Term 3, Week 5
Vision Statement
Inspired by Mary MacKillop, we strive to achieve excellence in education and pastoral care, foster well being, develop strong values and include all cultures and community members.
Mission Statement
Following Jesus' example, we support all cultures and needs by building trusting relationships and fostering high expectations that inspire and empower our children to be compassionate, lifelong learners.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES
Welcome to the middle of Term 3. Time is moving fast.
This week we celebrate The Feast of the Assumption on August 15th. Recollections from my own childhood include stories of a quiet and peaceful mother who loved her child from the sacred centre of her own being. I thought, ‘what a great place to start this week’s newsletter for St Joe’s’. The unconditional love of mothers is an earthly representative of God’s love for us.
Love takes practice.
I marvel at many things. Mothers seem to have this knowledge, an unseen way they know their children; like a sensing that is hard to quantify. I wonder what this is. Mothers are always there for their children, choosing the right word to say at the right time. My Grandmother used to say, ‘God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers’. What a great idea. They love us without any conditions, any strings attached. They forgive us always. They accept us and love us no matter what. Unconditional is another spelling for mother.
(Sorry Dads, your feast day is coming – this one is for the ladies!)
Celebrating Mother Mary is a story of hope. Hope that unconditional love exists and is active in our world. That is a refreshing thought. Our investment in young people at St Joe’s comes from the same unconditional place. Bumps along the way, but love will be the answer to all that we do here as a community. It is a comforting thought to know our task as adults and a lesson for us that we must continue to sow seeds of hope in all our children.
Hope is not a resting place, but a starting point.
Reflecting on The Feast of The Assumption is never easy. It requires that you listen intently to the deep recesses in your own soul. We celebrate ‘the falling asleep of the of The Mother of God’. Even the image invokes deep reflection. Literally translated as ‘God-bearer’ she is the epitome for women to aspire to. To follow her lead and stand with great grief in humility.
Being human is hard. Our lives are brief, but they are also purposed. Our task is to keep her-torch burning brightly so that we can pass it on to those coming behind us. We will all face loss and grief, there will be pain and hurt. She is the light in the darkest night that shines most brightly.
The falling asleep of The Mother of God conjures relief too. A quiet and prayerful woman who had to endure the loss of her only Son for a greater gift to humanity – The Gift of Eternal Life. So that one day, we too, will be welcomed Home.
I would like to imagine that as she ascended into heaven that the angels sang her to her final rest. Hail Mary, full of grace, now in the arms of Your Son.
Her life is a remarkable blueprint for us to follow in both light and sorrow. She shows us the purpose of our lives here to bring forth the spiritual in you. When all else falls away in the journey of this life, what is left is what will hold you in the darkness; Light.
So, lets get to work and grow more love.
Have a restful weekend,

Cindy
PRAYER FOR MOTHERS
During this reflective season we pray in a spirit of hope for all mothers that they continue to reveal the female face of God to us. We thank God for our mothers for giving us life, for nourishing and enlarging that life, and for doing without so that we might have. We pray for those mothers who must mother below the poverty line, who are too young to mother, and those who must watch their babies starve or grow up with hate and violence in their hearts.
Above all, we pray for mothers that this prayer reaches them as a song of hope.
Term 3, Week 5 notices
Please be advised due to enormous amounts of work involved in putting together the newsletter, it will now become a bi-weekly publication. For the remainder of the term 3 we will have newsletters in week 5, 7 & 9.
Family Reflections is a new item for our newsletter. Thank you to our incredible Knight Family who have been brave enough to be our first contributors. The aim to align scripture to family life and being a member of our vibrant small school with a big heart.
‘Faith, Hope & Love but the greatest of these is LOVE 1 Corinthians 13:13’
We made our family journey to the lovely town of Kununurra last year and it has been filled with some amazing adventures. Every day we listen to our children after school telling us about the news things they have learned and the new friendships they have built. They are learning that friendships also come with challenges we do not expect but the most important lesson has been how to navigate those challenges. We are glad that since the early years of their primary schooling, we instilled in our children these three simple things from the Bible: Faith, Hope and Love and we are happy that we chose to enrol them at St Joseph’s School where they also instil these values daily at their school. In challenging situations, school staff have listened to us and responded with love. Love to oneself by showing self-control, honesty and self-respect. Loving others as God loves us by showing them kindness, respect and love.
