a parent’s protective instinct to kick in. This can trigger their FIGHT/FLIGHT/FREEZE/FAWN response, thanks to the autonomic nervous system. These default settings might sound like:

• FIGHT: “Just punch them back!”
• FLIGHT: “Go play with someone else!”
• FREEZE: “Ignore them!”
• FAWN: “Be friends with everyone!”

As we aim to support our children in fostering healthy relationships throughout their lives, it’s critical that parents understand how unhelpful and, in some cases, dangerous these stress responses can be for children.

A parent whose default setting is to FIGHT, teaches their child to respond to conflict with aggression and violence. Encouraging a child to get physical as a defense-mechanism immediately escalates the situation, activating anxiety in the child. Most children are not naturally aggressive and they know punching/pushing/pinching is wrong and will get them in trouble. When a parent tells a child to do something that is socially-unacceptable, it feels deeply confusing for them. Children are less likely to seek help from parents who promote fighting, often withholding information to avoid triggering anger in them. This is scary for children. Encouraging physical aggression is easily the most dangerous, trauma-inducing advice that can have serious long-term impacts.

A parent whose default setting is to FLIGHT, teaches their child to avoid conflict. This inevitably results in unhealthy friendships (and relationships) that lack trust and respect. When conflicts and frustrations are ignored, resentment builds and connections are fractured. A conflict-avoidant mindset prevents authenticity, transparency, and honesty in relationships. It limits the depth of a friendship and, for children, the friendship feels persistently in the Red-Zone on The Friend-o-Meter.

A parent whose default setting is to FREEZE, teaches their child to bottle their emotions. While ‘fight’ is exploding, ‘freeze’ is imploding. This approach teaches children to shut down, preventing them from processing their feelings. Research shows that repressing emotions amplifies them and can lead to feelings of anxiety. Children who keep their big feelings in often experience physical symptoms like stomach aches and trouble sleeping. Similar to avoiding conflict, healthy relationships are impossible when one person is unresponsive – relationships are a two-way street.

A parent whose default setting is to FAWN, teaches their child to be a people-pleaser. Fawning is when a child absorbs all the blame, overlooking their own feelings and doing whatever it takes to make the other person happy. According to Dr Rebecca Ray, “Fawning behaviours are common for people who experience significant levels of anxiety, and who identify as highly sensitive.” Children who fawn feel disempowered and often end up as the “door mat” in their friendships.

So, what can parents do instead to have a more helpful, socially-acceptable response?

CHECK-IN WITH YOURSELF
First, notice how you feel when your child shares their pain with you. Do you feel yourself reacting? Are you getting angry? Is it triggering something inside of you? Which of the 4 F’s can you feel yourself wanting to default to? The key is to remain calm and objective.

In the field of Positive Psychology, we love the famous Viktor Frankl quote: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” This space that Dr Frankl describes is where empathy, compassion, and understanding can keep relationships in the Green-Zone on the Friend-o-Meter!

Just by being aware of how you’re feeling will allow you to be more mindful in how you respond to your child’s friendship issue.

FOCUS ON YOUR OWN CHILD
Second, focus on how YOUR child is feeling. Too often parents will focus on the other child (“I can’t believe they did that to you! What’s their problem? Why would they be like that?”), instead of their own.

Help your child name their emotions. Dr Dan Siegal coined the term “name it to tame it” – a very simple, effective technique that helps reduce the intensity of big feelings by labelling them.

Ask them, “How did that make you feel?” Give your child time and space to get their feelings out. Let them cry or be angry and JUST LISTEN. Offer a hug, go for a walk, play catch… Allow them a chance to get it out.

BE A FRIENDSHIP COACH
When you’re both in a calm state, it’s time to be a Friendship Coach and empower your child with evidence-based strategies.

If it was a Friendship Fire, encourage them to find a good time to talk to their friend. If it was Mean-on-Purpose, ask them: “Did you say your Quick Comeback?”

Check out this interactive tool (be sure to activate your FREE parent membership first!) where you can see the questions our URSTRONG Schools ask children when they experience conflict in friendship to coach them along.

Here are a few more resources that might help:

• Think of Yourself as a “Friendship Coach”
• When to Step-In and When to Step-Back
• High-Conflict Friendships
• 10 Reasons to NOT Call The Other Child’s Parents
• Boundaries: How to Use an Exit Strategy

Friendship skills are relationship skills! Teaching your child to manage conflict in a healthy way will help ensure they have positive relationships throughout their lives.

