Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to Week 3 of Term 3 already! The term is moving quickly and we are moving closer to Spring with some warmer days.

There has been some wonderful work happening in each of the classrooms with staff and children engaged in their teaching and learning.

Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and NAIDOC Week Assembly

Today is a special day for our Catholic Church and Catholic educators as we celebrate the Feast Day of our first and only Australian Saint - Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We have combined this special celebration with our NAIDOC week assembly.

St Mary MacKillop was a woman of incredible courage, compassion and faithful servant. She co founded the Josephite Order of Nuns who taught in predominantly rural schools in Australia ensuring a Catholic education for the poor and marginalised. As Catholic educators and leaders we integrate faith into our teaching and serve as role models to the students we teach here at St Joseph’s. Mary MacKillop's life and work provide a rich source of inspiration for all in Catholic education, reminding us of the core values of our faith and the transformative power of education when combined with compassion, justice, and a commitment to human dignity.

NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) has been celebrated annually for the last 50 years.

NAIDOC week recognises and honors the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is also an opportunity for all Australians to share in Aboriginal Culture and Reconciliation. Although it is celebrated in the first week of July (Sunday to Sunday) we choose as a school to celebrate it in Term 3. Today our students will showcase their learning that they have been doing this week with our Aboriginal Support and Community Worker Miss Velettah Cranston. Also, performing for the first time, are our Dreamtime Dinawan’s comprising of 22 Aboriginal students who have learnt a special Wiradjuri Dance with students from K-6.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Velettah and Aleesha Williams (ASCW Holy Trinity, Wagga) for teaching our Aboriginal Students their dance and to Velettah for all her work and preparation into today’s NAIDOC assembly. I extend a warm welcome to Aunty Mary Atkinson and Pauline Streckfuss from Catholic Education who will be guests at today's NAIDOC assembly.

Jeans for Genes Day

Yesterday we celebrated ‘Jeans for Genes Day’ which is a very special annual fundraiser in our school and the money raised goes towards the Children’s Medical Research Institute to fund research into genetic children’s diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Over $8,000 has been raised on Archer's Fundraising Page, which includes our gold coin donation collection of $317.03. As it was double donation day, that equates to $634.06!

I would like to thank Mrs Brady for all her efforts and enthusiasm in organising yesterday’s fundraiser and to all the families and community members who donated to this charity so close to our hearts here at St Joey’s.

Confirmation/Feast of Assumption of Mary

Our stage 3 students are busy finalising their preparations to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next Sunday 17th August at 9.30am in the church. They have been researching the Saint whose name they have chosen to take for their Confirmation.

I would like to thank Mrs Gardiner and Mr Pratt for teaching the children and preparing them. Thank you also to Mrs Salmon our REC for her work and preparation. Bishop Mark Edwards will be confirming the candidates and spending time with them all on their Retreat Day next Friday 15th August.

Next Friday 15th August is also the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This Feast Day celebrates Mary’s passing into eternal life and is also a Holy Day of Obligation. We will be having a whole school mass in the church at 9.30am and Bishop Mark will be celebrating the Mass. All parents and families are welcome.

New Presbytery

You may have noticed already that a building site has been set up in the vacant block opposite the church and there is fencing surrounding the site. They are starting the building of a new presbytery which has been in the planning for sometime. There can be no more parking now on this block and all parking masses needs to be behind the church. It is exciting for Fr Paddy and the Parish to have this project underway.

Principal Growth and Renewal Survey

It has been just over 3 years since I started my role as Principal of St Joseph’s and I am so grateful for the support I have had from all stakeholders in this amazing school community.

It has been a privilege working with you all to ensure we continue to provide quality Catholic education for all our students with the utmost care and compassion for all. Next Friday, parents and community members will receive a survey to complete as part of my principal growth and renewal process. I encourage you all to participate in this survey to provide me with ways to improve my leadership and continue to grow in my role as Principal.

NAPLAN Results

Today, parents of year 3 and 5 students will receive their child’s NAPLAN results which have been sent home in a sealed envelope. These reports show how students performed against proficiency standards in reading, writing, conventions of language, and numeracy.

As a school we analyse the results and they help us inform future teaching and learning as well as targeting areas or students who may require assistance. It's important to remember that NAPLAN is just one part of a school's assessment process and if parents wish to discuss the results with their class teacher please make an appointment to do so.

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend!

God Bless

Angela Scott

School Principals Day - Friday 1st August

From the Staff and Students at St Joey's.

Bush Kindy Poetry