Assessment Handbooks

The Assessment Handbooks for Years 7-11 have been released. This year we will not be sharing directly with students as we have in previous years. Instead, we have decided to upload the manuals directly to the school website and keep them as ‘live’ documents.

The reason for the change is that it allows us to keep the manuals up to date with any unforeseen changes that need to be made throughout the year for example changes to dates for formal assessment tasks. Students and Parent’s/Carers are encouraged to access 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.

Families planning extended leave throughout the year are asked to check the handbook carefully to ensure students are not missing any formal assessment tasks. This is especially important for students in Years 10-12 as missing formal tasks can have a significant impact on final grades/assessments.

Changes to Student Assessment

There have been significant changes to the assessment process in Years 7-11 in 2025. This year we are placing increasing focus on informal assessment to assist in determining student achievement. For some time, we have had concerns students mainly focus on the completion of formal tasks and less attention to the general class learning that contributes to the knowledge and understanding required to demonstrate achievement of course outcomes. As a result, we are working with students to help them realise that ‘everything matters. As a result, teachers will be using a range of informal assessment in class throughout each semester alongside formal tasks to determine student grades in courses.

Teachers use informal assessment throughout the teaching and learning cycle to gather evidence about how students learn and what they know. Informal assessment includes activities undertaken and anecdotal evidence gathered throughout the teaching and learning process in a less prescribed manner than formal assessment.

These activities provide evidence for teachers and inform feedback to students in relation to improving their learning. Informal assessment may include a range of strategies including class work and work in progress, questioning, class discussion, group work, observations and monitoring, student self-evaluation and reflection, and peer feedback.

We hope this will lead to more focussed learning in classes and support students to maximise their achievement of course outcomes.

2025 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.

Year 11 2026 Subject Selection

At the end of last year, students in our current Year 10 were given their initial subject eligibility tracking report. 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 Stage 6 (HSC) 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 LoL’s to help develop a plan across the year to support their progression to the subjects they may wish to consider selecting.

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

School Swimming Carnival

The annual school swimming carnival made a big splash this year, with students showing incredible spirit, sportsmanship, and skill in the pool. A standout moment of the day was Te Ari'i Aperau-Bob breaking the long-standing 100m Backstroke record, a remarkable achievement. Congratulations, Te Ari'i, on this fantastic milestone!

One of the most entertaining events was the Year 7 house noodle relay, where excitement ran high as each house gave it their all, racing with creativity and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see so many students getting involved and supporting their teammates.

A huge thank you goes out to the Year 11 SLR class and our dedicated House Captains, whose hard work behind the scenes ensured the day ran smoothly. From timekeeping to marshalling and encouraging participation, their efforts made a big difference and helped create a fun and memorable carnival for everyone.

Finally, we wish the best of luck to our Diocesan Swim Team as they prepare to represent our school at the next level. We know they’ll do us proud!

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and contributed to making this year’s swimming carnival such a success and congratulations to WARRIGAL House for taking out the Swimming Carnival as Champion House for the 3rd year in a row.

Swimming Age Champions

Congratulations to our 2025 Age Champions and the Runners up.

Diocesan Swimming Team

Congratulations to the 30 students who have qualified through to the Wollongong Diocesan Swim Championships. They will head to Corrimal Pools on Monday 10th March to compete against the other Catholic Schools for a spot in this representative team.

Please check the document below for the events your child has been selected in. Your Compass consent should be completed ASAP to make sure our team is ready to compete on the day.

St Joseph's Dio Swim Team

School Cross Country

The 2025 St Joseph’s Annual Cross Country Carnival, will be held at the Kembla Joggers Cross Country Running Park at Brownsville. The cross-country carnival is compulsory for all students in Years 7-12. We would like to build school community with ALL students expected to attend.

All students are required to complete this form.

Venue:            Integral Energy Recreation Park (Kembla Joggers Clubhouse)

Address:         Lot 1, 88 Darkes Road, Brownsville                                                 

Transport:      Students can catch shuttle buses from school or make their own way to the venue. Please fill in this form in regard to your chosen transport option.

Arrival Time:   Students making their own way to the venue need to arrive at 8:15 am. Students catching the buses from school need to be at school between 7:45 am and 8:15 am. Students travelling by bus will return to school at 2:30 pm for normal buses in the afternoon. Students can also make their own way home at the end of the carnival.

