St Joseph's School Barmera

Religious Identity and Mission

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. - Psalm 131:2

Connectedness is nowhere as strong as between a mother and child in the womb. And nowhere is the process of letting go as tangible as when cutting the umbilical cord. For nine months mother and child are one. For nine months mother and child are inextricably linked. And then, after the painful process of labour, the final separation follows. It is at this point that the drastic task of letting go begins, a task that lasts a lifetime.

Letting go is a skill that we learn as parents by doing it, but in which we never become fully accomplished. Every time I think I have mastered letting go, the textbook is expanded with yet another chapter; The first day of kindy, the first day of school, the first sleepover, the first time alone on camp, the first party….

The bible story of Moses and his mum Jochebed also speaks of letting go. Jochebed’s child Moses was not allowed to exist in Egypt according to the rules of the ruling power. So Jochebed hides Moses, for three months, until hiding him becomes impossible. Jochebed then comes up with a plan that, through the eyes of a mother, seems accompanied with great uncertainties, yet through the eyes of faith speaks of great confidence. Jochebed hides her son in a wicker basket between the reeds on the banks of the river Nile. That same river where countless other Hebrew boys had come to an early end. That is letting go....

Centuries later we again, meet a young woman who has a son. This boy, too, is not wanted by the ruling power in his native country. His parents flee with him to Egypt, of all places. If the situation seems safe, they return and go to Nazareth as a young family. But in the years that follow the boy’s mother, Mary, must learn, by trial and error to let go of her son Jesus.

The bible tells us many stories of women who had to learn to let go. Letting go of children, husbands, dreams and certainties. What happened to these women in the bible, still happens to women in some way every day.

God encourages us to let go. And as we, often with a heavy and fearful heart, let go of our children on their first day of school or their first school camp we are asked to put our trust in the hands of God. By trusting God, you are able, through the pain and worries, to create a space for growth; your own growth and the growth of your child.

Letting go means being less scared and having faith that all will be well.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. - Peter 5:7

From the Principal

Welcome to Term 4! As we enter this final term of the year, there is much to look forward to, from special events and celebrations to exciting learning experiences and camps. Term 4 is always a wonderful time to reflect on how far your children have come, and it’s also a chance to finish the year on a high note together. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Celebrating teachers

Last week we celebrated World Teachers' Day is a special occasion to reflect on the remarkable work our teachers do each day. By celebrating their dedication and expressing our gratitude, we help foster a supportive and encouraging environment that allows teachers to thrive and continue making a lasting difference in our children’s lives. A big thank you to our Parents & Friends for providing delicious cakes to help make the day even more special.

Musical

Our whole-school musical, Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies, was a fantastic success! It was heartwarming to see families come together to enjoy this incredible performance at the Bonney Theatre. This event is a true celebration of our school community, with students and staff—from the youngest to the oldest—working and performing side by side. A huge thank you to Ms Chloe Petty for her dedication and talent in directing the musical, ensuring each student and staff member felt included and confident on stage.

All Saints and All Souls Day

As November begins, we mark two significant days: All Saints' Day on November 1st, and All Souls' Day on November 2nd. On All Saints' Day, we honour all saints—canonised or not, known and unknown. This day is a beautiful reminder that there are many paths to sainthood, and that each of us is called to holiness in our own way. Celebrating by reading stories of the saints and praying to them can inspire us to follow their example of faith and dedication.

All Souls' Day is a time to honour and remember our loved ones who have passed away. We pray for their souls and ask them to intercede for us, reinforcing the eternal connection we share with them.

Interestingly, the popular celebration of Halloween, increasingly embraced in Australia, has roots in this tradition. The term ‘Halloween’ comes from the old English word 'hallow,' meaning 'holy' or 'blessed,' and was originally referred to as ‘All Hallows' Eve’—the day before All Saints' Day. The saints and souls who have gone before us responded to the call of their time with imagination, courage, and creativity, reflecting God’s love so powerfully that others experienced God’s presence through them.

Social Media Summit

Over the holiday break, I had the opportunity to attend the social media Summit in Adelaide, where experts gathered to discuss the impacts of social media on young minds. One of the key speakers, Jonathan Haidt, shared insights from his book The Anxious Generation, highlighting the growing evidence that early exposure to social media can significantly impact mental health, leading to increased anxiety and feelings of isolation in young children. Haidt emphasised that the best approach is to delay social media use for as long as possible, giving children time to develop social and emotional resilience. Here at St Joseph's, we recognise our shared responsibility to promote safe online practices and encourage families to consider the long-term benefits of keeping young children off social platforms. Working together, we can create an environment that priorities their well-being both online and offline.

Staffing Announcements

As we approach the end of 2024, we prepare to say farewell to Ms Louise Latz, who will be leaving our school community to continue her travels, heading to New South Wales over the Christmas break. We are deeply grateful for Louise’s valuable contributions, and we look forward to formally thanking her as the year draws to a close.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to welcome back Mrs Cobie Walters and Mrs Jaylee Gropler, along with Ms Chiara Brown, Ms Chloe Petty, and Mrs Natalie Westley as permanent staff members. Ms Melanie Steel will also return as our Leader of Learning in 2025.

While our class structures will remain the same, next year we will be implementing some exciting new learning structures designed to strengthen support networks for all students. These changes will allow us to provide targeted programming for both intervention and extension, ensuring each student has the resources to thrive. More information will be shared with families soon.

Camps

Our upcoming camps offer incredible opportunities for our students in Year 5/6, who will be heading to Canberra, and Year 3/4, who will venture to Roonka. School camps are not only about adventure—they’re an invaluable part of learning that builds resilience, independence, and teamwork. In Canberra, our Year 5/6 students will dive into history, civics, and government, while at Roonka, our Year 3/4 students will enjoy hands-on outdoor experiences that foster problem-solving and collaboration. We understand the mixed emotions parents feel about letting go, as this can be a big step! But the life-long benefits—new friendships, confidence, and skills in independence—will serve them well beyond the classroom. Thank you for supporting these enriching experiences that will help our students grow in ways only possible outside of their usual surroundings.

Rose Festival

Our Year 1/2 class, with the help of Mrs Scadden, created an entry for the ‘Create a Garden’ primary school art competition as part of the Rose Festival. Congratulations to the Year 1/2 class, who took out first place. Another big congratulations to Breanna for winning first place for her age group in the individual competition. Amazing work from everyone!