Principal's Report
17th November 2025
Dear Parents and Carers
We are officially half way through term 4 with Christmas decorations going up around us already and harvest underway. Wishing all our farming families the best for their harvest season.
It was lovely to be part of the Infants Kindness Mass on Friday and the children were all so supported by the many families that came along to the mass. Thank you to Fr Paddy for celebrating the Mass and to the infants teachers and Mrs Salmon for their organisation and preparation. It was a timely reminder of how we can be kind to others which is reflected in our school value Compassion. At St Joseph's compassion is about opening our hearts to others like Christ showed us.
Pope Leo's message on kindness is centered on the belief that compassion is a matter of shared humanity, not just religious practice. He emphasises that we should not let our busy lives prevent us from showing kindness and care to others, regardless of their background. His teachings call for a communication based on charity and mercy, urging us to build bridges, not walls, and to remember that we are all called to act as children of God.
Our 2026 Kinders were part of the Mass for their final Kinder orientation day. As I mentioned at the last assembly, they have been so settled at each orientation session and when they return on 2nd February 2026, they will be very ready to start their school journey. It has been lovely having them join our school for the last 4 weeks each Friday.
Urgent Recall
There is an urgent recall of coloured sand products which may contain asbestos. Below is a link to the ACCC Product Safety website with specific information on the product and what to do if you have this unsafe product in your homes.
Transition to Kinder 2026 Program
As announced this week, Mrs Bianca Brady is decreasing her days of work next year and will be leading our new Transition to Kinder 2026 Program. We are one of 13 primary schools in Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga to adopt this initiative which will run from Friday 13th February 2026 to Friday 4th December 2026. We have put out an expression of interest form for those parents who have a child/ren entering Kinder at any school in the Junee Community in 2027 and whose child will be 4 years old by the start of February 2026. The EOI will close on Tuesday 18th November COB.
Most of the students in the school now have been taught by Mrs Brady in Kindergarten or infants and we are very grateful for her dedication and expertise. She is very excited about her new professional venture next year and we are currently recruiting for a Kindergarten Teacher for next year.
Morning Tea for Volunteers
We recognise that so many people assist our school as volunteers in so many different ways and generously contribute their time and skills to help our school. To show our appreciation, we will be holding a special morning tea in the courtyard for all volunteers on Thursday 27th November from 9.30 -10.30am in the courtyard. We hope you can join us in saying thank you.
School Pick Up Reminders
Just a reminder to parents that for school pick up we have two pick up points only. The kiss and drop zone or the hall carpark. The school carpark is not to be used as another pick up point as it is not monitored by staff. If you are picking up your child to leave early, the car park can be used so you can come into the front office and sign your child/ren out of school. However, for normal school pick up at 3.10pm only the kiss and drop zone or hall carpark can be used. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our staff and students safe.
Student Mobile Phones
We are currently updating our school Mobile Phone policy. Just a reminder that students who bring a mobile phone to school must leave it at the school office in the morning when they get to school and pick it up after the bell rings at home time. The students are NOT to use the school mobile phones whilst on school premises at anytime. This includes from the moment they get off the bus/out of car/walking onto school property. Parents are asked to communicate through the front office if there is a change to your child’s day or pick up time NOT via their Mobile phone.
Social Media Delay
Recently, you would have received communication from Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga [CEDWW] about how the system is facilitating the upcoming Social Media Restrictions.
The Social Media Restrictions will come into place on December 10th 2025. Please see the information published further on in the newsletter which supports the information you have already received, to ensure you are fully informed around this change. I strongly encourage you all to watch the video from Dr Carr-Gregg which explains what social media is, how the age restrictions will work, why it is happening, and how it will affect families and schools.
School Council Meeting
On Tuesday evening we held our last School Council meeting for the year. On behalf of our school community I would like to thank the members of our School Council: Fr Paddy Sykes, Mrs Amanda Riley, Mrs Lowana Sweeney (President), Mr Michael Tracey, Mr Nick Wood, Mrs Lisa Oliver, Mrs Sally Armstrong and Mr Mark Halliburton for their valuable contributions and guidance in our meetings over the year. We are so blessed to have such enthusiastic and dedicated members who are so supportive of our amazing school. The next School Council meeting will be held on the 17th February 2026 after the AGM. All are welcome to attend our AGM. I will send correspondence out regarding vacant positions for the School Council in 2026.
Joeys Cup Student Races/Performance Assembly
Despite the inclement weather, our Joey’s Cup was a huge success! Thank you to Becci Brabin and her team of helpers from Year 1 & 2 who put so much time and effort into this fundraiser. Also to our admin staff who assist with all our fundraisers not just Joey’s Cup. A special thank you to all the business houses who so generously donated to the event and sponsored our staff and student jockeys. This fundraiser will now run again in 2027 on Melbourne Cup Day as it is a biannual fundraiser and next year we will host the Colour Fun Run again.
The students will complete their Joey’s Cup races this Friday 21st November before the whole school assembly at 2pm on the school oval. This will be followed by the Year 4 performance at the assembly and our awards. All families are welcome to attend.
Dates for School Return 2026
27th January - Pupil Free Day. Staff return to school
28th January - MAI testing/Best start testing for Kinder
29th January - Year 1-6 return to school. Kinder Best Start testing
30th January - Kinder Best start testing
2nd February - Kinder first day of school
Happy Week 6 everyone!
God Bless
Angela Scott