Principal's News
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week, our community gathered for All Saints Day Mass, a meaningful event in our Catholic faith. Celebrated on November 1st, All Saints Day honours all saints, known and unknown, who have lived lives of holiness and now dwell with God in heaven. This day reminds us of the Communion of Saints—a belief that, as Christians, we are spiritually connected with the saints, who inspire us to seek holiness in our own lives and deepen our bond with God.
Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference
Last week, I was privileged to present at the Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference, themed “Spirit on Country: Learning Together, Then, Now, and Always.” The conference highlighted the value of integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into Catholic education, fostering a spirit of respect, connection, and shared understanding.
Our session featured insights from Darcy Lang, me, and Caitlin Smith on our approach to building cultural inclusivity within our school. Darcy shared his journey growing up locally in Wee Waa and his role as an Aboriginal Education Assistant, emphasising his dedication to supporting our student’s growth. Caitlin, who also serves as an Aboriginal Education Assistant and teaches Gamilaroi, spoke about her role in integrating language and cultural education into classrooms, highlighting how students’ language skills deepen their sense of belonging and pride.
Across the conference, speakers discussed how Catholic education can honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by incorporating “both ways” learning, connecting traditional and contemporary knowledge, and respecting spiritual connections to Country.
It was also fantastic to see Ava Hall, Hemi Hartas, Ebonie Hatton, Florence Melton, Edee Towns and Quinn Towns dancing at Myall Creek. They have been working with other students from Walgett, Narrabri and Moree to prepare for their Myall Creek performance. Seeing our students performing in front of 470 delegates from around NSW Catholic Schools was amazing. Well done!
Moorambilla Voices
Congratulations to Campbell Collett, Jillian Cruckshank, Kaley Edwards, Florence Melton, Imelda Redmond, Theodore Russell, and Poppy Wall for participating in the Moorambilla Voices Residency Camps after being selected earlier this term. They also had the opportunity to perform at the Moorambilla Voices Riversong Gala Concert on Saturday, 28th September, in Dubbo. Well done!
ADPSC Cricket Trials
Congratulations to Lincoln Baird, who participated in the ADPSC Cricket Trials in Moree on Friday, 18th October and was selected to represent the Armidale Diocese at Polding.
Well done to Lincoln on this remarkable achievement!
NSWPSSA Athletics
Congratulations to Edward Carolan, who competed well at the NSWPSSA Athletics in Sydney in the 11 Years Boys Long Jump last week.
Well done! We are very proud of his achievements!
World Teachers’ Day
Last Friday, 25 October, schools across the country celebrated World Teachers’ Day. We celebrated our teaching staff with a special morning tea. Their hard work, dedication, and support truly help make St Joey's a special place for our students. Thank you to all our staff for everything they do.
School Musical
This is a reminder that all students will participate in a school production of Santa’s Setbacks & The X Factory to be held at The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri, on Thursday, 14th November at 6 pm. Doors will open at approximately 5:40 pm.
Please note that students will be required to arrive for costuming and makeup on the day at allotted times, starting at approximately 4:30 pm for Infants students (K-2) and approximately 5:00 pm for Primary students (3-6). A detailed schedule will be communicated early next week via Compass.
As always, an event like this cannot be run successfully without the assistance of helpers. If you are able to volunteer to help out on the night with makeup and costuming (which would be greatly appreciated!), please complete the 2024 School Musical Volunteer form via https://bit.ly/3TfCoch.
If you and your family are able to attend, ticket sales have been extended and are available to purchase via TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/CVCWK for $10 per person (children 6 and under are free) until Saturday, 2nd November. Students of our school do not require a ticket.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
End of Year Awards Presentation
This is a reminder that our End of Year Awards Presentation will be held on Thursday, 12th December, at Wee Waa Bowling Club, starting at 6 pm. Students will be required to wear their full summer uniform.
Further information regarding this event will be communicated closer to the date.
End of Year Mass
This is a reminder that our End of Year Mass will be held on Monday, 16th December, at St Andrew’s Catholic Church, starting at 9:30 am. Please note that there will be no sport on this day, and students will be required to wear their school summer uniform.
This is a special time as our current Year 6 students will ‘pass on their light’ to the future leaders of our school during the Light of Leadership ceremony and receive their graduation certificates.
All are welcome to attend.
We look forward to celebrating with you all.
God Bless,
Alistair Stewart
Principal