This has been a very full week, with Bullying No Way Week, Science Week, Stay and Play, and the Feast of the Assumption;  and another one is to follow, in the form of Book Week. There is never a dull moment at St Joseph’s!

Bullying No Way Week – Backflips Against Bullying

This Monday, our students kicked off Bullying No Way Week—Australia’s national week of action against bullying—with the high-energy Backflips Against Bullying program. The show was engaging, relatable, and full of scenarios our students could connect with. Through role-play and acrobatic storytelling, the presenters delivered powerful messages that inspired our children to stand up, act kindly, and build a culture of respect.

Later in the week, the whole school participated in Kids Helpline’s largest live-streamed anti-bullying lesson. This virtual session is part of Bullying No Way Week and explored what bullying looks like, how to respond, and where to find help—delivered in a fun, age-appropriate, expert-led format.

If you haven’t already, please engage your child in a conversation about what they saw, heard, or learned this week—their thoughts may surprise you!

Little Joey's Play and Stay – Session Two

This week we hosted our second Play and Stay session, and it was wonderful to see such a large group of parents and 3–5 year olds joining us once again. The morning was filled with play, laughter, and opportunities to make new friends while becoming familiar with our school environment. Everyone had a fantastic time—including Remi, who was right in the middle of the fun!

Supporting St Patrick’s

We wish Mrs Nicole Charnock all the best as she spends the remainder of this term at St Patrick’s, Wallsend, stepping into the Assistant Principal role while their AP serves as Acting Principal during the Principal’s professional renewal leave. She will be a wonderful asset to their school community, and while we will certainly miss her at St J’s, we look forward to welcoming her back next term—no doubt with fresh ideas and experiences to share with us.

Building Project Update

Construction of our new stairwell in the Quad has begun, and the glazed blue bricks are really popping! Inside, the frames for the new library’s internal walls are now going up, giving us a glimpse of the exciting changes ahead. Each week brings fresh progress, and it’s wonderful to see our school taking shape before our eyes.

Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Last week we gathered as a school to celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary founded the Sisters of St Joseph, and our school is deeply connected to their charism—making this a very special occasion for our community.

Year 5 led us in a beautiful and reverent liturgy, reflecting on Mary’s life and the values she lived by. We were especially honoured to have one of her relics placed in our sacred space during the celebrations.

In my reflection to the children, I spoke about how Mary had a kind of “superpower”—not one from Marvel movies, but the kind that truly changes the world: the power that comes from love, courage, faith, and a deep desire to help others.

Let us continue to pray that we too may have hearts full of faith, hands ready to help, and a willingness to serve others—just as Mary did.