Term 3 Week 10, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Thank you all for a fantastic term filled with great learning and community spirit. We truly appreciate your support and involvement throughout these past months. As the school holidays approach, we wish everyone a safe and restful break.
Staff Development Days - Friday, 26 September & Monday, 13 October
Just a reminder that Friday, 26 September will be a Pupil Free Day. On this day, our staff will be involved in a curriculum planning day. These planning days are an important opportunity for teachers to work collaboratively, ensuring they are well prepared to deliver high-quality learning experiences that align with the updated curriculum requirements.
By dedicating this time to professional learning and preparation, we can best support student engagement and achievement as the new syllabuses are introduced across our classrooms.
We thank you for your support and understanding, and ask families to please make alternative arrangements for student supervision on this day.
Also, upon return to Term 4, Monday 13 October will also be a Pupil Free Day, with staff engaging in a number of whole-school sessions around our current 2026 priorities.
Students return to school on Tuesday, 14 October.
A Gentle Reminder: No Toys at School
At St Joseph’s, we are committed to creating a calm, focused learning environment where every child can thrive. While we understand that toys, trading cards, squishies, and fidget items can be fun and even comforting, they can also cause distractions in the classroom, disagreements in the playground and unfortunately, sometimes become lost or damaged.
To support our students in making the most of their learning time, we kindly ask families to remind children to leave these items at home.
We greatly appreciate your support in helping us maintain a productive and positive school environment for all students.
Sisters of Mercy Feast Day
Wednesday, 24 September marks the feast of the Sisters of Mercy. This day commemorates Catherine McAuley, the founder of the order, opening the first House of Mercy in Dublin in 1827.
Today, the Sisters of Mercy are actively involved in education, healthcare, social welfare, and advocacy for justice, continuing their founder Catherine McAuley's mission to serve those in need.
The Clarence Valley Parish has a long history of the Sisters of Mercy and their generous work in the Catholic Schools within the area.
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to Maddelyn, Portia, Patrick, Max, Mason and William who recently received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.
Stage 3 Camp
Stage 3 had a wonderful time at Coffs Coast Adventure Centre for camp! The students enjoyed exciting activities, working together as a team and making lasting memories.
They also had the chance to explore the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, where they learned about marine animals such as dolphins, turtles, seals, and penguins.
What a fantastic adventure for our Stage 3 students!
Family Evening - Bushdance & BBQ
Thank you to all the families who were able to join us last Thursday evening for bush dancing and a barbeque. It was wonderful to come together, sharing in the joy of dance and music. A fun evening was enjoyed by all!
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Thumbs up
Congratulations to John G on his recent Pony Club achievements. John and his family travelled to the Bingara Campdraft in a big horse truck with 8 horses, 2 dogs and 4 puppies!
John rode his horse Champagne in the pony club events and the mini cutout where he scored 2nd place.
Well done John!
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,
Welcome to the end of Term 3. This term we celebrated NAIDOC Week, the theme for this year being “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy." A theme chosen to honor the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to look towards a future empowered by young leaders, community vision, and the enduring influence of their ancestors.
Here at St Joseph’s we have beautiful, strong Indigenous students who are all so very proud of their Indigenous heritage. Every day I see so much strength in them, through their behaviour, willingness to learn, their vision of their future and just being beautiful children. I am so very honoured to be able to share my knowledge with them and I hope they take everything they learn not only from me but their teachers, friends and families to be strong people as they grow up.
On this note, I have so much fun when I go into the classrooms to teach Indigenous studies. I am so overwhelmed with how every student wants to learn about Indigenous culture from listening to me talk about my history, watching videos, learning about Dreamtime stories, rock art, doing their own drawings and paintings, dancing and having hands on for artifacts and resources. This is a job that is very satisfying and one I am happy to keep doing.
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.
Uniforms
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
ES1: Jayce, Lucy, Stella, Joziah
Stage 1: Jack, Marvin, Patrick, Aidan
Stage 2: Tyler, Meliah, Ashton, Aria
School Calendar
TERM 3 2025
Week 10
Thursday, 25 September - Book Week Dress up day
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 urgently needed, please leave your details with the
School office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
