Newsletter No. 4 - 14th May 2025

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This term is filled with many exciting events and opportunities for our students. From excursions, camps, and liturgies to sporting carnivals and classroom learning, there is much to look forward to. I’m especially proud of the outstanding sporting achievements already taking place, including several students who will represent our school at the Diocesan level for cross country.

A huge congratulations to Olivia S, who attended the Australian Junior Athletics Championships on Monday, 7 April in Perth. Olivia competed in the Under 13s 400-metre women’s event and achieved a personal best of 1:02.33—an incredible time! We are so proud of her and acknowledge the grit, determination, and many training sessions it takes to reach this level.

We’re also thrilled to share that Year 3 Blue has progressed to the next stage of the Aspire Song Competition for 2025. Jessica Lopez, our Diocesan Aspire Musical Director, will be working with Mrs. Pockran and 3B to prepare for their performance.

3B will perform their song at The Factory (Trinity Catholic College), Adamstown, on Thursday, 22 May 2025 at 6:00 pm. The winner of the competition will be announced on the night.

The countdown is on for Celebrate! Choirs at the Civic Theatre. Our school choir will be attending on Wednesday, 11 June. Further information about this event can be found at the end of the newsletter if you’d like to attend.

Our SJKB students are a very talented bunch! To showcase this talent, we will be holding a school concert in Term 3. Please save the date: Thursday, 18 September.

Last Friday, we came together to honour the special women in our lives for Mother’s Day. We gave thanks for the love, strength, and guidance of our mothers, grandmothers, and carers. Thank you to the many helpers—parish members, parents, and teachers—who made this event extra special.

As the cooler weather sets in, a reminder that Winter Uniform will commence in Week 4, on Monday, 19 May. Until then, students may continue to wear their summer uniforms, and we encourage them to dress appropriately for the weather. We have many second-hand uniforms available in the PLUS Shop, and we are currently seeking volunteers to assist with order fulfillment and sorting. A big thank you to Cheryl, our P&F President, for organising and preparing the shop this term. If you can spare an hour a week, please contact the office. The successful running of the PLUS Shop, which provides valuable support to our school community, depends on volunteers.

This term, we welcomed a new staff member, Mrs. Gina Sneddon, to the office. Many parents have already met Gina, and I appreciate how warmly she has been welcomed into our vibrant school community.

Finally, I’d like to highlight the importance of regular attendance. Every day at school matters. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected with their learning, build strong relationships, and make steady progress. Please continue to support your child in arriving on time and attending each day unless they are unwell.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I look forward to sharing a wonderful Term 2 with you all.

With every blessing,

Nikki Norley

(Principal)

Upcoming information sessions and webinars for parents and carers 

Parents and carers are the most important educators in their child’s life. As well as partnering directly with our school to support your child’s learning and wellbeing, there are a range of webinars and information sessions provided each month by reputable providers specifically for parents and carers- free of charge. To view a list of upcoming webinars and information sessions that may be of interest to you, click the link below at any time. The list will be updated weekly throughout the school term, so be sure to check the page regularly.

Message from the Assistant Principal

PB4L

Responding to minor behaviours PBD

At our school, we use reset conversations as a calm and supportive way to help students reflect, regulate, and return to learning when they’ve become upset or made a behaviour choice that needs attention.

This is not a punishment. It’s a chance to pause, talk, and get back on track in a positive way. We are encouraging all of our students to be the best that they can be. These conversations may be during a break and only take 2-5 minutes. They are an important part of our PB4L practices and help to address minor behaviours.

What Does a Reset Conversation Sound Like?

A teacher or staff member might say:

• “I can see you’re upset — let’s take a moment.”
• “At our school, we [state the expectation]. What could we do differently next time?”
• “What do you need to be successful back in the room?”

What Does a Reset Conversation Look Like?

