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- A reflection on Catherine McAuley
- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY & TEACHING & LEARNING
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SchoolTV
- IMPORTANT - SENTRAL FOR PARENT
- IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
- OUR YEAR 12's GRADUATE
- YEAR 6 END OF YEAR FUN
- THANKYOU - ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
- INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR NEWS
- ROTARY YOUNG CRAFTSPERSON AWARDS
- LECTURETTE SUCCESS
- PREP STUDENTS DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT THE ANNUAL FAIRYTALE BALL
- MUSIC SHOWCASE
- DANCE FEVER
- CHESS SUCCESS
- NATURE PLAY UPDATE
- 2024 BOOK LISTS
- DON'T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR 2023 YEARBOOK
- SPORT
- MERRY CHRISTMAS
- UPCOMING EVENTS
In Catherine's day, the very few were wealthy, the many were very poor - pathetically, desperately, unbelievably poor. Few thought anything could be done, some thought nothing should be done.
“Catherine thought differently.”
(Joanna Regan rsm. 1978. Tender Courage)
As the year comes to an end, I would like to thank all students, their families and the staff for helping to make the year another successful one for the school.
As a school we have had many successes both in the classroom and in the many co-curricular activities we do.
As an indicator of our academic success, I would like to highlight our very positive NAPLAN results this year. NAPLAN assesses the fundamental skills of literacy and numeracy, with the data provided used by families, schools and education systems to ensure Australian students are supported in their learning. As has been the case for many years, St Joseph’s School is a strong performer, not only in the Granite Belt, but also across the Toowoomba Diocese and Queensland.
Another indicator of our success is the strong enrolment growth. St Joseph’s School is the school choice on the Granite Belt. I am confident the staff, systems and resources we have will continue to maximise learning and maintain the culture of the school.
I would like to thank both the P&F Association and School Advisory Council (SAC) for their guidance and contributions throughout the year. Their efforts are very important in helping to set the direction of the school and provide assistance to the students and their families. In particular, I would like to thank Dan O’Dea, President of the P&F, and the other members of P&F Executive for their great support and direction over the years. Similarly, my thanks to Amelia Wilshire and all parents, carers, friends and sponsors who have banned together for the Nature Play Project on Primary. It is amazing work.
The staff as a whole deserve a special mention for their good work to get all students and the school through another challenging year. They are a dedicated and hard-working group who have the interests of the students at heart. My thanks also to the School Leadership Team, Matthew Brown, Megan Mahoney and Sarah Yates, for their exceptional work.
Well done to all the students for working towards the best they can be. I hope they all come back to school well rested and ready to continue their Joey’s journey. Congratulations to all the Year 6s who finish their Primary schooling this week. We wish them the very best in their journey into Secondary. Our thanks to Amanda Thompson and the other staff who have worked so well with them this year, and also those teachers and staff who have shared in their education since they started school. I am confident they have the grounding they need to start and succeed in Secondary.
Finally, I would like to wish all a merry and safe Christmas and Happy New Year.
God Bless,
Thank you to all members of our school community, particularly parents, students and staff, for the wonderful work and support you have given the school through 2023. Whilst we have again experienced our share of challenges, the collective strength of our community, coupled with the quality teaching and learning program, has ensured that our students have enjoyed another successful year, both academically and as a whole. I thank those staff who are departing our community for new challenges both interstate and within Queensland, they have been valuable members of our high quality teaching team here at St Joseph's.
I wish each and every member of our school and wider community a safe, happy and relaxing Christmas. May it be a time for all to celebrate they great things in our lives. See you all in 2024!
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Call to be… Christ-Like
Called to live… Mercy
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
The end of a school year can result in many conflicting emotions. There is the excitement of course of the ensuing holidays which are almost upon us, tinged with some sadness that another year is over. There is also the tiredness that both students and teachers are currently feeling, following a very busy term.
It is also a great time for reflection and celebration of growth and achievement. The Semper Una celebration this week acknowledged the end of primary schooling for our Year 6 students and the start of the adventure which awaits them next year. The academic reports for Semester 2, which have been made available to parents and carers this week, recognise the significant efforts of the students to develop as learners across the disciplines of the curriculum.
The last few weeks on the primary campus have been very busy with activities such as the Dance Fever concert, International Fairy Bread Day, the Granite Belt Lecturette competition, the interschools' chess and tennis competitions and the Prep Fairy Tale Ball to name but a few. Congratulations to Sarah Scudamore and Jaycob Hardy who competed in the Lecturette competition final against 12 other local Year 6 students.
Our thoughts have also turned to next year, and in the last week all the children have had the opportunity to spend some time with their new teacher for next year. We were also blessed to be joined by some of our new students for 2024 and it was wonderful, but not surprising, to hear that they enjoyed their time at St Joseph's.