Canteen:         Pizza Van ($15/pizza)

                       Mini Donuts

                       Dippin Dots

                       We also encourage you to pack your own food and plenty of water.

These will be made accessible to each year group during the allocated lunch break.

Uniform:          Students should dress in their house colours and in attire suitable   for sports activities on the day. Please bring a towel, waterproof picnic blanket, plastic tarp or chair to sit on and a change of clothes, socks, shoes and a spare plastic bag for wet/muddy clothes/shoes. Athletes running in the competitive running event need to run in school sports uniform or appropriate running attire.

Students are permitted to dress in:

• ¾ Tights, mid-length shorts
• Coloured socks
• Coloured hat
• Fancy dress costumes
• Shoulders MUST be covered (T-shirts)
• Sports Uniform

Students are NOT permitted to wear:

• Shorts other than those listed above
• Skate shoes, Nike Air Force, converse, crocs, thongs, and other canvas shoes
• Midriff tops, singlet tops
• Offensive clothing (such as clothing with offensive slogans/logos)

Back-Up Date: TBC

Wet Weather:  In the event of wet weather, a message will be posted on Compass and students will be emailed by 7 am on the day of the carnival. If the carnival is washed out, it will be held at school during Week 11 (at a time to be advertised via Compass). A paper selection will then take place in the event of further inclement weather. In the instance of a cancellation, students will be expected to attend school as normal.

Footwear: All students are required to wear joggers. Spiked footwear is not permitted.

Medical: In a situation of injury - runners are required to contact the nearest course official. Anyone who suffers from asthma should be encouraged to take their puffer before the race or to run with their puffer. All students will be physically active on the day and are expected to participate. Students who are unable to participate or attend on the day need to provide a medical certificate.

Early Sign out: All students who are not catching the buses back to school will be dismissed at approximately 2:15 pm. If you are picking your child up earlier than this, parents MUST collect their child from the sign-out desk. Students will not be allowed to leave the carnival early without a parent presenting to the sign-out desk. Children are to have a physical note in their DIARY for a pass out.

Girls Get Active

We have commenced our NEW GIRLS ONLY gym program on a Wednesday morning and have had over 20 girls attend this each week. It has been so great to see them come along and create a special community that is working to improve their health and fitness.

Great news, Woolworths Albion Park have jumped on board and will be providing students who attend this session and our SJ Fit Club on a Thursday with a muesli bar and juice after they finish to help them stay fueled for Period 1. We thank Woolworths Albion Park for their generosity and support in keeping our kids healthy.

Upcoming Diocesan Representative Nominations

Please see the list of upcoming Diocesan Representative Trials. You are required to nominate via the forms below and your application will be reviewed by a panel of coaches. If your application is successful, you will be notified by Miss Power.

To be eligible for these nominations, your child MUST have experience in the sport and be currently playing.

Representative experience is an advantage, however not compulsory.

Please see the below website for all further information:

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/student-experience/sport/secondary-sport-events

Any further questions, please see Miss Power.

Please note: NO late nominations will be accepted.

Rugby League Boys 15's & 18's Selections & Girls 16s Selections

The 2025 Boys 15's & 18's & Girls 16's Wollongong Rugby League Trials to be held at Ziem's Park, Corrimal OR Centenary Park, Albion Park  on Wednesday 26 March 2025. (Venue to be confirmed)

Eligibility:

• 15 years Students must be 14 or 15 years of age as at 31st December in the year of competition.
• 16 years Students must be 15 or 16 years of age as at 31 December in the year of competition
• 18 years Students must be 16,17 or 18 years of age as at 31st December in the year of competition.

Nominations Close: 3rd March

Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv-rpHWkefQhQ8fsqwKVUUtQNDNCc0hy-4nwYOJFRwqUqT0g/viewform

Southern Country Girls 18's Rugby League Trials Nominations

This girls combined Rugby League trial is for students from the Wollongong diocese to gain pathway access to NSWCCC Rugby League Selections.

Eligibility:

Students are required to gave experience in the game of Rugby League, be playing in regular competition. Have not had a head injury/concussion in the past two weeks or have been cleared if head injury as occurred. Representative background in Rugby League, although not compulsory, is a major consideration for this trial.

Nominations Close: 5th March
Nomination Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0EBq_6aWGnjDy-eEdZtBXLLwh31IGWTOnuqNlWAJo4C1Jkw/viewform

Netball 15s & Open Girls Nomination

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 to be staged in Penrith 15's NSWCCC Selections 29 May 2025 & 18's NSWCCC Selections 30 May 2025

Eligibility:

Players who nominate should be experienced in Netball, play regularly and have representative background.

