Thank you to Mr Shelton and Mr Moran and all the staff for the first few weeks of school during my absence for their wonderful work. Joey’s is in a good space, students on the whole are engaged in their learning and we are working with those who are not. At Monday's assembly I spoke about “where you live in your head”. In the ‘past’? Always thinking about what was, never letting go of hurts, always focussing on revenge? Or living in the ‘future’? Always worried about what will happen? What will ‘people’ think or say? Being continually worried or anxious? Or is everything ‘I’ll do it later”? Which sometimes never happens.  Or are you in the ‘now’ - the present? Being present to those who you are with, focussing on developing deep and meaningful relationships, focussing on your learning, and doing your best right now on every piece of work you are given? Our best learning is in the now. When you do an exam, you have to be in the now not in the past with the study you may not have done, or in the future of what questions are next .... being in the now is very powerful. We learn more and we live our life there.

We are called to be in the now and this is the consistent story from Jesus to be present to those we are with. This week's Gospel was about Jesus’ time in the desert and being tempted by the devil. The temptations were around the past and the future, power and glory but our real power is in the now. Just something to think about … where do you spend the time in your head?

Structured Literacy Teaching

You may have seen information in the media around the best practice for teaching reading and writing. Joey’s has long been using that method for supporting literacy activities throughout the school. Our parallel reading program for year 7 and 8 as well as the writing program that has been rolling out over the last couple of years, all use structured literacy teaching as its basis. This has all just been part of the quality teaching staff have been doing at Joey’s.

Uniform

I would ask parents and carers to review your child’s uniform and please make sure it adheres to the school uniform policy. It is disappointing to see some of the girls skirts are not regulation length and we will be issuing consequences. I would ask parents to rectify this as soon as possible. Please ensure all shoes are as per the policy and not skate shoes. 

Mulch

The media has been focussed on the asbestos in mulch over the last couple of weeks. Please be reassured this is not affecting Joey’s. The majority of our mulch is from our trees and our suppliers are not part of the affected network.

Bus Times

Change of school times - The change of time is still on the agenda and now moving through due process. As soon as we hear back from the Bus company any information will be published for all parents. I personally am hoping this goes through as soon as possible as I see it as a great advantage for students with the early finish time. So watch this space!

Ms Amanda Wilson

Principal

Enrolling Now - Year 7 2025/2026 Open Afternoon and Information Evening

Enrolments are now open for Year 7 2025 and Year 7 2026. We are also accepting enrolment applications for other year groups.

On Wednesday 28 February, prospective students and families are warmly invited to see first-hand what St Joseph's has to offer.

• School tours will depart hourly at 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
• Tour bookings are essential and can be made using the TryBooking link
• An Information Session will be held in the Hall at 7:00 pm to allow families the opportunity to participate in both a School Tour and the Information Session

Applications have moved to a digital platform this year. Please head to the Enrolments section on our website or scan the QR code below for the Open Afternoon TryBooking link and Enrolment Application Form:

You can also go to the school website to start your online application. Places are limited so don't miss out and make your application today!

St Joseph’s works collaboratively with the Catholic Education Office Student Support team to address emerging attendance issues. We will be actively involved in supporting families to manage the attendance of their children so that it does not have a functional impact on their learning at school.

Having regular consistent attendance (>95%) will have a positive impact on how students engage in their academic learning at school as well as meeting the needs of their developing social and emotional well-being.

The Education Act (1990) NSW and the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. As such, St Joseph’s will be working with students and their families to help improve attendance so that it ultimately has a positive impact on student learning.

Mr Chris Shelton

Assistant Principal

Years 7-11 Assessment Handbooks

This week students in Years 7-11 were issued with their 2024 Assessment Handbooks. These were distributed via Compass/Email. Students and Parents/Carers are encouraged to download and review this information. The handbook contains all the information students need regarding assessment requirements, process to follow for Illness/Misadventure that may prevent a task being completed as well as the consequences for not submitting tasks without a valid reason. The handbooks also have an indication of when assessment tasks for each subject are scheduled to help students and families to plan and prepare. 

Year 11 2025 Subject Selection

This week students in Year 10 were given their initial subject eligibility tracking report. As explained to students at our year meeting the purpose of the report is to provide an indication of where their current level of academic performance compares to the required performance benchmark for eligibility into a range of senior subjects. This process will be completed again as we get closer to the final subject selection process with grades updated based on Year 10 course work. Students concerned about their eligibility for certain Year 11 courses are encouraged to have a discussion with their class teachers or subject specific Leader of Learning, to help develop a plan across their year to support their progression to the subjects they may wish to consider selecting.