This week sees us saying goodbye to two key members of staff. After 39 years working with children and staff at our school, Mary McLucas will retire. Mary's commitment to the children across the years has never been in doubt and her support of other staff has always been appreciated. In her role as the Arts teacher in recent years, Mary has encouraged students to be creative and dramatic and for all that she has done, we thank her sincerely. Mary's presence at St Joseph's will be missed.
Cate Green will also leave us this week, choosing to retire to the beach life provided at Evan's Head. Cate has only been with us for two years but she has certainly made her mark with the children, staff and parents and she will be missed.
We wish them both every happiness and good health as they start their retirement and thank them for their service to the community of St Joseph's.
It is important to recognise also that Karyn Heads will leave us this week to welcome her baby. This is such a wonderfully exciting time for the Heads family and we look forward to the news of the pitter-patter of tiny feet around Christmas.
Finally, as the end of the 2023 acedemic year approaches, I wish to thank all of the staff on the primary campus for their ongoing commitment to every student and for the work they do every single day. We are fortunate to have such wonderfully passionate teachers and school officers in our midst and I thank them for their ongoing work.
On behalf of all the staff, I wish all of our families a restful, happy and holy holiday period and look forward to the opportunities that 2024 will bring.
With God's blessings
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning
The Season of Advent
Sunday marked the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The word "Advent" means "coming" or "arrival” and commences four weeks prior to Christmas.
During Advent, we reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus and anticipate his second coming. This period of hopeful anticipation is marked by the lighting of Advent candles on the Advent wreath, with themes revolving around hope, peace, joy, and love. Often referred to as the Prince of Peace, we hope that the message of peace that Jesus’ birth brings to all may be especially significant this season throughout the world.
As we approach the end of our school year and enter into the busyness of the Christmas season, may we be mindful of preparing our hearts and minds to receive the gift of Jesus Christ this Christmas.
Wishing you and your families a joyous and blessed Christmas.
With God's blessings,
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
Gambling & Young People
The digital era has made gambling more accessible, and certain factors are elevating the risk of problematic gambling among young people. A new grey area is emerging, with smartphones at their fingertips blurring the boundaries between gambling and entertainment, especially within the realms of video games and social media. The current generation of young people are growing up in an unprecedented time and research highlights that a significant percentage of adolescents are involved in gambling activities.
Reports of young people gambling are frequent with many experiencing adverse consequences such as diminished academic performance and strained relationships. Today’s youth are growing up in a digital age characterised by constant connectivity, and the gambling industry has evolved significantly during their formative years. Simulated gambling, such as in video games, can further increase the likelihood of teenagers transitioning to real-money gambling and developing future gambling-related problems.
It's crucial to foster open discussions about positive media choices to help children navigate through responsible online gaming and gambling. By encouraging a balanced approach to screen time and promoting alternative activities, will help set some clear boundaries to avoid potential gambling-related issues.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to empower young people to make responsible choices in this digital age. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://stjosephs.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-gambling-young-people-au
All parents & caregivers who are leaving St Joseph’s School -
Please ensure you download your child/children’s relevant documents such as academic reports by 1st December as you will not have access after this time.
A reminder to comply with the conditions of the St Paul’s church precinct as outlined in previous communication:
- All cars for drop-offs and pick-ups are parked INSIDE the old tennis court area.
- A parent must accompany the child from the car to gate in the morning and the reverse in the afternoon.
- It has been noted that parents sit in the car using their mobile phones whilst waiting for students and are obviously not aware of children coming and going. It has been requested that no parent is to sit in the car and wait for their child to come to the car.
When school resumes in 2024, works will be occurring on the church grounds along with the childcare centre. Families and staff from the childcare centre will also be using the tennis court precinct for car parking. Whilst these works are occurring, it is even more integral that these workplace health and safety requests are adhered to.
We thank the St Paul’s Anglican Parish for enabling our families car parking and their ongoing support.
Last week marked the conclusion of the 13-year journey for our Year 12 students, spanning from Prep to Year 12. For many, this educational odyssey began at St Joseph’s School in Prep 2011, and it has been a culmination of years of dedicated study and hard work.
Throughout the week, they shared special moments during a retreat in Brisbane, providing them with the opportunity to both celebrate and reflect on their experiences.
The pinnacle of their journey unfolded with the Graduation Mass and dinner held on Thursday 16th November, followed by a farewell assembly the following morning.
In their final act, the Year 12's ceremoniously rang the new school bell following the assembly. Year 12 student, Kieran Kemp had the honor of being chosen by his peers to be the first to ring the bell.
As our Year 12's bid farewell to the school community, we extend our congratulations and best wishes for their futures.
They visited the City Golf Club for a round of Putt Putt Golf, followed by ten pin bowling at Sunset Superbowl and a delicious lunch.
