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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY & TEACHING & LEARNING
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- TEACHING & LEARNING
- WELCOME TO FR SALVADOR FERNANDES
- ANZAC DAY - LEST WE FORGET
- KOKODA CHALLENGE
- CONTEMPLATING 'AIR' - VISUAL ART EXHIBITION EXCURSION TO GOMA
- PREP OPEN DAYS
- TRIVIA NIGHT - HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR TABLE YET ?
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS

My thanks to all for a good start to the term. It was certainly a very busy first two weeks.
I am very proud of the students, staff and families for their participation in the ANZAC Day Service at school on Monday and the various community ANZAC Day activities on Tuesday. The school community supported the events very well.
Our thanks to Mayor Vic Pennisi for being our guest speaker at our ANZAC Day Service on Monday.
Similarly, I am pleased to see students taking up opportunities be involved in activities that broaden their horizons and test their skills beyond the physical environment of the school. Our debating teams have been performing so well in the Queensland Debating Union Toowoomba regional competition. Testing themselves against bigger schools across the region they have proven they can match the skills and talents of the peers. The Kokoda Challenge is another example. The teamwork, preparation and determination to complete the 48km trek, in order to fundraise for needy young people, was a real credit to the students, staff and parents involved. Well done all!
Service to the community is one of our Mercy Values. This was on display throughout the week.
I hope all students and families have a good term. Please do not hesitate to contact me or the relevant staff member if you have any queries or need any support.
God Bless
Term 1 Academic reports were distributed electronically to the Parent portal last week. Please ensure you have viewed these reports in the lead up to Parent Teacher consultations in Week 3 on Secondary. Information was emailed to parents recently in relation to booking Parent teacher consultations. If you need assistance in setting up your access to the new parent portal, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Hybrid Learning students again travelled to Toowoomba for face-to-face intensives with their teachers in Specialist Mathematics, Legal Studies and Modern History. This session was designed specifically for the hybrid environment students and allowed for them to focus on developing their understanding of the learning and upcoming assessment. These opportunities for the hybrid students to have standalone face to face sessions with their teachers is fundamental to supporting their learning, and the day was truly valuable.
In Years 6-8, elective rotations will finish at the end of Week 3. Students, in Week 4, will begin new electives as part of this year long rotation. Students will be working to finalise all summative assessment across the next week in preparation for these changes, and the first elective rotation will be fully reported on in the Semester 1 reporting period.
Call to be… Christ-Like
Called to live… Mercy
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY & TEACHING & LEARNING

Term 2 on the Primary Campus has commenced in earnest. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the term so far has been the opportunity to participate in the community commemorations for ANZAC Day. Thank you to all those students and families who turned out for the march and the service at Weeroona Park. Prior to this day, all classes had the opportunity to reflect on the meaning and the legacy of ANZAC Day and some classes decorated postcards which were then displayed in the foyer of the RSL. We are very pleased to be able to recognise the service and sacrifice of men and women who have fought, and continue to fight for our freedom.










This term we have a number of key events on the calendar. A favourite of the children is the annual visit of Healthy Harold who advises them on topics such as health and relationships. The Border District Eisteddfod is also a significant event for Term 2 and on 23 May, Prep - Year 5 students will be involved in choral recitations. We wish them all well. Sporting endeavours also play a big part of the term with more Granite Belt and Darling Downs' competitions taking place, as well as the inter-school sport program. Along with the focus on learning and developing skills for life-long learning, St Joseph's School is certainly a busy place to be.
A reminder to all parents that all students are expected to be in the correct uniform every day. Where this might not be possible, parents are asked to provide a note or email the class teacher. We are proud of our school and want those who are wearing the uniform to show this pride in the way in which they wear it. Please contact me if you have any concerns.
Finally, this term we have welcomed five new students into our school community. Brialee (Year 2), William (Year 3), Ivy (Year 4) and Scarlett and Candice (Year 5) have already settled in well and have established friendships within their cohorts.
With God's blessings,
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
In the Name of Service
Last term I attended a workshop facilitated by Brother Damien Price on the power and potential of service learning, and how this can be facilitated in the school setting.
“Service Learning is when, as part of its curriculum and culture, the members of a school community are invited to engage directly and indirectly in service experiences with the wider community. Through reflection upon their experience associated with the core values of the community, participants are challenged to evaluate or modify their worldview” (Brother Damian Price, Educators Guide to Service Learning, p. 4).
Service-Learning experiences must have the student at the centre of its focus, and, by walking with the students in their experiences, community values and attitudes are integrated into their life experiences impacting the way in which they view the world.
Service-Learning experiences can be both normative (smaller experiences woven into the culture and curriculum of the school) and heightened (those experiences that address specific values and concepts) with the effectiveness of the experience determined by quality reflection.
By linking our actions to the culture and values of our school, reflecting on these experiences and connecting these to the Jesus story, the Catholic story is strengthened and becomes the lived experience of each and every student of St. Joseph’s School.
With God's blessings,Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
Subject Discipline Literacy - Day 1 and 2
During the last two days of Term 1, a number of secondary teachers started the Subject Discipline Literacy training process with Anna Jones, Tracey Cullinan, Claudia Villari, Grace Coxon, Sandra Ellis and Phoebe Johannesen being the first teachers to get involved. The conversation across the two days focused on:
- what we are currently experiencing with secondary learners in regard to reading and writing.
- how the program can empower teachers at St Joseph's to then empower learners to be able to better comprehend and compose using the specific literacy demands of each subject area.
- how the training can be implemented in the classrooms of those teachers involved.
- the connections made to Visible Learning such as teachers having clarity around the curriculum, the role of explicit teaching of skills, how feedback and the setting of goals can move students' learning forward and the role of will and thrill as well as skill in the learning process. It was also clear that a consistent approach to language will be necessary moving forward so that our learners have clarity. This is something we have discussed as a staff many times in respect of our learning community.
- implementing well - and for sustainability - which means starting small and building on those initial successes.
- being able to measure the impact of this intervention so that what we do is evidence-based.
This term, planning has commenced around how the learning from those two days can be implemented in the classrooms. A further two days of training will occur later in the term, followed by a new group of teachers embarking on the training in Term 3.






