- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Portland

Principals Message

As we reach the midway point of Term 1, I am delighted to see how well our students have settled into their school routines. The energy and enthusiasm across all year levels reflect the strong sense of community and commitment to learning that makes St. Joseph's such a special place.

A special congratulations to our Kindergarten students who have made a wonderful start to their school journey. It has been heartwarming to see their smiling faces as they embrace new friendships, explore learning, and adapt so well to life at St. Joseph's. Well done, Kindergarten!

I also want to commend our Year 6 leaders for their outstanding example of leadership and responsibility. Their positive attitude, dedication to their roles, and willingness to support younger students reflect their commitment to our school values. We are very proud of the way they are stepping up as role models in both the classroom and the playground.

Across all year levels, there has been a genuine focus on building strong relationships and working collaboratively. I am particularly impressed with the way students are approaching the curriculum with enthusiasm and striving to achieve their personal best. The kindness and support they show one another highlight the importance of friendship and teamwork in our school community.

Thank you to our teachers, staff and families for your continued partnership in supporting the growth and development of every child. Let us continue to work together to make this term a positive and enriching experience for all.

In Faith & Truth

Simone Taylor

Reflection - Ash Wednesday

This week, the St. Joseph’s community gathered to observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and a sacred time in the Catholic calendar. The liturgy invited us to reflect deeply on our spiritual journey, marked by the symbolic ashes placed on our foreheads. These ashes, made from the palms of last year’s Palm Sunday, remind us of our call to repentance, humility, and renewal.

The words spoken as the ashes were given—"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” remind us of our dependence on God and the transient nature of earthly life. This moment challenges us to refocus our lives on what truly matters: loving God and serving one another.

In the Gospel of Matthew (6:1-6, 16-18), Jesus calls us to live out our faith in a spirit of sincerity and humility, not for outward recognition but as a genuine expression of our love for God. He teaches us about the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

As a school community, we take this time to consider how we can grow closer to God through these practices. Students have been encouraged to reflect on:

Prayer: Setting aside time each day to connect with God, offering gratitude and seeking guidance.
Fasting: Choosing to let go of distractions or habits that take us away from our values.
Almsgiving: Finding ways to share God’s love through acts of kindness and generosity toward others.

Ash Wednesday reminds us that Lent is not only a season of sacrifice but also a journey of transformation. It is a time to renew our faith, strengthen our commitment to living out the Gospel, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.

May this Lenten season be a time of grace for all families in our St. Joseph’s community. Let us walk this path together, supporting one another in faith, hope, and love.

Loving God,
In this sacred season of Lent, during this Jubilee Year : Pilgrims of Hope, we thank You for Your mercy and love. Help us to renew our hearts and turn back to You with humility and trust.

Guide us in prayer, that we may hear Your voice. Strengthen us in fasting, freeing us from distractions, and inspire us in almsgiving, to share generously with those in need.

May this Jubilee be a time of healing and reconciliation, as we strive to walk in Your ways of justice, love, and peace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Staff Updates

As we continue through Term 1, I would like to take a moment to share some upcoming staffing changes from Week 6 and express our gratitude and warm welcomes.

Firstly, I extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs Kerry Cashen (3/4) and Mrs Chloe Mellor ( K/1/2) for the dedication, and commitment to our students and their collaborative efforts during the past five weeks. Their contributions have been deeply appreciated.. We wish both Mrs Cashen and Mrs Mellor all the very best and hope to see them at St Joseph's again in the near future.

We are delighted to formally welcome two new staff members to our team until the end of 2025. Miss Zoe Burke will be joining us to teach in the Year 3/4 classroom (Monday and Tuesday) and the Year 5/6 ( Thursday and Friday). Additionally, Mr. Sebastian Matheson will support Mrs Slattery and be teaching some students from in the K/1/2 classroom each Wednesday. We are excited for the expertise and enthusiasm they bring to our school and look forward to the positive contributions they will make.

Thank you for your continued support as we embrace these transitions, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for all students.

NAPLAN Dates - Years 3 & 5

Next week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will begin their NAPLAN testing, which runs from Wednesday 12 March to Friday 21st March. This is an important part of the Australian education system, designed to assess student progress in literacy and numeracy.

