Newsletter No 6. - 25th June 2025

Message from the Principal

Wrapping Up a Wonderful Semester!  

As we approach the end of what has been a truly fantastic semester, we take a moment to celebrate the growth, achievements, and joyful experiences shared across our school community. It’s been a term filled with learning, creativity, and connection—and we couldn’t be prouder of our students! 

Semester Reports 
Student reports will be live on compass this Friday, providing a snapshot of each child’s progress and accomplishments. We encourage families to take time to read through these together and celebrate the hard work and growth shown throughout the semester. 

 Parent-Teacher Meetings 
Parent-teacher interviews are taking place this week and next. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, discuss their learning journey, and set goals for the term ahead. 

Celebrate! Choirs at the Civic 
On Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11, the Civic Theatre came alive with the sound of music as ASPIRE VoiceWorx proudly presented Celebrate: Choirs at the Civic. Seventeen primary school choirs took to the stage, performing a vibrant mix of traditional choral pieces, hymns, and popular hits from The Beatles, John Paul Young, Taylor Swift, and the Spice Girls. 

With over 700 students participating, the event was a joyful celebration of talent and teamwork. The atmosphere was electric, and the performances were a beautiful reminder of the power of music to bring people together. Congratulations to all the students, staff, and the ASPIRE team for making this event such a memorable success! 

 Save the Date: School Musical – September 18 
Mark your calendars! Our School Musical will be held on Thursday, September 18 at St Paul’s, Booragul. All students will be involved in this exciting production, with a daytime dress rehearsal and evening performance scheduled. More details about costumes and logistics will be shared soon. 

Musical Preparations Underway! 
Last week, students have been learning some fantastic dance moves with Lauren Harvey from ASPIRE. This week, they’ll begin working on their class scenes with Anna Kerrigan, Director of ASPIRE. The excitement is building, and we can’t wait to see it all come together! 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Let’s finish the semester strong and look forward to an exciting term ahead.

 With every best wish, 

Nikki Norley 

Bus Safety & Behaviour Reminder

This year, the school has received an increased number of emails and calls regarding student safety and behavior on the bus. I urge parents to discuss bus behavior expectations with their child. 

The school will assist with ensuring students are safely seated when departing. Once the bus trip begins, responsibility is transferred to the bus company and its driver. 

All primary-aged students are best seated at the front of the bus. Students are encouraged to report any concerns or inappropriate behavior to the bus driver. To best support our students, teachers will ensure that all students are seated towards the front of the bus before leaving our site. Like parents, our school staff are not on the bus with students, and we aim to set them up for a trouble-free and safe trip home. 

Please note : Students must be seated properly and behave in a sensible and responsible manner, not causing concern for the driver or other passengers. Children from St Joseph’s are to behave in a manner, which does not discredit the school, and which abides by the State Transit’s Code of Behaviour. 
In the case of misadventure the bus company has a direct contact number to the school leadership team  
personnel. 

The school will collaborate with the bus companies to support positive outcomes for bus behaviour concerns and  
misadventures. 

The bus company that runs all the routes other than Bus 9 is Hunter Valley Buses and their contact number is 4935 7200.  

Bus 9 is run by Port Stephens Coaches, their contact number is 4982 2940. 

Message from the Assistant Principal

PB4L Update

As we move through this term, I am excited to share the wonderful progress we’ve made with our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) programme.

We’ve continued to see a growing sense of respect, resilience and service within our school community. Our recent focus has been on respect with an explicit focus on ‘safe hands and feet’. Our House Leaders met with their house group on Monday to reinforce this message and they are doing a fantastic job instilling our SJKB values across K-6

Special PB4L Assembly – This FRIDAY - You’re Invited!

To celebrate our progress and highlight some of the outstanding achievements of our students, we will be having a special PB4L assembly (week 9 Friday). During the assembly, we’ll be recognizing students who are consistently displaying our values, and we'll also take the opportunity to announce which house is the winning house for term 2!

Will it be McAuley, MacKillop, Francis or Joseph?

The winning house will have a special meeting in week 10 with Mrs Norley and myself to discuss their reward and will celebrate this achievement the following week.