Best regards,

Miss Hannah McCall
Pastoral Leader

Youth Ministry

It’s always a privilege to see our students engaging so openly in prayer and community - and I’m excited to share some highlights with you. The past fortnight has been full of meaningful faith opportunities for our school community. 

Our Year 3 Retreat was a great experience, inviting students to reflect on the theme of Human Dignity and what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God. The Year 3s embraced this new and unique experience with such energy and openness. They engaged positively in prayer, games, and reflection, showing real thoughtfulness in how we can show love and care for one another each day. It was inspiring to see how well they participated, encouraged one another, and shared their insights with the group.

At our recent Children’s Liturgy, our younger parishioners had the chance to explore the Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Together, the children created swords to represent Jesus’ message about division. courage and commitment from the Gospel (Luke 12:49–53). This hands-on activity gave them a chance to make a tangible connection with the scripture and led to some thoughtful sharing about what it means to stand strong in our faith. 

Looking ahead, our Youth Mass, which was originally planned for Term 3, has now been postponed and will run early in Term 4. More details will be shared closer to the date.

A reminder that our Dressed by Vinnies fundraiser is coming up soon! Each class has a collection tub ready for clothing donations, and we warmly welcome families to contribute clean, good-quality clothes for our school stall. These donations will be sorted and priced by our Mini Vinnies and SIA students before being sold in Week 9. Proceeds will go directly to support the Vinnies appeal. Keep an eye out on our school’s Facebook page, your nominated email address and the Newsletter for details and information about this event.

Next week, our SIA students will meet on Tuesday (Week 8) to work alongside Sr Lynn here at school. An email will be sent home with more details.

Finally, our Year 2 Retreat is approaching, with the theme Stewards of God’s Creation. Students will reflect on the sacredness of creation and how we are called to nurture our relationship with God through caring for the natural world.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Youth Ministry across our school and parish community.

Yours in faith, hope and service.

Mrs Rachel Delaney-Lovett
Acting Youth Ministry Middle Leader

First Nations Education

This week, we held a First Nations Advisory Committee meeting where we reviewed our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). During the meeting, we discussed the goals and deliverables for each action within the plan, ensuring that St Joseph’s continues to strengthen relationships, respect, and opportunities for our First Nations students, families, and community.

At our next meeting in the coming weeks, we will revisit the RAP and will also be discussing our school’s sacred space and how we can ensure it reflects and celebrates First Nations culture. More information, including the date of our next meeting, will be shared shortly. 

Miss Leonie Ansell
Emerging Leaders Coordinator & First Nations Education Leader

Prep

Dear Families,

What a fantastic week we've had celebrating Book Week! Our Little Leaders enjoyed a special excursion to the Cloncurry Shire Hall on Tuesday, where they participated in a shared reading experience that sparked their imagination and love for stories.

Looking ahead to Weeks 8 and 9, our focus in literacy will be on learning the letters v, x, and y, along with their sounds. We will also introduce tricky words such as put, as, do, like, and very to help build reading confidence.

In mathematics, our learners will continue exploring how to identify and compare the attributes of objects — including length, capacity, and mass. Through hands-on activities, they will practice making direct comparisons and explaining their reasoning, strengthening their measurement skills and critical thinking.

We are excited to see our Little Leaders continue to grow and thrive through these engaging learning opportunities!

Little Leaders Website
For photos and regular updates on what is happening in the Prep space please click the link attached for access to the Little Leaders Website. Through this link you will also be able to access two pages, a Semester 2 Page with general information as well as a Home Learning Page.

Reminders:

Monday: 

• Mrs Jill Smith will take our little learners for music in Period 5.

Tuesday: 

• Miss Borlase will take our students for Sport in Period 5, Sport uniform

Wednesday:

• Miss Pucciarmati will take our Prep students for Technology in Period 5. 
• Coloured house shirts
• Readers and library books are to be returned so they can be re-issued. 

Thursday: 

• Mrs McConachy will be the classroom teacher

Friday: 

• Every second Friday we will have an assembly at the Mary MacKillop Shed (Week 2,4,6,8,10)

Literacy Rotations will continue from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 9:30am. We would love to welcome parent helpers during these sessions. If you're available to support, please let me know. Your help truly makes a difference.

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Classes will go to the stall on Monday. If you would like your child to purchase an item from the store please send it in a labelled clip lock bag on Monday. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Yours in fun and learning,

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

Year 1

Hello Parents and Carers,

Hope you all have had a lovely week!

Our Year 1 students have been busy explorers across all areas of learning! In Maths, they’ve been exploring place value, tens and ones, practicing addition using the counting-on strategy, and enjoying fun “number of the day” activities. 