We want to reassure you that NAPLAN is just one of many ways we support and monitor student learning. The tests are not meant to be stressful, and we encourage all students to approach them with confidence and a positive mindset. Teachers have been preparing the students, ensuring they feel ready and supported.

As parents, you can help by:

Ensuring your child has a good night's sleep before each test.
Encouraging a healthy breakfast to help them feel energised and focused.
Reminding them to do their best and not worry about the results.

The following if an outline of the schedule for Year 3 and Year 5

Wednesday 12/3/25 - Writing

Monday 17/3/25 - Reading & Language Conventions

Tuesday 18/3/25 - Numeracy

We thank you for your continued support in making this a positive experience for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Wishing all our Year 3 and Year 5 students the best of luck as they complete their NAPLAN testing!

The Feast of St Joseph's and St Joseph's Day Walkathon

The Feast of St Joseph will be celebrated with a Whole school Mass on Wednesday 19th March 2025 at 9:30 am.

Everyone is welcomed to attend.

Our annual St Joseph's Day Walkathon will be held on Friday 21st March 2025. This will take place around The Foundations site - the Mill Pond/ lakes and precinct area. In 2025 we will join for damper and morning tea opposite the silos. Our lunch will be held at the Portland Touch Football BBQ areas. Thank you to the parents who have indicated they can assist with the cooking of the BBQ on the day. Following lunch we will join for our annual Fr John Grannall Memorial Tabloid on Saville Park.

This special event will be a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together, celebrate St. Joseph’s Day, and support our school in a fun and active way!

The Walkathon will involve students, staff, and extended families, creating a fantastic sense of unity and togetherness. It’s not only a great way for students to get active but also a chance for us to celebrate the importance of family and community at St. Joseph’s.

We encourage all families to join us on the day, whether as participants or supporters, as your presence and involvement will make the event even more meaningful.

Further details and information will be sent home shortly, so please keep an eye out for more updates. Please add this date to your calendar.

We look forward to seeing everyone there for a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit!

Swimming Carnival

On the 13th of February, we held our annual School Swimming Carnival, and what a fantastic day it was!

A huge thank you and congratulations to all students who participated, with many stepping outside their comfort zones. It was wonderful to see every student from Kindergarten to Year 6 having a go and demonstrating such enthusiasm. I was especially proud of the sportsmanship on display, with students encouraging and cheering on their peers throughout the day.

As always, our Sports Captains did an amazing job organising their relay teams and setting the race order. The excitement that filled the pool when the races began was incredible!

A massive thank you to all the parents and families who attended—whether cheering on students, timekeeping, starting races, or handing out ribbons. Your support not only brings joy to the children but also helps our carnival run smoothly. We truly appreciate it!

Congratulations to Grannall and Max (Sports Captains) for leading the winning house on 146 points—the competition was incredibly close with Mackillop on 138 and Aidan close by on 132!

Well done to all participants for their fantastic efforts. We look forward to another great carnival next year!

2025 Swimming Carnival

🏆 Junior Boy: John
🏆 Junior Girl: Sarah
🏆 11 Years Boy: James H
🏆 11 Years Girl: Amitty
🏆 Senior Boy: Blair
🏆 Senior Girl: Lori

Congratulations to all our 2025 Age Champions!

Eastern Region Swimming Representation

Last Monday, a small team of four students represented St Joseph’s at the Eastern Region Swimming Carnival. It has been a number of years since we have sent a swimming team onto this carnival and our four students - Oliver, John, Sarah and Charlie did us very proud in the water. Each student swam their age 50 metre Freestyle event, competing against students from the much larger Catholic Primary School in Bathurst, Oberon and Lithgow. We thank their parents and families, who took the time to ensure that they all attended this event and cheered them on.
Congratulations to Oliver, John, Sarah and Charlie, you make us very proud!

Thank You for Your Generosity: Supporting St Vincent de Paul and Project Compassion

We recently received a letter from the St Vincent de Paul Society Portland Conference, expressing their sincere appreciation for the generous contributions made by St Joseph's School towards last year's Christmas Hamper Appeal. Your support helped make a meaningful difference in the lives of many families in need.

In addition, we would like to thank everyone who participated in our Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) celebration, where students made donations to support Project Compassion. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to help those in need.

