2025 Week 8 Term 2

Farewell from Mr Brendan Kiely

To my beloved St Joseph’s School community

My life after nine extraordinary years as your Principal and fifteen years as an educator within the walls of St Joseph's, my heart overflows with gratitude for the profound privilege it has been to serve the remarkable Wauchope community.

To the countless families who have entrusted me with their most precious gift – their children – I am deeply humbled. You welcomed me into your lives, shared your hopes and dreams, and allowed me to be part of your children's journey towards becoming the wonderful young people they are today. Your trust, support, and partnership have been the cornerstone of everything we have achieved together.

To every child who has walked through the doors of St Joseph’s School during my time, you have been my greatest teachers. Your curiosity, resilience, laughter, and unique perspectives have reminded me daily why education is such a sacred calling. Watching you grow, learn, and discover your place in the world has been the greatest joy of my career. You have each left an indelible mark on my heart.

To our dedicated staff members – past and present – you are the true heroes. Your unwavering commitment to excellence, your compassion for every student, and your willingness to embrace change and innovation have transformed the school into the exceptional learning community it is today. Together, we have weathered challenges, celebrated victories, and always kept our students at the centre of every decision.

To our Parish community and the Priests who have been pillars of support throughout my journey, I extend my deepest appreciation. Your spiritual guidance and pastoral care have enriched our school community immeasurably. To Fr Felix, in particular, your wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering faith in our Mission have been a source of strength during both challenging and triumphant times. Your presence at our school celebrations, your gentle guidance in times of need, and your commitment to nurturing the faith life of our students and families have been invaluable gifts. The partnership between our school and Parish has strengthened the spiritual foundation upon which our educational Mission stands.

Our school has undergone tremendous transformation during the years. We have renovated buildings, updated technology, refined our Curriculum, and evolved our practices, but the most significant change has been in our hearts and minds. We have grown into a community which truly embodies the Mission of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools – enabling every child to receive the fullness of life. This Mission has guided every decision, every program, and every interaction within these school walls.

Throughout my tenure, my core philosophy has remained constant: to walk alongside our students, parents, and staff. This journey of accompaniment has taught me that true leadership is not about standing at the front, but about walking together, supporting one another, and ensuring that no one walks alone. In our successes and our struggles, we have walked as one community, united in our commitment to nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and spirit.

As I step away, I do so with complete confidence in the strong foundations we have built together. This school is now a vibrant learning and teaching space where faith, knowledge, and love intersect daily. The culture of care, the commitment to excellence, and the spirit of community that defines us will continue to flourish long after my departure.

The love and care this community have shown me and my family will forever remain in our hearts. You have not just been colleagues and families; you have been my extended family, my support system, and my source of inspiration. The memories that have been created together – from classroom celebrations to whole-school events, from quiet conversations to moments of breakthrough – are treasures I will carry with me always.

As we part ways, I hold onto the beautiful words of Pope Francis, which perfectly capture the spirit of unity and accompaniment that has defined our journey together:

"Let us accompany each other on this path. Let us be close to one another, and let us pray for each other: walking together, working together, building together our common future."

May this spirit of walking together, building together, and supporting one another continue to be the hallmark of this wonderful school community. May you continue to flourish, to grow in wisdom and love, and to be a beacon of hope and faith for all who enter the doors. My best wishes go out to each and every one of you.

Peace be with you all!
Brendan Kiely

New Afternoon Departure Routine Starts Monday!

We are excited to start our new afternoon departure beginning Monday. We have been busy preparing, and we appreciate all families indicating how their children will be travelling home each afternoon.

We understand that plans can sometimes change. If, on any particular day, there is a change to how your child is getting home, parents will need to complete the "Change of Departure Form - Today Only." This is super important to ensure the safety and smooth dismissal of all students.

You can easily find this form on the Compass app. Here is how:

1. Open the Compass App
2. Select 'More'
3. Select 'School Favourites'
4. Select 'Change of Departure Form - Today Only'
5. Complete the form prior to 3.00 pm 

The digital departure forms offer a multitude of benefits, including significantly enhancing student safety by providing accurate, real-time tracking of departures as well as streamlining the entire dismissal process and improving communication.