WELCOME TO FR SALVADOR FERNANDES
Welcome to FR Salvador Fernandes who will be working in Stanthorpe, Lyra and Wallangarra until 18 June 2023, whilst Fr Gonzo is on annual leave.
Fr Salvador Fernandes is a member of the Missionary congregation of St Francis de Sales – MSFS alias FRANSALIANS, founded by the Servant of God, Fr Peter Mermier after the French Revolution, under the patronage of Mother of Sorrows and St Francis de Sales.
Fr Salvador hails from Goa in India and speaks Konkani, Hindi, English, French - "Bienvenue à apprendre le français avec moi.
Ordained a priest 1987, Fr has worked as a teacher and Principal for 21 years in India in the Fransalian schools and 3 years as chaplain in France-Switzerland in a school managed by the MSFS. He is currently working in the Diocese of Toowoomba and has been since November 2014. Fr Fernandes says "It is always enriching for me to meet new people in this parish supply ministry."
Fr Salvadore can be contacted can be contacted on 0428 304 318.
Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most recognised national occasions. On Monday 24th April, St Joseph’s School united in honour of our service personnel who have served the nation over many years and, in particular, to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The school gathered in the Bathersby Centre for a Prayer Service and an address by our special guest, Mayor Pennisi. Following the address, the staff, students and guests, moved to the School’s Services Memorial Garden for a wreath laying ceremony.
Our students also represented our school at Stanthorpe’s ANZAC Day services and the street parade on Tuesday April 25.
Students laid a wreath at the Weeroona Park Remembrance Wall to pay their respects.
Students also represented our school at the Dawn Service and parade in Tenterfield.
~ Lest we Forget ~
After months of training, 15 students, 3 staff members along with 2 parents, recently participated in the Kokoda Challenge, a 48 km hike through the Gold Coast hinterland. The event saw hundreds of school teams challenge themselves in the spirit of the ANZACs by traversing difficult inclines, through mud and at night, in just over 13 hours.
Central to this event is the Spirit of Kokoda, embodying courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. The values were integral to Australian soldiers who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during WWII and are still relevant today.
Students are to be commended on the funds they raised for the Kokoda Youth Foundation, an amazing effort and excellent opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zones and achieve their goals.
Mr Jacob Steele, Miss Anika Spiller and Mr Robert Duff led 3 teams of students throughout the 48km treck.
Congratulations and well done to the following students on their successful completion of the Kokda Challenge :
Luke Webb
David Nemeth
Patrick Brown
Ryan Whiticker
Nichols Jr Gallego
Samuel Ellis
Will Bonner
Elizabeth Searle
Claire Williamson
Brigid O'Dea
Jeassy Gallego
Bronte Duff
Taryn McCosker
Year 12 students, Kiara Osborne and Amelie Gesch attended as support crew along with Mrs Mary Roberts and parent, Mrs Martina Brown.
Well done to everyone involved !














CONTEMPLATING 'AIR' - VISUAL ART EXHIBITION EXCURSION TO GOMA
Year 10 Visual Art students visited GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) in Brisbane on Monday 18th April to view the flagship exhibition ‘Air’ showcasing a range of works differing in mediums and forms curated within 5 different ‘chapters’ relating to air – ‘Atmosphere’, ‘Shared’, ‘Burn’, ‘Invisible’ and ‘Change’. Works included installations, paintings, drawings, sculptures, large scale works, photography, time-based and light-based artworks, and one with living plants! Students were able to see how artists from different times, places and cultures respond to or use notions of ‘air’ as inspiration. It was great for them to experience these works in person. Check out the artworks yourself - Air – Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (qagoma.qld.gov.au)
About the exhibition - “Air is elusive, immaterial and invisible, animating our bodies and occupying the space beyond us. At this moment in time, we are more sensitive to the air we breathe than ever – alert to airborne threats and aware of our shared reliance on this vital element. The experience of COVID-19 has reinforced our interconnectedness as local and global communities, leading us – and many artists in ‘Air’ – to examine the world we live in and ask, ‘How can we better breather together?” (QAGOMA, www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/learn/education-resources/air/, 2023).













