Term 4 Week 2, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Welcome to Term 4! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break and has returned feeling refreshed and ready for the final part of the 2025 academic year.
During the break, on 4 October, our Church celebrated the feast of St Francis of Assisi. St Francis, was born in 1181 in Italy. St Francis abandoned a life of luxury to devote himself to Christianity after hearing God's voice, calling him to rebuild the Church and embrace poverty. After his canonisation, he became the patron saint of animals and the environment.
St Francis’ prayer for peace beautifully reminds us of the values we aspire to—goodwill, love, and harmony. Let us pray together:
Celebrating Our Aspiring 2026 Leaders
In the coming weeks, we will be making the exciting announcement of our 2026 School Captains. This leadership selection process is a significant milestone. Equally, we celebrate the students themselves for their outstanding commitment and the hard work they have put in to be eligible for consideration to represent our school next year.
It is often mentioned to the Year 5 students that the speech plays a role in selection BUT the most significant role is the way the students help and support the younger students. It is they that vote NOT teachers. We wish all the children the very best of luck as they prepare their speeches for presentation to the school.
All Saints Day - Dress up
All Saints Day is celebrated on 1 November, a time to remember those who have influenced the Catholic faith.
We will celebrate this day on Friday, 31 October, with students dressing up as their favourite Saint.
In Religious Education lessons students will learn the background of their chosen Saint.
Sun Safety Reminder
As the weather quickly warms up, please remember that we are a Sun Smart school. This is a friendly reminder that all students are required to wear a school hat during outdoor play and activities. Please help us by checking at home to make sure hats are clearly labelled, in good condition and by encouraging sun safe practices both in and out of school.
Those without a hat sit out play on the green bench.
Consistent Expectations: Clear Consequences
To ensure a consistently safe and focused learning environment for all students, any occurrence of the following serious behaviors will now automatically incur a mandatory in-school suspension .
- Use of Sexually Explicit or Offensive Language.
- Use of Racist Language.
This provides students with immediate, firm accountability for their actions. We are committed to working with you to reinforce high standards of conduct both at home and at school.
The purpose of the suspension is to give the school time to develop a clear plan to re-teach and reinforce the desired positive behaviours upon the student’s return. In school suspension means that work is completed in the administration block and the student has lunch and recess at different times to other students.
Please note that for behaviours deemed extreme, consequences may differ.
These clear expectations ensure a safe and positive learning environment for everyone in our school community. Thank you for your continued support.
Uniform
An email will be sent home next week regarding those students wearing incorrect uniforms. A short period of grace will be given to rectify the situation and then correct items will be issued and billed.
Welcome
We warmly welcome our new students Marlee & Matilda to St Joseph's.
Jacaranda Activities
Book Week
What a magical time we had celebrating Book Week last term.
The school was buzzing with excitement as students immersed themselves in stories, characters, and activities that celebrated the wonder of books and reading.
One of the highlights was our Book Week Parade, where students came dressed as their favourite book characters - and what an incredible display of creativity it was!
Teaching and Learning
🧠Focus on Learning: Staff Development Day Update - Deep Dive into Effective Pedagogy
We're excited to share the professional learning focus for our recent Staff Development Day at the start of this term. These days are crucial for ensuring our teaching practices are as effective and up-to-date as possible, directly benefiting your child's education.
Our dedicated teaching staff engaged in intensive workshops covering several high-impact areas:
Spelling Instruction: We analysed student data to pinpoint common challenges and identify specific areas where every student needs support to progress. The team reviewed spelling rules and refined their understanding of what to teach, along with contemporary pedagogy regarding how to teach it effectively. This ensures a consistent, research-informed approach across the school.
The Science of Learning: We took a deep dive into the latest research around 'how students learn'-exploring cognitive principles that underpin effective information retention, memory, and application. Understanding this research allows us to design lessons that truly stick.
Explicit Teaching and Feedback: A significant portion of the day was dedicated to refining explicit teaching methods. We also launched a new whole-school focus on 'Check for Understanding' (CfU). CfU involves using precise techniques to quickly and accurately assess what every student has grasped during the lesson, allowing teachers to adjust their instruction in real-time. We developed clear, actionable goals for embedding these high-impact practices by the end of this term and into early 2026.
Thank You for Your Support 🙏
Thank you once again for your unwavering support of our Staff Development Days. By allowing our staff this dedicated time for professional growth, you are supporting a continuous cycle of improvement that is of great importance to our staff and, more importantly, will directly support your child's learning by ensuring they receive the best possible education. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this learning in the classroom!
🎯 Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in Action
In our Writing and Mathematics classrooms, students are actively engaging with Learning Intentions and Success Criteria - key strategies inspired by the work of educator Lyn Sharratt. These tools help students clearly understand what they are learning and how they can be successful.
Learning Intentions explain the purpose of the learning — what students are expected to know or be able to do.
Success Criteria describe what success looks like — the specific steps or elements needed to achieve the learning goal.
