Newsletter No. 2 - 5th March 2025

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the families who attended our Welcome BBQ and 40^th Year celebrations. It was wonderful to see so many parents, students, and staff come together to share food, conversation, and laughter. Events like these highlight the close-knit community we are so proud of at St Joseph’s, where genuine connections between families and the school create a strong foundation for student success.

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to fostering a school culture built on collaboration, trust, and our shared Catholic values. We believe that by working together—parents, teachers, and students—we create an environment where every child is supported to grow in faith, learning, and character. Through open communication and mutual respect, we strive to nurture a community where every family feels welcomed and valued.

On Sunday students and staff from Toronto Parish and St Joseph’s proudly joined the Diocesan Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope celebration, walking together from Nobbys to the Cathedral. The pilgrimage was a powerful expression of faith and unity, culminating in a beautiful Mass and a joyful festival. It was a meaningful opportunity for our school and parish community to connect with the wider diocese, reflecting on hope and renewal in this special year.

This week we begin the church season of Lent, and this week is marked by two important liturgical celebrations, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) and Ash Wednesday. This Wednesday, students attended our parish mass. We also launch the Project Compassion initiative. The Project Compassion Launch is a meaningful and inspiring event, reminding us of the importance of compassion, generosity, and social justice. It highlights the impact of Caritas Australia's work in supporting vulnerable communities and encourages us to take action through fundraising and awareness. As we begin this Lenten journey, may we be inspired to give with open hearts and make a difference in the lives of others.

Lent is a time for spiritual renewal, a time to reflect on our lives and to consider and act on ways to become closer to God. On Ash Wednesday we receive a cross of ashes on our foreheads to remind us to turn back to God and to live lives filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and kindness. We are encouraged to take time for reflection and to distance ourselves from anything that may draw us away from God. This means examining our actions, thoughts, and habits to ensure they align with our faith. By reflecting on our daily choices and making intentional sacrifices, we strengthen our connection with God and grow in faith.

Enrolment applications for Kinder 2026 are now open. If you have a child starting Kindergarten in 2026, can you please complete the enrolment form using this link: 

Strategic Direction for 2025: A Year of Growth in a Catholic Community

As we step into 2025, St Joseph's remains committed to being a place of learning, growth, and hope, centred on and nourished by the love of Jesus Christ. In alignment with our school reimagined vision and mission, we have established three key strategic goals, each focused on Catholic Identity, Learning, and Wellbeing. These goals are intentional, time-bound, and designed to foster reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement, ensuring that the impact of our work is seen and felt across our community.

Our next enrolment tours will be held on Monday 24th March 10am-11am. We will hold an information session and take families on a Tour of our school. Our morning session is from 10-11amand our evening session is 5-6pm.

Congratulations to our swimmers who represented St Joseph’s at the Lakes Regional Swimming Carnival, last week. Well done everyone! Special congratulations to Bohdi S who will represent out school at Diocesan level.

Wishing you a fabulous few weeks ahead,

Nikki Norley

Message from the Assistant Principal

Term 1 Goal Setting Meetings

Classroom Teachers are meeting with parents this week for Term 1 Goal Setting meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity to hear from you, discuss our classroom focus, and set learning and wellbeing goals for 2025.

If you were unable to attend, and would like to schedule a meeting, please contact your child’s teacher via email to arrange a mutually convenient time, either in person or by phone.

Curriculum News

We have had a great start to our year!  The students are engaged with their learning, teachers are excited about teaching and maintaining calm classrooms is being prioritised.

Please see above some of our main goals for this school year as part of our School Improvement Plan. We're focusing on making sure every student is engaged and challenged in their learning, especially in reading and writing. We're also working on creating a more inclusive environment where all students feel supported, both academically and socially by refining our PB4L practices. We know that with your support, we can make this a fantastic year for everyone. 

Naplan

The National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. This year students in Year Three and Year Five will be completing these assessments on the following dates:

Wednesday 12th March- Writing 
Thursday 13th March- Reading
Monday 17th March- Conventions of Language
Tuesday 18th March- Mathematics
Friday 21st March- Catch up sessions

NAPLAN is just one aspect of the school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

Children complete NAPLAN online, except for the writing test for Year 3, which is completed in a booklet. The results of the tests allow us to identify and celebrate student achievement, and additionally we use the data to identify where we as a school are using effective strategies and programs in our teaching of English and Mathematics.

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.  
 