Nominations Close: 7th March

Nomination Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSentuvFuVRMOX6XN1dx9IkGMORgVhDB1XR9nXdnE7eJ7QyhGg/viewform

18s Boys & Girls Football (Soccer)

Due to the success of last year's selection process through an individual trial. The secondary sports council will be conducting an individual trial to select the 2025 18's Boys & Girls Wollongong representative teams.

Eligibility to nominate:

• students must be selected as members of their school based 18's team
• students must participate in the Opens Wollongong Schools Championships day
• students nomination will be reviewed and offered a position at the selection trial

Students who nominate for the Open selection trial, need to meet the following criteria:

• Be available to represent Wollongong 27 & 28 May at the NSWCCC Football Championships
• should be playing regularly in a registered association
• be highly skilled and advanced in their Football skills
• have representative level experience. e.g. Youth grade, reserve, first grade and or NPL1 (should only be recommended standard of student nomination)
• Be a member of their school Opens Football team and participated in the Diocese Championships Day with their school team

Please read the information on the nomination form.

Nominations close: April 4th

Nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHKZsfaoBV_GcsY6OXLwsvS_dVVNhBZrPSkw5Xh-HdOeCeyQ/viewform

Upcoming NSWCCC Nominations

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

NSWCCC 2025 Individual Triathlon
Entries are now open for the 2025 NSW All Schools Triathlon for 26 February at Penrith. Individual entries are through the Sports Unit DASH system (not the CSNSW Sport portal). Entry is $60 per participant.

For more information>>

To REGISTER>>

NSWCCC Tennis Selections - close date 21 February 2025 - Selection date - Monday, 3 March at North Parramatta Tennis Courts - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/tennis

NSWCCC Golf Selections - close date 21 February 2025 - Selection date Monday, 3 March at  Tuncurry Golf Club - More information  https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/golf

NSWCCC Baseball Selections - close date 22 February 2025 TBC - Selection date -  5 March at Castle Glen 1 & 2, Castle Hill  - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/baseball

Sporting Achievements 

Tristan Denmeade

Congratulations to Tristan who represented the Greater Illawarra over summer in Albury. His cricket team took the win in the Bradman Cup.

Deakin Cook & Isabella

Last weekend,  Isabella Clowes and Deakin Cook competed in the Little Athletics Regional Championships in Griffith. It was a long weekend and they had all sorts of weather from extreme heat to thunderstorms, but managed to come home with great results.

Deakin competed in 5 events and came 3rd in the 400m, 4th in high jump, 4th in 800m, 6th in 200m, and 4th in the 4x100m relay. Deakin is waiting selection for the State Team.

Isabella also competed in 5 events and came 1st in Javelin, 1st in shot put, 1st in long jump, 2nd in triple jump, and 3rd in high jump. She will be attending state for the 5th year in a row.

Congratulations to you both on your fantastic results.

Solomon Liu & Jake Burling

Congratulations to both Solomon (Year 10) & Jake Burling (Year 9) for their selection in the NSW Waratahs Team. Both boys competed in the Australian Country Junior Basketball Championships over summer.

Solomon has been selected in the U18 Country Men's State team which will participate in the U18 Australian National Championships to be held in Brisbane in April. We wish Sol the best of luck in this Championship.

Hayley Frendo

Congratulations to Hayley who has been selected Captain of the U15 Girls Flame Squad. This is her second year in a row being named captain and shows the quality leadership skills this young athlete has. Well done Hayley.

Isaac Stoneham

Congratulations to Isaac and his team on taking out the U13s IFA Cup over Summer.

External Opportunity: Female Athlete High Performance Program

UOW has recently been developing a Female Athlete High-Performance Program and conducted a pilot for female athletes in the Illawarra region about 4 months ago. This program aims to support female athletes by providing a holistic approach that supplements their current training and playing environments. The program is set to start on April 28^th, 2025.

FYI – female footballers who are selected will be given a full scholarship by the Wollongong Wolves.

The program takes a holistic approach to athlete development and includes modules in the following key areas:

• Mental Skills and Performance Psychology
• Sports Nutrition
• Female Health Education
• Strength & Conditioning
• Pathway Support

This program is designed for female athletes across all sports and there are a limited number of spots available left in the program.

