A Time to Pause, Reflect, and Reconnect

As we approach the school holidays, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the season we are entering—not just a break from routine, but a sacred opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect.

For many families, the holidays bring a mix of joy and challenge. Balancing work, childcare, and the desire to create meaningful moments together can feel overwhelming. Yet within this tension lies a beautiful invitation: to slow down, to be present, and to rediscover the gift of one another.

This term has been full and rich, academically, socially, and spiritually. Our students have participated in a wide range of experiences: from sporting events like netball, rugby league, athletics, and cricket, to creative and community-building moments like the Reader’s Cup, Colour Run, Paper Plane Night, and our liturgies and Masses. These experiences are not just events on a calendar; they are part of a broader journey of growth, learning, and faith.

As we step into the holidays, I encourage you to take time as a family to reflect on that journey:

• What has your child learned—not just in the classroom, but about themselves and others?
• What moments brought joy, challenge, or growth?
• What hopes do you hold for the term ahead?

These conversations don’t need to be formal. They can happen over a shared meal, during a walk, or in a quiet moment before bed. What matters most is the connection, being present to one another in love and curiosity.

And for those moments when the days feel long or the energy runs low, remember that rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s also deeply spiritual. In the Gospels, even Jesus withdrew to quiet places to pray, to rest, and to reconnect with the Father. We are invited to do the same.

So, whether your holidays include travel, time at home, or simply a change of pace, may they be filled with:

• Moments of laughter and lightness
• Opportunities to listen and be heard
• Time to rest, recharge, and renew
• And above all, a deepening of the bonds that make your family unique and beloved

Thank you for the trust you place in our school community. We are honoured to walk alongside you in your child’s journey of learning and faith.

A Prayer for Family Unity

Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of family.
In this time of rest and renewal, draw us closer to one another.
Help us to listen with open hearts, speak with kindness,
and forgive with grace.
May our homes be places of peace, joy, and understanding.
Guide us in Your love, and keep us united in spirit and purpose.
Amen.

Wishing you a safe, restful, and grace-filled holiday.

Prep 2026 Enrolments – A Testament to Our Community’s Strength

We are delighted to share that enrolments for our 2026 Prep classes at St Joseph’s have reached capacity. As a result, any further applications will now be placed on a wait list.

This milestone is not only a reflection of the growing interest in our school, but more importantly, it speaks volumes about the exceptional work of our staff, students, and families. St Joseph’s continues to be a place where children thrive in an environment shaped by love, learning, and Gospel values. We are a community that feels like family, where every child is known, valued, and nurtured.

The necessity of a wait list arises from our commitment to maintaining high-quality learning environments, ensuring that each child receives the attention and support they deserve. We are guided by a deep sense of responsibility to uphold the standards that make St Joseph’s a place of excellence and care.

As we move into the final term of the school year, we will be taking several steps to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of all families aspiring to join our Prep program:

• Reviewing classroom capacity and staffing to explore any possibilities for accommodating additional students.
• Engaging with families on the wait list to keep them informed and supported throughout the process.
• Strengthening transition programs to ensure a smooth and welcoming start for all confirmed Prep students.
• Celebrating our community’s achievements, acknowledging that this moment is a shared success built on dedication, faith, and love.

We thank every member of the St Joseph’s community for the role you play in making our school a place where children flourish. Your ongoing support, trust, and partnership are the foundation of our success.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s enrolment, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office. We are here to walk alongside you.

CLASSES 2026

Plans for 2026 are well underway.  At this point in time, we will again have 14 classes:

• 2 x Prep
• 2 x Year 1
• 2 x Year 2
• 2 x Year 3
• 2 x Year 4
• 2 x Year 5
• 2 x Year 6

Preparing Class Groupings for 2026

As we begin planning for the 2026 school year, I’d like to share with you the process we follow in forming class groupings. Once staffing has been finalised, we will begin the careful and considered task of placing students into class groups.

This is a complex process that involves many conversations and perspectives. Teachers, members of our diversity team, therapists, and our school counsellor all contribute to ensuring that each child’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs are thoughtfully considered. Our goal is always to create balanced, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive.

We understand that parents may have preferences regarding teachers or class placements. However, due to the many factors involved, we are unable to accommodate requests for specific teachers. Instead, we focus on what is in the best interests of each child and the broader class group. Once class lists are finalised, no changes will be made.

This approach allows us to:

• Ensure equity and fairness across all classes
• Support diverse learning needs and peer relationships
• Maintain professional integrity in decision-making
• Build trust in a process that prioritises student wellbeing and growth

We also recognise and value the insights that parents may wish to share about their child’s individual needs. If there is information you believe would be helpful for us to consider during this process, we warmly invite you to email it to principal.atherton@cns.catholic.edu by Friday, 31 October 2025. We kindly ask that any requests focus solely on your child’s needs and circumstances. Please understand that while your input will be considered with care, it will not result in the movement of other students or influence broader class placements.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we undertake this important work. Your trust in our professional judgement is deeply valued, and we remain committed to doing all we can to ensure a positive start to 2026 for every student.

Planning for 2026 – Help Us Prepare Well

As we further begin preparations for the 2026 school year, it’s also important that we are aware of any upcoming changes within our school community, both new enrolments and families who may be moving on.

If you know of friends or family members who are considering enrolling at St Joseph’s, now is the best time to encourage them to submit their applications. Early enrolment helps us plan effectively and ensures that we can offer places before classes reach capacity.

