This has been another busy fortnight on the Primary Campus.  The Border District Eisteddfod took place this week and all our students from P - 6 were involved in some capacity.  It never ceases to amaze me the courage and confidence that our students have to stand on a stage and perform so well in front of an audience.  Naturally there were a few nerves, but they all performed well.  My thanks are extended to Dr James Cuskelly OAM, Mrs Amelia Wilshire, Mrs Maple Egerton and Mrs Margie Buddle for the work they did in preparing the students, to the staff who supervised the children at the Civic Centre, to parents and families for their support and finally to the students who represented themselves and the school so well.

Also this week we hosted our first Prep 2026 Open Morning for the year this week and were excited to see a large group of potential families for next year. Part of the Open Morning was spent in the Prep classroom, where despite the influx of visitors, the children carried on with their learning regardless.  This is indicative of the importance placed on learning by the students at St Joseph's.  It was also pleasing to hear the many wonderful things that two current parents of our school shared with those gathered in the library. They spoke of the children being seen and heard as individuals, the relationships between the students across the campus,  the caring nature of Glenda McNichol and other staff and the many opportunities which St Joseph's offers it students.  We look forward to welcoming more families to our next Open Morning to be held on Tuesday 3 June at 9:15am. If anyone is unable to attend on this day, we are more than happy to arrange a time for you to visit that is convenient for all concerned.  

Last week we participated in the National Simultaneous Story Time event which this year featured The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. This is always an event that we enjoy being part of.  Congratulations also to those who competed in the TCS chess competition last Friday, supervised by Mr David Fleming.  There were some close games and Alex Sunderland in Year 4 played particularly well on the day. Alex was also recognised in a recent assembly for winning a competition organised by the SDRC on the theme of recycling. 

In Week 8 we will welcome Healthy Harold back to our school to help our students understand the importance of making wise choices to keep us healthy in body and mind.  Harold is always a welcome visitor to St Joseph's.

We are now entering the reporting period when teachers will be gathering work samples and assessments in order to make on balance judgements about each child's progress this semester.  This information will be presented on a slightly modified report format from this semester and more news will be available on this in coming weeks.

With God's blessings