Filter Content
- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SchoolTV
- PURPLE, PINK and BLING FOR SANTINA
- STAFF CHANGES FOR TERM 4
- AVIATION SUCCESS
- UNDER 8'S MORNING
- CRISPS ART EXPO
- Blue EDGE
- HYBRID LEARNING
- TERM 3 INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT
- NULLAWOKKA FIRST NATIONS TOUR
- VISIT FROM PAST PRINCIPAL
- INKTOBER - A MONTH FOR DAILY DRAWING
- RECYCLING - PLASTIC LIDS AND BREAD TAGS
- QUEENSLAND SCHOOL IMMUNISATION PROGRAM 2022
- SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR 2023 - REMINDER
- 2022 NON STATE SCHOOLS TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE SCHEME
- NIGHT TIME TEENS, WTF?!!(why the face?)
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS
Last week we farewelled our beloved Santina Leonardi. I am thankful to those staff, students and families who contributed to helping make Santina’s Pink, Purple and Bling Day a success and her funeral a great celebration of her life and a special time for her family and friends. God bless you Santina.
School Renewal and Improvement Review
During Term 3 the school underwent a four yearly School Renewal and Improvement Review (SRIP). This review was facilitated by the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and provides reliable, up-to-date and timely information to the community to inform strategic planning. It is one source of data available to the school community to monitor progress and set goals for the future.
This week Dr Patrick Coughlan, Executive Director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, provided me with a very successful report for the school and asked that I convey his “significant appreciation and congratulations to all in your school community.”
The conclusion from the report sums up its findings.
The review team thanks the St Joseph’s School community members for their open and honest participation in this review process. This assisted the review team significantly in completing the review.
The school is to be congratulated on conducting a thoughtful review of the findings and improvement strategies of the 2018 SRIP Report. The 2020-2023 Strategic Plan was then developed collaboratively informing strategic improvements throughout this time.
St Joseph’s School has become a Lighthouse School in Visible Learning, attracting visitors from schools both within the Toowoomba Diocese and from outside it. While the journey continues, there is much to be celebrated up to this point that has provided a foundation for the other elements of the school improvement strategies to improve student learning and achievement.
The 2018 SRIP review saw a bright future for St Joseph’s given the implementation of the report’s improvement strategies. There is no doubt that this vision is being realised and the review team sees every likelihood that continuing this systematic, thoughtful and collaborative strategic improvement cycle will ensure that the vision comes entirely to fruition.
The full report can be downloaded here :
As the report indicates, the school is making significant progress and is well placed for the education of your children into the future.
Thanks to all staff, students and families who are do so well to ensure the success of the school and student learning.
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.
The Year 12 students have been immersed in preparations for the External Assessment Block, which commences on 24 October across Queensland. Following a challenging 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 wish to extend my thanks to Jacob Steele and Grace Coxon who travelled away with me to the Ski Trip at Mt Perisher in Week 10 last term. It was an excellent trip and enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to attend. In particular, I thanked the Year 11 and 12 students who attended upon our return to Stanthorpe. Their behaviour and engagement across the week was exceptional and they were a credit to themselves, their families and their school in the way the conducted themselves across the week.
I am looking forward to celebrating the successes of our students at the upcoming 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
Last week in assembly I shared a version of this thought with the students:
With around 35 days of the school year left (at the time of publishing this article), and with many events planned for Term 4, it was a gentle reminder about how we can use our time wisely. Suggestions from the students included activities around learning and especially addressing concepts that haven't yet been mastered as well as behaviours towards other people which would make them feel happier and more included. Both types of responses highlighted the very special children we have at our school.
Looking at the calendar for this term, there are many events planned for the students:
- Maths Team Challenge (Year 5/6)
- Students in Maths Day(Year 5)
- Prep and Year 1 Fairy Tale Ball
- Semper Una (Year 6)
- Year 6 Trip
- Prep excursion to Blue Topaz
- Indigenous Workshops
- Awards Night
- Dance Fever (each Monday)
- Year 6 Transition Day
- Move Up Day (Prep - Year 5)
- Lecturette Competition
- Swimming Carnival
It is certainly going to be a busy term!
