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 Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers, Staff and Students

As we approach the Easter holiday break, I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a happy and safe holiday. Easter is a time for reflection, renewal, and hope, and it is my sincere hope that each of you can find joy and peace during this special time. As I reflect on this past term, I would also like to take a moment to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our school community.

Despite the ever present wet weather of late we have had a busy term, filled with events and achievements including NAPLAN preparation and testing in Years 3 and 5, Early Years testing and data analysis, swimming lessons, swimming training, and our students have represented the school in hockey and an all girls Rugby League Competition. We have also participated in Clean Up Australia Day, Harmony Day, Whole School Christian Meditation for World Day of Prayer, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and St Patrick’s Day activities. Unfortunately, our St Joseph’s Feast Day Mass and activities were cancelled due to rain and the Bill Nettle Rugby League Challenge and NQ Netball Cup have been postponed.

As is our usual practice in Term 1, we have been raising money for Caritas (Project Compassion). Mrs Taylor and our Year 6 teachers have been instrumental in organising and facilitating Caritas fundraising events, with the involvement of our Year 6 students a demonstration of their leadership and motivation in assisting with school fundraising initiatives. The ‘Guess the Teacher Competition’ was a favourite with staff and students alike. I would like to express my gratitude to parents/carers, staff and students who so generously supported our Project Compassion fundraising this year. Please continue to fill the Project Compassion boxes which went home with students weeks ago, and return to the office early in Term 2.

Reflecting on this past term and all that it has encompassed, I have to acknowledge the strong sense of community spirit which is ever present in all that we do. From P & F events to parent/carer support at learning, sporting and cultural activities, a sense of community is palpable. It is wonderful to see the hard work and achievements of our students celebrated. I would like to commend our staff for their tireless efforts in supporting our students both academically and emotionally. They go above and beyond to ensure that our students have a positive and fulfilling experience at our school.

On Thursday this week (3 April), the Strategic Leadership Team from Townsville Catholic Education is visiting the school as part of the final stage of our School Renewal Process which commenced in 2023. They will be interviewing staff, students, members of our P & F Association and School Board, and will also present our Accreditation Certificate at a special Assembly at 11:00 am which all members of our school community are invited to attend. During this Assembly, students from 5A will be involved in a special Stations of the Cross Liturgy which will lead us into the upcoming season of Easter.

I hope either in the weeks leading toward Easter or over the Easter break you will have time to experience the joy of the risen Christ with your family and friends. Holidays are long awaited gifts, and it is my hope that families are able to use this time for some much needed rest and renewal where there are not too many demands or activities, rather time to create some peace within ourselves and within our families. As we enjoy this holiday with our loved ones, let us also remember those who may be less fortunate. Easter is a time to give back to our community and to show kindness and compassion to those around us. Let us continue to work together to make our school, and the communities in which we live, places of inclusivity and respect.

On behalf of all the staff at St Joseph’s Catholic School Mundingburra, I wish you and your family a very happy and blessed Easter.

God bless

Tracy

Special Assembly & Stations of the Cross

APRE News

2025 Prayer Theme: Hopeful Hearts

Holy Week commences on Sunday, April 13th, with Palm Sunday, as we commemorate Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem to observe Passover. As we navigate the remainder of the week, we will solemnly recall the final days of His life and prepare to celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 20th.

The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus transform everything. He transforms suffering into love, hatred into acceptance, injustice and discrimination into inclusion, and death into life.

Pope Francis encourages us to recognize that God’s mercy and grace are present not only during significant moments but especially during challenging times. Holy Week presents a valuable opportunity for us to discover the extraordinary within the ordinary and to experience God’s mercy when we least anticipate it.

Reflect on the changes you wish to see in your life and in the world around you. Consider the aspects we often take for granted. What do you find most challenging? What are you grateful for, and what will you strive not to overlook?

Holy Week is the most significant week in the Church’s calendar, as we commemorate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We reflect on His actions, contemplate His teachings, and recommit to embodying His discipleship in today’s world.

As you journey through the profound mysteries of our faith this Holy Week, may the promise of Resurrection inspire hope and joy within your hearts.

Project Compassion

Thank you to all of the students who participated in the Crazy Hair Day ‘Easter Theme” to raise money for Project Compassion

Please return project compassion boxes to the office. Thank you for your generosity.

