Dear St Joseph’s Families,

As we wrap up an incredibly busy and rewarding Term 2, I want to take a moment to reflect on everything we have achieved together. It has been a term filled with learning, growth, sporting triumphs, and beautiful community celebrations.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for their tireless work, to our students for turning up every day with enthusiasm and a desire to learn, and to our parents and carers for your unwavering support. You all make our school the wonderful community that it is.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all the parents and carers who were able to attend our recent Parent-Teacher interviews. These conversations are vital for supporting your child’s learning journey.

Missed out on an appointment? If you were unable to secure a time but would still like to meet with your child’s teachers, please contact the school office to arrange a mutually convenient meeting time in Term 3.

Stage 3 Shines at Narran Lake

A massive congratulations to our Stage 3 students, who did a fantastic job presenting the welcome dances at the Narran Lake Open Day. Your performance was outstanding, and you represented our school with immense pride and respect.

Cross Country Success

Congratulations to Jess T for her incredible participation in the Polding Cross Country Carnival! She placed 10th overall and is now on the reserve list to compete at the next level. This is a phenomenal achievement—well done, Jess!

Rugby Union Selection

Huge congratulations to Ollie VB who represented the Armidale Diocese at the Polding Trials and then on making it to the ‘Possibles and Probables’ for the Polding Rugby Union team! We are so proud of your hard work and sportsmanship on the field.

NAIDOC Day Celebrations🖤💛❤️

What a wonderful way to bring the term to a close! Congratulations to everyone on a very successful and meaningful NAIDOC Day celebration today. It was a beautiful day of culture, connection, and learning.

A particular and heartfelt thank you goes to our Aboriginal staff - Aunty Fay, JB, Sharon, Reburdah, Martika, Demani and Sheridan. Your immense effort in preparing for today’s events, combined with the vital support you provide to our students each and every day, is deeply appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with us all.

I wanted to convey the message that the Aboriginal staff shared with the assembly today. It is an important message about culture, community, strength and respect - all values that I believe our staff and students live by in our school every single day. Much appreciation to Sharon for putting this message together.

Ganu Buliaagu Gaba , (good morning all)

Today we come together to celebrate NAIDOC day in our school and this year’s powerful theme, “Maa banay Yilaalu Dhirrabuu - 50 Years Deadly.”

“50 Years Deadly” is a celebration of strength, culture, survival and pride. It reminds us of the journey our people have walked — and continue to walk — with resilience and courage.

For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for this land, sharing knowledge through story, language, and connection to Country.

Over the past 50 years, NAIDOC has grown into a national celebration — but it began as a movement for justice, rights, and recognition.

We honour our Elders who stood strong, who fought for change, who kept culture alive even in the hardest times. Because of them, we are still here. We are still strong. And we are still proud.

That is what makes these 50 years truly deadly.

In Aboriginal culture, the word “deadly” doesn’t mean dangerous — it means excellent, strong, proud, and amazing.

When we say “50 Years Deadly,” we are celebrating achievements, culture, and identity.

Deadly is our languages being spoken again.Deadly is our stories being shared.Deadly is our young people standing proud in who they are.

Today is about recognising all the deadly things our communities have achieved — and continue to achieve every day.

Culture is at the heart of everything we do.

It lives in our language, our art, our dance, our stories, and our connection to Country. It gives us identity. It tells us who we are and where we belong.

For many years, culture was silenced — but it was never lost.

Today, we see culture growing stronger. We see it in our classrooms, in our communities, and in our young people.

Every time we share culture, we keep it alive for the next generation.

Our people are strong.

We see deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people leading in education, sport, health, the arts, and leadership roles across Australia.

But strength is not just in big achievements — it is also in everyday moments:

Showing kindness
Standing up for others
Being proud of who you are

To our students here today — you are part of that strength. You are the next generation of deadly leaders.

As we celebrate 50 years, we also look forward.

The future is about continuing to walk together with respect, understanding, and truth.

It’s about learning from the past, celebrating culture, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Each of us has a role to play — whether that is listening, learning, or standing alongside one another.

The next 50 years are in our hands — and they will be just as deadly.

Today is a time to celebrate.

Celebrate culture.Celebrate community.Celebrate strength.Celebrate survival.

“Maa Banay Yilaalu Dhirrabuu - 50 Years Deadly” is more than a theme — it is a reminder that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always been here, always will be, and will continue to thrive.

Let’s carry this message with us — not just today, but every day.

Maayubaa nginda.

Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and happy winter school holiday break. We look forward to seeing all our students return refreshed and ready for an exciting Term 3!

Important Dates

3rd July - Last day of term 2
20th July - Staff Development Day
21st July - Students return for Term 3
24th July - Athletics Carnival
5th August - Diocesan Athletics Carnival
12th August - Ricky Walford & Jenny Wright Shields
25th August - Brain Olympia
4th September - St Joseph’s Rugby Union Gala Day
7th September - Father’s Day Breakfast
9th September - Open Classrooms
10th September - Netball Regionals
25th September - Last day for Term 3

Blessings for the holidays ahead,

Donna

Community Information