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Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the last term of 2025. This is always a busy term and we encourage you to keep up to date with what is happening across the school and in each of your children’s classes by reading all communication that is shared with you.
We are aware that at this time of year some families are making plans that include relocating and if this is the case for you we ask that you please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to offer places to students who are on our waiting list.
Building Project Update
The library is coming along brilliantly! The carpet has now been laid, the ceiling has been painted a beautiful sky blue, and whimsical clouds are being hung from above. Much of the joinery has gone in over the past couple of weeks, and the furniture has been ordered.
Outside, you may have noticed the exciting changes taking shape. The new covered shelter is looking very grand, with the arches now in place and the lining work well underway. Everything is tracking beautifully for an end-of-year completion — we can’t wait to see this incredible new learning space come to life!
Kindergarten Orientation
On Thursday, we held the first of our Orientation mornings for our 2026 Kindergarten children and their parents. It was an exciting morning for everyone, with our Year 5 students proudly stepping up as buddies.
The children enjoyed a variety of play experiences and the chance to make new friends, while parents spent time with our current Kindergarten teachers and leadership team learning all about life at St Joseph’s — particularly what to expect in those precious first school weeks.
We look forward to our next session, where the children will take part in a fun scavenger hunt around the school!
Staff Development Day
The first day back this term saw our teachers embark on a professional learning journey focused on the new HSIE (Human Society and Its Environment) New South Wales syllabus, which we’ll be implementing next year.
Our staff were highly engaged and came away inspired to bring this KLA to life in creative and meaningful ways. One teacher summed up the day perfectly:
“The very best professional learning day I have ever attended — a catalyst to inspire me to make the most of the new syllabus!”
We can’t wait to see the new HSIE syllabus in action across all grades next year.
Holiday Maintenance Works
Although the school grounds may have seemed quiet over the break, there was plenty of work happening behind the scenes!
A truckload of softfall has been spread across the Tokooliba area, giving it a fresh look and making it even safer for students when climbing. Over $15,000 was invested to address drainage issues under the COLA and along the side of the big field near the sandpit. Fingers crossed that this has resolved the problem!
The entry area and administration block were professionally pressure washed, and new windows were installed on both the top and bottom levels of the Infants’ building along the parish car park side.
The holidays are always a great time to enhance and improve our facilities — and the results are fantastic!
As we move through Term 4, there’s so much to look forward to — from our upcoming community events and end-of-year celebrations to the continued progress of our exciting new library. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.
Together, we’re building a school we can all be proud of!
Karen
Student Leadership 2026
The process of selecting our Student Leaders for 2026 will begin on Monday 17th November. Please see the proposed timeline below:
Monday 17 November
- Year 5 complete Leadership Reflection sheet
- Leadership Parent letter & student nomination form sent home
Thursday 20 November
- Nominations need to be returned
- Absent students to email their nomination form
Monday 24 November
- Year 5 students vote and determine 10 girls and 10 boys
Tuesday 25 - Friday 28 November
- Staff vote to narrow 20 children to 10 - 5 boys and 5 girls – the Student Leadership Team of 2026
Monday 1 December
- Student Leadership Team for 2026 announced
- Nominees for Sports House Captain to complete speech at House Team Meeting
- Students Years 2-6 vote for Sport House Captains
Tuesday 2 December
- Sports House Captains announced
Thursday 4 December
- Student Leadership Team will write a short speech at school
- Speeches presented to the whole school in the hall
- Year 2-6 vote
- Captains and Vice Captains and their parents are informed
- Captains and Vice Captains for 2026 announced
Graduation Mass – Wednesday 10 December
- Passing of light between 2025 Leadership Team and 2026 Leadership Team at the End of Year Mass.
Progressive Achievement Testing (PAT)
PAT testing will be completed by all students in Years 2-6 over the next few weeks, in Mathematics, Spelling and Reading. PAT is completed each year and looks at student growth across the year. The results from these tests assist us to organise flexible groups for 2026 and ensure that teaching and learning programs are targeted to the needs of all students. There is no need for students to “study” for PAT.
Safeguarding - ‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’
Children’s Week 
This week is National Children’s Week. Children’s Week is a national celebration of children’s rights, talents and citizenship. The Children’s Week National Theme for 2025 is based on Article 42 of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): Everyone should know about children's rights.