In Literacy, they’ve been writing recounts, sharing their own memories, and using exciting vocabulary to tell their stories. In Science, they’ve been observing how our classroom chickens and plants grow, making predictions, and learning about the needs of living things.

In HASS, students have been learning about managed, constructed, and natural features. We went on a walk around the school to identify these features in our environment, then read The Rainbow Serpent and explored how First Nations symbols can be used to create a map of the story.

Our students are enjoying hands-on learning and developing new skills every day — it’s wonderful to see their curiosity and confidence grow!

Reminders 

• Homework is to be returned on Thursdays to go back out on Fridays. 
• Library Monday’s

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Classes will go to the stall on Monday. If you would like your child to purchase an item from the store please send it in a labelled clip lock bag on Monday. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Have a wonderful week,

Miss Erin Haley and the always fun Year 1’s

Year 2

Dear Parents and Carers, 

We are quickly approaching the end of term, and the students have been busily engaged in lots of wonderful learning over the past two weeks.

In English, we have continued developing our understanding of Informative Texts. This week, the focus has been on creating fact booklets. Using their laptops, students researched and gathered interesting information about Kurumba, Uluru, or Sydney. They thoroughly enjoyed exploring and discovering new facts through their online research. Alongside this, we have been revising our learnt sounds, digraphs, and trigraphs in InitiaLit.

In Mathematics, our focus has shifted to multiplication and division. Students have been practising doubling numbers to help them multiply by 2s, as well as working collaboratively in groups to share blocks evenly and develop a strong understanding of halves.

In Science, we have continued exploring the properties of different materials. We investigated waterproof materials and discussed what makes them waterproof. We also examined different types of plastic, learning that although they may look similar, not all plastics share the same properties.

In HASS, we have been delving deeper into our Then and Now unit, looking closely at how advances in technology have changed the way we live our daily lives.

In Religion, our learning has centred on God’s Creation and the sacredness of the world around us. Students have been encouraged to reflect on ways we can care for and respect the world as part of our responsibility as stewards of creation.

Reminders:

• Homework is given out on Thursday and to be brought back the following Thursday. 

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Year 2 will be able to access the stall at break times should they want to purchase an item. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Miss Tess Motti

Year 3

Book Week Fun
A big shout out to all our Year 3 learners and parents for the amazing costumes you put together for Book Week! The effort, enthusiasm and creativity were fantastic to see. We had so much fun celebrating stories together and loved how each outfit reflected such clever and imaginative ideas. Thank you for making it so special.

English
In English, we’ve been diving deeper into our class novel Nerra. Learners are working on spotting the big “turning points” in the story and thinking about how these moments lead to new events. We’ve also been practising our predicting skills—guessing what might come next based on what we already know. It’s wonderful to see their thinking skills growing.

Maths
We’ve finished our unit on Multiplication and Division and have now moved on to Measurement. Learners are busy exploring how millimetres turn into metres, and grams into kilograms. You can help at home by asking fun “challenge” questions—How many grams in a kilogram? How many centimetres in a metre? Everyday objects like food packaging or measuring how long the couch is make for great real-life practice!

Science
Our Science unit on heat is almost complete. We recently carried out an experiment to discover which materials are the best insulators. If your child is helping in the kitchen, it’s a perfect chance to connect what we’ve learned—pots act as conductors, handles as insulators, boiling water shows convection, and the stove is our source of heat. The learners have loved spotting these in real life.

Religion
In Religion, we’ve begun exploring the Beatitudes and the values they highlight. This is a wonderful chance to talk as a family about the values that matter most to you, and how these link with faith and everyday life.

Health
In Health, we’ve been talking about how to stay safe—not just on the road, but also at school and online. The children shared thoughtful ideas and showed a good awareness of making safe choices in tricky situations. It’s reassuring to see how much they already know!

Three more weeks to go! Let us make the most of it.

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Year 3 will be able to access the stall at break times should they want to purchase an item. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Warm regards,

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

Year 4

Hello everyone,

Book Week
A big thank you to all the wonderful parents who helped with costumes this week. The students were so excited to dress up, share their favourite books, and talk about their characters with such enthusiasm. Congratulations to our winner, Lilly, and our runner-up, India – well done to everyone for the fantastic effort!

Science
In Science, the students have been exploring how living things interact. They were fascinated to learn about mutually beneficial relationships and competitive ones. One favourite example was birds that eat insects off buffalo – a win-win situation for both animals!

