WEEK 6 Term 1 2025

Dear Families, 

It has been a challenging week as we’ve navigated the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. While our school was closed for seven days due to the impact of the cyclone the evacuation process and reestablishment went smoothly. It was a lot of work in a short time however it ensured that the children return to school as it was, and without any losses. A big thank you to our staff, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office staff, our parents and the tradies who worked with us through both moves.  

We are incredibly grateful for the support and understanding shown by all members of our school community during this time. Your patience, assistance and cooperation in these circumstances have made a huge difference.  

We are pleased to announce that school will resume as normal on Monday. We are eager to welcome all of our children back to school and continue our journey of learning together.

As we prepare for our students’ return to school next Monday, we recognise that the recent events surrounding Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have been unsettling for many children and families. In these times, maintaining routine and normality is essential to help our students feel secure and supported.

Our staff is committed to ensuring a smooth and safe transition back to school. We will be closely monitoring the well-being of each of our students, especially as they process any feelings or experiences related to the cyclone. Our teachers will be implementing trauma-informed practices in the classroom to create a compassionate and supportive environment for all children.

We understand that some children may be experiencing heightened emotions or anxiety, and we encourage parents to reach out to the school if they have any concerns. We are here to support you and your child during this time.

To further support our students, our new school counsellor Sangita Pyle will be available starting Wednesday. If you feel your child may benefit from speaking with the counsellor or would like additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

CHANGE OF DATES 

We have had to adapt some of our upcoming and missed events due the impact of the cyclone. 

We are excited to share some good news – our school canteen will be reopening for lunch orders starting Friday, 21 March 2025! Based on the results of the completed surveys, the two most popular days selected by families, and those we can cover, will be Tuesdays and Fridays.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this service again and look forward to providing healthy and delicious meals to our students. Please see the menu below

We can’t wait to see our canteen up and running once again!

The following days have been set down as Staff Development Days for St Joseph's for 2025. We thank you for supporting us in our Professional Development/Learning
opportunities.

Students do not attend school on these days

TERM 1 

• We all made it through
• for our Community- we're so happy that everyone is okay
• for our supportive and helpful parents
• for our students- we can't wait to see them.
• for our staff who have gone above and beyond in the last 2 weeks
• for our beautiful school

Have a wonderful weekend!

Regards

Jeanette Wilkins

 Principal

Congratulations to Thomas Bailey and Chase Martin who have been selected to represent the Lismore Diocesan at the Polding trials in Bathurst in May. We wish the boys the best of luck.  

Diocesan Swimming Championships
Congratulations to Archie, Indi, Chase and Phoebe who attended the Diocesan Swimming Championships at Murwillumbah on the 4th March.
Indi placed 2nd in the 8 year old girls 50m Freestyle.
Phoebe placed 3rd in the Junior year old girls 50m Breaststroke.
Archie placed 2nd in the 10 year old boys 50 m Freestyle, 4th Junior Individual Medley, 5th Junior boys Backstroke and 7th Junior boys Breaststroke.
Chase finished 9th in the Senior boys Backstroke and 8th in the Senior boys Butterfly.
What an amazing achievement!
Archie, Indi and Phoebe will now represent the Lismore Diocese at Olympic Park in May.

Revised Plan

Plan A Tuesday 18th starting at 10:10am
Plan B Wednesday 19th starting at 12pm
Plan C 21st March starting at 10:10 am

Races will start with 12 years old through to the youngest in the school. Times have had to adjust due to Naplan for Years 3 and 5.

Distances for the Cross Country are:
3000 metres (3 kilometres) for 11, 12 and 13 year old boys and girls
2000 metres (2 kilometres) for 8,9 and 10 year old boys and girls
1000 metres ( 1 kilometres) for 7 year old boys and girls
500 metres ( 0.5 kilometres) for 5 and 6 year old boys and girl

Students will still need to bring

• Water bottle
• School hat
• Wear sports uniform and bring colour house shirt
• Apply sunscreen prior
• A second pair of shoes as the course could be damp.

We will present medallions, ribbons and the winning Sports House at the Infants assembly on Friday 21st March.

If you can assist we will need parent helpers on the track. If you have some time please contact Gayl on 66822468

The top 5 runners in each age group (boys and girls) from 8 to 12 years old will represent our school at the Richmond Zone Cross Country on the 28th March. This event will be by private transport.

At St Joseph’s, we celebrate the unique ways people think and learn. Each week in Joey’s Morning Meeting, we explore a Wonderfully Wired famous person—someone who has used their unique strengths to achieve amazing things. In this section, we’ll share what we’ve discovered so you can continue the conversation at home. Stay tuned for inspiring stories of resilience, creativity, and determination!

Week 4’s Wonderfully Wired Person:

Chris Rock (Comedian and Actor)

Chris Rock is a famous comedian and actor who was diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD). This condition makes it harder for him to pick up on social cues, but it also gives him a unique perspective on the world. He uses this perspective to create sharp, funny comedy that helps people think about life in new ways.

Chris’s success shows that challenges can be turned into strengths. He reminds us that different ways of understanding and expressing ourselves can lead to creativity and connection with others.

Understanding Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)

Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) is a learning difference that affects how a person understands and processes visual, spatial, and social information. Children with NVLD are often highly verbal and strong in reading and rote memory but may struggle with:

• Understanding body language, facial expressions, and social cues
• Visual-spatial tasks like reading maps, organising materials, or judging distances
• Motor coordination, handwriting, or balance
• Adjusting to new routines or problem-solving in unfamiliar situations

Because NVLD affects social and practical skills rather than spoken language, it can sometimes be misunderstood. With the right support, children with NVLD can build strategies to navigate their challenges and thrive, just as Chris Rock has done.

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents has a number of free parenting education sessions this term.