Term 2 has commenced with a liturgy to mark the passing of Pope Francis, ANZAC Day and the annual Granite Belt Cross Country Trials.  That's a lot for the first three days of a term, which is the time of writing this article.

We felt very grateful to be a part of the community ANZAC Day march on Friday, recognising those service men and women who have fallen whilst serving their country.  At this event and also our school service, the reverence of the students was very clear and they were all a credit to the school and their parents.   This was the same as Mr Kendall led the liturgy for Pope Francis.

Parents and carers will know that Service is one of our Mercy values.  We feel that it is important that students understand the need to think of others before themselves and act in a way that supports the needs of others.  There are many examples around the campus of service being shown each day including the Breakfast Club and the organisation of the Sports Shed.  This week, we have elected three Yr 6 students to act as Student Council representatives for the whole campus.  The elected students are Matthew Stefanon, Riley Pfeiffer and Patrick Moxham.  A larger group of Yr 6 students have volunteered to assist with activities associated with the St Vincent de Paul society.  Such a commitment is commendable and we look forward to the work that these students will do for our school and the wider community.

From a learning perspective, there is much happening on the Primary Campus.  I thank the teachers and school officers for the work they do each day to support all the students in their learning as, without their guiding hands, many children would not experience the success that they do.  This term, we will be involving ourselves in a Readers' Cup competition, a chess competition, sporting events, the Border District Eisteddfod and the Crisps' Art Show to name just a few things.  Our focus on literacy continues, through the work carried out in the Literacy Block as well as across the curriculum.  In Maths, we are continuing to implement a new program called 'Learning through Doing' which promotes the need for active learning with manipulatives.  We are seeing some great engagement and learning from the students since we started this program at the start of Term 1.

It has been wonderful to welcome three new students to our school this term.  Lachlan and Oliver are brothers and are in Year 4 and Year 6 respectively.  Tristen is in Year 6 also.  All three of the boys have settled well into their environment and have been welcomed by the students in their cohorts.  It is never easy to enter a new environment but the students here are very welcoming, which is something that makes the transition easier.

Finally, a reminder that we will be hosting our Arts Festival in a couple of weeks and encourage parents and friends to join us for the concert on 13 May at 1:30pm in the Bathersby Centre.  We are so fortunate to have an excellent music program at our school and this is one way that we can showcase it. We are hoping to include a drama day later the year.

As always, we value the partnership that we build with families and encourage you to make contact with us if something is concerning you.  Of course, we always love to hear the positive stories as well!

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning

Ted then transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion on 14 March 1916 and left Egypt for the fighting on the Western Front.

Unfortunately, on 3 May 1916, while in a billet at Armentieres, France, Ted fell on a box and fractured his lower jaw. While recovering in England, it was recommended Ted should return to Australia for six months as he was deemed unfit for general service but fit for home service. Ted arrived back in Australia on 29 September 1916 and was admitted to the Base Hospital Brisbane.

After being declared fit to return to duty, he was discharged from the Army on 23 October 1916. However, he immediately signed up again and joined the 7th Reinforcements of the 4th Pioneer Battalion. His service number was now 3194.

Ted returned to England in January 1917 for training, and between July and September he transferred to the 52nd Battalion.

On 17 September 1917, Ted proceeded to Belgium, joining with the 4th Pioneers in the front line in the Ypres Salient. The 4th Pioneers were tasked with the risky job of laying communication cables and building and repairing roads.

In December 1917, the battalion moved near Peronne, on the Somme, where it provided working parties under the harshest winter conditions.

In the New Year of 1918, the battalion moved back north to Godezonne Farm, southwest of Ypres. Here the battalion stayed until late March when it was ordered to move to the support lines at Henencourt Wood near Albert, France on the Somme.

On 2 April 1918 a party of 90, including Ted (then probably an acting Lance Corporal) was tasked to proceed to the vicinity of Dernacourt and Buire to drive tunnels through the railway embankment for machine gun positions on the front-line system. When the enemy attack on 5 April 1918 these men reported to the 47th and 52nd Battalions and assisted the infantry to hold the line, all doing exceptionally good work. Half of them became casualties, including Ted.

Ted was reported missing on 7 April 1918. A court of inquiry held on 27 September 1918 determined Ted had been killed in action on 6 April 1918.

He was 39 years of age.

The statement below provides some detail surrounding his death.

Private William Nichols of the 4th Pioneer Battalion stated: “I was told … that L/Cpl. Ted Stewart. 4th AI – 1st Sect. was certainly killed, about April 5^th… while they were tunnelling through the railway cutting, on the right of Albert, the Germans came over. L/Cpl. Stewart went up the bank to fire at the enemy. He was shot through the head and killed instantaneously... Description: A Gallipoli man, very quiet, returned to Australia, and then came back again.”

Private Edmund Joseph Stewart is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery, France. Dernancourt is a village 3 kilometres south of Albert, 30 kms west of Amiens and not far from the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneu.

On the 150^th anniversary of St Joseph’s School we acknowledged Edmund Joseph Stewart’s sacrifice with a plaque on our school war memorial.

Lest We Forget.

We are excited to invite all parents, families, and friends to our upcoming Arts Festival, a special event that celebrates the learning experience through creative pedagogy and creative performing.

When: 13th May, 2-3pm
Where: Bathersby Centre

This unique festival is a reflection of our students' imagination, effort, and growth, showcasing their talents in a concert designed to inspire and delight. From expressive performances to innovative creations, the event highlights how creativity is woven into their educational journey.

Join us for an afternoon of artistry and celebration, as we recognize and applaud the incredible achievements of our students. Let’s come together to support and enjoy this showcase of creativity and learning.