On Wednesday 22 February, our school community participated in a prayerful and very meaningful Ash Wednesday Liturgy. There were many spiritual messages about the gifts and good qualities that each of them have been blessed with. Students were asked to reflect on ways that they can use their God-given gifts to be more compassionate, patient, kind, understanding, and generous towards others. 

Lent is a forty day journey to Easter. During this time, students have been asked to focus less on their own needs and more on what they can do to support each other to be the best young people they can be. To support turning away from sin and living the Gospel, students were encouraged to reflect on what will they give up this Lent and how will they contribute to the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal to support those in need in the world. 

Students have also been reminded to demonstrate Gospel values in their interactions with others by looking for opportunities to respond with compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. 

School Events

On Tuesday, 14 February we held our competitors only Annual Swimming Carnival at Albion Park Pool.

Congratulations and well done to all students who participated to earn valuable points for their House and to those who won their events. Years 7-9 students thoroughly enjoy the launch of Community and Sports Activities (CASA) at St. Joseph's last Friday, 17 February. As part of the implementation of the School's new House system, students participated in various sports activities and games with exemplary enthusiasm and fine school spirit. We also celebrated Shrove Tuesday with delicious pancakes sold out at recess! 

Year 7 Information Evening and Welcome Barbecue

This was a great opportunity for parents to get to know each other and some of their child’s teachers. Thank you to our Year 7 parent and student community who attended and enjoyed the recent information evening last week. 

Annual General Meeting - AGM

The Parents and Friends AGM was held last Wednesday, 15 February. We are very pleased to thank and congratulate the following parents, who were elected to the following P& F Executive positions:

President - Mr. Paul Murphy

Treasurer - Mr. Craig Lonard

Secretary - Open

The position of Secretary is still open. If you are interested in taking on this role please contact me (Mrs. Jenny Bell) at 42308500.

Sun Protection

Parents and carers are asked to remind your child, especially during these summer months, to apply sunscreen at home before they leave for school each morning. 

Students are often also reminded by staff at school and on excursions to reapply sunscreen if they have it with them in their school bags. Please check with your child that they have a small tube of sunscreen in their bags at all times to reapply during the day during meal breaks and other outdoor school activities. 

The uniform shop also has a stock of school hats if your child needs a new one.

Enrolling for Year 7 2024 & 2025 

Our Open Morning will be held on Tuesday 7 March 2023  from 9:30-11am. From 4pm, on Tuesday 7 March, and Wednesday 8 March 2023, there will be school tours with an opportunity to meet some of our teachers and current students. The tours will be followed by an Information Evening in the School Hall. The flyer with details for registrations is attached to this week’s newsletter.

40th Anniversary Celebration - Save the date

We are looking forward to the upcoming celebration of St. Joseph’s Catholic High School’s 40th Anniversary on Saturday, 18 March. There will be school tours for alumni and current students and parents from 4:30-6:00 pm, followed by an over 18 celebratory gathering in the School Hall in the evening. We look forward to seeing parents and carers at this very special occasion community event!

Lenten Prayer

Regards

Jenny Bell

Acting Principal

Monday After School Study and Homework Sessions  

All students have been informed that we have reintroduced 'Mundy' for all students in the school to support their learning. As of Monday, 6 February, the School Library will be open every Monday afternoon from 3:30- 5:00 pm for students to study and complete homework and assignments. This is a supervised session and teachers will be present to help with research and give support with literacy and numeracy. All students are welcome to attend. However, in addition some students in Years 10, 11 and 12 may be placed on a Monday after school study / homework session if they have work that has not been completed. Parents and students will be informed if they been placed on one of these via email which will include the date they are required to attend.

St Joseph's Wellbeing Program

This year the Student Planners have incorporated a personalised Wellbeing Program to support the social emotional learning of the students. Each week in the student planner, homeroom staff will guide students through a wellbeing activity to support their needs. 

Each week has a theme and an associated character strength that links with the CASTEL SEL framework, that is, Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. 

The homeroom team will lead these exercises throughout the week in bite size lessons during homeroom time. 

