Term 3 Week 4, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Feast of the Assumption
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary. Come and celebrate the Assumption of Mary, a significant feast day which reminds us of Mary’s special place in God’s plan and her example of faith and trust.
Mass will begin at 9.00am in Mercy Hall and conclude at 9.45am. All are welcome.
Fathers Day Celebration
Please join us as we celebrate Father’s Day with a liturgy, and performance at 2:30pm in Mercy Hall on Friday, 5 September.
Right Relationships
At our school, we are committed to fostering a community built on respectful relationships. This means treating everyone with kindness, being inclusive, and understanding that healthy friendships are about including others, not excluding them. We wish to be clear that the concepts of "girlfriends" and "boyfriends" are not part of our school environment. Our focus is on building age-appropriate, positive friendships with all peers.
Thank You for Your Generosity
Many in our school community are very generous through donating their time, fruit for fruit break, and so on. Your support helps make a real difference in the lives of those in need within our school community.
We are grateful for your kindness and continued commitment to living out the values of compassion and service.
Book Week
We will celebrate Children's Book Week 2025 during the final week of this term. The theme is "Book an Adventure". The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is celebrating its 80th anniversary of Book Week this year. The official artwork for the event was created by Jess McGeachin.
Congratulations Charlotte
The Long Way Home is a writing competition for people in the Clarence Valley. The judges have chosen their list of stories to be published this year.
We are delighted to let you know the judges have picked a story written by one of our students to be published in Stories from the Clarence Valley 2025 – Heart of Gold later this year.
The story is by Charlotte Parry-Jones!!!!
Charlotte's story is titled - When I Was Younger
From the organisers - "We mined the Clarence for a heart of gold, searching for stories. These excellent writers will be published in Stories From the Clarence Valley 2025 – Heart of Gold. We’ll announce the winners at the book launch on 9th December at Grafton Regional Gallery. The Long Way Home’s job is to unearth new writers. This year we’ve uncovered the beating, gleaming heart of the Clarence. Thankyou everyone for sending us your stories!"
Colour Fun Run
This is an annual fundraiser. Unfortunately it will need to be postponed from this term to next term. Our oval continues to be under great stress due to the wet weather.
Teaching and Learning
Mathematics Focus in the Classroom
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving student outcomes in numeracy, our whole-school focus this year began with ‘counting,’ following analysis that this domain required targeted, explicit instruction. We are pleased to share that after reviewing the Middle of Year (MOY) assessment data during last week’s staff meeting, there has been a 33% decrease in vulnerability—meaning we are now well and truly meeting the Diocesan Lismore Catholic Schools (DLCS) target. Building on this success, our focus has now shifted to ‘place value.’
A new whole-school target has been set, and teachers have created specific group targets aligned to this, ensuring a consistent and strategic approach across all year levels. While our schoolwide focus has moved to place value, teachers continue to provide targeted instruction in ‘counting’ for those students who require further support to ensure continued growth in this area. Staff have also engaged in professional learning to refine their groupings and strengthen their pedagogical practice, enabling them to deliver precise and effective instruction tailored to students’ needs. We look forward to reviewing student growth and achievement in these focus areas early in Term 4.
Spotlight On… Stage 2!
We're thrilled to continue sharing our Spotlight On… series — a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible learning taking place in our Writing classrooms. Now in its third round, this initiative gives you a meaningful window into Stage 2’s learning experience and the powerful teaching strategies happening across our school.
Every term, we shine a light on a different stage of learning, offering a closer look at how students engage with writing through purposeful teaching and reflection. Here's a reminder of what each Spotlight On feature includes:
🎯 Learning Intention
Each learning cycle begins with a clear, shared goal that guides students’ focus. Understanding what they’re learning — and why — builds strong foundations for deeper engagement.
✅ Success Criteria
Developed together with students, these criteria outline what success looks like. This shared ownership encourages reflection, goal-setting, and greater clarity in the learning process.
📌 Anchor Charts
Created during lessons, these visual tools break down each element of the Success Criteria. They stay on display in classrooms and become valuable resources students can return to.
⬆️ Bump It Up Wall
This wall features a range of student work samples that illustrate progress and high-quality outcomes. It’s a powerful tool for self-assessment and setting aspirational goals.
🎥 Student Voice – The 5 Questions
In each edition, a short video will feature students talking about their own work using The 5 Questions. They’ll refer to the classroom's “Third Teacher” — including the Learning Intention, Success Criteria, Anchor Charts, and Bump It Up Wall — showing not just what they’ve created, but how they understand their growth.
We look forward to continuing to share these insights with you — stay tuned for our next Spotlight On Stage 3!
Mr Green's Writing Group:
The Learning Intention and Success Criteria:
Anchor Charts:
Bump It up Examples:
Mrs Pursey's Group
The Learning Intention and Success Criteria:
Anchor Charts:
Bump It Up Examples:
Good Great
5 Questions about our Learning:
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
At school, we use Dr. Lyn Sharratt’s “5 Questions” to help students become independent and reflective learners who can talk about their progress and next steps. These questions are part of the Assessment Waterfall Chart—a tool that supports purposeful reflection for both teachers and students. You can also use these questions at home to support your child’s learning, particularly in relation to the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria outlined for their group. Here are the 5 questions and the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria to help guide your conversations:
Learning intentions: Writing
Learning Intentions: Mathematics
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Celebrating our Stage 3 Superstars!