Please see our PB4L student matrix, detailing our values and how we can live like Jesus each day.

Parent Teacher Conferences

We would like to remind you that Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held this week for kindergarten students and next week for students in Years 1-6. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate their achievements, and work together to support their learning goals.

Teachers will share insights about your child’s academic development, social interactions, and overall wellbeing at school. It’s also a great time to ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have.

We look forward to seeing you and working together to support your child’s continued growth and success. Have a beautiful holiday!

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 reports will go live this Friday and provide an overview of your child’s current academic progress across all subjects. These reports are designed to give clear feedback using the A–E grading scale, along with comments from teachers where applicable.

To access the report, please log in to Compass and select your child's photo. Once in, navigate to the “Reports” section, where you will find the most recent A–E report available for download. 

Message from the REC

Our New Vision and Mission Statements

During Catholic Schools Week we launched our new school Vision and Mission Statements:

Your child should have also brought home a magnet and letter with some details around our new statements and our Vision and Mission magnet. Students have been really engaged with our new Vision and Mission and have been living it out in their daily lives!

Check out the video that some of the Year 6 students made about our New Vision and Mission Statements on Facebook: 

St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal

Don’t forget beanies, scarves and your gold coins on Monday 30^th June!

Thanks to Stage 3 for providing what I am sure will be a yummy cake stall!

Our parish will also be collecting blankets to donate to St Vincent De Paul's Winter Appeal. If you have any gently used blankets, they will happily donate them on your behalf. Clean blankets can be left folded under the table at the back of the church.

Sacramental Dates

Many students have been deepening their knowledge and faith over the past few months, working towards receiving their Sacraments. Here are some dates in regard to this;

Reconciliation @ St Joseph’s Parish Toronto

Rehearsal – Tuesday 1st July, 6.00pm

Sacrament – Thursday 3rd July, 6.00pm

Confirmation @ St Joseph’s Parish Toronto

Rehearsal – Tuesday 12th August, 6.00pm

Sacrament – Friday 15th August @ 6.00pm

First Holy Communion @ St Joseph’s Parish Toronto

Rehearsal – Friday 10th October, 6.00pm

Sacrament – Sunday 12th October, 9.00am

All are welcome to attend and celebrate the children receiving their Sacraments!

Prayer for out Sacramental Students

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

NAIDOC Week is a week where we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," which celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead. This is the 50^th Year of NAIDOC Week, which will be celebrated Australia wide, between Sun, 6 July 2025 – Sun, 13 July.

To commemorate NAIDOC Week, we will be having a liturgy on Friday 4^th July at 9am at school. We would love for you to join us!

Other things happening during NAIDOC week

Sacred Heart Cathedral will host the NAIDOC Week Prayer Service on the 6^th July at 2pm.  Celebrating NAIDOC Week’s 50^th Anniversary with a time capsule burial, a symbolic gesture preserving this legacy for generations to come. Our Catholic Diocese will do this in collaboration with Newcastle Anglican Diocese, the Diocesan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry and local Aboriginal and faith communities. All are welcome to join!

For more information:

The Catholic Maitland-Newcastle Diocese is also a proud sponsor of the Awabakal Ltd’s 2025 NAIDOC WEEK Community Festival on 7^th August. This special event begins at Civic Park with a flag raising ceremony at 9am, followed by a united community procession to Foreshore Park, where festivities will continue until 3pm. All are welcome to join!

For more information:

Library News

Class News - Year 6

St Paul's Visit

by Ruby, Audrey and Zac

This week, the stage three students and teachers went to St Pauls for a day to explore and do either science, drama or cooking experiences.

In science we did four fun experiments, we put different levelled density water in a test tube to make a rainbow. We also looked at rocks through a microscope, to see if they had crystals in them. Then we then we made magnets and picked up some paper clips. After, as the last experiment of the day, we made an electrical current. The science teacher also made a fire in a water cooler it was really cool!

In drama/music some kids mimicked how some people and animals walked. We explored the planning room and the music room, where we did body percussion. We did bucket drumming with high school kids, which was fun!