• A quiet, one-on-one chat in a calm space
• The adult listens calmly and kindly
• The student has time to think and respond
• A short plan is made before returning to class

 Why We Use Reset Conversations

• To support emotional regulation
• To build skills in problem-solving and reflection
• To maintain a calm, respectful classroom for all students
• To help kids learn from mistakes in a safe, supportive way

Reset conversations are just one of the many positive behaviours supports we use at school. Please view our ‘PB4L School Specific Statements of Practice’ for more information. 

Sporting Schools AFL

We’re excited to let you know that our school has received a Sporting Schools Grant to run an AFL program this term! All students K-6 will participate in this program weekly as part of their Friday sport.

Thanks to the grant, trained AFL coaches will visit our school to run fun and inclusive sessions during class time. The program is tailored for primary school students and focuses on:

• Fundamental movement skills (like kicking, catching, running)
• Teamwork and fair play
• Game awareness and confidence
• Having fun and building a love of sport

NSW CURRICULUM REFORM

The NSW Government launched the NSW Curriculum Review in 2018, the first comprehensive review of the primary and secondary curriculum in 30 years. Over the past 3 decades a strong evidence base has emerged identifying approaches to curriculum that are explicit and knowledge-based, and that lead to improved outcomes for students. Feedback from stakeholders, particularly consultation with teachers, shaped the NSW Curriculum Reform's direction. That feedback indicated that syllabuses would improve learning for students in NSW by providing:

• stronger foundations especially in the early years
• well-defined pathways to careers and further study
• more time, opportunities and resources for teachers to do what they do best: teach.

Last year, all teachers in NSW started to teach from the new the English and Mathematics mandatory syllabuses. This year, planning and preparation in school has begun for the HSIE, Creative Arts, Science and Technology and PDHPE syllabuses which will be implemented in schools  in 2027.

TERM 2 CLASS INFORMATION AND KLA OVERVIEWS

As we begin Term 2, teachers have shared the class information and KLA (Key Learning Area) overviews with you. These documents are designed to keep you informed about what your child will be learning this term and how you can support them.

The class information outlines important routines and any key expectations for the term. This helps ensure a strong partnership between home and school by giving you insight into your child’s daily learning environment.

The KLA overviews provide a clear snapshot of the key topics, skills, and outcomes being covered across subjects such as English, Mathematics, Religion, and others. They give you a better understanding of what your child is learning and how these areas connect to their overall development.

By having access to this information, you can:

• Engage in more meaningful conversations with your child about their learning.
• Help them stay organised and prepared for assessments and class activities.
• Offer additional support or enrichment at home if needed.

Library News

Fun in St Joey's Library

Some of our fabulous Library Monitors

Class News -Kinder

Diverse Learning Team News

New Parent Library Coming Soon – Supporting Understanding of Neurodiversity

We’re excited to share that we are setting up a Parent Library—a dedicated space where families can borrow books designed to support learning, conversation, and connection at home.

Our first collection will focus on neurodiversity, helping children and parents better understand the different ways people think, feel, and experience the world. These stories are a wonderful way to build empathy, celebrate differences, and support children who may be navigating their own unique challenges.

Some of the titles you’ll find include:

• All Cats Have Anxiety – a gentle, humorous book that helps children understand anxiety through the eyes of a very relatable cat.
• Gus the Asparagus – a story that introduces autism in a child-friendly way, helping build understanding and acceptance.
• Brave – a heartwarming picture book about facing fears and finding courage in everyday moments.

Books will be available for families to borrow and enjoy together. Whether your child is neurodivergent, has a neurodivergent friend or classmate, or is simply curious, these books are a valuable resource for building inclusive, supportive communities.

We’ll let you know once the library is officially open. In the meantime, if you have any book suggestions or would like to donate, we’d love to hear from you!