Acknowledging and celebrating Children’s Week aims to highlight children and young people’s right to play, rest, engage in cultural life, the arts and recreational activities and the fundamental role it has in their learning. This project was initiated to support the implementation of the Wellbeing Framework and Early Learning philosophy that advocates for student voice and agency in the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
As we all know, the online world is constantly evolving and often challenging to navigate. With new social media age restrictions for under-16s, the increasing presence of AI-generated content, and the continued rise of online scams and fraudulent activity, staying informed and vigilant has never been more important — for adults and children alike.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and in recognition of this, we would like to share a range of useful resources, including webinars and trusted websites, to help support you and your family in staying safe online.
Social Media Age Restrictions - Webinars from the eSafety Commissioner (several dates available)
For more webinars, please feel free to browse their website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
For a fun quiz to see how Cyber-Secure you are, click here: https://www.cyber.gov.au/learn-basics#quizcontainer
Online safety is a vital part of our shared responsibility as adults and parents. Together, we can help our children safely and confidently navigate the digital world.
Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L)
During Term 4, we will continue focusing on our four PB4L expectations:
- Act Safely: Be sun safe
- Be Respectful: Be honest
- Care for All: Care for God’s creation
- Do Your Best: Have a go and particpate
Our PBL focus this coming fortnight is Be Respectful – Be honest. During PBL lessons, students are identifying:
- What is meant by truthfulness and honesty?
- Why is being honest important?
- How can we be honest at school?
The following PowerPoint may be a conversation starter for you and your child/ren. Below you will also find another resource which reinforces this concept. Hopefully they are useful too.
Truthfulness and Honesty PowerPoint
Renata Rozenfeld
Assistant Principal
We are excited to invite our school community to participate in this year’s Socktober 2025—an initiative by Catholic Mission during the Church’s World Mission Month (October) that links our faith, our global conscience, and a bit of fun!
What is Socktober?
Socktober is a school-based campaign that uses the universal game of soccer (or “football”!) to raise awareness and funds in support of children and communities around the world. Through “kicking goals for good”, students engage their heads (learning), hearts (compassion) and hands (action).
Why we are supporting it in 2025
This year’s campaign focuses on the people of the Diocese of Mpika in Zambia, Africa, where communities are facing drought, food insecurity and limited access to educational and vocational opportunities. One of the key projects is the establishment of a maize-mill that will help families maintain sustainable food sources.
How your child will be involved
- Students will learn about global mission and how our faith calls us to stand with those in need.
- They’ll take part in fun activities—like making “sockballs” and soccer challenges—symbolising the resilience of children in mission communities.
- Families can support by a monetary donation eg gold coin as well as making online donations at https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/StJosephsSchoolMerewether
- Funds raised support Catholic Mission projects in Zambia, helping students put their faith into action.
- $30 can help provide fertilizer to grow healthy, nutrient-rich crops.
- $50 can help provide enough maize seed to farm 5 acres.
- $100 can help purchase farm management training for a local.
- $200 can contribute towards Maize storage equipment.
Why it matters
By participating in Socktober, our students are:
- Growing in their awareness of global solidarity and social justice.
- Connecting their love of sport and play with compassion and service.
- Living out the Gospel by reaching out to children and families who have fewer resources, and thus giving thanks for the many blessings they enjoy.
- Building a mission mindset: understanding that faith calls us not only to belief but to action.
How you can support from home
- Discuss with your child what the campaign is about and help them set their own fundraising or awareness goal.
- Encourage and celebrate their participation—whether they’re kicking goals, designing sockballs, or sharing what they’ve learned.
- Find out how to make a sockball here - How to Make a Sockball
- Support their sponsorship drive (if they take one on) by donating ourselves or helping them reach out to friends/family.
- Stay engaged: ask them to show you the mission resources, talk about what they discovered about Zambia, and pray for the children and families we are supporting.
We hope that through Socktober, our students will experience the joy of generous giving, learn that they can make a difference, and carry forward that spirit of mission beyond October. Thank you for your partnership in this meaningful initiative.
Leanne Skinner
Religious Education Coordinator
Polding Athletics Amendment
Congratulations to Stella P on achieving an impressive 6th place in the discus at last term’s Polding Athletics Carnival. Stella demonstrated wonderful determination and commitment, earning her highest placing in three years of competing at this level. Well done, Stella — we’re so proud of your efforts, and our apologies for missing your achievement in last term’s newsletter!
Year 3 and 4 Touch Football Gala Day
What a fantastic day it was at the Year 3 and 4 NSW Touch Football Gala Day! With 65 teams taking part from across the region, the fields were buzzing with excitement, teamwork and plenty of tries.
St Joseph’s was proudly represented by 10 teams - four girls teams, four boys teams and two mixed teams. Every player gave their best effort, showing great sportsmanship, cheering on their teammates and learning new skills along the way.
