As we reach the end of Term 3, it's hard to believe how quickly the weeks have passed. It feels like only yesterday we were welcoming students back from the mid-year break, and now we find ourselves reflecting on a term filled with learning, growth, and memorable moments. The pace of the term has been fast, but the energy and enthusiasm from our students and staff have made it a truly rewarding time.

This term has been rich with sporting achievements, and we congratulate all students who represented our school with pride and determination. From interschool competitions to representative opportunities across the Granite Belt and the Darling Downs, their efforts have been outstanding. 

A highlight for many was the author visit, which inspired our budding writers and brought stories to life in exciting ways. We also celebrated creativity through the CRISPS Art Show—congratulations to all who submitted artworks and to our talented winners!

Our Year 5 and Year 6 camps were a great success, offering students opportunities to build independence, teamwork, and lasting memories. Book Week was another joyful celebration, with the character parade bringing colour and imagination to our school grounds.

We were honoured to have some of our students participate in the Diocesan Mass and the launch of the Jubilee Year, a meaningful experience that connected us with the wider faith community.

As we look ahead to the coming weekend, we wish the very best of luck to our students competing in the Primary Schools' Netball Cup in Brisbane.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated staff for their care and support of students throughout the term. Their commitment to nurturing academic growth and personal development continues to make a lasting impact.

School resumes on Tuesday, 7 October, and we wish all families a safe, restful, and happy holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for an equally busy Term 4.

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning

As Term 3 draws to a close, we find ourselves three-quarters of the way through the school year - much like a marathon runner approaching the final stretch. Fittingly, Fr Nathan, has just completed a marathon, and his achievement offers a powerful metaphor for our journey as a school community.

Like any long-distance race, this term has demanded endurance, spirit, and teamwork. We've felt the tiredness set in, but we've also experienced the joy that comes from shared milestones. From Bishop Ken’s visit to the celebration of Confirmation and First Holy Communion, our faith life has been rich and deeply moving. The blessing of the 150-year celebration stone reminded us of our legacy and the strength of our foundations.

Throughout the term, the Vinnies team has been a vibrant force, bringing energy to school. Under the dynamic leadership of Mrs Gianna Blaxland, our School Chaplain, and Mrs Madi Cronin, their efforts have been amazing. Whether it has organising events like the trivia and movie nights, hot chocolates and snow cone machine or rallying support, they have been a powerhouse of mission in action, as have the entire Vinnies student team.

As we prepare to enter the final leg of the school year, may we draw strength from one another, just as marathon runners do from the crowd and their fellow runners. Let’s keep our eyes on the finish line, knowing that the journey itself is sacred, that we are running it together and in the watchful presence of our Lord.

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.

Gleesons Mercery are now taking orders for 2026 uniforms. Order forms can be found below. 

Please return the relevant completed order forms to Gleesons Mercery by 18 October 2025 to ensure your children's uniforms are ready for the start of 2026.

A reminder that the blazer is a compulsory uniform item for Years 10, 11 and 12 students.

For any assistance with sizing, please consult with the staff at Gleesons Mercery.

September 1 marked a special occasion for the Diocese of Toowoomba as we honoured the Feast of Mary of the Southern Cross, our Diocesan patron. This date carried deep significance—it commemorates the moment Bishop James Byrne, the first Bishop of the Diocese, took possession of St Patrick’s Cathedral. It also closely aligns with the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and coincides with the beginning of spring in Australia.

The title Mary of the Southern Cross reflects the belief in God’s watchful presence over our nation, inspired by the Southern Cross constellation that graces our skies.

Students from Years 5 to 11 proudly represented our school at the Diocesan Feast Day Mass held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Toowoomba. The celebration also included the official launch of the Jubilee Year 2025—Pilgrims of Hope—a Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Francis. The Jubilee invited Catholics around the world to engage in prayer, pilgrimage, and spiritual renewal.

The Jubilee Year began with the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024 and will continue through to 2026. It offers a message of hope and unity in response to global challenges such as conflict, the pandemic, and climate change.

We are proud of our students for their participation in this meaningful event and for representing our school with reverence and joy.

Our Year 11 students recently returned from an inspiring and action-packed Leadership Camp held from 27 to 29 August. Over the three days, students embraced the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, build stronger connections with their peers, and grow as emerging leaders within our school community.

From team-building challenges and outdoor adventures to reflective workshops and leadership sessions, the camp provided a perfect balance of fun, learning, and personal development. It was wonderful to see students encouraging one another, taking initiative, and demonstrating the values of respect, resilience, and responsibility.

We’re incredibly proud of the way our Year 11s represented themselves and our school. Their energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to engage fully in the experience made the camp a memorable success.

We look forward to seeing them step confidently into their roles as our 2026 School Leaders.

Our recent ski trip to Mt Perisher was an unforgettable experience for students and staff alike. Blessed with some of the best snow conditions seen in years, everyone made the most of their time on the slopes and enjoyed the opportunity to connect and grow together.

A huge thank you to Mr Jacob Steele for organising the tour, and to staff members Mr Matthew Brown, Ms Anna Jones, Mr Nathan Hurtz and Ms Anika Spiller for their care and supervision throughout the week. We also extend our gratitude to Dale, Jared and Chloe from Crisps Coaches for their outstanding support and for helping make the trip so memorable.

While the trip is a highlight for many, it’s important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff who ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. Their efforts are deeply appreciated.