If you’re looking to enrol or know of someone looking to enrol their child in Prep for 2024, our Prep Open Days are a great opportunity for your family to experience our "Visible Learning School". This is where teachers see learning through the eyes of their students, helping them become their own teachers.
Bring your child to our PREP OPEN MORNINGS on Wednesday 20th & 27th July at St Joseph's School Stanthorpe.
~ Meet our Staff ~ Talk to Teachers ~Tour our School ~ Let them Play ~
TRIVIA NIGHT - HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR TABLE YET ?
The Annual St Joseph’s School Parents & Friends Association will be held on Saturday 20th May 2023.
The Trivia Night is a wonderful opportunity for our Stanthorpe community to come together, relax and enjoy a night out along with raising funds towards the continuing improvement of our school’s facilities and resources. We encourage our school families to get a team together, as we can guarantee it will be a fantastic night of fun & laughter !
Cross Country
The last day of Term 1, Friday 31st Marchl, saw the annual School Cross Country run and won for another year, with students and staff being presented with a beautiful day.
The track proved to be a tougher test for the students than previous years with rain having fallen in the days leading up to the Cross Country. Students worked extra hard in many sections, but still recording impressive times.
Davadi were again the big winners on the day, being crowned Primary, and overall Champion house. However McAuley took out the Secondary House Champion.
A big thankyou to the Stanthorpe Golf Club for allowing us the use of their great facilities.
Congratulations to all students !
9 Year old Boy Champion | Zackery Kerridge |
9 Year old Boy Runner Up | Oliver Fraguas |
9 Year old Girl Champion | Alannah Fox |
9 Year old Girl Runner Up | Greta Stibbard |
10 Year old Boy Champion | Patrick Moxham |
10 Year old Boy Runner Up | Patrick Preston |
10 Year old Girl Champion | Monique Barker |
10 Year old Girl Runner Up | Havana Torrisi |
11 Year old Boy Champion | Ned Robinson |
11 Year old Boy Runner Up | Billy Skuse |
11 Year old Girl Champion | Ella Morello |
11 Year old Girl Runner Up | Imogen Staley |
12 Year old Boy Champion | Will Favaro |
12 Year old Boy Runner Up | Aiden McCosker |
12 Year old Girl Champion | Georgia Petrie |
12 Year old Girl Runner Up | Hannah Petrie |
13 Year old Boy Champion | Kai Lang |
13 Year old Boy Runner Up | Thomas Telfer |
13 Year old Girl Champion | Margaret O'Dea |
13 Year old Girl Runner Up | Sophia Giammattei |
14 Year old Boy Champion | Jacob Priem |
14 Year old Boy Runner Up | Declan Campbell |
14 Year old Girl Champion | Chloe Searle |
14 Year old Girl Runner Up | Holly Hart |
15 Year old Boy Champion | Henry Searle |
15 Year old Boy Runner Up | Harry Wren |
15 Year old Girl Champion | Erin O'Dea |
15 Year old Girl Runner Up | Eliza Bonner |
16 Year old Boy Champion | Darcy Daddow |
16 Year old Boy Runner Up | Kodi Hart |
16 Year old Girl Champion | Katie-Lee Jansink |
16 Year old Girl Runner Up | Ashlin Searle |
Open Boys Champion | Ryan Whiticker |
Open Boys Runner Up | Will Bonner |
Open Girls Champion | Chelsea Debnam |
Open Girls Runner Up | Bridget O'Dea |
Cricket
Tuesday 18th April saw Hannah Petrie travel to Bundaberg to represent Darling Downs in the 10-12 Years Girls State Cricket Championships from 19-22 April.
The team played two 20/20 games a day which culminated in Darling Downs coming second in their pool. In their semi-final against Metropolitan North, DD batted first and posted quite a low total (10/71) but then gathered the strength and momentum to bowl Met North out for 40 runs.
They progressed to the grand final against Metropolitan West, and although DD put up a great first innings with the bat, Met West were too big and strong on the day.
Hannah’s team finished with the silver medal and she also achieved some great individual achievements and friendships to last a lifetime.
Congratulations Hannah !











27 April | Border District Cross Country |
28 April | Austism Awareness Day |
30 April | Three Saints Festival |
1 May | Labour Day Public Holiday |
2 May | 13-19 Yrs Darling Downs Sports Cluster Day 7 |
Parent Teacher Consultations - Secondary | |
3 May | QDU Debate - Toowoomba |
4 May | Skywalker Drone Challenge |
5 May | Granite Belt Cross Country |
6 May | Debutante Ball |
8 - 9 May | Darling Downs Football (10-12Yrs) |
8 - 11 May | Step into Stories |
12 May | Prep Mother's Day Pampering |
Do It For Dolly Day | |
14 May | Mother's Day |