Newsletter No.10 - 18th September 2025

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

What a fantastic term it has been! From engaging classroom learning, gala days, excursions, incursions and our memorable Colour Run Day, our students have truly shone.

Congratulations to Miss Fibbons and Mr. Maloney for completing their Education degrees. This year, they have worked as Learning Support Assistants and are now working in a casual teaching capacity at our school and across the diocese. We are proud to have been part of their career journey and wish them every success in their chosen vocation.

We are also excited to welcome new students to our school: Ollie (3/4M), Rosie (1M), Keira (2M), and Logan (2B). Thank you to our existing families for the warm welcome extended to them. We are delighted to have these new students join our school community.

Uniform Reminder

As we transition into spring and warmer weather, many jackets have been left in lost property and OOSH. Please remind students to check these areas for any missing items and ensure all belongings are clearly labelled. Thank you for your support of our uniform policy. Our students take pride in wearing their uniforms, including the correct shoes (polishable black leather on regular school days).

Upcoming School Dates

Looking ahead, Year 1–6 students will return to school on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, while Kindergarten students will begin on Thursday, February 6, 2025. I understand these dates are far off, but the later start to the school year provides an opportunity for families to plan childcare, holidays, and roster days accordingly.

We were thrilled to officially open our courts on Colour Run Day! A special thanks to Mrs. Porter and Miss Albury for organizing such an unforgettable event for our students. We also extend our gratitude to our families, parish, and the wider community for their overwhelming support.

As we near the end of the term, I want to reflect on the commitment of our SJKB teaching team. We are fortunate to have a vibrant school community dedicated to making SJKB a place of learning excellence, filled with joy and fun.

With every best wish,

Nikki Norley

(Principal)

Before and after photos - netball courts

Message from the Assistant Principal

Colour and Slime Explosion

On September 6^th, the field was transformed into a vibrant explosion of colour as students, staff, and families came together for our colour and slime explosion! This event was a huge success, with bright smiles, and lots of laughter along the way.

The day kicked off with high energy as students excitedly danced along to a DJ, had their faces painted and received a tattoo! The petting zoo was a crowd favourite with some of our students describing it as ‘the best thing ever!’

Thank you to volunteers from Toronto Fire Brigade who soaked the children with water before the colour and slime explosion. Dancing in the car park while getting soaked by fire fighters was a first for many of our students!

It was then time to gather at the starting line, dressed in their white T-shirts and ready to be drenched in colour and slime. As they made their way through the course, clouds of bright powder filled the air, turning our students into walking rainbows!

Beyond the fun and excitement, the Colour and slime explosion was also a meaningful fundraiser for our school raising an incredible total of $11,391.50.

These funds will go towards literacy resources including home readers and decodable texts. Our top fundraisers got to slime a teacher. Archie Sheehan, Lincoln Stapleford, Arrabella Moore, Nixon Binnie, Isabel Koster and Sophie Koster raised an incredible amount of money. Thank you so much!

Thank you to the teachers for being excellent sports and a big shout out to Deacon Naveen for raising over $1000 to contribute to our school fundraiser. Deacan Naveen had 2 enormous buckets of slime poured over his head!

For all students who created an online profile and raised money, the prizes will be delivered to school shortly and these will be distributed to students. all students who raised $50 or more will go into a raffle to win a scooter. This will be drawn at an upcoming assembly.

A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers, and to local organisations for donating food items. Thank you to Coles and Woolworths at Toronto as well as Rathmines Butchers. Whether you were running, cheering from the sidelines, or helping set up and clean up, your enthusiasm made this event unforgettable!

Message from the REC

Confirmation

Congratulations to the SJKB students who were confirmed last Friday night! It was lovely to be there, with many of our staff, to see you confirmed by the Bishop in our St Joseph’s church.

The sacrament of Confirmation continues, strengthens, confirms and celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit received in Baptism. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the bishop laid his hands on the baptised children and prayed that the Holy Spirit will fill them with spiritual gifts. Then, using holy oil, the bishop made a cross on the child’s forehead. It is usual for the person being confirmed to take on an extra name, that of a particular saint. The saint will be a source of inspiration by the way he/she lived life while on earth, and an intercessor in prayer to God.

