eNews Term 2, Week 3, 2025

Dear Parents, Carers, Teachers, and Students,

Week three has been an exciting time, showcasing our staff's dedication to our students and our students' wonderful opportunities at St Joseph’s School on our school media pages as we celebrate Catholic Education Week, 2025.

Catholic Education Week: Shine with Open Hearts

This week, there has been a great celebration across South Australia's 101 Catholic schools. The theme #Shine With Open Hearts summarises the essence of Catholic schooling, encouraging students to shine through love, kindness, compassion, learning, and leadership. This year's celebration was particularly significant, marking 100 years of Catholic Education in Murray Bridge and 180 years in South Australia. These milestones align beautifully with the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year, making this week a memorable occasion for all.

2025/26 School Board

This week, the School Board met for their first meeting following the AGM. I thank these dedicated parents and staff who have accepted this vital role within our school community. I look forward to working with this group throughout the year. Additionally, it is wonderful to have our new parish priest, Father George Oluoch, join our school and parish community.

To guide the Board's work as we plan for the future of our school, I have included the following extract:

“Catholic Schools must provide a comprehensive educational experience for all children while allowing individual differences and talents to flourish. To achieve this, schools need dedicated and competent teachers as well as modern facilities and resources. For this to happen effectively, the School Board requires a clear vision of education tailored to its specific community, ensuring that all students receive a well-rounded, high-quality education.” Reference: Manual for School Board Members

Best regards,

Ros Oates

PRINCIPAL

REMINDER MID-TERM ENROLMENTS

In 2025, St. Joseph's School will continue to offer mid-year enrolments. If your child turns five between 1 May 2025 and 31 October 2025, they can start school at St. Joseph's in Term 3, 2025, and the school fees are free. Children starting in Reception mid-year will have a minimum of 6 terms in Reception. Please let friends and family know that enrolments are open for mid-Year 2025 starting Term 3. An information session for the parents/carers will be held early Term 2.

Mid-Term Meetings for parents will be held on the following dates and times. Please register through the QRCode or this link.

Session 1: 2.30 pm Wednesday 21st May, 2025

Session 2: 6.00 pm Wednesday 21st May, 2025

Session 3: 2.30 pm Wednesday 4th June, 2025

Session 4: 6.00 pm Wednesday 4th June, 2025

https://forms.office.com/r/GF5JxeUGEN

2026 ENROLMENTS 

Enrolments are also open for the beginning of 2026. Children who turn five from 1 November 2025 until 30 April 2026 can begin school in Term 1 of 2026. Please contact the school administration to register your interest and book a Principal's tour. Our JOEY’s transition program is available from Term 3, 2025 for all children beginning school at the start of 2026. This is also a free program for those students. Information about JOEY’s will become available soon, however, registration of interest in this program is now open by contacting Luke Woods in our administration office.  

Thank you  

Walk Safely to School Day 2025

On Friday, May 16, St Joseph’s students eagerly took part in Walk Safely to School Day, an event that promotes road safety and encourages students to embrace the many benefits of walking to school.

Over 20 learners gathered bright and early at Ramblers Oval by 8:10am, braving the brisk morning air with enthusiasm and smiles. They were warmly welcomed by our organiser Cooper Skinner, along with Lisa Watkins, Claire Paice, Val Scott, Simon Harris, Evan Wrobel, and Jo Gibbon. It was heartening to see so many of our learners starting the day in such a positive and active way.

National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event designed to teach and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour in young students, while also encouraging healthy habits, environmental awareness, and the use of public transport. The initiative’s core goals include:

• Encouraging parents and caregivers to walk with their children and model safe pedestrian practices.
• Highlighting the health benefits of walking and establishing regular walking routines.
• Reinforcing the importance of children under 10 holding an adult’s hand when crossing the road and learning essential road safety skills.

Walking to school offers more than just health benefits—it also helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, while fostering a stronger sense of community. Events like WSTSD play a vital role in shaping safe, healthy, and environmentally conscious behaviours that children can carry into adulthood.

Cooper Skinner: Walk Safely to School Day was a great chance for staff and students to enjoy being active together. walking, chatting, and starting the day with energy and smiles.

Kaiden Rutland: I really enjoyed this morning. It was a great opportunity to feel safe walking to school, whilst exercising and hanging out with my friends. This has encouraged me to walk to school more often as I live close.

