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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL PRIMARY & TEACHING & LEARNING
- ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL FORMATION & IDENTITY
- SchoolTV
- ARE YOU A PAST STUDENT OF ST JOSEPH'S ? THEN WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU !
- DEVELOPING EXEMPLARY LEARNERS WITH OUR YEAR 7 STUDENTS
- ST JOSEPH'S ARTS FESTIVAL
- HOW TO READ YOUR BOOK COMFORTABLY
- YEAR 8 ART
- MRS YATES CHALLENGES THE YEAR 6 STUDENTS
- STUDENTS ENJOY THEIR TIME AT CAMP
- WORK EXPERIENCE
- CARERS GATEWAY
- PONYTAIL PROJECT FOR CANCER
- SCHOOL OFFICERS DAY
- SAVE THE DATE - CBCA BOOK WEEK 2023
- SECOND HAND UNIFORMS FOR SALE
- NO PARKING ZONES
- SPORT
- UPCOMING EVENTS
As a busy Semester 1 comes to an end, I would like to congratulate all the students on their learning and involvement in school life so far this year. It was very pleasing to see the good results and positive comments on so many report cards. I encourage all students to reflect on their successes and the areas they can improve in, and come back prepared to work with their teachers to be the best they can be.
I am pleased with the good work that our staff have put in across the school. Thanks to all staff for their efforts. We are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Strong leadership, quality teaching and learning, fair and consistent practices and timely communication are what we are consistently striving to achieve.
I also would like to thank the P&F Committee for their support and contributions this semester. Their work adds significantly to the success of the school.
Similarly, I am very grateful for the advice and direction that the School Advisory Council provides to me and the support of Father Gonzo and the Parish.
As I have previously advised, I will be on leave throughout Term 3. In my absence Matthew Brown will be Acting Principal. Matthew and the School Leadership Team will do an excellent job leading the school throughout the term.
Have a safe and restful semester break. I look forward to catching up with students, staff and families when I return at the beginning of Term 4 from my leave.
God Bless
A huge thank you to the students and staff involved in the Year 8 and 9 camps. It was wonderful to hear about the excitement and enthusiasm of the students as they engaged in a wide variety of activities. These camps are an important part of what we do as a Catholic school to develop the nurturing relationships amongst the students.
Our Year 11 students participated in the Peer Skills workshops, where they learned valuable skills in relation to having conversations with their peers. This is an important part of what we do to skill our Senior leaders in looking after the younger members of our school community. Thanks to Gianna Zanatta-Blaxland, Rachel Leslie, Jacob Steele and Karen Petrie for running these workshops at the QCWT. 
Also, I thank all the employers who hosted our Year 10 students for work experience placements. It is a huge commitment but one that enables our students to engage in an industry of interest and an important first step towards their senior schooling journey. Thanks to Brooke Butson and Hayley Pfieffer for their tremendous work in coordinating these work experience placements, and to those staff who conducted on site visits during this week.
A reminder that Semester 1 reports will be distributed electronically via the Parent Portal. If you need assistance in setting up your Parent portal, please contact the office.
For Secondary parents, Parent Teacher consultations will occur in early Term 3, providing an excellent opportunity for parents, students and teachers to discuss the Semester 1 and collaborate to set academic goals for Semester 2. Further information relating to the online booking system for Parent Teacher consultations with be sent in a broadcast shortly.
Please stay safe and well over the June / July school holiday break and I look forward to students returning for Semester 2.
Call to be… Christ-Like
Called to live… Mercy
Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal
The end of Semester 1 is upon us and seems to have caught us all a little by surprise. With such a busy school life, time seems to go very quickly and this seems to be case more so for children now than it was in the past. A reminder perhaps to savour all the experiences from each day and to learn a little from each one to take into the next day.
This week, a number of our students participated in the TCS ARTS Festival in Toowoomba. It was a wonderful opportunity for students from across the diocese to come together to experience aspects of the world of the Arts. Thank you to those who organised the event and also to those who assisted with the supervision of our students. Next term, we will host an ARTs Festival here at St Joseph's and further details will be shared with the parent community over coming weeks.
As well as the ARTs Festival, Term 3 will also see us participate in the annual Athletics Carnival and Year 5 and Year 6 students will travel to Camp Cooby for their outdoor education experience. This is always a highlight on the calendar of these students.