Below is a link to the website where you can access all the information attached to this email.

https://uniactive.uow.edu.au/health-fitness/uow-sport/female-athlete-high-performance-program/

You can access the EOI form from the website - athletes will need to submit a EOI from and I will get in contact with them.

EOI Form - https://forms.office.com/r/NxdrQPxuB9

Year 7 Technology

Year 7 Technology classes did some simple design activities this week. They planned and created a straw tower and learnt how a simple fold in a strip of paper slowed its rate of fall.

Year 9 Food Technology

Year 9 Food Technology started their practical journey last week. They made a simple damper and enjoyed it with golden syrup and margarine. The students learnt the processes of working in a commercial kitchen and teamwork.

This week the students made Kangaroo burgers. Most students enjoyed the different flavour and lower fat content.

Year 11 Hospitality

Ben and Katelyn enjoyed their first Year 11 Hospitality class. The lesson was all about developing their precision knife skills!

Year 12 Food Technology

Year 12 students baked some yummy suasage rolls and made a delicious homemade tomato sauce.

Recent Events

UOW Discovery Day

On Tuesday, 18 February, our Year 12 students attended the University of Wollongong Discovery Day. This event gave students the opportunity to experience first-hand what a day at university is like.

Students were able to create their own timetable of activities and seminars that aligned with their interests and post-school pathway preferences. From investigating epidemics to assessing the global housing crisis; exploring nursing to debating whether humans should become cyborgs - there was a vast array of academic engagement across a broad range of subject areas. Needless to say, there was something for everyone. The feedback I received from our Year 12s was that it helped clarify their understanding of what Uni life has to offer and how suitable it is for them. 

Year 10 Work Readiness Program

This week saw the commencement of a new program designed specifically for Year 10 St Joseph’s students who are hoping to transition into the world of work.

The Program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and game plan to help them transition into a job or vocational pathway. The program does not guarantee a job / apprenticeship / traineeship at the end of the year, but it will help students be ready to take advantage of an opportunity should one arise.

The Program will run throughout 2025 and consists of multiple in-school sessions - helping students discover their strengths, employability skills, develop resumes, cover letters, and prepare for interviews. It will incorporate visits from industry professionals, careers support services and recruitment agents. There will also be multiple excursions including visits to TAFE, Bluescope and individual work experience opportunities.

Places for this year’s program are now full. An expression of interest form for Year 9 students interested in the 2026 program will be released later this year.

Upcoming Events

@Joeys: ADF Careers Presentation and PT Session - 6 March 2025

On 6 March 2025 (12.22pm - 2.40pm, Thursday, Week 6) we welcome visitors from the ADF Careers Centre in Wollongong to speak to our students about career opportunities in the military.

There will be a 60 minute presentation + Q and A session, followed by a supervised PT session, similar to an ADF fitness test.

If you have any interest in pursuing a career in the military, please complete the expression of interest form.

Women in Careers Conversation - 12 March 2025

This event is for female students in Year 10, 11 or 12 who are considering vocational pathways, with a particular focus on nontraditional trades. (Jobs that tend to be more popular with boys. Such as: Construction, Mechanical, Plumbing etc.)

The Women in Careers conversation event will take place on the 12th of March 2025 at Illawarra Sports High School.

They have over 25 industry female guests from a vast range of industries to help empower our female students to think about career pathways they may not have heard or thought of. This is their time to shine and ask questions about females in nontraditional trades, barriers and career highlights.

If you are interested in attending the event please fill out the expression of interest form.

@UOW: UOW Future Me Program

Students will explore post-high school opportunities and improve HSC study skills with our Year 12 Future Me program. By attending, you will learn about different post-school options, how to research university courses, 21st century skills, university pathways, finance, and student support, and UOW's Early Admission process.

You will have the opportunity to connect with peers and UOW mentors and feel confident navigating your life after high school.

Date/Time:

1 x 90 min session per week from 3 March - 10 April 2025 (6 weeks total)

Who:

2025 Year 12 students  

Benefits:

Students who complete the program and apply for UOW Early Admission will be flagged with UOW Admissions.

Location:

UOW Wollongong Campus, UOW Shoalhaven Campus, UOW Southern Highlands Campus or online session options available.

Cost: Nil 

Register here:

2025 UOW Year 12 Future Me Registration Link   

Registrations Close: 11:59pm Sunday 23 February.

