St Joseph's, Tara - Term 3 Week 4 2025 Newsletter!

Our Vision & Mission Statements

From the Principal

Welcome to the Term 3 Week 4 Newsletter!

Year 4-6 Camp: A Week to Remember

There was a real buzz of excitement on the Monday morning we departed for camp—both students and parents were full of anticipation! The Year 4–6 camp was a fantastic experience for all involved, including the dedicated staff who attended. 

Throughout the week, students explored the bustling streets of Brisbane, visited Parliament House, strolled across to South Bank, and wrapped up the adventure with a fun-filled day at Movie World. Each day was packed with activities, early starts to catch ferries, and late nights filled with laughter and learning. 

By Thursday evening, we were all ready to return home to the comfort of our own beds and the warmth of our families. 

On the final night, we held a quiet reflection session where students shared their favourite camp moments, something they learned about themselves, and someone they were grateful for who made the experience special. Their responses were thoughtful, mature, and heartwarming. 

Planning for Camp 2026 is already underway—we can’t wait to do it all again! 

Parent Teacher Interviews

It was wonderful to welcome so many parents to this week’s Parent Teacher Interviews. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to connect, share insights, and collaborate in support of each child’s learning journey. 

Conversations like these help strengthen the partnership between home and school, ensuring that every student is supported academically, socially, and emotionally. 

On behalf of all staff, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to your child’s education. Together, we can help them strive for success in all they do. 

Bishop's Inservice Day - A Celebration of Catholic Education Week

Last Friday, staff from across the Diocese gathered for Bishop’s Inservice Day, a highlight of Catholic Education Week and a powerful reminder of our shared mission in Catholic education. 

We were honoured to welcome Fr Frank Brennan as our keynote speaker. Fr Frank offered a thought-provoking reflection on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo, exploring the implications this shift may have for Catholic education. His insights challenged us to consider how evolving leadership in the Church can shape our approach to teaching, learning, and faith formation. 

Bishop Ken Howell also addressed the gathering, sharing heartfelt observations from his first two years as our bishop. He spoke of the richness he has witnessed in our schools and parishes, and the deep commitment to faith and service that defines our Diocese. His words were both affirming and inspiring. 

We were also privileged to hear from Dr Pat Coughlan, who encouraged us to be bold in our work. He reminded us that true growth often comes when we step outside our comfort zones, and he called on all educators to embrace innovation and courage in their daily practice. 

The day was a celebration of our collective purpose and a call to continue building vibrant, faith-filled learning communities. We thank all who contributed to making the day meaningful and memorable. 

Updated policy notification

As a part of your Enrolment Agreement with our school/college, we agreed to notify you of any changes to policies that form a part of this agreement. The Acceptable use of TCS provided ICT systems, devices and resources policy has recently been reviewed and is available on the Toowoomba Catholic Schools website. 

Equity vs Equality in Education: What's the Difference?

At St Joseph’s Tara, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. As part of this commitment, our teachers have been engaging students in conversations about the difference between equality and equity, both in the classroom and on the playground. 

🔹 Equality means giving every student the same resources and opportunities. It’s based on the idea that treating everyone the same is fair. However, students come to school with different backgrounds, needs, and challenges, so equal treatment doesn’t always lead to equal outcomes. 

🔹 Equity, on the other hand, means giving each student what they need to succeed. It recognises that some students may need more support e.g. intervention or School Officer support time, different tools, or adjusted learning opportunities to reach their full potential. Equity is about fairness, not sameness. 

These discussions with the students have helped them understand why some of their peers may receive different supports or opportunities—and that this is not about favouritism, but about ensuring everyone has a fair chance to grow and learn. 

As Mary MacKillop once said: 

“Do all you can with the means at your disposal and calmly leave the rest to God.” 

We strive to live out this message by meeting each child where they are and helping them grow in a way that honours their unique journey. 

God bless,

Kylie Williams

APMI

Celebrating Mary MacKillop's Feast Day - A Special Day for St Joseph's Tara

Today, August 8, is the Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop, a day to honour Australia’s first canonised saint and her extraordinary legacy of faith, service, and dedication to education. Mary MacKillop co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1866 and devoted her life to providing education to children in rural and disadvantaged communities. Her Feast Day was officially recognised by the Church following her canonisation in 2010 and is celebrated annually across Australia. 

Due to other commitments, we will officially celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day next Friday, August 15. The day will begin with the Book Week Parade and once back at school we will celebrate with a whole school liturgy, bringing together the themes of faith and learning in a joyful and meaningful way. 

After the liturgy, students will take part in two activities inspired by Mary MacKillop’s life and values, designed to deepen their understanding of her story and the impact she had on education and social justice. 

We are reminded of her enduring wisdom through one of her most beloved quotes: 

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” – St Mary MacKillop 

We look forward to a day of reflection, celebration, and community spirit as we honour the remarkable legacy of Mary MacKillop. St Joseph’s families are invited to attend the celebrations.  

Learning at St Joeys

From the Prep - Year 1 Classroom

English

In English this term, students are exploring non-fiction information texts. They will identify the features of information texts and comparing this to the features of narrative texts. Students will use their knowledge and understanding to create an information poster that contains the features of an information text.  

In Prep, students will identify some familiar texts and their features. They will create and participate in shared editing of an information text. Students will share their information text in an oral presentation, listen while others speak and use features of voice including volume levels.  

In Year One, students will identify and discuss features of stories and information texts, exploring the purpose of different texts. They will write and present an oral presentation. The written information text will contain features of an information text, topic-specific vocabulary and be edited for spelling, handwriting and grammar. When presenting the oral component, students will use interaction skills including turn-taking, speaking clearly and active listening behaviours.  