Thank you to all those students and parents who contributed to the Pink Purple Bling Day last week in honour of Miss Santina. It was wonderful to be able to recognise and remember such a special lady who was such a significant member of our community.
Congratulations to those students who attended the Primary Schools Netball Cup in Bundaberg during the recent school holidays and to the staff and parents who accompanied them. Mrs O'Dea was extremely proud of the team and the way they played throughout the two-day competition. We are also very proud of their achievements!
Whilst we are constantly collecting data of different forms and using it to inform our teaching, it is at this time of the school year that we start to collate data around the academic growth of students since the start of the year. Students from Year 1 - Year 6 will be completing both Maths and Reading tests in coming weeks and their results will be compared with those from the start of the year. It is not about comparing students with their peers but instead, looking for how much growth each of them has made. These assessments are only one measure of growth but they do give all of us an insight into how each student is travelling.
Next week, we will again celebrate success of various kinds at our annual Awards Night. Congratulations in advance to all those who will receive awards in the various categories.
With God's blessings
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary
A Time of Learning, Giving and Relating
Giving
On Tuesday the school celebrated Crazy Sock Day, and wow! We sure had some wacky, crazy and colourful socks on display. This annual celebration supports the work of Catholic Mission, and this year their focus country was Ethiopia where donations will support their work in agriculture, goat breeding and education. Our younger students participated in a Soccer Shootout, in an effort to kick some goals for good. Our seniors, despite their best efforts, were no match for the skill of the children in ‘socking’ a goal for Socktober. 
Learning
On Monday afternoon the teaching staff explored the new Relationships, Sexuality Education and Protective Behaviours program developed by Toowoomba Catholic Schools. Staff collaborated and discussed the opportunities this program presents in developing the whole person and the ways in which this may be implemented within our school in 2024.
Relating
This year the program “Pray for a Senior” was introduced. It involved parish and school families connecting with one of our Senior students and offering prayers and support for them throughout their final year of school. The program has exceeded my expectations as strong friendships have been forged, stories shared, and cards exchanged. Both the seniors and our parish participants have enjoyed the connections and opportunites to get to know each other. With our Year 12s about to enter external exams, they can know that they are being prayed for in a special way.
With God's blessings,
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
Santina Leonardi was a much-loved member of the St Joseph’s School community having spent 45 years of her life as student or staff member at the school.
Santina completed her Years 1 to 10 education at St Joseph’s School before attending SSHS for her senior years. She returned to St Joseph’s as a secretary/receptionist for the primary campus in 1987 and had been a member of staff until now (35 years). Santina fulfilled many roles in her years at St Joseph’s including PA to the Primary Campus Head and Assistant Principal. She also worked as a general aide for all classroom teachers preparing classroom resources and preparing resources for the Library.
We have been blessed to have her amongst us for so long and to share in her life journey. So many students, staff and families have benefited from Santina’s care and friendship over her time here. Santina will be dearly missed.
The school celebrated Santina’s life and legacy by having a Pink, Purple and Bling Day on Friday, 7th October. All students and staff were invited to wear pink, purple and bling – her favourites.
Santina’s funeral was held on Saturday 8 October at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Stanthorpe. It was a celebration of her beautiful life. Many students and staff attended, with the school choir singing at her funeral as well as providing a guard of honour.
Santina had a special quote that sat on her desk for many years. It sums up her philosophy on life very well.
“Life is about laughing and living
in good times and bad times,
getting through whatever comes our way and
looking back with a smile.”
Santina was a beautiful person, who, despite the many challenges she faced, lived life to the full with a smile on her face.
New Staff Members
Nathan Hurtz has been employed as a secondary teacher and commenced teaching at St Joseph's at the beginning of Term 4.
Nathan was previously teaching at Stanthorpe State High School. Nathan will cover Claire Bugden’s classes in Term 4 whilst she is on maternity leave. Nathan has diverse experience and a strong track record of fostering rapport and positive relationships that allow students to achieve to their highest potential. He has extensive experience as an Agricultural Science teacher and has experience teaching Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Industrial Technology and Design, Health and Physical Education.
