20 June 2025

A Message from the Principal

The consolidation of learning, or study as we might more casually call it, is probably one of the most important skills a student can develop in their time at school. Yet, because it is primarily scheduled to occur away from campus, and teachers may assume that parents and carers are overseeing this, it is probably the essential skill we educators focus on the least.

We strive to provide our students with the best possible learning experience between the hours of 9am and 3pm. St Joseph’s students experience quality teaching programs, well trained and dedicated educators, and a positive learning culture. Each day, this intersects with the enthusiasm and commitment which individual students bring and, from there, for the next 60 minutes, together we work along the messy path that is learning.

As I have written about previously, learning is messy. It’s hard, at times it is frustrating yet, when things click, and you achieve understanding, it’s deeply satisfying. This is not just opinion, that feeling of satisfaction is an increase in dopamine in the brain. Quite literally, learning feels good.

Learning is not a passive activity, students are required to be engaged, committed and willing to work hard to grow their knowledge, skill and understanding. Sounds easy enough, but we also acknowledge that we are all imperfect. People, not to mention teenagers, can be inconsistent in their application to school and we strive to work with students to have learning environments grounded in high expectations, strong relationships and growth.

As critical and sensitive a balance to the above all is, it has nothing to do with actual consolidation of learning, or in more simple terms, this is not study. Study is the critical element in academic success which we in school-land have little control over. We can offer great learning environments, students can work hard in class, but if that’s all that happens then we have a problem.

When we get to the pointy end of schooling, we must acknowledge that the HSC, at least for students attaining an ATAR, is a statewide competition undertaken by approximately 60,000 students annually. The ATAR is nothing more than a rank telling a student where they fit among their cohort. If you got an ATAR of 90, then you’re in the top 10% etc.

Students achieving either high results or fulfilling their potential in the HSC are working hard and efficiently both at school and at home. They are not switching off at 3pm and turning their attention to excessive amounts of paid work, sport or leisure time.

If we, as a community, are going to punch above our weight, get our students access to highly sought after university programs or apprenticeship opportunities, then we need to be honest about what it takes to achieve this and it’s more than what happens at school.

We need to work as a community, in full partnership, by having high expectations which include:

• Coming to school prepared every day.
• Engaging in every lesson.
• Persevering through struggle knowing that it’s ok to find things hard.
• Doing their very best in every assessment.
• Seeking, accepting and responding to feedback.
• Daily revision of learning.

In order to support your young person to achieve their academic personal best, here are some suggestions for your consideration:

• Have a specific time of day when it’s study and revision time. This is not homework prescribed by the teacher; this is independent student study and revision.
• Utalise AI. Help students put their course notes into AI and ask it to make a quiz for you. This takes about 10 seconds, and you will be amazed at the results.
• Have dedicated reading time every day. It does not matter what students read (however, English novels are a good start), as long as it is consistent with their ability level.
• Engage in conversation about what happened at school and don’t accept the standard answer of “nothing”. Ask better questions. Your child experiences 300 minutes of formal learning every day, look at Compass and see what they had that day, ask specific questions about each learning session.
• Reach out to teachers and ask them if there is anything else, specific to your child, that they could be doing.

We are seeking a genuine partnership between the student, the College and the home to foster and grow our young people. Ultimately, we want our students to be what Professor John Hatti describes as Assessment Capable Learners. These are learners who can confidently state that “I know where I’m going, I have the tools for the journey, and I can monitor my own progress.”  Developing the capacity and discipline to study on a regular basis is one important step to achieving this.

Mr Peter Antcliff
Principal

Important Dates

These dates may be subject to change please see Compass for any changes.

Ministry Musings

Year 10 Retreat

From Tuesday 10th June to Wednesday 11th June 2025, our Year 10 students participated in a memorable two-day retreat at St Benedict XVI Retreat Centre in Grose Wold, and the Edmund Rice Retreat Centre – Winbourne in Mulgoa. This retreat offered students a unique opportunity to step away from their usual routines and reflect on their identity, relationships, and their growing connection with God.

Rooted in the spirit of our Josephite Charism, this year’s retreat focused on the theme "True Grit" – a powerful message that celebrates perseverance, resilience, and strength of character. The theme encouraged students to explore how inner strength, courage, and faith can guide them through life’s challenges.

The retreat program was rich with meaningful and engaging experiences. Students participated in small group discussions, creative presentations, personal reflection time, energising icebreakers and games, free time, and prayerful liturgies. These moments allowed students to build connections, grow in self-awareness, and deepen their understanding of their spiritual journey.

