Term Four - Week 1
Our Vision and Mission
Vision Statement
With Jesus Christ as their role model, all children can and will achieve.
Mission Statement
Inspired by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and in partnership with parents, our Parish and the wider community, we aim to impart a holistic education on all children in our school. We endeavour to live by the values of our school motto.
Learning, Understanding and Peace.
St Joseph’s is distinguished by a great sense of belonging, where each person is valued and where learning is enjoyable.
Prayer of the day
St Ignatius of Antioch
Romans 4:1-8. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation – Ps 31(32):1-2, 5, 11. Luke 12:1-7.
Everything now hidden will be made clear
The ‘uncovering’ promised in today’s Gospel is rather frightening. Recently, I was having a text chat and to that conversation I accidentally recorded a concurrent verbal chat. No idea how that happened, but, oh, that sinking feeling of wondering if anything said had been detrimental about the person who inadvertently heard. It is clear that if you wouldn’t want anyone to hear what you said, then it best be unsaid. As Thumper from Bambi says, ‘If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say nothing at all’. Let your actions stand the scrutiny of daylight. Guard against hypocrisy. God be with us.
Attention Joeys business owners!
Please consider sponsoring our annual yearbook. Donations from $50 - $200 buy you a business card size ad in our yearbook directory and the artwork can be emailed to you for further use. Please see details on flyer and contact Liana today."
SCHOOL NEWS
Principle's Message
Welcome Back!
It was lovely to see the smiling faces of our students returning to school this week. We hope you all had a lovely holiday break and are well rested for the term ahead. Our students and staff will be working hard in preparation for Presentation and Graduation day on Wednesday, 10th December with many other activities planned between now and the end of term.
Principal’s Review
Thank you to those who were able to complete the survey for the Principal’s review. The review was held this week. I thank you for your honest feedback and appreciate the support you have shown during my years at St Joseph’s.
Canberra Excursion
This week, our Stage 3 students enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Canberra! The itinerary was packed with learning and adventure — from exploring Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy to hands-on science fun at Questacon. Students also visited the National Arboretum, tested their skills at tenpin bowling, rock climbing, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and were inspired by elite athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Here’s what some of our students had to say about their favourite parts of the trip:
Bill - My favourite thing about Canberra was the AIS because we got to see where the really talented athletes trained.
Henry - My favourite thing about Canberra was the AIS because we got to see where all the athletes train and stay the night, and a bit of GIO Stadium, where the Brumbies and Raiders play and train.
Gordon - My favourite thing about Canberra was how we got to go rock climbing because there were so many trails, and I got to use chalk for the first time.
Guy - My favourite thing about Canberra was the AIS because there were lots of things where you could play, like cricket in this simulator.
Jaxx - My favourite part of Canberra was rock climbing because one of my favourite things to do is climb trees and fences, so I was really good at rock climbing and could do it easily. White was the hardest one to climb, and in my opinion, red was the easiest because you could get a good grip.
Darcy - My favourite thing in Canberra was going to the AIS because I got to see most of the facilities that Olympians train on. The water slide was also fun.
Gil - My favourite part of the Canberra excursion was when we were at the pool with the water slide. Bryson, Guy, Darcy and I were seeing how fast we could go.
Bryson - My highlight of the trip was either rock climbing or the pool with a slide. They were such new experiences, and it was very fun.
Georgie - I loved everything, but going to Questacon was a peak for me because not only did we learn so much about science, but I also went out of my comfort zone and did the drop slide. It made me feel brave, and it was a unique experience that I really enjoyed.
Dustin - I loved Cockington Green because they had hidden funny things like people sitting on toilets through windows, and a real duck was swimming through the mini creek.
Maisie - My favourite part of Canberra was going to the Australian Institute of Sport or Questacon. I loved seeing athletes train, go through routines, and we went into different rooms such as the aquatic centre, the gym, the gymnasium and the volleyball courts.
Peter - My favourite part about the Canberra trip was learning how to rock climb. When I got the hang of it, it was good and fun.
Tilly - I will never forget going to Canberra and having a lot of fun times with my friends. My favourite part of Canberra was the free-fall slide at Questacon and learning about AIS and Australia's Olympic Journey throughout the years at AIS. I loved seeing the gymnasium, volleyball courts, swimming pool and gym.
Jack - I liked the AIS sport. It was fun to bowl against someone and get wickets. I also liked exploring the venues and seeing where they actually train.
Adelyn - I will never forget going to the Australian Institute of Sport. We all learned a lot and had a great time learning about all the places athletes train and how hard they work to make their dream come true.
Noah - My favourite thing in Canberra was the water slide. But some kid vomited, and we couldn't go in the pool but we got some snacks.
Bella D - I like everything we did, but my most memorable is going down the drop slide at Questacon. At first I was nervous, then it wasn't that scary and I did it again. If I were back in Canberra, I would do everything again.
Alexander - My favourite part of Canberra was rock climbing because we got to climb these massive six-metre-tall rocks, and after we made it to the top, we could jump off and land on these mats, and we got to explore the centre.
Mason - My favourite things were when we went to AIS, rock climbing, pool and slide and also the bowling and putt-putt golf.