English
This week in English, the students began their narrative writing assessment. Together, we worked through the steps of creating an animal character with its own personality. This process helps students write believable and interesting characters, rather than ones who simply perform actions.

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Year 4 will be able to access the stall at break times should they want to purchase an item. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Have a wonderful week!

Lesley Wall

Year 5

Hi all,

This week in Maths, we completed our work on mathematical modelling with financial maths. The students have enjoyed exploring real-life scenarios and seeing how maths connects to everyday decisions. Next, we’ll be moving into our Measurement unit, where we will explore length, mass, capacity, area, and perimeter.

In Writing, we’ve begun the exciting process of researching and creating our Google Sites which we are presenting our informative texts through! Students are working hard to gather information for their informative texts and learning how to present their findings in an engaging and well-organised way.

In Religion, we’ve been learning about the fruits of the Holy Spirit and discussing how we can show these qualities in our everyday lives. In Science, we’ve been fascinated by the many amazing ways plants and animals adapt to survive in their environments.

Reminders

Tuesday: The Arts with Miss Jill, Technologies with Miss P, and HASS with Mr Grehan

Wednesday: Sport with Miss B and HASS with Mr Grehan

Thursday: Health with Miss Humes

Friday: Pastoral Care with Miss McCall.

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Year 5 will be able to access the stall at break times should they want to purchase an item. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Have a great week,

Miss Leonie Ansell

Year 6

Dear Families,

This week, we have been preparing for our bike ride to the dam today with many discussions about safety when cycling on the road and also snake awareness. We received a telephone call from a concerned member of the community about how students were a little reckless on the road on their way to school. Riding safely and understanding the rules of the road ensure safety for all road users.

On Wednesday, we completed bike safety checks - ABC (Air, Brakes and Chain) and used the Mary Mackillop Shed to practise signalling, turning, stopping and using roundabouts. There is still a great need for students to keep practising these skills on the road with parents. Today, we have had the opportunity to put these skills into action as we travel along Sheaffe Street, turning onto Daintree Street before joining the cycle path.

In English, we have continued to investigate persuasive texts - our focus has remained on generating well constructed arguments. OREO and Lawyer Paragraph follow a similar structure - Opinion (state your point), Reasons (why it matters), Evidence (quotes, facts and specifics to support and connect with your argument) and restated Opinion (sum up using a Power Sentence, less than 12 words).

We have discussed how students aren't always given time for research into supporting facts and details - e.g. NAPLAN and other assessments. Students are encouraged to write 'like an expert,' making their 'facts' and evidence support their point of view.

In spelling, we have investigated words with the [v] phoneme with the main graphemes being [v, and ve] and the suffix -ive which changes words into adjectives (meaning tending to or does) e.g. reflective - does reflect. The spelling rule is that we usually drop 'e' before adding the suffix. We've also looked at [w] with the common graphemes being [w, wh, and u] the 'u' making the [w] phoneme when accompanied by q or g - e.g. anguish, acquire etc. We have continued our work about synonyms (words with same and similar meaning) and antonyms (words with opposite meanings). Our reading has focused on the skills of predicting and continuing to investigate vocabulary used in The Impossible Quest by Kate Forsyth.

In Mathematics, we have started a new topic about algebra - often known as challenging because it is a mixture of letters and numbers, but really it has connected prior learning with missing numbers and unknown values (represented by a box, triangle or other shape). Students have grasped that the shape represents a number and that when we use a letter it also represents a variable number. We have spent time looking at number sequences where students have to work out the rule and use this to work out missing numbers or next numbers in the sequence. IXL has been used to extend students' understanding of sequences and variables. We have had discussions around using 'logical thinking' to solve problems like 'I'm thinking of a number...between 90 and 120. What could my number be?' with logic in the example getting us to respond starting at 91 and working through to 119 rather than jumping around with random possibilities. For our mental arithmetic we have used the dart board with doubles and trebles to make a total with three darts. If you have a dart board at home, it is one of the best ways to get maths work into a family game.

At the dam today, we continued to apply learning about angles and compass points when orienteering. There are several leadership games and team building tasks we used at the start of the year. Thank you to the parents and carers who joined us on the ride, cooked the BBQ or popped out throughout the day to join in an activity or have lunch with us. 