As part of their Religious Education Praxis Program, our Senior students have been visiting Carramar, Churches of Christ Seniors Living, to engage in meaningful community service and connection.

The first visit took place on 22 August, followed by a second visit on Friday 12 September. During both afternoons, students spent time with residents, sharing conversation, laughter, and entertainment that brought joy to all involved. The atmosphere was heartwarming, with smiles lighting up the room and genuine connections being made.

One final visit is scheduled for 17 October, and we look forward to continuing this beautiful initiative.

We’re incredibly proud of our students for their compassion and commitment to making a positive impact in the Carramar community!

On Friday 22 August, our Senior students came together for a fantastic evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition at our annual Trivia Night. With nine creative and competitive teams made up of Year 10, 11, and 12 students, the night was full of energy and excitement!

Congratulations to our winners:

• 1st Place: Undercover Cops
• 2nd Place: The Spice Girls
• 3rd Place: The Nightmares

Special Awards:

• Best Dressed: Quizzard of Oz
• Wooden Spoon: The Cricket Quizzers

It was a night to remember, filled with great vibes, clever answers, and lots of laughs. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event such a success!

We are delighted to congratulate the following students for their thoughtful and creative submissions to the National Australian History Competition:

Savannah Brady
Charlotte Pompetti
Jenny-Lea Ridley
Patrick Roberts
William Roberts
Chloe Searle
Lily Simpson
Kayleb Spiller
Indi Harding
Maggie O'Dea
Lucas Ho
Jeremy Lister

Your dedication to exploring Australia's past and your enthusiasm for historical inquiry are truly inspiring. Well done to each of you for representing our school with pride and curiosity!

Our Prep students celebrated Father’s Day in the most heartwarming way—by showering their dads, grandfathers, and special father figures with love, laughter, and creativity during a special afternoon in the classroom.

The children proudly crafted colourful crowns fit for kings, which their guests wore with delight. They also drew charming portraits, capturing every smile, beard, and hairstyle with artistic flair. The fun continued with games that had everyone laughing and bonding, creating beautiful memories together.

It was a joyful celebration of the important role these men play in our students’ lives, and a wonderful opportunity for our Preps to say “thank you” in their own special way.

Thank you to all who joined us—it was a truly memorable afternoon!

The first Inter-House Debating competition kicked off on Monday 8 September with some excellent arguments from our Years 7-9 debaters in the short preparation format debates. 

Experienced and new debaters exhibited strong teamwork and communication skills. 

In Debate 1, Davadi came away with a narrow win against a strong and determined McAuley team, and in Debate 2, Davadi were also victorious, giving them a 2-0 lead early in the competition, which continues later in the week with our senior debaters. 

Davadi secured the win in Debate 2 of the Inter House Debating competition, with Year 9 students, Patrick Scudamore and Kayleb Spiller stepping in to support the team. 

With both debating rounds won by Davadi, there will be no playoff—Davadi officially takes out the title of the Interhouse Debating Champion for this year!

Our senior student adjudicators were outstanding in providing valuable feedback and insight. It's great to see Debating thrive at St Joey's!

On Wednesday 10 September, our School Chaplain, Mrs Gianna Blaxland along with Mrs Mary Roberts, proudly represented St Joseph’s at the Granite Belt Chaplaincy Gala Dinner held at the Stanthorpe International Club.

Mrs Blaxland spoke about the vital role chaplains play in supporting students, families, and the wider community. The evening was a heartwarming celebration of the dedicated chaplains serving across the Granite Belt, with strong support from the combined churches of Stanthorpe.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our amazing chaplains for the incredible work you do in building a healthy, happy local community!

On Friday, September 12, students from Prep, Year 1, and Year 2 were buzzing with excitement as they welcomed a visit from our local fire brigade—and their big red fire truck!

The children were thrilled to explore the truck, hear the siren, and learn all about the important work firefighters do to keep our community safe. One of the most exciting moments was when students had the chance to have a go at using the fire hose! With help from the firefighters, they aimed the hose and watched the water spray out across the grass—an unforgettable experience that brought squeals of joy and plenty of laughter.

The visit was a wonderful mix of fun and learning, with students asking curious questions and gaining valuable fire safety tips in a hands-on way.

A huge thank you to our local fire crew for making the day so special. You truly ignited a spark of inspiration in our young learners!

Students in Year 1 and 2 have been making the most of the recent sunny weather by taking their reading outdoors.

Partner reading sessions have given them a chance to enjoy the fresh air while sharing stories with a friend. It’s been a lovely way to celebrate the progress they’ve made in their reading and to build confidence in a relaxed and supportive setting.

On Thursday 11 September, students and staff across the school came together in a sea of yellow to mark R U OK? Day, a national day of action dedicated to reminding us all to check in with those around us.

The bright colours worn throughout the day were a powerful visual reminder of the importance of asking a simple but meaningful question: “Are you OK?” Whether it’s a friend, classmate, colleague or family member, taking the time to ask and listen can make a real difference in someone’s life.

Throughout the day, conversations were encouraged in classrooms and staffrooms, helping to build a culture of care, connection and support. It was heartening to see our school community embrace the message with such warmth and positivity.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped spread awareness. Let’s continue to look out for one another—not just today, but every day.

Mark your calendars! Our next Book Fair will be held from 
Monday 3 November to Friday 7 November.

Open daily:
Morning: 8:00am – 8:30am
Afternoon: 3:00pm – 3:30pm

Stay tuned for more details — we look forward to seeing you there!