The Diverse Learning Team

Gifted Education News

 CoGAT Testing

Students in Years 2 and 4 - will participate in the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) during Week 4 of this term. As you may be aware, this test evaluates students' reasoning abilities in three key areas essential for success in school:

1. Verbal Battery: Assesses students' ability to reason with words and concepts, crucial for reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and verbal learning tasks.
2. Quantitative Battery: Measures students' ability to reason with quantitative symbols and concepts, which are vital for problem-solving in mathematics and other disciplines.
3. Nonverbal Battery: Evaluates students' ability to reason with geometric shapes and figures, requiring them to implement strategies for solving novel problems.

Please ensure that your child has a set of headphones to use at school in order to be able to participate in this important assessment.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education

National Sorry Day – 26th May 2025

Parents and caregivers are most welcome to join us at our Monday morning gathering under the COLA to celebrate Reconciliation Week and acknowledge National Sorry Day. It’s hard to believe that the formal Apology to the Stolen Generations was made some 17 years ago by the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.

As a faith-filled school community, we acknowledge the great pain that was experienced by members of the Stolen Generation at that time, as well as the lasting impact on descendants and their families. Let us pray for three of our own families at SJKB for which this episode of Australian History features as part of their own family stories.

NAIDOC Week Celebration

Our NAIDOC celebration will take place on Friday 4^th July in the School Hall. Our students are very much looking forward to performing a number of cultural dances that they have learnt from Randall Briggs. Please note that this is the last day of Term 2.

Seasonal Calendar - WIPI

According to our Awabakal Seasonal Calendar, we are entering the time called “WIPI””. WIPI is the windy time that precedes the cold and wet period that usually begins after the full Lunar eclipse on May 26. It is during the WIPI time that waterbirds are attracted to Awaba (Lake Macquarie) by the ongoing presence of KIRUL (Mullet – Lake Mac Barramundi). It is also at this time that KOLKAL (Lyrebirds) look for mates.

Investigating Our Creek

Each year, in the run up to Easter, our students investigate what living things are living comfortably in the creek at the back of our school oval. This year, a fairly healthy mud crab made its way into our trap after feasting on or bait of Lake Mac Barramundi (Mullet). Our new Kindy Kids enjoyed being present as we hauled the trap up onto the bank. After discussing the consequences of keeping female crabs we released it back into the creek.

Pastoral Care

Helping Children Understand and Manage Angry Emotions

Anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences—even children. At St Joseph’s Primary School, we understand that learning how to handle big feelings like anger is an important part of a child’s emotional development. That’s why we work closely with students to help them recognise their feelings and respond in healthy, constructive ways.

Children may feel angry for a variety of reasons—when something feels unfair, when they feel hurt, or when they’re tired or overwhelmed. These emotions can show up through shouting, crying, or even silence. It's important that children learn it's okay to feel angry, but it's what they do with that feeling that matters.

We encourage children to:

• Use their words to express how they feel.
• Take deep breaths or count to 10 when upset.
• Talk to a trusted adult, like a teacher, support staff or a parent.
• Take time away from the situation to calm down.

We use tools like emotion charts, calming corners, and guided conversations to help children identify their emotions and choose helpful strategies. These tools empower them to develop emotional resilience and self-control.

Parents and carers can support this learning at home by talking openly about emotions, modelling calm behaviour, and helping children name what they’re feeling.

Together, we can teach children that while anger is a natural emotion, they have the power to handle it in positive ways.

We know that children experience a wide range of emotions as they grow and learn and helping them understand and manage these feelings is an important part of their development.

Find all this information and more at biglifejournal.com.

I am here to offer support to all students, and their families. If you feel there is anything I can do to support your child at school, please feel free to have a chat with your child’s class teacher and they can get you in contact with me, or you can contact me via email at melissa.dobosz@mn.catholic.edu.au or 4959-1355.

Wishing you a lovely week

Mel Dobosz

Pastoral Care Worker

Garden Club

🌱 Garden Club Update 🌿

We’re excited to share that over the next term, fresh produce from our school garden will be available for families to take home – free of charge! From herbs to vegetables, everything we harvest will be set out for you to enjoy and use in your cooking. It’s our way of sharing the benefits of our garden with the whole community.

