St Joseph's Catholic School - Mundingburra eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we stand, the Wulgurukaba and neighbouring Bindal people who are the custodians. We pray that we can walk together to a better future.

From the Acting Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I hope this newsletter finds everyone happy and well. It’s hard to believe we’re only in Week 4 of the term, given how much has already taken place in the life of our school!

We’ve enjoyed a wide range of events and experiences, including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra excursion, Quest for Knowledge, Interschool Swimming Carnival, Combined Year Level Masses, Japanese Speech Competition, Grandparent’s Day, and the Eco Marines Waves of Change initiative. Our P&F Disco was a joyful celebration, and students have also been busy participating in Digital Technologies and STEM events, such as Bebras and Robotics Competitions.

Alongside these enriching activities, our Inclusive Practices team and classroom teachers have been working closely with families during Individual Education Plan meetings. Mrs Diane and our teachers have also been deeply engaged in planning for Religious Education.

As a whole school community, led by Mrs Diane, our Year 6 staff and students, we’ve shown great generosity in preparing for tomorrow’s Catholic Missions stalls. Thank you to everyone who has contributed. We are proud of the spirit of service and compassion that continues to shine through our school.

On Monday, we celebrated Grandparents Day, always one of the most heartwarming and well-attended mornings on our school calendar. Each year, the number of grandparents and grandparent figures joining us seems to grow, and it’s such a joy to welcome them into our school community.

There’s something truly special about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. It’s visible in the smiles, the hugs, and the quiet moments of connection throughout the morning. Grandparents offer unconditional love, wisdom, support, and a living link to family stories and traditions. They help shape character, provide comfort, and often quietly support parents in the background. Their presence enriches our school and our lives. Thank you to all who were able to join us!

This Friday we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a special opportunity to pause and acknowledge the incredible work our teachers do every day. Held annually on the last Friday in October, it’s a chance to recognise the vital role educators play, not just in classrooms, but in shaping lives and building strong communities.

Teaching is no easy job. It’s complex, demanding, and at times, exhausting. But it’s also deeply rewarding. That’s why teachers teach because they know the impact they can have, and they care deeply about their students.

I feel incredibly proud of the staff we have here at St Joseph’s Mundingburra. Each one brings their own strengths and gifts to our school, creating safe, welcoming, and well-structured learning environments where students feel known, supported, and challenged. I’ve seen firsthand the many opportunities our staff provide, both inside and outside the classroom, and it’s clear that our students benefit from a rich and well-rounded education.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous P&F Association, who will help us celebrate the day with morning coffee and a delicious chicken and salad lunch. These thoughtful gestures mean a lot to our staff and are always appreciated.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

May God’s blessing be with you, have a wonderful holiday.

Peta.

From the Acting APRE

2025 Prayer Theme: Hopeful Hearts

Bear with one another, help one another, and ever strive to serve God in a generous spirit. ~Mary MacKillop

The theme, inspired by Pope Francis' message for World Mission Sunday 2025 and carried forward by Pope Leo XIV, "Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples," highlights hope and unity, emphasising how we can collectively turn our faith into action.

This month (October) is Catholic Mission Month, a time where we raise awareness of the work of Catholic Missions. Our Mission Week celebrations will take place throughout the month with a variety of activities including Soctober and Mission Stalls. All money raised throughout the month will go to the programs run by Catholic Missions Australia to help restore dignity and end poverty.

Thursday 30th October

We will hold our annual Mission Stalls which are organised and run by our Year 6 students and teachers to raise funds to support the important work of Catholic Missions. Thank you to all of our families for your generous donations. If you are able to help that would be great.

As part of our stalls we will have a cake stall. All donations of cakes, slices etc can be dropped into the school office on Thursday 30th in the morning.

Last week we held our Socktober kick offs at lunch times. Thank you to Mrs Plant for organising and helping classes to make their Socktober balls. If you would like to read more about Catholic Missions you can visit their website: https://www.catholicmission.org.au/worldmissionmonth

Assemblies

Our assembly for week 6 will be held on Monday at 2.00pm in our Shelter Shed. Parents, families and friends are all welcome to join us. Our next assembly will be:

Week 6: St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal Launch hosted by 5B

Year Level Mass

Last week students in Prep, Yr 3 & 5 attended Mass in the church. Next week the students in Years 1, 2, 4 and 6 will attend Mass in the church on Wednesday the 5th November. The opportunity to gather together in prayer is always something that we are very grateful for.

Christian Meditation will take place each Thursday morning at 8:00am in the Library. Meditation is a form of sacred and silent prayer, known as prayer of the heart. It is a lovely way to start the day!

Children’s Liturgy

Children's liturgy takes place every Sunday mass at 7:30 am (during the school term) Members of our parish take the children out and complete activities related to the weekly gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to engage with and understand the meaning of the gospel. All children are welcome.

