Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the close of another remarkable school year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on all that we have achieved together.

This year has been filled with growth, joy, and faith. I am incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our students, the steadfast support of our families, and the tireless commitment of our staff and our Parish Priest, Fr Paddy Sykes. Our community continues to exemplify our school values compassion, respect, and a shared commitment to quality Catholic education in the spirit of our school motto: Christ Our Way.

In this liturgical season of Advent, we are reminded of the blessings that Christmas brings - hope, peace and the light of Christ born into our world. The season of Advent calls us to prepare our hearts with patience and prayer, readying ourselves to welcome Jesus anew.

May this time of anticipation draw your families closer together and deepen your sense of gratitude for God’s abundant love.

Thank you to families for your kind donations to the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal. The hamper goods were offered to St Vinnie’s at our final whole school Giving Mass today and we know that some people’s Christmas will be brighter as a result of your generosity.

Thank you to Mrs Salmon and Fr Paddy for a wonderful celebration of our last school mass for 2025 and Mr Pratt for leading the music. The singing was amazing!!!

Yr 6 Graduation Mass/Dinner

On Monday evening we farewelled and paid tribute to our 16 Year 6 graduates. It was very special for the Year 6 children to have their Kinder Buddies part of the Mass celebration and we would like to thank Fr Paddy, Mrs Salmon, Ms Gardiner, Mr Pratt and Mrs Huard for their organisation and contribution to ensuring the evening was made very special. On behalf of St Joseph's School Community I would like to wish our Yr 6 graduates all the very best as they move into the chapter of their lives and as I mentioned at the Graduation Dinner, please come back and visit us, know that you never have to walk alone and finally, you all have life membership to St Joseph’s!

Farewell to families

St Joseph's is farewelling families this year. We are very grateful to these families for their contributions to St Joseph’s and wish them happiness and success as they move beyond our school.

Pratt Family

Sim Family

Hunter/Seary Family

Wirth Family

Nicoll Family

Smith Family

Acknowledgment of Contracted Staff for Term 4

I would like to express our gratitude to Mrs Elise Brown, Mrs Lisa Lewis, Mrs Elyce Lyons and Mrs Carmel Walgers who were contracted for term 4 in either teaching or classroom support roles. We appreciate them all supporting our school and students over the term and look forward to them returning in a casual Teaching/TA capacity in 2026. This is with the exception of Mrs Lyons who will return in 2026 in a part time capacity.

New Staff Member for 2026

We welcome Mrs Emily McKinney to our staff for 2026. Mrs McKinney and her family live locally in Junee and she is no stranger to Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga. Mrs McKinney has had extensive teaching experience in Canberra and Wagga. She worked at CEDWW in the position of Professional Development, including working with graduate teachers. She will be sharing the Year 4 class with Miss Eliza Kerr on Wednesdays and will mentor Miss Kerr as a graduate teacher.

This completes our staff for 2026. Please see the staff list for 2026 below.

Staffing 2026

Principal: Mrs Angela Scott

Assistant Principal, EMU and Instructional Maths Teacher, Classroom Support Teacher

Mrs Cate Munn

Religious Education Coordinator

Mrs Kellie Salmon

Inclusion and Diverse Learning Teacher (IDLT) & Year One Reading Intervention

Mrs Fiona Hillier

Instructional Literacy Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator

Mrs Penny Kerr (Mon -Wed)

Release from Face to Face Teaching and Classroom Support Teacher:

Ms Jodie Moran (Mon - Fri)

Transition to Kindergarten 2026 Teacher:

Mrs Bianca Brady (Fri)

Intervention and Classroom Support Teacher:

Mrs Rebecca Hart (Mon - Fri)

KINDER - YEAR 6 TEACHERS

Kindergarten

Mrs Teresa Sandral

Year 1

Mrs Emily Rhodes (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)

Mrs Penny Kerr (Thursday)

Year 2

Mrs Kellie Salmon (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday)

Mrs Katrina Halliburton (Thursday)

Year 3:

Mrs Maria Makeham (Monday, Tuesday , Wednesday & Thursday)

Mrs Elyce Lyons (Friday)

Year 4

Miss Eliza Kerr (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday)

Mrs Emily McKinney (Wednesday)

Year 5:

Mr Tim Pratt

Year 6:

Mrs Karen Gardiner (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday)

Mrs Elyce Lyons (Wednesday)

SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF

Teacher Assistants

Mrs Cristy Vergano, Mrs Caroline Jones, Mrs Kylee Huard, Miss Mikayla Bloomfield, Miss Katie Bradley & Miss Tahlia Crane

Senior Admin Officer

Mrs Nikki Duck (Mon - Thurs)

Admin Assistant

Mrs Amanda Riley (Thurs & Fri)

School Canteen/Clothing Pool/Volunteers

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Felicity Moloney, Melissa Skewes and their canteen committee for the success of our school canteen this year. We are so blessed that these parents have given up their time to ensure the canteen has continued to operate all year, providing a service to our parents and students. For all the volunteers who have baked for the canteen or volunteered their time to serve on Friday’s we appreciate your time and dedication.

Thank you also to Mrs Becci Brabin for volunteering her time to operate the clothing pool after Friday assemblies to provide this service to our families.

Our school can not operate without the valuable volunteers that support us in so many ways. To all who have volunteered in some way this year, please accept this as our heartfelt thanks for all that you have done. We really appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Presentation Day Ceremony

This coming Monday, we will celebrate our 2025 Presentation Day starting at 9am in the school MPC. We encourage all families to attend and support your child/rens achievements for this year.

A reminder to families that students need to be in full, clean, summer school uniform with a tie. Parents are welcome to take their children home after the Presentation Ceremony if they wish. Please ensure their class teacher knows they are leaving before they go home and you drop into the office to sign your child out.

Back to School Dates for 2026

Tuesday 27th January

Staff return/Pupil free day

Wednesday 28th January

MAI testing whole school /Kinder best start testing

Thursday 29th January

Year 1 - 6 return to school/ Kinder Best Start testing

Friday 30th January

Kinder Best Start testing

Monday 2nd February

Kinder first day of school

This newsletter serves as a final reflection on the blessings of this year and a look ahead to the exciting possibilities that await us. Let us continue to walk in faith and gratitude as we celebrate all that we have accomplished and prepare for the year to come.

Wishing you all a very happy and Holy Christmas. May the new year bring continued love, joy and good health to you all.

Enjoy the holiday break with your children and see you back for an incredible 2026!

God Bless

Angela Scott

Tuck Shop Wrap Up