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Year 6 will be able to access the stall at break times should they want to purchase an item. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Have a great week,

Mr Mike Tarleton & Mr Larry Cullen

UMY Subject Spotlight

Music with Miss Humes 

7 & 8 Music
Our Year 7 & 8 cohort has been looking at Music across this term, with a particular focus on composition for their assessment task. We started the term looking at what music is - and it is a lot more than just fun songs we listen to regularly - and the elements of music that form the foundation from which music is built. Our students expressed a keen interest in being given an opportunity to work out how to play some of the instruments available to us, and as such, our lessons have been structured around a rotational system to give them this opportunity. The other tasks include working on GarageBand, an app available for free on the iPad’s to create and compose their own piece of music. Students are given the opportunity to work on this each week, and are encouraged to reflect upon their progress throughout. On top of this, we have also been looking more into the theory - really exploring what the elements of music are, the families in which instruments belong and how they work together within an orchestra, and have started to begin looking at notating and reading music. It is a lot, but they have all risen to the challenge admirably. 

Additionally, last week students were sent home with the written part of their assessment task. This accompanies their composition by getting students to watch a movie and evaluate how composers use music to support the various action and emotional scenes on screen. It would be wonderful if you could support your child in this task by giving them the chance to watch a movie, and remind them to answer the accompanying questions. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

9 Music
After a couple years in which we were unable to use the Music Room as our new school was being built, it is very exciting to be back in this space with all the resources readily available to us. Due to this, our Year 9 students have really embraced the desire to learn an instrument and perform a piece of music, which is forming the basis of our assessment this term. To assist in their skill development, we have been exploring various technical skills to assist our learning, as well as becoming familiar with our chosen instrument and music reading. While it is challenging to learn a new skill like this, or revisit it after an extended break in the case of some students, I have been amazed by their resilience and the continued effort they have put in.

Like the 7 & 8 cohort, our Year 9 students are also set a task which asks them to watch a movie to closely analyse the score that accompanies it. While the questions involved for an analysis are a touch more in depth, I would yet again appreciate you supporting your student in helping them complete this task. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Technology with Miss McCall

Year 7/8 Design Technologies
This term in Design Technologies, students are taking on the role of “Future Farmers” as they explore the world of food, fibre, and sustainability. They are investigating real-world challenges—such as food waste, water use, packaging, and fast fashion—and using the design process to create innovative solutions. Students will research, plan, and develop a prototype or model that addresses a sustainability issue they are passionate about. Along the way, they’ll build critical skills in problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration while considering the environmental and social impact of the choices we make.

Year 9 Digital Technology
This term, our Year 9 students are diving into the exciting world of 3D design and printing through a hands-on project titled “Design It Better: 3D Print a Solution for Everyday Problems.”

Throughout the unit, students will:

• Learn to use Tinkercad, an online 3D design program
• Develop skills in design thinking, prototyping, and user-centred design
• Plan, test, and refine their own 3D product
• Present their final design and reflect on the process

The project challenges students to explore how technology can be used to solve real-world problems by designing and printing a product that meets a practical need at school or home. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and ethical thinking about technology’s role in society.

Week 8 Events:

• Monday to Thursday: Fathers Day Stall Open. Secondary students will be able to access the stall at break times should they want to purchase an item. 
• Thursday: Next Thursday, 4th of September, will be a very busy and exciting day at school, and we wanted to give parents and carers an early heads-up. We will be starting the morning with our special Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.45am, followed by Open Classrooms from 8.00–8.20am, where families are welcome to visit and see some of the wonderful learning happening. Assembly will begin at 8.30am, and throughout the day students are encouraged to take part in Odd Socks Day as we acknowledge and celebrate diversity and individuality.
• Friday 5th September: Pupil Free Day.

Guidance Counsellor

Confidence & Motivation

Building confidence and motivation in young people is essential for their overall wellbeing and is a key aspect of their development. These qualities can have a lasting impact on their success and happiness. Confidence helps children believe in their abilities and face challenges with a positive attitude, while motivation drives their desire to learn, explore, and achieve their goals.

Fostering these traits involves creating an environment that encourages children to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their achievements. Confidence is built when children feel capable and valued, while motivation is fuelled by the belief that their efforts will lead to growth and success. By actively supporting both, we can help young people thrive in the academic, social, and personal areas of their life.

By offering positive reinforcement, setting realistic expectations, and celebrating their efforts, we can model a positive mindset that can go a long way in helping young people develop both confidence and motivation. Nurturing these qualities, will help them grow into self-assured individuals who believe in their ability to succeed, setting the foundation for a fulfilling future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, discover how to provide opportunities for autonomy and support your child in persevering through challenges.

Here is the link to your Edition https://sjctsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/confidence-motivation-au

THANK YOU - Copper & Cattle FETE 2025

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