Term 1, Week 2 Newsletter - 7th February 2025

From The Principal

Welcome to the beginning of another exciting school year at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Mount Isa! As we step into 2025, I extend a warm welcome to all our returning families and a special greeting to those who are new to our school community.

The start of the year has been a busy one, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition for all students. We remain actively engaged in securing permanent teachers and are grateful for the wonderful supply staff who have stepped in to support our students. Their commitment to our school’s mission is truly appreciated, and I thank our families for their patience and understanding as we work through this process.

On a personal note, I would like to express my gratitude to the St Joseph’s community for the warm and welcoming reception my wife and I have received since our arrival. While the North West is familiar to us, the kindness, hospitality, and sense of belonging that we have already experienced reaffirm the strong community spirit that makes this region so special.

I also want to take this opportunity to invite all families to our Meet & Greet BBQ this afternoon at 4:45pm. This event provides a fantastic opportunity for us to come together in a relaxed and informal setting, strengthening the bonds between families, staff, and the wider school community. I encourage you all to join us, meet your child’s teachers, connect with other families, and enjoy a wonderful start to the year together. An update regarding whether it will proceed or not will be made this afternoon, or looked to be rescheduled.

I look forward to working alongside each of you in 2025 as we continue to nurture a school community built on faith, learning, and partnership. I look forward to this year of growth, achievement, and shared success for all.

Education in Faith

We are delighted to welcome back our St Joseph’s families for 2025 and extend a heartfelt greeting to our new students and families joining our community. As we begin this new year, we reflect on our school’s mission and vision, deeply rooted in the Josephite charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. This charism connects us to our humble beginnings, when the first St Joseph’s school was led by the Sisters of St Joseph.

Our theme for 2025, "Loving to Learn, Learning to Love: A Year of Hope," is inspired by our school motto, Love, Learn, and Serve, and aligns with Pope Francis’ declaration of 2025 as the Year of Hope. This theme reminds us that through learning, we grow in love, and through love, we open our hearts to new understanding. It calls us to embrace learning as a path to deeper faith, kindness, and service, while nurturing hope in our school and beyond.

Guided by the words of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, “be a gift of love and compassion for one another,” we enter this year with open minds and hearts, ready to grow together in faith, knowledge, and hope.

Beginning Year mass

Our Beginning Year Mass will be held on Friday 21st February. Our Beginning Year Mass is an opportunity to gather as a school community and celebrate the year ahead. During Mass, we will also be formally acknowledging and inducting our Year 6 students as leaders of our school. Mass will commence from 8:40am in the Penola Centre. Morning tea will be provided following mass. Please RSVP via email by Monday 17th February.

Parish Connections

St Joseph’s has a strong connection to the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, Mount Isa. We will continue to build this parish-school partnership this year, through our commitment to cooking for Jangawala (Parish outreach program) as well as celebrating our Family Masses once a term. More information about Family Mass and Jangawala will be shared with parents in the next few weeks. 

We will also be offering the Confirmation and Communion program, which aims to prepare students to become fully initiated into our parish community. More information will be shared with families over the next 2 weeks.

Upcoming Events

• Friday 7th February - Assembly in Penola from 8:40am
• Friday 7th February - Meet & Greet BBQ
• Sunday 16th February - Jangawala Service
• Friday 21st February - Beginning Year Mass in Penola from 8:40am
• Tuesday 4th March - Shrove Tuesday & launch of Project Compassion
• Wednesday 5th March - Ash Wednesday (First day of Lent)
• Year 6 leaders will attend Parish Mass at 6:30am to collect ashes
• Whole school liturgy at 2pm held in Penola Centre
• Monday 17th March - St Patrick’s Day
• Wednesday 19th March - Feast of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Foundations in Education

Welcome to another exciting year at St Joseph’s Primary School! As we embark on the 2025 school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to all our students and families, both new and returning. It has been wonderful to see our students settle back into school life with such enthusiasm and energy after their holiday break.

Our dedicated teachers have been working hard in their classrooms to build strong relationships with students, establish high expectations, and reinforce our school-wide behaviour management practices. These foundations are essential in creating a positive and engaging learning environment where every child feels supported, valued, and ready to succeed.

As we begin the term, I’d also like to remind you of the upcoming NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) testing window, which runs from Wednesday, 12th March to Monday, 24th March. At St Joseph’s, we have carefully planned and scheduled NAPLAN tests on specific days, as outlined in the attached poster.

NAPLAN is a nationwide assessment that provides invaluable insights into students' literacy and numeracy skills. It serves as an important tool to help us tailor our teaching strategies and ensure we are meeting the individual learning needs of every student. We encourage all students to approach the tests with a positive mindset and to do their best.

I look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

School News

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.

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.

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