Term 4, Week 9 Newsletter - 29th November 2024

From the Principal

Dear St Joseph’s Families,

As I write my final message as Principal of St Joseph’s, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a deep sense of pride in all that we have achieved together. These past seven years (4 as APRE and 3 as Principal) have been an incredible journey—a time of growth, transformation, and shared successes for our students, staff, and families.

One of the most profound changes I have witnessed during my time here has been the physical transformation of our school. Watching St Joseph’s evolve from an old secondary school building into the vibrant, contemporary learning and teaching spaces we see today has been extraordinary. These new facilities have not only enriched our students’ educational experiences but also reflect the forward-thinking and innovative spirit of our community.

Beyond the physical changes, we have accomplished so much together. Initiatives like the implementation of the 5Cs Positive Behaviour Practices and the integration of Friendology into our classrooms have strengthened our culture of care, respect, and excellence. These achievements are a testament to the dedication and passion of our staff and families, always striving to provide the best for our students.

What I will treasure most from my time here are the relationships—the connections forged through shared moments of celebration, support, and faith. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts, to our parents and families for their trust and partnership, and to our students, whose joy, curiosity, and growth have been my greatest inspiration.

As I prepare to leave this role, I do so with immense pride in the legacy we have built together and confidence in the bright future that lies ahead for St Joseph’s. This school is more than just a place of learning; it is a community of faith, resilience, and hope—a place where every child is nurtured to thrive.

While it is difficult to say goodbye, I will carry with me countless memories of our time together. Please know that I will keep St Joseph’s in my prayers, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of this incredible community.

May God’s blessings continue to guide and protect each of you.

With heartfelt thanks and best wishes,

Jo Desailly 
Principal

Staffing Announcement

Mrs. Taryn Dredge has tendered her resignation and will be finishing her role as our Front Office Administrator at the end of the school year. Taryn has accepted an administration position at Mount Isa Hospital.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Taryn for her 8 years of dedicated service to St Joseph's. Her commitment, professionalism, and warm presence have been deeply valued by staff, students, and families alike.

As Taryn embarks on this new chapter, we wish her and her family all the very best for the future. May God continue to bless them and keep them in the palm of His hand.

The recruitment process to fill this role will commence shortly.

Instrumental Music News

We would like to share an important update regarding our Instrumental Music program. After careful consideration, we have made the decision that, beginning in 2025, St Joseph's will no longer offer instrumental music lessons during school hours.
 

This decision has been made due to a significant decline in Instrumental Music enrolments, which has rendered the program no longer financially viable.
 

Music remains a cornerstone of our students' education, and as a school, we continue to prioritise its importance. This change allows us to strengthen our commitment to providing high-quality music education by refocusing resources on broader music initiatives. These initiatives aim to engage and support a larger number of students across all year levels, ensuring music remains a vibrant and integral part of school life.

We would like to thank Miss Catherine Motteram for all she has done at St Joseph's, particularly, working with students in the instrumental program as well as offering opportunities with SHEP and Mulkadee over the past 6 years. Next year Miss Motteram will transition to classroom music teaching at Good Shepherd Catholic College.
 

While we understand that this change may be disappointing to some, we are confident that it will allow us to continue offering a high-quality and accessible music curriculum to all students.

We also encourage families to explore local music programs outside of school hours to further support their children's musical growth.
 

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we move forward with these changes

Staffing Allocations

It is with pleasure that I announce the following staffing allocations for 2025. We are currently still recruiting for remaining teacher and school officer positions and hope to have all positions finalised as soon as practicable. 

Students will receive their class allocations for Prep - Year 6 on Thursday the 5th December, on the same day report cards are issued.

Student Leadership Announcement

It is with great pleasure, I announce our 2025 Year 6 Elected Leaders. 

I am sure you will join me to congratulate all our future Year 6 students for the time they put into preparing their applications and speeches. They are truly a great group of students who are sure to serve St Joseph's with pride next year. 

URStrong

Supporting a Child Through a Friendship Break-up

Friendship Fact #4 reminds children that: Friendships change…and that’s okay! But, the reality is, it doesn’t always feel okay at first. Sometimes, it feels painful and hard and we see kids resisting the change.

This Friendship Fact is, undoubtedly, the hardest one for tweens to wrap their heads around. As kids approach adolescence, it is very common for their friendships to shift. This is a dynamic stage in their development, as they begin to figure out who they are and what they believe in. Naturally, changing interests and opinions results in changing friendships.