In cooking, we cooked pizza scrolls they were delicious! We followed all the instructions that Mr Grant gave us. Then at the end we got to eat them - the most important step!

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Diverse Learning Team News

Supporting Self-Regulation

As we approach the school holidays, it's a perfect time to reflect on one of the most important skills for children’s wellbeing— self-regulation.

Self-regulation is a child’s ability to understand and manage their emotions, behaviours, and attention. It helps students stay calm when they’re frustrated, wait their turn, follow instructions, and bounce back after setbacks. These skills are essential not just for learning in the classroom, but also for building positive friendships and handling everyday challenges.

Like any skill, self-regulation develops with time, support, and practice — and the school holidays offer a great opportunity to strengthen it at home.

Holiday Ideas to Build Self-Regulation:

Here are some fun and practical ways to support self-regulation over the break:

• Play board games and card games: These help children practise waiting, turn-taking, and managing emotions like excitement or disappointment.
• Mindful moments: Try simple breathing exercises, yoga for kids, or guided meditations to help build calm and focus.
• Outdoor adventures: Walking, riding bikes, and nature play can burn off energy, reduce stress, and support self-regulation naturally.
• Creative play: Drawing, building, acting out stories, or making music which helps to express emotions and practise persistence.
• Reading together: Talking about how characters feel, and act helps children recognise emotions and problem-solve.

Holiday Program- Rock and Water

Rock and Water: Help your child find calm, confidence and self-control. This week-long holiday camp presented by Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre using Rock and Water techniques, teaches kids vital skills to handle difficult situations and control feelings of anger and sadness.

Through a series of fun activities, both physical and mental, your child will focus on body awareness, emotional awareness and self-awareness. Taught by Rock and Water instructor Sensei Kelie Fisher, your child will leave each session feeling confident and centred.

Aboriginal Education News

Some parents, teachers and children have noticed and commented on the growing number of Black Cockatoos that can be seen in the trees that line Wangi Road and the Upper Car Park area, near our Church. Some people have even asked if they could have some to take home and put in their own trees!

Black Cockatoos are acknowledged by some Aboriginal people as messenger birds i.e. they can bring messages from people of the past into the present. For other Aboriginal people they may be a totem i.e. a living creature that must be protected from all harm at all costs for all time (including their habitat). The feathers of Black Cockatoos have also adorned people at the time of ceremonies and celebrations for countless generations.

These beautiful birds have a readily identifiable call and are often seen in pairs and small groups rarely alone. Black Cockatoos are thought to have led people who are lost on country, back to safety.

It is thought that an encounter with a single Black Cockatoo was special in that it usually brought a message from an ancestor. For some people, such an encounter could be filled with apprehension, anxiety and sadness i.e. beware the Funeral Cockatoo! For others, the encounter may have been truly joyous.

In my own experience, I remember the morning of Wednesday 6^th April 1994 very well. Standing on the 1^st floor balcony of my house in Beacon Hill, I heard the call of a single Glossy Black Cockatoo before it came into view. It was flying slowly toward me, from the direction of Dee Why, at head height. At the last moment, the bird swooped up above my head and over the roof of the house. I was amazed & confused at this interaction. Less than 10 minutes later, my home telephone rang … my Pop, Teddy Wilding, grandson of Teddy McCristal of the Mid North Coast, had just passed away in Royal North Shore Hospital. 

Our Black Cockatoos, are mostly grouped in 2s and 3s. They lead us from the B53 turnoff into our school driveway and finish at the entrance to our Church. They lead us to a safe and spiritual place – our Church, God’s House, where the Spirit dwells and Jesus is present in the Eucharist.

There are 27 Black Cockatoos in total. How many have you been able to spot so far?

NAIDOC Week

Don’t forget that our NAIDOC Celebration will take place on Friday Week 10. We’ll be kicking off at 9am with a short liturgy followed by our Cultural Dances.

Miromaa Celebration

The Awabakal Language Program / Miromaa are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating NAIDOC 2025 and the official opening of our brand-new gallery and community space!

