Term 3 Week 6, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion is the most important Sacrament in the life of any Catholic. On Saturday 13 September & Sunday 14 September, six of our students will celebrate their First Holy Communion at St Mary’s or St Patrick's Catholic Church. This is a very special milestone in their lives and one they have been preparing for with great effort and enthusiasm.
This year, our First Holy Communicants are; Portia, Max, William, Patrick, Mason and Maddelyn.
Please keep them in your prayers.
Fathers Day Celebration
On Friday, 5 September please join us in honouring our father's, grandfather's and father figures with a liturgy and performance to celebrate Father's Day in Mercy Hall at 2.30pm.
Book Week
We will celebrate Children's Book Week 2025 during the final week of this term. The theme is "Book an Adventure". The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is celebrating its 80th anniversary of Book Week this year. The official artwork for the event was created by Jess McGeachin.
Family BBQ
Please join us on 18 September from 5:30pm - 7:30pm for a family night of bush dancing and a BBQ.
Bring your own rug and non alcoholic drinks. The barbeque, coleslaw and potato salad will be provided.
A note will be sent home with your child next week, if you could please complete how many people in your family will be attending.
NSoA visit
On Tuesday we had a wonderful visit from the preschoolers who attend the New School of Arts Neighbourhood House, South Grafton. Thank you to our year 5 students who spent a fun afternoon with our visitors, sharing activities, reading together, dancing and playing on the fort.
It was a great opportunity for our future school leaders to show leadership and for our youngest learners to connect with friendly faces from big school.
Public Speaking
You’re invited to our Years 3–6 Public Speaking school final.
When: Thursday, 11 September 2025 starting at 9:00am and concluding at 9:45am
Where: Mercy Hall, St Joseph's School
Who: Two class representatives per grade (Years 3–6) families of selected students will be notified once representatives have been chosen
From this event, one speaker per grade will progress to the Clarence Schools Regional Final: Monday 22 September 2025 (Term 3, Week 10), 9:00am–2:00pm at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour. Families of selected students will be notified.
We hope to see you there.
Learning and Teaching
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
In our classrooms, we are using Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for Writing and Mathematics, based on the work of Lyn Sharratt, to help students clearly understand what they are learning and how they can be successful. Learning Intentions explain what we are learning, while Success Criteria describe what success looks like. These tools support students in taking ownership of their learning, be given feedback from teachers and peers, and help them reflect on their progress. At home, you can use these prompts to talk with your child about their day: “What was your learning intention today?” or “How did you know you were successful?” This encourages meaningful conversations about learning and helps reinforce classroom goals. The current Learning Intentions and Success Criteria are attached below for your reference.
Learning Intentions: Writing
Learning Intentions: Mathematics
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
Diocesan Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to Kendall, Henri and Aaliyah who attended the Diocesan Athletics Carnival at Coffs Harbour International Stadium on Tuesday, 26 August. They showed great talent and sportsmanship throughout the day.
Well done students!
Soccer Knockout
The Clarence Zone Soccer Knockout Gala Day will be held on Wednesday, 3 September in Yamba. Both girls and boys from Stage 3 will be able to nominate for the two teams.
Tryouts for both the boys and girls school team will be held at school this week. Please keep an eye out on Compass for the event if your child is successful in the school team.
Basketball Gala Day
PCYC is holding a Basketball Gala day on Friday, 12 September. The day will commence at 10:30am and conclude at 2:30pm. Stage 3 students will compete in a mixed fun competition.
Book club
ISSUE 6 IS OPEN, and it's supercharged with incredible reads to help boost children's reading powers.
If you would like to order through the school, please return your orders and payment by Wednesday, 10 September.
Remember orders may also be placed online.
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,
In kindergarten we have been learning about the different seasons and how the moon is an important aspect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
The moon plays many roles for the Indigenous people. It is used to understand the weather, tell the time, travel on the land, hunt for food and the telling of dreamtime stories.
Aboriginal people also used the moon for practical purposes such as predicting weather, navigating seas, and coordinating fishing by understanding its phases and their connection to tides and rainfall. The moon's cycle also acted as a seasonal calendar and, through cultural stories, provided moral lessons and guidance, demonstrating a deep, holistic connection between the sky, the environment, and human life.
Weather Forecasting
- Lunar halos: The presence of a halo around the moon was a key indicator of impending rain, according to some Gamilaraay traditions. The specific characteristics of the halo, like how many stars were visible within it, helped predict the timing of the rain.
Navigation and Environment
- Tidal patterns: The phases of the moon directly influence tidal movements, a relationship understood by Indigenous astronomers to coordinate fishing expeditions.
- Fishing: Knowing the lunar cycle allowed people to determine the best times to fish, as higher tides during full or new moons stirred up sediment, while lower tides during quarter moons offered clearer waters and were better for fishing.
- Seasonal indicators: The angle and tilt of the moon's crescent (cusps) throughout the year served as a seasonal calendar, signaling changes in weather patterns and the environment.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
- Cultural narratives: The moon is often featured in Aboriginal stories and lore, with many communities viewing the moon as a man who can act as a messenger or provide moral guidance.
- Moral and fertility lessons: The moon's cycle was sometimes associated with fertility, with certain groups warning against excessive gazing due to associations with conception. For example, some Lardil stories depict the moon as a greedy man, with his phases reflecting his overeating.