General Careers News/Upcoming Events

Wollongong Army Reserve Information Session

Organisation: Australian Defence Force

Location: Wollongong ADF Careers Centre

Date: February 25, 2025

Experience flexible commitment in an Army Reserve role with new challenges, experiences and friendships - and tax-free pay!

Whether you’re looking for additional training and experiences to complement your current trade or profession or are looking to give back to your Country in a meaningful way, the Army Reserve has plenty to offer.

Come to the upcoming information session to speak with current serving members about their own experiences and advice.

Find out more and register

STEM + X: Science

Organisation: Careers with STEM

Location: Online

Date: February 26, 2025

Join Careers with STEM for a free STEM + X career webinar, supported by QUT, to hear from STEM superstars who took a passion for science into their studies and are now saving the environment, advocating for women in STEM, investigating super massive black holes, and even presenting on TV.

Find out more and register

Year 12 & Beyond – With ADHD

Organisation: Claire Pech Careers

Location: Online

Date: February 27, 2025

Hosted by Claire Pech, CICA-Accredited Careers Practitioner, and Amanda Krulis, endorsed Organisational Psychologist.

Targeted to parents of students with ADHD in Year 12, this webinar will share insights and practical solutions for managing this critical year and beyond and making meaningful career decisions.

Topics covered:

• Understanding the characteristics of ADHD, debunking unhelpful myths
• Exploring the similarities & differences between ADHD at School vs. Tertiary
• Considerations for choosing further studies after Year 12
• Evaluating potential action plans & pathway options
• Understanding what adjustments/supports are available after 12 Year
• Creating insight & self-awareness around current ADHD status
• Essentials of Executive Functions, impact & creating a tailored toolkit for success
• Identifying & harnessing ADHD strengths
• Managing technology with ADHD
• Career planning with ADHD
• Strategies for parents to support their kids
• Q&A

Find out more and register

Sydney Defence Careers Information Session

Organisation: Australian Defence Force

Location: Club Liverpool

Date: February 27, 2025

Are you interested to learn about the wide range of roles available in the Navy, Army and Air Force?

Join us at an upcoming info session and speak with current serving members about their own experiences. You'll have the chance to ask any questions you have about Australian Defence Force careers and opportunities.

Find out more and register

Year 12 Future Talk – Demystifying University & The Future World of Work

Organisation: University of Wollongong

Location: Online

Date: March 3, 2025

Future Talk is a series of online information sessions designed specifically for a student's support crew. If you're a parent or carer who is navigating the HSC too, we've got your back.

This session breaks down the language of higher education, offering practical strategies to support young people in making positive post-school decisions with confidence. We'll explore key trends in education and the workforce—locally, nationally, and globally—along with the impact of AI and emerging technologies on future career opportunities.

Find out more and register

Year 12 Medicine Information Evening

Organisation: University of New South Wales

Location: Online

Date: March 12, 2025

Are you interested in a career in medicine?

Start your medical career at one of the top medical schools in the world. Studying the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine at UNSW will provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical experiences you need to launch your career as a medical professional.

UNSW’s Medicine Information Evening, for current year 12 students, will provide insight into the dynamic blend of hands-on clinical experiences and research-focused learning that you will be immersed in as a UNSW Medicine student. You’ll also find out detailed information on the application and admissions process for 2026 entry, including special entry schemes such as Rural, Gateway and Indigenous Entry Schemes.

Join us online where you will hear from our expert panel of academic staff, current students and advisors, and get all of your UNSW Medicine questions answered.

Find out more and register

Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo 2025

Organisation: Kym Jones Exhibitions

Location: Sydney Showground

Date: March 14 to March 15, 2025

Sydney West's New Careers & Employment Event will open on March 14 & 15, 2025, at the Sydney Showground. The Expo will showcase over 120 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages. Entry is free.

The event is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new opportunities.

Find out more and register

BiG Day In, UTS Day 1

Organisation: ACS Foundation

Location: The Great Hall @ UTS

Date: March 18, 2025

Join us in The Great Hall @ UTS on Tuesday 18 March for the 2025 BiG Day In IT Careers Conference. Hear from speakers from Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Westpac, Woolworths, Wisetech Global, Defence Jobs Australia, Animal Logic and more to come to learn where a STEM career can take you.