Keep an eye out for the produce stand near the front entrance of the school, and feel free to help yourself!

Happy cooking!
— The Garden Club 🌼

Art

Submissions for the 2025 Aspire WOW Gallery are now open!

Do you have a masterpiece that ignites wonder and amazement? Aspire wants to showcase your talent in their upcoming interactive art exhibition, "WOW Gallery"

Whether your medium is paint, sculpture, photography, digital art, or something entirely unique, you are invited to share your interpretation of that breathtaking moment that makes you go "Wow!"

Follow the link below for more information: 

The Exhibition will be held at MAP mima Speers Point. 7th of November: 3pm-6pm. 9th November: 3pm-7pm. Ticketing information will be available in Term 3. 

Please email Miss Vinson a digital copy of your artwork OR hand in a physical copy to be scanned and submitted. Please ensure it has students name and class. Email: Taylah.vinson@mn.catholic.edu.au

Sport News

STAGE 2 Rugby League -Gala Day

It was wonderful to meet so many supportive SJKB parents and grandparents at the recent Newcastle Knights Stage 2 Rugby League Gala Day that was held in Morpeth at the end of last term. Our school team played 4 matches in total winning against Raymond Terrace PS, Metford PS & Karuah PS before being narrowly beaten by Telarah PS in our last game of the day. Congratulations to all of the boys and girls who represented our school on their achievement. Our Newcastle Knights Coaches and Managers Player of the Day award was well earned by Noah Reilly.

Soccer Gala Day

On the 26th of March Stage 2 and 3 children participated enthusiastically at the Braxton soccer Gala Day. The children all had a wonderful day and we came away with many wins. I would like to thank all the parents who came and gave their support on this day. Also a big shout out to the parents who helped coach and referee on the day.

Angela Fuller

Congratulations Olivia!

Olivia at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth.

School Fees Information

Collection of school fees is crucial to our ability to effectively provide quality education for our students. The fees go directly to paying for new technology, resources for the classroom, experiences for students such as excursions, costs of buses etc.

As always, if a family is experiencing financial hardship, it is imperative that you contact the school to make an appointment to meet and discuss school fees, so that a payment plan can be arranged and families are supported.

Thanks

Susie and Gina

Volunteering at SJKB

We regularly need volunteers for various roles within our school. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at our school, please follow the instructions on the link below:

PLUS

We are urgently in need of Volunteers for the PLUS shop! 

If you have any time to help at the shop situated in the school hall or fill in orders that come through on the online ordering system, the P&F and the school community would be very grateful.

Please contact the school office or the P&F through joeyspandf@hotmail.com.

We have wide selection of secondhand uniforms available. All uniform items are $5 and jackets are available for $10. All payments can be made via Qkr! After your order has been received, we will attach the amount owing to the order.  

In the meantime you can order by sending an email to joeyspandf@hotmail.com and we will send your order home with your child as soon as we are able to fulfil it. 

Hats can also be ordered through the email or alternately via the school office.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CHILD'S NAME AND CLASS in the message as our volunteers do not have access to the different family surnames to make connections to students - therefore use your child's name first, then your name, especially if different surname.  Payment is via the Qkr! app. 

Thank you

THE PLUS TEAM

Canteen News – Including Volunteer Roster

We are seeking new volunteers to help in the canteen.  With our new lunchtime the volunteers are only required to be here between the school drop off time and 11.15am.We ask any new or current Parents or Grandparents if if they could offer a couple of hours once or twice a term in the canteen so that the children can receive this service. They will love you being here too!

Qkr cut off times have been changed recently so please ensure Qkr orders are placed before 8.00 am each day.

If you would like to volunteer please call or email admin@kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au

Term Planner

ASPIRE- Celebrate Choirs at the Civic

Our school choir will be attending on Wednesday, 11 June.

Good For Kids

Guitar Lessons

Community Notices