Congratulations to all students and we wish you all the best as you move into Secondary next year.
The response to our Christmas campaign was outstanding, and for that we would like to say THANKYOU !!
An amazing amount of donations and monies were received and this will ensure that families in our local area can enjoy Christmas more comfortably.
Thankyou again to everyone who contributed to this very worthy cause.
The International Tour Team have been busy planning and finetuning the itinerary for their trip in April 2024. Some highlights of this trip will include, attending a professional football match and musical theatre in London, visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Musee D’Orsay in Paris and Anzac Day in Villers Bretonneux.
Staff and students have met several times, including a visit to the Amien’s Legacy Centre in October, enjoying a presentation from the Amien’s Historical Association and sausage sizzle. A very special part of this trip will be participation at the dedication of the Amiens Bridge of Friendship on 24 April 2024. St Joseph’s students will represent Australian school students and, along with French students, exchange flags to be placed on the bridge and sing both national anthems, along with other formal duties.
Parent information evenings are held regularly to ensure families are kept up to date with plans, sharing information such as packing lists, transport arrangements and other useful tips to ensure the trip will run smoothly.
We are extremely grateful to some local organisations and businesses that have provided sponsorship towards this trip. The support behind this trip is a testament of the wonderful community spirit that we have.
We wish to thank The Stanthorpe Lions Club, Rotary Club of Stanthorpe, Bendigo Community Bank Stanthorpe and Jamworks Gourmet Foods for their support and sponsorship.
At a parent meeting last Thursday, representatives from The Stanthorpe Lions Club, Mr Stuart Sims and Bendigo Community Bank Branch Manager, Mr Kurt Empen were acknowledged.
Congratulations to every Year 10 student who participated in the Rotary Young Craftsperson Awards.
The projects submitted by all students were truly remarkable. Congratulations to Angus Crome for clinching the top spot, and a well-deserved acknowledgment to Isaac Kay for securing the runner-up position.
St Joseph's extends its gratitude to the Rotary Club of Stanthorpe for hosting the awards and expresses appreciation to Mitre 10 and CRT Wilshire & Co for their generous sponsorship.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our guest judge, Bill Kerr, as well as to our dedicated teacher, Mr. Matthew Patterson, and Curriculum Leader, Mrs. Sandra Ellis, for their invaluable contributions.
Congratulations to Sarah Scudamore and Jaycob Hardy who were finalists and well done to all students who were involved.
Friday 24th November saw the Multi-Purpose Room transform into a magical fairytale land full of beautiful princess and handsome princes and some very regal queens.
Everyone enjoyed a royal dinner with pink bubbles as well as lots of dancing and palace games. What a very special evening... and everyone was home before the clock struck 12!
Thank you to all who helped with the preparations to make it such an eventful evening.
Families and parents were welcomed on Monday afternoon to watch a concert performed by a number of music students.
Our talented students were excited to showcase a diverse selection of musical pieces and we sincerely appreciate your ongoing support for our exceptional musicians. The event was a great success with enthusiastic attendance, and it was wonderful to witness the students' impressive performances.
Dancefever offers schools the expertise to fulfill their physical education curriculum requirements. Qualified teachers and instructors are committed to providing students with essential learning experiences that develop knowledge, understanding and skills in physical activity and social etiquette.
The curriculum compliant programs support schools and students each year to stay healthy, happy and active.
Students have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn some new dances.
Over the past two weeks Jeremey Lister, Ned Robinson, Izaya De Mamiel and Patrick Moxham have represented St Joseph's at the Granite Belt Chess tournament.
The format sees each school compete against each other to play off for the chance to be declared the winner. After our preliminary rounds, the boys were successful in making the final.
After an extremely close contest, our team went down four and a half games to three and a half.
The students are congratulated on their commitment to training each week and the sportspersonship displayed. Our congratulations to the State Primary school on their victory.
The P&F Nature Play Committee are delighted with the progress of the Prep – Year 2 area. With over 30 parents volunteering, the space was completed in 2 working bees rather than 3! What a great team effort and we can’t wait to start on the Year 3- 6 area in term 1 next year.
We would like to thank Michael Brisotto from Mick’s Nursery for his design services and generous discount on plants along with Wilshire & Co for donating the irrigation system, JB Earthworks for donation of soil and help sourcing gravel and Southern Downs Concreting for completing the yarning circle dial.
We must also say a huge thanks to parents, students and teachers for all they have done to support the project. Many St Joseph’s families have kindly donated equipment, tools, knowledge and their time to make a this a fun and effective school community project.
Our beautiful new plants will need some hydration over the summer holidays. We would appreciate some help with watering - even helping just once would make difference. Please let Amelia Wilshire know what day might suit you amelia@leadingladies.com.au.
Looking forward to working together in 2024.