Another verse we follow as a family is “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 This is a promise that God has a plan for our lives just like the way we, as parents and teachers, have a plan for our kids and students. We build our lives and beautiful future for our children upon the LOVE we receive from God. May your hearts be always filled with Love.
Blessings. From the Knight family.
Have a blessed weekend, see you at Mass Sat 5:50 pm or Sunday 8:30 am or both.
Cindy Ahearn
Principal
Week 5 in review
Book Fair - was a huge success as always. Fantastic to see unicorns and rainbows fluttering around the lawn at the end of a school day. Although not finalised, monies raised appears to be around $1,000 which will go toward the purchase of new library books for our learning community. Keep you posted on final amount.
Science Week – means we have been witness to some ‘nutty professors’ this week. Science Week 2024 is Species Survival – More than just Sustainability. We are looking forward to sharing some student commentary and photos of innovative investigations. Each class will be looking at a variety of topics this week of particular interest to them.
Up Coming Events
WEEK 6 – 19 - 23 August
Gardening Gnomes – relaunch of gardening program. Pilot stage will include students in grades 3-6 and participants selected will be based on a reward for excellence in the classroom in both academics and character.
Stories under the Stars – Wednesday 21st August – 5:30pm school lawn.
Costume Parade – Book Week – Friday 23rd August – 8:15am school lawn. Father Vinu and Cindy judging.
You are Strong - online language of friendship parent/child workshop - Tuesday 20th August - 6:00pm
WEEK 7 - 26 - 30 August
Catholic Day - Monday 26th August - PUPIL FREE DAY (Teachers rejoice!)
Blue Light Disco - Thursday 29th August. News to come. Fundraiser for Grad 5/6 Camp.
Kindy Open Day for 2025- Thursday 29th August - 8:30-10:00 - open morning at Kindy and prospective parent presentation
Dates & Reminders
Term Dates 2024
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Wednesday 31 January - Thursday 28 March
Term 2: Tuesday 16 April - Friday 28 June
Term 3: Tuesday 16 July - Friday 20 September
Term 4: Monday 7 October - Friday 6 December
Public Holidays During Term Time 2024
Monday 4 March: Labour Day
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
Thursday 25 April: ANZAC Day
Monday 3 June: Western Australia Day
Pupil Free Days 2024
Monday, 15 April
Wednesday, 24 April
Monday & Tuesday, 24-25 June
Monday, 15 July
Monday, 26 August (Catholic Day)
Monday, 4 November
Assemblies
Our assemblies are every second Friday afternoon at 1.10pm.
9th February - Leadership presentations
23rd February - Year 5/6
8th March - Year 4/5
22nd March - Year 3/4
Kindy Days
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
7.50am - 2.00pm
Description Title
We are ready to collect your recyclable containers. Our drop off point is located in the staff carpark, just inside the fence. Money earned goes towards Mini Vinnies.
If you change your phone number, please tell us. We many need to contact you if your child is sick or doesn’t get picked up after school.
Most school age children are eligible for free dental care in Kununurra School Dental Clinic.
Primary School children become eligible to attend the School Dental Service in the year they turn 5.
High School children are eligible to attend the School Dental Service until they complete Year 11 or the day they turn 17 (whichever occurs first).
If you changed your address or phone numbers, please advise dental clinic staff. Missed appointments may result in suspension from the School Dental Service.
We are located on the hospital grounds in the Dental Health Building, 69 Coolibah Drive and are open Monday to Friday 7:30 to 3:30.
Please feel free to call us on 0419 939 179 or email: kununurramobile@dental.health.wa.gov.au to organise an appointment.