Jock - I liked going to the AIS and finding where the Olympians train for the Olympics 🙂
Hugo - My favourite part of going to Canberra was going to Questacon because I was able to do a lot of activities there and shop for stuff there, and there are lots of things to do. I learned at the Parliament House that the colours of the seats at the Senate and the House of Representatives represent the colours of gum leaves, which I didn’t know before, and it was interesting. I will never forget that on the excursion I went to Cockington Green, and I went on a train ride there and saw the interesting, tiny buildings and all the beautiful plants that were there.
Bella M - I loved when we got to see who we were with in our rooms. I loved the food, and I adored all the activities we did!
Student Of The Week
CSNSW Term 4 Primary Road Safety 2025
GARDEN CLUB
As we welcome the arrival of spring, we’re delighted to share that Jac Ewin has generously contributed to our seasonal gardening efforts by donating a variety of seedlings and volunteering her time and expertise. Working alongside Jane Shannon, Jac has played an important role in preparing, planting, and bringing new life to our spring vegetable garden. Their collaborative efforts not only help our garden flourish but also foster a wonderful sense of community and shared purpose. We’re incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication.
A Big shoutout to our amazing Gardiner Jane Shannon, for all the hard work she has put into our beautiful blooming garden. They are looking fabulous and it does not go unnoticed. Thankyou so very much.
CRAFT CLUB
SOCK Balls
Next week we are recognising Zambia with Socktober activities. We have learned that many people in Zambia are living in poverty and can’t afford many things that make our lives comfortable and easy.
As part of our Socktober activities next week I will be offering the children the opportunity to make SOCKBALLS at lunchtime on Tuesday.
Many children in Zambia enjoy playing soccer but cannot afford to buy a proper soccer ball, so they make their own using recycled materials.
CAN YOU HELP?
We will need some old socks, old t-shirts and used plastic bags (think single use shopping bags) that you may have laying around home. I have attached a video that shows you how to put these resources together to make a ball.
Please send these in before or on Tuesday next week! Thanks
Jennie Corben
Christmas Stall
Craft club will be hosting a Christmas Stall on Friday 21st November after the Book Awards Assembly.
The children will be working hard between now and then to make things to sell.
Items for sale will include:
- Hand painted wrapping paper (5m rolls)
- Re-usable gift bags
- Jewellery
- Christmas decorations
- Tote bags
- Key chains
- Etc…..
Proceeds from sales will be divided between Socktober fundraising and Craft Club supplies.
WELLBEING
Welcome Back to Term 4!
We welcome all our students and families back for Term 4 – the final stretch of the school year! We hope everyone had a restful break and is ready for a fun, engaging, and productive term ahead.
There’s already plenty of excitement around the school thanks to some amazing upgrades completed over the holidays! A huge shoutout to our incredible P&F for their hard work and dedication in bringing these projects to life:
A Fabulous New Sandpit!
Complete with enormous local rocks and a beautifully designed sandpit and environmental dry creek bed, this new play space is already a big hit!
New Cement Slabs for Discus and Shot Put
Sport just got an upgrade too! We’re excited to see our students able to practice and compete on the brand-new discus and shot put cement slabs – purpose-built for safety and performance. Athletics just leveled up!
A big thank you also to the CEDB in Bathurst for installing the
Brand New Cement Staircase
No more muddy shoes or tricky slopes – this new staircase not only looks great but is a safe and sturdy addition to our school grounds.
FROM THE REC
Socktober
Our school is excited to participate in Socktober next week!
Socktober is an initiative that engages Australian students to raise awareness and critical funds for Catholic Mission programs that support disadvantaged children globally.
In 2025, Socktober funds will go towards supporting communities in Zambia. Our contributions will help ensure vulnerable children have access to food and education, giving them the chance to build a brighter future.
Please click the following link for more detailed information on the mission:
Fundraising Event: Friday Soccer Fun
We will be holding a fun, soccer-themed afternoon on Friday (see attached flyer).
The afternoon will conclude with a teacher-student soccer shootout!
- Raffle Tickets: Students can purchase tickets for a raffle starting today.
- Shootout Opportunity: Winning raffle tickets will be drawn, giving those students the chance to kick a goal against one of the teacher "goalies."
- Mission Goal: All money raised from the raffle will go directly to supporting Catholic Mission.
- Ticket Information: Please see the attached document for details on how to purchase tickets.
Upcoming Masses:
- Primary Mass - Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 9:30am
- Infants Mass - Wednesday, 29th October 2025 9:30am
Miss Woodhouse
Religious Education Coordinator
P & F / CANTEEN NEWS
P&F News
Welcome back to all students and staff. We hope everyone has enjoyed a lovely break.
Please join us for our first meeting.
Wednesday 22nd October
6.30pm RSL Auditorium.
We only have two meetings per term and for those who have not attended before or are new to the school, this is great chance to come along and hear from Mr French regarding school news and updates.
The upgrades to the playground that were commenced over the holidays are looking great. Thanks to Mrs Bowman and the staff for organising these. The P&F has funded the bulk of these improvements through fundraising and the money we received from the 2024 Molong Players.
We are desperate (Yes. Desperate!) for volunteers for next weekend Sat 25th October to help at the 2025 production of Molong Players. At the moment we have only had 10 families sign up to help on the night. Whilst we appreciate the donation of food and supplies for the event we CANNOT run this without people in the kitchen.
This is a chance to give back to the school. Please consider signing up for this event.
Below is the available slots for the night, if you are able to please volunteer your time.
Canteen Menu
HEALTH MATTERS