The amazing aspect of this program is that parent resources will be released each fortnight with the newsletter to support parents in their conversations at home regarding the current lessons being delivered at school. 

This fortnight's articles can be acsessed below. All future articles will be posted in the newsletter.

Cameron Dribbus

Acting Assistant Principal

Massive week in Joey's science with 8’s and 9”s getting straight into their biology topics with brain and musculoskeletal dissections. Yr 12 Investigating Science depth studies were due with some great science completed including “the effect radiation on seed germination” and “the influence of demographics on personality type” to name just a few.

Swimming Carnival

Last Tuesday we had over 70 students compete at the school swimming carnival. It was a drizzly day, however, all students were outstanding in their participation as well as sportsmanship. 

Congratulations go to Flynn Anthony-Gould who broke 2 x school records in both the 50m & 100m Breastroke. 

I would also like to thank the Year 11 SLR class helpers and parents who assisted on the day of the carnival. 

Age Champions and the Champion House will be presented at the assembly on Monday (27th Feb).

Dio Swim Team

Our St Joseph’s Swim Team head to Corrimal Pools on Friday the 10th of March to take on the rest of the Diocese. We wish these students the very best of luck!

The team list, events, and the program can be found below. Please make sure you have given your child consent and paid your money ASAP to the front office.

200m and 400m Freestyle Nominations

These events are not swum at the Diocesan Carnival. Students looking to apply for these events will need to nominate by using this link. 

Nominations for the 200m and 400m Freestyle close on Tuesday 14 March 2023.

Team List & Events

Program 

NSWCCC Triathlon

Congratulations to the following students who have represented St Joseph’s at the NSWCCC Triathlon on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th February. I would also like to give Mrs Linsley a huge thank you for organising and taking these teams over the two day event. 

Individuals:

Ashton Byrne

Benjamin Martin

Teams:

A special mention and congratulations goes to our Junior Boys team who placed 3rd in their event. Well done Te Ari’i Aperau Bob (swimmer), Ashton Byrne (Cyclist) and Pacey Moylan (Runner).

Upcoming Events

Week 6 

Friday 3rd March - Girls Touch Dio Gala Day

Please check Compass for the consent for this day.

Week 7

Tuesday 7th March - Elite/Aspiring Athlete Excursion to Bai Med

Thursday 9th March - Boys Touch Dio Gala Day

Please check Compass for the consent for this day.

Friday 10th March - Dio Swimming

Week 8

Tuesday 14th March - School Cross Country  

The school cross country is a whole school event held at the Kembla Joggers Cross Country course in Dapto. Students who wish to take part in the course as a competitor are required to nominate via this form. 

School Team Nominations:

Oztag - Nominations close: Friday 10th March

Nominate here

Open Boys and Girls Soccer - Nominations close: Friday 3rd March

Nominate here

Week 10

Friday 31st March - Dio Boys and Girls Junior Soccer

We have had over 100 nominations to trial for these teams. We have Neil Mann from the Wollongong Wolves coming out to work with our students at the trials which will begin next week for the boys and week 7 for the girls. Students who are successful in their selection will be sent Compass Consent in the following weeks.

Sporting Success:

We wish the following students good luck at their upcoming trials & competitions.

Madeleine Varga - NSWCCC Tennis Trials

Corey Roberts - NSW Interschools Mountain Biking (Thredbo)

Lewis Mercieca - NSWCCC Baseball Trials

Travis McGeorge - U15s Southern Country AFL Trials (ACT)

Congratulations to Grace Pomery who competed in the 4km World Championship Cross Country Challenge in Bathurst last weekend. The course around sections of Mt Panorama was grueling with sand sections, a mud pit, tyre weaving, and plenty of hills. She was the 10th female to cross the line in the U20 field.

Photo Consent

There are still some outstanding approvals for photo consent. No pictures can be posted online unless these consent forms are approved by you through your compass portals. Please ensure this is checked if you are still yet to do so.

Compass

Please ensure you are checking Compass regularly. All Important information and urgent announcements including Events, wet weather arrangements, cancellations, and any other general announcements will be posted through Compass.

School Fees

Please see below link to school fees information for 2023.