Over the last few days, I have had the pleasure of reading every student's report card. Whilst it has taken a while, it has provided me with a sense of the academic accomplishments of our learners across Semester 1. I hope that when the reports are received by parents, that you take the time to read the comments from the teachers and reflect on the information contained within the report. However, it is important to remember that an academic report is only one way to measure the success of a learner and in some respects, it is very limited in its ability to capture some of what really matters for our changing world. Educating students for life in the 21st century is more than the transference of knowledge; it is about being a creative thinker, a problem solver, having good communication skills, being resilient, establishing respectful relationships and having a strength of character to stand up for what they believe, to name but a few things. We have seen these aspects developing in many of the children and we hope that you have also witnessed some changes in these areas.
Finally, my thanks are extended to all those who have supported the primary students this semester. I wish everyone a restful holiday.
With God's blessings
Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning
Growth
We mark the end of Semester One with mass focused on the theme of growth. Throughout the last six months, we have all grown on our life journey, whether that be physically, educationally or emotionally. Growth can be something that happens without us even noticing. But then we see the mark on the wall getting higher, the tree now offering a shady haven from the summer sun, the move ahead in reading levels, or the milestones reached in our schooling journey – growth is continual. But do we ever stop to consider our spiritual growth across the years?
Spiritual growth for each of us is very different. There are no benchmarks to reach, or milestones to pass. Spiritual growth is different for each and every person, no matter age, gender or beliefs. Spiritual growth is a journey about transformation towards wholeness. As Christians, our spiritual journey centres on loving relationships and the building of a Christian community. It offers an opportunity for spiritual growth through prayer, action and reflection. As a Catholic school continued spiritual formation and the search to be in relationship with God and others is key to all experiences at St. Joseph’s School.
Megan Mahoney
Assistant to the Principal Formation & Identity
Social Media Influencers
Social media influencers have become powerful individuals who often shape the opinions and beliefs of others due to strong connections with their audiences. In today's fast-paced digital world, attention has become a valuable commodity.
However, the impact of social media influencers on youth mental health is a growing concern, most recently, the controversial actions and statements of Andrew Tate. His rise to fame has made him a polarising figure, amassing a significant following of mostly young males. Educators and families have raised urgent concerns about the damaging nature of Tate’s content, worried that his messages may radicalise students and create a generation of young men with regressive and harmful beliefs.
Young people often compare themselves to the idealised lives presented by influencers, leading to feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth and dissatisfaction. Social media algorithms may also expose them to inappropriate or harmful content such as explicit material, promotion of harmful behaviours, or distorted perceptions of body image or mental health.
It is important to guide a young person’s social media use and promote open communication. Be curious to comprehend why they might be drawn to radical influencers, like Andrew Tate, and actively seek understanding as part of the solution. While not all influencers have a negative impact, parents play a vital role in ensuring a balanced approach to social media. By actively modelling kindness, respect and positive values, parents can help tackle the sway of radical influencers and be part of the solution to countering unhealthy masculinity.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to respond to misinformation and disinformation, instead encouraging critical thinking and emphasising the value of real-life connections. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.
Click on this link to view the Special Report https://stjosephs.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-influencers-au
If you are a past pupil of St Joseph’s School, we want you!
As part of the Religious Education curriculum, Year 6 students are keen to interview past pupils of our school to support the preservation of past memories and establish an understanding of how St Joseph’s School has played a role in making you the person you are today.
Interviewees are invited to come along to the school where you will be interviewed and then offered a tour of the school and our facilities, an opportunity to relive memories and stories of past years.
If you can help us or know someone who may be willing to be involved in this endeavour please contact the office on 4681 5900. 
On Wednesday 21 June, the Year 7 students participated in a full day Teaching and Learning intensive as part of our on-going focus around Visible Learning and developing exemplary learners at St Joseph's.
The day was facilitated by Mrs Sarah Yates (AP Teaching and Learning), Mr Paul Herbert (Education Officer TCS) and Ms Cath Kimmorley (Education Officer TCS), as well as a number of our Year 7 teachers.
The day focused on strategies for engaging effectively in the students own learning across a number of different contexts. Students then had the opportunity to reflect on their own learning and set goals around growth in Semester 2.
On Friday 21 July and Tuesday 25 July St Joseph’s School will be holding an Arts Festival to develop, celebrate and showcase the creative talents of our students and creative pedagogy within the school.
Background
St Joseph’s School provides a rich and stimulating learning experience for our students. This experience is clearly seen in the range of Arts activities on offer—Music, Drama, Visual Art, Choir and Band—but is, more importantly, deeply embedded in the entire curriculum through a range of creative responses to teaching and learning.
As a Lighthouse School for Visible Learning, St Joseph’s School believes that all students can learn and teacher practice is characterised by a reflective and responsive praxis. Adapting the curriculum to the particular needs, capacities and interests of each student remains a clear pedagogical goal in all classrooms. Success for individuals and the group as a whole requires creative and inventive responses to teaching and learning, and indeed, such an attitude is a constant point of reference for teaching staff.