For more information on any of the sacraments, please feel free to contact St Joseph’s Parish, Toronto: 

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Socktober Launch

Yesterday, the Sports Captains and I went to the drove to MacDonald Jones Stadium for the Socktober launch organised by the Maitland-Newcastle CSO Catholic Mission Team. Father Anthony lead us in our liturgy before we got out on the field and had some sporting fun!

Martine Salem, Macquarie House Captain, wrote this about the day:

“To start of the day we began the event with a graceful Liturgy. Some Aspire participants sang songs and we watched videos about why we were fundraising. The Socktober event has been conducted to raise awareness and resources for Mongolia. After the beautiful liturgy we were assigned into 6 groups with over 50 other Maitland-Newcastle CSO schools. St Joseph Kilaben Bay was in group 1. All of the rotations were related to soccer. This event was a fun social interaction and a great chance to learn about many things”. 

Next term we will be raising money for Socktober. This year, the money raised will go towards helping children and care centres in Mongolia. For more information click on Socktober’s launch video:

Parent Survey

Our school is currently in the process of looking at and renewing our Vision and Mission Statements.

We would love to hear from you!

Click the link below or us the QR code:

Message from the Primary Coordinator

Big Write 

In Week 6 all students in our school engaged in a Big Write. This was a great celebration of writing and a huge success, as the children were able to demonstrate all the writing skills that they have been developing at school. 

Thanks to all parents for having the Big Talk at home before the students wrote their Big Write at school. It was very evident that the students had been talking at home and developing their ideas for their writing. This meant that there were lots of rich discussions and sharing of ideas before the students actually sat down to write. 

By now your child’s class teacher has sent home a copy of the Big Write for you to read and enjoy at home. You may have noticed that the writing is not ‘marked’ but rather your child has been given specific feedback on some strengths and areas to improve in their writing. This is more helpful for students, rather than the teacher simply correcting every mistake for them. You may like to have a discussion at home about what you notice are their strengths and an aspect of writing that they can work on for the Big Write in Term 4. 

Next term, parents and carers will receive another Big Talk sheet before the Big Write, which will be in Week 5. These Big Writes are also placed in a folder so that over time you can see the progress that your child is making in writing. 



Big Write

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Library News

Class News

Check in with 5/6 M

By Eve Bower and Lilly Kay

Peer Support

This term in Week 2 we started Peer Support. Every Monday afternoon, the Stage Three leaders plan and prepare for the next Peer Support session. Peer Support is a fun program that involves groups made up of at least one student per year. Peer Support sessions always have a message and it's our job as Peer Support leaders to get that message across. Some of this year's Peer Support messages have been to be optimistic, learn your strengths and use them to make you feel proud of yourself by being optimistic and thanking others. Peer Support is a program run by Stage Three kids that strives to build kids' confidence and get to know people in your school that maybe you didn't know before. As Peer Support leaders, we develop skills such as confidence, multitasking, patience and empathy.

August and Jones

In Writing in Stage Three, we are learning about characterisation and making our characters relatable because of our class book, August and Jones. Jones is an 11-year-old girl who just moved from her figurative town in the country called Cotton to Big Ol' Sydney. When she was a baby, she had to have her left eye removed because of a rare cancer in her eye called retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is located in the retina, the back layer of your eye. August is the same age, is made to play footy by his dad, gets bullied by some kids at school and becomes friends with Jones when she joins his class. However, disaster strikes when Jones finds out that her cancer is back, in her other eye. Her choice is to take treatments to attempt to save her eye or remove the eye and be totally blind. Jones has big dreams, but they won't be fulfilled if her eye gets taken out. We predict that August and Jones will take the journey of a lifetime to do everything Jones has wanted to do on her bucket list before she makes the life-changing choice.

Big Write/Talk

If you haven't already watched the Big Talk video on our school's website, take a look so that you get the basics. For our first Big Talk/Write, Stage Three was given the choice of seven characters. We were to choose two characters and base a story around them. We were also allowed to choose one character and make our own character as long as we used one of the seven characters and made them relatable to the people we were aiming to read our story. 5/6M enjoyed creating a story for other people’s benefits and we tried our hardest to use everything in the criteria that we have been learning.