Each aspect of the retreat was thoughtfully designed to reflect the values of the Sisters of St Joseph: living simply, trusting in God, being fully present, showing compassion, and responding to the needs of others through service. The retreat also served as a space for students to form lasting friendships and memories with their peers.

We are incredibly proud of the respectful and open-hearted way Year 10 engaged with the retreat experience and hope that this experience has formed both lasting memories and friendships. Furthermore, I am incredibly thankful for the staff who supported and guided the students throughout the two days, as they took time away from their families and the busyness of work to be present with our students during such as significant time. I would like to personally thank the below teachers for their commitment and involvement:

• Mr Dart
• Mrs Peel
• Mr Geoffrey
• Mrs Callum
• Miss Small
• Mrs Thompson
• Mr Clacherty
• Miss Young
• Mrs Kennedy
• Mr Frize
• Miss Hodgson
• Miss Maxwell
• Mr Mather
• Miss Jenkins
• Miss Madden

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God Bless,
Mr Taylor Zahra
Leader of College Ministry

From the Assistant Principals....

Year 10

Last week we had the pleasure of attending Year 10 Retreat with our students and staff. We were blessed with beautiful weather and were provided with a great opportunity for our students to engage with their peers and reflect on the theme, ‘True Grit’. The retreat offered a much-needed pause where we had the opportunity to pray, reflect and be with friends. It is always such a joy to engage in the ‘affirmation session’ where peers recognise a positive trait or characteristic of each other and affirm their contributions. Many thanks to Mr Zara and Mr Dart for facilitating this spiritual opportunity for our students, and to Mr Geoffrey, Ms Madden and all the staff who attended and supported our students through this retreat experience.

Thank you to Mrs Jordan who has facilitated the work experience program for several of our Year 10 students this week. A wonderful opportunity to engage in some potential post school career pathways.

Year 12

It has been a busy time for our Year 12 students recently who have been completing several tasks during the recent assessment period. Students will be distributed with their HSC Trial Timetable in the coming weeks. A reminder these exams occur during Term 3, Weeks 3-5.

At School Rigour

In the last newsletter, we explored the concept of academic rigour; what it is and also what it is not. Some of the ways in which the College assists students to learn at higher levels in a number of ways are;

• Formative tasks
• Summative tasks
• Differentiated learning

Educationalist John Hattie describes formative assessment as assessment for learning. In other words, students completing tasks whereby they receive regular feedback to use to develop their understanding of content and concepts. Summative assessment is assessment of learning where a student can demonstrate what they have learnt over the length of the course such as an exam. Both the formative and summative experiences are designed to provide varying levels of achievement based on where your child is in their learning. In addition, the tasks have areas that students might find challenging. This is valuable data which enables teachers to develop a deeper understanding of our students and therefore adjust the teaching and learning opportunities to cater for and extend students’ knowledge. This adjustment is known as differentiated learning.

When used throughout the length of a course, teachers are encouraging students to move towards their learning horizon; in other words, to continually develop, apply and transfer their learning. Once they have achieved this level, together with the teacher, they move to the next concept and so on.

Year 7

Students have now competed a semester worth of learning and their teachers have been busy completing reports. Your child will receive a report that includes;

• Ongoing school-based assessment grade
• Summative assessment grade
• Overall Semester 1 grade
• Learning characteristics

It is an important time to review the Semester 1 report with your child and make plans for how to either maintain or improve on these results. The best way to find out how to improve is to come to the Parent / Teacher interviews which will be held on the evening of Thursday 3^rd July and throughout the day on Friday 4^th July and speak with your child’s teachers.

Mr Paul Dart and Mrs Lisa Peel
Assistant Principals

Assessment Date Changes

From the Counsellor’s Desk

Mr Christopher Gabrielides & Mrs Julia Priestley
St Joseph's School Counsellors

Curriculum News (KLA’s)

Year 12 VET Construction

Year 12 VET Construction had quite a chilly start with quite a heavy frost! They were involved in excavating, levelling, forming up, pouring, and finishing a slab. This is for a cattle wash bay on the College farm. The boys did a wonderful job. We would like to thank Mr Ribbons for all his work with this project.    

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Careers – Opportunities & Notices

Seniors Newsletter

Ms Vikki Jordan
Careers Advisor
vikki.jordan@mn.catholic.edu.au

Yalawa Yarnings

Anikanya (Hello)! 