It’s important for children to accept that friendships are always changing because we are always changing. Not all friendships were meant to last forever and we want them to get comfortable with the natural ebb and flow of friendship. Like the Marie Kondo Method, if it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to let it go.

Change can feel really hard and sometimes children struggle to accept the very normal, common process of growing apart from a friend. In more serious circumstances, where they’ve been friends for a very long time, a friendship break-up can feel as painful as death – the equivalent of losing a loved one. Depending on the depth of the friendship, some children may go through, what David Kessler & Elisabeth Kübler-Ross have identified as, The 6 Stages of Grief. For a child, a friendship break-up might look something like this:  

• Denial: They hold on to the way the friendship used to be and try to act like it hasn’t changed, perhaps still referring to this person as their best friend (despite it not feeling that way).
• Anger: They feel frustrated with their friend and annoyed by the little things, sparking lots of little (and big) Friendship Fires®.
• Depression: This is the stage where they really take it personally and tears emerge, sometimes crying a lot after school when they get home. Older children might appear sullen or withdrawn.
• Bargaining: In this stage, they might be opening up a little more, sharing their story with others and seeking comfort.
• Acceptance: They begin to form new friendships and come to terms with ‘letting go’ of the friendship.
• Meaning: This is when they can look back on the situation and feel a sense of gratitude for what they learned from this friendship.

Whether you feel your child is working their way through the stages of grief and loss, or is simply just adjusting to the “new normal” of a changing friendship, there are lots of ways you can support them.

Here is a list of strategies to help your child move forward after a friendship break-up depending on how they’re coping:

Note: Parents, log-in to your free family membership to access the activities. Teachers, URSTRONG Schools can access these resources in the parent portal.

*Is your child struggling with self-respect? Continue to remind them they deserve healthy, Green-Zone friends.

• For a child who is clinging on to a friend who is trying to push them away, you might ask them: “Why on Earth would you want to be friends with someone who doesn’t want to be friends with you?” This statement creates a lightbulb moment, helping them begin to see the importance of self-respect. Try this activity: Boundary Building
• Keep linking their experience to The Friend-o-Meter. Ask your child, “Where is your friendship on the Friend-o-Meter today? Wow! Red again? That’s a lot of days in the Red-Zone! What colour friendships do you deserve?” Try this activity called: Must-Haves, Deal-Breakers, & Ice-Cream or watch Session 7 of our Language of Friendship video series called: Dealing with an Unhealthy Relationship
• Continue to shift their attention to positive, feel-good friendships. Ask them, “I know you’re missing the way your friendship used to be with Zach. Can you think of any Green-Zone friends you have now? What about Nathan? He is so kind and caring – he seems like a Green-Zone friend!”
• Do you feel, ultimately, their struggle is connected to their lacking sense of self-worth? We have a whole section devoted to activities focused on Building Self-Worth. Give the Unwrapping Your Gifts activity a try – it will tug at your heartstrings!

*Is your child focusing on the negative? Try to shift their mindset to gratitude. 

• Help them acknowledge what that friendship gave them and what they’ve learned. Try saying, “I know it’s really hard when a friendship ends. What did this friendship teach you? Have you learned anything?” Help them tap into the impact this friendship had on them, noting that even unhealthy friendships ultimately have lessons that improve the way we ‘do relationships’ in the future.
• Share the sentiment: “We have different friends for different reasons in different seasons.” Discuss what this means, helping them come to terms with this very normal experience.

*Is your child finding it hard to accept? Normalize their experience.

• Share your stories. It’s comforting for children to know that it’s normal to grow apart from a friend. You might even share a story of a friend you grew apart from, but who came back into your life later on. This might give your child feelings of hope and optimism, recognizing that friendships aren’t always gone forever…just for right now.
• If it feels like they’re in denial, you might try saying: “That person you used to be friends with is not the same person. They’ve changed, just like you’re not the same person you were 2 years ago!”
• If your child is a visual learner, metaphors are helpful. Say, “Go with the flow! Pull in the oars and let the current of friendship take you, rather than trying to paddle against the current.”

*Is your child feeling empty or alone? Help them fill up again.