Find out more and register

BiG Day In, UTS Day 2

Organisation: ACS Foundation

Location: The Great Hall @ UTS

Date: March 19, 2025

Join us in The Great Hall @ UTS on Wednesday 19 March for the 2025 BiG Day In IT Careers Conference. Hear from speakers from Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Westpac, Woolworths, Wisetech Global, Defence Jobs Australia, Animal Logic and more to come to learn where a STEM career can take you.

Find out more and register

Open Day, April

Organisation: Sydney Design School

Location: Sydney Design School

Date: April 5, 2025

If you’re considering studying with us, our Open Day is a great way to get to know us better. Explore our studios, browse through our Graduate Exhibition, meet students and Educators, watch a live Info Session and get creative making a mood board or digital model.

Find out more and register

Discover Law, Criminology and Human Rights at ACU Blacktown

Organisation: Australian Catholic University

Location: ACU Blacktown Campus

Date: April 14, 2025

All rise! Aspiring lawyers, criminologists, and human rights advocates, it’s time to sharpen your analytical skills and discover the excitement of the courtroom. Join us for interactive workshops designed to give you a taste of what it's like to study law, criminology, and human rights at ACU.

Dive into hands-on sessions where you’ll test your courtroom strategies, unravel criminal cases, and explore the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in these fast-paced fields. Plus, engage in a dynamic and interactive human rights session, preparing you with valuable insights into the complexities of human rights law and the importance of advocacy.

Whether you're interested in the legal system, criminology, or human rights, this event will give you an exciting taste of your future career path.

Find out more and register

2025 SCHOOL FEE GENERAL INFORMATION

School fees for 2025 will be invoiced and statements will be issued 7 February with annual or first instalment payment due on 28 February 2025.  All school fees are 30 days accounts payable in full unless you wish to pay by instalment or agreement (Both explained below). You may view school fees in the Compass Parent Portal. 

IF YOU WISH TO PAY BY INSTALMENTS

Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments.  If you wish to avail yourself of this option, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on St Joseph’s website or in the holder on the wall at St Joseph’s finance office.  On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at St Joseph’s office.  Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your detailed school fee statement at the beginning of the year.  Please note if you are paying by instalments at St Joseph’s or at a primary school you are coming from, no need to complete another request to pay by instalment form unless you want to change the frequency. It is only necessary to complete this form ONCE during the period of child/children’s enrolment unless you wish to amend your payment frequency.  You may only have ONE instalment frequency across schools eg fortnightly at both.

Completion of a Request to pay by instalment IS NOT an authority for payment from your bank account, you need to setup BPay or a regular payment from your bank. 

IF YOU WISH TO PAY BY AGREEMENTS

Many families wish for a more flexible payment arrangement paying irregular lump sums throughout the year ensuring fees are paid in full by year end or an annual payment at tax time or after the 30 days deadline in February have lapsed. Your Agreements need to be updated yearly, please contact St Joseph’s Finance office by phone 4230 8525 or email accounts@sjchsdow.catholic.edu.au.

REMINDERS FOR LATE PAYMENTS

These reminders are automatically generated based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office.  For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention.  Our intention is to manage the collection of school fee accounts with new technology.

SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES

The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is carried out by the Catholic Education Office.  Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement. 

St Joseph’s will always be your point of contact for matters pertaining to fees.  If you wish to discuss your school fee account, please contact St Joseph’s finance office.  

DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT

If you are experiencing financial difficulty and unable to increase your payments or pay, there are concessions available. We encourage you to contact St Joseph’s to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments.  This includes the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the holder on the wall at St Joseph’s finance office.  

Once the completed Fee Concession form is received, the school may be able to write off some of your outstanding fee balance. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances.  

For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2024, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession.   If you wish to submit the application, please do so at your child’s school.  Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application. 

TERM 1 2025

March

Tuesday 4
Shrove Tuesday
Year 7 2026/2027 Information Evening and Tours

Wednesday 5
Ash Wednesday

Friday 7
Cross Country Carnival

Wednesday 19
Feast of St Joseph

Wednesday 19 to Friday 21
Year 12 Retreat

Wednesday 12 to Thursday 24
NAPLAN testing window

April

Tuesday 8
Year 7 Immunisations

Friday 11
Last day of Term 1

 TRADING HOURS

Monday 11:30 am - 4:30pm

Thursday 8:30am - 1:30pm

ORDERING UNIFORMS

Online Ordering - click link below

ONLINE ORDERING

By Appointment - click link below

BY APPOINTMENT

Click HERE to register