This has been another busy fortnight on the Primary Campus.  The Border District Eisteddfod took place this week and all our students from P - 6 were involved in some capacity.  It never ceases to amaze me the courage and confidence that our students have to stand on a stage and perform so well in front of an audience.  Naturally there were a few nerves, but they all performed well.  My thanks are extended to Dr James Cuskelly OAM, Mrs Amelia Wilshire, Mrs Maple Egerton and Mrs Margie Buddle for the work they did in preparing the students, to the staff who supervised the children at the Civic Centre, to parents and families for their support and finally to the students who represented themselves and the school so well.

Also this week we hosted our first Prep 2026 Open Morning for the year this week and were excited to see a large group of potential families for next year. Part of the Open Morning was spent in the Prep classroom, where despite the influx of visitors, the children carried on with their learning regardless.  This is indicative of the importance placed on learning by the students at St Joseph's.  It was also pleasing to hear the many wonderful things that two current parents of our school shared with those gathered in the library. They spoke of the children being seen and heard as individuals, the relationships between the students across the campus,  the caring nature of Glenda McNichol and other staff and the many opportunities which St Joseph's offers it students.  We look forward to welcoming more families to our next Open Morning to be held on Tuesday 3 June at 9:15am. If anyone is unable to attend on this day, we are more than happy to arrange a time for you to visit that is convenient for all concerned.  

Last week we participated in the National Simultaneous Story Time event which this year featured The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. This is always an event that we enjoy being part of.  Congratulations also to those who competed in the TCS chess competition last Friday, supervised by Mr David Fleming.  There were some close games and Alex Sunderland in Year 4 played particularly well on the day. Alex was also recognised in a recent assembly for winning a competition organised by the SDRC on the theme of recycling. 

In Week 8 we will welcome Healthy Harold back to our school to help our students understand the importance of making wise choices to keep us healthy in body and mind.  Harold is always a welcome visitor to St Joseph's.

We are now entering the reporting period when teachers will be gathering work samples and assessments in order to make on balance judgements about each child's progress this semester.  This information will be presented on a slightly modified report format from this semester and more news will be available on this in coming weeks.

With God's blessings

As we journey through this busy term, many students are facing the pressures of assessment tasks and exams. It’s a time that can bring out both their best efforts and their deepest anxieties. The best support for students comes when school and families work in partnership.

There’s a number of ways students can access support here at school to help ease the pressure and foster a calm, supportive environment, including:

• Secondary homework club: Run by our very capable senior students, help is on hand every Tuesday and Thursday lunch time to support students with homework or assessments.
• Additionally, Mr Shannon’s support from 8am every Wed, Thurs and Fri – help for almost any Year level and subject.
• Secondary lunch times @ the Learning Lounge: Designated quiet space available during breaks for students who prefer a calm environment to study or simply recharge.
• Wellbeing check-ins: Our teachers and pastoral care team offer regular check-ins for students who may be feeling overwhelmed, providing a safe space to talk and be heard.

Additionally, here are a few simple yet powerful ways you can support your child at home during this time:

1. Keep routines grounded
   Encourage regular sleep, healthy meals, and time away from screens. A steady rhythm helps reduce anxiety and improve focus.
2. Create a calm study environment
   A quiet, organised homework space free from distractions can make a big difference. Encourage regular breaks and avoid last-minute cramming.
3. Listen and reassure
   Sometimes, the best support is simply being present. Listen without judgment, validate their feelings, and remind them that their worth is not defined by grades.
4. Celebrate effort, not just outcomes
   Recognise the hard work your child is putting in, regardless of the result. This builds confidence and encourages a growth mindset.
5. Model faith and resilience
   Share a short prayer together before study or exams. Remind them of God’s presence and the strength that comes from trusting in Him:
   "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." – 1 Peter 5:7

Let’s continue to walk together in faith, supporting our young people as they grow not only in knowledge but in character and spirit.

With God's blessings,

Mary Roberts
Acting Assistant Principal: Mission & Identity

Did you know that 18 former students of St Joseph’s School are now part of our staff team? 

Can you guess which four of our current staff members once walked these halls as students—and what year they graduated?

Fun Fact: St Joseph’s School was originally established in 1875, and over the decades, it has seen generations of families pass through its classrooms—some even returning as teachers!

To celebrate our School's incredible 150th anniversary, we're offering a limited edition cooler!

Pop into the office to grab yours before they're all gone.

Just a friendly reminder that when you accept an invitation for your child to attend a camp, excursion, or activity through EdSmart, it confirms your childs attendance. These numbers help us lock in bookings – and most providers don’t offer refunds for cancellations.

Bus seats, accommodation, and activity costs are all calculated based on confirmed numbers to keep costs as low as possible for families. That’s why it’s important to only accept if your child is DEFINATELY attending.

Extra-curricular activities must be paid in full before the event, as the school is required to pay upfront once student numbers are confirmed.