Kieran Snow: This morning was an example of how I can do my little part to help the environment, by walking to school. I wish I lived closer to school, so I could ride my scooter or walk there every day.

Thank you to all the students and staff who participated, supporting Walk Safely to School Day.

Jamie Mulcahy

Deputy Principal

New Pope – Pope Leo XIV 

On Friday 9th May, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. He is the first Pope that has been elected from the USA. He is known for his work towards Social Justice and he lived in Peru for many years as a missionary. He values truth, love and community. His first words to address the crowds of people who gathered to see the newly elected, Pope Leo XIV were, “Peace be with you all.” 

Confirmation 

A large group of children from St Joseph’s School have combined with some children from the Parish community to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the final step of initiation into the Catholic Church. The aim of Confirmation is to allow the children to strengthen their faith through the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. During the Confirmation Mass, the children are anointed with chrism (holy oil) and they are blessed. 

The Confirmation Mass will be celebrated on Friday 30th May at 7pm in the Church. All families are invited to attend. Please pray for the children who are completing Confirmation as they continue their faith journey. 

Some of our staff are participating in professional learning through Teachwell, where we’re exploring the Science of Learning. One important focus is the impact of sleep on a student’s ability to learn. To help share this message with our community, I created the infographic below to highlight some key benefits of getting enough sleep.

This week, the Year 8/9 Food Technology elective students hosted a Gratitude High Tea to thank invited staff members. They showcased their culinary skills by preparing and serving their own designed recipes, along with barista-made coffees. The event highlighted their dedication, teamwork, and growth over the semester, making it a proud and rewarding celebration of their learning.

On Wednesday 7th of May, 6A travelled to Paracombe for an exciting excursion to Paracombe Premium Perry. An engaging horticultural experience was provided to students by this 100% South Australian-owned business. Located in the scenic hills of Paracombe, students explored the journey of the pear – from tree to bottle.

Upon arrival, students were welcomed by the farm’s owner, Damian, who is a 4th generation pear grower. As part of the excursion, students were provided with a tour of the shed facilities, where they had the opportunity to see first-hand how technology plays an important role in the pear industry. A supporting presentation was provided to the students which further outlined these processes.  Of course, no visit would be complete without a tasting of the 100% fresh, South Australian juice. With a variety of flavours to try, students were excited to be able to enjoy a tasting of each. Students completed the excursion with a walk through the orchard trees amongst the sheep which the farm utilises to manage weeds naturally.  

This excursion supported Year 6 Agriculture lessons and an alignment to the food & fibre curriculum. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to see first-hand how pears are grown, and the different processes pears go through prior to being sold. Students will now reflect upon these processes in the classroom.

Our Year 9 students recently had the exciting opportunity to attend the Career Expo in Adelaide. The day was filled with exploration and discovery as students engaged with a wide range of professions aligned with their personal interests and aspirations. They gathered valuable insights into various career pathways, including the education and training required to pursue them. The expo featured interactive displays, informative presentations, and a variety of hands-on activities that made the experience both educational and enjoyable. Students returned inspired and better informed about their future possibilities, making it a meaningful step in their career development journey.

The Canteen will be changing items on the menu to be in line with the Right Bite Food and Drinks supply standards for Schools.  This will be a slow change over the year, and we will endeavor to keep you updated as the changes happen.

Baked Spuds on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are two options for the baked spuds

• Bolognaise Spud $5.50 – Baked Spud with homemade Bolognaise sauce with grated cheese.  There are two add on options for the Bolognaise Spud – Supaslaw for .50 cents and Sour Cream for .20 cents
• Supaslaw Spud $5.50 – Baked Spud, Supaslaw, Grated cheese and Sour Cream

Hot Dogs will now only be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays effective immediately with the view of slowly reducing days hotdogs will be available.

Soup and dinner roll will be reinstated on Wednesdays for $4.00.  There will be only two soups available, Chicken Noodle and Pumpkin Soup.  Both these are Homemade soup and will be available during Term 2 and Term 3. Starting in Week 3.

Zooper Doopers will be replaced with Quelch Icy Fruit Juice Tubes – made from 99% Fruit Juice

Life Saver will no longer be available .

We would like to encourage you to use the QKR app for ice blocks instead of giving cash to your Child.

Thank you for your understanding and we welcome your feedback and suggestions that could assist in providing healthier options for the students.

Please find The Southern Cross newsletter and the online edition of The Southern Cross May 2025.