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.

At last week’s assembly, we proudly celebrated a very special moment in our school calendar—the presentation of leadership badges to our newly elected student leaders for 2026. Each student took a pledge of leadership, committing themselves to serve our school community with pride, integrity, and a spirit of teamwork.

These students have already shown admirable qualities of responsibility and kindness, and we congratulate them on being chosen to represent their peers in these important roles.

School Captains

• Favor Mayom

• Joffrey Lada

Ivanhoe Captains

• Trey Ahwon

• Luther Ah-Won

Ord Captains

• Ellee-Rose Davies

• Zyidique Morgan

Argyle Captains

• Janette Lada

• Joffrey Lada

Pentecost Captains

• Edna Morton

• Favor Mayom

We congratulate each of these leaders and look forward to seeing them grow in confidence as they carry out their responsibilities throughout the year. Their leadership enriches our school, strengthens our community, and inspires younger students to follow in their footsteps.

Well done to all our 2026 student leaders!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Greg Green

Principal

Loving God,

We thank You for the gift of our student leaders at St Joseph’s School.

Bless this student with wisdom, courage, and a generous heart.

May they lead with kindness, listen with compassion.

Guide their words and decisions, so that they may build unity, encourage others, and help create a school community where everyone feels valued.

Inspire them with the example of St Joseph to be faithful, humble, and strong in service.

May they use their gifts not for themselves, but for the good of others.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Next week, our Boab value focus will be Respect. Throughout the week, we will be working with students to explore what respect looks like in the classroom. This includes moving quietly when people are working around you . Remember to walk quietly into classes and on time. Listen to the speaker and let others do their work. Use friendly and kind words when talking to everyone. These simple actions help create a positive and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued.

We are currently collecting information to help make informed decisions about how we can improve our school. The aim of this process is to build and maintain a positive school climate in which your child/children will flourish. To help us in our efforts, we are inviting you to respond to the Parent and Caregiver Survey (PaCS), developed at Curtin University. Your response will provide us with information that we will use in our future planning.

This web address is for those wishing to complete a digital survey.

https://irp.cdn-website.com/edf765d6/files/uploaded/CEWA+PACS+Administration+flyer+SJS.pdf

Paper copies will come home with children on Tuesday, 17 March. Completed paper copies can be returned to Georgie in the front office.

We value the voice of our parents and caregivers. A big thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Last week, children from PP to Year 3 participated in an incursion. Keeping WA Kids Safe is an interactive incursion for students led by Kidsafe WA. Sessions run for 40 minutes, covering key injury prevention topics including safety at home, at play and on the road.

Peter O'Mara

Assistant Principal

In case you haven’t yet heard the news, after nearly 13 years of working at St Joseph’s I will be retiring soon, with my final day being Friday, 27 March.

I've really enjoyed being in a workplace where my job intersects with my faith and I've connected with some wonderful staff, students and families across the years.

However, it's time for me to spend my days growing more veggies and doing even more bushwalking!

Di Brooks

On Thursday, March 19, we will celebrate the Feast of St Joseph, our Patron Saint. Mass will be held at 8:15am in the School Library with Father Ernest. All are warmly welcome to join us for this special celebration.

On the same day, our classes will also celebrate Harmony Day. Families are encouraged to come to school dressed in traditional cultural attire. A gold coin donation is requested, with all proceeds going towards Project Compassion.

We look forward to celebrating this meaningful day together as a school community.

In Terms 2–4, children cover a unit of work on one of the Sacraments. At the end of the unit, if requested, children of the Catholic faith are prepared to receive the Sacrament at St Vincent Pallotti Church.

Fr Ernest will be available for Baptisms at any time throughout the year. Baptismal forms can be collected from the school office and returned to Sr Julianne with a preferred date, or by contacting Fr Ernest directly on 9168 1027. Please also let family and friends know about Baptisms if you are aware of pre-school children needing to be baptised.

Other Sacraments this year will be celebrated as follows:

First Eucharist: Term 2 (Year 5 children)

Confirmation: Term 3 (Year 6 children)

First Reconciliation: Term 4 (Year 4 children)

We are aware that some children may have missed receiving a Sacrament with their class in previous years due to absence, sickness, etc. This is not a problem and can be catered for as part of the program.

Families are the first educators of children in their faith, and our staff look forward to partnering with you in your child’s faith journey.

Please contact Sr Julianne or Miss Sian at the school at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

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.

Our School is committed to ensuring that our students are empowered to travel to and from school safely. We recognise that eRideable devices such as eScooters and eBikes are a popular mode of transport accessible to many within our School community.

Equally, our School recognises that eRideables are subject to legislation that prohibit a child under the age of 16 from utilising these devices. Therefore, from Monday 2 February 2026, students who are under 16 years of age will not be permitted to use or store an eRideable device on school premises.

Examples of eRideables include but are not limited to:

• eScooters

• eSkateboards

• hoverboards

• eSkates

• eUnicycles

The Road Safety Commission has developed a webpage with information about the Road Traffic Code (legislation) which can assist individuals in understanding their personal obligations where eRideables are concerned. For more information about eRideables please click here.

We thank you in advance for your support of this initiative which will ensure the ongoing safety of our students and broader school community

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