The Nature Play Committee
St Joseph's School has again partnered with Winc to help make Back to School hassle free.
Ordering is simple, with 2024 book list items ordered online and delivered directly to your nominated address.
We've made it quick and easy to order your child's new year requirements. Simply visit https://www.wincschools.com.au/QLD/Stanthorpe/St-Joseph's-School and follow these four steps.
- Enter the school access key 5YX3X.
- Complete the student’s details and select the relevant year level.
- Review your requirements list and make changes if required. Please note: List items have been denoted by the school as a prerequisite for the year - all items are required.
- Proceed to checkout. Please note: For home deliveries only, if you have more than one student at the same school, please repeat the above steps.
Once completed, an order confirmation will be sent to your email address.
Please note: Any technology items you order may be sent separately.
Deadlines and delivery information
Home delivery:
- Free Delivery - for orders placed on or before 8 December 2023.
- $10.95 delivery - for orders placed after 8 December 2022.
Australia Post:
Orders are delivered via Australia Post’s eParcel service. As soon as your order is dispatched, an email will be sent to let you know the Australia Post tracking ID Number.
Your order can be tracked at www.auspost.com.au .
Note: PO Box addresses are not accepted by Australia Post.
If you have any questions during this process, you are welcome to contact Winc via the www.wincschools.com.au/helpcentre or the school on Megan.Hines@twb.catholic.edu.au .
Note also: For all year levels, specific student books and online subscriptions to learning software will be purchased by the school and invoiced in the Term 1 fees.
PURCHASING ITEMS ON BOOK LIST INDIVIDUALLY
Families have the option to purchase items on the book lists themselves from local or other suppliers, rather than by the online method above. The book lists of the items supplied by Winc for each of the year levels are downloadable on the school website at https://stjosephs.qld.edu.au/book-lists .
LABELLING AND COVERING BOOKS
All books should be named and covered when students start school.
We hope this system makes the purchase of booklists more convenient for all families.
If you have any queries please contact the school on Megan.Hines@twb.catholic.edu.au .
Yearbooks will be available for collection in Term 1 of 2024. A broadcast will be sent advising when the Yearbooks have arrived.
Primary Swimming Carnival
Well done to all the students who took part in the Primary Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 22nd November.
A huge thankyou to Ms Sarah Day, Staff and teachers, pool staff and the families who helped out and supported.
Congratulations to House Champions, Davadi who were awarded the Connolley Cup; Spirit Award winners, McAuley who were awarded the Community Service Trophy; and our age champions and runners up below. A special congratulations also to those students who broke records.
| 8 Year old Boy Champion | Oliver Tuvukica |
| 8 Year old Boy Runner Up | Jack Verri |
| 8 Year old Girl Champion | Natalia Lovelady |
| 8 Year old Girl Runner Up | Georgia Robertson |
| 9 Year old Boy Champion | Zackery Kerridge |
| 9 Year old Boy Runner Up | William Lister |
| 9 Year old Girl Champion | Anthea Sunderland |
| 9 Year old Girl Runner Up | Alanna Fox |
| 10 Year old Boy Champion | Jordan Pradella |
| 10 Year old Boy Runner Up | Patrick Moxham |
| 10 Year old Girl Champion | Emma Pradella |
| 10 Year old Girl Runner Up | Chloe Inch |
| 11 Year old Boy Champion | Billy Skuse |
| 11 Year old Boy Runner Up | Ned Robertson |
| 11 Year old Girl Champion | Ivy Hill |
| 11 Year old Girl Runner Up | Ella Morello |
| 12 Year old Boy Champion | Will Favaro |
| 12 Year old Boy Runner Up | Digby Hennessy |
| 12 Year old Girl Champion | Lana Inch |
| 12 Year old Girl Runner Up | Amelia Belson |
Records
| Name | Event | Time | Previous Record |
| Jordan Pradella | 10yrs Boys Backstroke (50m) | 42.18s | B Armbruster (2012) 45.18s |
| Emma Pradella | 10yrs Girls Butterfly (50m) | 39.63s | N Cobon (2002) 40.21s |
| 10yrs Girls Backstroke (50m) | 41.97s | J Pradella (2019) 43.15s | |
| 10yrs Girls Freestyle (50m) | 34.81 | J Pradella (2019) 35.16s | |
| 10yrs Girls Breastroke (50m) | 50.09 | N Cobon (2002) 50.37s |
| 2023 | |
| 30 November | Primary Break-Up Swim |
| Christmas Bingo Night | |
| 1 December | School finishes - 12pm |
| 2024 | |
| 22 January | Student Free Day |
| 23 January | Term 1 Commences - Years 1-7 & Year 12 |
| 24 January | Term 1 Commences - Prep & Years 8-11 |
| 26 January | Australia Day Holiday |
| 2 February | Stanthorpe Show Day |
