It seems as if winter if finally here and therefore that means we are close to the end of Term 2.

This week we have had two events in which our students have participated.  On Monday, Ms Day and Mr Creagh-Barry accompanied 24 students to a SEQ Football Championships at Highfields in Toowoomba.  Then on Tuesday, Mrs Stanford took five students to the Darling Downs Readers' Cup competition.  Both events provided an opportunity for our students to mix with those from larger schools which is something that we are always keen to do.  On Friday of this week, some of our children will also participate in a TCS Chess competition, again with other schools from our diocese.

This week has also seen the annual visit of Healthy Harold.  The messages from these sessions are important reminders to the students about how to:

• be safe, including when on line.
• build healthy relationships and emotional resilience.
• eat healthily.
• stay informed about things that can potentially harm us.

Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about the presentation they were part of this week so that they messages can be reinforced and contextualised to life outside school.

This time of the semester brings with it some added intensity as the children complete final assessment tasks to enable teachers to make summary judgements about their academic achievements.  The reports, which will be made available to families in the final week of the term, will have a slightly different format from the previous template.  However, they have been designed to give parents information as to the strengths of their child as a learner as well as areas for improvement in Semester 2.  It is important to realise that the Achievement Standard against which we report for each child is an end of year standard and so this is essentially an interim indication of achievement.  We will have Parent Teacher Consultations in Term 3 to allow for further discussions regarding how each child can continue to embrace all the opportunities presented to them. Parents are encouraged to attend these so that we can continue to work in partnership to support all the children.

As the weather has turned colder, the children have welcomed the opportunity to have hot chocolate once a week during the last two weeks.  I thank Mrs Blaxland and the Vinnies and Student Council members for organising this.   The P&F Hamburger Day was also successful and thanks to Mrs Vedelago and her many helpers for their work in providing this delicious lunch.

I have had the opportunity this week to talk with some parents about things which were worrying them about school life.  I would like to remind all parents that I welcome your phonecalls or emails if there is something that is causing you concern.  If I am not made aware of situations, then I cannot deal with them.  It is important that we work in partnership to support the children.  

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning

At St Joseph’s, we are incredibly proud of our Catholic identity, which forms the heart of everything we do. A cornerstone of this identity and a vital element in the spiritual growth of our students, is prayer.

You might wonder how prayer fits into the busy school day. We actively look to make prayer a personal and relevant experience for every child. We believe that prayer is not just about reciting words, it's about fostering a meaningful relationship with God, cultivating gratitude and building empathy.

While we appreciate the tradition of prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary, we also embrace creative and contemporary methods to help children connect with God in ways that resonate with them. This includes:

• Reflecting on scripture: Quietly pondering Bible passages to discover God's message for them.
• Praying with gratitude: Actively thanking God for daily blessings.
• Engaging with art and music: Using visual and auditory expressions to deepen prayer.
• Mindful moments: Practicing quiet reflection and stillness to connect with God's presence.
• Prayer for others: Learning the importance of praying for our community and the wider world.

We know that the most effective faith formation happens when home and school work hand-in-hand. Here are some practical ways you can speak to your children about their Catholic school experience and their participation in prayer:

1. Ask open-ended questions about prayer at school:

• "Did you learn a new prayer or a new way to pray at school?"
• "What did you pray about during assembly/class or mentor prayer?"

Connect school prayer to home life: Help your child see the relevance of prayer beyond the school gates.

• If they learned a prayer, say it together at home before meals or bedtime.
• If they mentioned praying for someone in need, find a way to offer kindness or support to that person as a family.

Address questions and curiosity: Children and teenagers are curious.

• If they express confusion or questions about prayer, listen patiently and respond honestly.
• It's okay not to have all the answers; explore them together by looking up resources, speaking with a teacher or our parish priest, Father Nathan.

Emphasise relationship over rules: Help your child understand that prayer is a conversation and a relationship with God, not a set of rules or obligations.

By having open conversations you significantly enhance the spiritual journey your child experiences at St Joseph’s. We are blessed to partner with you in raising compassionate young people.

