Week 2 - Term 3 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Message

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome back to what is shaping up to be another wonderful term of learning and community, it has most certainly been a busy couple of weeks to start the term. I trust you have all had an enjoyable and safe holiday break with your families. 

Parent Forum Meeting - Tuesday 19th August

Please make a calendar note for 19th August (5:00-6:30 pm), where we will be holding our Term 3 Parent Forum meeting in the School Library. 

It would be wonderful to see some new faces share their voice and ideas. Whilst most of our Executive Positions are filled, we are always looking for new parents who would like to be involved in 'Parent Voice & Parent Community', which is the main focus of our Parent Forum.  Please know that ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND each Termly meeting. During this meeting we will also have time to unpack the recent Parent survey results from our Annual School Improvement Survey done in T2.

If you have any questions, want an item added to the agenda, or are interested in any of the above positions, please get in touch with Lauren Kirkland, our Parent Forum Secretary (lozzacdk@gmail.com).

2025 School Census – Friday 1 August

The annual Non-Government Schools Census will be held on Friday 1 August. The purpose of the Census is to collect data about school staff and student enrolments to inform government funding and policy for non-government schools.

A Privacy Collection Notice is available, outlining what information is collected, why, and how it may be used: Please find below:

Stage 2 & 3 Parent workshop on 'A PARENTS’ GUIDE TO PUBERTY' 

Just a reminder for all our Stage 2 & Parents, that next Tuesday 5th August from 6:00 pm - 7:15/30 pm we will be holding a Parent Learning Night.

Through the assistance of our Parent Forum, we have been able to organise Janita Thompson (Parent Assembly) who will be running a Parent workshop on 'A PARENTS’ GUIDE TO PUBERTY' designed to guide you through this crucial stage of your child’s development. This workshop will provide you with practical tools, age-appropriate strategies, and tips on creating an open and positive environment for discussing puberty.

Please note a FREE copy of Michelle Mitchell’s book for your tween: “A Guy’s/Girl’s Guide to Puberty” for the first 40 parents who register.

We will provide catering & babysitting to allow as many parents as possible to attend. 

Please RSVP via this LINK if you would like to attend.

Class Term Overviews

Please find attached below, Term Overviews for all classes. These Overviews are important in letting you know what topics or areas of focus your child will be engaging with each subject through the course of the Term. Also within the document is a copy of your child's timetable, so that you can not only be aware of what they are covering each day but a point of reference for asking 'how was their day' etc. Please note 'hard copies' were sent home with all students last Friday. 

Kind regards

Dale

Upcoming School Dates

• Monday 4th August - Stage 3 Basketball Gala Day (Week 3)
• Tuesday 5th August - Kindy Excursion (Week 3)
• Tuesday 5th August 6pm - Parents Guide to Puberty Workshop (Week 3)
• Thursday 7th August - Stage 1 Excursion (Week 3)
• Monday 11th August - Stage 2 Basketball Gala Day (Week 4)
• Thursday 14th August - Science Week Activities - Parents Welcome from 2pm (Week 4)
• Mon 18th-Fri 22nd August - Book Week (Week 5)
• Tuesday 19th August 5pm - Parent Forum Meeting (Week 5)
  
• Friday 22nd August - Book Week Parade

Leader of Learning

Growing Expertise to Strengthen Learning

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to deep, sustained implementation of the teaching practices that make the biggest difference to student learning. This term, we continue to work towards our School Annual Improvement Plan goal of renewing and aligning whole-school practices through evidence-based programs and purposeful staff development.

As part of this work, staff in Kindergarten to Year 2 are participating in a coaching and mentoring program focused on the effective implementation of InitiaLit. Through school visits, observations, feedback cycles and collaboration with Education Officers and MultiLit consultants, we are building shared expertise around lesson delivery, pedagogy, and student response. This model allows us to celebrate what’s working well, address puzzles of practice, and refine our teaching to ensure all students get the support they need to succeed.

A school walkthrough identified “signalling for unison responses” as a high-impact focus area. Since then, teachers have deepened their understanding of this strategy and reflected on their own teaching using video. By making small, deliberate adjustments—such as refining their timing, gestures, and cues—they have seen noticeable improvements in student engagement, lesson pace, and instructional clarity.

Importantly, this learning doesn’t stop in the infant's grades. We are applying the same principles—structured, explicit instruction supported by coaching and data-informed decisions—to our work in the primary years through the implementation of SpellEx. This ensures consistency across the school and reinforces our belief that every student deserves high-quality, responsive teaching every day.

Looking ahead: National Science Week

In Week 4, we will be celebrating National Science Week—Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. To mark the occasion, all classes will take part in a Science Activity Afternoon on Thursday, 14 August at 1:45 pm. Students will explore hands-on science experiments and design tasks that encourage curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking.

We warmly invite families to join us for this exciting afternoon. Come along and see our students bring science to life—we’d love to see you there.

