Term 3, Week 10 Newsletter - 19th September 2025

From The Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members,

As we close out Term 3, I would like to thank everyone for their support during what has been a very busy and rewarding term. Whilst I was initially due to be away until the end of term, it has been wonderful to return earlier than expected and be here with staff and students to see out the final weeks together. I extend my sincere thanks to Miss Karlia Ryan for her support and Mrs Tenielle Blanco, who supported our school in the role of Acting Principal during my absence.

Looking Ahead to Term 4

Next term is shaping up to be another full and exciting one for St Joseph’s:

• Year 5 & 6 Camps – These will take place in Weeks 2 and 3. A reminder to families attending camp to please ensure all forms are completed and returned in the first week back so everything is ready to go.

• Christmas Community Fair – Our much-anticipated school fair will be held in Week 3. This is always a highlight on our calendar and a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community. More details will be shared early next term.

We will also hold a virtual Zoom session in Term 4 to discuss the future of Year 5 & 6 camps. This year, we experienced a significant increase in camp costs, and projections indicate an even higher increase for 2026. While staff have worked hard behind the scenes to secure engaging camp experiences such as this year’s new location at Magnetic Island, the financial impact on families is something we must consider carefully. Your feedback will play an important role in helping us shape the direction of camps moving forward.

School Fees for 2026

I wish to inform families that we have received notice from Townsville Catholic Education of a 5.5% increase to Diocesan Tuition Fees for Primary Schools in 2026. A letter prepared by Townsville Catholic Education has been attached to this newsletter to explain how this will affect families.

Please note that while the Diocesan Tuition Fee is set centrally, the School Board works with the Principal to determine any school levies that reflect the needs of our local community. The School Board will be discussing this matter further once our 2026 enrolment numbers are confirmed.

School Board Nominations

We are now calling for nominations to join our School Board. The board is an advisory body that works closely with school leadership to:

• Provide input into the direction of the school,

• Give feedback on school policies and initiatives, and

• Support decisions that enhance the learning and wellbeing of students.

To give families more insight, we will be hosting an Open Evening on Tuesday, 14th October 2025 at 5:00pm. This will be an Adults Only event, with nibbles and refreshments provided. Current board members and school leaders will share what the board does and how you can be involved.

If you are interested in nominating for the School Board, please complete the Google Form. Expressions of Interest will close on Friday, 17th October 2025. Nominations will also be accepted on the night of the Open Evening.

Please note: Members of the School Board must hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) or be able to obtain one before attending meetings.

Thank you again for your continued support of St Joseph’s. May the September break be a time of rest, renewal, and family connection. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of Term 4 on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, following the King’s Birthday public holiday (Monday, 6th October) and the Pupil Free Day (Tuesday, 7th October).

Dates to Remember – Term 4

• Monday, 6th October – King’s Birthday Public Holiday

• Tuesday, 7th October – Pupil Free Day

• Wednesday, 8th October – Term 4 begins

• Tuesday, 14th October, 5:00pm – School Board Open Evening (Adults Only, nibbles & refreshments provided)

• Friday, 17th October – School Board Expressions of Interest close

• Week 2 – Year 5 Camp

• Week 3 – Year 6 Camp

• Week 3 – Christmas Community Fair
  

Warm regards,

Scott Murray,

Principal

Education In Faith

RE Wrap Up

The term has flown by, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the exciting developments in Religion and Catholic Identity at our school. We held special school celebrations for Catholic Education Week, the Feast of St Joachim and St Anne (Grandparents Day), and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We were also blessed with a beautiful Father’s Day assembly honouring our father figures at school. It’s been a wonderful term in RE, and I’d like to thank all students, staff, parents, and friends for contributing to these events.

I’d also like to extend a special thank you to the volunteers who generously gave up their time to cook and serve at Jangawala this term. Your commitment and kindness make a real difference, and we’re so grateful for your efforts. There are two more opportunities to assist this year, and we welcome anyone who is interested in joining us in this important work.

As we look ahead, we are in for another busy term with planning currently underway for a youth Mini Vinnie's Sleepout, Mission Month, Socktober and Rosary week. More details to come next term.

Socktober and Mission Month – Term 4

Next term, we are excited to celebrate Socktober and Mission Month. Socktober is a Catholic Mission initiative supporting vulnerable children around the world. In 2025, funds raised will go towards communities in Zambia, helping children access food and education.

As part of our activities, students will make their own “sockball” soccer balls from recycled materials (used socks, T-shirts, plastic bags, bubble wrap, string etc.). We will then hold a Sockball Soccer Challenge and Crazy Sock Day on Friday 31st October. Students are invited to wear crazy socks and bring a gold coin donation.

To support fundraising, Zooper Doopers will be sold each Friday in October (Weeks 1–4) at second break for $1.

Save the Date - End of Year Mass

Please mark your calendars for our End of Year Mass and Awards Ceremony as we come together to celebrate the achievements of our students and give thanks for the year that has been.