- Ceremonial use: The moon's phases were incorporated into ceremonial practices and dances, such as the Meriam people's Gedge Togia Moon Dance, which symbolized the connection to the sea and other islands.
Even though the moon was an important part of the Aboriginal culture, it also played a role in how the elders taught the younger generation. This method is to ensure they learn and understand their culture, so they can preserve traditions, ensure cultural continuity, and promote community well-being. Through methods like storytelling, ceremonies and songs, Elders share wisdom, laws and connection to country, fostering identity and strengthening social bonds for the resilience and longevity of their culture.
Kindergarten students also listened to the story ‘Brother Moon.’ It is a story about how great-grandfather, Liman, reveals that his 'brother' is the moon to his great-grandson. The story highlights the importance of traditional knowledge, connection to Country, and nature's cycles, as Liman's brother, the moon, guides him in hunting and fishing. The book celebrates First Nations storytelling and intergenerational wisdom, particularly that of the Wadjigany people of the Northern Territory.
https://youtu.be/uCp0nxvagyE?si=3gaYyIP02NfUu9k4 (Brother Moon)
Darrundang Ngiinda - Thankyou
Miss Liz Hegedus - Aboriginal Education Worker
School Notes
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
Please be advised our School Office is open between 8.20am and 3.20pm daily.
UNIFORMS
The school uniform is available to purchase through the Compass app.
Orders will be sent home with your child, please advise the Office you would prefer to collect it.
Uniform collection times are Tuesday and Thursday between 8.30am - 8.45am & 2.30pm - 3.00pm.
MEDICATION
If your child is currently taking medication at school, parents are now required to complete the Medication permission form available through the Compass app.
If you have previously provided a paper copy, you will need to complete the online form to meet the new 2025 requirements.
ABSENCES
Only full day absences are to be entered into Compass, for partial absences - arriving late or leaving early please phone the School Office to notify.
Late arrivals - Parents are reminded to accompany your child to the Office to provide the reason for your child's late arrival.
Change to afternoon travel arrangements may be emailed to the school if before 12.00pm sjpgraf@lism.catholic.edu.au
After 12.00pm please phone the School Office on 6642 2899 with any changes.
Please notify the School Office if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, Principal approval may be required.
SCHOOL FEES
BPay is the preferred payment method for school fees.
Scheduled payments can be set up using BPay. The Biller Code and your personal reference number can be found on your Fee Statement.
Paying through BPay ensures that your payment goes directly to your account. Any enquireies please contact the School Office.
Uniforms
Merit Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Merit Award.
ES1: John, Kyla, Matilda, Matteo
Stage 1: Madison, Sarah, Joseph
Stage 2: Amelia, Emily, Heston, Izac
Stage 3: Phoenix, Max, Reuben, Lennox
School Calendar
TERM 3 2025
Week 6
Friday, 28 August - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 7
Monday, 1 September - School Photo catch up day
Monday, 1 September - Intensive Swimming (Kindergarten, Year 1, 2, 3,4)
Wednesday, 3 September - Clarence Zone Soccer Knockout Gala Day in Yamba, Stage 3
Friday, 5 September - Father's Day liturgy & Celebration, Mercy Hall at 2.30pm
Week 8
Wednesday, 10 September - Book Club due today
Thursday, 11 September - Public Speaking School Finals Years 3-6, Mercy Hall at 9.00am
Friday, 12 September - PCYC Basketball Gala Day, Stage 2 & 3
Friday, 12 September - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Saturday, 13 September & Sunday, 14 September - Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Week 9
Monday, 15 September to Wednesday, 17 September - Stage 3 Camp, Coffs Coast Adventure Centre
Thursday, 18 September - Term 3 Celebration, Disco and Family BBQ in the evening (Further details to be provided)
Week 10
Thursday, 25 September - Last day of Term 3 for students
Friday, 26 September - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
TERM 4 2025
Week 1
Monday, 13 October - Staff Development Day (Pupil Free Day)
Tuesday, 14 October - Students return for Term 4
Week 2
Friday, 24 October - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 3
Thursday, 30 October - Jacaranda Thursday, School Closed
Week 4
Friday, 7 November - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 5
Tuesday, 11 November - Remembrance Day
Week 6
Tuesday, 18 November - Parent Group Meeting 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Friday, 21 November - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 7
Week 8
Wednesday, 3 December - Parish School End of Year Gathering, McAuley Catholic College 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 5 December - School Assembly 2.15pm in Mercy Hall
Week 9
Tuesday, 9 December - Year 6 Graduation 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Thursday, 11 December - End of Year Awards Evening 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Week 10
Tuesday, 16 December - Last Day of School for Students
Wednesday, 17 December - Staff Spirituality Day (Pupil Free day)
Canteen
Canteen Open every Wednesday and Friday
Canteen orders are placed through the Compass portal prior to 8.30am. Our menu has been updated and the following new items are now available to order:
- Banana Bread (gluten free)
- Fried rice with meat
- Chicken nuggets (gluten free)
- Frozen pinapple rings
- Jelly cup (diet)
Volunteers are urgently needed, please leave your details with the
School office if you're able to assist.
Community Notices