The public demonstration site is available to see the types of questions, tools and functions used in the NAPLAN tests. 

 Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website .

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact myself as the NAPLAN coordinator.

School TV

School TV is a wellbeing resource for families that hosts a variety of topics and an extensive range of wellbeing resources.

It is a resource which can provide parents and carers who are seeking greater support in understanding the challenges their children are experiencing, as well as practical strategies for ways they can assist them.

Parents and caregivers are the greatest influence on a young person's life and SchoolTV focuses on empowering confident parenting.

Explore SchoolTV today on our school website- ‘Parent Information’ tab: 

With NAPLAN fast approaching, I’d like to bring to your attention an article on ‘Exam Jitters’. It provides useful tips on reducing test anxiety and provides more information about NAPLAN

Sporting Schools Netball

Our students have been enjoying playing Netball each week as part of the Sporting Schools Netball Initiative! This program gives our students the opportunity to get active, improve their skills, and have fun playing netball, whether they’re beginners or experienced players. The sessions are designed to be inclusive, encouraging teamwork, fitness, and sportsmanship. It’s a great way for students to stay active, make new friends, and develop a love for sport.

HARMONY DAY- THURSDAY 20TH MARCH

Harmony Day is coming up soon. It's a day to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our school and community. We encourage students to wear orange (the color of Harmony Day) instead of their uniforms.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to learn about different cultures and traditions, and to see how diversity makes our school community great!

Message from the REC

Formation Day

News from the leaders: Nina  

News from the leaders: Arianna

Jubilee Walk

News from the leaders: Audrey

Sacramental Program

On Wednesday 15^th March Father Darryl will be hosting an information night about the  Sacramental Program (preparing young people for the Reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) at our St Joseph’s Church.

To register please follow this link: 

If you are unable to meet on 15^th March, please still register your interest via the link.

Father Darryl will also be having the same meeting at the following Parishes close by,

• Tuesday 11 March – St Mary’s Church Warners Bay – 6.30pm
• Thursday 13 March – St Mary’s Church Warners Bay – 6.30pm
• Tuesday 18 March – St John Vianney Church Morisset – 6.30pm

Which you are also able to attend if you can’t make it on 15^th March.

The Lenten Season

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent. Yesterday students were treated to pikelets on Shrove Tuesday and discussed in class while, traditionally, all of the flour, eggs, and sugar was used up by families to make pancakes the day before Lent starts.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a special time in the Church’s calendar that invites us to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our foreheads as a symbol of repentance. This reminder encourages us to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God.

Lent lasts for 40 days and invites us to engage in three key practices:
1. **Prayer**: Set aside time for family prayer, attend Mass, or read scripture together.
2. **Fasting**: Consider giving up distractions or treats to create space for deeper connections and reflection.
3. **Almsgiving**: Support a charity or help those in need in our community through donations or volunteering.

Here is my version of what I will be trying to do for Lent, feel free to join me 😊

Let us embrace this season as a time for renewal and growth in faith.

Wishing you all a blessed Ash Wednesday and a fruitful Lent!

Caritas Project Compassion

For more information:

Students are excited to raise money, this Lent, for Project compassion!

Here is a list of ways we are fundraising;

Message from the Primary Coordinator

Period Positivity!

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education and inadequate toilet facilities. It is also the stigma and feelings of shame and embarrassment of a normal bodily function, and subsequent impacts on mental health.

In 2022 students from St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul advocated for female hygiene products to be made available in school toilets to provide access, equity and dignity to students who menstruate. A Diocese-wide working group was formed to investigate the impact of period poverty in our schools and lead the way in addressing the issues by exploring the feasibility of:

1. Installing free period products in dispensing machines in our schools, aligned with the placement of the sanitary bins.
2. Developing an awareness education program for schools in conjunction with the syllabus.
3. Developing a policy that will help reinforce the promotion of dignity, gender equality and reproductive health.

The working group soon developed an initiative called Period Positivity. The initiative is about making periods normal. From free period care products to more informative discussions, the initiative aims to promote greater accessibility, equity and dignity for all.

In 2022 a pilot program was conducted at St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul, trialling the installation of sanitary dispensing machines with the provision of free sanitary products at the school. The trial was very successful – with strong survey results in addition to positive student engagement and feedback.

Due to the success of the trial, dispensers were rolled out across all Diocesan Secondary schools in 2023. This is being followed up with a rollout across Primary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle across 2024.