URSTRONG friendship Program
Dear Parents,
URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy has improved the social climate in schools around the world, connecting over a million kids, parents, and teachers with a common language of friendship. We are proud to be a URSTRONG School, empowering your children with friendship skills through their award-winning Friendology curriculum. You are invited to attend an ONLINE Language of Friendship parent-child workshop for URSTRONG Schools on Tuesday 20 August at 6:00pm.
Dana Kerford (Founder of URSTRONG) will teach you and your children skills + language to foster healthy, feel-good friendships. Registration Required: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
*You will receive an email the day prior to the event with the zoom details. We believe that empowering our students with these skills will create a culture of kindness at our school and we hope you can attend. Thanks a ton and just reach out if you have any questions! We’re looking forward to seeing you all online and love bringing together our Friendship Ninjas (& their families) from around Western Australia!
Kindly,
Dana
Elle Tierney
Year 3/4 Teacher
The Feast of the Assumption of Mary
SACRAMENTS and other matters
Sacraments
As in previous years, all classes will learn about Sacraments and rites of initiation in their Religious Education programs. For students of the Catholic faith, there will also be an opportunity to receive these Sacraments at St Vincent Palloti Catholic Church.
Fr Vinu is available for Baptisms at any time throughout the year. Baptismal forms can be collected at the school office and returned to Sr Julianne with a preferred date during the week, or by contacting Fr Vinu directly on 0475 846 331. Please also let family and friends know about Baptisms, if you aware of Pre-school children needing to be Baptised.
Other Sacraments will be celebrated as per below:
- Confirmation, Term 3 - Year 6 children (date to be advised)
All classes will complete a unit of work on Sacraments in the term they occur. This will then be followed by the celebration of the Sacrament, if requested by family, at St Vincent Pallotti Church with specific dates to be advised. We are aware that some children have missed sacraments in previous years due to sickness, absence etc, and we can make arrangements for those celebrations also.
Religious Education
As we have had many new families arrive throughout this year, there may be some families who would like their children to receive the sacraments, that have already been celebrated at St Joseph’s..
Please contact Sr Julianne to make arrangements.
Baptism – as requested
First Reconciliation Year 4
First Eucharist Year 5
Confirmation Year 6
Mass Times
Mass is held each weekend, at St Vincent Pallotti Church on Saturdays at 5.30pm and Sundays at 8.30am. Weekday masses are held from Tuesday to Friday at 5.30pm. On Sundays, we have Children’s Liturgy during mass.
Fr Vinu is available for Reconciliation on any day, usually from about an hour before mass.
Juniper Aged Care Facility Visits
Each week a class visits Juniper Aged Care Facility and share an activity with the residents eg singing, lego, painting, reading etc. A permission form, and other information, will be sent home prior to the visit.
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Please don’t hesitate to contact me, through the school office, at any time if have queries or questions about our Religious Education program.
Sr Julianne
Sacrament Coordinator
Last weekend we celebrated more baptisms at Mirima Holy Place.
Mass and Baptisms 8.30am every Saturday.
All welcome – see Sr Julianne for a form at the front office.
School Bus Pick-ups and Drop-offs
Streamlining the Bus Run
This year we've had extraordinary numbers for the bus runs. One day we did two full trips, plus one in the school car. On the bright side, it is a credit to our families that they're being so diligent in regularly sending their children to school. THANK YOU!
However, because we have so many children on the bus, some of them don't get home until 3pm and some of them arrive at school too early. To make their day easier:
- If you are able to bring your child to/from school by car it would be appreciated.
- Please be out the front of your house ready for the pick up:
- Town run - 7am – 7.30am
- Community run - 7.30 am – 8.00 am
Just waiting an extra 1-3 minutes at every house can extend our trip by half hour. Unfortunately we cannot toot the horn, due to complaints from neighbours.
- At the end of the day, please be visible outside your house and wave to us as we drop off your child. We need to be assured that someone is home. Having to stop, take the child to the door, knock and wait for a response, extends the trip by half hour. This is unfair on those children waiting in the heat on the basketball court for the second bus run. If a family member is not at home, it is our policy to bring a child back to school and ring you. We are unable to make another trip to drop them off.
While we learn the 2024 bus route, which is still changing as new families continue to enrol, we may forget to stop at your house. Please call the school office, and we can collect your child on the next run.