If anyone forgot to make a donation on the day, we are still happily accepting contributions. Please feel free to bring them in as we continue to support this important cause.

These efforts are a reflection of the values we aim to instill in our students—raising awareness of the challenges faced by the less fortunate and encouraging them to take action when they can help others. Together, we are making a positive impact!

Thank you once again to our families, for your kindness and generosity.

Wellbeing Update

Wellbeing

Clean Up Australia Day

Last Friday, our students took part in Clean Up Australia Day, working together to help keep our environment beautiful. While our school community already does an excellent job of caring for our surroundings, this event gave students a chance to take a fresh look at their impact and make a difference. From picking up litter to practicing good environmental habits, our students demonstrated responsibility and care for our planet. Thank you to all who supported this important initiative! Check out the gallery of photos capturing their efforts and enthusiasm.

2025 Clean Up Australia Day

A reminder that the St Joseph's Parents and Friends Association will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Monday 10th March at 6:30pm.

Our P & F engages parents and works to support our school and all students. It is a lovely way to network with other parents and families and make a contribution to events at our school.

Everyone is welcome to attend our Parents and Friends Association Meetings.

Important Upcoming Information

Parents & Friends AGM - Monday 10th March 6:30pm
La Salle Taster Day at La Salle - Friday 7th March
Visit be Tour de Cure - 10th March
NAPLAN Testing Window - 12th March to 24th March
Year 6 Grip Conference - Wednesday 26th March
St Joseph's Day Walkathon - Friday 21st March
PUPIL FREE DAY - Tuesday 25th March
Life Ed Van Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd of April

What's Happening ...... in K/1/2

During Maths we have been busy having fun learning about patterns in Maths. We have explored patterns with shape, colour and numbers. We can identify growing patterns and shrinking patterns and are becoming very fast at working out missing numbers in patterns.

Our classroom is starting to look very colourful with many artworks and work samples decorating the walls and display areas. We enjoyed making a watering can collage and drawing this week.

Things to Note:

Please label your children's jackets, jumpers and hats. It is very difficult to find owners when names are missing.
We have lost quite a lot of our school home readers, could families please check their homes and return any they find as soon as possible?
News has started this week, days are below. More information about news was distributed through Compass last week.

Mrs Slattery

What's Happening ...... in 3/4

We have been working hard over the past few weeks, establishing strong work habits that will support us throughout the year.

Homework Reminders

We are now in our second week of homework and you may have notice that we have made some changes, allowing students to choose what they'd like to complete each week. Here are a few reminders:

Homework is to be handed in every Friday
Students must complete their Maths Mentals and spelling list each week.
If homework is not fully completed, students should still hand in their folders each Friday so new sheets can be added.
Students are required to complete a maximum of three items from the homework grid each week—completing just one is absolutely fine!
When completing grid items in workbooks, please include headings and rule a margin to ensure neat presentation.

Class Novels

As part of our English unit, we are exploring the narrative The Thing About Oliver, focusing on how a story is structured with a plot, complications, and resolutions, and the role of characters have in shaping the story.

We have also started reading Tom Appleby – Child Convict, which ties into our History lessons. This novel provides a personal and engaging perspective on early Australian history, including the arrival of the First Fleet and the experiences of convicts.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Bettison

What's Happening ...... in 5/6

It has been a great start to the year,

Lots of laughs and good cheer.

There may have been a little tear

With what happened to Mr Percival, oh dear!

We have used Storm Boy as a guide to write our own short stories. The unit has taught us how to write a detailed orientation, an exciting tension-filled plot and an ending - either expected or subverted. I have had the enjoyment of reading the stories and they have all taken me on very different adventures as I read through each one.

The next unit will allow the students to learn about Vincent Lingiari, an Australian legend and what he achieved for the Indigenous peoples of Australia.

We also worked through a drawing tutorial for a pelican and created detailed sketches of Mr Percival. We then traced over these onto printing foam and made prints of our sketches. We were all very happy with the end results.

Lessons are getting underway for Science, Health and History and the students are enjoying the units.

Maths is proving to be both fun and challenging. Please talk to your child about how they are coping and encourage them to ask for help when they are not sure what to do.

Mrs Nicholson

Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT

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