Stage 3 have had an absolutely amazing start to Term 3, diving into some really interesting projects and showing off their many talents!
In English, we've been researching local community places that are facing challenges and threats. They'll use this research to create their own unique multimodal texts. These types of texts are a mix of genres; informative, imaginative, and persuasive texts. These texts will inform, entertain and persuade their audience to take care of their chosen place. A fantastic way for them to make a real difference in our community!
This term, we're also diving into an English unit where students will be reading The Little Wave by Pip Harry. We'll be chatting about how things like our background, experiences, and culture can shape the way we see the world – and how that shows up in stories. Students will be getting creative, writing their own poems and persuasive pieces inspired by the book. They'll also use digital tools to publish their work and share it with their classmates through presentations. It’s going to be a great mix of reading, writing, and expressing ideas in fun and meaningful ways!
Our classrooms have also been buzzing with creative art as students have created beautiful watercolour paintings of St Mary MacKillop. While painting, they've been learning about her inspiring life and her powerful quote from 1885: "See the protecting… hand of God in all that is happening." This has been a wonderful opportunity for them to think about faith, strength and hope, even when things are tough. We have also been learning the building blocks of music like beat and rhythm through fun activities. A highlight is exploring "Music of the World," discovering diverse traditions and instruments from across the globe. We will be working towards performing, composing, and expanding our musical horizons!
We also took part in the Newcastle Permanent Bank Mathematics Competition. Students tackled tricky problems and did a fantastic job, proving how great they are at solving puzzles.
Year 6 Leaders Driving Positive Change at St Joseph’s
We are incredibly proud of our Stage 3 Student Leaders, who have been working hard to make a positive impact within our school community. With creativity, commitment and a true sense of service, these students have taken initiative and shown what authentic leadership looks like in action.
From organising cake stalls and a fun lolly jar guessing competition, to running lunch-time dance classes and planning games for our younger students, their energy and enthusiasm have been contagious! They’ve also organised and led class meetings to brainstorm and implement new ideas, and have raised funds for a range of important charities—demonstrating not only initiative but also compassion and social responsibility.
Their efforts are a shining example of teamwork, creativity, and care for others. We’re excited to see what inspiring ideas they come up with next. Stay tuned—there’s more to come from this amazing group of leaders!
We are incredibly proud of everything our Stage 3 students have achieved so far this term. Their hard work and creativity truly shine through in every subject!
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Diocesan Athletics Carnival
The Diocesan Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday, 26 August at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium. We wish Kendall, Aaliyah, Henri and Noah all the best.
Touch Gala Day
Touch Australia is holding a Touch Gala Day at Rushforth Park on Wednesday, 27 August. Mixed teams from both Stage 2 and Stage 3 will be attending. Please keep an eye out on Compass for the event.
Soccer Knockout
The Clarence Zone Soccer Knockout Gala Day will be held on Wednesday, 3 September in Yamba. Both girls and boys from Stage 3 will be able to nominate for the 2 teams.
Basketball Gala Day
PCYC will be holding a Basketball Gala Day on Friday, 12 September. A big thank you to Mr Cooper for getting the Stage 2 and Stage 3 students involved and excited for the day.
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,
NAIDOC Week at St Joesph's was absolutely fantastic!
Last week, on Thursday, I invited various Aboriginal elders and community members to visit our classes and talk about their lives. They spoke about where they were born, their childhoods, famililies, what school they went to, sports they played, employment and what it was like growing up as an Aboriginal person. The response of their visit to the classrooms and talking to the students was over whelming. The visitors had a wonderful time and told me the children were well behaved, kind and respectful. Well done!
After our NAIDOC Assembly our Aboriginal students, along with Michael Woods and myself performed our Aboriginal dances for everyone. The Aboriginal students had been practicing every week in lead up to the NAIDOC Assembly and their performance was outstanding. Well done kids! After the assembly we had a whole school sausage bbq with a popper.
Friday, was art day. All stages watched the dreamtime story Kookoo Kookaburra. This story is about how Kooko is a kind and funny kookaburra. He is famous throughout the bush for telling funny stories. One day, Kookoo forgets to be kind and he tells stories that make fun of the other animals. All of his friends end up not listening to him any more and they don't even hang around him, because he is making up stories about them. So his uncle Googaguga tells him.........Kindness is like a boomerang - if you throw it often, it comes back often. Kookoo finally understood what his uncle was talking about and never told hurtful stories about his friends again. His friends returned his kindness by listening to his funny stories again.
The students then drew an image about the story onto an art board using paint brush pens, graphic art pens or water colour pens. The pictures were beautiful and I do believe we have some wonderful artists at St Joseph's.
https://youtu.be/FrKGsnPVRww?si=coAmvPedjA3A0JmM (Kookoo Kookaburra)
What a fantastic, fun filled NAIDOC week we had! I would like to thank all of my fellow staff members for allowing me come into your classrooms and share my culture with everyone. Thankyou!
