Week 1 Term 3 2025

The Right Mindset
Teaching and modelling a growth mindset to your children will help them see life as a glass half full rather than a glass half empty. It teaches them to persevere and with time and commitment many things they want in life are achievable and possible. We all have beliefs about our own abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset which is a powerful tool that shapes our everyday lives.

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and practice. Children with a growth mindset believe that they if they work hard, they can get improve results. They have a more positive attitude towards learning, are more willing to face challenges and see failure as part of the process of learning.

A fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence or abilities can’t be changed. When children have a fixed mindset, they tend to give up easily when they meet challenges, because they believe that they don’t have what it takes to learn hard things. As a result, mistakes are often seen as failures rather than opportunities to grow and learn.

Research shows that praising the process – children’s effort or strategies creates an eagerness for challenges, persistence in the face of difficulty, and enhanced performance.

Top Tips for developing a growth mindset:

• Help your child understand that the brain works like a muscle. You must put it to work and allow plenty of practice.
• Explain that when you practice, this helps your brain to remember, so the next time you try, the task becomes a bit easier.
• Listen to what your child says. Think about the messages you are sending about mindsets. For example: If they said, “I can’t do this” you could encourage a change in mindset by saying, “You can’t do this yet, you are learning to do this”.
• Instead of praising your child’s intelligence or talent, focus on the processes they used. For example, “That homework was so long and difficult. You did such a good job of concentrating and finishing.”
• Let your child know that we are all learning all the time. Our brains are always learning (even as adults). Tell them about something that you have learnt or are learning now.

National School Improvement Partnership Survey
Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) through National School Improvement Partnerships (NSIP) are asking parents/caregivers to participate in a survey regarding our school. This survey is being offered to Catholic schools across South Australia. When you access the survey and enter the specific code for our school community (details below), all the relevant information will be sent to our school. Staff and Year 2-6 students are participating in a sim ilar survey, and like the parent/caregiver survey, all responses are confidential. Further details will be circulated very soon. However, in the meantime, please click on the following link www.NSIPartnerships.com.au and enter the unique school code SJSPLLLP. The survey closes on Friday 22 August 2025.

Mid-year Receptions and mid-year Preschool children make a start
We welcome our mid-year Receptions and mid-year Preschool children as they join us in this second semester. We also welcome Mrs Margaret McNamara, teacher of the mid-year Reception class (four days a week), with Jess Vreugdenburg teaching the mid-year Reception class on Thursdays.

Grandparents Day – Friday 1 August
A reminder that Grandparents Day will be held next Friday 1 August. Please refer to the details that were communicated at the end of last term.

School Performance Report
The Survey results (from staff, students and families) and other pertinent details relating to our school, appear in the yearly ‘School Performance Report’. This can be found on our school’s website or the following link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:a3668045-8ef1-45c5-a81f-1c6b40de4eb8

School Photos, 2025
Reception to Year 6 School Photos will be happening on Friday 15 August.
Whilst Preschool Photos will be taking place on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 August.

School Closure Day
Friday 5 September Please note that Friday 5 September is School Closure Day. This means that it is a Student Free Day, and on this occasion OSHC will not be available.

Congratulations
I offer my best wishes to: - the Santamaria family (Xavier, 4RP and Charlotte, RJN), on the birth of a baby girl, ‘Giselle’ (to make for child number 5).

Wishing you well!

Simon Mechis

Welcome back to Term 3!
I hope the school holidays provided your family with a chance to rest, recharge and enjoy some special moments together. We’re excited to be starting Semester 2 and look forward to another term of learning, growth and connection across our school community.

Semester 2 SRC members
This semester, we will be welcoming a new group of Student Representative Council (SRC) members, who will work closely with our SRC Executive group, to represent their peers and help lead student voice at our school. We look forward to announcing the successful students soon.
The SRC plays an important role in our school community, providing students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, contribute to school initiatives, and make a positive difference. Our new SRC members will be involved in planning events, promoting important causes, and sharing ideas to improve student experiences at school.

School Values and Motto
As we begin a new semester, it’s a timely reminder that we acknowledge our school culture is grounded in the core values of Community, Curiosity, Excellence, and Creativity, guided by our school motto, Love in Everything. These values, together with our rich Josephite traditions, form the foundation of our school’s vision and help nurture a vibrant, supportive, and flourishing community for all.

Community - We are respectful to ourselves, our peers and our broader local community. We encourage active engagement in social justice issues, service to others and the promotion of peace.

Curiosity - Our educators strive to bring out your child's inner creativity and curiosity, encouraging them to learn new things and step into the unknown with confidence.

Excellence - Striving to reach high standards, we challenge, evolve and adapt to reach excellence within our school community. Through our teaching and learning programs, our extra-curricular opportunities and indoor and outdoor learning spaces, we aim for continuous improvement from Early Learning through to Year 6.

Creativity - Innovation comes from creativity. We are passionate about allowing children to express their creativity in different ways as they learn and grow over their school learning journey.

‘Altruistic August’ Calendar
Please see attached the ‘Altruistic August’ calendar from the ‘Action for Happiness’ website. We encourage you to share this calendar with your families at home to promote kindness.

Keep Well,
Michael Musolino

Let's make it a great term together!
Welcome back to a brand-new term! We hope all our students and families enjoyed a well-deserved holiday break filled with rest, fun and special time together. Whether you spent time travelling, relaxing at home or enjoying activities in the local community, we trust it was a time to recharge and reconnect.