Learning Experiences
Over the two days all students across P-6 will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the different fields of Arts.
Dr James Cuskelly OAM, our Music teacher, will work with students on their choral performances during their normal classes.
We have invited leading teachers in Music Theatre and Drama to work with the students over the two days and prepare them for a showcase concert.
The Music Theatre tutors will be:
- Annie Lower
- Peggy Channon
The Drama tutors will be:
- Rob and Deb Bowen-Saunders
Secondary Students
Secondary will be involved prior to the concert on the second day helping to record and participate in a series of videos highlighting learning at St Joseph’s School.
Concert including Visible Learning Presentation
On Tuesday 25 July, 1.30-3pm we will be hosting a concert and presentation for families, invited guests and the community, to experience the wonderful work the students will be doing and already do at St Joseph’s School. The concert will be held in the Bathersby Centre, located on the Secondary campus.
This is a wonderful opportunity to develop and highlight the creative talents of our students and showcase the learning that happens at St Joseph’s School.
Year 12 Essential English students have certainly taken the meaning of relaxing while reading to a whole new level during their English class last week.
Students here are reading their novel for Term 3.
Year 8 Art students have finalised and printed their lino cuts of local flora and fauna that are endangered or vulnerable to the Granite Belt region.
The push up challenge is inspiring all, and Mrs Yates is showing our Year 6 students just how it's done.
Go Mrs Yates !!
Students from Year 8 and 9 this week ventured off to the wilderness to enjoy their annual school camps.
As part of the School's pastoral progam, it is important for students to experience other opportunities outside the classroom to develop skills and attributes that will develop them as young adults.
School camps are a great opportunity for students to build leadership, communication, conflict resolution, courage and tenacity skills to grow as individuals and as a cohort.
Year 10 students this week have been out and about gaining real worklife experience through the School's Work Experience Program.
Work experience, sometimes called "work placement", is a program where students are placed in a job for a short time so they can find out more about jobs they're interested in, try things out and build job-seeking networks.
We thank all businesses who have provided this opportunity to our students.
Last Tuesday, June 13th, representatives from Wellways visited St Joseph's School to speak to our students about the Carer’s Gateway. Carer Gateway is a national support service funded by the Australian Government. It provides free support for carers through a network of regional Carer Gateway service providers. Wellways Australia is the chosen service provider of Carer Gateway services throughout Queensland.
The students were treated to a free sausage sizzle, bouncing putty and some interactive activities that showed them what it would be like to have a vision impairment, and the value of being a carer. Any student or parent who is acting in a caring role is invited to either speak to the School Counsellor, Rachel Leslie, or to contact Wellways directly in order to learn about the supports available to young carers.
If you would like to know about this great service, please watch the following video - https://vimeo.com/696775569
Year 6 student Grace Barker, along with Year 6 teacher, Miss Amanda Thompson, and teacher aids, Ms Lara Beckett, and Ms Kim Badcock have decided to #ROCKTHECHOP for Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project to raise funds that will support people impacted by cancer.
Throughout the year, Grace has been growing her hair as long as possible, alongside Ms Thompson, Ms Beckett and Ms Badcock before chopping off their ponytail's and rocking a brand new hairdo. Every ponytail chopped will make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.
All funds raised will go towards essential cancer support services, prevention programs and lifesaving research. This means everything from transport to get cancer patients to and from their medical appointments, to assisting childcare facilities to keep kids safe from the sun.
You can find out more about this great project by visiting www.ponytailproject.com.au
Cancer affects us all and it's time we all stood together to do something about it. We know that we can help create change.
You can help our fundraising efforts by visiting Ponytail Project - St Joeys Stanthorpe 2023.
#ROCKTHECHOP here at St Joseph's will be taking place at lunchtime on Tuesday July 25th.
Thank you!
Wednesday, 14 June was School Officer Day. This day is celebrated annually on the second Wednesday in June and is our opportunity to celebrate the vital role support staff play in education.
We believe that our school and services officers are vital to enabling us to fulfil our purpose – to enable full and flourishing lives.
Thank you to all our wonderful school officers!
The Children's Book Council of Australia's annual Book Week returns in 2023 with the theme "Read, Grow, Inspire"
Every year the CBCA holds a Book Week across Australia to promote the importance of reading and the joy that children can find in it.
Book Week Dress up parade – Thursday 24th August
So get your thinking caps on, and start getting creative.
We can't wait to see all the wonderful Book Week costumes.
In order to clean out the lost property cupboard, we are having a second hand uniform sale. There is an assortment of Primary and Secondary clothing in a range of sizes available including jumpers, trackpants, shorts, shoes, trousers, socks and shirts.
