Dear Parents,

What a busy and exciting week we have had at St Joseph’s! It has been a time of celebration, reflection, and achievement as we marked Harmony Week, Neurodiversity Week, St Joseph’s Day, and the completion of NAPLAN assessments.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Before I share the highlights of this past week, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our students, families, and staff for the warm welcome I have received in my role as Acting Principal. It is both a privilege and an honour to serve our wonderful school community, and I am truly humbled by the trust you have placed in me.

At St Joseph’s, we are guided by a mission to nurture the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of every child. Throughout my time in this role, I am committed to leading with integrity, kindness, and a deep sense of purpose, ensuring that our school continues to be a place where all students feel valued, supported, and inspired to achieve their best.

Exciting Changes Coming to Our School Quadrangle!

We are thrilled to share that exciting improvements are coming to our school quadrangle, including the construction of a brand-new COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area) and the reimagining of our school library. These upgrades will enhance our learning and play spaces, providing even greater opportunities for our students.

To accommodate these works, there will be some temporary relocations:
- Year 3 classes will move to an alternative learning space.
- The Lunch Club will be held in a different area of the school.
- Library services will continue in a modified format to ensure students can still access books and resources.
- OOSH will operate from the school hall with further details to be shared directly with families.

Throughout the construction period, we will do our best to minimise disruptions to students' learning and play. We appreciate your patience and support as we undertake these exciting projects. Please stay tuned for further updates in our Week 10 newsletter!

Neurodiversity Week

Throughout the week, students engaged in discussions and activities that encouraged understanding, inclusion, and appreciation for the diverse ways people experience the world. At St Joseph’s, we are proud to celebrate the individuality of every student and continue to foster a school environment where all children can thrive. For more details, please see the Assistant Principal’s Messages.

Harmony Week

Harmony Week was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our school community. Many of our students proudly wore traditional cultural attire, sharing their heritage with pride. The canteen added to the festivities with a delicious selection of cuisines from France, Mexico, Australia, and Japan, allowing us to experience the tastes of different cultures.

A highlight of the week was our Harmony Day liturgy, beautifully prepared and led by our EALD teacher, Mrs Noble, along with our students. We were also privileged to welcome guest speakers Sister Di Santleben and Farida Baremgayabo from Zara’s House, Jesmond, who shared their inspiring work supporting refugee women and children.

Each class contributed to a puzzle artwork, symbolising how we all fit together in our diverse community. These artworks are now displayed on Union Street, providing a meaningful way for our broader community to engage with this year’s Harmony Week theme: “Everyone Belongs.”

St Joseph’s Day

On Wednesday, 19th March, we gathered in the church for our St Joseph’s Day liturgy, hosted by Year 4. Together, we reflected on the life and virtues of our patron saint and considered how we are called to live like St Joseph—faithful, kind, and always willing to serve others. A particularly special moment was reflecting on the lyrics of our school song, reminding us of our shared mission to live with love, integrity, and compassion, just as Joseph did.

NAPLAN

This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students also completed their NAPLAN final assessments. We are incredibly proud of their effort and perseverance. These assessments are just one of the many ways we support student learning, and we commend our students for approaching them with a growth mindset.

Thank you to all our families that joined us to be a part of the many special celebrations and events we have shared this week. Your ongoing support makes our school such a welcoming and vibrant community.

Nicole Charnock
Acting Principal