Nathan has numerous academic qualifications including the following:
- Bachelor of Applied Science - Rural Technology with Honours (University of Queensland)
- Bachelor of Education – Secondary (University of Queensland)
- Certificate IV Training and Assessment
- Certificate I in Agrifood Operations
- Certificate II in Agriculture
- Certificate in NBB109 Welding and Thermal Cutting
Phoebe Johannesen has been employed as a secondary teacher to replace Lisa McPherson.
Phoebe previously lived in Canada and has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Education from University of Prince Edward Island, having previously completed a Bachelor of Science.
Phoebe is a passionate teacher who loves her Science (particularly Biology) and is qualified to teach Science, Maths and French. She is a committed Christian who has done good work mentoring and teaching a number of young Christian groups. Phoebe is an Australian citizen who grew up in Canada. She is returning to Australia to spend more time with her mother who lives in Toowoomba.
Congratulations to Year 12 student Bella A’Vard who has just been signed off with a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) this week.
Over the last year and a half, Bella has been studying the requirements to be able to become a remote pilot in the aviation industry.
On Tuesday, Bella passed 3 final exams and a practical flying test.
We wish Bella all the best in taking this qualification into her future jobs.
St Joseph's School is hosting the Under 8’s morning tomorrow, Friday 14th October from 9am - 11am.
Where: Primary Campus Oval
Cost: Free
The event is kindly sponsored by BUSHkids.
We are fortunate enough to have Bush Kids attending with their ‘Messy Play’ activities, which is part of - Qld Mental Health Week.
There will be emergency vehicles for the kids to explore, craft activites, pet rock decorating and much more for the kids to enjoy.
For parents/carers/educators, there will be a coffee van available for refreshments from 8:30am – 11:00am.
For any child that does not attend daycare tomorrow, they are still more than welcome to attend with their parents/carers. You will need to sign in on the ‘Sign in’ sheet near the oval before entering onto the oval.
We are so looking forward to you all coming along to enjoy this fun filled morning.
Hope to see you all there!
The Crisps Youth Art Prize helped to commemorate Stanthorpe’s 150th birthday with Stanthorpe as its theme this year.
Students from Prep to Year 8 had artworks entered, with 13 students across Yr 6, 7 and 8 awarded prizes for their clay work, dry point etching, monoprints and lino prints. The award winners were recognised at the exhibition opening Thursday, 15th September, in the new interim gallery location at the Civic Centre.
Congratualtions to the following students on being awarded prizes for their artworks.
| Year 6 | Jason Haynes |
| Damon Pompetti | |
| Ted Bonner | |
| Sasha Kendall | |
| Patrick Scudamore | |
| Year 7 | Patrick Roberts |
| Olivia Favaro | |
| Lottie Burke | |
| Frank Barker | |
| Year 8 | Dakota Brown |
| Ellis Lahey | |
| Charlie Chen | |
| Brooke Day |
Students at St Joseph's were again extremely fortunate this year to be able to participate in the Blue EDGE program.
The program ran for eight weeks, with two training sessions per week to build routine. Upon completion of the 8th week, students participated in a graduation day named ‘The Final EDGE’. During The Final EDGE, each student engaged in physical activities as an individual and as a team member, and celebrated their completion of the program.
Program outcomes include the development of personal relationships and building of rapport between Police, QBLAI Volunteers, participants and their families.
The intention of the program is to grow and develop the skills and attitudes young people need to take part in society, now and in the future. The interaction between young people, the Police and Blue Light is making a positive and sustainable difference in people’s lives.
In this way a number of students from St Joseph's are able to study Legal Studies by accessing the expertise of Our Lady of the Southern Cross College's (OLSCC) teacher, Mr Tyron Fraser. Likewise students at OLSCC are able to study Modern History by accessing the expertise of St Joseph’s School's teacher, Mrs Mary Roberts.
Students from both schools gathered with their teachers at TCSO’s Micah Centre to prepare for their final external examinations and to engage with their peers and teachers in a face to face environment.