• One-on-one time is a great way fast track the friend-making process. Whether it’s a playdate or a sleepover, create an opportunity for your child to feel close to new friends. Get your child to watch this video, where they will learn 4 easy ways to make new friends: Make Friends, Like a Ninja!
• Give them fun, little challenges to get them excited about making new friends. For example, you might say: “Try to say hi to someone new today!” Celebrate with them if they achieved the goal.
• Remind them of the importance of quality over quantity! Say, “It’s better to have one Green-Zone friend than a bunch of Orange-Zone friends!” Read this article: Quality over Quantity in Friendships
• Help them tap into their strengths, focusing on the most important friendship of all – their friendship with themself. Make a list with them of all the activities that light them up and feel good. Like a distraction technique, this helps to shift their attention away from the break-up towards their strengths & passions. Doing things they love will help release positive emotions and even get them into a state of flow, which is powerful for their wellbeing. If they love skateboarding, put them in a skate camp or build a half-pipe! It’s a perfect time for them to try out a new hobby or hone in on their faves!

*Is your child making it a bigger deal than it is? Help them gain perspective.

• If they are catastrophizing, you can ask them: “Will this matter in 5 days? 5 months? 5 years?” Help them see that, although it feels really big right now, in time it will feel like a thing of the past.
• Sometimes a big, dramatic break-up is unnecessary and all that is required is a new understanding of what the friendship looks like now. Maybe it’s gone from We-Do-Everything-Together to We-Play-Together-Sometimes. (Try this activity: Spending Less Time) It’s an opportunity to redefine the friendship. Just because “best friends” doesn’t feel good anymore, doesn’t mean they can’t still be friends. It’s really about accepting and redefining the ‘new’ friendship. Get your child to learn about the WWW strategy (What works? What doesn’t work?) by watching this video: Feel-Good Friendships

As the saying goes, “It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Be there to support them, but ultimately remind them that friendships – even the ones we’ve lost – all leave a little imprint on our hearts. We can use these experiences as powerful “Teachable Moments” in our kids’ lives to help them feel a little more ‘okay’ with Friendship Fact #4.

One final note to consider: Are you, as the parent, making it a bigger deal than it really is? Are you projecting your own heartbreak or personal experiences of losing a friend onto your child? Is your child really struggling or are you the one finding it hard to accept this new reality? Maybe you were friends with that child’s parents? Or, perhaps you worry that nobody likes your child? Be sure to consider how you’re responding to this situation and maybe it’s worth rephrasing: Your child’s friendships will change…and that’s okay.

Written by Dana Kerford
Founder & Friendship Expert

P.S. If your child needs some space from a friend, perhaps this activity is better suited to what they need right now: Break-up Line Bootcamp

Education in Faith

Christmas Wishes

As we come to the close of an incredible year at St. Joseph’s, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a joyful and peaceful Christmas, filled with love, laughter, and many blessings for the holidays and the New Year. This year has been a remarkable journey, full of moments to cherish and celebrate. Together, we’ve shared in so many wonderful events—our vibrant Feast Day celebrations, community Masses, moving liturgies, and special school traditions. These moments truly highlight the heart of our Catholic identity.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, families, and the wider St. Joseph’s community for a wonderful 2024. Having joined the community this year, I have felt so warmly welcomed and supported by everyone. It has been a joy to see the St. Mary MacKillop charism alive in our school, especially through the many who “never see a need without doing something about it.” This spirit of service and generosity is what makes our school so special.

Reflecting on the year, my heart is full of gratitude for all that we have achieved as a school community. It has been a privilege to witness the incredible growth of our students—not only in their learning but also in their enthusiasm for participation in school events and fundraising efforts. Their dedication and compassion continue to inspire us all. 

Thank you for your ongoing support, kindness, and commitment to our school. May the holiday season bring you joy and time to rest and reconnect with loved ones.

Jangawala

We extend our thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of Jangawala this year. Your time, effort, and generosity have made a meaningful impact on this wonderful initiative. We deeply appreciate your support and look forward to working together again next year to continue building on this great work.

Advent
This time of year is always such a special and exciting one as we enter the season of Advent. Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical calendar and includes the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin term meaning "to come to," signifying a time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus' birth.

To help us reflect on the story of Jesus' birth, our Year 1 students will present a Nativity reflection on Friday, 6th December (the last day of school) at 8:30am in the Penola. We warmly invite all families to join us for this beautiful liturgical celebration.

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. Here are some ways you can share that joy at home while helping your family learn about the rich traditions of our Catholic faith.

• Advent Family Wreath Activity. 
• Video reflection about Advent that you can watch with your families.
• More information and activities can be found on Loyola Press website. 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

This year, we are proud to support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, helping bring joy and relief to families in need during the holiday season. Our school community has a wonderful opportunity to make a difference by donating items that can help create a brighter Christmas for those facing challenges. Please see the attached flyer for details on how you can contribute. Every donation, big or small, helps share the true spirit of Christmas by spreading kindness, hope, and generosity. Thank you for supporting this important cause!

