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.

Dear St Joseph’s families,

A warm welcome to the 2026 school year at St Joseph’s School Kununurra. It has been wonderful to see our children return to school so happy, joyful, and ready for learning. Their energy has filled our classrooms and playground with excitement from the very first day.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our staff, whose thoughtful preparation has ensured such a smooth and positive start to the year. Their commitment to our students is already shining through in every lesson and every interaction.

Today we gathered for our first assembly, where our Year 5/6 class presented a fantastic item titled “What Is Great About Our School.” Their creativity and enthusiasm had the whole school smiling. Congratulations also to our merit award winners your hard work and positive attitude are an inspiration to us all.

The BeMe sporting games on Wednesday and Friday were a real highlight. The cheers, teamwork, and countless smiles made it clear how much everyone enjoyed themselves. We wrapped up the week with an icy pole treat, the perfect finish to two great days of sport and school spirit.

As we look ahead to the coming week, we are pleased to share several important events in our school community. On Tuesday, 18 February at 8:15am, we will gather in the school library for our Ash Wednesday Celebration. This marks the beginning of the season of Lent, and families are warmly invited to join us for this special moment of reflection and prayer.

Later in the week, on Friday, 20 February, we will come together for our School Breakfast. This will offer a wonderful opportunity for families, students, and staff to connect and enjoy a relaxed start to the day. We look forward to seeing many of you there. Please take the time to visit your child’s classroom.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support as we begin this new school year. It is already shaping up to be a time of learning, growth, and shared experiences, and we are excited for all that lies ahead.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Greg Green

Principal

Next week, our Boab value focus will be Respect. Throughout the week, we will be working with students to explore what respect looks like across our whole school community. This includes using good manners such as please, thank you, and excuse me; greeting others with a friendly smile; and choosing kind, helpful words in our interactions. These simple actions help create a positive and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued.

This week, our students were very lucky to have 2 sessions with Katie from Be.Me Movement Education. Katie is very passionate about enhancing student wellbeing and learning through movement -based experiences. The students participated in games that support self-regulation, communication and leadership skills. A GREAT way to start the new school year!

Peter O'Mara

Assistant Principal

Sr Julianne is hoping to provide each child with a library bag. We have plenty of material but are in need of volunteers to sew the bags.

Please let us know if you are able to assist.

As you may be aware, our parish has not had a resident priest since Fr Vinu left at Easter last year.

We are very happy to welcome Fr Ernest next week as the permanent priest appointed to Kununurra. He will also travel to Kalumburu each month to minister to their community.

Wednesday 18th of February, is the start of Lent.

All are welcome to join us for a Liturgy on that day, in our School Library, at 8.15 am. We will also take the opportunity to welcome Fr Ernest.

Fr Ernest will also celebrate Mass, on that day, at 5.30pm at the Kununurra Catholic Church.

Our school will be fundraising once again, for Project Compassion during Lent. Read more https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

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 to be advised by Fr Ernest.

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

Dear Parents and Guardians

On 4 July 2025 Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) communicated its intention for Catholic schools to transition to a three-week holiday period for its students.

Catholic school staff and members of the CEWA community were invited to provide their feedback including any questions they may have had.

Over 75% of respondents were in favour of the initiative, acknowledging the significant reprieve the additional week would offer School staff and students in the management of their mental health and wellbeing.

In addition, it is noted that the revised calendar would afford the following benefits to students:

• Additional time for recovery and re-energising;
• Enhanced student achievement;
• Improved classroom behaviours;
• Lowered rates of student absenteeism;
• Reduction in the transmission of illness during peak cold and flu season.

In light of this, all CEWA schools will, from 2027 operate with the inclusion of a three-week holiday period for students. To appropriately accommodate this change, our school may make minor adjustments to our daily timetable to ensure that students continue to receive the same instruction time as years previous, ensuring no change to the teaching and learning and pastoral programs of the school.

The Term dates for 2027 has been provided for your information below.

• Term 1 - 28 January – 9 April
• Term 2 - 11 Weeks 26 April – 25 June
• Term 3 - 19 July – 24 September 9 Weeks
• Term 4 - 10 Weeks 11 October – 10 December

Thank you for your support of this initiative; our school with CEWA are committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community and we believe in this initiative’s ability to foster a stronger, healthier and more effective learning environment.

Kind regards

Greg Green

Principal

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