A huge thank you and appreciation goes to our wonderful parent volunteers (Mick, Pat, Shannon, Jason, Eddie, Carly, Shaun and Brendan) for their help on the day, and to Miss Parish and Miss Duggan for their organisation and support. Congratulations to all our students for representing St Joseph’s with such enthusiasm and pride!
Reminders
Touch Football Gala Day
- Year 5/6 Wednesday 29th October, Newcastle Touch Fields, Broadmeadow
Central Region Tennis Trials – Wednesday 29th October
Central Region Basketball Trials – Monday 3rd November
Shannon Bailey
Sports Coordinator
What’s On?
Coming up this term we have two special events. Thank you to the Wellbeing Team for working hard behind the scenes to make sure that these days are recognised in meaningful ways at school.
World Teachers Day - Friday 31 October
As parents and carers, you are your child’s first teacher. We value the strong partnership between home and school, and World Teachers’ Day is also a time to acknowledge the collective effort we all make to support children’s learning and wellbeing. We also recognise and appreciate the incredible work of teachers everywhere, particularly our own dedicated team here at St Josephs.
World Kindness Day - Thursday 13 November
We will be celebrating World Kindness Day this year with some fun recess activities organised and facilitated by the Student Wellbeing Team. This will be a special day to inspire and encourage acts of kindness to friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and strangers.
- EVERYDAY ACTS OF KINDNESS
Compliments: Offer sincere compliments to friends, family, or even strangers.
Listening: Give someone your full attention and listen actively.
- ACTS OF KINDNESS FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY
Quality Time: Spend time doing something enjoyable together.
Small Gifts: Give thoughtful, small gifts that show you care.
- ACTS OF KINDESS FOR STRANGERS
Donate: Give to local charities or donate items you no longer need.
Compliment: Offer a compliment to someone you don't know.
- ACTS OF KINDNESS AT WORK
Encouragement: Share words of encouragement with colleagues.
Shared Treats: Bring in treats for the office to enjoy.
- ONLINE ACTS OF KINDESS
Positive Comments: Leave positive comments on social media posts.
Share Resources: Share helpful resources or information with your network.
Chloe Cranston
Wellbeing Coordinator
Term Planner
OOSH News
St Nicholas Early Education and St Nicholas OOSH are now accepting new enrolments for 2026.
St Nicholas Early Education provides high-quality early education for children aged eight weeks to 5 years, while St Nicholas OOSH offers engaging before school, after school, and vacation care programs for primary-aged children.
Families can learn more and submit an enrolment enquiry via:
- OOSH – stnicks.org.au/oosh
- Early Education – stnicks.org.au/early-education
All families that are currently enrolled at St Nicholas OOSH, are asked to confirm their places for next year as soon as possible.
Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in this newsletter are placed by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese. The activities or services of the advertisers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese. The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers or the services provided and makes no representation about those matters. Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers or the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements.
Obviously the most exciting news for 2025 is that the SCHOOL DISCO IS BACK!
It’s been nothing short of a miracle that we’ve been able to pull this off and we’re so pleased to deliver the kids what they consistently say they want.
Please keep an eye on Compass early next week for ticket sales and more information.
The details for your planning, if you missed them:
Superhero Disco
Date: Friday 7 November
St Joseph’s Merewether School Hall
Junior (K-2): 6pm - 7:30pm
Senior (3-6): 7:45 - 9:15pm
Tickets will be $9 and include a glow stick and Zooper Dooper.
It’s a pretty tight turnaround, so we’ve had to drop the pre-disco hotdog/sausage sizzle for this time.
As usual, events like this aren’t possible without your support - we need 10 volunteers for both discos so if you’ve got some time to spare please let us know at sjpandf@gmail.com
Special General Meeting notice
As mentioned last term, we're transitioning our P&F to a FACE forum over the next 10 weeks.
If you missed the details, all P&Fs in the Maitland Newcastle Diocese need to make the switch by 31 December 2025. Our P&F is one of the last ones to transition.
At St Joeys, this means the P&F as we know it will no longer exist. BUT, it doesn't mean the end of our amazing community. There are still plenty of opportunities for enthusiastic parents to come together and host the events we all know and love.
To get things rolling, we're having a special general meeting.
Date: Monday 17 November
Time: 6pm
Location: Staff Cafe
At this meeting, we will vote on the formal dissolution of the P&F and the transition to a Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Forum.
An agenda, including the resolutions, is attached to this notice.
Your attendance is encouraged as we take this important step in shaping the future of our school.
If you have any questions or you’d like to learn more please drop us a line sjpandf@gmail.com