End of Year Mass

Our End-of-Year Mass and Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd, in the Penola Centre from 8:40 a.m. We will join in a shared morning tea after mass. All students will be required to wear their formal uniform for Tuesday that week. Parents of award recipients and year 6 students are especially invited to attend. Please RSVP to tblanco1@sjmtsv.catholic.edu.au by Friday, November 29th.

Nativity

Our Year 1 students will be leading us in a special Nativity Liturgy on Friday, 6th December at 8:30am in the Penola Centre. All families are warmly invited to join us for this beautiful celebration of the Christmas story. Mark your calendars—we hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday 3rd December - End of Year Mass & Awards Ceremony
• Friday 6th December - Nativity Liturgy

Mrs Tenielle Blanco
APRE

Foundations in Education

Semester Two Academic Reports

As we near the end of another school year, we get ready to celebrate all the wonderful achievements of our students. Over the course of this semester, teachers have been gathering evidence of learning for each learning area for each of our students. This process involves gathering, analysing and reflecting on multiple sources of evidence to make an informed judgment about what students know, understand, and can do.   

In Week 10, families will receive Semester Two Report Cards for students from Prep to Year 6. This Report Card is a culmination of your child’s academic achievement throughout the semester, as well as a snapshot of their spiritual and social development. It is just one way of communicating information about student achievement, effort, and behaviour.   

The Australian Curriculum is written in such a way that there is an ‘Achievement Standard’ for each year level for each subject area. It is this Achievement Standard that we report against. The standards are written as a statement of what a student is aiming to achieve by the end of the school year for their year level.

A student receiving a ‘C’ standard indicates that they have met this standard, that is, that their work demonstrates a conceptual understanding of the concepts covered and that they can apply this knowledge and skill in familiar situations. Simply speaking, a ‘C’ standard indicates that your child is able to do what is expected of them for their year level.  

To move beyond a ‘C’ standard, a student must demonstrate that they are developing a sophistication of conceptual understanding, with a strong application of skills, and that they are beginning to transfer their knowledge and skills to new situations.

Similarly, a ‘D’ standard does not constitute a failure but indicates that a student is continuing to develop their understanding of the expected curriculum and may be able to demonstrate some of the elements within it, whether with support or inconsistently. A rough outline of these standards is provided below.

In each Learning Area, students also receive an effort achievement level. This level is derived by the level of application and study habits during that particular Learning Area. Students who receive ‘C’ for effort are demonstrating the expected level of effort and engagement during learning time.

If you have any questions about Semester 2 Academic Reports, please feel free to make contact with your classroom teacher.  

Wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas break.

Mrs Megan Pearce
APPL

Wellbeing & Diversity

A Special Report: Fortnite

Most parents of adolescent children would be aware of the online game, ‘Fortnite’. The addictive nature of this game is having adverse effects on children’s behaviour and affecting their mental health. With over 125 million registered players worldwide, this game encourages players to battle each other to death using a variety of weaponry.

With an age rating of 12, this game raises many cybersafety concerns. Unfortunately, it allows unmoderated chat between players, leaving children exposed to be contactable by “randomers’ online. This function alone makes it unsuitable for primary aged children.

In light of last week’s announcement from the World Health Organisation now recognising “gaming disorder” as a mental health issue, this special report will help parents gain a greater insight into Fortnite and the concerns surrounding it. Parents are encouraged to reassess their gaming allowances and better manage technology usage at home.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://sjmtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/online-game-fortnite-special-report

Mrs Rebecca Greaves
Guidance Counsellor

In the classroom...

Year 6 Science Fun

Our Year 6 students got creative with their science experiment, making snow for their elf on the Shelf! They tested varying measurements to determine the best texture for their snowy creation.

Check out the photos of their hands-on learning and holiday fun!

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School News

School Fees

Just a reminder that if you wish to apply for the Multi School Discount or the Health Care Card Concession, an application must be completed and lodged by the first week of Term 1 2025.

School fee schedule for 2025 will be issued shortly.   If you would like to pay your school fees by direct debit, please complete an authority and return it to the school administration.

All forms are available on our school website or from the school office.

Uniform Shop

Please find below the 2025 uniform package deals and our extended uniform shop hours.

We encourage families to take advantage of the extended hours in 2024, as uniform shop hours will be very limited prior to Term 1, 2025.

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