Dear Parents and Carers,

Presentation Evening

Thank you for attending last night’s Presentation Evening. The students did an excellent job with their performances. I’m sure they were well received by those attending as they were very entertaining. 

Congratulations to all of our students on receiving awards —you should be incredibly proud of yourselves. May your achievements inspire you to continue to grow, to strive, and to make the world a better place, just as St. Joseph did through his example of faith and service.

We appreciate the special guests that attended on the night to present awards, especially:

• Mayor Paul Best
• Kathy Holding - Principal of Hennessy Catholic College in Young
• Andrew Jones - Deputy Principal of Henry Lawson High School
• Deidre Carroll - Parish Representative
• Andrew & Davina Ray - Co-Chairs of the School Community Council
• Deborah Hasler - Representative of the Gunyah
• Gina Chalker - Representative of the Grenfell Food Hall
• Alecia Hunter - Representative for the Hunter Family Award
• Colleen Nealon - Representative for the Sparkes Family Award
• David Lee - Representative for the Lyndal Holland (Lee) Award
• Leann Logan - Representative for the Freudenstein Family Award

Please see photos from the evening later in the newsletter. 

Staff Appreciation

I would like to thank our exceptional teachers and staff, whose dedication and commitment to the children in our care is evident in everything they do. It is their hard work, patience, and passion for teaching that helps each child reach their full potential. Our staff go above and beyond every day to ensure our students have the tools, support, and encouragement they need to succeed.

Staffing 2025

Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Danielle and Chelsea on their appointment as joint principals in 2025. I know they are both exceptionally well organised and are very passionate about the school - so I'm sure St Joseph's will thrive!  I wish them all the best.

As a result of their appointments, there has been a change in staffing.

PLEASE SEE THE UPDATED STAFFING FOR 2025 BELOW

Teaching Staff:

Principals: Danielle McFarlane (Monday, Tuesday & Friday)

                 Chelsea Harveyson (Wed & Thur)

Executive Support: Danielle McFarlane (Wed)

REC: TBC

K/1: Natalia Caruana (Monday-Thursday)

       Chelsea Harveyson (Friday)

2/3/4: Dee Ryan (Mon - Thur)

           Lachlan Martens (Fri)

5/6:  Cindy Washbrook (Mon - Thur & Sport Coordinator)

         Deb Green (Fri)

Student Centred Learning (Yr 2 InitiaLit, SM & CMC) & RFF: Lachlan Martens

Classroom Support Teacher, Library & Child Safe Advocate: 

         Loy Best (Monday-Wednesday)

Contracted Casual:

        Deb Green (Monday-Thursday)

        Loy Best (Friday)

 Classroom Support Assistants:

MiniLit, MacqLit and RFW: Sue Tenhave (Monday, Tuesday and Friday)

MiniLit, MacqLit and Playgroup: Sally Metcalfe (Wednesday, Thursday and ½ day Friday)

Classroom Support: Ty Ashgate-Mille

Classroom Support: Sally Dun 

Classroom Support: Tay Hutson (returning part time September 2025)

Administration:

Nichola Baker (Monday, Tuesday)

Sheridan Hunter (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday)

Volunteer Appreciation

Thank you to all of the volunteers and helpers, who have donated their time and energy in a variety of activities and projects. Without you our school community would not be the same!

A special thank you goes to:

• Deidre and Terry Carroll: Lions Club Grenfell
• Gina Chalker: Grenfell Food Hall
• Our 2024 Breakfast Club Volunteers
• Davina & Andrew Ray: Co-Chairs of the School Community Council

School Community Council

Many thanks to the School Community Council this year. Their incredible efforts to support the school and our students in so many different ways, such as fundraising, organising events, and making improvements around the school, has been amazing. 

A special mention must be made to Co-Chair Davina Ray for her exceptional organisation and dedication to the role and to the St Joseph’s school community.

Year 6 Graduation Mass

Congratulations to our wonderful Year 6 leaders on their Graduation next week: Saskia, Georgia, Grace, Lorelei and Jack. Thank you for the contribution you have made to St Joseph’s, not only this year as school leaders but over the time you have been at St Joseph’s. 

Thank you also for your incredible care of your Kinder buddies throughout this year. St Joseph’s will miss Year 6 in so many ways, but we know they are ready for the next part of their educational and life journey. We know they will take with them the values instilled in them over the past 7 years of education and hope that St Joseph’s will always have a special place in their hearts, as they do in ours. 

Thank you to Mrs McFarlane for organising, what I’m sure will be, a beautiful Mass to celebrate our Year 6 students on Tuesday.

A reminder that 2025 Captains will be announced at the Graduation Mass.

Departing Families

Farewell to our departing family - the Reeves family. Thank you for all you have given to St Joseph’s in your time here. We have valued the contribution you and your children have made to our school and our very best wishes go with you for the future.

Update to Hall painting

Works will commence next week on the removal of existing contaminated paint and the repainting of the St Joseph’s Hall. Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn is funding the project and has sourced contractors to complete the work. It is expected that it will be completed prior to Christmas and that the Hall will be back in use from the start of the school year.

Building Healthy Communities Challenge Update

A big thank you to the Grenfell Food Hall for donating $500 toward the ‘Building Healthy Communities Challenge’! This generous donation will help with the purchasing of resources for the garden project. 

Please see later in the newsletter for an update from Ms Caruana on the Challenge.

Library Books

Please remember to return any Library books from home before the end of term.

Carols in the Park

Students are invited to join the school to perform at Carols in the Park on Sunday 15th December commencing at 5.30pm. Students are to come dressed in full school uniform with a Christmas accessory e.g. Santa hat.

Upcoming Dates

Sunday 15th December - Carols in the Park 5:30pm

Monday to Wednesday - Swimsafe continues, finishing on Wednesday.

Tuesday 17th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass 6pm

Wednesday 18th December - LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS

The first day of school for students in 2025 will be Tuesday 4th February.

As I write what is my final newsletter, I am filled with mixed emotions. I want to express my deep gratitude for the incredible journey we've shared together. It has truly been an honour to serve as the principal of this remarkable school, and I will forever cherish the memories created during my time here.

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our parents. Your unwavering support, commitment, and trust in our school have been essential to the success of our students. You have been our partners every step of the way—whether it was through attending events, volunteering, or working with us to solve challenges. Your dedication to your children's education has shaped their experience here, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

To the teachers, I owe a special debt of gratitude. You are the heart of this school. You’ve not only imparted knowledge but have inspired, mentored, and cared for the children as they grow and develop. Your passion, patience, and commitment to nurturing young minds have created an environment where students feel safe to explore, dream, and achieve. I have been privileged to witness the exceptional work you do every single day, and I deeply admire the impact you have on our students' lives. You’ve made this school a place of learning, support, and love. 

Together, we’ve celebrated countless successes—academic, personal, and social. We've worked as a united community to ensure our students grow into not just knowledgeable individuals, but compassionate, responsible citizens. The collaborative spirit we’ve shared between teachers, parents, and staff has been the foundation of our achievements.

While I will be leaving this position, I know the strong community we've built will continue to grow and thrive. I have full confidence that this school will continue to excel and that its future will be even brighter. I look forward to hearing about the continued success and growth of both the students and the school itself.

Thank you to all of you—parents,carers, teachers, and staff— for entrusting me with the privilege of being part of your children's educational journey. It has been a great honour, and I will always carry this experience with me.

With deepest appreciation and best wishes for the future,

Melissa Hotham