Do you enjoy helping children to learn? Are you looking for a reason to attend Mass on a Sunday? If so, we would love to hear from you! We are seeking volunteers to join our roster of parents/grandparents/teachers who assist with Children's Liturgy during the 7.30am Sunday Mass during each school term. All that is needed is a willingness to share your time and a current Blue/Exemption Card. We will provide the support and training. Please contact Amanda at aholden2@tsv.catholic.edu.au or speak with Mrs Cantoni or Mrs Bortignon for more information.

May God’s blessing be with you.

Diane

The Joey's Way

Star Students

From the Office

School Fees

Term 4 school fees are now overdue. Please ensure payment is made as soon as possible.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Students who participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge will be awarded their certificates during assembly in Week 6, on Monday 19 November. Congratulations to all our enthusiastic readers!

Mission Day Stalls

Mission Day Stalls are tomorrow! Our Year 6 classes will be running a variety of fun stalls and games for all students to enjoy, with all proceeds donated to Catholic Missions. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed donations towards the stalls, your support is greatly appreciated! If you are donating items for the Bake Stall, please bring your goodies to the office tomorrow morning.

A few reminders for tomorrow:

Please send students with coins (stalls will be priced between 50c and $1.00).
The office will not have extra cash to exchange larger notes for coins
Please also send students with a small shopping bag to carry their goodies home.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful day supporting a great cause!

World Teachers' Day

This Friday, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day – a time to honour the incredible educators who inspire, encourage, and empower our students every single day. Our wonderful P&F have organised a coffee van for the morning! True Love For Coffee will be serving near the tuckshop until 9:00am on Friday, 31st October. Please remember that hot beverages are not allowed inside the school grounds. Enjoy a coffee and join us in celebrating our amazing teachers!

Students' Success

Seasons of Creation Competition

Congratulations to Everly and Blaise for their impressive entries in the 2025 Season of Creation Competition for the Columban Christmas Appeal. Everly received 2nd place for her written piece (pictured on the left), and Blaise received 3rd place for his art entry (pictured on the right). Well done to all students who participated for sharing their creativity and thoughtfulness.

Ava, one of our Year 5 students, will be running her very own market stall at the Willows Rotary Markets on Saturday, 16 November! She’ll be showcasing and selling her beautiful handmade craft creations. Head down to the markets to check out her stall and show your support. It’s wonderful to see our students’ creativity and initiative in action!

Whole School Christian Meditation

Guidance Counsellor

In November 2024, Australia’s Parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. The bill was introduced to address ongoing concerns about the impact of children’s access to social media platforms.

The new legislation will come into effect on 10th December 2025.

The age restrictions are likely to apply to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube among other platforms. Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among the types of services that will not be included.

The restrictions aim to protect young Australians from the pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts. These come from design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.

It is important to be aware that these restrictions are aimed at Social Media platforms and places greater accountability on them in an effort to keep children safe. The platforms will be required to implement processes to restrict children under the age of 16 years from accessing the social media platforms.

As part of this legislation, there will be no penalties for children under-16s who access an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers. The penalties will apply to social media platforms if they don’t take reasonable steps to prevent under-16 from having accounts.

More information can be found on eSafety’s Social Media Age Restrictions Hub, including frequently asked questions and summaries of stakeholder consultation.

Inclusive Education

🤝Inclusive Education Committee meeting
We will hold our Inclusive Education Committee meeting on Thursday 6th of November at 3:15pm in the school office. All are welcome to attend and help guide Inclusion at St Joseph’s. If you are able to make it please let Mia White and/or Therese Lane know via email at mwhite9@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au tlane1@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au

🏡 Supporting Executive Function at Home: Strategies for Parents of Children with ADHD
Executive functions are the brain’s “management skills” — they help children plan, focus, remember instructions, and regulate emotions. These skills develop more slowly in children with ADHD, but with the right support, structure, and encouragement, they can grow beautifully over time.

🧠 1. Build Routines That Feel Predictable

Keep morning, after-school, and bedtime routines consistent.
Use visual schedules or colour-coded charts to show what comes next.
Give countdowns or time warnings before transitions (e.g. "Five more minutes, then it’s dinner").

📦 2. Create Organised Spaces

Set up a “launch pad” area near the door for school bags, shoes, and notes.
Use clear bins or labelled drawers for supplies.
Reduce clutter so it’s easier to focus.

🗓️ 3. Support Planning and Time Management

Break big tasks into smaller steps and celebrate each one.
Use visual timers or phone alarms to help with time awareness.
Plan the day together each morning or evening.

💬 4. Coach, Don’t Correct

Offer calm, specific praise ("I love how you started your homework right away").
Model problem-solving aloud ("We’re running late. What could we do differently next time?").
Focus on effort and persistence, not perfection.

