Term 1 2024, Welcome back!

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 Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students

Welcome to a new school year, full of promise and potential. I extend a warm welcome to our new families who I am sure will quickly become a special part of our St Joseph's community.

This year is a particularly exciting one being our Centenary Year. Planning and preparation is well underway for the celebration of such a significant milestone, 100 years of catholic education at St Joseph's Catholic School Mundingburra! Our first event for the year is the Centenary Opening Mass being held on Friday 2nd February at 9:00 am in our undercover area. The Bishop will be presiding at this Mass and all are welcome to join us.

This newsletter provides some detail regarding staffing, beginning of year procedures and processes and hopefully, will be a good reference point for you to refer to over the coming days, as we all prepare to begin the 2024 school year together.

Wishing you all a wonderful week.

God Bless

Tracy

2024 Staff

We welcome a new member to our Leadership team this year. Cathryn Cornish, who has been our Learning and Teaching Advisor for the last two years, has been appointed the inaugural Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning. This is an acting position for 2024. In her role as Learning and Teaching Advisor, Cathryn along with our Inclusive Practices teachers Therese Lane and Diane Engert, brought a wealth of classroom, curriculum and pedagogical experience to our leadership team. Cathryn will continue to provide this support with the added responsibility of Administration duties.

We also welcome Taya Bortignon to the role of Indigenous Education Teacher. This is a new role to the school, and Taya will be in this role one day a week while also maintaining her teaching role on a Friday in Year 4A. Taya will assist the principal in the areas of Curriculum, Pastoral Care and Community Engagement for our Indigenous students, ensuring Indigenous Education initiatives are embedded and students are supported to engage purposefully in learning. Taya will be supported by our Indigenous Education Worker, Michael Gleeson.

We welcome back Jacinta Hutchison to St Joseph’s after a year on Maternity Leave. Jacinta replaces Kate Stevens, teaching PE on a Thursday and Friday.

We welcome new staff to our school. Melissa Harris replaces Monique Connell, teaching 2A on Thursday and Friday. Donna Larcom is our new School Officer Assisted Learning in 3B. Amelia Edwards replaces Julie Kinnane as our Guidance Counsellor on Wednesdays and Elizabeth Prizeman joins our office staff.

Handbook & Code of Conduct

The Joey's Way

Swimming Carnival

Swimming Carnival notes will be sent home to Years 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 on Monday, 22nd January. Please return notes to classroom teachers no later than Wednesday, 31st January. 

Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons will commence on Friday, 16th February for six weeks for Yrs 1, 2 & 4. 

Permission notes will be handed out this week. Please complete and return them to your child's classroom teacher. 

From the Office

Please ensure that we have up to date family details and Concession Cards. A new Multi School Discount form needs to be completed for 2024. 

School fees will be issued after week 3. 

We are currently taking sibling enrolments for Prep for 2025. 

Enrolment applications can be found on our website or by visiting our office for a paper copy. Please return to the office as soon as possible!

Is your child absent from school?  Please notify the office via

• emailing absent@sjmbtsv.catholic.edu.au
• calling the office and leaving a message at the absent option
• parent/guardian can note the absence through Compass
  

A text message will go out at 9.30am to any parents whose child is marked absent without an explanation.  Please reply to this text using one of the above methods.  If your child arrives after 8.30am, they must pass through the office for a late pass so that if the role has been marked at the classroom, office staff can make the ammendment for the arrival.  We thank parents for assisting with this. Roles are marked promptly at 8.30am on Mondays due to assembly - students are required to collect a late pass before moving to assembly if they are late.

School Uniform Days & Reminders

TERM DATES

Term 1 - Important Dates

To stay informed about upcoming events and activities within the school, our Term 1 and 2 calendar featuring important dates can be found on our school website under the 'Parents' tab. 

MEDICATION

If your child needs medication adminstered at school, a Medication Consent Form needs to be completed. Please find the form attached below. A new consent form needs to be signed every year. If you have questions about your child having medication at school, please speak to our office staff. 

Tuckshop

Our school Tuckshop is open Monday to Friday for both morning tea and lunch orders.

Flexischools offers a convenient way to order school lunches online. Please update your child's class to their 2024 class so that orders go to the correct place and children are not delayed in receiving their order.

Our Tuckshop list is also available on our school website.

Jeannine is our Tuckshop Convenor and is always appreciative of volunteers.  If you can spare even an hour of your time, please contact her on M:  0407 578 105

Volunteers are required to complete our Induction process.  Please follow the link below and follow the instructions.

Speech and Drama

If your child is intersted in Speech and Drama, please see the flyer attached for enrolment information. 

Save the Date

P & F News

Cyclone Updates

Parents please know that any updates we receive from Townsville Catholic Education regarding the approaching cyclone will be promptly relayed to you. 

Mass Times

Parish Mass Times

Wednesday 7.00am

Friday 7.00am

Saturday 5.00pm

Sunday 7.30am