With God's blessings,

Mary Roberts
Acting Assistant Principal: Mission & Identity

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.

In our last newsletter, we asked if you could guess which of our current staff members are proud St Joseph’s alumni—and what year they graduated. Now, we have the answers for you!

Top Left: Lara Beckett (Graduated 2020)
Top Right: Danielle Musumeci (Graduated 2020)
Bottom Left: Anika Spiller (Graduated 2018)
Bottom Right: Helena Humble (Graduated 2015)

These four staff members once walked the same halls as students and now help shape the next generation. Their stories are a wonderful reflection of the lasting connection so many have with our school.

In addition to these familiar faces, we now have a few more photos of past students who are also part of our current staff team. Can you guess who they are—and what year they graduated?

We’ll reveal the answers in our next edition, so stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the people who make St Joseph’s such a special place, past and present.

A Bit of 150-Year Trivia

Take a close look at the school badge on the tie in some of our older photos—notice anything different? Back then, the badge sat on a blue background, whereas today it appears on a green background.

We’re not quite sure when or why the change happened…
Can anyone shed some light on this piece of St Joseph’s history?

We’d love to hear from anyone who might remember the story behind the colour change!

Looking for a way to reduce your 2025 tax bill while supporting our school community? Donations of $2.00 or more to the School Building Fund are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. Every contribution helps us build a better future for our students.

How to Donate:

• BSB: 084-961
• Account Number: 65 309 7284
• Account Name: CRCDOT – DDF
• Bank: NAB
• Reference: 570S4.1 and your surname

Your donation will help fund exciting future projects, including:

• A new enclosed Primary Sports Stadium, upgraded fields, and play areas
• Refurbished Primary Toilets
• A Secondary Wellbeing and Sport Hub
• A new Industrial Design, Technologies & Automotive Centre
• Upgrades to Home Economics and Visual Arts facilities
• Additional Storage and Maintenance Sheds

Fee Reminders & Upcoming Payments

Thank you to families who have already paid Term 2 fees (due 22.05.25). If you haven’t yet, please arrange payment as soon as possible.

Upcoming Activity Payments:

• SD Chess Tournament – $20 – Due: 12.06.25
• Year 8/9 Camps – $425 – Due: 13.06.25
• Ski Trip – $330 – Due: 24.06.25
  • (Total to date: $330 + $590 + $330 = $1,250)
• Kokoda Challenge – $220 – Due: 30.06.25
• Year 5/6 Camp – $420 – Due: 31.07.25 & 04.08.25

If you require copies of invoices or statements please contact our Bursar either by email – Megan.Hines@twb.catholic.edu.au or phone 07 4681 590.

Payment Options:

• Direct Deposit:

  • BSB: 064-431 (Commonwealth, Stanthorpe)
  • Account Number: 1018-4376
  • Account Name: St Joseph’s School
  • Reference: Fee payer code, full name, and purpose (e.g., STA001 SMITH Fees)

• In Person: Cash or EFTPOS at the school office

• Phone: EFTPOS payments accepted over the phone

• Centrepay: Available for eligible families

To keep everyone safe, students and adults MUST WAIT until the crossing supervisor signals that it is safe to cross — this signal is given with a whistle.

Crossing supervisors are trained to manage traffic and protect pedestrians. Entering the crossing before they give the signal can be dangerous, even if the road looks clear.

Please remember:

• Stay behind the line until the supervisor gives the whistle.
• Walk calmly across — no running.
• Stay alert and follow instructions.

Let’s all do our part to keep our school zone safe and respectful. Safety starts with waiting for the signal!

Wednesday, 11 June was School Officer Day.  This day is celebrated annually on the second Wednesday in June and is our opportunity to celebrate the vital role support staff play in education.

We believe that our school and services officers are vital to enabling us to fulfil our purpose – to enable full and flourishing lives.

Whether they are on the front desk at our schools, working in classrooms, keeping our schools looking great or providing administrative support, they are all valued and important to us! We thank them for all that they do.

Thank you to all our wonderful school officers!

We’re excited to welcome Wendy Goodwin to St Joseph's School !