The Asia Project

This term for our project, we were given the topic of a country in Asia. We were to find out some of the many diversities (differences and varieties) of things such as food,

clothing, traditions, cultures, religions, flags and more. Our presentation of the project could be in many different forms, such as PowerPoint, Canva, Word, Excel, a poster, a brochure, a newspaper article, etc. We are learning about Asia and its regions in our Geography lessons. We were given time in class to start a plan and choose the country and the subheadings that took our fancy.

Diverse Learning Team News

Holiday Play

Structured play is incredibly important for children, as it combines the joy and creativity of play with a set of rules or guidelines that promote learning, social development, and emotional well-being. Here’s why structured play is beneficial:

 Develops Social Skills

• In structured play, children learn to interact with peers in a cooperative way. They practice sharing, taking turns, following rules, and resolving conflicts. This is especially important for developing social behaviours like teamwork, communication, and empathy.

 Enhances Cognitive Development

Games and activities that have specific objectives help kids with problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking. For example, following the rules of a board game or learning how to play a sport requires planning and strategy, which stimulates cognitive development.

 Boosts Emotional Regulation

Structured play often involves a mix of emotions—excitement, frustration, anticipation. Children learn to manage these feelings within the framework of the game. For example, they might experience losing but also learn how to cope with disappointment in a safe and guided environment.

 Fosters Creativity within Boundaries

While structured play involves set guidelines, it still allows for creativity. For instance, in a drama-based activity, children might have roles and rules, but they get to use their imagination to act out scenes. This balance of structure and creativity helps kids understand how to innovate within limits.

Encourages Physical Development

• Structured physical play, like organized sports or obstacle courses, promotes motor skill development. Activities that involve running, jumping, or balancing help improve coordination, strength, and overall physical health.

Teaches Discipline and Focus

• In structured play, children must follow directions and stay focused on a task for a set period. This helps improve concentration and patience. It also teaches them how to listen to instructions, which translates to better focus in school and other aspects of life.

 Provides a Safe Space for Learning

• Structured play provides clear rules and boundaries, which helps children feel safe. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and allows them to engage more freely. In this way, structured play can support children who might struggle with the unpredictability of free play.

 Builds Confidence

• Achieving small goals in structured play, like completing a puzzle or scoring a point, helps children develop a sense of accomplishment. As they learn new skills, they build self-confidence and resilience, which will help them tackle bigger challenges later on.

 Facilitates Learning through Fun

• Structured play can incorporate educational elements, like math games or science experiments, making learning enjoyable. When children learn through play, they are more likely to retain information and develop a love for discovery and problem-solving.

Helps with Time Management

• Structured play activities often happen within a set time frame, which teaches children to manage their time effectively. Whether it's a 30-minute game session or a scheduled playdate, they start to understand the concept of time limits and how to use their time wisely.

Examples of Structured Play:

• Board games or card games
• Sports and team games (e.g., soccer, basketball)
• Arts and crafts projects with specific instructions
• Drama or role-play with assigned characters and rules
• Building projects like LEGO sets with instructions

Holiday Programs in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

Pastoral Care

In Week 7 we celebrated National Child Protection Week- 1^st September to 7^th September. 

Every year National Child Protection Week aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future, and this year's theme is 'every conversation matters'.

Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well.

The Diocesan school communities were invited to decorate a space that uniquely reflected a commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing in line with the theme of National Child Protection Week ‘Every Conversation Matters’. Our banner was on display for the week on the wall of the school hall. 

Our Child Protection Week banner means- 

At St Joseph’s Primary School in Kilaben Bay, we prioritize every conversation within our community. Each child deserves to feel valued, listened to, and heard, particularly in discussions about personal safety and self-protection, which are crucial for their wellbeing.

The theme, "Every Conversation Matters," is showcased in our school colours of maroon and blue. 

The “Painted Handprints” symbolize our unified school community, while the “Speech Bubbles” represent the essential conversations occurring between parents and children, teachers and students, principals and students, as well as among peers, support staff, and the wider community including grandparents, the parish priest, and during prayers. 

The “Five Finger Support Handprints” illustrate each class’s support network, highlighting trusted individuals in students' lives with whom they can have meaningful and challenging conversations. Our aim is to ensure that every child’s voice is valued, heard, and respected.