- 2 x blazers – 1 of each size: 20 & 22
A friendly reminder that you must not stop or park in the BUS ZONE outside the school for any reason (including queuing or waiting for a space) between the hours of 7am to 9am and 2pm - 4pm, unless you are driving a bus.
The bus zone provides a safe place for large buses to set down and pick up school children.
Please also note that the school carpark is for staff only. Please do not use the carpark to drop off or pickup your children from school.
There is a designated drop off / pick up zone (no parking), opposite the school on High Street after the crossing heading south, which parents are encouraged to use.
When using a drop-off and pick-up area you:
- must use the area like a quick moving taxi rank
- need to move forward in the queue of vehicles to the signed area
- can get out of your vehicle to quickly help your children get in and out safely (once in the signed area)—however you must not walk away from your vehicle
- should only let your children out once you have pulled into the signed area (it is dangerous to let them out while waiting in a queue)
Congratulations to our Junior Girls and Junior Boys Basketball teams who competed in their respective grand finals of the Inter-schools Basketball Competition on Friday 9th June.
Thanks to our Head of Sport, Damian Petrie, and Karen Petrie for the their organisation, management, coaching and refereeing throughout the competition.
Well done also to our Senior Boys who missed out on the grand final.
House Games
On Friday 9 June, students from Prep to Year 12 participated in house activities and games where lots of fun and house spirit was enjoyed on a beautiful sunny day.
It was exciting to watch students from both houses, Davadi and McAuley give it their all for the house competition whilst proudly displaying their house shirts and hats.
QISSN
With 64 schools competing over five days, the QCUniversity QISSN Competition is an excellent opportunity for our girls to showcase their netball skills.
Futsal
We wish Coen and the team all the best for their tour.
In a further update to the School Holiday Futsal clinic to be held at the Bathersby Centre on Thursday 29 June during the school holidays, their are just a few limited positions available before the camp is full.
Those students already registered, your position is secured, however if you haven't yet registered, please do so ASAP to secure the remaining few positions at the camp.
(Please use link below and see attachment).
https://ausfutsal.com/SouthWestFutsalClinics
2023 Athletics Carnival
The school's annual Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 20th July at CF White Oval for all students (P-12).
Students have already started competing in their field events this week and it's wonderful to see so many parents joining us to watch their child compete. Well done to all students so far !
In amongst the fun and excitement, the safety of our students is paramount. Below are some important operational procedures that need to be adhered to to allow a safe and well run carnival.
- All students 9yrs and over will meet at CF White Oval for an 8:30am start, where teachers will mark rolls. Any student who normally arrives at school via bus will arrive at Stanthorpe SHS bus stop, walk down McGlew Street to CF White Oval. For students being dropped off and picked up at the venue please ensure you do not allow your son/daughter to walk through the car park by themselves as this is a high traffic area. A staff member will be positioned at the main gate to oversee the safe arrival and departure of students.
- All students 8yrs and under will attend school as usual on Thursday morning. At 12pm, these students will depart school via bus arriving at CF White Oval to take part in a number of events throughout the afternoon. These students will remain at C.F White Oval for the remainder of the day.
- At the conclusion of the day (2.45pm) ALL STUDENTS will be collected from CF White Oval. Those students who would normally catch a bus at the end of the day will be walked to the bus stop with staff members to Stanthorpe SHS to meet their bus.
A canteen will be operating on the day using the Qkr Online ordering system. Meals for morning and afternoon breaks will need to be ordered by Midnight on Monday 17 July. Hot chips, drinks and lollies will still be available for purchase over the counter on the day.
Parents and families are encouraged to attend and join with us in a great school community day.
A guide to the program for the day is attached for your perusal.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding the above information please don't hesitate to contact the School's Head of Sports, Mr Damian Petrie. (damian.petrie@twb.catholic.edu.au)
| 19-22 June | Primary Field Events |
| TCS Arts Festival | |
| 19-23 June | Year 10 Work Experience |
| 21-23 June | Year 8 Camp |
| 23 June | End of Term Mass |
| Term 2 Finishes | |
| 25-30 June | QISSN |
| 2-9 July | NAIDOC Week |
| 10 July | Student Free Day |
| 11 July | Term 3 Classes Start |
| 14 July | Secondary Field Events |
| 17 July | Primary Parent Teacher Consultations Begin |
| 19 July | SSHS Careers Expo (Yr 10-12) |
| Senior Schooling Information Evening | |
| 20 July | Atheltics Carnival (P-12) |
| 21 July | St Joseph's School Arts Festival |
| 23 July | Catholic Education Week Mass |