It is a busy time in the Yalawa Centre with plenty of students seeking assistance with assessment tasks and engaging in culture through their preparation for NAIDOC day. We have been running two programs over the past 3 weeks. The first is our Aboriginal dance group who has been learning traditional dance with Dreamtime Dance studio owner and proud Aboriginal woman Hilary McEntyre. They have been working very hard and are looking forward to performing for St Joseph’s NAIDOC celebration on the 30^th June.

We have also had Uncle Alex Nean proud Gamillaroi man working with a group of our young men in the art of didgeridoo. They skills are improving day by day and their composition piece is coming together nicely for their performance. We are so thankful to be able to have these experiences and thank the students who have taken up these opportunities to engage with  culture.

Upcoming Events

Indigenous Talent Identification Day 2025

A friendly reminder to students who are attending the day to ensure that they have completed the compass consent, google form and the Santos image release form. This information was all included in an email from Miss Francsico. Please see Yalawa staff should you have any questions.

Community Events Notice

Student Support

If there are any issues that we can support students with or that you think that we need to be aware of please do not hesitate to contact one of us. The earlier that we can intervene with matters, the better the chance of a successful outcome. Below is a table of when our Aboriginal Education Teachers are on site and relevant contact details. Alternatively, please phone reception on 49307291 and ask to speak to someone in the Yalawa Centre.

Ms Zara Francisco, Mr Thomas Germon & Ms Nicole Small
Aboriginal Education Teachers

Message from the Finance Office

School Fees have been invoiced for the full school year, if paying via a lump sum this is due by 30/06/2025.

Regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments are noted on the bottom of your statements with fees to be finalised by 30/11/2025, please review your payment schedule and adjust if needed.  Statements are emailed at the beginning of the month and payments can be made via BPay, direct debit, credit card or cash.

The fee review process has commenced, thank you to families who have commenced regular payments or been in contact.

Please call the Finance Office on 0249 307 291 or email finance@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au to discuss payment options if families are experiencing financial hardship.

Health Care Card and Pension Card Holders / Family Discount on Tuition Fee

Maximum Tuition Fee discount of 50% applies and can be made up with the sibling discount and the Health Care Card/Pension Card if both discount options are applicable.

If you are a Health Care Card/Pension Card holder the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle offer a lower tuition fee to ‘means tested’ low income families. This rate is 50% of the Diocesan Tuition Fee full rate for each child.  If you are a fee payer and hold a current Australian Government Health Care Card/Pension Card you may be entitled to a discount on your school fees, please email a copy of your card to finance@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au

In 2025, the family discount on full rate diocesan tuition fees are:

• 1 child family 0% - full rate to be applied
• 2 child family 15% - each child
• 3 child family 25% - each child
• 4+ child family 50% - each child

Mrs Cathy Duff
Finance Officer

Canteen News

Lunch Orders

Lunch Orders are still available through the QKR app. Orders made via QKR need to be placed by 8.15am.

Qkr! – Getting Started

Mrs Tania Cullity
Food Operations Manager

Contact us (Email addresses)

In order to keep our records up to date:

FOR STUDENT SERVICES – Please email studentservices@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au 

FOR FINANCE – Please email finance@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au

ALL OTHER MATTERS (other than Finance) - please use the email admin@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au

Alinta Uniform Shop

New Uniform Products

In Store Payment Options

Shop Opening Hours

Our opening hours have changed, please see new hours below:

Blazers

Due to the lead time associated with the delivery of blazers for our senior students we are asking if parents/carers could place their orders as soon as possible. This will alleviate any delays as the weather gets cooler.

General News

Community Announcements

Parish Mass Times

St Joseph's, East Maitland
(Cnr King St & New England Highway)
Vigil 5.00pm
Sunday 8.30pm
Youth Mass 6.00pm

Sacred Heart
(New England Highway, Campbell's Hill)
Vigil 6.30pm

Holy Family
(11 John St, Largs)
Sunday 8.00am

St Columba's
(Cnr Prince & Church St, Paterson)
Sunday 9.30am

Immaculate Conception
(Cnr George & James Sts, Morpeth)
Sunday 7.15am

St Patrick's
(55 New England Highway, Lochinvar)
Sunday 9.30am

Our Lady of Lourdes
(Cnr Anderson Dr & Delprat Ave, Beresfield)
Vigil 6.00pm

St Paul's
(10 Young St, Rutherford)
Sunday 8.00am