Dr Cuskelly
Nullawokka First Nations Tours is based in Bollon, south-west Queensland. The company is owned and operated by Bill Speedy, a descendant of the local Gwamu/Kooma First Nations people. Nullawokka means "Black tracks".
Nullawokka Tours proudly and passionately promotes the culture of Australia’s First Nations people through art and education.
Past Principal Mr Bob Knight popped into St Joseph's yesterday Thursday 12th October for a visit.
Mr Knight was Principal here at St Joseph's from 2008-2010.
It was a very welcomed visit with Mr Knight taking the time to visit with many staff. He remembers his time here with many happy memories and was saddened to hear about the recent passing of Santina Leonardi.
Get your creative juices flowing each day with Inktober – for each day of October, use the prompt word to inspire a sketch.
Consider different ways to interpret the prompt word before you start drawing and keep things simple – give yourself a 5min limit, draw post-it size, use a plain black pen!
It would be great to see your drawings, so please take a snap and send it in to Miss Mason (Courtenay.Mason@twb.catholic.edu.au).
Happy Inking!
Alongside our Containers 4 Change recycling we do at school, we are going to start collecting the lids from containers to be recycled, as these don’t form part of the recycling scheme.
Lids will be taken to the Containers 4 Change depot where a local Stanthorpe lady sends these to a company in Brisbane where they get melted down into construction materials and splashbacks for kitchens and bathrooms. If you have plastic lids at home, these can be dropped into the depot when you do your own recycling, OR brought to school and put in the pink bread tags bin (in a paper bag please) where our Yr 6 Environment Club team will collect them for recycling.
A reminder as well to keep collecting plastic bread tags from your bread or produce items and bring them in to be recycled as well!
Ozcare has advised that the round 2 Immunisation Clinic for Year 7 HPV (2) and Year 10 Men ACWY for 14 October has been rescheduled to 21 October.
The clinic will be held at 9am at the school and vaccinations are conducted by a team of authorised Ozcare registered nurses.
If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Angie Sims on 46815 904 or Ozcare on 46397 888.
Don't forget your 2023 School Uniform orders are due by 15th October at GLEESONS MERCERY.
Learn how to manage and let go of your 11-22 year old!
This course covers:
- What is normal , what is not
- How to manage teens
- What not to do with your teen
- Improving your relationship with your teen
- Taking on a new role with your teen
- How to keep the communication channels open
- Helping your teen learn to manage their emotions
- How to help prevent behaviour problems in your teen
COST: FREE
WHEN: Two Mondays 7th November and 5th December 2022
TIME: 6 – 9pm
WHERE: Tenterfield - to be advised on booking
For more information ring FACILITATOR on 6738 7200
OR
to REGISTER contact Centacare NENW 1800 372 826
https://www.candacedbt.com/blog/9-things-teens-want-their-parents-to-know
Congratulations to our Primary netball team who competed in the Primary Schools Cup in Bundaberg on the 24th & 25th September.
| 11 - 14 October | Wellbeing Week |
| 12 - 14 October | Indigenous Days |
| 14 October | Under 8's Day - Messy Play |
| 15 October | 2002 Seniors Reunion Morning Tea |
| 17 October | SBA Employer Thank You Lunch |
| 20 October | Awards Night |
| 21 October | Yr 7 HPV & Yr 10 Men ACWY Immunisation Clinic |
| 24 - 28 October | Year 12 External Assessment Block |
| 28 October | Day for Daniel |
| World Teacher's Day | |
Connect sessions for Parents
The Department, with Dolly’s Dream and Alannah & Madeleine Foundation, invite Queensland schools’ staff and parents to attend information sessions to support the development of positive digital citizens.
There is no registration process for these sessions. The links are provided below to join the session on the day. We look forward to hosting the sessions in the coming weeks.
Please check the eSmart professional development and webinars page for future sessions.
- Parenting the Digital World | 45 minutes with Q&A
- Parenting in the Digital World provides insight into the online worlds of young people including the latest trends, risks, and research, and includes a strong focus on social media. It also offers advice parents can use to help manage a child’s life online.
- Click here to join on Wednesday 19 October 7pm AEST (QLD)
- Click here to join on Tuesday 15 November 7pm AEST (QLD)