St Joseph's School Newsletter

Inspired by Mary MacKillop, we strive to achieve excellence in education and pastoral care, foster well being, develop strong values and include all cultures and community members.

Following Jesus' example, we support all cultures and needs by building trusting relationships and fostering high expectations that inspire and empower our children to be compassionate, lifelong learners.

Welcome Back to Term 2!

I hope all families enjoyed a restful break and are feeling refreshed for the busy and exciting weeks ahead.

We warmly invite all mothers, aunts, grandmothers and special friends to join us as we celebrate MAGS Day with a special breakfast at St Joseph’s School.

🗓 Friday 8 May

⏰ 7:45 am

📍 St Joseph’s School

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a school community and celebrate the important people in our students’ lives.

Early Years Open Morning

Families interested in our Early Childhood programs are invited to attend an Open Morning and experience our wonderful Early Years programs. Families are welcome to wander through our three-year-old room kindergarten preprimary year and year one rooms. There will be morning tea in the multi-purpose room at 9:40 for a friendly chat.

🗓 Wednesday 10 June

⏰ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

We look forward to welcoming prospective families and sharing what makes St Joseph’s such a special place to learn and grow.

At St Joseph’s, our Early Years programs are built on a play based, inquiry focused approach, where children are active learners who explore, question and discover the world around them in meaningful ways.

Children learn through play, curiosity and hands on experiences that build language, numeracy, creativity and problem solving skills. Strong relationships, collaborative play and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces support each child’s wellbeing, confidence and independence. Our learning is grounded in faith and values, nurturing kindness, respect and a love of learning.

Three Year Old Program – Commencing Next Term

We are excited to remind our community that our Three Year Old Program will commence next term at St Joseph’s School. This program provides a nurturing and engaging introduction to school life, supporting our youngest learners through play based and inquiry focused experiences.

Our Three Year Old program focuses on developing confidence, curiosity, social skills and a love of learning within a safe, supportive and faith filled environment.

Each family will be sent home a poster advertising the Three Year Old Program. We kindly ask that you share this poster with family, friends and colleagues who may be interested. Your support in spreading the word is greatly appreciated and helps us connect with new families in our community.

If you would like more information, please contact the school office.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Greg Green

Principal

God made a wonderful mother, A mother who never grows old; He made her smile of the sunshine,

And He molded her heart of gold.

There is but one and only one whose love will fail you never. One who lives from sun to sun with constant fond endeavor. There is but one and only one on earth there is no other. In Heaven, a noble work was done when God gave man a Mother.

A Mother is one who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.

God's most precious work of art is the warmth and love of a Mother's heart

A Mother holds her children’s hands for a little while... their hearts forever.

Next week, our Boab value focus will be Following Directions. Throughout the week, we will be working with students to explore what following directions looks like across our whole school community.

This includes listening to staff and doing as you are asked; moving quickly to where you are asked to go; going straight to where your family has told you to go; keeping your hands and feet to yourself; using equipment correctly; and playing in safe areas.

These simple actions help create a positive and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued.

School Captains

Favor Mayom & Joffrey Lada

First Eucharist: Term 2 Year 5 children

This term, all classes are covering a unit of work on the Eucharist as part of the Religious Education Program. On Sunday 7th June we will celebrate First Eucharist for families who wish for their children to receive the Sacrament.

A note has been sent home to all families identifying as Catholics on our records.

Confirmation with Bishop Tim: Term 3 Year 6 children

First Reconciliation: Term 4 Year 4 children

Children at St Joseph's school will be prepared for Sacraments as part of their Religious Education program.

Families who have children not at St Joseph's school, and wish to be included in the sacrament, can contact Sr Julianne. We have preparation programs that can be done at home with family, or by meeting with Sr Julianne after school hours for preparation.

Missed Sacraments:

We are aware that some children have missed Sacraments in previous years due to absence, sickness, moving house, etc. This is not a problem and can be catered for as part of the program.

Baptism:

Fr Ernest is available for Baptisms at any time throughout the year. Baptismal forms can be collected at the school office and returned to Sr Julianne with a preferred date, or by contacting Fr Ernest directly. Please also let family and friends know about baptisms.

Mass is held each weekend at St Vincent Pallotti Church on Sundays at 8:30am.

Weekday Mass times are Wednesday and Friday at 5.30pm.

On Sundays, Children’s Liturgy is included during Mass.

Fr Ernest is available for Reconciliation on any day, usually from about half an hour before Mass.

When possible, each class will visit the Juniper Aged Care Facility to share an activity with the residents (e.g., singing, Lego, painting, reading, etc.). A permission form and additional information will be sent home prior to the visit.

Bishop Tim and others from the Broome Chancery will be in Kununurra to support Fr Ernest and parishioners to tidy up the St Vincent Pallotti presbytery, grounds and shed.

Would there be any parishioners that have some time to help please?

Busy bee

Saturday, May 2nd at St Vincent Pallotti presbytery from 8am – midday.

BYO water, gloves, rakes, buckets, secateurs, dust mask (if required) and morning tea to share. Please wear covered in shoes.

Bishop Tim will celebrate mass with us on Sunday. Please bring morning tea to share afterwards.

The School Bus leaves at 7.00 am each morning, to pick up children in town.

At Approximately, 7.30, the bus then goes out to Ranch, Reserve & Garden areas.

Children MUST be out the front ready for the bus. With an increase in bus numbers this year, even a one-minute delay at each stop—such as children searching for shoes—can significantly extend the bus run time.

Please ensure that an adult is visible at home when we drop children off at the end of the day, otherwise this can delay the bus with staff having to get out and knock on the door or make phone calls to find you. Just a simple wave to the bus driver is all we need.

St Joseph’s white school bus only

Old Town students: 7.00 -7.30am

Ranch, Reserve & Garden students: 7.30-7.40am

Role of the Director General

Schools are required to publish information about the role of the Director General and the following is recommended: “The Director General of the Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that the school observes the registration standards, including the standard about its complaints handling system. Any student, parent or community member is entitled to contact the Director General with concerns about how the school has dealt with a complaint. Information is available on the Department of Education website. While the Director General may consider whether the school has breached the registration standards, she does not have power to intervene in a complaint or override the school’s decision.”