Term Three - Week 1
Our Vision and Mission
Vision Statement
With Jesus Christ as their role model, all children can and will achieve.
Mission Statement
Inspired by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and in partnership with parents, our Parish and the wider community, we aim to impart a holistic education on all children in our school. We endeavour to live by the values of our school motto.
Learning, Understanding and Peace.
St Joseph’s is distinguished by a great sense of belonging, where each person is valued and where learning is enjoyable.
Prayer of the day
St James
2 Corinthians 4:7-15. Those who sow in tears, shall reap with shouts of joy – Ps 125(126). Matthew 20:20-28.
The Son of Man came to serve
Consuela: I liked the way you handled the situation, Jesus, but I don’t like the story. It pictures women as ambitious, helicoptering mothers who would do anything to help their henpecked sons.
Jesus: Well, Consuela, it was a set-up. And the two sons were probably behind it. But it was a good opportunity for me to set them straight. You can’t scheme your way into the Kingdom, let alone become royalty. And you wear crowns of olive only if with me you have worn crowns of thorns. God chooses us. That’s enough.
Consuela. You certainly set the disciples right, Jesus. Did they learn the lesson?
Jesus: For the moment, yes, Consuela, but it’s hard not to be competitive and instead to serve, isn’t it? To realise that in God’s world we win only when we lose and reign only when we abdicate is a lesson that needs repeating. Do you believe that?
SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to Joey’s for Term Three. We trust you had a lovely break with your children. It was nice to see the children’s faces as they entered the school to be greeted by their friends and classmates. I loved hearing their stories from their holidays and the wonderful things they got to see and do.
This week we welcome the Eades family to our school. We are so fortunate to have Huxley in Kinder, Lillie in Year Two and Lulu in Year Three. We also welcome Katie and Matt Eades to our community. You might see Katie and Matt at school drop off or pick, please make them feel welcome.
Buddy Bench
A big thank you to Alicia McDonald for painting the signs on the buddy benches this week. They look fabulous!!
Different on the outside but same on the inside/ Prue McCarthy
On Tuesday we had a visit from Prue McCarthy who explained to us what it was like to have a disability. She taught us that there are different types of disabilities including Physical, Intellectual, Deaf, and Blindness. Prue told us her life story about how she was born with Cerebral Palsy but that didn’t stop her from receiving her HSC and a social Science Degree. Prue also has her drivers license and house where she lives independently. She has travelled to Europe, UK, Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and many parts of Australia. It was important that we learnt to put people first, not their disability.
Piano
Dear Parents and Carers,
If you would like a beautiful very old "Victor" piano please contact the school as we have one that we would love to give to a family interested in using.
Please contact the school office on 0263668306
Student of the Week
SPORTS NEWS
Dio Rugby Gala Day
Yesterday, seven children attended the Diocesan Rugby Gala Day in Orange. Our students combined with students from St Edwards, Canowindra and St Mary’s, Orange.
FROM THE REC
Feast of St Mary Magdalene – July 22nd
This week, we honour St Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ most faithful followers. She is often called the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she was the first to witness the Resurrection and announce it to the disciples. Mary Magdalene showed great courage and love, remaining with Jesus during his suffering and never wavering in her faith. Her life reminds us of the power of forgiveness, devotion, and sharing the Good News with others.
Whole School Prayer – New Beginnings for Term 3
As we began Term 3, our school gathered for a whole school prayer on Monday morning to reflect on the opportunities a new term brings. After listening to Scripture, students were invited to quietly consider something they could personally work on this term. Bryson and Maisie shared their reflections with the group, modelling thoughtful responses, before inviting other students to share their hopes for the term—whether it’s showing more kindness, including others, or working hard in their learning. It was a meaningful moment that encouraged us all to pause and consider how we can move forward with purpose and positivity.
Upcoming Masses:
- Wednesday, 30th July 9:30 am - Whole School Mass (TBC)
- Wednesday, 6th August 9:30am - Infants Mass
- Friday, 8th August 12pm - St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Mass with Manildra
Miss Woodhouse
Religious Education Coordinator
STUDENT WELLBEING
Welcome Back to Term 3!
Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
Welcome back to Term 3! We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and refreshing break, spending quality time with family and friends. It’s been wonderful to see the smiling faces of our students returning to school, full of energy and ready for the exciting term ahead.
Term 3 promises to be a term full of learning, growth, and opportunity. We are looking forward to diving into new units of work, exploring creative projects, and participating in the many events planned for this term — from sporting activities and Orange excursions to the civic theatre, to liturgical celebrations and school initiatives that continue to build our strong, supportive community.
As always, the wellbeing of our students remains at the heart of everything we do. We encourage open communication between home and school, and we welcome your feedback and involvement as we work together to support each child’s learning journey.
I have attached a great read from Maggie Dent on mothering boys. I hope you find it interesting as well as a flyer from our resilience program on a great calming belly breathing exercise that can help children regulate when feeling stressed, or anxious.
Let’s make Term 3 one of both connection and achievement. We are so glad to have everyone back!
Anna Bowman
P & F / CANTEEN NEWS
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,
Please See below the Menu for Term 3.
Starting this term, volunteers that help out in the canteen will go into the draw to win a $50 voucher from Lime & Stone! Each time you volunteer is an extra chance to win.
Prize will be drawn on the last day of Term Three, Friday 26th September.
Please see the attached link to volunteer, every bit of help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Jane
HEALTH MATTERS
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
This year's SPARKE exhibition is on now at Orange Regional Gallery
Now in its sixth year, this annual program invites local primary school students to participate in the cultural life of their city though the creation of a large-scale art installation and associated learning programs.
Orange Regional Gallery is hosting this year's exhibition. The 2025 project theme of 'Mighty Minds/Mega Machines' asked students to invent their own imaginary machine and draw the plans to make it. Each artwork has become a cog in our collaborative mega-machine installation, a powerful expression of the innate creativity and exuberance of childhood.
Mighty Minds/Mega Machines is a collaborative art-making project developed by Orange Regional Gallery, Orange Regional Museum and the SPARKE network of local public primary schools. On show now at Orange Regional Gallery until 7 September 2025.