St Joseph’s School - March 15

St Joseph’s P&F Debutante Ball

The St Joseph’s P&F Debutante Ball was held in the Gilgandra Shire Hall on Saturday evening.

The theme this year was ‘A Night Under the Silvery Gums’ and 16 stunning debutantes and their handsome partners came down the red carpet to be presented to Matron of Honour, Myra Campbell and Parish priest, Fr Martin O’Mahony.

Mrs Alison Newstead did a wonderful job as compere. The hall was once again brilliantly decorated thanks to the hard work of the ball committee, Merilyn King, Melissa Welsh, Helen Naef, Mandy Musgrave, and their band of helpers.

The contribution to the night by so many of our community was superb, from the hard working committee to those who attended working bees, went to practices, dance instructors Rosemary and Lloyd, those who decorated the hall and erected the smoker’s tent, prepared food for the debutantes and their partners, organised light and sound, attended the ball, and helped dismantle everything!

This was a huge effort by a fantastic lot of helpers and our school appreciates the amount of time and effort that goes into such an event.

Catholic Schools Week 2022: experiencing the spirit of community

 Catholic Schools Week is being celebrated across the Bathurst Diocese this week and the theme for 2022 is ‘Experiencing the Spirit of Community’.

Our school is a welcoming community which seeks to support parents as the first educator of their children. Our St Joseph’s Day celebrations will be the main focus for Catholic Schools Week at Joey’s.

Diocesan swimming carnival

Congratulations to our swimmers who competed at the Diocese of Bathurst swimming carnival in Dubbo last Wednesday.

Special mention to David McIsaac who came second in the 11 years breaststroke and Ben Mudford who came third in the 11 years butterfly. David and Ben will now compete at the Polding Swimming Championships to be held at Homebush on Tuesday, March 22.

We would also like to mention the following students who finished in the top 10 in the diocese: David McIsaac, fourth 11 years backstroke, seventh 11 years freestyle. Jemima Harrison, fourth Senior backstroke. Jacob Fordham, fifth 11 years breaststroke. Lottie Duffy, fifth junior breaststroke. Mitch Cosier, sixth junior butterfly. Alyssa Ferguson, sixth senior butterfly.

Tom McIsaac, seventh junior breaststroke. Tilla Chandler, eighth 12 years freestyle. Claudia Harrison, 10th 10 years freestyle. The senior girls relay team consisting of Tilla Chandler, Jemima Harrison, Georgia Tancred, and Alyssa Ferguson finished third on the day. Unfortunately, it is only the first two relay teams who make it through to polding, but what a great effort girls! It is a fantastic achievement making it into the top 10 of the diocese.

Congratulations to our cricketers

Congratulations to our eleven students who competed in the Diocesan Cricket Trials in Dubbo last Thursday.

Our students performed extremely well at this high level of competition. Congratulations to Evie Peart, Jemima Harrison, Lainey Walker, Georgia Allan, Poppy-Grace Newton, and Jacqueline Hutchison who were selected in the Diocesan Cricket team to compete at the Polding Selection Trials in Lismore in August.

St Patrick’s Day mass

Year five will be preparing the St Patrick’s Day mass that will be celebrated this week in St Joseph’s Church. Everyone is most welcome to attend.

Please bring a plate to share for morning tea which will follow Mass. They will then perform on the lawn of Cooee Lodge for the residents there.

Merit awards

Kinder: Henry Mudford, Jasper Naef, Georgie Kirkwood, and Billie Toomey.

Year one: George Meers, Bridie Moeris, Evie Temple, and Ryle Walker.

Year two: Taylor Alexander, Oliver Buckley, Laycee Hazelton, and Alice Peart.

Year three: Tex Mudford, Elijah Newton, and Darcy Adams.

Year four: Ellie Austen, Thomas McIsaac, Harrison Newton, and Indy Thomas.

Year five: Jagger Hazelton, Ryder Larkin, and Elsie Mudford.

Year six: Brooke Beaton, Alyssa Ferguson, Makynli Hazelton, and Evie Peart.