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A sacred journey
As we end the term just prior to Holy Week, we are invited to embark on a sacred journey, a time to slow down, reflect, and enter more deeply into the heart of the Easter story. As we remember the path Jesus walked, from the joy of Palm Sunday to the sorrow of Good Friday and the hope of Easter Sunday, we are reminded of the power of love, sacrifice, and renewal. It is a week that calls us to consider what truly matters, to show compassion, and to hold on to hope, even in the face of darkness. May the upcoming Holy Week be a time of quiet reflection and meaningful connection for all in our school community.
End of term
With our last day of school being this Thursday, we have much to celebrate at the end of a busy term. Our Foundation students have made a wonderful start to their first year of school, settling in with confidence, curiosity, and growing independence. At the other end of the journey, our Year 6 students have embraced their role as school leaders with maturity and enthusiasm, working to set a positive example for their peers. It’s been wonderful to see all students learning with enthusiasm and achieving their best across all year levels.
Our successful Athletics carnival brought the school together in the spirit of fun, teamwork, and healthy competition! The term has been a rewarding one, with students and staff working together to make the most of every opportunity.
A reminder that Friday 11 April and Monday 28 April are both pupil free days.
Prayer Celebrations Term 2 – Save the dates
Early next term we have two important prayer celebrations, the first being our ANZAC day ceremony. With this important commemorative event falling within the school holidays, we will recognise its significance on Wednesday 30 April at 2:15pm.
The second celebration is to recognise the wonderful mums in our community, on Friday 9 May. We have invited all families to share a photo of their mums to be included in the celebration of the day. Please email these to beth.hawkes@cg.catholic.edu.au. Our Mother’s Day celebration will begin with coffee/tea and pastries from 8am, followed by the prayer celebration at 9am. More information to come.
Building Project
The next important stage of the building project will take place this weekend. From Friday afternoon through to Monday morning, multiple teams of electricians will work continuously to disconnect the current main distribution board, to temporarily relocate it to allow the completion of the demolition works. Once this has happened, we will soon see much more activity around the building site. It is getting exciting.
In the coming weeks, I will develop a page on our website that will track our building project, including images and video as we progress. Here's a couple sneak peaks...
Enrolment Period and Open Days
Our return to Term 2 will also signal the official start to the 2026 enrolment period. You will start to see and receive information about the school and social media posts about upcoming Open Days and school tours. The best promotion of our school is from the positive way that our community speaks about what St Joseph's offers. Please take this opportunity to encourage any new families to consider visiting St Joseph's and why they might look at enroling their child here in 2026.
Federal Election
As we journey towards the upcoming Federal Election on 3 May, I encourage all parents to be informed of the important decisions relating to education policy being made by the various parties.
The National Catholic Education Commission has presented some facts that may be informative.
Catholic_Education_Briefing.pdfI wish you all a wonderful break from the busyness of the school routines and look forward to seeing all of the students on Tuesday 29 April.
Have a great end to the week.
Yours in Christ,
Cameron Tarrant
As we journey through Lent, Holy Week stands as the most sacred and poignant time of the Christian liturgical calendar. For the St Joseph’s community, this week is an opportunity to deepen our faith, reflect on the passion of Jesus, and grow in our commitment to love and serve others, just as Christ did.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people waved palm branches and praised Him as the King. As the week unfolds, we reflect on the events that led up to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Holy Week culminates in Easter Sunday, a celebration of the victory of Jesus over death and the gift of new life for all believers.
Palm Sunday – The Beginning of the Journey
Year 6 Silver led our Palm Sunday celebration by reflecting on the significance of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. All students participated in a special liturgy, waving palm branches as we joined together in song and prayer. This moment marks the start of a week that invites us all to think about humility, service, and the sacrifices Jesus made for humanity.
Last Supper
Holy Thursday is a day that reminds us of Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples. Year 3 Black led a beautiful liturgy for our school on Tuesday as we focused on the theme of service and using our hands for the good of all, just as Jesus and His followers did. We were also reminded that Jesus was preparing his disciples and all of us to remember Him through the breaking of the bread in the Eucharist.
Stations of the Cross
Today the Year 5 students helped the school remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Students watched the Stations of the Cross, a powerful tradition that allows us to walk with Jesus through His suffering and death. This day is one of deep silence, reverence, and an invitation to reflect on the meaning of love and sacrifice.
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Jesus
Tomorrow Year 4 Gold will lead the school in Easter Sunday, the pinnacle of our faith, a day of great joy and celebration. It is the day that Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and offering eternal life to all who believe. We will come together as a school family to celebrate the hope that the Resurrection brings, knowing that through Jesus’ victory, we too can experience new life and renewal.
I encourage all of you to ask you child questions about the Holy Week celebrations they have learned about this week and encourage you to participate in the Holy Week Masses and services in the coming week.
A Compass alert will be sent out tomorrow with the Holy Week Mass times.
Let us continue to walk in the light of Christ during this special time of reflection and renewal.
Kirstie Buckley
Religious Education Coordinator
Defence Support Mentor News
As the term draws to a close we have enjoyed celebrating with a Defence Kids Club pizza party. I’ve been so proud of how many friendships have been formed at our kids club sessions this term amongst students of different year levels and the leadership our older students have shown in making sure our new foundation students have felt welcome and supported.
We have continued to prepare for and practice our meaningful Anzac Day service which will be held on Wednesday 30th April (week 1, Term 2) at 2.15pm in the hall. Defence parents if you are interested in participating in the wreath laying component of the service, please send me an email: lisa.bauer@cg.catholic.edu.au
All are welcome for the service and we hope you can join us.
Resources
ADF Equip Program: Children's Group Resilience Program
Monday 14th April, Duntroon Community Centre: 5-8yr olds: 10am and 9-12 yr olds: 1pm
A suite of sessions tailor-made to support the resilience and wellbeing of children that may experience the effects of parental absence and frequent relocations due to their parent/s or guardian/s serving in the ADF. Great for kids who are facing the absence of a parent now or in the future. RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-adf-families-event-adf-equip-parental-absencetickets-1285115467959?aff=oddtdtcreator
Rats of Tobruk - 84th Anniversary Commemoration
Sunday 13th April, 1030am - Rats of Tobruk Memorial, Anzac Parade, Campbell
For more information contact: John Hogan - john.hogan337@gmail.com
DMFS Events during March/April
Duntroon Community Centre: Easter Egg Hunt – Sunday 13th April 1pm -3:30pm Duntroon House Officers Mess Gardens: Events | Duntroon Community Centre | TidyHQ
Wishing you all a blessed Easter and lovely holiday break.
Lisa
Lisa Bauer - Defence Support Mentor
With a short week to end the term, the next Merit Awards will be handed out Friday Week 2, next term.
Happy birthday to these students who celebrated their birthday this week, and over the holidays:
| Evie M |
| Tenzin D |
| Maeve G |
| Filipa F |
| Kaiden S |
| Ameya M |
| Hugh M |
| Richard R |
| Stan B |
| Samphel N |
| Josephine B |
| Willa E |
| Sebastian S |
| Scarlett H |
| Kaiya T |
| Eloise P |
| Emily L |
| Luciano R |
| Mikail A |
| Aiden N |
| Jayden L |