The Period Positivity initiative to commence at St. Joseph’s starting Term 1.

• Sanitary products will be available to students for free, via dispensers in the toilet blocks.
• If students find themselves needing pads or tampons, they will be available from the dispensers.
• Students will still be able to use their own products, but there will be the option to use the free products provided in the female toilets for those who need them.

The product roll-out will be complemented by an educational awareness program that will be deployed to students. Professional Learning resources will enable teachers to be competent and confident to deliver the educational materials such as Menstrual health; information about periods and anatomy, dispelling myths, products, accessibility, gender equity and promoting dignity.

For more information, please visit https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/students/period-positivity/.

Library News

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Class News

Class 3 Blue News

This term in Class 3 Blue, we've been having lots of fun exploring Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl! We've read all about Mr. Fox's clever tricks and the farmers who are determined to catch him. Students are really enjoying the story and getting excited about all the clever ways Mr. Fox outwits the farmers.

But that's not all! We're also starting to write our very own sequels to Fantastic Mr. Fox.  We have created a new, made-up fourth farmer, with all kinds of interesting personalities and ideas about how they might try to catch Mr. Fox! We're using our imaginations to think of new adventures and tricky plans.

We can't wait to share our stories with everyone and see how our new farmers fit into the world of Mr. Fox! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue writing and creating.

Diverse Learning Team News

Diverse Learning - Helping Students Learn Self-Regulation: A Key to Success

At St Joseph’s we believe that learning isn’t just about reading, writing, and maths—it’s also about developing important life skills like self-regulation. Self-regulation is a child’s ability to understand and manage their emotions, behaviors, and reactions. It helps them stay calm, focused, and make good choices, both in the classroom and in everyday life.

Why Is Self-Regulation Important?

When children develop strong self-regulation skills, they are better able to:
 Stay focused and on task, even when distractions arise
Handle big emotions like frustration, excitement, or disappointment in a positive way
Think before reacting and make good choices
Build stronger friendships and get along well with others
Feel more confident and in control of their actions

How Can We Support Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation is a skill that children develop over time, with support from parents, teachers, and caregivers. Here are some simple ways to help:

• Take Deep Breaths – Encouraging children to take a few deep breaths when they feel overwhelmed can help them calm down.
• Use Positive Self-Talk – Remind children to say things like “I can do this” or “I will try my best” when faced with challenges.
• Practice Patience – Simple activities like waiting for a turn, playing board games, or completing a puzzle help build patience and self-control.
• Encourage Breaks When Needed – If a child is feeling frustrated, a short break can help them reset and refocus.
• Model Self-Regulation – Children learn from adults, so showing them how to stay calm and problem-solve teaches them valuable skills.

At SJBB we help students build self-regulation through mindfulness activities, structured routines, and positive encouragement. Parents can support this learning at home by practicing these strategies together.

If you would like more information, please reach out to the Diverse Learning Team.

Gifted Education News

This term our GEM students from Yrs 3-6 have been trying to solve complex problems that relate to coding/programming our Tello Drones using the DroneBlocks App. Congratulations to Charlie Davoren of Yr4 Blue on being the first student to solve our Term One Challenge. This required the Tello Drone to be coded so that it could fly at a particular height (50cm) for an extended distance (18 m) to land in a designated 2 square metre space using as few lines of Code as possible (Looping). The Drone also needed to “Flip Forwards and Flip Backwards” at least once.

Aboriginal Education News

Dance

Our students continue to deepen their cultural knowledge through their engagement in Randall Brigg’s Dance Education Program. In addition to learning a range of dances that will be performed for our community as part of our celebration of NAIDOC Week, students are learning more about respect for self and others, preparation for dance and protocols.

Watalong Clapsticks

Some of our Aboriginal students have shown an interest in making clapsticks for our younger Aboriginal Students. These students are learning about tree selection (Watalong), how to strip the wood, soak the wood in water for several days before gently drying/drawing out the moisture by burying in sand. They are looking forward to sanding the clapsticks, presenting them to the younger students and use them in our NAIDOC Week celebration.

KAAN

There has been quite a bit of excitement lately around the Kaan Skin that was found up in the shade playground. The Kaan, Awabakal language for Brown Snake, has recently shed their skin before moving on. The skin is about 140 cm long and 10 cm in diameter and is available to view in Room 4.