On Monday, 9 June, Wendy commenced her role as a School Officer – Classroom Support, working across both campuses. Wendy is a highly experienced and successful teacher, and we’re delighted to have her bringing her expertise to our classrooms.

Please join us in giving Wendy a warm welcome as she begins this new chapter with us!

We are proud to share that our Year 8 students have once again recently taken part in the Meals on Wheels program, continuing a valued tradition of community service. With enthusiasm and compassion, our students helped deliver nutritious meals to local residents, many of whom rely on this service for both food and friendly connection.

This experience not only supports those in need but also teaches our students the importance of empathy, responsibility, and active citizenship. It’s heartening to see our young people making a real difference in the lives of others.

A big thank you to all the students, staff, and Meals on Wheels volunteers who make this possible!

On Tuesday, 10 June 2025, students from across the Darling Downs region gathered at Highlands Christian College in Toowoomba to compete in the Readers Cup—a vibrant literary competition that celebrates teamwork, reading comprehension, and a shared love of books.

Running from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, the event brought together teams of up to five students from schools such as Toowoomba Grammar School, Fairholme College, Dalby Christian College, and many more. Each team had spent weeks preparing by reading a curated list of books, including:

• Silver Linings by Katrina Nannestad
• Running with Ivan by Suzanne Leal
• Losing the Plot by Annaleise Byrd
• The Kindness Project by Debora Abela
• The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead

The competition was not only a test of memory and understanding but also a celebration of literature, with guest author Katrina Nannestad attending to inspire and engage with the young readers.

Prizes, including book vouchers sponsored by The Book Tree, were awarded to the top-performing teams, making the day both intellectually rewarding and fun for all involved.

Our Prep students continue to enjoy a rich variety of learning experiences across all key areas.

In Literacy, they are building confidence through daily practice in phonics, writing, reading, and comprehension, with a strong focus on revising ‘tricky’ words to support reading fluency.

In Mathematics, students have been exploring time and sequencing through engaging, hands-on activities. Acting out the stages of a plant’s growth and using visual aids have helped deepen their understanding in fun and memorable ways.

In Religious Education, students have been learning about the Holy Spirit, which was also the focus of a recent Assembly prayer. They created symbolic headbands featuring flames and doves and reflected on the gifts of the Holy Spirit—courage, compassion, service, and respect—all while enjoying a lively rock song that brought the learning to life.

Our Science unit on Living Things is nearing completion. Students have investigated plant growth and animal features, including body coverings and feeding habits, through sensory-based exploration. This hands-on approach has sparked curiosity and laid a strong foundation for scientific thinking.

Each week also brings a new culinary highlight as a different student steps into the role of Chef of the Week. From gooey brownies to other delicious creations, these budding chefs continue to impress with their kitchen masterpieces—always a highlight of the week!

On Thursday, 5 June, our students showcased their creativity and confidence in the Mentor Class Talent Quest. Each mentor class was invited to perform, and the variety of acts was truly impressive — from musical performances and dramatic skits to dance routines, the energy and enthusiasm were contagious!

A special congratulations to McAuley 5, who once again took out the honours with a standout performance that wowed the audience and judges alike. Their teamwork, talent, and stage presence were second to none!

Well done to all students who participated — your courage and creativity made the event a memorable celebration of school spirit and talent.

A number of our students had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 2025 School Semi-Formal, proudly sponsored by the Blue Light Committee. The event was held on Saturday, 7th June at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre, and the venue was transformed into a dazzling scene straight out of the movies with the official theme: Hollywood.

Students arrived in style, dressed to impress, and enjoyed an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, music, and celebration. The night was a fantastic way to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of our senior students, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Blue Light Committee for their generous support in making this event possible.

It was truly a night to remember!

Our annual St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal is now underway, proudly led this year by our St Joey’s Vinnies group (formerly Mini Vinnies & Teen Vinnies).

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

We are currently seeking donations of:

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

Collection boxes are available in every primary classroom and secondary mentor group. Donations will be gathered and delivered regularly throughout the appeal.

The appeal runs until the end of Week 3, Term 3.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can bring warmth and hope to those doing it tough this winter.