Mrs Mclennan

Leader of Mission

First Holy Communion 2025

We are pleased to share that First Holy Communion will be celebrated this year on:
Friday 30th August at St James Church, Yamba
Saturday 31st August at St Mary’s Church, Maclean

Any students in Year 4 or above who have been baptised and confirmed are warmly invited to receive this very special sacrament.

If you would like your child to receive First Holy Communion, or if you would like more information about this or any of the Sacraments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—email louise.senz@lism.catholic.edu.au or contact the front office.

Families preparing for First Holy Communion are invited to attend one of our upcoming parent–child workshops:
Tuesday 12th August at 5:30pm – St James Primary, Yamba
Thursday 14th August at 5:00pm – St Joseph’s Primary, Maclean

Each workshop will begin with pizza before moving into the session. To help us plan, please RSVP by email if you’re attending.

We look forward to sharing this beautiful journey of faith with you and your child.

Jubilee Year 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope

Walking Together in Faith, Love and Renewal

As we continue our journey through the Jubilee Year 2025, we reflect more deeply on what it means to be a Pilgrim of Hope. A pilgrim is someone who travels with purpose—seeking meaning, renewal, and connection with God. This Jubilee invites each of us, no matter our age, to take up this journey of faith in our everyday lives.

Being a Pilgrim of Hope means:

• Looking to the future with trust in God’s promises

• Choosing compassion, forgiveness and understanding

• Reaching out to others with kindness and joy

• Taking time to pray, reflect, and grow closer to God

We are all being invited to think about how we can live as pilgrims today—through our actions, our words, and our hearts. Whether it’s showing care for someone in need, praying as a class, or helping restore peace in the playground, every small act is a step on our journey of hope.

Later this year, we are excited to welcome the Jubilee Boat, a symbol of our shared pilgrimage as Church. This will be a special moment of celebration and reflection for our school and parish. More details will be shared soon, but for now, let us continue walking together—with hope lighting the way.

Mercy In Action Award

This week, we are proud to present our esteemed Mercy in Action award to Fletcher Priest. Fletcher recieves this award in recognition of quietly and consistently living out the Mercy values of service and compassion. He has a remarkable ability to notice when someone needs help and steps in without hesitation, fuss, or expectation of recognition. Whether it’s lending a hand, offering a kind word, or simply being there for someone, Fletcher leads by example through his gentle presence and genuine care for others. His everyday actions make our school a kinder, more caring place for all. Thank you and well done, Fletcher!

Mrs Senz

Class Awards

Congratulations to the following students recognised at this fortnight's Awards Assembly:

Principal Awards

Class Awards

Class News - Kindy

What a wonderful start to Term 3 we’ve had in Kindergarten! Our classroom has been buzzing with creativity, collaboration, and learning as we dive into some exciting new experiences together.

In literacy, Kindergarten have been exploring the world of writing through letters and invitations; and they’re very excited to post these to their Mums and Dads during our upcoming excursion to the post office! The children have also been learning how authors use actions to reveal more about characters. They’ve been writing simple sentences and creating puppets to bring characters to life.

In mathematics, we’ve been investigating how things move and change location. The children are learning to represent numbers in different ways, combine and separate groups, and use positional language in both real-world and abstract contexts.

Through dramatic play, the children have been taking on roles and using costumes, props, and movement to explore both real-life and fantasy scenarios during drama – from visiting the vet to running a busy supermarket!

We’re so proud of the way our Kindergarten learners are growing in confidence, creativity, and independence. We can’t wait to see where Term 3 will take us!

Mrs Bennett & Mrs Mclennan

Pastoral Care - School Counsellor

HELPING OUR KIDS MANAGE CHANGE

Change is a natural part of life, but for children - especially in the primary years - it can feel big, confusing, or even scary. Whether it's moving house, changing class teacher, welcoming a new sibling, or a change in routine, it’s normal for kids to experience some worry or uncertainty.

As parents and carers, there are simple ways we can help our child feel more secure and confident during times of change:

1. Talk About It:
   Gently explain the change in age-appropriate language. Let your child ask questions and share how they’re feeling. Even if you don’t have all the answers, simply listening helps them feel heard and supported.
2. Keep Routines Steady Where You Can:
   Children feel safer when their world is predictable. Keeping daily routines like mealtimes, bedtimes, and after-school activities consistent can give them a sense of stability.
3. Focus on What Stays the Same:
   Pointing out what isn’t changing such as their favourite bedtime story, their pet, or time with family, can be reassuring.
4. Name the Feelings:
   Help your child recognise and name their emotions. Saying, “It sounds like you’re feeling nervous about the change,” helps them feel understood and teaches emotional awareness.
5. Model a Positive Mindset:
   Children take cues from the adults around them. If they see you facing change with calm and optimism, they’re more likely to do the same.
6. Be Patient:
   Adjusting to change takes time. Some children may bounce back quickly, while others need a bit longer. That’s okay.

If your child is struggling with a big change and you’re concerned, please feel free to reach out to your class teacher. Supporting your child through transitions is an important part of their emotional development, and we’re here to help.

