Principals' Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reachedWeek 8 of Term 4.It feels like only yesterday we were welcoming in 2025 and now the countdown to the finish line is well underway. The coming weeks promise to be action-packed as we gather with our school community to celebrate the many marvellous achievements of the year.

This time of year is always a vibrant whirlwind of events, celebrations and final preparations. Students are working diligently to complete their learning tasks, while staff are thoughtfully planning and coordinating to ensure every occasion runs smoothly. It’s a joyful season defined by creativity, teamwork and shared success as we come together to make the end of the school year truly memorable.

Although this period can feel especially busy, it also offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the growth, accomplishments and special moments that have shaped our journey. We encourage everyone to take a moment to pause, appreciate how far we’ve come and embrace the excitement of all that’s still ahead.

Advent

As we enter the season of Advent, our school community begins a special time of waiting, hope and joyful preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Yesterday, our parish community gathered to light the first candle on the Advent wreath - the Candle of Hope -reminding us that Christ’s light is with us even in the busiest moments of our lives. Throughout the coming weeks, students will take part in prayer, reflection and classroom activities that help them understand the true meaning of this season. We pray that this sacred time invites our families to slow down, reflect, and embrace the peace and promise that Advent brings.

Term 4 Principal's Meeting

We have spent the last two days of last week working with the Armidale Catholic School Leadership Team and Principals from across the Armidale Diocese at the annual Term 4 Principals Meeting in Tamworth.

A highlight of the meeting was the sessions led by our guest speaker Kelly Humphrey around Indigenous Education. Kelly was educated in our diocese at St Francis Xavier's Narrabri and Holy Trinity Inverell and is currently the Pro Vice-Chancellor at the Australian Catholic University. Other sessions included discussions around our Mission and Vision as well as our Annual Improvement Plan for 2026. We also had the opportunity to attend Mass at St Patrick's Church with everyone who attended.

We were extremely proud of Ilah Collyer, Lachie Tolmie and Noah Bird who led the prayer service for the second day of the meeting. They read with such reverence and confidence in front of principals from across the diocese, as well as staff from the Armidale Catholic Schools office. They represented St Joseph's beautifully and we were incredibly proud of them!

Social Media Ban - eSafety Commissioner Advice

The eSafety Commissioner has published a helpful Social Media Age Restrictions Hub. This includes advice for Young People, Families & Educators. As the social media age restrictions take effect on 10 December, we encourage you to explore this valuable online resource.

May God bless you and your family.

Maree Holland & Greg O'Toole

Co-Principals

St Joseph's School - a Faith Filled Community Where Learning Matters