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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SchoolTV
- YEAR 11 LEADERSHIP / PRAXIS DAY
- EARTH SCIENCE
- FOCUSING ON TIME WITH THE YEAR 3 STUDENTS
- BOOKFAIR IS COMING !
- DAVADI 1 - MORNING MENTOR
- THANKYOU LUNCHEON FOR SBA STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS
- CRISPS YOUTH ART PRIZE
- WALKATHON SUCCESS
- CRAZY SOCK DAY
- WEARING PURPLE, PINK and BLING FOR OUR BELOVED MISS SANTINA
- SCHOOL UNIFORMS for 2022
- HORIZONS
- NON-STATE SCHOOLS TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE SCHEME (NSSTAS)
- NSW 2022 SCHOOL TRAVEL APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS
This week was a very exciting week for St Joseph’s School. We were pleased to celebrate this year’s successes at the Awards Nights on Thursday night and congratulate our School Based Apprentices and Trainees and thank their employers and service providers at a special luncheon earlier in the week.
The Awards Night is a special occasion and my congratulations to all award recipients, and thanks to all the staff for the excellent work they do. A special congratulations to School Dux Cooper Wren and Proxime Accessit (Runner-up Dux) Taylah Whiticker. The award of Dux in any school is considered the most prestigious award a student can receive. My thanks also to all our guests and families who attended.
The Year 12's head into their External Exam Block next week. The students have worked very hard this year, and indeed over the last 12 ¾ years since they started Prep, in preparation for these exams. We wish them all the best for their exams and final weeks at school, and thank them for their leadership this year.
For the Year 11's it means they now take over as our Student Leaders. I am confident that they all, under the leadership of our 2022 School Captains Isabel Kay and Kira St-John, will do a fine job.
I am very proud of the students and staff at St Joseph’s School. Well done all.
God Bless
Welcome back to Term 4! It is important that all students engage in their learning and maximise the opportunities to consolidate and improve the knowledge, skills and capabilities that have developed across the year. In particular, I thank the staff, students and parents for the wonderful way we supported each other during the return to online learning@home for NSW students in Term 3. Whilst challenging, it is a credit to all parties that these students engaged so effectively in their learning during this time.
The Year 12 students have been immersed in preparations for the External Assessment block, which commences on 22 October across Queensland. Following a challenging eight-day Mock External Assessment block at the end of last term, coupled with the excellent Toowoomba Catholic Schools External Assessment Preparation program run across the September holidays, the students have been provided with extensive feedback in relation to their knowledge, skills and capabilities around the external examinations. The Year 12’s are working extremely hard in collaboration with their teachers to finalise preparations across the first three weeks of term and we wish them all the best as they head into their final exams.
I enjoyed celebrating the successes of our students at the Award’s Night. It is a wonderful way to recognise the exceptional achievements of our students across all aspects of the school environment. Congratulations to all those award recipients.
God bless
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
The start of Term 4 has been busy as you would expect with three significant events dominating the calendar. In Week 1 we were notified of the Crisp’s Art Show winners for 2021 and were delighted that Georgia Robinson, Ella Linstrom and Lana Inch had all received prizes. It is important for us to be part of this community event which seems to get bigger each year. In Week 2 we welcomed Uncle Bill and Aunty Judith who spent time with each class, introducing the children to indigenous culture through art, language, story and dance. It was an event which was well received by the children. Thank you to Mrs McLucas for organising this.
Students in Year 5 and Year 6 spent three days each at Camp Cooby in Week 2 and from the stories that they have returned with, much fun was had as well as a lot of learning. Whilst the weather was not really conducive to camping in tents and completing outdoor activities, the children still enjoyed themselves and benefitted from the experience. Some responses from both Year 5 and Year 6 students on their return included:
I learnt from myself that I am a very good problem solver but I need to be brave enough to get my idea out there. I also learnt that I am very organised because in my group's tent we organised our bags, where our shoes would go, where wet clothes would go and we had policies like no shoes in the bedrooms so the that tent would look tidy.
Luca - Year 6
This week at camp something I learnt about myself was to believe in myself and that if I do, I can do anything I put my mind to. I will find this very helpful when I am trying to convince myself to do something and I don't trust myself.
