Filter Content
St Mary of the Cross
Mary MacKillop was canonised on 17 October 2010, becoming Australia’s first saint. Last Thursday, the students of St Joseph’s celebrated her Feast Day by learning about her life and discovering ways they can live out her message of “never seeing a need without doing something about it.”
Each year level worked together to create a “Hope Tree,” where they expressed their prayers and intentions, asking for Mary’s intercession to continue her mission of helping those in need. This activity beautifully connects with our school’s theme for the year: Being Pilgrims of Hope.
Mary MacKillop loved bringing joy to the children she met and taught. To give our students and teachers a taste of both the enjoyment and the challenges she experienced in her life, we held a friendly competition between year levels.
The Hope Trees were judged using the following criteria:
- Creative display of the year level’s assigned Mary MacKillop quote
- Inclusion of St Joey’s Values, inspired by the Charism of St Mary of the Cross
- Student-created prayer cards
- Qualities the students identify with Mary MacKillop
It was wonderful to see the creativity, thought, and care each year level put into their Hope Tree. How do you think your year level went?





Announcement will be made on Monday the 18th of August during morning assembly.
When you are next in the school, take the time to stop and read some of the students’ prayers and comments on these trees.
.
Religious Education Coordinator
Book Fair
The Book Fair has been very popular already with lots of sales happening throughout the week! Remember the fair is still open in the library this week from 8:30 to 8:50 on Thursday and Friday morning and Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00. Don’t forget to send in any wish lists with books that have been paid for online by FRIDAY morning as the Book Fair will be packed up and collected on Friday. Remember to write your receipt number on the back.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the fair as a percentage of all sales goes back to the library to buy new books.
.
Book Week
Next week is Book Week! The Book Character dress up parade will be held under the trees outside Year 1 and 2 at 9am on Tuesday 19th. Parents welcome.
The awesome David Conley will be working with classes from F-6 on Wednesday and Thursday. Don’t forget to order his books from Book Cow using the code on the attached flyer so they arrive before his visit to get them signed.
On Thursday, students can also bring a ‘Reading Buddy’ to school. The buddy needs to be a small soft toy that can sit on their desk. Don’t forget to bring a gold coin if you bring a buddy to raise money for Story Dogs.
During the Book Fair and Book Week we won’t be borrowing in the library as it is tied up with all the exciting activities. Borrowing will resume in Week 6.
.
I can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing costumes and continue our celebration of books and reading!
.
Liz Mihalopoulos
Library & Technology Teacher
Fairybread, marble runs, loom band chains, beautiful bracelets, paper airplanes, delightful drawings, magnetic constructions and more! What a fun two weeks we’ve had at Defence Kids Club.
.
Resources
Queanbeyan Veteran and Family Hub
The Hub is designed to be a second home for current and former serving Defence members and their families. They can assist with services such as DVA claims advocacy, wellbeing assistance, social connectivity, mental health through Open Arms and sporting and fitness programs through Invictus Australia. Upcoming events include: walking photography group - clay art workshop - mindful movement - veteran guitar group - exercise physiology - brave buddies playgroup - men’s mental health afternoon - Vietnam veterans thankyou lunch - cooking for one - yoga. For more information or to register visit: Events and Courses Calendar - RSL LifeCare
Duntroon Community Centre
Upcoming events include: 16 August - Bounce Inc: 31 August - Father’s Day Paintball: 13 September - Axe Throwing. To find out more about programs, activities and events and to register please visit: Events | Duntroon Community Centre | TidyHQ
ADFA Open Day
This Saturday 16th August, online or in person. 9am - 4pm. A great family day out. For more information visit: ADFA Open Day - Home
Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation
Offer clinically designed, free programs delivered by trained leaders to combine mental health education with fun. Through a partnership with the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Defence Kids program is tailored to support the unique needs of young people from serving and ex-serving ADF families. Upcoming events include: 16 August - Palace Cinemas: 14 September - Rock climbing: 4 October - Alpaca Magic: 17 October - Outward Bound Camp. For more information visit: Defence Kids | Kookaburra Kids
.
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
Lisa Bauer
Defence Support Mentor
Hi Parents and Families,
Next week is BOOKWEEK and you bet the Snack Shack is going to join in on the fun!!!
GOLDEN TICKETS - place a lunch order for FRIDAY and you might be lucky enough to find 1 of the 14 Golden Tickets. See flyer below for details.
There will also be some sweet treats to purchase over the counter available at first break.
.
Julie-Anne
Canteen Manager
Congratulations to the Week 4 award recipients:
Foundation Red |
Hugh M Kaiya T |
Foundation White |
Stella S Madeleine H |
1 Purple |
Jack C Hannah D |
1 Teal |
Aaliyah N Blair Q Oliver W |
2 Magenta |
Zaria R Luke B |
2 Yellow |
Henry M Delilah P |
3 Black |
Emmy M Frederick D Beatrix M |
3 Navy |
Matilda G Fynn A |
4 Gold |
Jack S Charlotte D-S Ishane D |
4 Green |
Nicholas G Kayle K Dakota W |
5 Blue |
Ario H Beatrice J Jackson M |
5 Orange |
Gwen V-F Samphel N |
6 Lime |
Vairaj B Olivia T |
6 Silver |
Sofia W Sonam T |
Sport Spanish |
Madawi A Lachlan T |
Defence |
Griffin M |