Date: Tuesday 2nd December

Time: 9:00am

Location: Penola Centre

This special occasion is a time to gather as a community in prayer, gratitude, and celebration. We warmly invite all families to join us.

More details will be shared closer to the day.

Reconciliation/Penance

We are collecting names of families/children who wish to complete their Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Penance is included as part of the preparation/completion of First Communion. The Sacrament of Penance involves individual confession and absolution, and is a final step in full initiation in the Catholic Church.

Please contact me if you have any questions or to register your child/children’s interest in participating in this sacrament.

Upcoming Events

Monday 6th October - Rosary Week commences

Wednesday 8th October- Launch of Mission Month at St Joseph’s

Sunday 19th October - Jangawala Service

Thursday 23rd October - Mission Month Mass - Cloncurry

Friday 31st October - Crazy Sock Day & Socktober Shoot Out

1st November - All Saints Day

2nd November - All Souls Day

Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day

Sunday 16th November - Jangawala Service

Tenielle Blanco,

APRE

Foundations In Education

Term 3 Overview

It has been a busy and productive term for both teachers and students at St Joseph’s. In Week 3, our teachers engaged with the QCAA Planning App, familiarising themselves with planning for 2026 to ensure consistency and streamline processes. Week 4 saw students and staff hard at work preparing our school Rodeo float, which achieved 1st place for Best Themed and earned $1,000 to make next year’s float even bigger and better, what an achievement!

In the inclusion space, we reviewed all Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and met with parents to discuss next steps, current supports, and student progress. Week 8 involved student-led conferences, fostering collaboration between home and school, and all staff travelled to St Joseph’s, Cloncurry, for a reflective practice day. This session focused on Version 9 curriculum changes, data literacy, and collaborative planning for 2026.

Overall, it has been a term full of learning, growth, and collaboration across our school community.

Reflective Practice Day 

On the 5th September our staff travelled to St Joseph’s Cloncurry, for our Reflective Practice Day. During this visit, teachers had the opportunity to network and engage in collaborative discussions around the Version 9 curriculum and planning considerations for 2026. The day included a powerful session on data literacy, where we unpacked our current school data sets. Teachers analysed DIBELS reading assessments, interpreted PAT results, and explored Early Years testing results, identifying trends and common themes between schools. Feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive, with all teachers highlighting the value of collaboration and the insights gained from this session.

PAT Testing for Years 2-6

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to continually improving students’ Maths and Reading skills. Students have, or will, sit PAT Adaptive Tests during Maths or English lessons. This testing provides valuable information to help teachers understand each student’s strengths and areas for growth in reading and mathematics. Please note, these tests do not contribute to student reports but are used to guide future learning, identify growth, and support school planning.

Karlia Ryan,
APPL

Wellbeing & Diversity

Resilience

Resilience is one of those skills that all kids need and should have. It refers to their ability to cope and adapt in situations when confronted with challenges such as adversity, trauma, tragedy, or even stress. It is essential to their mental health and wellbeing as part of their journey to adulthood. It is a skill that can be learned from an early age through the support of an adult role model.

However, being resilient does not mean your child won't experience any difficulties, but it will better equip them to manage those situations. Over-protective parenting can be viewed as being unhelpful towards the building of resilience. Although this may be a natural instinct, potentially experiencing failure is all part of the process. Encouraging children to take healthy risks will help them trust their capacity to deal with uncomfortable situations and increase their capacity for courage.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will gain an understanding of how to support their child’s brave behaviour to help them adapt and build resilience.

Here is the link to your Edition https://sjmtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/resilience

SPECIAL REPORT: Parenting Styles

There's no such thing as perfect parenting. But by understanding different parenting styles, we can better support our children in healthier and more effective ways.

Most of us parent as a blend of our own upbringing, lived experiences and external influences such as books, podcasts or parenting websites. And while parenting is always a challenge, it can become even more complex through divorce, separation, blended families, trauma or bereavement. Not to mention life's many other hurdles.

The concept of "parenting styles" was first introduced in the 1960s by Diana Baumrind, a clinical and developmental psychologist. She identified four main categories of parenting. Each style shapes a child's development in different ways and comes with both strengths and challenges. Although well-intentioned, each parenting approach can have drawbacks in a child's development. Every child is unique, and their needs change as they grow. An authoritative style may suit younger children, but teenagers often require a greater balance of guidance and independence. The goal is to create a secure environment where children feel respected, heard, and supported.

By learning more about the different styles and how they influence children, you can make informed choices about the approach that best suits your family. And remember, styles are not fixed. They can evolve over time as your child grows and their needs change.

We invite you to watch this Special Report and complete the quiz to discover your own parenting style. You might also like to compare your results with your partner's and reflect together on the different approaches you each bring to parenting.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://sjmtsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-parenting-styles

Cassandra Little,
Guidance Councilor

Community News

RCIA

The parish is currently seeking expressions of interest for those who may wish to participate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program.

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, or in beginning the journey of becoming Catholic, you are invited to contact the parish office. The parish team will provide you with further information and guidance on the next steps.