A Huge Thank You to Our Teachers!

As you are aware, preparing student reports is a monumental task, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to our incredible teachers for their exceptional discernment and hard work in writing Semester 1 reports. Their dedication to providing insightful and comprehensive feedback on each child's progress is truly appreciated.

We are excited to let you know that reports will be available Friday 27 June 2025. If you have any questions regarding your child's report, once you have had a chance to review it, your child's teacher is always the first and best person to speak to. Please contact them directly to schedule an appointment.

AEW Position

We are thrilled to officially welcome Miranda Madgwick and Tracey Faucett to our team as our new Aboriginal Education Workers (AEWs)!

Miranda joins us with a wealth of experience and a passion for supporting Aboriginal students and promoting cultural understanding within the school community. We are incredibly excited for her to share her knowledge and contribute to our students' success.

Tracey also brings valuable expertise and enthusiasm to her role as an AEW. Her dedication will be instrumental in fostering a culturally inclusive environment and ensuring our Aboriginal students feel connected, supported, and empowered.

Please join us in giving Auntie Miranda and Ms Faucett a very warm welcome to the school community! We are all looking forward to working alongside our new staff members.

Exciting Classroom Swap for Stage 2 &  Stage 3!

To best accommodate current student numbers, Stage 2 and Stage 3 will swap classroom spaces at the end of this Term. This move will optimise learning environments for both stages.

We will ensure a smooth transition, with teachers preparing students for their new rooms. Please contact your child's teacher or the school Office with any questions 6585 1745. Thank you for your continued support!

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

This week, we joyfully congratulate the following students who have completed the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Angus Bolton, Patricia Germany, William Anderson, Lilah Moss, Michael Thrum, Evelyn Park, Pippa Foster, Acacia Duddle, Mary Fullbrook, Sophiabelle Dy, Merin Majo, Melody Attard, and Michael Daly.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a special step in our faith journey. It offers us the opportunity to reflect, seek forgiveness, and grow closer to God. We commend these students for their reverence, preparation, and openness to God’s grace during this important time.

We thank their families, teachers, and our Parish community for their support and guidance. May the peace of Christ continue to guide each of them as they grow in faith and love.

SEMESTER 1 - REPORTS

Next Friday, 27 June all parents from Kindergarten - Year 6 will receive student reports via Compass displaying academic achievement across the first Semester of 2025. These will be published on COMPASS after 3.00 pm.

This is how to access reports from your mobile:

1. Go into your Compass app

2. Tap on your child's face

has been developed for schools to share with parents.

The document can be located below.

Netball Team Success 

Congratulations - The Netball Team were undefeated advancing to the North Coast Regional Finals in Term 3. 

Abi - Polding Carnival 

Congratulations - Abi came 6th at Polding Cross Country. She will represent Polding at the NSW PSSA Cross Country in Term 3. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation 

ICAS - ACADEMIC COMPETITION 

(Optional extra-curricular activity Year 3 - Year 6)

ICAS is an online academic competition which gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing  and Digital Technologies. ICAS evaluates student performance against other competition entrants across the state and nation.   

Learn more about:   ICAS - School Competitions

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN ICAS

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year and they are in Year 3 - Year 6, please go to the Parent Portal to register for the chosen subjects. Please refer to the timetable of assessments for enrolment conditions.

• Log in using the Parent Payment System Code

Visit the shop and use the Parent Payment System code to log in using Code: MZT285

Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.

Registration for all subject areas closes on

Monday 28 July 2025 at 11:59 pm

This year, our students can elect to sit the following assessments:

Please note, we cannot facilitate refunds or make alterations as all money is paid directly to ICAS Assessments. After the closing date Monday 28 July 2025, further communication will be provided to registered families. 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact:

Gemma Leonard 

Leader of Learning 

  Vinnies Winter Appeal – Help Us Keep Others Warm!  

This winter, our Ministry Leaders are supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal by collecting warm clothing and blankets for people within our community who are experiencing homelessness or financial hardship.

We invite all families to donate clean, warm clothing and blankets .

Please bring your donations to the school Office by Thursday 3 July 2025.

Together, we can make a real difference this winter. 

Change of Date - Art Walk