Term 2 Week 6, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Sacrament of Confirmation
We wish to congratulate Portia, Max, William and Daisy on receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Gregory recently.
We also congratulate staff member Cooper Brown, who recently received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Congratulations
We congratulate our Assistant Principal Anne Forwell and Stage 3 teacher Larissa Deleiuen. Anne and Larissa have been recognised by the National Education Standards Authority (NESA), as a Highly Accomplished Lead Teachers (HALT).
There are 1500 HALT teachers nationally and 300 in NSW, two now being at St Joseph's, South Grafton.
Anne and Larissa will attend Parliament House on World Teacher's Day this October, to be presented with a medal of achievement.
Jubilee Year
On Tuesday 10 June, our school will be joining with St Mary’s Primary for a celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope. A liturgy will be held at St Mary’s Church to commemorate this occasion. Students will also have the opportunity to see the Diocesan Jubilee Boat, a symbol created by students of the Diocese to mark the special occasion. Further details will be avaiblable in Compass.
Circus Challenge Show
Last Tuesday, the Circus Challenge Show visited our school. The students were so engaged in the interactive and fun performance. Following the show the students had the opportunity to learn some circus tricks of their own. Everyone had so much fun and learnt some new skills.
Semester 1 Student Reports
Student reports will be published to families via COMPASS on Friday 27 June.
The report will contain English, Mathematics and Key Learning Area comments that will outline your child’s areas of achievement and growth and their future learning goals.
If your child is in Kindergarten they will receive an achievement level on a 3 point school; working towards, working at, working beyond.
For years 1 to 6 there is a 5 point scale; extensive, thorough, sound, basic, elementary. It is important to note that working at a sound level indicates that you child is meeting the expectations of their grade level. In reading your child’s report we encourage you to focus on their EFFORT. At St Joseph's we encourage students to always try their best and we promote perseverance. Please find an explanation of the Years 1-6 scale below.
EXTENSIVE
The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
THOROUGH
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.
SOUND
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
BASIC
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
ELEMENTARY
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.
If you would like a family teacher meeting after receiving your child’s report please make contact directly with your child’s teachers. This can be either through email or the school phone.
Teaching and Learning
Spotlight On… Stage 1!
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 second round, this initiative gives you a meaningful window into Stage 1’s learning experience and the powerful teaching strategies happening across our school.
Every fortnight, 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 2!
Year 1- Mrs Forwell
The Learning Intention and Success Criteria:
Anchor Charts: ‘Saying’ Verbs and Dialogue
Bump It Up Examples:
Year 1 & 2- Mrs Vidler
The Learning Intention and Success Criteria:
Anchor Charts:
Bump It Up Examples:
Year 2- Ms Hayward
The Learning Intention and Success Criteria:
Anchor Charts:
Bump It Up Examples:
5 Questions to Ask Your Child About Their Learning
At school, we use Dr. Lyn Sharratt’s “5 Questions” to encourage students to become independent, thoughtful learners who understand their own progress. These questions come from the Assessment Waterfall Chart, a tool that supports meaningful reflection on learning for both teachers and students.
Recently, some of our Stage 1 students shared their responses to these 5 questions based on their latest learning cycle — you can watch their video below to see their thoughtful reflections in action.
You can also use these 5 questions at home to support your child’s learning for their groups Learning Intentions and Success Criteria below. Here they are to guide your conversations:
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria- Writing
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria- Mathematics
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Athletics Carnival
Our school Athletics Carnival is set to be held this Friday, 6 June at Barnier Park, Junction Hill.. Our backup date is Wednesday, 11 June.
Grafton Show Tween Winner 2025
Congratulations Alice!
On the 9th and 10th of May was the Grafton Show. I entered the Showgirl competition. The first day was Friday. When we got there we went straight to see my show entries in the decorated gumboot and painting section.
On Friday night we all got free rides!
The Grand Parade was held on the second day of the show. The cattle walked into the ring and the Showgirls and Boy of the Barn came out on the back of a truck. The winners were announced and I was so shocked that I won Tween Showgirl 2025.