Likewise, if your family is planning a move or considering a change in schooling for 2026, please let us know as soon as possible. This information allows us to make informed decisions about class sizes, staffing, and resource allocation—ensuring that we continue to provide the best possible learning environment for all students.

Early planning is essential for:

• Staffing decisions – ensuring we have the right number of teachers and support staff in place
• Class formation – creating balanced and supportive class groupings
• Resource planning – allocating classroom spaces, learning materials, and support services
• Welcoming new families – helping them transition smoothly into our community

We are grateful for your support and understanding as we work together to plan for another year of growth, learning, and connection.

As we look ahead, I also hope that you are able to enjoy the special moments that the end of the year brings, and that your family finishes 2025 with wonderful memories and a sense of gratitude for the journey so far.

Staff Book Spotlight

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is a timeless classic that continues to charm readers of all ages. First published in 1908, the novel follows the spirited and imaginative Anne Shirley, an orphan mistakenly sent to live with the Cuthberts, an elderly brother and sister, on Prince Edward Island. Though they had intended to adopt a boy to help with farm work, Anne’s arrival brings unexpected joy, chaos, and transformation to their quiet lives.

What makes this book so enduring is Anne herself, her vivid imagination, fierce intelligence, and deep longing for belonging. Through her eyes, we see the beauty of nature, the power of friendship, and the importance of kindness and forgiveness. Her journey from a misunderstood outsider to a beloved member of the Avonlea community is both heartwarming and inspiring.

It’s a must-read for upper primary students and beyond, not only for its rich language and humour, but for the way it gently explores themes of identity, resilience, and the value of seeing the world through a lens of wonder.

Year 2 Creation Liturgy

Our Year 2 students celebrated a “Creation Liturgy” last Wednesday afternoon.  It was a wonderful opportunity to pray for our world during the Season of Creation.  The students made “creation windows” as part of their assessment this term.  This was their way of reflecting on how they can continue to look after God’s Creation into the future.

Liturgies and Masses

During Term 3 we have celebrated our class masses and liturgies.  Many thanks to the teachers for helping the students prepare for these special celebrations.  I am also grateful to parents and families for taking time out of your busy schedule to celebrate with the children.  Celebrating together is very important to us and a vital part of the religious life of our school.

October is the Month of the Rosary

During the Month of October, the Catholic Church celebrates the Month of the Rosary. Here at St Joseph’s, we have continued this lovely tradition that allows us to participate in this special prayer during the month of October.  By praying the Rosary, we are asking Mary to help us to come closer to God. More about The Rosary next term.

Celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist

Some of our students celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation on Friday 5 September with Bishop Joseph Caddy.  This was wonderful to have the Bishop present for Confirmation.  Then the candidates received their Eucharist for the first time on Sunday September 7.  This completed their initiation into the Catholic Church.  It was a special occasion for their families and everyone in our parish community. 

As this now concludes the program for this group of children, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has in some way assisted with the preparation of the children for receiving their sacraments.  I would really like to thank the parents for their continued support throughout the program. By walking through the preparation with your children, you have shown them how important their faith is.

Special thanks to the group leaders and members of the sacramental team; Mrs Bowe, Mrs Saunders, Mrs Crear, Mrs Rosenberg, Mrs Clifton, Mrs Weiss and Mrs Lee.  Thanks so much for the time and effort you have put into the preparation for group meetings and the celebration of the sacraments.   The program would not happen without the continued support and wonderful effort of these people.  Thanks also to Mrs McFarlane for sharing your wonderful musical talents for both celebrations. Thanks also to Father Mathew for his continued support and guidance.  And finally, thanks to the children for their amazing enthusiasm.  God bless you all!

Congratulations to the following students from our school: Tasman, Caoimhe, Jakob, Allegra, Cleo, Eloise, Jordan, Priya, Freya, Ruby, Penny, Maurilio and Gabriel.

God bless,

Mary MacCallum

Cent Sale - to support the Presbytery Renovations project

On Saturday, 22 November, we will be holding a Cent Sale at the school to support the Presbytery Renovations project. It is important for us to support our church and Father Mathew as they both play a special and important role in our school community, guiding us in our faith, values, and everyday life. By working together, we can show gratitude for the care and dedication they give to our parish and school. One way to support this is through the upcoming Cent Sale fundraiser, which will make a real difference. 

We would like to ask families of our school community to assist with any small donations to be used as prizes for the Cent Sale. The theme is Christmas, and all the items need to be new.  

Donations might look like the following: 

• Kitchen items - tea towels, kitchen utensils, laundry baskets or tubs
• Vouchers if you are involved with a business or are able to purchase, eg, Bunnings, Woolies, IGA, etc.
• Business merchandise that we could make up into packs for prizes
• Any new Christmas items 
• Toys - either for children or pets
• Plants 
• Produce that can be made into hampers (these will be needed on Thursday and Friday before the day)
• Personal items such as shampoos, beauty products etc.
• Any new items that we could make up mixed packs as prizes
• Homemade fruit cakes or plum puddings

Other ways you can help would be by providing a slice that can be used for the Morning Tea on the day. These would need to be dropped off at the school on Friday, 21 November, or you might be able to assist us with jobs on the day. It would also be great if you could come along and support us by joining in or sharing the event with your friends and family. 

If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated. Items can be dropped off at the school office, or you can contact Amanda Saunders at the school for collection. 

Thank you,

Amanda Saunders.