As we begin this new term, we look forward to the opportunities it brings — new learning, fresh goals, and time to grow together in faith, friendship, and knowledge. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s learning journey.We’re excited for all that lies ahead this term and are especially looking forward to celebrating key moments in learning, community events and the continued growth of our students.

Celebrating Our Children’s Sacramental Journey
This term, we joyfully celebrate a very special milestone in the faith journey of many of our students. Children in Year Four have been preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. These sacred moments are significant steps in their relationship with God and in their full participation in the life of the Church.

The preparation for the sacraments has been a time of prayer, learning and reflection. Through family involvement and attending parish mass, the children have come to a deeper understanding of God’s love, forgiveness, and presence in their lives. We commend them for their reverence, openness, and enthusiasm throughout this journey.
A special thank you to all who have supported the children with such care and guidance. Your example and encouragement, help to nurture their growing faith.

The children will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation on August 12th and 13th at 7pm. Please keep these children in your prayers as they continue to grow in the grace of God. May the joy and peace of Christ remain in their hearts always. In September and early October, the children and their families will attend workshops to prepare for their First Holy Communion to be celebrated in October and November. More information to follow.

MITIOG: Made in the Image of God
This term, the children will be learning about sexuality and respectful relationships with age-appropriate curriculum content. Letters will be sent home to each family regarding what the children will be learning in Week 2 of this term. Families are invited to a Parent Information Workshop held at St. Joseph’s Tranmere on Wednesday 20th August from 6:30-7:30pm. More information about this session, including the link to register will also be sent home in Week 2.

Blessed Carlo Acutis to Be Canonised – A Saint for Our Time
Blessed Carlo Acutis is to be canonised a saint in the Catholic Church on Sunday 7th September 2025. Carlo, a teenager from Italy, has inspired people all over the world with his deep love for the Eucharist, his kindness, and his use of technology to share his faith. His upcoming canonisation is a beautiful reminder to our children and families that sainthood is not just for people in history books — it is something we are all called to in our everyday lives.

Born in 1991 and passing away from leukaemia in 2006 at the young age of 15, Carlo showed that holiness is possible at any age. He used his computer skills to build a website that catalogued Eucharistic miracles from around the world, reminding us all of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Blessed Carlo once said, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” showing how important Mass and prayer were in his daily life. He lived with great compassion for others and had a special concern for those who were lonely or struggling.
As we celebrate this joyful news, may Blessed Carlo inspire us to live our faith with courage, kindness, and joy.

Acting APRIM
Adriana Graziani

Enrolling now for 2027
Thinking of joining St Joseph's School Payneham community in the future?
With enrolments currently full, we're so proud to be a school of choice for many families, and we're excited to continue growing trogether in the years ahead.

To help secure a place for your child from Preschool to Yr 6 in 2027 or beyond, we recommend submitting your Enrolment Application Form at least 24 months ahead of their starting date. Forms are available online or at the Front Office .

Playgroup: 
For children 0-4 years of age, attending with their parent or carer. Book online via QKR app from Mondays to attend on a Wednesday morning.Playgroup: For children 0-4 years of age, attending with their parent or carer. Book online via QKR app from Mondays to attend on a Wednesday morning.

Occasional Care (Piccolini):
For children aged 3-4 years of age. Book online via QKR app 24 hours ahead of each session. Days available are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.Families interested in our Occasional Care Program (Piccolini) aged 3-4 years, will also need to complete a Piccolini Enrolment Form.Families interested in our Occasional Care Program (Piccolini) aged 3-4 years, will also need to complete a Piccolini Enrolment Form.

Preschool:
For children who turn 4 years of age before 1st May. Children who turn 4 from 1st May – 31st October, can commence mid-year.

Book Week and The Book Fair will be celebrated at school in Term Three, Week 5 (Week beginning 19th August) 

2025 CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK!  

For 8 decades, CBCA has been dedicated to inspiring young minds to journey through the countless adventures that books offer. 

The theme for 2025 is BOOK AN ADVENTURE! 
Each year in Australia, Book Week is celebrated in August. During this time school and public libraries spend one fantastic week celebrating books, authors and illustrators. The event aims to share great works of children’s literature and ignite a love of reading that will stay with children for life. 

Book Week 2025 runs from 19th August to 23rd August. 
With the Children’s Book Week theme: Book an Adventure, we can celebrate the many adventures that books can take us on whether to the land of fantasy, learning a new skill, travel to a distant country or wherever your own minds will take you. 

Book Week celebrations are a great way to encourage children to love reading and bring stories to life through the whole school parade, where children and staff dress up as a book character. We love seeing students creatively celebrating their favourite book characters. 

Book Week is an amazing chance for your child to get creative, engage with their favourite books and dress up in character. If you need a costume, here are some ideas to help get you started. 

https://www.findingmyselfyoung.com/2022/07/easy-book-week-costume-ideas.html https://www.bountyparents.com.au/expert-advice/easy-book-week-costumes/  

There are many, many choices of costume ideas that you can explore for Book Week.

We will hold our Book Week Parade on Friday 22nd August (details to be finalised). 

During Book Week we will also be holding the Book Fair in the Library. 

Children will be able to purchase books during the week, commencing Tuesday 20th August – Thursday 22nd August – before school at 8.30am- 9.00am; or after school from 3.00pm – 3.45pm and during Year 3-6 lunchtime from 1:30pm to 2:00pm. 

The last day to purchase books will be Friday 22nd August from 8.30am – 11.00am. 

Please refer to a separate Book Fair Notice for further details. 

For further information click here Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)