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus - Aboriginal Education Worker
School Notes
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
Please be advised our School Office is open between 8.20am and 3.20pm daily.
UNIFORMS
The school uniform is available to purchase through the Compass app.
Orders will be sent home with your child, please advise the Office you would prefer to collect it.
Uniform collection times are Tuesday and Thursday between 8.30am - 8.45am & 2.30pm - 3.00pm.
MEDICATION
If your child is currently taking medication at school, parents are now required to complete the Medication permission form available through the Compass app.
If you have previously provided a paper copy, you will need to complete the online form to meet the new 2025 requirements.
ABSENCES
Only full day absences are to be entered into Compass, for partial absences - arriving late or leaving early please phone the School Office to notify.
Late arrivals - Parents are reminded to accompany your child to the Office to provide the reason for your child's late arrival.
Change to afternoon travel arrangements may be emailed to the school if before 12.00pm sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au
After 12.00pm please phone the School Office on 6642 2899 with any changes.
Please notify the School Office if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, Principal approval may be required.
SCHOOL FEES
BPay is the preferred payment method for school fees.
Scheduled payments can be set up using BPay. The Biller Code and your personal reference number can be found on your Fee Statement.
Paying through BPay ensures that your payment goes directly to your account. Any enquireies please contact the School Office.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Our School Photo Day is Monday, 25 August.
This is also an Intensive Swimmming day for students in Years K to 4. If your child usually wears their swimmers under their uniform, we kindly ask that they change at school on this day, if their swimmers would be visible in their School Photo please.
Steps to follow when ordering:
Enter your order code - make sure if you copy paste it to delete extra spaces if any.
Select your pack: Follow the prompts to choose your desired pack(s).
At the end of the pack selection process, you will have the option to:
additional items (magnets, mugs, key-rings) & sibling photos. Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.
Uniforms
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
ES1: Johnny, Evelyn, Sophie, Claire
Stage 1: Teddy, Hayden, Leia, Darcy
Stage 2: Mason, Patrick, Roman, Skyla
Stage 3: Owen, James, Grace
School Calendar
TERM 3 2025
Week 4
Friday, 14 August - Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, Mass in Mercy Hall at 9.00am
Friday, 14 August - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 5
Monday, 18 August - Intensive Swimming (Kindergarten, Year 1, 2, 3,4)
Saturday, 23 August & Sunday, 24 August - Sacrament of Holy Communion Commitment Masses
Week 6
Monday, 25 August - School Photo Day
Monday, 25 August - Intensive Swimming (Kindergarten, Year 1, 2, 3,4)
Tuesday, 26 August - Diocesan Athletics Carnival at the Coffs Harbour International Stadium
Tuesday, 26 August - Parent Group Meeting 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Wednesday, 27 August - Year 4 - 6 Touch Gala Day, Rushforth Park
Friday, 28 August - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 7
Monday, 1 September - School Photo catch up day
Monday, 1 September - Intensive Swimming (Kindergarten, Year 1, 2, 3,4)
Wednesday, 3 September - Clarence Zone Soccer Knockout Gala Day in Yamba, Stage 3
Friday, 5 September - Father's Day liturgy & Celebration, Mercy Hall at 2.30pm
Week 8
Wednesday, 10 September - Book Club due today
Thursday, 11 September - Public Speaking School Finals Years 3, 4, 5 & 6
Friday, 12 September - PCYC Basketball Gala Day, Stage 2 & 3
Friday, 12 September - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Saturday, 13 September & Sunday, 14 September - Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Week 9
Monday, 15 September to Wednesday, 17 September - Stage 3 Camp, Coffs Coast Adventure Centre
Thursday, 18 September - Term 3 Celebration, Disco and Family BBQ in the evening (Further details to be provided)
Week 10
Thursday, 25 September - Last day of Term 3 for students
Friday, 26 September - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
TERM 4 2025
Week 1
Monday, 13 October - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
Tuesday, 14 October - Students return for Term 4
Week 2
Friday, 24 October - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 3
Thursday, 30 October - Jacaranda Thursday, School Closed
Week 4
Friday, 7 November - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 5
Tuesday, 11 November - Remembrance Day
Week 6
Tuesday, 18 November - Parent Group Meeting 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Friday, 21 November - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 7
Week 8
Wednesday, 3 December - Parish School End of Year Gathering, McAuley Catholic College 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 5 December - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 9
Tuesday, 9 December - Year 6 Graduation 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Thursday, 11 December - End of Year Awards Evening 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Week 10
Tuesday, 16 December - Last Day of School for Students
Wednesday, 17 December - Staff Spirituality Day (Pupil Free day)
Canteen
Canteen Open every Wednesday and Friday
Canteen orders are placed through the Compass portal prior to 8.30am. Our menu has been updated and the following new items are now available to order:
- Banana Bread (gluten free)
- Fried rice with meat
- Chicken nuggets (gluten free)
- Frozen pinapple rings
- Jelly cup (diet)
Volunteers are always welcome, please leave your details with the School office if you're able to assist.