2024 Elective Classes

Elective classes for 2024 in Years 11, 10 and 9 are now finalised. As we are well into the term the ability to move students across electives is diminished as students will be too far behind in course work and will also struggle to meet the mandatory NESA hours in new courses if they move. Students in Year 11 will be able to look at modifying their pattern of study in term 4 once the Year 11 course has been completed.

As always if there are any issues with anything related to Curriculum feel free to email or call the Curriculum office at any time.

Mr Brett Moran

Curriculum Coordinator

UOW SUMMER MASTERS CONGRATULATIONS 

UOW offered an opportunity for Year 12 students to receive six credit points towards a UOW degree whilst providing an opportunity to experience university life during the summer holidays. Six of our students took part in this opportunity and we congratulate them on their successful completion of the courses.

Isabelle Plattner, Kallum Goodman and Anastasia Kolyvas completed the course titled: Controversies in Contested Histories.

Isabelle received a High Distinction. Kallum Goodman received a Distinction.

Health for now, health for the future was completed by Orlando Ballista. Orlando received a Distinction.

Responsible Business Decision Making was completed by Maya Hurst and Bailey Brennan.

Bailey received a Distinction for his efforts in the course.

We offer our sincere thanks to the students who represented our school in their break and congratulations on fine results.

UOW DISCOVERY DAY

On February 14th our Year 12 cohort took time out of their HSC studies to try out studies at UOW for the day. UOW hosted 165 schools from all over the state and provided an opportunity for the students to do taster courses to experience life as a university student whilst discovering the beautiful campus. Our students enjoyed the experience, and this has set them up for success in career planning this year.

Year 12 are reminded to fill in the recent survey on the google form as this is an opportunity to request a one-to-one interview to career plan with Mrs Kennedy. Isabelle Plattner was a great volunteer on the day- well done Isabelle!

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 1 - 20 students to visit the Airshow Downunder careers Day

March 6 - 12 students attending Women in career Conversations

Charles Sturt Explore Day- March 5-26 link here

UNSW Medicine Information Evening - March 12 link here

AIE Industry Experience Day April 7- 17 link here

If your child would like to book a one-to-one career planning session please email me.

Sue Kennedy

Transition and Pathways Specialist/ Career Adviser

kennedys01@dow.catholic.edu.au

SJ Fit Club

From week 5, we will be launching our NEW SJ Fit Program. This program gives ALL students an opportunity to improve their fitness, strength and self-esteem through a range of different training methods. A group of teachers will be heading this program and are excited to have students join them. If your child is interested, please get them to fill out the form below.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JeKimVHANqZE7vDx9

Dance Company

Congratulations to the following students who have been successfully accepted into the SJCHS Dance Company for 2024:

• Emma Judd
• Georgia Macdonald
• Alyssa Shepherd
• Myah Bramstedt
• Bella Brennan
• Kalea William
• Kobi McGregor
• Harper Weekes
• Jessminda Borg

Upcoming Events

Week 5

Diocesan Girls Touch Gala Day

Congratulations to the following students on being selected into the girls touch teams:

13 Girls 

• Destiny Abbott
• Jayda Stringer
• Kirsti Hobbin
• Sophia Greig
• Kirsti Hobbin
• Tayah Cambourne
• Alana george
• Amellia O'Dwyer
• Sienna Poidevin
• Tia McCrimmon

15 Girls

• Angel Barbaro
• Noemi Branchi
• Abbey Campbell
• Annalese Celedon
• Madelynne Crawford
• Emily Hollingsworth
• Abbey Mansbridge
• Kiara  Shelton
• Indianna Surian
• Cate Mansbridge
• Hayley Frendo

Open Girls

• Charlee Buckman
• Lauren Clancy
• Hunter Graham
• Emma Judd
• Kiana Rieck
• Bella Sacco
• Alex Tololeska
• Mia Neill
• Mia Tarlinton
• Tasha Moylan
• Keeley Tynan
• Alexa Davies

We wish them the best of luck at this gala day!

Week 6

School Cross Country

Our School Cross Country will take place at Integral Park (Dapto) on Monday 4th March. This is a whole school carnival where vital house points are on the line. We ask that ALL students fill in the below form which will tell us who our competitors and non-competitors are as well as their mode of transport to and from the venue. Please make sure your child has filled this form in ASAP.

Race Distances:

12 Girls / 12 Boys / 13 Girls / 13 Boys - 3km

14 Boys / 14 Girls / 15 Boys / 15 Girls / 16 Girls / 17 Girls - 4km

16 Boys / 17 boys / 18 Girls / 18 Boys -  6km 

Please fill this form in - https://forms.gle/JpG9DSfRS2n1Q4j57

Diocesan Swimming

Results from the school swimming carnival will be posted on Compass in Week 5. Students who have placed first overall in their event or top 4 in 50m freestyle (relay spots) will earn themselves a place to compete at the Diocesan Swimming Championships which take place Wednesday 6th March at Corrimal Swimming Pool. Students will be expected to find their own way to and from the venue. Stay tuned for more information.