Sacramental Program

The Sacramental Program will take place in Term 3. If you would like your child to participate please see the attached note with a QR code to register your expression of interest.

Expression of Interest - Sacramental Program 2025

ANZAC Liturgy

Families are welcome to join us in the shelter shed on Thursday 24th April for our ANZAC Liturgy commencing at 2:00pm.

Assemblies

Our next assembly will be in:

Week 10: Thursday Stations of the Cross 11:00am

Week 1: Tuesday: Resurrection Liturgy 2:00pm

A Lent Prayer

Jesus, you came to help us see what you could see in the world.

Your love for the poor was enormous.

During this time of Lent, lend us your eyes, your heart

and your mind so that we may see, feel and think as you do.

May we be always generous in our resolve to help the poor, for they are the ones who are dear to you, Lord.

Amen

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

Peta.

Easter Triduum 2025

The Joey's Way

Star Students

Term 2 Important Dates

Term 2 Open Classrooms

Coloured Clothes Day

Life Education

Life Education is currently holding a competition! Last week, Donna visited and informed our students about it. The competition involves parents filling out a quick survey, and students can share something they learned with Healthy Harold.

Donna was expecting flyers in the mail but unfortunately hasn’t received them yet, and the competition closes at the end of the week!

If you’re interested in entering or want more information, please click the link below.

Enter Here

Welcome to Mini Vinnies 2025

An enthusiastic group of Yr 6 Mini Vinnies students gathered on Saturday morning at the SVP Warehouse at The Lakes. It was an enlightening experience where we were introduced to behind the scenes working of SVP's Charity shops.

We were guided by Kellie and Jenny, who work behind the scenes, making sure that all our donations are fully utilised and go to the right places and people. We were inspired by the amount of work that has to happen before the donations actually get into the shops and we look forward to many Saturday mornings when as a group, we can help in a small way to be involved in this very important outreach work.

Thank you to Stephen Gasparini, the SVP Youth Officer, who made this visit possible and to Kellie and Jenny who gave up their Saturday morning to inspire us. Thank you also to the Yr 6 students who came along. It was an inspiring morning and we look forward to working with SVP throughout 2025.

Keep up the great work and your start of the path to Social Justice.

Clare Plant

Chaplain.

Library News

School holidays are very close and a wonderful opportunity for students, especially during rainy days, to enjoy some fantastic recreational reading.

This term our lovely Specialist Library Teacher Mrs Luton has focused on the following topics:

Prep & Year 1 – Have completed Storybook Lessons from our InitialLit Program, concentrating on vocabulary.

Year 2- 4 - Have enjoyed book study and individual reading and library borrowing.

Year 5 – Have completed notetaking activities relating to H.A.S.S., in particular the daily life of convicts.

Year 5-6 – Have completed various lessons covering Internet safety and being eSmart, teaching the Cyber Online Safety Program.

All classes were introduced and reminded how to take care of the library and their library books. Some classes were introduced to the Dewey Decimal System.

Our library continues to spotlight special authors. This week we have spotlighted our amazing Australian Author, Arron Blabey, the well-loved bestselling author and illustrator of popular books. These include, the ‘Pig the Pug’ series and many others which focus on sharing with others and the consequences of not sharing! Arron has also produced the loveable and cool ‘Bad Guys’ series, which has been made recently into a movie success.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB ISSUE 2

The orders for Issue 2 have been distributed to the relevant classrooms.

BORROWING BOOKS IN RAINY WEATHER

During the last few weeks the library has found an increase in returned, wet, damaged books. We would really appreciate if extra care is taken in protecting library books to and from school during the rainy monsoons. With many thanks.

2024 LOST BOOKS

Thank you all for the efforts in returning lost books from last year. Please contact the library if you have any worries or concerns regarding your child’s lost books, we are happy to listen anytime.

SOMETHING TO READ OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS?

New Releases are released every week for students to take home to read on our ‘What’s New in the Library?’ stand.

SORA eBOOK BORROWING – Don’t forget to use our digital books Sora eBook App! Remember this service allows for borrowing 24/7 for students to read books during the school holidays.