Thank you to every student in our school community who placed their painted handprint on our banner. It made it so special and unique, just like each and every student here at St Joseph’s.

Mel Dobosz

Pastoral Care Worker

Mondays and Tuesdays

Sport News

Todd Woodbridge Cup

Stage 2 had the opportunity to go to Rathmines Tennis Courts to participate in a round robin tournament.

Well done to all the students who represented our school with sportsmanship and teamwork.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Tiger team who qualified for the Regional Cup at Belmont of the 26^th September!

WOW Art Gallery

On the 13th of September artworks were due to Miss Vinson for the WOW artwork competition. Our wonderful students have put so much effort into creating artworks that make them go WOW! These artworks have shown the talent that we have at SJKB. You have the opportunity to see these artworks displayed at Lake Macquarie Multi – Arts Pavilion on the 4th and 7th of November. Tickets are available via the QR code on the attached flyer. Thank you to all who submitted an artwork!

Kind regards,

Taylah Vinson

School Fees Information

Collection of school fees is crucial to our ability to effectively provide quality education for our students. The fees go directly to paying for new technology, resources for the classroom, experiences for students such as excursions, costs of buses etc.

As always, if a family is experiencing financial hardship, it is imperative that you contact the school to make an appointment to meet and discuss school fees, so that a payment plan can be arranged and families are supported.

P & F News

Next P&F meeting is on Tuesday 15th October at 5.50pm in the library - All Welcome

Volunteering at SJKB

We regularly need volunteers for various roles within our school. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at our school, please follow the instructions on the link below:

If you have been a volunteer in the past and your WWCC has expired, you can renew it for free at Service NSW.

Once you have been cleared, you will need to come in for a site induction (approx. 40mins). We appreciate you all so much!

courtney.porter@mn.catholic.edu.au 

Message from the Parish

PLUS

The PLUS Second hand clothing shop runs on Monday and Friday mornings from 8.20am to 8.50am during school terms. 

We have wide selection of secondhand uniforms available all uniform items are $5 and jackets are available for $10. All payments can be made via QKR! after your order has been received, we will attach the amount owing to the order.  

Alternatively you can order online and we will send your order home with your child via the link/QR code below. 

Hats can also be ordered via our system please specify new or used in the comments.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CHILD'S NAME AND CLASS in the message as our volunteers do not have access to the different family surnames to make connections to students - therefore use your child's name first, then your name, especially if different surname.  Payment is via the Qkr! app. 

Thank you!

THE PLUS TEAM

Canteen News – Including Volunteer Roster

We are seeking new volunteers to help in the canteen.  With our new lunchtime the volunteers are only required to be here between the school drop off time and 11.15am.We ask any new or current Parents or Grandparents if if they could offer a couple of hours once or twice a term in the canteen so that the children can receive this service. They will love you being here too!

Qkr cut off times have been changed recently so please ensure Qkr orders are placed before 8.00 am each day.

If you would like to volunteer please call or email admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au

Term Planner

Good For Kids

OOSH

Our fairy garden is slowly progressing and the OOSH staff and children are working really hard on slowly adding to it. Unfortunately , items that the OOSH children have made or we have bought for the garden are being broken. Please ensure any children not attending OOSH are supervised when near this area. We are so excited to see the families and children enjoying it but the OOSH children are becoming disheartened when they see their work damaged.

Bush Tucker garden

Over the holidays a local company called OzTukka will come and visit planting some bush tucker and starting the garden. The OOSH children have a planter box ready to go (located near the fence line adjacent to the canteen) and will maintain the garden

Spring Vacation Care

St Nicholas OOSH Kilaben Bay’s Spring Vacation Care program has been released. If you would like to enrol your child at OOSH please email contactus@stnicholasmn.org.au and an enrolment form will be emailed to you. If your child is already enrolled at OOSH and you would like to book, all bookings can now be made via the Xplor app. Please note our operating hours for Vacation Care have changed, we will now close at 6pm, opening time is still 6:30am. If you have any questions regarding OOSH or the Vacation Care program please contact the Service Supervisor Kristy Marney.

Kind Regards,

Kristy Marney

Nominated Supervisor St Nicholas OOSH Kilaben Bay

Phone: 0437664070

Guitar Lessons

Community Notices