It really was a great experience and I made lots of new friends.
By Alice
Student shout out
On Saturday, 10 May Esther and Vashti competed at Inverell with the Clarence River Dance Academy. They performed five dances coming 2nd Place in two events and 1st Place in three events. Congratulations Esther and Vashti.
At the Grafton Show, some of our students took part in various events, show casing their talents.
William O took part in the woodchopping, he competed in the Underhand Event. Congratulations William.
Kindergarten Learning
Kindergarten have had a fantastic start to their learning journey this term! In literacy, we’ve been focusing on the first three InitiaLit code sequences: ‘m, s, t, a’, ‘p, i, f, r’ and ‘o, c, d, h’. Students are becoming confident in recognising and using these sounds, and they have also begun learning some tricky words. This strong foundation is now helping them take their first steps into reading decodable texts – an exciting milestone!
In writing, we’ve been exploring nouns, verbs, and adjectives. With the support of anchor charts and our Bump It Up Wall, students have been experimenting with using descriptive and action words to make their writing more interesting and detailed.
Maths has been hands-on and full of fun! We’ve been exploring combinations of ten, using a variety of materials to help us understand this important concept. One of the highlights was creating a life-size ten frame, where students represented different ways to make numbers within ten using their own bodies and objects.
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,
Last week we celebrated two significant milestones in the Indigenous calendar. The National Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day.
Reconciliation Week's theme for this year is ‘Bridging Now To Next’ and it reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next urges us to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this theme calls on all Australians to step forward together.
Twenty-five years ago, Corroboree 2000 brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous leaders in a historic call for reconciliation. We continue that work in 2025, inviting all Australians to join us in Bridging Now to Next – building a more united and respectful nation.
Corroboree 2000 and the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk were significant events in our long journey and our determination to continue that journey towards a reconciled Australia and justice for First Nations peoples is unstoppable.
At St Joseph’s we built our own bridge. Each Stage learnt about Reconciliation Week through their Indigenous lesson with Miss Liz. We spoke about how important the Aboriginal past history is and how we can push forward to a better future.
The design of the bridge is to recognise anything that you believe you can leave behind and to be a better person. Once you start your journey across the bridge you leave behind the old you and move forward to a better person.
Mabo Day, is celebrated on 4 June each year, in recognition of Eddie Mabo.
The case, formally known as Mabo v Queensland, was initiated by Eddie Koiki Mabo, a Mer Island man, and others who challenged the notion that their traditional lands were solely owned by the Crown. The High Court’s decision overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius (nobody’s land), which had been used to justify European colonization of Australia by claiming it was uninhibited and unclaimed.
The Mabo decision established the legal recognition of native title, meaning that Indigenous Australians could claim rights to certain land based on their traditional laws and customs. Following the Mabo decision, the Australian Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993, which further formalized the legal framework for native title claims.
Although Eddie Mabo died before the decision was handed down, his legacy lives on as a symbol of Indigenous land rights and the fight for recognition of traditional ownership. Mabo Day serves as a reminder of the historical injustice of terra nullius and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous land rights and justice. It is a day of pride, remembrance, and cultural strength for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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: Kyla, Jagger, Matteo, Roman
Stage 1: Patrick, Oscar, Brax
Stage 2: Amelia, Aprille, Dakota
Stage 3: Chirag, Vashti
School Calendar
TERM 2 2025
Week 6
Friday, 6 June - Athletics Carnival at Barnier Park, Junction Hill
Week 7
Monday, 9 June - Public Holiday
Tuesday, 10 June - Whole school attending the Jubilee Liturgy at St Mary's Church 9.30am
Week 8
Friday, 20 June - School Assembly 2.15pm
Week 9
Monday, 23 June - Year 4 Accendere Retreat
Friday, 27 June - Semester 1 Reports are available through Compass
Week 10
Thursday, 3 July - Last day of Term 2 for students
Friday, 4 July, - Staff Development 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.
Community Notices
