Joey's News - Week 5
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Carers and Families
Our focus this year across the school has been on our Student Expectations which we reviewed and updated at the end of 2024 to better support students in engaging with their schooling: -
- Be Safe
- Be Kind
- Be Ready to Learn
To Be Safe, we have looked at what are the key parts that we want to focus on:
- To use technology appropriately
- To wait and move responsibility
- To use equipment safely
- To use strategies to regulate
In talking to students about these four parts, we ask the question “What does it look like?”, then ask “What would being unsafe look like?”. The students are quite surprising (when given the time to think) with their answers and show that do know how to be safe…they just need reminders. I encourage families to have a conversation about what does safe behaviour look like and what does unsafe behaviour like outside of school?
With Christ, We Live, Love and Learn
James Roberts
Principal
Sacred Spaces - News from your APRE
SHROVE/PANCAKE TUESDAY FUN FEST
Pancake Fun will happen in cohorts next Tuesday, 4 March, to celebrate Shrove/Pancake Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Test your knowledge about Pancake Day and explore its delicious history and fun facts! This quiz consists of 10 multiple-choice questions that will challenge your understanding of this beloved culinary tradition. Also, a reminder that a pancake will be distributed to classes as per notifications received (thank you) with class pancake games at the following times:
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Year 5 | 1:00 - 1:30 | Year 4 |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | Prep | 2:00 - 2:30 | Year 1 |
| 12:00 - 12:30 | Year 3 | 2:30 - 3:00 | Year 6 |
| 12:30 - 1:00 | Year 2 |
BEGINNING LENT WITH OUR ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGIES
Don’t forget! We would love you to join us for our Ash Wednesday Prayer Service (Liturgy) in St Joseph's Church. Everyone will be invited to receive ashes as a sign that we want to say sorry for our wrong choices and use the 40 days of Lent to right wrongs before Easter is celebrated with great joy.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy Information
Date: 5 March
Time: Years P-3 from 10:15 am Years 4 -6 from 11:30 am
Where: St Joseph’s Church (Corner Loeven and Draper Streets)
Wear: Children are invited to wear purple or accessorise on 5 March
What: Bring in a gold coin donation to support Project Compassion (almsgiving)
MAKING LENT FAMILY TIME - Activities to explore
YEAR 6 LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP - Embracing Servant Leadership
On Monday, our Year 6 students participated in their Leadership Workshop focused on servant leadership, reflecting on Jesus’ example during the Last Supper when He washed the feet of His disciples. Through engaging activities and games, students explored the principles of service, empathy, and integrity, learning from inspirational leaders who have made a difference. It was a day filled with collaboration and growth, equipping our young leaders with valuable skills to carry into their year and beyond!
Some of their reflections on the day included:
- The biggest learning of the day was how we should love each other even the people we don't like and if no one will help or include someone, be the person to do it. (Adriana)
- I have a new goal - becoming a servant leader like Jesus (Natalia)
- I learnt that being a leader was a huge responsibility and honour. I aim to be a helpful, trustworthy, reliable, smart, sporty, kind house leader in 2025 because it will benefit me and the whole community of St Joseph's. (Rikki)
- My biggest learning was that work is done better as a group. I want to be is the leader that is a kind and inclusive leader. (Fletcher)
- My favourite part of leadership day was getting to perform on the stage in front of everyone. A goal I have now is to be an amazing leader and help others. (Holly)
- My biggest learning was how to make win-win solutions. I want to be a good leader and to be a great role model. (Sunny)
- I had one of the best days in my school life (Zack)
- My favourite part of leadership day was the start all the way to the end! I learnt that leaders aren't based on popularity. (Aniyah)
- My goal is to work better with the people I don't like. (Holland)
- My favourite part of leadership day was getting to know people I don't know very well. (Noah)
- I liked learning about people who have impacted the world positively. (Zoe)
HOUSE HERO FUN AFTERNOON
Each week, students earn tokens for demonstrating our school expectations—Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Ready to Learn. These tokens contribute to their House’s tally. Once the school reaches 4,000 tokens, all students are rewarded with a fun Friday afternoon as a community celebration.
Today, after the second break, students received the exciting news that they had successfully reached the target! Congratulations also to MORAN, who is currently leading the House Hero tally.
EXPECTATION FOCUS - Be Ready to Learn
Next week, our school-wide expectation focus will be ‘Be Ready to Learn’. Students will be awarded tokens for demonstrating this expectation as they work towards reaching 4,000 tokens once again.
Families might like to download our School Expectations Matrix and use the same language at home to reinforce this important value. Thank you for your support in helping our students develop positive learning habits!
With hope as we approach the Lenten season,
Robyn Chambers, APRE (Assistant Principal - Religious Education)
Upcoming School Events
| Event Details | |
Mon 03 March Week 6 | NAPLAN Practice Test Students in years 3 & 5 will have the opportunity to sit a practice NAPLAN test. |
Fri 07 March Week 6 | No Assembly There will be no assembly this week due to the Ash Wednesday liturgies. |
Wed 12 - Mon 24 March Week 7 & 8 | NAPLAN Testing Window All NAPLAN testing for years 3 & 5 will occur in this window. Please refer to the NAPLAN schedule that has been emailed to families for more information. |
CELEBRATION CALENDAR - Look at what's happening!
| SIGNIFICANT DAYS AND EVENTS IN MARCH | |
| Sun 2 Mar | 8:30 am Parish Mass followed by Introduction to Confirmation for Sacramental children at 9:30 am |
| Tue 4 Mar | Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday - Celebrate with a Pancake, Pancake games and quizzes |
| Wed 5 Mar (Wear Purple) | 10:15 am Prep - Year 3 Ash Wednesday Liturgy in St. Joseph's Church - All welcome |
| 11:30 am Years 4- 6 Ash Wednesday Liturgy in St Joseph's Church - All welcome | |
Sun 9 Mar | 8:30 am Parish Mass followed by Sacramental Workshop for children in the school hall - 11:45 am |
| Fri 14 Mar | 2 pm Year 2 lead Assembly - All welcome in the hall |
Sun 16 Mar | 8:30 am Parish Mass |
| Mon 17 Mar | Feast of St Patrick - Click here for a short story about the history of St Patrick |
| Wed 19 Mar | Feast Day of our Patron St Joseph - Let's celebrate with faith, fun and family |
| Fri 21 Mar (Harmony Day) | Colour Day for Project Compassion - Wear orange for Harmony Day and bring a gold coin |
| Sun 23 Mar 3rd week of Lent | 8:30 am Parish Mass |
| Fri 28 Mar | 2 pm Year 5 lead Assembly - All welcome in the hall |
| Sun 31 Mar 4th week of Lent | 8:30 am Parish Mass |
| Mon 31 Mar | Habitats host St. Mary's Year 10 Work Experience Students this week |
Finance
Term 1 School Fees
Term 1 Schools fees are now overdue (as of 27.02.25) Please look for an email from accounts.parramatta@cns.
If you have already made payment or have an arrangement in place, thank you.
If you have not received your statement please contact us as soon as possible.
School Photo Information from MSP
Upcoming Sports & Educational Opportunities
