Term Three - Week 3
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 Mary of the Cross MacKillop
1 Kings 17:8-16. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast – Ps 62(63):1-8. Colossians 3:12-17. Matthew 6:25-34.
Do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will look after itself
Today’s Readings speak of the simple life, uncluttered by concerns of material comfort. We are reminded that we are a holy people loved by God and that we need to live with compassion, generosity and patience.
The guiding words Jesus spoke at the Sermon on the Mount seem to be all we need to live a life of love and peace. Knowing we are cared for, even as the birds in the sky are, we can find the grace to live ‘clothed in heartfelt compassion’, reaching out to others in humility and gentleness. Knowing the perfect bond of love, we recognise we are all one body. Let us pray for the wisdom to live simply, in the present, and the courage to live with love.
SCHOOL NEWS
Saint Mary of the Cross McKillop
Today, 8th August is the Feast day of Australia’s first Saint, Mary of the Cross. Students and staff were joined by St Joseph’s Manildra in celebrating Mary with Mass and lunch.
An Extraordinary Journey
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint, was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. As a woman of faith, courage and hope, she overcame many obstacles and challenges to create a legacy that continues to inspire today.
Born in Victoria to Scottish immigrants, she was the eldest of eight children and worked from a young age to support her family. At 24, she devoted her life to God, taking the name ‘Mary of the Cross’.
Together with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, Mary co-founded a school in South Australia to educate poor and underprivileged children. This led to the establishment of Australia’s first religious order, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who became affectionately known as the “Brown Joeys”. She took her vision for education, especially for the poor, isolated and underprivileged, establishing dozens of schools throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Dedicated to serving the poor, Mary with her Josephite Sisters went wherever they were needed, living amongst the communities they served. Despite facing fierce opposition, including her excommunication, Mary’s unwavering resolve and determination never faltered.
In 1884 Mary MacKillop and her sisters moved to North Sydney. On 8 August 1909, Mary passed away in Alma Cottage (the Josephite Convent at the time), now the sacred site of Mary MacKillop Place (North Sydney, Australia). She was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II after a second miracle was attributed to her and, on 17 October 2010, Mary MacKillop was canonised as a saint at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Her final resting place, the Tomb of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel forms part of Mary MacKillop Place and a site of pilgrimage open to all.
St Lawrence’s Church
You may have heard, St Lawrence’s Church was broken into over the weekend. One item was stolen. No damage was done. Police are currently investigating.
Assumption of Mary
Next Friday, 15th August is the Feast of the Assumption. Students from Years Three to Six will attend Mass at James Sheahan in Orange. We will be joined by students and staff from all Parish schools. A COMPASS notification/Permission note was sent out earlier this week. Please ensure you give your child permission to attend via the COMPASS portal.
Book Week
Children’s Book Week is The CBCA’s key highlight national event of the year. This year’s celebration will run from Saturday 16 to Saturday 23 August.
The 2025 theme is Book an Adventure!
The St Joseph’s Book Week event will happen in Week 5, which is also Wellness Week.
Tuesday 19th August we will hold our Dress-Up Day. Students are asked to come to school dressed as a character from their favourite book or a character who reflects this year’s theme – ‘Book an Adventure!’ We also ask that they bring the book that
inspired their character choice.
Think -pilot, adventurer, explorer, safari guide, traveller, astronaut
Other ideas could be classic fairytale characters like Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood, literary heroes such as Harry Potter or Alice in Wonderland, and even historical figures (Robin Hood) or animals from popular stories (Pig the Pug).
Mythical and magical adventure ideas could include wizards, witches, dragons, unicorns, mermaids, and other creatures from fantasy realms.
We will hold a parade at 9am and invite all family and friends to attend
We look forward to seeing you
Giselle Crouch
Student of the Week
CRAFT CLUB
MOLONG ANNUAL SHOW DAY
Molong show will be held on Saturday 6th September. The show has many competitions to enter in, here are some that are great for kids:
Colouring Competition, click on the links for more information.
Needlework
Art
Craft
As well as many more to enter yourself or your children into. For more information about the show, sections and competitions click the link below that will take you to the Molong Show page.
ST JOEY'S COOKING CLUB
COOKING CLUB
Cooking Club is back for Term Three, and we're excited to share a fresh lineup of delicious recipes that both students and staff are sure to enjoy!
On Tuesday, some of our kindy students got hands-on in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of Milo Slice. With plenty of measuring, pouring, stirring, and egg-cracking, they worked hard to create a treat that the whole school loved on Wednesday.
This simple and tasty recipe is perfect for all ages—we hope it becomes a favourite in your household too!