By using these strategies, students are supported to:
✔️ Take greater ownership of their learning
✔️ Receive focused feedback from teachers and peers
✔️ Reflect meaningfully on their progress
You can support this approach at home by asking your child questions like:
👉 “What was your learning intention today?”
👉 “What was added to your success criteria today?”
👉 “How did you know you were successful?”
These simple questions can lead to rich conversations about your child’s learning and help reinforce classroom goals at home.
Writing:
Mathematics:
Principal Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation Matthew Green
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Term 4 Sporting Dates
- Weeks 3-4 Summer sports Trials
- Weeks 4-7 Stage 2 and Stage 3 Elective Sport
- Weeks 4-10 Year 6 Rowing
- 12 November Whole School Swimming Carnival
- 28 November Stage 3 Basketball Gala Day
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,
Welcome back to term 4! This term Stage 1 is learning about “How Places Are Organised.’
How places can change, reuse, reduce, recycle, care for places, caring for country.
We will learn and understand how Aboriginal people live and care for the country they live on to help the environment reuse, reduce and recycle for the health of our planet and for our future generation.
The first thing is ‘The Welcome To Country.’ A Welcome to Country is a traditional Aboriginal ceremony performed by a recognized Elder or Traditional Owner to welcome people onto their traditional land, offering a blessing and permission to be there. It is a formal act of respect for the original inhabitants of Australia and can include speeches, music, dance, storytelling, or smoking ceremonies. The practice acknowledges the deep cultural and spiritual connection between the custodians and their Country, ensuring the spiritual safety of visitors.
Key aspects of a Welcome to Country:
- Performed by Traditional Owners: A Welcome to Country must be conducted by an appropriate representative of the local Aboriginal group, such as a recognized Elder or Leader.
- A formal ceremony: It is a formal ceremony that officially opens an event or meeting.
- Cultural and spiritual significance: It acknowledges the enduring connection of Aboriginal peoples to their land and their role as original custodians. It can also involve communicating with ancestral spirits to ensure the safe passage of visitors, reports Indigenous.gov.au.
- Components of the ceremony: A Welcome to Country can be a combination of different elements, including:
- Speeches in English or traditional language
- Traditional dance and music
- Storytelling
- A smoking ceremony
The Welcome To Country, is not used as a way to stop people from entering an area. We perform the welcome to let our spirits know we have visitors and we are opening our doors to welcome them in because we know they are good people and will help us look after our area. They will treat the area and our culture with respect.
Stage 2 watched a video called ‘The beautiful connection between people and Country | Back To Nature.’ https://youtu.be/DAGBVE3V4s0?si=6ZxNE08PnuhOeaPg This video has Aboriginal actor Aaron Pederson, he travels around Australia to different tribes to understand how they do their ‘Welcome To Country.’
Every state has different scenery from the ocean to the creeks, beautiful waterfalls, lushes country and radiant rainforests. It shows how beautiful our country is and why we must take the time to understand the area, the people and what we must do to reuse, reduce and recycle to keep our environment and earth healthy.
Stage 2 will be learning about the different tribes and their areas and what they do within their Aboriginal culture to keep the environment beautiful and healthy.
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 student travel information for parents and students
School Travel Passes
Applications are now open for 2026 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2026.
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply for a new card or update their existing card as soon as possible. Students who receive a notification that their School Opal card is expiring need to re-submit their details.
If a student has lost their School Opal card, they will need to apply for a replacement card. Note: a new card will not be issued if an existing School Opal card is updated online – you must submit a replacement application if a School Opal card is lost.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
Uniforms
School Calendar
TERM 4 2025
Week 2
Friday, 24 October - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Saturday, 25 October - Jacaranda Parade of Youth 9.00am
Week 3
Wednesday, 29 October - Book Club Issue 7 due by today
Thursday, 30 October - Jacaranda Thursday, School Closed
Friday, 31 October - Dress up as your favourite Saint & Liturgy in Mercy Hall
Week 4
Friday, 7 November - Junior Joey's
Friday, 7 November - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 5
Tuesday, 11 November - Remembrance Day
Friday, 14 November - Junior Joey's
Week 6
Tuesday, 18 November - Parent Group Meeting 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Friday, 21 November - Junior Joey's
Friday, 21 November - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 7
Friday, 28 November - Junior Joey's
Week 8
Wednesday, 3 December - Parish School End of Year Gathering, McAuley Catholic College 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 5 December - Junior Joey's
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 Mass at St Patrick's Church 9.30am
Thursday, 11 December - End of Year Awards Evening 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 12 December - Junior Joey's
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.
Volunteers are needed, please leave your details with the
School Office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
Join Grafton Athletics – Fun for All Ages!
Looking for a fun, inclusive way to stay active this season?
Grafton Athletics is your local community club, welcoming students and families aged 3 and up to take part in weekly track and field programs.
Whether you’re aiming for personal bests or just want to give it a go, our safe and supportive environment helps build skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships.
Saturdays – 8:50am
Terry West Oval, Junction Hill
Further Info and to Register now: graftonathleticclub.com.au
Athletics – affordable, fun, and for everyone!