Diocesan Boys Touch Gala Day

Congratulations to the following students on being selected into the boys touch teams:

13 Boys

TBC

15 Boys

• Jake Burling
• Ashton Byrne
• Dakodah Hicks
• Thomas Hofman
• Pacey Moylan
• Jake Primmer
• Chase Vilarinho
• Lachlan Mackillop
• Harry Rae
• Ace Treuen
• Nathaniel Gamble

Reserves:

• Quinn Rippon
• Max Elliott

Open Boys

• Lachlan Hoggard
• Caiden Judd
• Cohen Smith
• Ryan Cazelt-Smith
• Cooper Mcintyre
• Kooper Edwards
• Phoenix Hiscocks
• Aaron Smith
• Tasman Rippon
• Jacob Pollard

We wish them the best of luck at this gala day!

School Team Nominations

Open Boys & Girls Soccer

Please complete this form if you are interested in trialling for any of the below teams:

1. Open Boys Soccer
2. Open Girls Soccer

Your coach will be in touch with you in regards to trials.

More information will be sent out about the trials closer to the date.

Nominations close: Week 6, Friday 8th March

Competition date: Term 2, Week 1

Nomination Link: https://forms.gle/tohqpvEKgU5iGAxUA

Boys & Girls Basketball Development Training & Squad

We will be commencing our Basketball Squad training in the coming weeks to prepare for some early competitions in Term 2. This is run before school and ANY student wanting to be chosen in the Basketball teams (particularly the boys teams), needs to attend these sessions. These sessions run from 7:30am in the school gym and will be held on a Tuesday (start date to be confirmed). Students will have the opportunity to improve their skills and be part of this development squad until a team is selected later in the year.

Please register your interest using this form: https://forms.gle/Gy5aC1RLuTDmEtgj9

Diocesan Team Nominations

If your child is interested in competing as a Diocesan representative, please fill in the relevant nomination forms below.

Under 15's and Opens Netball Trial Nomination Form

A team of 10 players in each age division will be selected in the Wollongong representative team to go to participate in the NSWCCC Netball Selection Trials in Menai.

Please note this is a nomination ONLY to attend the Wollongong Selection Trial to be held on 8 April at Berkeley Indoor Stadium. Student nominations will be reviewed, those nominations that are successful will be provided with confirmation and a letter to attend the Wollongong Selection Trial. Please note this form is for the nomination process ONLY. Thank you

NSWCCC Trial dates

15's NSWCCC Selections 8 May 2024

Opens NSWCCC Selections 27 August 2024

Students who nominate should be playing regularly in a registered association, be highly skilled and have representative level experience.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2024

Nomination Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2tzHNGpU6U0BLSvKb45t9yzCd17kQ51BDs7JLkdYvem2Zmw/viewform

Rugby League Boys 15's & Opens Selections & Girls 16s Selections

Nominations are open for the 2024 Boys U15's & Open & Girls 16's Wollongong Rugby League Trials to be held at Centenary Park, Albion Park  on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

Please note this nomination is the first step in the selection process, all nominations will be reviewed by sport coordinators, students will be notified directly if they have been approved to attend the trial.

Nominations Close: Monday 4th March

Nomination Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyj9Y6PdhswmBX2pkFTcFcOCFu4SKlTr8noZjKyud_UfLL1A/viewform

Southern Country Girls 18's Rugby League Trials Nominations 2024

Nominations are open for the 2024 Girls 18’s Southern Country Rugby League Individual Selection Trial

Venue: Trials to be held in Bruce, ACT on Tuesday 12 March, 2024

Age limitations: Students must be turning 17 or 18 in the year of competition.

Combined Trial: This trial will involve students from Wollongong, Bathurst, Canberra/Goulburn and Wagga Dioceses for selection in the Southern country girl's rugby league team.

Rugby League Pathway:

If selected, players will attend a training afternoon from 1pm – 4pm at the St Mary's on Monday 20 May. The NSWCCC selection carnival will follow on Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 May, 2024 at St Mary’s where the southern country team will trial against two metro teams from Sydney and a northern country team.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE:  TUESDAY 27TH FEB, 2024

Nomination Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca1VlZ_WS95OIbDiNGfCqUt39nh-nq3c2KG4nQN_dYaRHsYw/viewform

Upcoming NSWCCC Trials

Registrations are now open for the 2024 NSWCCC trials.

If your child plays at a high/rep level for their sport and is keen on trialling for a NSWCCC team, please register via the link below:

https://csnsw.sport/

Please note:

- No late entries are accepted.

- Students attending these trials should be at a representative level/standard.

