Week 6, Term 2 2025

Dear St Joseph’s Families,

As we continue journeying through a busy and joyful Term 2, I’m pleased to share some important updates and highlights from across our school community.

Farewell to Our Beloved Librarian, Mrs Moore

After an extraordinary 27 years of dedicated service, we bid a fond farewell to Mrs Moore, our much-loved Librarian. Throughout her time at St Joseph’s, Mrs Moore has been a passionate advocate for fostering a love of reading in every child. She has successfully overseen the development and management of both our campus libraries, while always keeping student engagement and literacy at the heart of her work.

Her many contributions to our community include coordinating vibrant Book Weeks and Book Fairs, supporting Canberra camps, and introducing book review software to encourage student reflection and sharing.

Mrs Moore’s warmth, positivity and deep care for every student will be sorely missed by staff, students and families alike. We extend our heartfelt thanks for her remarkable service and wish her all the very best in her well-earned retirement. We farewelled Mrs Moore as a community at the whole school assembly.

At the same time, we are pleased to welcome our new Librarian, Mrs Morgan, who brings a wealth of experience from her time at Nazareth College and in the public libraries. We look forward to the next chapter in our library’s journey under her guidance.

Road Safety Reminder

At St Joseph’s Memorial, the safety of our students, families and staff is our highest priority. Our before and after school procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure we are providing a safe and orderly environment.

We kindly remind all families to follow road and parking regulations with care and consideration. Your adherence to these rules helps us keep everyone safe during these busy times of day.

Preschool & Ready for Reception Liturgy of the Word

Tuesday we celebrated a special Liturgy of the Word with our Preschool and Ready for Reception students. Father Chris led the blessing of our beautiful new Indigenous and Josephite crosses, which were generously donated through the support of our Parents & Friends Committee. It was a moving and joyful occasion, and we thank all who were involved in making it so meaningful.

Year 4 Excursion to the South Australian Maritime Museum

Yesterday our Year 4 students embarked on an exciting excursion to the South Australian Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide. Students explored the history of marine navigation, life at sea, and the surrounding natural environment. It was a hands-on learning experience that brought their classroom studies to life in new and engaging ways.

Year 5/6 Debating

The school debating team held their second debate for the season this week. The reports where the students were well planned with clear arguments, responses and rebuttals. The team was victorious and one of the students was awarded 'Debater of the night.'

School Co-Curricular

Winter sports are well underway for weekend and afterschool soccer, netball and basketball. After every match is it wonderful to hear the students speaking so positively about the games they play together and how much fun they are having representing the school.

Year 4 & 5 Art and Writing Work

The Year 4 students have been undertaking learning to recreate Vincent Van Gogh’s famous sunflower paintings. The students have demonstrated their wonderful skills in using colour, shape and artistry to complete their own pieces of Art.

The Year 5 students are currently studying the artist Yayoi Kusama. Over the past few lessons they have explored ‘The Flowers that Bloom’ and ‘My Eternal Love For Pumpkins’ pieces and have created incredible illustrations.

In addition, the students have been undertaking writing on the First Fleet to create letters from the perspective of those from this time in history.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend.

On Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.    

At Pentecost, Christ promised his Disciples that He would send his Holy Spirit, and on Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the Spirit. The Disciples began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the Jews, who had gathered on the day spoke, and about 3,000 people were converted and baptised that day.  

Pentecost is the birth of the Church and a cause for great celebration because we have received the power of the Spirit just as Jesus’ followers did at Pentecost.   

As people of God upon receiving this great gift we are sent out into the world to bring about Jesus’ peace, joy, love and forgiveness to everyone.   

This is why Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church." On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's mission was completed, and the New Covenant created.   

Breath of God, 
Spirit who appeared like a driving wind, 
blow away our prejudice 
and teach us to value all people. 

Spirit of God, 
who appeared like tongues of flame, 
burn in us as a passion for justice 
and a commitment to change. 

Catherine Gorman/CAFOD 

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.

In Week 8, Archbishop O’Reagan will use these words 'Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit when he anoints candidates with the oil of Chrism during the Confirmation Ceremony.  This seal, marks us as a witness of Christ. 

At Pentecost, the Apostles received the fullness of the Holy Spirit enabling them to evangelise and serve God.  Through Confirmation, we too are prepared for public ministry and receive the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which help us to be holy.

We would like to inform you of the dates for Pupil Free Days (PFD) for this year. Please note that OSHC will be available for families that require this service on these days.

All Assemblies will be held in the Performing Arts Studio at William St on Friday afternoons at 2pm.

Students from Bridge Street will walk across to William Street to participate in Assemblies, face to face.

St Joseph's Memorial School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold the following:

1. A current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events);
2. A current Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate (please click here to view how to complete this requirement);
3. Completed the volunteers application.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers at SJMS are free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available to download here or at either school office.

We ask that you present your completed form with verification ID to the front office, and we will submit the application on your behalf. You will then receive an email link to complete the process online. Once all cleared you will receive a Catholic Police Check ID card in the post, please bring this in to the front office and we will take a copy of your clearance.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through either school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at either office.

Thanking you
The SJMS Admin Team
info@sjms.catholic.edu.au

For more information on how Catholic Education SA provides a safe environment for all, please click here.

Summary of what is needed to volunteer at SJMS:
Valid Catholic Police Check
Responding to Abuse and Neglect Education and Care Volunteer Certificate
Completed application form

Come see our Preschool in action, contact us for a tour or enrolment information.