Term 3 Week 8, 2025
From our Leadership
Welcome
Dear St Joseph’s Community,
Father’s Day Assembly
Thank you to all the families who attended our Father's Day Liturgy and Celebration last Friday. This assembly is always a highlight for our school community. The spirit of St Joseph, our Patron Saint was indeed present.
First Holy Communion
We keep Portia, Max, William, Patrick, Mason and Maddelyn in our prayers this weekend as they make their First Holy Communion.
May the Grace of the Sacrament be theirs.
Family Gathering
Families are invited to join us for our gathering on Thursday, 18 September from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This gathering will include a short prayer activity, bush dances and a BBQ dinner. The school will supply the sausages, coleslaw and potato salad. Please bring along your non alcoholic drinks and rugs!
To assist with catering please return the form sent home last week with your child.
Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee
Excitement was buzzing across the nation last week as the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee reached a thrilling milestone, with students from all over Australia taking part in this fast-paced literacy challenge.
Held online and supervised at school, each participant was given 30 randomly selected words, read aloud via audio, and just 25 seconds to type the correct spelling.
The competition is divided into three levels:
- Year 3 to Year 4
- Year 5 to Year 6
- Year 7 to Year 8
Word difficulty is adjusted by age group. Accuracy and speed are key, as top scorers progress to the State and Territory Finals, followed by the National Finals. Well done to our Stage 2 students who sat this challenge.
Teaching and Learning
Professional Learning in Action: Coaching for Impact
Last week, we were pleased to welcome back to our school Elissa Baker and Sharon De Dassel, Education Officers from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office (DLCS).
Alongside our Leader of Learning, Brooke Donoghue, Elissa and Sharon spent time observing our Kindergarten to Year 2 teachers as part of our ongoing instructional coaching cycle.
This coaching cycle is a valuable part of our professional development program and occurs each term. It focuses on strengthening explicit instruction, the teaching approach our staff use to deliver key content from our InitiaLit reading and spelling program during the daily English block.
More than just teacher observation, these coaching cycles are designed to enhance classroom practice and, most importantly, improve student learning outcomes. Teachers receive feedback, reflect on their practice, and then share insights with colleagues, helping to build a consistent, whole-school approach to high-quality, evidence-based teaching.
We are proud of the commitment our staff show to continual growth and the impact this has on learning across our school community.
Spotlight On… Stage 3!
We’re excited to bring you the latest edition of our Spotlight On… series — a behind-the-scenes look into the inspiring learning happening in our Writing classrooms. Now in its fourth round, this initiative offers a meaningful glimpse into the writing journeys of our Stage 3 students and the powerful teaching practices guiding them.
Each term, we shine a light on a different stage of learning, showcasing how students engage with writing through purposeful teaching, collaboration, and reflection. Here’s a reminder of what you can expect in each Spotlight On feature:
🎯 Learning Intention
Every unit begins with a clear learning goal, helping students understand what they’re learning and why it matters — laying the foundation for deeper thinking and engagement.
✅ Success Criteria
Co-created with students, these criteria define what success looks like. They encourage ownership, self-reflection, and clarity in the learning process.
📌 Anchor Charts
These teacher-student-created visuals unpack the Success Criteria. They remain on display in classrooms as helpful reference points for students as they work.
⬆️ Bump It Up Wall
This wall features real student work showing a range of achievement. It helps students see progress, set goals, and strive for quality in their own writing.
🎥 Student Voice – The 5 Questions
In each edition, we highlight student reflections in a short video where they respond to The 5 Questions. You’ll hear them explain their learning using tools like the Learning Intention, Success Criteria, Anchor Charts, and Bump It Up Wall — showing not just their finished work, but their growth along the way.
We hope you enjoy this deeper dive into Stage 3’s writing experiences — and we can’t wait to turn the spotlight back to Kindergarten in our next edition!
Mrs Deleiuen’s Writing Group:
Anchor Charts:
‘Bump It Up’ Examples:
Student Responses the the ‘5 Questions’:
Mr Stewart’s Writing Group:
Learning Intention Success Criteria
Anchor Charts:
‘Bump It Up’ Examples:
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in Action
In our Writing and Mathematics classrooms, students are actively engaging with Learning Intentions and Success Criteria — key strategies inspired by the work of Lyn Sharratt. These tools help students understand what they are learning and how they can be successful.
By using these strategies, students are supported to take greater ownership of their learning, receive targeted feedback from teachers and peers, and reflect meaningfully on their progress.
You can support this approach at home by asking your child questions like:
👉 “What was added to your Success Criteria today?”
👉 “How did you know you were successful?”
Writing:
Mathematics:
Principal-Danny Rankin
Assistant Principal-Anne Forwell
Leader of Learning - Brooke Donoghue
Leader of Evangelisation - Matthew Green
Sport Coordinator - Caitlin Crispin
In Term 4 students in Stage 2 and 3 will have the opportunity to participate in an afternoon of Elective Sport. This will occur on a Thursday afternoon for 4 weeks from 12:30 pm, beginning on 6 November.
Available sport choices:
- Dance at school
- Swimming (Stage 3 students only)
- Ten Pin Bowling (2 games each week)
- PCYC Touch
- Football at school
Please check your email for the link to the google form. Preferences are due by Wednesday, 24 September.
Term 4 Sporting Dates
- Weeks 3-4 Summer Sports Trials
- Weeks 4-7 Stage 2 and Stage 3 Elective Sport
- Week 5 Whole School Swimming Carnival Wednesday, 12 November
Gumbaynggirr Language - Liz Hegedus
Ginnagay Ngujawiny - Hello You Mob,
Kindergarten are travelling around Australia visiting lots of different areas with significant sacred sites. This week we travelled to Mount Boradaille.
Mount Boradaille is a registered Aboriginal sacred site in West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, renowned for its ancient and spectacular rock art, including paintings and depictions of contact with Europeans. Managed by its traditional custodians, the Amurdak people, the area is accessible through guided tours.
There are lots of features, such as:
- Aboriginal Rock Art:
The area contains one of the world's largest collections of rock art, including ancient depictions of animals, spirit figures, and "contact art" showing introduced items like ships and firearms. - Cultural Significance:
Mount Borradaile is a sacred site for the Amurdak people, who have lived there for 50,000 years, and their ancestry is evident in the rock paintings and ceremonial grounds. - Natural Landscape:
The location features rugged ranges, paperbark swamps, lily-fringed billabongs, and monsoon forests, all teeming with birdlife and other animals, including crocodiles. - Catacombs:
A network of caves known as the Catacombs contains burials of high-status individuals, some with remains painted red.
https://youtu.be/5I5Ikc0nPps?si=xHSFU51V1YHeilX_ (Mount Borradaile)
Kindergarten watched videos of tours going into caves looking at rock art. They then had to draw their own rock art using paint pens. We have some great rock art, some featured snakes, crocodiles, water, caves and landscapes.
Kindergarten did a wonderful job creating their drawings, it is a joy to teach them every week.
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: Roman, Flynn, Alexander, Ivy
Stage 1: Lacey, Mickey, Max, Sophie
Stage 2: Summer, Daisy, Ruby
Stage 3: Charlotte, Kendall, Heidi, Noah
School Calendar
TERM 3 2025
Week 8
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 - Family Evening, Bushdance & BBQ commencing at 5.30pm and concluding at 7.30pm
Week 10
Thursday, 25 September - Book Week Dress up day
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
