27th March, Week 8, Term 1

From Our Principal - Mrs Kristie Coster

Dear Parents and Families,

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, our school community has embraced this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with faith-filled hearts. This journey began with the celebration of Shrove Tuesday, followed by a liturgy  for Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of our spiritual preparation for Easter.

On Shrove Tuesday, students enjoyed delicious pancakes, following the tradition of using ingredients before the Lenten season of fasting. A massive thank you to our Stage 3 Mission Team (Cally, Pip and Janaya), Donna and Cherie who helped prepare pancakes for our students and to our families who donated pancakes or pancake mixture for this special day. We raised $80 for Project Compassion!

While we had planned to gather for an Ash Wednesday Mass with our Parish community, the unfolding weather conditions meant we were unable to do so. However, our school community still embraced the significance of the day with reverence and reflection as we gathered for a liturgy to receive the ashes. We are grateful for everyone’s patience and support as we navigated the challenges of the weather, ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

We continue our Lenten journey in the spirit of hope, with students being given the task of carrying out acts of kindness. We look forward to hearing all about these random acts of kindness!

Student Wellbeing

We recognise that the recent weather events surrounding Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have been unsettling for many children and families. In these times, maintaining routine and normality is essential to help our students feel secure and supported.

Since our students have returned to school, our staff have been committed to ensuring a smooth and safe transition. We are closely monitoring the well-being of each of our students, especially as they process any feelings or experiences related to the cyclone. Our teachers will be implementing trauma-informed practices in the classroom to create a compassionate and supportive environment for all children.

To further support our students, Yasmin Mouftakir (school counsellor) and Isabelle Clark (student wellbeing office) will be implementing the Stormbirds program. This is a small group program that supports children and young people as they navigate change, loss and uncertainty that often results from natural disasters. We are blessed to have Yasmin and Isabelle supporting the wellbeing of our students in many ways across our school. Their knowledge, skills and ability to develop strong relationships in these important roles is second to none and we sincerely thank them for all the work they do.

We understand that some children may be experiencing heightened emotions or anxiety, and we encourage parents to reach out to the school if they have any concerns. We are here to support you and your child during this time.

If you feel your child may benefit from speaking with the counsellor or would like additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Breakfast Club

Our primary school offers a free breakfast club as a vital part of our wellbeing initiatives, designed to ensure every student has the opportunity to start their day ready to learn. Recognising that a nutritious breakfast is fundamental for concentration, energy levels, and overall wellbeing, the club provides a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where children can access breakfast before classes begin. We aim to improve students' focus in the classroom, promote positive behaviour, and ultimately support their academic and social-emotional development, setting them up for a successful and happy school day. Thank you to our committed staff who run our breakfast club each and every morning!

Parent Teacher Conferences

At St Joseph’s Primary, we believe in fostering a strong partnership with families to support each child’s learning journey. Our Term 1 Parent Teacher Conferences are an integral process in achieving this as they’re an opportunity for genuine collaboration about your child’s progress and goal setting.

Term 1 Conferences will be held on April 8th, 9th & 10th. We strongly encourage all families to take part in this valuable experience, as your involvement is one of the most important ways to support your child’s growth and promote learning and wellbeing as a lifelong adventure.

Throughout the year, our reporting process ensures that parents stay informed about their child's progress:
✅ Parent Teacher Conferences take place in Terms 1 & 2 (15 minute meetings).
✅ Formal A-E Reports, including written statements and grades, are published in Terms 2 & 

Parents are encouraged to request a meeting with their child’s teacher at any time throughout the year to discuss any concerns.

Bookings are now open for our Term 1 Week 10 Parent Teacher Conferences. These can be scheduled via Compass Conferences (see the Compass news feed sent today for further instructions). Please contact the front office if you require assistance in booking a time.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for their commitment to this process and to our wonderful parents for actively engaging in their children’s education.

We look forward to seeing you at the Term 1 Learning Conferences in Week 10!

Have a peaceful and joy-filled weekend.

Kristie Coster

Student Awards - Week 7

Mission News

Gospel Reflection

In this week’s gospel,  Jesus tells a parable unique to the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has been teaching the crowds as he journeys to Jerusalem. As he teaches, the Pharisees and scribes complain and challenge Jesus because he is welcoming sinners at his table. We hear the third of three parables that Jesus tells in response to his critics. 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, is a profound narrative that illustrates themes of forgiveness, mercy, and the nature of God’s love. This parable is not only a story about a wayward son but also serves as a reflection on human relationships and the divine.

St Joseph's Day - Monday 7th April

We will be celebrating St Joseph's Day with our friends from St Joseph's Woodburn.

2025 Sacramental Dates

Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday April 8th 9:30 am

Sacrament of Confirmation Wednesday June 11th

Sacrament of First Eucharist TBC

Student Wellbeing

Learning to live with change and loss

Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in our lives. At St Joey's, we recognise that when changes occur such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions, natural disasters, or other changes, children may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively.

 To support our children in this area, we are offering an education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence in Term 2. This program is facilitated in small groups of 2-7. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication, and develops peer support networks.

Participation in the program can help improve self-esteem and self-confidence and allow children to find their voice during change. If you think your child/children would benefit from joining the program, we encourage you to talk to him/her about it. We are confident that this program will be valuable for our children. If you require further information, please contact Isabelle Clark, Student Wellbeing Officer at Isabelle.Clark@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Sports News

Cross Country 2025

Soaring into AFL

Our students have had the opportunity this term to work with development officers from AFL Queensland.Each Monday we have learnt to mark, handball, kick and score. It's fair to say that staff and students have loved this experience.  We were able to run this program free of charge after receiving a Sporting Schools grant for Term 1.

Library News

This week in the library, we are looking at books about Easter and Anzac day, two very important dates  of the year. We also have art and craft books out on display for anyone who is interested.

Happy Reading

Author of the Week

Bruce Whatley

General Business

Happy Birthday to the following who have celebrated their birthday since our last newsletter: 

Aialah Kapeen, Taylor Williams, 

Canteen News

We are looking for canteen volunteers for Term 2, all are welcome, parents, grandparents, friends please contact the office 66832248 for more information.