Jess Jones - School Counsellor

Pastoral Care - School Chaplain

SRC Meet with Loana Wallace – Learning About Socktober

This week, our Student Representative Council had the pleasure of meeting with Loana Wallace, Diocesan Director for the Diocese of Lismore. The students learned about Socktober, a Catholic Mission initiative that combines fun with global awareness and social justice. We thank Loana for her inspiring visit and for encouraging our students to think globally and act with compassion. Thank you Mrs Senz for organising this great opportunity for our SRC.

Seasons for Growth – Starting Soon for Stage 1

We’re excited to share that the Seasons for Growth program will be starting for our Stage 1 students in the coming weeks. This important program supports children in building resilience, developing coping strategies, and understanding change, loss, and grief in age-appropriate ways. We look forward to guiding our students through this nurturing journey of personal growth.

Spanish Club Begins for Term 3

Hola! Spanish Club has started for Term 3 with Señorita Sue. Students will enjoy five weeks of fun and interactive sessions, exploring Spanish language and culture. We’re excited to see our students embrace this wonderful learning opportunity!

Juana Mead - Student Wellbeing Officer

School Sport

Hello Joey’s Community,

The first two weeks of Term 3 have flown by, and there’s already so much to celebrate across our vibrant school community!

Let’s start by celebrating some incredible achievements from our students.

A huge congratulations to Kindergarten student Charlii, who recently competed in the 6 Years and Under category at a local dance competition. Charlii’s outstanding results include:

• Ballet Solo – 1st Place

• Ballet Improv – 1st Place

• Jazz Solo – Superstar Award

• Jazz Improv – Highly Commended

Charlii also received the 6 Years and Under Adjudicator’s Award for the day – a truly remarkable accomplishment. Well done, Charlii!

In Year 2, Millie Patten performed in her very first Eisteddfod in Ballina over the weekend, placing 1st in the Under 8s section. Her outstanding performance has earned her an invitation to the National Dance Championships on the Gold Coast in 2026 – what an amazing milestone!

A special mention to all our Joey’s students who participated in various sports over the holidays, your dedication, teamwork, and passion are truly inspiring. If you know of a student who deserves to be recognised, please get in touch. We love celebrating these moments with our community.

At the recent Zone Athletics Carnival, our students represented Joey’s with pride. Congratulations to Year 6 students Alex Roux and Jess Dalton, who have both qualified for the next level of competition. Best of luck – we know you’ll do us proud!

We’re also proud of Year 5 student Oliver Ward, who reached the semifinals in the Junior Development Series Tennis Competition in Lismore last Sunday. Fantastic effort, Oli – we’re cheering you on!

Another shoutout to Year 5 student Sam Kirkland  for making it to the Under-12 Jamboree Basketball event in Coffs Harbour — an amazing achievement at just 10 years old!

What’s Coming Up

Next Monday, Stage 3 students will head to the Basketball Gala Day at the Raymond Laurie Sports Centre. Stage 2 will follow with their Gala Day the following week. We can’t wait to see our students in action and hope to see many families there supporting them from the sidelines.

Later this year, we’ll be holding our Summer Sport Trials. Students interested in basketball, touch football, cricket, hockey, or tennis are encouraged to keep practising and stay tuned for trial details.

For Friday sport this term, we’re excited to introduce AFL – a fantastic opportunity for students to try something new and develop their skills. If your child enjoys AFL and would like to get involved further, we recommend reaching out to either the Lower Clarence Suns (Yamba) or the Grafton Tigers.

Thank you for your continued support – we’re looking forward to a fantastic term ahead!

Anthony Gilchrist - Sports Coordinator

Parent Forum

Welcome back to Term 3! Its so great to see our new canteen in full swing.

I would like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend out next parent Forum meeting, held at 5pm on Tuesday 19th August in the School Library.

Please also see the Community Notices section in this newsletter for a number of Parent Learning sessions including:

• AI & The Digital Generation
• Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety
• ADHD
• Autism

Lauren Kirkland - Parent Forum Chairperson

Community Notices

Parent Learning Available to Parents

NSW CCSP Parent Conference

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents are hosting a special 30-year anniversary Parent Conference in Sydney. Keynote speakers include Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell and Daniel Principe. Conference tickets cost $30, and parents/carers need to arrange their own travel and accommodation in Sydney. For more information and to book, go to https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/2025-conference.

Free learning is also available to parents on the OLT (Online Training) platform

ADHD: This short course was developed with the help of Parents for ADHD Advocacy Australia (PAAA). This course is aimed at supporting the parents and carers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Other people may also find it helpful, such as other relatives, teacher assistants, and teachers.

Autism: This short course is directed at parents and carers of children with autism. Other people may also find it helpful, such as other relatives, teacher assistants, and teachers.

Parents of children who’ve been identified on the autism spectrum have been interviewed to identify the issues that concern them the most. This is reflected in the videos throughout this short course.

Please find more information about the courses on the OLT platform linked here.