Mathematics

In Term Three Mathematics, students will be continuing to develop their skills in number, algebra, measurement and space.  

In Prep, students are revisiting number and naming, recognising, representing and sequencing numbers to 20. They will partition, complete addition and subtraction problems and subitise small collections of numbers. Students will recognise, copy and continue patterns, measure the mass of objects directly and describe the position and location of objects.  

In Year One, students will recognise, represent and order numbers to at least 120, partition one- and two-digit numbers, add and subtract numbers to 20 and use calculation strategies to solve problems. They will give and follow directions, recognise, continue and create patterns and measure the mass of objects directly and indirectly.  

Religion

During Religion this term, students will explore the things that are special about St Joseph’s as a Catholic School. They will identify the aspects of our school that are distinctly Catholic. Students will explore how expectations and rules within our school and community are put into place to keep us safe and how Jesus taught his disciples how to follow God’s plan. They will investigate “The Golden Rule” in the Bible and how we can use this in our own lives to treat others as we would like to be treated.  

HaSS

In Term Three HaSS, students will explore our town and school and how it is important to us. They will look at the features of our town and school and ways in which we can help take care of it. Students will pose questions, sort and record information, come to conclusions and share perspectives on the information they collect.  

Science

During Science this term, students will observe the external features of plants and describe ways they can be grouped based on these characteristics. They will pose questions about the plants within our school, recognising the features of these plants. Students will make predictions and observations and compare the two to develop an understanding of what is happening to the plants within our school. They will develop an understanding of the external features of plants and convey this understanding to others before putting their understandings to the test when they plant their own garden within our school.  

Health

In Term Three Health, students will investigate who they are, expressing and describing the emotions they experience. They will also explore who the other people within their world are and practice social skills to act respectfully with others. 

Art

This term, students will be exploring Visual Arts. They will explore how and why the arts are important to people and the process and skills used to create arts. Using this knowledge, students will create art works that communicate ideas and feelings. They will share their art works with audiences.  

The GOSSIP - Student Newspaper

From the PEN

From the Parish

St Mary Of The Angels - Tara

Mass Times

Tara: Sunday: 9am

on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month

Meandarra: Sunday: 11am

on the 3rd Sunday of the month

St Joseph's Student Recognition

Silver Award

 Malia Adhikary, Bentley Tucker, Nateesha Laird and Braxton McGill

Bronze Award

Akesa White, Dekota Walker, Alexia deBoeck, Elijah Velez

Certificates of Recognition

Week 3 - Jaycob deBoeck, Emily Walsh, Eleanore Aylott, Rory Taylor, Jaxson deBoeck and Braxton McGill

Week 4 - Alex Hyde, Flynn Burgess, Adrian Vines, Curt Roble, Alayah Laird and Leakella Norford

From the Administration Officers

If you need any financial assistance, be sure to come in and see myself or Kylie to see how we can help. It is completely confidential!

HOW TO PAY YOUR SCHOOL FEES:

*Cash / Cheque, at the office.

*BPoint, in person at the office or over the phone.

*Direct Deposit:
Bank: ADF
Name: St Joseph’s School
BSB: 064-786
ACC: 100-025-583
Reference: Your Name/Customer Code eg. TRA1234             

*Centrelink Centrepay Deduction Payments can be made fortnightly or monthly.

The School’s CRN: 555075545A 

*Direct Debit: Forms are available in the office. Please see me or call the office.

Not Sure how it’s done?  Ask at the office for assistance.

Term Dates

2025

Term 1 2025 – Wed 29 Jan (Public Hol 26 Jan) - Fri 04 April

Term 2 2025 – (Easter Monday, 21 Apr) Wed 23 Apr - Fri 27 Jun

Term 3 2025 - Tue 15 Jul - Fri 19 Sep

Term 4 2025 - Tue 07 Oct (Kings B'day 06 OCT) - Fri 05 Dec

Professional Development and Planning Days (previously called Pupil Free Days)

• Wednesday, 22 January - Friday, 24 January 2025 - Professional Development
• Tuesday, 28 January 2025 - Planning Day
• Tuesday, 22 April 2025 - Planning Day
• Monday, 14 July 2025 - Planning Day
  
• Wednesday, 30 July 2025 - Bishops Inservice Day (BID)
  
• Friday, 5 September 2025 - Consistency of Teacher Judgement (CTJ)

Public holidays

• Australia Day public holiday – Monday, 27 January 2025
• Easter – Friday, 18 April – Monday, 21 April 2025
• Anzac Day – Friday, 25 April 2025
• Labour Day – Monday, 5 May 2025
• Tara Show Holiday - Monday, 11 August 2025
• King’s Birthday – Monday, 6 October 2025

Wellbeing Matters

Student Safety

EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE

It is a legislative requirement that all non-state schools have at least two nominated staff members to whom a student can report the behaviour of another staff member that the student considers inappropriate.  We call these specially trained staff members School Student Protection Contacts, or SSPCs.  Each SSPC has been nominated by the principal in recognition of their integrity, approachability and knowledge in the area of student protection.  Whilst students are encouraged to speak up to any trusted adult in the school community, it is important that they know they can access these specific staff members at any time should they have worries, queries or concerns. You will have noticed posters throughout the school depicting our current SSPCs.  The SSPCs are also published on our school website along with information about our student protection processes.  In everything we do at St Joseph's Tara student safety is our highest priority, therefore the SSPCs at our school are key personnel in our overall safeguarding processes.  Please see the poster below depicting our current SSPC team.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT