Principal's News

Dear Families,

Welcome everyone to the start of the 2025 school year. The children have settled in beautifully into their new classrooms and teachers and despite the hot start to the year have  coped really well with the structures and routines of school life. 

Fourteen new families have joined us this year so there will be lots of new faces around in the drop off and pick up times of the day. Please introduce yourself and get to one another. A great opportunity to also do this is at our Welcome Night which we are holding at the Splash Park on the lake. It will be held on Thursday 20th February from 5.30-7pm. It's a wonderful, relaxed way to meet other families while having a picnic/hot chips or bbq dinner - whatever you decide to bring. Or you can just come for a play and then head home for dinner - your choice! Obviously children must be accompanied by parents. If you or your child wish to use/pay for inflatables that also is your choice.

St Joseph's Swimming Sports will be held at Nagambie Pool next Friday 14th February from 12-2.30pm. There will be a variety of 25 metre races for those capable of doing this as well as fun/novelty events for everyone. All children have been place in Houses: Malachy (red colour) and Mackillop (green colour). Children can come dressed in these colours to support their House teams. A plaque is awarded to the winning House at the end of the day. A permission form is available on PAM (phone app) for you to tick to give permission for children to attend and travel by bus to the venue. Everyone is welcome to attend and cheer the students on - it is always a lovely, relaxing day.

Our school has an amazing P and F who work tirelessly to help raise funds to improve our grounds and resources. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to help out where they can - the more the merrier!! Three very easy external events are coming up:

1. Friday night raffle at the Rowing Club on 14th February. This requires a few people to sell raffle tickets during 6-8pm. The Rowing Club supply the tickets and the meat trays as the prizes and whatever money is raised goes straight to the school. An easy $300-400 can be made.

2. NOW Festival on Saturday 22nd February. Helpers needed for an hour in the morning to set up the grape stomp platform (a trailer is required) and then 1 hour during the day to run the activity (it's very simple). We receive $300 for doing this.

3. Rowing Regatta ticket collecting at the gate on Saturday 22nd March. This requires a number of parents to help as it runs from 8-2pm. We receive $1000 from this event for simply checking tickets as people enter the gate. This is also a great social opportunity to meet other parents.

If you think you are able to help at any of these event for an hour or so please either let myself or Louise Roberts know. 

Every Friday afternoon the students participate in a School Gathering from 2.45pm - it could be Assembly, Prayer or a Sport inspired activity (rotational). Families are welcome to attend any of these gatherings.

There are still a few School Calendars available to purchase for $20 from last year's photo shoots (including our Foundation students from this year). see Sarah at the office if you would like one (or two).

It's been wonderful to see so many of our students using the school crossing before and after school. Getting in to this habit is teaching our students the correct (and safe way). as parents please ensure you are also using the crossing. If we don't use it we could lose it!!!!

Uniting Outside School Hours Care have been a fabulous asset to our school providing before and after care for our working parents who need it. If this is something you may need to use this year (this could also be casual) please register with them now as it helps them prepare with staffing etc. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact them for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Take care, stay safe and stay cool,

Maree