Lily - Year 6
What I learnt on school camp is to not take things for granted and to be patient and not rush things.
Frank - Year 6
I learnt that I'm better to stand back and think about the activities and what the others are, then once I thought about it I would try and step in and help but also not talk over others.
Liam - Year 6
I learnt that I can be more of a leader than I thought I could be, and I can express my team work with others more than at school. Another thing I learnt from camp was that I don't like sleeping in sleeping bags.
Charlie - Year 6
Something that I learnt as I was on camp was that stepping back and thinking deeper is better than diving right in and thinking shallow. When you step back you are not just thinking of one of the possible reasons but you are thinking all around every solution you have.
Abigail - Year 6
Year 6 students at Camp Cooby
All the jobs are important even if they are not exciting, we all have to do it and help and if the whole team doesn’t participate, we can’t get it done or we can, but it would be harder and slower.
Claire - Year 5
Sometimes the people who just sit back and listen without talking over the top of others are the ones who have the best ideas and understand what is happening and can do it.
Emily - Year 5
I learned that the quietter kids are the people that have the good ideas and probably know how to work out but they just stand back and let the other kids do it. Sometimes I do stand back and don’t join in and that sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t do it straight away.
Claire - Year 5
What I learnt from camp is that I need to talk more and share my ideas more and listen to my team and believe in myself.
Kobe - Year 5
I learnt to listen to my team better and talk to my team more and my ideas are valuable.
Oliver - Year 5
What I learned at camp was how to work as a team, I used to be quiet and not share my ideas, but Camp taught me to have a go at anything even when it is hard. Camp also taught me to not yell over the top of one another, because otherwise you will get nowhere with sharing other people’s ideas so you can achieve what you were aiming for.
Phoebe - Year 5
What I’ve learned at camp is that it is easy when you work as a team and communicate as a team and give everybody has a job to feel included.
Ted - Year 5
I learnt that I can do a lot of things that are out of my comfort zone and do things I never thought I could do.
Sasha - Year 5
Year 5 students at Camp Cooby
Thank you to Miss Thompson and Mr Fleming who accompanied their classes on camp and also to Miss Day who stayed for the whole week. Both groups were complimented on their behaviour and attitude whilst as camp, which is a credit to each student.
This week we held our annual Awards Night celebration where we acknowledged those students who have met the criteria for the numerous awards for which Primary students are eligible. Congratulations to all these students.
With God's blessings
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
Advent - A time for waiting
The sight of Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and lights in already in stores seems far too early. And yet already we are reminded of ensuring our Christmas gifts ordered online or posted to loved ones is taken care of, and the traditional photo with Santa booked online, masks in hand. With the busyness of Christmas preparations, it is important that we are mindful of the Advent season in preparing for the arrival of Jesus on Christmas day.
Advent, which this year commences on Sunday 28th November in the Church year is a time of waiting, and in Latin means an arrival. Over the next four Sundays, we prepare for the coming of the Son of God, waiting in hope and anticipation. It is a time where we can attend to those who have been impacted by the ongoing effects of coronavirus, who have been treated harshly or suffered greatly as a result of war, persecution or loneliness. It is a time of hope for all; hope for the opportunity to be with friends and family, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a community grounded by love and compassion, hope for the coming of Christ at all levels of our lives.
This year, may we all take the time to reflect on and prepare for a Christmas of hope.
As I embark on long service leave for the remainder of the year, I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and holy Christmas where hope sustains us on the journey. 
God's blessings,
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
Due to the pandemic, the world we now live in is a very different place. The hyperconnected nature of our current environment means that we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a result, many children and their parents are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to this digital landscape. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. It is therefore important for adult carers to check in with their children and be aware of what information they may have been exposed to. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it. Providing children with the skills and strategies to cope will enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically.
The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. This can be inherently stressful and overwhelming, not only for parents and carers, but children alike. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.
This Special Report suggests a number of strategies to help manage any feelings of overwhelm that you or your child may be experiencing. 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 seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://stjosephs.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm
Year 11 students conducted Leadership and Praxis training on Wednesday, 1st September and Thursday, 2nd September onsite at school and at the QCWT.
