Week 2, Term 2 2025

Welcome to Term 2!

Welcome back to what promises to be another exciting and enriching term at our school. I hope all families enjoyed a restful break and are ready for the many wonderful events and learning opportunities ahead.

Mother’s Day Stall, Liturgy and Breakfast

This week we celebrated all the special women in our lives and community at our annual Mother’s Day Stall, Liturgy and Breakfast. These events are a cherished tradition in our school and a lovely way for our community to come together in gratitude and celebration.

Gather Round Football – Students on ABC Morning News!

What an exciting moment it was to see some of our students featured on the ABC Morning News during the Gather Round Football event at Norwood Oval! Their enthusiasm and sportsmanship were a joy to witness and a proud moment for our school community.

Wear Your Colours and Doughnut Day

Our recent ‘Wear Your Colours’ Day was bursting with team pride. It was wonderful to see students and staff celebrating their favourite teams with such creativity and colour while raising funds for a great cause. Thank you to the Parents and Friends Committee for their support to organise this positive whole school event.

Holy Week Liturgy

In the final week of Term 1, our Holy Week liturgy was a moving and reflective experience for our school. The students led us beautifully through the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross, reminding us of the profound message of hope and renewal that Easter brings.

Hosting GATEWays Extension Literacy Program

This term, we are proud to host the GATEWays Literacy Extension Program. It’s an exciting opportunity for gifted students across the region to deepen their love for language and literature. We’re pleased to be a part of nurturing young minds in this meaningful way.

Year 6 Jumpers

A big milestone for our Year 6 students—receiving their senior jumpers! They wear them with pride, recognising their leadership roles and the example they set for our younger students. Congratulations to each of them.

Winter Co-Curricular has Commenced!

Our winter co-curricular sports and activities are now underway. Whether it’s netball, soccer, choir, or code camp, it’s wonderful to see our students engaged, learning new skills, and building friendships beyond the classroom.

Reception & Year 1 Excursion

Our youngest students had an exciting start to Term 2 with their recent excursion. It was a day filled with discovery and joy, and we commend our Reception and Year 1 students for their excellent behaviour and enthusiasm throughout the day.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL STAFF VISIT

Earlier this week, I was honoured that the newly appointed Principal, Mr Chris Platten and four staff members from my former school, Holy Family, came to visit us to view our teachers' delivery of the Heggarty and Playberry Literacy approaches. Through going into classrooms during the visit, it was highly impactful on student learning and engagement was evident through the effective delivery of high-quality teaching practices.

As always, thank you for your continued support. I look forward to all that this term will bring as we continue to grow, learn and celebrate together.

Warm regards,

Adam Slater

Principal

Vale Pope Francis

Last week, students at both sites gathered to pray for Pope Francis who passed away during the holidays.

During the liturgy, we were reminded that Pope Francis…

was a kind and gentle leader who loved God, loved people, and loved the Earth.
reminded us to look after each other, especially people who were sad, sick, or lonely.
told us to care for the planet and always choose kindness.

Although Pope Francis is no longer with us, let us carry his message in our hearts and follow his lead in the way he chose to live his life and care for others.

Pope Leo XIV

Today it was announced that the Catholic Church has a new leader. Pope Leo XIV who born as Robert Provost in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and French-Italian descent, will be the 267^th leader of our Church. He was ordained a priest in America in 1982 and 3 years later moved to Peru, as a Missionary Priest.

Pope Leo XIV has spent the majority of his ministry in Peru and has Peruvian nationality. Pope Leo worked with the marginalised communities in Peru as well as being a local parish priest and teaching in a seminary in north west Peru. We pray that his leadership helps to inspire a Church that continues the legacy left by Pope Francis.

Laudato Si’ Week

Laudato Si’ week is a celebration which is held annually in May to mark the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for creation. This celebration unites Catholics to listen to and respond together to the cry of creation and rejoice in the progress we have made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life.

This year is extra special as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ in this year of Jubilee. It is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude the incredible inspiration of Pope Francis in caring for our common home.

Project Compassion

Thank you for your wonderful support of Project Compassion during Lent. We raised $669 for Caritas. If you still have Project Compassion boxes at home, could these please be returned no later than Friday 16 May.

National Simultaneous Story Telling Day

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an annual, nationwide event where children across Australia read the same picture book at the same time. In 2025, the chosen book is "The Truck Cat" by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell. The event is organized by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and aims to promote literacy and reading enjoyment. 

Further information regarding our participation in this event will be sent out next week.

Mother’s Day

This week, we gathered to honour women who have a special role in our lives, our Mothers! The Year 5 students led us in a beautiful liturgy for mums. This Sunday, families will gather to celebrate Mother’s Day.  May all mums, grandmothers and women who have this special role in the lives of others enjoy a very special day.

Congratulations to Liam who was part of the Adelaide Marlins baseball charter team competition recently.  Marlins came away with the win and now off to the National championships in Sydney in June. Well done on all your achievements to date.

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.