- Further information regarding each sport is available on the website (see link above)

For assistance with registering your child please see the document below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFW57cps5mTHPK7PfJMvpVK4qtM651keNVZcu014gVQ/edit

If there are any further issues please contact me:

powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au

U15 Girls & Boys Cricket Selections - EOI close 22 Feb 2024 - Selection Date - Tuesday 12th March (TBC)

More information - https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/cricket

NSWCCC Baseball Selections - close date 22 February 2024 - Selection date - Tuesday, 5 March at Castle Glen 1 & 2, Castle Hill  - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/baseball

NSWCCC Tennis Selections - close date 22 February 2024 - Selection date - Monday, 4 March at North Parramatta Tennis Courts - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/tennis

NSWCCC Golf Selections - close date 29 February 2024 - Selection date Monday, 11 March at  Belmont Golf Club - More information  https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/golf

NSWCCC U15s Volleyball Selections - close date 23 February 2024 - Selection date - Friday 8 March at Menai - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/volleyball

NSWCCC Open Volleyball Selections - close date 15 March 2024 - Selection date - Friday 5 April - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/volleyball

NSWCCC Diving - close date 22 March 2024 - Selection date - Thursday 4 April at Olympic Park - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/diving

Sporting Success

Julius Ong

Congratulations to Julius who claimed ACT champion in the  judo under 60 kg last weekend and his first gold medal.

If your child has had sporting success outside of school we want to hear about it. 

Please email details to Miss Power (powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au)

St Joseph’s Sports Instagram Page 

For all things sports follow social media page @SJCHSSPORTS

Year 9 & 10 Food Technology

Year 9 and 10 Food Technology classes started their practical experiences by making some pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. They did an amazing job!

They have also made their first dish linked to their first unit, Food in Australia. They made damper and tried some jams made from native fruits like quandong.

Year 11 Cookery Class

Year 11 Cookery Cert II class started their practical classes completing some basic mise en place. Crushed garlic, finely diced onion, onion slices and a variety of vegetables cut into precision cuts. We then made a pickle solution and stored the vegetables in sterilised jars. The class did extremely well for their first practical. Next week Thai beef salad, then vanilla cupcakes, Caesar salad, etc.

Mrs Gregory's and Mrs Jansson's Commerce classes are experiencing commerce in action as they begin working hard on this year's house merchandise.

They have been designing, printing, cutting and heat-pressing t-shirts which will be for sale in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for more information - be ready to grab a t-shirt and wear your house colours with pride!

Being a part of the Saint Joseph's School vocal ensemble has a myriad of benefits that extend beyond musical proficiency. The Saint Joseph's School vocal ensemble fosters a sense of community and camaraderie, offering a supportive environment where individuals collaborate towards a shared artistic goal.

Through regular rehearsals (every Tuesday Lunchtime in Music room E01) and performances, students develop discipline,

 time management skills, and resilience in overcoming challenges. Vocal groups also provide a platform for self-expression, allowing students to explore their creativity and build confidence in their abilities. Not to mention singing is also loads of fun!

Our first St Joseph's School vocal ensemble rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 27th February at Lunchtime in the music room E01 classroom from 1:10pm - 1.40pm. All levels of vocal ability and every year group from 7-12 are invited to attend. 

I can’t wait to see you all at our first rehearsal.

Happy Singing!

Mrs Minns 

St Joseph's is raising funds to help support Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising campaign.

Project Compassion brings together supporters from across Australia to address the challenges of poverty today, and drive lasting change for a better tomorrow.

Join us to help support remote and vulnerable communities across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and in Australia. Your generosity today can help communities access clean water, food security, skills training, health and sanitation and disaster risk reduction training.

Together with your support, we can create lasting change today, and For All Future Generations!

If you would like to donate, please scan the QR Code below and follow the prompts:

St Paul’s Parish would like to involve the youth of our parish (students from Year 3 to Year 12) to sing once a month at a weekend Mass. The only requirement is that students attend one rehearsal of the songs the Friday before the weekend they sing. This rehearsal time would be straight after school so parents/carers would only need to pick their child up at the church at 4.30pm.

If a student cannot sing on the date of one particular month, they just need to let me know and they can still sing other months of the year.

If your child is interested in joining the choir, please register with the parish office (Ph: 4256 2038) and give your child’s name, year at school, and a contact phone number. If the parish phone is unattended leave a message on the answering machine.

I am looking forward to working with the students and have them participate in the life of our parish.

Julie Ferguson

Abilities Unleashed School Holiday Program is a national initiative by Disability Sports Australia focused on promoting active pathways for people with disabilities aged 25 years old and under during the school holidays.

It is a Free School Holiday Clinic offering a fun and inclusive day of activities connecting people with disabilities to local sport and active recreation opportunities.

Please see below flyer with more information and how to register.