Students started off with lunch at Jamworks and then finished off the day with a session on models of service learning about God and theology. On Thursday, students attended the QCWT, where they were spoken to by Mr Kendall about his journey through leadership. Mr Brown finished the morning session talking about leadership styles and about driving the culture of St Joseph’s to all students and the community. Father Gonzo and Deacon Brian visited during the middle session to talk about scripture.
After a beautiful lunch at the Wine College, students finished the afternoon with Mrs Petrie and Mr Steele with some leadership activities focusing on communication and team building. A great experience for the future leaders of our school.
Year 10 Science students playing a game of “Taboo” with Earth Science terms.
For example, one person picks up a card and has to describe a term, such as “Geosphere” to their team without saying the list of words associated with the word. It proved to be really engaging and was a great way to hone in on key terms for the unit.
The Year 3 students have been busy completing a METS (Maths, English, Technology and Science) unit based on time.
Time was a focus in Maths, both telling and recording time. In Science, students investigated the rotation of Earth as it orbits around the sun. From this, students could see how shadows were formed and how they changed during the day. Night and day were explained using the rotation of Earth. This led into an investigation of sundials and other 'old fashioned' ways of telling the time.
The students were challenged to design a 'time telling/keeping device' and then write a procedure showing how to build it. The creations were presented to the class over the last couple of weeks.
A big part of this investigation was the children's acknowledgement of the dispositions that they had to use to be successful. A lot of persistence, collaboration, thinking, communication and resilience were shown in building their devices!
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here's what you can do to help children develop stronger skills and a love for reading:
- Set the example. Let children see you read.
- Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep up with changing tastes and reading skills.
- Support our school's Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read.
The theme of our Scholastic Book Fair is Reading Oasis, a cool place to read hot books.
It's a fun reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It's a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child's reading habits.
Book Fair dates: Monday November 8th - Friday November 12th
Shopping hours: 8am - 8.30am; 3pm - 3.30pm
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair ! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Davadi 1 enjoyed their time reading in the sun on Wednesday 1st September during Morning Mentor with the big man himself – Jesus!
Great start to Spring !
Year 12 students are getting ready to graduate, with only a number of weeks to go before they complete their Secondary education. For five St Joseph’s School students, they are also about to complete their school-based apprenticeship or traineeship!
To acknowledge and thank the host employers for providing our students with the opportunity to participate in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, an Employer Thank You Luncheon was held on Monday 18th October at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.
The host employers not only provided students with the opportunity to work as a paid employee and obtain a recognised qualification, but also supported the students through navigating ‘the world of work’.
The luncheon also recognised the Year 12 students who have worked diligently to complete their work hours and units of competency in order to obtain their qualification. Congratulations to all our students and thank you to the employers.
It is always exhilarating to see the creativity and skill of students’ work in the Crisps Youth Art Prize and is a great way to showcase the talents and imagination of our students.
Congratulations to all those who had artwork on display this year, especially to our prize winners who were recognized at the presentation night at the Art Gallery on Thursday 7th October.
| PRIMARY | |||
| Prep | 1st Place | Georgia Robinson | |
| Year 3 | 2nd Place | Ella Linstrom | |
| Year 4 |
2nd Place | Lana Inch |
| SECONDARY | |||
| Year 7 | 1st Place | Aryanna Davie | |
| 2nd Place | Lachlan Doyle | ||
| 3rd Place | Ryley Simcocks | ||
| Year 8 | 1st Place | Harley Kohler | |
| 2nd Place | Halley Duff | ||
| 3rd Place | Grace Roberts | ||
| Year 10 | 1st Place | Savannah Hollis | |
| 3rd Place | Mackenzie Schroder-Butler |
With the help of all staff members who helped out on the night, and whom in which worked endless hours behind the scenes, the Walkathon that was held on Friday 15th October, was an extremely successful night.
A big thankyou to Team Vinnies who ran the canteen with lollies and snacks, and much needed hot chocolates throughout the night.
Proceeds from the event were distributed between the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, along with the helping of a family fleeing Afghanistan.
Miss Santina, who is currently battling Brain Cancer, is a source of sunshine in all our lives. She always greeted everyone with a smile and nothing is an inconvenience. Miss Santina has lived her life with compassion, patience and kindness. She has experienced sadness, loss, along with trauma and joy, happiness and love but has kept her faith, the Love of Jesus at the centre of her heart through all of these times.