STORYBOX LIBRARY – At StoryBox Library, children may share stories and experience great storytelling by famous authors and illustrators.

CITILIBRARIES – Three great locations in Townsville with activities and borrowing over the school holidays, so make sure you check them out soon!

Have a safe Easter Holiday!

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!!

Dr Seuss

School Photos - Advanced Life

Please be advised that our school photo day is on Friday, 16th May.

You can now order your preferred package using the information provided below.

Guidance Counsellor

Please find a list of wellbeing support options below which are available in the local community should they be required on the holidays.

We hope our students, staff and their families have a relaxing and safe Easter break!

Wellbeing Support Options.pdf

Digital Technology

National eSmart Week - Monday 31 March to Sunday 6 April

Be Heard. Be eSmart

This eSmart week we're focusing on empowering our students to use their voices to shape the online spaces they want and deserve. Students will be participating in a range of in-class lessons including virtual storytime sessions. Activities are designed to promote positive digital citizenship and ensure that students stay safe, smart and responsible online. Classes were presented with a poster outlining task challenges:

🌟 Class Act: Digital Citizenship Challenge 🌟

Students will take on the ClassAct 50 Task Challenge, a fun and engaging way to build digital citizenship skills! Through tasks, they'll explore online safety, respectful relationships, and where to find support if things go wrong. Whether completing a task each day or once a week, the goal is to make digital intelligence a regular part of the classroom conversation. Let’s create a safer, more positive online world—one challenge at a time!

Congratulations to our Year 5 winners of the Micro:bit Scissors Paper Rock Challenge! Using coding skills and creativity, students programmed their micro:bits to play the classic game, competing in a fun and interactive way. Well done to all participants for their problem-solving and innovation—our winners Mahlea and Milin truly rocked the challenge!

Parent WEBINAR - Parenting in the digital world!

Parenting in the digital world has many challenges. Join this session to understand your child's online world and how you can support them to stay safe.

Date: Wednesday 2 April 2025

Time: 4.30 pm (AEST)

Duration: 45 min

Trybooking - Click here to save your spot!

Inclusive Education

Autism Awareness Month – Celebrating Strengths & Inclusion

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the strengths, talents, and unique perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum. At St Joseph’s, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that affects how individuals experience the world, communicate, and interact with others. While every autistic person is unique, many have exceptional strengths, such as:
🔹 Creative thinking and innovation – Seeing the world in unique ways and bringing fresh ideas.
🔹 Strong focus and attention to detail – Excelling in areas of deep interest.
🔹 Honesty and reliability – Being genuine, loyal, and consistent.
🔹 Problem-solving skills – Thinking outside the box and approaching challenges from new angles.

By increasing our awareness and understanding, we can create a more accepting and inclusive society for autistic individuals. As a school community, we can support neurodiversity by embracing different learning styles, encouraging kindness, and ensuring that every child feels seen and valued.

To learn more click the links

✔ Autism Queensland – www.autismqld.com.au
✔ Aspect Australia (Autism Spectrum Australia) – www.autismspectrum.org.au
✔ Raising Children Network www.raisingchildren.net.au

Let’s work together to celebrate Autism Awareness Month by promoting acceptance, understanding, and appreciation of the wonderful strengths and contributions of autistic individuals. 💙♾️

Christian Meditation

First Nations' News

Earth Warriors

Junior Engineers - Term 2

Looking ahead to Term 2, Junior Engineers are excited to deliver their brand new Junior AI – Machine Learning for Kids using Scratch course — a fun, age-appropriate introduction to machine learning using Scratch, designed specifically for students in Years 2–6 🤖🧑‍💻️

Find out more information and book HERE

P&F News

🚨ESCAPE ALERT! 🚨St Joey's Mums! Your getaway plan is ready and tickets are NOW LIVE for the 2025 St Joseph's Mundingburra Mother's Day Sunset Soiree!

For just one magical evening, trade the school run for a sunset along the beach. No permission slips needed - just grab your ticket, rally your fellow mum pals, and prepare for 6 hours of glorious freedom!

Your beach vacation awaits on Saturday 24 May at The Rockpool Pavilion.

Last year was a SELL OUT! Tickets won't last long - the mothership is calling and it's time to answer!

Secure your spot before they're gone!

https://www.trybooking.com/DALWL