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REMINDER - PUPIL FREE DAY - MONDAY 21ST JULY
Term 3 commences Tuesday 22nd July
Dear Parents and Carers,
As I sat down to write the final newsletter for this term, I found myself once again drawn to the unfolding weather events that are impacting so many. It is a powerful reminder that there are many things in life, like the weather, that we simply cannot control. Yet, what we can control is how we choose to respond.
This reflection brought to mind the Gospel of Mathew 8:23-27, the story of Jesus calming the storm. As disciples found themselves a boat amidst a violent storm, fear overtook them. Jesus, seeing their distress, asked, “Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith?” He then stood and calmed the storm with is presence.
This passage reminds us that even in the midst of life’s storms, our faith in Jesus offers us a steady foundation. When things feel uncertain or overwhelming, we are invited to place our trust in Him, knowing that He is with us and will guide us through.
As we approach the end of the term, may be carry this message of hope and reassurance with us, and continue to support one another with compassion and faith.
Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 reports are now available via Compass. If you have any difficulty accessing your child’s reports, please contact the office.
Cooking with Mrs Hunt
Congratulations to Samantha, Jesse, Sharmaine, and Bentley, who all chose cooking with Mrs Hunt for their PB4L reward. They made a collection of delicious treats for their class to eat.
ICAS
Next term students from Year 2 to 6 have the opportunity to participate in the ICAS assessments. If you are interested in your child participating in these assessments, you can access the Parent Portal to sign up to your chosen subject areas using the link and code below.
Registration for all subject areas closes on Monday 28 July at 11:59pm.
| Sign Up Here | |
| Access Code |
CTY446 |
This year, our students can elect to sit the following assessments:
| Subject | Sitting Date | Cost (AU$) |
| Digital Technologies | 4-8 Aug | $20.95 |
| Writing | 4-8 Aug | $24.95 |
| English | 11-15 Aug | $20.95 |
| Science | 18-22 Aug | $20.95 |
| Spelling Bee | 18-22 Aug | $20.95 |
| Mathematics | 25-29 Aug | $20.95 |
Cultural Dance Group
Earlier this week our Aboriginal Cultural Dance Group were invited to Wingham District Pre-School to share in a cultural experience. It is wonderful that our students can share their culture and learning so proudly with younger children. Thank you to Aunty Kylie, Mrs Fraser, and Mrs Downie for supporting this valuable learning experience.
SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of Indigenous communities.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.
NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities and is a great opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.
This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. 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 seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://wingham.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week
As we move into the mid year break, I pray that you and your family enjoy the next few weeks and are able ro recharge ready for a big Term 3.
Lord,
As the school term ends and the holidays begin. We thank you for the gift of rest and renewal. Thank you for the learning and growth we have experienced during the term. Keep our school community safe over the next few weeks, and allow us to return to school with hearts and minds open to new learning.
Amen
God Bless
Prime Minister Award
‘Being a steward of creation’, ‘Trying your best’, ‘Speaking with kindness’ and ‘Being a responsible learner’ are some of the qualities that teachers consider when awarding ‘Prime Minister’ at our weekly assembly. It is an acknowledgement of the student’s efforts and they have the privilege of wearing the badge with honour, of suggesting a focus the school can work on, award Gotchas to other students at lunch time as well as earning Gotchas for themselves. Congratulations goes to Miranda Badger (Week 9)
MJR Awards
As part of our MJR system, we acknowledge that the following students, Sharmaine Clarke and Ryleigh Lucas have reached 100 Gotchas and Bentley Minns has reached 300 Gotchas. Well Done!
Mary MacKillop Award - Term 2
This award is presented to one student each term that consistently goes above and beyond to put the needs of others first. This award is founded on one of the most motivating and known sayings of Saint Mary MacKillop “never see a need without doing something about it” (1871). We present this award to someone who follows in Saint Mary’s footsteps by reaching out to the most needy and vulnerable in our school community. Congratulations goes to Sienna Lapi-an.
On Thursday 26 June 2025 thirty students from St Joseph's Wingham travelled to the sports fields at Tuncurry for our annual Regional Athletics Carnival. This was the biggest team that have represented St Joseph's Wingham. The students competed in various track and field events with fantastic behaviour and great sportsmanship in very competitive fields. Well done to all students who attended and had a go. A huge thank you to parents for transporting students - Chris Johnson, Robyn Falzon, Sheree Ungaro and to all parents and carers for supporting and transporting students down. It is such a wonderful experience for the students competing at this next level. A big thank you also to Mrs Hunt, Mr Wickham and Georgia Bosher for all your work on the day. Students who will represent our Manning Region at the Newcastle Carnival will be announced shortly.
Mr Knoke
Year 2 Teacher/Sports Coordinator
Behaviour Management at St. Joseph’s – MJR and PB4L
Each week we have a focus area for student behaviour. These focus areas are planned using our school behaviour data. The data includes the incidents recorded via the office referral system (“Yellow Forms”). If we see a prevalence of a particular problem behaviour, we focus on it as a school and teach students the expected behaviour. Developing student resilience is also a proactive way to help our students display positive behaviour. Each term we have a number of Making Jesus Real (MJR) focus areas, which aim to foster positive attitudes and good relationships among students by reinforcing these values and connecting them to the teachings of Jesus.
Some of these include: I am a Bucket Filler - Speaking and acting with kindness are important ways to be a bucket filler. Being grateful and appreciative helps fill others buckets and also your own.
I know what the Buddy Bench is and how to use it – We teach the purpose of the Buddy Bench. Students should sit on the Buddy Bench if they are in need of a “buddy”, friend or a game to join. If they see someone on the Buddy Bench they should include them in their game or help them find a friend.
I (GTS) Greet, Treat and Speak with Kindness- We Make Jesus Real by greeting each other politely. We use kind words to one another in all areas.
I am a WEST person (Welcoming, Encouraging, Sorry, Thanks)
- Welcoming: Being open, inviting, and inclusive towards others.
- Encouraging: Offering support, positive reinforcement, and words of affirmation.
- Sorry: Acknowledging mistakes and apologizing when necessary.
- Thanks: Expressing gratitude for kindness, help, and all that one receives.
Shae Lapi-an
Assistant Principal
Term 2 PB4L Data
Dear Parents,
We are thrilled to share some positive news regarding our Term 2 PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning) data. During Term 2, we saw a significant improvement in student behaviour:
- Positive Behaviour: 76% of our students made positive behaviour choices at all times.
- Minimal Incidents: 92% of our students had one incident or less.
- Incidents: Overall incidents have decreased by 36%
- Students with Multiple Incidents: The number of students involved in multiple incidents decreased by 45%.
As you are aware, we have had a school-wide focus on implementing Teir 1 evidence-based practices in the classroom. These practices involve prompting students about expectations, engaging students and providing specific and frequent feedback.
Thank you for your support in reinforcing positive behaviour at home. Your collaboration with our efforts at school has contributed to this noticeable drop in classroom incidents.
Shae Lapi-an
Assistant Principal
Children's University News
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119 students have graduated from the program, proudly receiving their certificates at official ceremonies.
- Thousands of learning hours have been recorded, showcasing our students’ dedication and enthusiasm.
- Participation in local and regional events, including university campus visits, STEM challenges, and cultural excursions.
Library News