Dropping off Your Children
For the safety of our children, we would like to remind parents that children catching our white Coaster school bus will be dropped off in the afternoon ONLY at the address from which they are picked up in the morning.
Attempts to accommodate parents who ring during the day asking that their children be dropped off elsewhere have resulted in an number of confusing situations, whereby children have ended up going home to an empty house or to a house where they are not expected.
Children who live in Lakeside or out of town may not catch our bus home to a different address.
Your child can only be dropped off at a different address if it is an emergency situation (eg you have an emergency visit to the hospital and an arrangement has been made for your child to be cared for by another family member or friend).
Many thanks for your cooperation.
Get Vaccinated!
Community Health offers free vaccines for:
- COVID-19 Boosters
- Japanese Encephalitis - Residents of Kununurra & Wyndham only
- Influenza - all children 6 months - 12 years; all Aboriginal people 6 months or older; all people with a chronic disease; all people 65 years and older.
Call Kununurra Community Health on 9166 4321
Send Your Kids to School
Send your kids to school - it is the best possible way they can get a good education.
If your child misses one 1 day per week of school,
by the time they are in Yr 4 they will have missed 1 whole year of school.
Already they will by 1 year behind expected learning!
It may take some tough love, but it is worth the effort to make your child go to school every day.
Set a good routine from Kindy, don't let them miss a day.
It will give them the best start in life.
Containers for Change
Thank you to those generous families who have donated their recycling money to our school through Containers for Change!
School Recycling Bags
CHECK FOR THE 10¢ MARK
We've ended up with a lot of non-recyclable containers in our school recycling bags.
Which means we have to sort through the bags to remove them.
It's easy to save your 10¢ containers from landfill so they can live another life — just check for the 10¢ mark!
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard drink containers that are 150ml to 3L are accepted.
This includes:
- Most single-serve water and fizzy drink containers up to and including 3L.
- Most single-serve alcohol containers, like beer bottles and pre-mixed spirits.
- Flavoured milk containers that are 150ml to 999ml.
- Coconut water, pure fruit, or vegetable juice containers that are 150ml to 999ml.
~ Make sure you take off the lids ~
~ Bring the lids into the school office and we'll recycle them separately ~
Items that we don't accept include:
- Glass bottles or jars of any sort - too many get broken when dropped into the recycling bag
- Plastic milk bottles
- Unflavoured, plain milk cartons
- Cordial bottles
- Non-food plastic containers (eg laundry detergent)
- Steel food cans
St Joseph's School Calendar Term 3 2024
School Bus Contact Details
The School Bus Contractors are Dylon and Chelsea Lodge.
Chelsea: 0450 250 691
Dylon: 0415 945 330
Please note that cash payments for Book Club are no longer accepted at St Joseph's. All orders should be placed through Book Club Loop.
See: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/
St Joseph’s Student Code of Conduct
The St Joseph’s Student Code of Conduct was developed by the students of St Joseph’s.
At St Joseph’s School, Kununurra we want to feel Safe.
1. In order to feel Safe we will follow school rules.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.
2. In order to feel Safe we will listen and follow instructions.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.
3. In order to feel Safe we will help and care for others.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask them why they are feeling that way.
4. In order to feel Safe we will keep our hands and feet to ourselves.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ignore them or walk away.
5. In order to feel Safe we will treat others the way we would like to be treated.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will remind them of the golden rule.
At St Joseph’s School, Kununurra we want to feel Happy.
1. In order to feel Happy we will smile, laugh, sing and dance.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask them if they are alright.
2. In order to feel Happy we will be kind to others.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will ask an adult for help.
3. In order to feel Happy we will make friends and play with them.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will play with and include them.
4. In order to feel Happy we will come to school everyday.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will look after them.
5. In order to feel Happy we will listen to the teacher and other adults.
When someone isn’t feeling this way, or there is conflict, we will try to make them feel happy.
Our Code of Conduct prohibits bullying, harassment and other forms of peer-to-peer abuse and we require respect for the privacy and human dignity of other students.