SKI TRIP – Payment Schedule

If your child is heading to the snow this year, here are the key payment dates:

• Deposit – Due 22 April 2025 – $330
• 2nd Instalment – Due 27 May 2025 – $590
• 3rd Instalment – Due 24 June 2025 – $330
• Final Instalment – Due 5 August 2025 – Approx $650

Please ensure payments are made by the due dates to secure your child’s place.

Thanks for your support in helping us run these amazing opportunities smoothly!

On Wednesday 21 May, our students proudly took part in the 25th anniversary of National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) – a wonderful event that unites children across Australia in the joy of reading together at the same time.

This year’s featured book was the delightful The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell – a heartwarming story that had our students completely captivated from beginning to end.

It was a joy to see our students so engaged in storytelling. NSS is a powerful reminder of how books can connect us, ignite imagination, and foster a lifelong love of reading.

Well done to everyone who participated and helped make this literary celebration so special!

We are thrilled to announce that Year 4 student Alexander Sunderland has been named the winner of the Southern Downs Regional Council’s regional art competition! Alex’s creative and inspiring recycling-themed artwork was selected from entries across the region and will now be featured on 100 reusable Boomerang Bags. 

This competition was part of the Council’s initiative during Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week (NRW), held from 11–17 November 2024, which encouraged young artists to explore what recycling means to them. The theme, “Join the Cycle,” aimed to inspire communities to improve recycling habits and embrace sustainable living.

Council’s waste education mascot, Sort-It Sally, was especially excited to see the creativity of the region’s young eco-heroes. “From reducing waste to repairing and reusing, there’s no limit to the ways we can make a positive impact,” said Sort-It Sally. “Through Council’s waste education program, Let’s Sort It Out, Southern Downs!, we’re showing kids the sustainable impact of recycling.”

Students were invited to draw a picture that showed what recycling means to them, with the chance to have their artwork featured on Council’s reusable bags. Alex’s winning entry stood out for its creativity, message, and artistic flair.

? Did You Know? Since National Recycling Week began in 1996, Australia’s recycling rate has grown from just 7% to over 60%! To learn more or get involved, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.

Congratulations again to Alex Sunderland for this outstanding achievement. 

Twelve of our talented Primary students represented the school at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Inter-School Chess Competition on Thursday, 22 May. The students demonstrated incredible focus and determination throughout a challenging three-hour tournament.

A special congratulations to Alexander Sunderland, who finished in the top ten, and to Patrick Moxham, Noah Adams, Mason Garland, Darcy Staley, and Thomas Maughan, who all achieved top 20 placings—a fantastic result!

Our Chess Club will continue next week as we prepare for more upcoming tournaments. Well done to all our players for their sportsmanship and strategic thinking!

Congratulations to all who took part and represented St Joseph's School with excellence.

Our debating teams showed impressive skill, teamwork, and resilience in two closely contested matches last week.

On Wednesday 21 May, our Year 8 Debate Team put up a strong fight in their Round 4 match against Downlands College. Despite a narrow loss, the team demonstrated excellent argumentation and determination throughout the debate. Their growth and confidence on stage were clear to see!

On Thursday 22 May, our Senior Debating Team faced off against Highfields State Secondary College. It was another tightly contested match, with our team delivering a strong performance. Although the result didn’t go our way, the team’s dedication, preparation, and collaboration were truly commendable.

Stanthorpe Eisteddfod Debating Success 

On the 26 and 27 of May, our students proudly represented our school in the Stanthorpe Eisteddfod Debating Competition. Across two exciting days, each team demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm, critical thinking, and a strong sense of teamwork.

• Year 7 delivered a commendable performance, narrowly missing out on a win in a closely contested debate.
• Year 8 emerged victorious with a well-structured and persuasive argument—congratulations!
• Year 9 showed great determination and resilience in a challenging round.
• Year 10 impressed the judges with their clarity and confidence, securing a solid win!

Well done to our Year 11 and Year 12 debating teams, who both won their debates at the Eisteddfod. A special congratulations to the Year 12 team, who were awarded the trophy for the highest scoring debate in the Years 10–12 category!

Our students have once again shone brightly at the Border District Eisteddfod, showcasing their incredible talent, creativity, and teamwork across a wide range of drama and performance categories. From our youngest performers in Prep to our seasoned secondary students, the results speak volumes about the dedication and enthusiasm of our school community.

The Prep class made a remarkable impression, receiving two prestigious awards:

• Betty Paine Award for Choral Recitation (P–2)
• Margaret Osborne Encouragement Award for Most Promising Choral Recitation (All Ages)

In individual recitation, Laura Brunkhorst earned a fantastic 2nd Place.