Miss Santina is a shining light in living our Learning Dispositions every day of her life and a wonderful role model for us all. This experience has opened our eyes to another form of cancer in which researchers are working hard to help find a cure and with your generous support we will be able to give them the funds to assist in this very important cause.
The funds of the event were also used to provide help and nurturing for a family from Afghanistan to help them with their journey over to Australia. With the help of these funds, they are able to have access to clothes, and items for their hygiene.
The night was long and was packed with activities to keep everyone on their toes throughout the entire night, but nevertheless, it was a night to remember, and was done in the spirit of good causes.
Brayden Spiller
Vice-Captain
On the 19th of October, students dressed up in their craziest socks in support of Catholic Missions Australia.
The student with the craziest socks for each grade and mentor class won a prize consisting of a pair of socks, lollie pops and a block of chocolate.
The winners for each grade and mentor class were:
- Charlee Barker - Prep
- Josiah Blaxland - Year 1
- Niamh Purcell - Year 2
- Ivy Hill - Year 3
- Liam O'Dea - Year 4
- Lily Tuvukica - Year 5
- Kael Einam - Year 6
- Charlie Chen - Davadi 1
- Jessica Pradella - Davadi 2
- Mayla Magnani - Davadi 3
- Luke Wren - Davadi 4
- Bella Auliff - McAuley 1
- Byron Avard - McAuley 2
- Layne Kirby - McAuley 3
- Taylah Organ - McAuley 4
All proceeds from the day will be going to vulnerable children and their mothers in Thailand where Catholic Mission Australia partner with the ‘Good Shepherd Sisters’ and their kindergarten in the heart of Bangkok. Monies will be used to purchase medical, nutritional, and educational needs.
Teresa Pozzebon
School Prefect
School Uniforms for 2022 can now be purchased and ordered at Gleesons Mercury Stanthorpe.
The latest edition of the Horizons magazine is now available and is available online here www.twb.catholic.org.au/horizons/
Horizons is an important method of communication and outreach to parishioners and the wider community. It features stories of events and projects from local parishes as well as information about ministry and services offered by Diocesan Agencies.
APPLICATIONS OPEN:
Applications for the Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme are NOW OPEN! The initiative provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. Visit schooltransport.com.au.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE:
The Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. To find out more about eligibility requirements visit schooltransport.com.au.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY:
To find out if you qualify for Students With Disability transport assistance under the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme visit schooltransport.com.au/check-your-eligibility/swd/
APPLICATIONS CLOSING:
Applications for the Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme will close on 31 October. To apply visit schooltransport.com.au.
More helpful information can be accessed on YouTube via the following link: https://youtu.be/ogWpq7tVaio.
Applications for this round will remain open until 31 October, 2021.
Futsal Success
On Monday 11th October, 5 boys and 2 girls represented St Joseph’s at their respective Darling Downs Futsal trials held in Toowoomba.
All players competed to an extremely high level, putting themselves in the frame for selection.
At the conclusion of the trials, Luke Webb was selected in the Darling Downs team to compete at the State Titles to be held in Brisbane between November 24-26.
We wish Luke all the best as he embarks on his training in preparation for the titles.
Run Club
The second instalment of the St Joseph’s Run Club was undertaken by sixteen strapping participants, ranging from roadrunner status down to a sloth with a limp. Katie-Lee Jansink blitzed the field arriving home first, followed by one of our school captains who set a commendable pace, Cooper Wren.
In third place we had one of our PE teachers, Mr Carmelo Citrigno – dressed immaculately in styled spandex for the occasion- snatch the final place on the podium, proving proof the age old saying – when it comes to spandex, everybody wins.
Last week provided beautiful conditions for a leisurely 3km strut around Quart Pot Creek.
Well done to all.
| 21 October | Awards Night |
| 22 October | Loud Shirt Day |
| 23 October | St Joseph's Parish Deb Ball |
| 25 October | Immunisations - Round 2 (Years 7 & 10) |
| 25 October - 5 November | Year 12 External Assessment Block |
| 1 November | All Saints Day |
| 2 November | All Souls Day |
| 3 November | Prep 2022 Parent Information Night |