❤️ 5. Help with Emotional Regulation

Encourage movement and outdoor breaks to manage energy and mood.
Teach “name it to tame it” — naming emotions helps children calm down.
Stay calm and consistent when setting boundaries.

🌟 6. Encourage Strengths and Passions

Give daily time for interests like art, sport, building, or storytelling.
Highlight their creativity, humour, kindness, and persistence.
Remind them that ADHD is part of how their brain works, not who they are.

💛 Remember
Executive function develops through practice and positive connection. Small, consistent supports at home help children feel capable, confident, and calm.

Digital Technology News

RoboSumo Competition

Our Year 5/6 students recently took part in the RoboSumo Competition at St Anthony’s, where they designed, built, and programmed LEGO Spike robots to battle it out in the sumo ring! Students demonstrated fantastic teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills as they refined their designs and strategies, working hard to test their robots’ strength, speed, and agility. It was an exciting day filled with friendly competition, loud cheering, and plenty of STEM fun — a wonderful celebration of innovation and learning!

A big congratulations to the Joey’s students who participated in the Japanese Speech Competition on Monday, October 27th! Each student wrote and memorized a speech in Japanese and confidently performed on stage in front of a panel of judges. You were all truly amazing, well done! A special shout-out to Quinn and Ruby, who both placed third in their categories.

Library News

Our annual St Joseph’s Book Fair has commenced this week and students are excited about books!

The amazing library ‘Scholastic Book Fair Shop’ opening times are:

27 – 30 October 2025
Monday – Thursday
8.00 am – 8.30 am
2.45 pm – 3.30 pm
Our St Joseph’s Library

Scholastic Book Fairs offer students and parents a wide selection of children’s books, promoting literature and a love for reading. The ‘Book Fair Shop’ offers a diverse range of titles and genres for all ages from celebrated authors and illustrators. This event offers a hands-on opportunity for students to browse and choose their own books. This event assists in raising funds for our Library to purchase books and resources for 2026.
Each day of the Book Fair, a winning student will be drawn from our Book Fair Lucky Dip event.

Thank you to all our students and parents who have popped into the Book Fair Shop this week to purchase a book! Book Fairs help to engage students to recreationally read and research has shown this improves their reading literacy.

‘10-WEEK BOOK AN ADVERTURE INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT’ READING ADVENTURE (from TERM 3 – Year 4 and 5 BOOK WEEK celebrations)

Last term students from Year 4 and 5 were encouraged to enter a 10-week Reading Adventure. Students were encouraged to fill in a reading journal, to be adventurous and try different genres and subjects. Students then rated and reviewed their books they had read.

Reading varied genres strengthens critical thinking, expands vocabulary and gives more exposure to writing styles. Students in each class will receive a Certificate and small gift for their amazing efforts. We hope they enjoyed their book adventure this year!

OVERDUE BOOKS

Great to see overdue books returning to the library! Please keep them coming back. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Harrington.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB ISSUE 7

As soon Book Club orders arrive, they will be distributed asap! Apologies for any delay.

Chinese Proverb

Happy Reading!

First Nations News

First Nations Lunch Activities
Students have been enjoying the activities on offer every second Wednesday at lunch time. They've played traditional games such as Nandrra-rna (marbles) and Walbiri (memory) and made a gliding turtle, inspired by local Wulgurukaba artist, Jordan Wyles' art installation at the Strand Ephemera.

Earth Warriors

Thank you:

for all the donations of pre-loved clothes and tennis balls. We now have plenty of recycled items to make our pet toys for animals in shelter.
to everyone who used the Containers for Change recycling bins during the disco last Friday! Our weekly collection was doubled!

EcoMarines - Making Waves Event

Four of our EcoMarines recently attended the end of year Making Waves networking day with other schools from the Townsville region. Our students proudly shared projects that our Earth Warriors have been working on this year.

Pizza and Burger Box Recycling

The packaging for pizzas and burgers from the tuckshop has recently changed to cardboard boxes rather than paper bags. This means we can easily remove the order sticker and recycle the boxes in our yellow bins. We trialled collecting them last week and collected 20 from the Year 2 - 6.

Great Barrier Reef Clean Up

A heart-felt thank you to all the families and staff who turned up at Pallarenda Beach on Sunday for the annual Great Barrier Reef Clean Up! The warm day didn't deter more than 70 people from removing 29.4kgs of marine debris from the shores of Pallarenda Beach. There was a lot of microplastics collected as well as fishing line, shoes, building materials and bottles/cans. We teamed up with volunteers from the Sea Turtle Foundation and Magnetic Island Network for Turtles, who shared their reason for choosing Pallarenda Beach as their clean up site. They've recently seen an increase in sea turtle injuries caused by fishing line and equipment - Pallarenda being one of the closest and popular areas to fish. Thank you to @TangaroaBlue and the #GBRCU25 crew for the clean up equipment and the @seaturtlefoundation for joining in the fun!