Individual Recitation Highlights

Year 1

• 1st: Fergus Ferrier, Roxy Potter
• 2nd: Isla Watson, Axel Harrison
• 3rd: Samuel Heidrich
• Highly Commended: Angus Maughan

Year 2

• 1st: Martin Brunckhorst, Lucy Dunn
• 2nd: Evie Muller, Jamie Herbert
• 3rd: Callum Bobby, Hiro Herrara
• Highly Commended: Ivy Garland, Sabine Blaxland, Aria Sutton, Abbie Jurd, Henry Oliver

Poem in Pairs

• Year 1 & 2: Lachlan Gasparin & Charlie Wilshire
• Year 4: Georgia Robinson & Poppy Wilshire

Duologues

• Year 4: Charlotte Gasparin & Poppy Wilshire

Group Drama Performances

Year 3 & 4

• ‘Granny’s at the Movies’ – Georgia Robinson, Catherine Scudamore, Rebecca Savio, Georgia Brunkhorst
  ‘Wedding Disaster’ – Poppy Wilshire, Mia Vedalago, Charlotte Gasparin, Ava Stanford
• ‘The Fancy Restaurant’ – Annie Collett, Virginia Preston, Macey Pearce, Sara Sullivan
  ‘Water Bottle Woes’ – Alex Sunderland, Jack Verri, Lachie Evans
• ‘Busy Hairdresser’ – Joyce Petzler, Grace Patterson, Bonnie Elliot-Roberts
•  Highly Commended: ‘At the Zoo’, ‘At the Pet Shop’, ‘The Pet Shop’, ‘The Pizza Shop’

Year 5

• ‘Trouble at Rose Villa’ – Tom Maughan, Chloe Johnson, Eva Jurd, Phoebe Torrens
• ‘Hunt for Treasure’ – Atticus Heads, Oliver Tuvukica, Silas Corrin, Mason Garland
• ‘Shoplifting’ – Hendrix Jax, William Bates, Elijah
• Highly Commended: ‘Spooky Hairdresser’, ‘Lolly Thief’

Special Awards

• Recitation Champion (Prep–Yr 2): Roxy Potter
• Adjudicator’s Award: Catherine Scudamore, Georgia Robinson, Georgia Brunckhorst, Rebecca Savio

Secondary School Achievements

Debating
Congratulations to our Year 8, 10, 11, and 12 teams for winning their debates!

Battle of the Bands

• People’s Choice: Paper Sons – Billy Skuse, Patrick Roberts, William Roberts, Frank Barker, Tom Telfer
• Overall Winner: Cool Burn featuring Liam Telfer

Strings & Vocal Excellence

String Ensemble
Our Primary Age String Small Instrumental Group received Highly Commended with glowing feedback from the adjudicators. A huge congratulations to all involved!

Solo String Performers
In the String Solo 12 Years & Under (Fewer than 18 Months Tuition) and String Solo 9 Years & Under categories, every St Joseph’s student who competed received a placing!

Choirs
Our choirs had a spectacular day at the Eisteddfod:

• Tiny Tots Choir – 1st Place and Champion Trophy
• Year 3–6 Choir – 1st Place and Champion Choir Trophy
• Small Group Vocal Ensemble (18 students) – 1st Place and Champion Trophy

We also want to acknowledge the many students who are competing in the Eisteddfod outside of school events. We wish each and every one of you the very best – your passion and dedication are inspiring.

Our students always do our school proud – both on and off the stage. 

Congratulations to all on your incredible efforts and achievements!

On Wednesday, 28 May, St Joseph’s was buzzing with excitement as students and staff dressed in their team colours to mark the first State of Origin match. The school was a vibrant mix of Maroons and Blues, with plenty of team pride and friendly rivalry on display.

Although the outfits were full of passion, the scoreboard told a different story—New South Wales took the win, leaving Queensland supporters hopeful for a strong comeback in Game 2.

It was a fun-filled day that brought our school community together in the true spirit of sport and camaraderie!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our annual St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, proudly led this year by our St Joey’s Vinnies group (previously Mini Vinnies & Teen Vinnies)

This appeal provides our community with a meaningful opportunity to live out our Mercy values: assisting the poor, showing compassion, and upholding the dignity of those in need. With the demand for support services growing each year, St Vincent de Paul is relying more than ever on the generosity of communities like ours.

This year, we are specifically seeking donations of:

• Long-life winter foods: UHT milk, cereal, canned soup and stews, noodles, baked beans, canned spaghetti, rice packets, etc (Please note: no more pasta or chickpeas are needed.)
• Warm items: blankets and clothing.
• Toiletries.

Each primary classroom and secondary mentor group will have a collection box for donations. Contributions will be gathered and delivered to St Vincent de Paul regularly throughout the appeal period.

The appeal will run until the end of Week 3, Term 3.

Thank you in advance for your generous support. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those doing it tough this winter.

Parents, carers, grandparents, educators, and school leaders are warmly invited to attend this important one-time-only webinar designed to support both primary and secondary students in navigating the digital world.

Date: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Time: 7:30pm

Join two of Australia’s leading experts in youth wellbeing and cybersafety—Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg—as they share practical strategies and expert insights to help young people stay safe and informed online.

Topics include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Misinformation & Algorithms
• Sexting and Sextortion
• Online Grooming

Important: This is a live-only event and will not be available for replay.
Please note: Participants must register prior to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.

Register now: http://stjosephs.qld.schooltv.me/webinar/qld-digital-media-literacy-safety-part-2