Seasonal Calendar

There are only two seasons that the Awabakal people have names for: Wunal (Summer) and Takarir (Winter). Things to be aware of between now and April are as follows:

• Maralkan – funnel web spider peak breeding season;
• Tinting – as the Gymea Lillies flower the crabs start to move; and
• Koonkang – the Banjo Frog’s breeding season comes to an end.

Pastoral Care

Gratitude: A Daily Practice to Improve Your Wellbeing

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that goes beyond simply saying “thank you.” It is a deep sense of appreciation for the positive things in our lives, both big and small. Gratitude helps us recognize the value of what we have and fosters personal growth. Being grateful means acknowledging the good in our lives, understanding that these things are blessings, and appreciating the continuous support and kindness we experience in everything we do.

Benefits of Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude offers numerous benefits that can greatly enhance our overall well-being. Research has shown that people who regularly practice gratitude experience higher levels of happiness and better resilience in managing daily stress and challenges. By focusing on the positive aspects of life, we are less likely to fixate on negative emotions and more likely to foster a hopeful and optimistic mindset. This shift can have a profound impact on our mental, physical, and emotional health.

How to Practice Gratitude Daily

Incorporating gratitude into our daily lives can be simple and rewarding.

• Keeping a gratitude journal where you write down three things you are grateful for each day. This practice helps shift focus from what is lacking to what is abundant in our lives.
• Children can write thank you notes to their teachers, friends, or family members. This can be a powerful way to express appreciation. It not only brightens someone else’s day but also reinforces the habit of gratitude.
• Creating opportunities to take a few moments each day to reflect on the blessings of the day i.e. can be done in the morning, at the end of the school day, or before bed.

These are just a few examples of ways we can easily incorporate gratitude into our daily lives.

Practicing gratitude can significantly enhance our wellbeing by promoting a positive mindset and emotional resilience. Gratitude also encourages us to look beyond ourselves and acknowledge the contributions of others. This outward focus can strengthen our sense of community and belonging.

So, let’s ask ourselves…. what am I grateful for today?

here ae some suggestions for practicing Gratitude from Big Life Journal.

Take care

Mel Dobosz

Pastoral Care Worker

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Garden Club

The Garden Club has had a fantastic first five weeks! Students have been hard at work cleaning up the gardens, ensuring they are well-maintained and ready for new growth. Every classroom now has its own compost bin, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Additionally, we’ve planted a variety of new plants, bringing fresh life to our school’s green spaces. It’s been amazing to see the enthusiasm and dedication from everyone involved!

Kind Regards,

Taylah Vinson

Year 3 Blue Classroom Teacher

St Joseph's Primary School, Kilaben Bay

Sport News

Students in the spotlight

Well done to Jude Woodley-Cooper, who was in the latest edition of the  Aurora, published last Saturday (1 March). He featured in the  Q&A section in a broader article speaking about the 'voices of tomorrow' across the Diocese.

Bus Safety

Bus Safety Week took place from February 17th –23rd , serving as an important reminder of the role we all play in keeping our students safe on and around school buses. Throughout the week, Students participated in bus safety lessons, and the discussed the importance of staying alert near traffic.

We can help reinforce these lessons by reminding each other to always wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street, stay seated while the bus is moving, and follow all safety guidelines. Together, we can ensure a safe and smooth ride for all students!

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community safe.

Kind regards, 

Taylah Vinson 

School Fees Information

Statements have been emailed out, please check your junk folders if you haven't received anything.

Any Health Care Cards (form and photo of physical card) need to be emailed to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible for the discount to be applied.

If you have any questions regarding fees please phone the school office on 4959 1355.

Thanks

Linda and Susie

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:

PLUS

We are urgently in need of Volunteers for the PLUS shop! 

If you have any time to help at the shop situated in the school hall or fill in orders that come through on the online ordering system, the P&F and the school community would be very grateful.

Please contact the school office or the P&F through joeyspandf@hotmail.com.

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.  

In the meantime you can order by sending an email to joeyspandf@hotmail.com and we will send your order home with your child as soon as we are able to fulfil it. 

Hats can also be ordered through the email or alternately via the school office.

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

From the Parish

Sacramental Program Information Night

For all families that are interested, the parish will be holding a Sacramental Program Info night on
Wednesday 19 March @ St Joseph’s Church Toronto – 6.30pm

To register please follow this link :

Good For Kids

Guitar Lessons

St Paul's Catholic College Booragul

Community Notices

Lowes Sale