Welcome to Ms Samantha Kerlin

We are delighted to welcome Ms Samantha Kerlin to the St Joseph’s School community as she begins her role as the Year 6A classroom teacher this week.

Samantha brings with her a wealth of experience teaching across Prep to Year 12 and is deeply committed to fostering respectful, inclusive, and faith-filled learning environments. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in Gospel values, and she is passionate about nurturing each child’s academic and spiritual growth through engaging, real-world learning experiences.

We are confident that Samantha will be a wonderful support to our Year 6 students and a valued addition to our staff. Please join us in warmly welcoming her to St Joseph’s!

Achieving a Balance: Opportunities and Learning at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s School, we are proud of the many ways our students are growing—not only academically, but also through a wide range of enriching experiences beyond the classroom. In just the past week, our students have represented the school in the Tablelands 10–12 Years Boys Cricket Team, the District Athletics Carnival in Mareeba, Boys Rugby 9s in Cairns, and Allan Rockley Touch Football. These events reflect the vibrant and active spirit of our school community.

However, as a rural school, we face a unique challenge: how to provide our students with meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and talents in broader arenas, while also ensuring that their classroom learning remains strong and uninterrupted.

Research shows that participation in extracurricular activities—especially those that combine academic, sporting, and artistic elements—can positively impact students’ academic performance, social-emotional development, and behavioural outcomes. In rural settings, where access to diverse opportunities may be limited, these activities play an even more vital role in helping students build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Yet, we must also acknowledge the importance of balance. Every time a student leaves the classroom for an external activity, there is a trade-off in terms of instructional time. While the benefits of these experiences are clear, we remain committed to ensuring that they do not come at the cost of core learning.

At St Joseph’s, we strive to maintain this balance thoughtfully. Our staff work diligently to plan and coordinate activities in ways that support both academic progress and personal growth. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support and communication from our parent community, which allows us to make informed decisions together. It is through this partnership that we continue to offer a rich and well-rounded education to our students.

As we look ahead to the remainder of the term—with more excursions, incursions, and events on the horizon—we remain focused on our shared goal: helping every child thrive, both in the classroom and beyond.

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews – Booked

As we begin Term Three, we are pleased to share that St Joseph’s School is now continuing to use a new platform called Booked to arrange Parent/Teacher/Student interviews. This system replaces the previous PTO platform and is part of the broader MyCE (My Catholic Education) app used across the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns.

Booked allows parents to easily schedule meetings with teachers via their mobile devices, offering secure access and real-time updates. It integrates with other school tools such as timetables and academic reports, making it a convenient and reliable way to stay connected with your child’s learning journey.

To begin this term, Ms Kerlin, who has recently joined our Year 6 teaching team, will be using Booked to arrange introductory conversations with parents. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to build relationships and share insights about your child’s progress and well-being.

Shortly, all teaching staff will begin announcing and arranging interviews through Booked. We encourage parents to download the MyCE Parent App and ensure their login details are up to date so they can access booking options as they become available.

We thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. If you need assistance accessing Booked or the MyCE app, please contact the school office.

Staff Book Spotlight: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance

At St Joseph’s, we continue to deepen our understanding of the diverse needs of our students. One resource that has recently supported our learning is the book Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome in Children by Margaret Duncan and Zara Healy.

This guide offers clear and practical insights into Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)—a profile on the autism spectrum marked by an intense resistance to everyday demands, often driven by anxiety. The authors emphasize a key insight:

“It’s not that they won’t — it’s that they can’t.”
This phrase captures the essence of PDA, reminding us that behaviours often perceived as oppositional are actually rooted in a deep need for control, as the child attempts to manage overwhelming anxiety.

The book explains how PDA differs from other autism profiles and how traditional behavioural approaches may not be effective. Instead, it advocates for flexible, empathetic strategies that reduce pressure and build trust. Research cited in the book supports the view that PDA is driven by a neurological need to avoid perceived threats to autonomy, which can trigger extreme anxiety responses.

“Reading this book helped me better understand the emotional drivers behind some of the behaviours we see in the classroom. It’s a reminder that connection and trust are key to helping every child feel safe and supported.”
— St Joseph’s Staff Member, Mike Aitken

This resource aligns with our commitment to inclusive education and supports our ongoing efforts to meet each child where they are.