📅 Date: Tuesday 8th July
🕐 Time: Family workshops starting at 9:00am, BBQ lunch from 12:30pm with entertainment
📍 Location: 1/9 Main Road Boolaroo, NSW

Bring the whole family along for a fun, free day filled with culture, connection, and creativity. You’ll get to explore our new space, enjoy a delicious BBQ, and take part in a language/art workshop.

Family Art Workshops

Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre, 1/9 Main Rd Boolaroo

Work together to design a piece that speaks to your story and burn it into wood as a lasting memory of the day.
If you would like to book into the family workshop, please use the QR code provided in the invitation attached.

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, feel free to get in touch with Olivia McKenny 02 49409100.

Pastoral Care

The Power of Sleep: Fuel for Growing Minds and Bodies

Newborns drift off with ease. Toddlers can find it overwhelming. School-age children often push back against it. Teenagers think they can do without it. Adults crave it but struggle to make time for it. And older adults, while having more time, often find it hard to achieve.

Yet, no matter your age, getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most powerful ways to support both happiness and health. It’s just as essential as eating well and staying active.

For children, sleep is especially critical. It supports their physical growth, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive development. Sleep helps them stay healthy, learn more effectively, and succeed at school. It rejuvenates their bodies, sharpens their minds, and boosts mental resilience.

Kids of every age need enough sleep to focus, play, and learn throughout the day. Without sufficient rest, their mood, behaviour, and ability to cope can suffer significantly.

Think of sleep as nourishment for the brain—it gives the mind time to recharge, process new information, and allows the body to fully rest and repair.

Sleep difficulties are among the most frequent challenges parents’ encounter. When children consistently lack adequate rest, it can lead to behavioural, cognitive, and emotional issues, such as:

• Sleepiness during the day
• Issues with study and socialising
• Irritability and moodiness
• Shorter attention span
• Lack of concentration and focus                
• Increased forgetfulness
• Reduced academic performance
• Lack of interest and motivation
• Difficulty learning new information
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Increased emotional problems
• Reduced immune system
• Poorer memory
• Increased impulsivity
• Higher risk of accidents
• Increased stress
• Higher levels of obesity
• Decline in mental health

How much sleep do kids really need?

Source: Kids Helpline

Healthy Sleep Habits for Kids

• Stick to a consistent bedtime: Going to bed at the same time each night helps regulate the body’s internal clock. This natural rhythm relies on routine to promote restful sleep and alertness during the day.

• Establish a calming bedtime routine: Help your child wind down in the hour before sleep with relaxing activities. This could include a warm bath or shower, gentle stretching, deep breathing, or listening to soothing music. Just one or two calming activities can make a big difference in helping them feel ready for bed.

• Limit screen time before bed: Turn off all screens—like tablets, smartphones, computers, and gaming devices—at least 1–2 hours before bedtime. Ideally, keep electronic devices out of the bedroom to support better sleep quality.

Find all this and  more at:

Wishing you a lovely week

Mel Dobosz

Pastoral Care Worker

Sport News

School Fees Information

The 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.

Thanks

Susie and Gina

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:

Our planned site induction dates are below, please email me with your attendance.

Wednesday 30th July @2.20pm

PLUS

The PLUS Second hand clothing shop has been lucky enough to receive some wonderful offers to man the store, more details to come regarding days and times. Thank you to the beautiful ladies who have volunteered.

To start we will ask that you send an email to admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au with your request and the office will pass it on to the volunteers. If the item is in stock we will send it home with the details for Qkr payment.

We have wide selection of secondhand uniforms available.  All uniform items are $5 and jackets are available for $10, so please make use of this service. 

New hats can also be ordered through the office and paid on Qkr.

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. 

Thank you!

THE PLUS TEAM

School Uniform Expectations

Students are expected to wear black, polishable school shoes, except on designated sports days. We understand that there may be times when students outgrow their shoes or face other challenges. In such cases, please send a note to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for your continued support.

Canteen News – Including Volunteer Roster

We are seeking new volunteers to help in the canteen.  With our early lunch times 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 are early 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

Swap It

St Nicholas OOSH

Guitar Lessons

Community Notices