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Thank you for this land we share, for the skies above and the earth below. Thank you for the First Nations People of Australia who have cared for this land for thousands of years. Help us to listen and learn from each other. Help us to be kind, fair and respectful. Please guide us to grow together in peace, and to make our community, our homes and our country places where everyone belongs.
Amen
Dear parents and carers,
This past week has been Reconciliation Week, recognised here at St Joseph’s at last week’s Sorry Day Prayer Celebration, led by 1 Teal. To reconcile, is to work to make things better than what they are, so that ‘tomorrow’ is something to look forward to. At the end of our prayer celebration, I spoke about the importance of all of us, wherever we are, working to build relationships and to support those that are hurting or those that might need our care. Within our classrooms and as part of the curriculum this term, the students have also been focusing on indigenous perspectives across a number of learning areas to deepen their understanding of the experiences of our First Nations Peoples.
While not directly related to Reconciliation Week, I have also reflected with staff this week about the importance of ‘listening’. Unfortunately, I think these days we tend to listen only to respond, rather than just listening so that others feel heard. I have tried to practise this when meeting with parents in recent weeks and have come away with some valuable insights into what is working well at St Joseph’s and where we can continue to focus to improve.
School Community Council Open Meeting
As part of this same listening process, the upcoming School Community Council Open Meeting on Tuesday 17 June is focusing on this same reflection on ‘what is working and must continue’… and ‘what can we do differently’ to ensure our school continues to thrive. 2026 is the 70th Anniversary of St Joseph’s Primary School and a year when we will enact a new Strategic Plan, along with what I hope will be a revitalised focusing on our Mission and Vision as a school.
A broad parent voice is vital in this process, so I openly invite all parents and carers to save the date – 6.30pm 17 June to come along to a night of discussion and brainstorming, which will then inform ongoing development of future planning. More information to come in the coming days.
Breaktime Clubs
Each day there are breaktime clubs that students can join to build new friendships and to foster some personal interests. Please feel free to print the timetable out and remind your child/ren to come along. Thank you to our wonderful Classroom Support Staff who are facilitating many of these clubs.
State of Origin II – Dads and Grandads Night
After State of Origin I going to NSW, I will again host a night for dads and grandads to come along and hopefully see NSW claim the 2025 series.
All dads and grandads, and other significant men in your children's lives, are invited to come and watch the second game of the series at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18 June here at school.
Please RSVP by Tuesday 17 June.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
A huge thank you to our school community for supporting the upcoming Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Today we made a $776 contribution from our PJs day on Friday, which was then matched thanks to an anonymous donor here in the ACT. The current total raised as part of my involvement this year is $5662!
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/camerontarrant/act
School and Family Counsellor
St Joseph’s again has a School and Family Counsellor that will work Mondays and Tuesdays each week. Emma Hyland joined our school last week and is keen to start building connections with students, teachers and families. In the coming weeks, I will share a Bio for Emma, but in the meantime please feel free to contact her if you wish to discuss any supports or guidance for your child. emma.hyland@mccg.org.au
Please use this link to complete a referral for Emma to make contact with you - https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form
Building Project Update
After a frantic couple of days before the recent rain, the foundations have gone in and are now ready for the next stage. Today we saw the first crane and trucks arrive to deliver the steel framing which will start to go up in the coming week. Definitely will be exciting to see it start to take shape!
Happy Families
A reminder that St Joseph’s is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership!
We regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.
URL - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/stjosephs
Password – happysjps
Please make the most of this membership by accessing and perusing the great articles and past webinars. If there are resources that you find useful, please share these with other parents and let me know, so I can promote them across the school.
This week I have included the most recent Insights article on Self-control.
‘Here’s some encouraging news: self-control is a learned skill. And just like learning to read, ride a bike, or play an instrument, our kids can improve their self-control with practice, guidance, and the right tools — no matter their age or temperament. (And so can we.)’
Have a great end to the week.
Yours in Christ,
Cameron Tarrant
Parish Masses
We have commenced our class parish Mass celebrations. Each class will join with its buddy class to attend Mass at 9:15 a.m. with the St Joseph Parish community once per term, according to a roster. Students from the older class will be selected to proclaim the readings of the day, serve at the altar, and bring forward the offertory, while the younger class will read the Prayer of the Faithful. Below are the roster dates for Term 2:
- 5 June – 4 Gold and Foundation White
- 10 June – 5 Orange and 1 Teal
- 12 June – Both Year 4 classes
- 17 June – 5 Blue and 1 Purple
- 19 June – Both Year 4 classes
- 24 June 3 Black and ELC class
- 26 June 3 Navy and ELC class
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St Joseph’s Parish Assembly – Save the date – Sunday 15 June 2025
Everyone is warmly invited to St Joseph’s Parish Assembly on Sunday 15 June 1-3pm (followed by afternoon tea).
The Assembly will examine how St Joseph’s community can realise our Catholic mission of evangelisation and discern a way forward for the union of Canberra’s Inner North Parishes. The Assembly will use the Conversation in the Spirit framework to provide a prayerful gathering that allows the Holy Spirit to guide listening, reflection and discernment. Additional information on the Conversation in the Spirit process will be provided in advance of the Assembly.
