eNews Term 1, Week 3, 2025

From the Principal 

Dear Parents, Carers, Teachers, and Students, 

St Joseph’s School is a Safe Environment 

In Catholic Education South Australia and at St Joseph’s School, the safety and well-being of every child is our highest priority. Every child has the right to feel safe and be protected from harm, including bullying, harassment, and neglect. As a mandated child-safe environment, our school follows strict legal, policy, and procedural requirements to ensure the safety of all students. The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) requires all Catholic schools to implement child safety policies and provide education on safeguarding. We encourage families to explore the links on the CESA website for more information on our commitment to child protection, including key policies and guidelines that support a safe and nurturing environment for all children. 
 
At St Joseph’s School, we value open and honest communication. If you have any questions about our processes or need clarification, we encourage you to reach out to the leadership team to arrange a time to discuss your concerns. We understand that information shared informally outside the school may not always be accurate, and we are always happy to provide clarity and support. Our commitment is to walk alongside our students and families, offering reassurance and guidance whenever challenges arise. 

We are also delighted to celebrate one of our own—congratulations to Summer Williams, whose photo has been featured on the CESA website! It is wonderful to see our students recognised in the wider Catholic education community. 

Mrs Ros Oates 

Principal 

Middle Years School Diary 

In the coming weeks, Middle Years staff will be trialling the implementation of the use of student diaries for Years 7 to 9 as a key tool for organisation, communication, and personal responsibility. These diaries will serve multiple purposes, including recording movement throughout the day, tracking homework, storing timetables, and keeping important class notes. By embedding this practice into daily routines, students will develop essential time management and organisational skills that will support their success both in and beyond the classroom. 

Research highlights the benefits of structured organisational habits in student learning. According to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), "Explicitly teaching organisational skills helps students manage their workload effectively, reducing stress and improving academic outcomes." By integrating diary use into daily practice, we aim to empower students with the skills needed for independent learning. 

Families are encouraged to check diaries regularly to stay informed and engaged in their child’s learning journey. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative as we implement it in 2025. 

Jo Gibbon 
MY Curriculum Coordinator 

REMINDER - SCHOOL UNIFORM (see the information attached further in the newsletter) 

Yondr Pouches and Mobile Phone Policy

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to fostering a focused and distraction-free learning environment. In line with the South Australian Government’s ban on mobile phone use in schools, we are implementing Yondr Pouches for students in Years 6 to 9.

In accordance with St Joseph’s Mobile Phone Policy, any mobile phone seen being used on school grounds will be handed into the office, where a parent or caregiver must collect it. Phones will not be returned directly to students.

To support this policy, all students in Years 6 to 9 who bring a phone to school will be issued a Yondr Pouch at no cost. These pouches allow students to securely store their phones during the school day, ensuring compliance with government regulations and school expectations.

If a student loses or damages their pouch, parents will be billed for a replacement. We appreciate your support in ensuring a positive learning environment for all students.

Uniform Expectations & Support 

Starting next week, families will be contacted if their child is not wearing the correct school uniform or, at minimum, clothing in our school colours of navy blue. Please note that black attire is not part of the approved school uniform. 

We ask all guardians to communicate directly with their child’s class teacher if they are experiencing difficulties ensuring their child wears the correct uniform daily. Support may be available through the school for part-payment when purchasing through St Vincent de Paul. You can not arrange this through the shop itself. Guardians need to speak with the Principal.  

If your child cannot wear the approved school uniform, please arrange a meeting with the principal to discuss available options. Any adjustments will be documented in the child’s personal plan for learning. 

What an extraordinary evening! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our school community—past and present staff, students, parents, carers and friends—for your generosity and support of our first event to celebrate 100 years of Catholic Education at St Joseph’s School. To those who could join us, your presence made the night truly special. 

A special thank you to the Gala Organising Committee for their tireless efforts in bringing last Saturday’s event to life. We sincerely appreciate the time and dedication to planning such a significant occasion. 

A particular acknowledgment goes to our Marketing Administrator, Mrs. Georgia Pfeiffer (née O’Neil), whose outstanding coordination and organisation were instrumental in the event’s success.  

Our incredible MCs, Mr Josh Law and Mr Michael Gates, guided the evening’s speeches and presentations with professionalism, humour, and energy—creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. 

Finally, we sincerely thank our current staff for their contributions throughout the weekend, from ensuring the school looked its best for tours to welcoming visitors and supporting the Gala Night itself. Your dedication is truly appreciated. 

Below is a list of our generous sponsors—thank you for making this event possible! 

• Daish Irrigation
• First National 
• Badem Constrcution
• Wise Crash Repairs
• Graham Edwards Crash Repairs

Check out all of our photos here: St Jo's 100th Gala 

Thank you to our amazing photographer for the night - Steven Duncan from SVENSTUDIOS

Check out more of his work here: Fun Wedding Photography And Videography! | SvenStudios

“A WINDOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH KINDNESS”

The world can be a scary place. Every time you turn on the news or scroll through social media, there’s another tragedy. It’s overwhelming and can make you feel helpless. It becomes easy to think that your actions don’t matter, that the world’s problems are too big, or people are too far gone. We can’t let those thoughts become our lifestyle. We need to continue to choose kindness when it’s most difficult, because that’s when the world needs it most.

Every single time we choose kindness, we’re making the world a better place. There is no gesture too small. We can be an example. We can make an impact. We can make a difference.

Our school’s motto is “In All Things Kindness”. Kindness or being kind is one of those words that we often use to describe someone or an action when we can’t think of another ‘better’ word to use. It may seem like a simple word but when you really think about it, it is a very powerful word. Acts of kindness and kind words can build us up and improve our self-esteem.

The manner and words we use when we speak to each other have more power than we think. How many times have you pondered on or been hurt by someone in what they have said to you. Research is continually showing us that the words parents and teachers use to their children can have a massive impact on how that child feels about themself and their place in the world. If you are continually being told that you are ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’, the message will eventually take root, and you will believe it and may become unwilling to try or have a go at anything. Likewise, if you are being told that you are ‘loved’ or ‘special’ because of whom you are, faults and all, you will be more willing to take on the challenges in life.

Words of praise and encouragement nourish self-esteem and strengthen relationships. Words spoken with enthusiasm stimulate interest and motivate learning. Challenging words can express our high expectations and prompt us to excel. Skilful questioning can promote deeper thinking and reflection. Our gift of speech can build up both the community and those we work and play with.

It is sometimes said that a way of gauging the authenticity of a Catholic school is simply to listen to the way people speak to each other. Jesus spoke to people in ways that changed their lives.

Jesus spoke words of gentleness: “Come to me all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest.”

Jesus spoke words of reassurance: “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.”

Jesus spoke words of challenge, grounded in compassion: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.”

May our classrooms, playgrounds and homes be places of many kind words and actions whose echoes are truly timeless. As Thumper said in the classic story of Bambi, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything.”

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak,

But their echoes are truly endless.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

As we commemorate 100 years of St. Joseph's School, we are thrilled to share the exciting start of the 2025 academic year with our Reception cohort. They've eagerly embraced new classroom routines, mastered attention signals, and engaged in high-impact learning through innovative whiteboard activities. Alongside making new friends and visiting the church, they are embarking on an inspiring journey of literacy  and discovering their unique gifts and talents. We look forward to celebrating their growth and achievements throughout this special year!