From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Here we find ourselves again, approaching the end of another school term. The children (and staff) all seem to be ready for a break and I wish them all a restful time ahead. Hopefully, you will have an opportunity for some downtime with your children and that we are blessed with some warmer weather than we have had at the end of this week. Safe travels to those of you who are lucky enough to be getting away.

Indigenous Immersion

In last week’s newsletter, I shared a few pictures from the Outer Eastern Zone Principal's Indigenous Immersion. This week I thought I would share with you a bit more information about the trip.  Following our arrival in Cairns, we made our way inland on the journey to the Guurriill homeland on Laura country. This land is cattle country and here we spent time with Richard and Lily Bowen and their daughter Deleece, a devout Christian family with sound family values and a belief in the importance of a strong work ethic.

Richard is a stockman who runs a heard of Brahman Cattle on land he leases from the Cape York Land Council. Richard’s family comes from country to the north of Guurriill Station. Lillie is school teacher and elder who works in a school in the Hope Vale.  She has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to ensure the preservation of her community's language. Lillie has been honoured with the Order of Australia medal for her important work in this area.

During our time with Richard and Lily, we spent time with their cattle and working dogs, walked their land and learned about bush tucker and bush medicines. Our 20 minute walk to familiarise us with the property turned into a 2 1/2 hour lesson on bush medicine, Indigenous food and safety in the bush. We looked at plants used for bush medicine, sources of food such as fruits, nuts and roots. Richard played music on a bush harmonica (two leaves squeezed together) and we heard tales of kangaroo and pig hunts. 

We also learned about their indigenous language, Guugu Yimithirr and how this is taught to the children in the primary school in Hopevale, Lily shared with us picture storybooks she has had published. We have placed an order for some of these for our library.

Richard also shared the history of dispossession of the people of this region. Shunted from one place to another over the years, the people of Cape York have had to make way for pastoralists, mining companies, the construction of an airport and any number of other pressures imposed by white settlement. As the Aboriginal Mission in this area was originally established by the Lutheran church, the whole community was sent to internment camps for the duration of the World War Two. It was feared they would become spies for the Germans.  Following their release after World War Two, they were returned to the region and the Hope Vale settlement was established.

Our living conditions on Guurriill were pretty basic. We slept in tents, on the ground and only had access to drop toilets and a stream to bathe in. Despite these challenges, the group relished the learning opportunity and took a whole new understanding of Indigenous culture away from the experience.

In the next newsletter, I will share with you our experience with CJ on Yindilli Country.  He is a deeply spiritual and somewhat mystical man.

Father’s Day Breakfast

Last Friday was a fantastic celebration of Fathers and other important people in our children’s lives. With over 180 people in attendance, we enjoyed a shared breakfast, prayer reflection and fun classroom activities. This was an outstanding display of the positive community spirit here at St Joseph’s school. 

Thanks to the Dads, Grandads and other special people who were able to join us for these festivities. Thanks also to the staff for setting up after school on Thursday and for arriving at the crack of dawn to prepare the food for the Dads on Friday. The staff greatly appreciated the many messages of thanks that were sent through by families following this event.

Breakfast Club Wednesday

We will be offering a Breakfast Club this coming Wednesday morning at 8:00am to use up the leftover cereal from the Father’s Day Breakfast. Parents wishing for their children to attend are asked to fill in the Google Form emailed home today. Cornflakes and Rice Bubbles will be served in the undercover area outside the Year 1/2 Classroom. Please ensure you RSVP so we know how many we are catering for. A Google Form will be sent home via email shortly.

New People at St Joseph’s School

We have had a number of new people working at St Joseph’s throughout Term 3. In early August we welcomed Meredith Smith to replace Simone Traynor who is on Long Service Leave during Semester Two. Meredith has settled in beautifully and has established a calm and settled working environment in Year 3/4. You can contact Meredith via email msmith@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au

We welcomed Erin Mullan back to our school, after some time away with her young family. Erin has worked in both the 3/4 and Year 6 Level in Term Three, relieving teachers on Long Service Leave. She is currently working in Year Six on Mon, Tue and Fri. Erin can be contacted via email email emullan@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au

Meg Urquhart has also been partnering with Erin on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout Term Three and is currently working in Year Six with Erin. Meg can be contacted via email murquhart@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au

Sharon Cosham replaced Bek Spencer (Learning Support Officer) in early August after Bek decided to explore other career options, following a long stint at St Joseph’s School.

Cassandra Darwall is working as a Learning Support Officer in Year 1/2, Supporting Jacqui Tarquinio and Terry Foley.

We received a suggestion from our Parents and Friends group that we could share photos of our staff with the community so parents know who our teachers are when they come on site.  We think this is a great idea and we will get these together for our first Newsletter in Term Four.

End of Term - Friday 15 September

Term Three concludes this Friday 15 September at 3:00pm.  The students are on holidays for two weeks, recommencing on Monday 2 October.  Staff will also be on holidays at this time.  I will be in and out of work over this time and am fully available to parents via email principal@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au and, for more urgent matters, on my mobile 0425736305.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Weekend

“Live Your Best Married Life in Love”

Every relationship is a journey and the grind of everyday life can cause you to lose touch with your spouse.

This experience gives married couples the tools to keep your passion alive in a gentle, nurturing environment, away from pressures and distractions of daily living.

The weekend is based around Catholic values and couples of all faiths are welcome.

Please check our website for more details.

3-5 November 2023 in  Melbourne

(Book early to avoid disappointment)

Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or

Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au    Website: wwme.org.au

Best wishes for the week ahead and the upcoming school holiday break.

Kind regards,

Nick.