Please register by Sunday 7 June 2025 via email to Warwick (St Joseph’s PPC Chair): warwick.mcdonald3@bigpond.com
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Kirstie Buckley
Religious Education Coordinator
Defence Kids Club has been a hive of activity these past two weeks. Many of our students challenging themselves with complicated and exciting marble runs, a new batch of wool for craft creations and lots of turning beads into fabulous bracelets and keyrings.
Watching friendships blossom amongst children of all different ages and senior students offering to help our junior students is a highlight every week.
Many thanks to all of your children for their polite manners, kindness to each other and excellent packing up skills.
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Resources
The Child of the ADF Medallion
This medal will be presented to children who have shown resilience and growth in managing the challenges of the ADF lifestyle. Participation in this program is open to all Defence resident family children aged 18 years and under of ADF members (SERCAT 3-7 and SERVOP C). DMFS Canberra has a series of medallion presentations scheduled for Friday 27 June 2025. Register for the event here:
An ADF families event: Child of the ADF Medallion Ceremony Canberra Tickets, Campbell | Eventbrite
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Families of Veterans Guild
Connecting, supporting and empowering the families of Australian veterans every day. Their social work and wellbeing program offers free wellbeing events for Defence and Veteran family members. Both online or in-person events. Upcoming activities include:
* Decluttering Workshop – Online Thursday 12 June Decluttering workshop for war widows, defence and veteran families - Families of Veterans Guild
* Wellbeing Walk and Lunch – Canberra Friday 13 June - Wellbeing walk for Canberra veteran families - Families of Veterans Guild
* Veteran Partner Dinner – Canberra Saturday 14 June - Canberra veteran partner dinner - Families of Veterans Guild
* Watercolour Painting – Online Friday 27 June - Online watercolour painting for war widows, defence and veteran families - Families of Veterans Guild
For more information on these events, please follow the links above, visit their website: Home - Families of Veterans Guild or email: wellbeing@fov.gov.au
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The Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub
This hub is a veteran-centric community-focused program offering a variety of wellbeing services for veterans and their families. Located in Queanbeyan, it is a one-stop hub for services such as DVA claims advocacy, wellbeing assistance, social connectivity through events and workshops, mental health support through Open Arms and sporting and fitness programs through Invictus Australia. Some upcoming events include: Yoga - Brave Buddies Playgroup - Walk and Talk Group - Coffee with a Padre - Introductory Strength and Mobility Exercise Classes
For further information regarding events/programs or general services please contact the Hub on 02 6263 9570, email: QueanbeyanVFH@rsllifecare.org.au or visit their website: Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub - RSL LifeCare
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Wishing you all a great week.
Lisa Bauer
Defence Support Mentor
Hi parents and families,
We have just completed a mid year stocktake of kitchenware in The Snack Shack! Sadly there are a lot of things missing since our last restock.
We are missing:
- 260 containers we serve hot food in.
- 37 containers and spoons we use for jelly.
- We are down to our last 19 forks and these have been restocked 4 times this year, twice from a generous parent donation.
Can you please remind your children if they get a lunch order from The Snack Shack to return the containers, cutlery and cups to the correct tubs to be washed.
Please do not to place them in the bin or take them home.
It is not sustainable to throw plastic containers and metal cutlery into general waste.
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Thank you!
Julie-Anne
Canteen Manager
Jump Rope for Heart kicks off this term at St Joseph’s Primary School!
Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun and raise funds for lifesaving research and programs.
This year, our goal is for students to skip as much as possible. We have set a goal for students to skip a minimum of 1 hour each over the 3 week program.
Register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising, simply follow the link below to get started. www.jumprope.org.au/parents. Students will be able to track and log their hours of skipping, as well as their fundraising progress.
Students will be skipping during break times and in class PE times. During this time you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.
We will hold our school Jump Off Day on the 27th of June, this will mark the end of
the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their
newly learned skills.
Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program!
Congratulations to the Week 6 award recipients:
|
Foundation Red |
Finn S Billie K |
Foundation White |
Sienna T Javier S Joshua L |
| 1 Purple |
Alexandra R Henry D |
1 Teal |
Jamyang Y Sonam W |
| 2 Magenta |
Max B Annabelle S |
2 Yellow |
Jayden L Emily L |
| 3 Black |
Gianna L Beatrix M Madison M |
3 Navy |
Eloise P Finn M |
| 4 Gold |
Ryder W Iggy U Jasmeen S-J |
4 Green |
Donald M James H Audrey G |
| 5 Blue |
Tenzin L Amari P |
5 Orange |
Isla C Artin H |
| 6 Lime |
Gonzalo O-H Mirabel P Alicia M-S |
6 Silver |
Olivia R Giovanni B-A |
|
Sport Spanish |
Oliver W Hannah D |
Defence |
Florence J |
Happy birthday to these students who celebrated their birthday this week:
| Finlay M |
| Dion B |
| Laura P |
| Kate L |
| Sonam W |
| Beatrice J |
| Khantushig L |
| Cooper O |
| Leanna L |