SPORTS NEWS
Southern Region Athletics
Today, forty students from St Joseph’s travelled to Cowra to compete in the Southern Region Athletics Carnival. Results from the day will be in next week’s newsletter.
This year St Joseph’s was the host school. A big thank you to Mrs Reid for all she has done in the organisation of this day. Renee has worked tirelessly on this carnival. We are very lucky to have Renee in our school and we are very grateful for all she has done, especially as this is the first time we have hosted the Southern Region Athletics.
FROM THE REC
The Transfiguration of the Lord
On Wednesday, our Infants students attended Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This special day reminds us of the moment when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became dazzling white, showing His divine glory and helping the disciples understand that He truly is the Son of God.
Fr Augustine shared this important message with the children during Mass, helping them to see that just like the disciples, we are called to listen to Jesus and follow Him. It was a beautiful opportunity for our youngest students to come together in prayer, reflect on God’s greatness, and feel a sense of wonder and joy in their faith.
We are proud of how respectfully and reverently our students participated in the Mass and gave thanks for the light and love Jesus brings to our lives.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Today, joined with our friends from St Joseph's Manildra, we celebrated the Feast Day Mass of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Together, we honoured Australia’s first saint and remembered her deep faith, compassion, and commitment to helping others—especially those in need. St Mary MacKillop’s example reminds us to “never see a need without doing something about it,” and to live with kindness, courage, and a heart for service. It was a beautiful celebration of her legacy and the shared mission of our Catholic communities.
Please see below a link to the St Mary MacKillop - Beneath a Cross of Stars Picture Book that you may wish to share at home.
Upcoming Masses:
- Wednesday, 13th August, 9:30am - Primary Mass & Reconciliation (after Mass)
- Friday, 15th August, 10am - Assumption Mass @ James Sheahan
Miss Woodhouse
Religious Education Coordinator
STUDENT WELLBEING
The Power of Friendship:
In a world that often moves quickly and demands our attention, the simple act of being a good friend can make all the difference. Friendship is more than just sharing laughs or doing school work—it’s about looking out for one another, offering support, and creating a community where everyone feels valued and safe.
At St Joseph’s, we take pride in creating an environment where kindness and compassion is evident and also talked about frequently. From the classroom to lunchtime conversations, students are encouraged to be attentive to their peers’ needs. Whether it’s offering a helping hand, sharing a kind word during a tough day, or simply including someone who might feel left out, our students exemplify what it means to be good friends.
Our teachers and staff play a vital role in reinforcing these values. The resilience project taught weekly promotes those values of teamwork, empathy, resilience, gratitude and ensuring that caring for others is at the heart of our school culture.
Looking out for one another not only makes our school a better place but also prepares us for life beyond the classroom. Friendships built on trust and compassion lay the foundation for a more understanding and connected world particularly as students venture to high school and then later into the workforce.
Let’s continue to nurture these bonds and remind ourselves that being a good friend is one of the most valuable qualities we can develop. Together, we can make our school a shining example of kindness and camaraderie—where everyone feels seen, supported, and appreciated.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Anna Bowman
P & F / CANTEEN NEWS
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,
P&F meeting date change:
This week’s scheduled P&F meeting has been moved to Wednesday 13th August 6pm, at the Molong RSL.
All welcome!
HEALTH MATTERS
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
School Community,
We are excited to share that registrations are now open for the 2025–2026 season of Cumnock Little Athletics!Our club welcomes athletes from across Cumnock, Molong, Yeoval, and Manildra districts, with programs starting from as young as 3 years old through our Tiny Tots program. Our club offers a fun, inclusive, and encouraging environment where children of all abilities can participate in a variety of track and field events each week.Our weekly meets will be held on Monday evenings at 5:30pm at the Cumnock Memorial Oval, starting Monday 13 October. The season runs for 20 weeks (Term 4 and Term 1), and our Early Bird pricing is now available until 31 August. After this date, registration fees will increase by $10, so now is the perfect time to sign up!When broken down, the registration fee works out to around $5 per session, great value for an evening of fitness, fun, and personal growth.At Cumnock Little Athletics, we focus on:
- Building physical fitness and fundamental movement skills
- Encouraging sportsmanship, teamwork, and community spirit
- Supporting kids to set and achieve their own personal bests in a supportive, non-pressured environment
Please find a poster attached to send home with families and/or display in your school/centre. We would be so grateful if you could share this information with your school community, either in your newsletter, school noticeboard, or through social media. For more information or to register, families can visit our website or find us on Facebook at Cumnock Little Athletics. Thank you for helping us promote health, confidence, and community through grassroots sport. We look forward to welcoming families from your school to the track this season!
Warm regards,
Olivia Atkinson + Cassandra Roberts Secretary/s
Cumnock Little Athletics Committee
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.