It is hard to believe that we are now entering the last four weeks of the school year. This year has been very rewarding and challenging at times, but it has also gone very quickly. As we move towards the end of the year let us work hard together to ensure the children end on a positive and memorable note. Your support is invaluable and needed if we are to be successful.

I would like to thank the P&F for their generous time to have discussions about the school and how we can move it forward in a positive way. The P&F have been currently looking at different suggestions to spend their funds. If you have any ideas please come to a meeting or send me an email.

We are constantly being contacted by new families wanting to join our family at St Joseph’s. I believe we have created an inclusive and welcoming school in the true sense of these words. We are extending our classes to ensure all local families can be part of our school community. Your ongoing support of our school is greatly appreciated, and should you know of friends, relatives or work colleagues who are considering schooling options for 2022, I ask you to encourage them to consider St Joseph’s as a preferred option. Should you or they require any further information regarding enrolment at St Joseph’s, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to meet with people to talk about what St Joseph’s has to offer.

At any stage, prospective families are more than welcome to come along, tour the school and see firsthand the calm classroom environments conducive to learning.

School Fees

Do you know someone who would love to give their child the many opportunities that St Joseph’s provides to your child, but they think they can’t afford it.

Did you know that if you have a health care card then Catholic Education will pay 75% of your school fees?

Acting Principal Catherine McKechnie

This weekend our Leadership Team travels out to Cairns to participate in week of Professional development and strategic planning for 2022. We are fortunate to have visiting relief Principal Catherine McKechnie who will be running the school in my absence. Catherine is a very experienced Principal and she is looking forward to being part of the St Joseph’s community for the week. I’m sure our community will make her welcome.

29 October, is World Teachers Day – a day when we recognise and thank teachers for all that they contribute to each individual student and to the community as a whole.  We are grateful for the quality teachers that bring St Joseph’s to life.   We acknowledge your talents, your knowledge, your energy, your stress.  I believe teaching is the most important profession and without great teachers we would not have great leaders, nurses, tradespeople, doctors, scientists etc, and not to mention future great teachers! Teaching is a vocation with immense responsibility but one that is tremendously fulfilling. Congratulations to all our St Joseph’s teachers on the magnificent work they do each and every day. We take this day to say a very big thank you.

‘Day for Daniel’

As part of the Catholic faith, Mary the Mother of Jesus is an extremely important person. One story that resonates with our older children was the time the young Jesus got lost from his parents. (Luke 2:41:52) Of course the story ends well, as after three days, they discover Jesus in the main synagogue. Most parents can relate to this story - that stomach churning terror when you realise a child is missing, even if only for ten minutes.

I'm sure you have at some time contemplating the grief of the Morcombe family and the tragic loss of the son, Daniel.

Today we remember not just Daniel but also the legacy his family has chosen to crate for him in the Day for Daniel National Day of Action to raise awareness of child safety, protection and harm prevention.

It is about educating children and adults about keeping kids safe through child safety and protection initiatives. It aims to empower our children to 'Recognise, React and Report' if they feel something is not right.

Each year our school, like all Catholic Schools in our diocese takes part in the Daniel Morcombe curriculum, which focuses on teaching children how to stay safe.  There are parent support resources available here.   Today as part of Student Protection week, students were invited to wear red clothing and participate in a walk around the oval in the afternoon.

Student Protection Talk

Next Tuesday Senior Constable Emma Wallace will visit the school to talk with each class about student safety. The content of her talk is aligned with the Daniel Morcombe program.

Staffing for 2022

Although we have little staff movement for next year, we have now completed recruiting for 2022. Class allocations will be announced at the beginning of week 6 and ‘Bump Up’ Day will be Monday 15^th November 9:00am to 10:40am.

Year 5 Leadership Day

This Friday, our Year 5 learners took time out of their normal classes to begin their leadership journey for 2022. The purpose of this day, was to begin to focus students attention on their upcoming role as Leaders of SJW in 2022 and the qualities and strategies they would need to be great Year 6 leaders. Together they participated in various leadership activities including designing the senior school shirt for 2022. There was so much energy, insight and joy witnessed throughout the day.

As leaders our Year 6 students are called to lead in different ways: by modelling the way for the younger students, by taking on extra responsibly around the school, by leading assemblies, by leading sports houses, by engaging in our community service programs and many other ways. Overall, the students had a very positive day, which was enjoyed by all. Ms Edmonds and I were very impressed at how the students immersed themselves in the tasks and challenges. This evening they will continue building leadership skills as part of the traditional sleepover at school.

Survey

A huge thank you to everyone who has filled out our School Improvement Survey. If you haven’t not too late yet as the survey closes on Wednesday the 3^rd November. It is so important that we get feedback from our school community so that we can develop strategic directions for the next few years. Our new St Joseph’s water bottles have been chosen and are currently being labelled.

Establishment of the School Board

St Joseph’s Parish School is establishing our first School Board. The school board provides the opportunity for members of the school, parish and diocesan communities to support the mission of Catholic education in the school by supporting the Principal. Please see the School Board Information Sheet attached.

On Monday 15^th November at 6.30pm, we will be holding an information evening for all in the school community who are interested in becoming a School Board member. As such, we are calling on nominations to fill these positions. Interested members of our community need to write a short ‘expression of interest’ letter that outlines the nominee’s skill set and what they might bring to this group. These nominations will then be presented to the Board Establishment Committee which will be made up of the Principal, Parish Priest, Director of School Effectiveness and CES Parent Engagement consultant.

The purpose of the School Board is to support the Principal to effectively run the school. In addition to this the Board is responsible for policy review and have input into Strategic Planning, Budgeting and Master Planning. This team is essential in bringing different perspectives of our community together as we discuss and make decisions. They are also important links to the rest of our school community to ensure they are listening to feedback and sharing this information when we meet.

This year we are excited to be holding our first ever St Joseph’s Annual Awards Evening. This evening will be an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of our students and share in the success of the 2021 school year.  

We invite all families to join us at the Storm Shelter on Wednesday 24^th November.  Doors will open at 5:30pm with the awards starting at 6:00pm sharp.

All students are asked to wear their school uniform.

For each award category there are clear criteria that need to be met by a student to be nominated. Teachers can nominate students in any of these categories, with nominations approved by the Leadership Team.

Award Categories are as follows:

Year Level Awards:

• Academic Achievement Award- For first place in Academic Achievements in all Learning Areas and consistent effort in all areas of learning.
• Religious Education Award- For the student who has achieved outstanding results in the curriculum area of Religious Education.
• Citizenship Award- This award is for our all-round citizen, combining academic effort, Christian values, sportsmanship, leadership and relationships with staff, students and the Parish community.
• The St Joseph’s Way Award- For displaying persistence, organisation, resilience, confidence and the ability to get along with staff and students.

Overall School Awards

Attendance Awards    -100% Trophy

                                   -96% and above Medallion

St Joseph’s Star Awards are awarded to students in special recognition of their outstanding achievement over a sustained period of time in the following areas.

Sports Achievement Red Star - For a student who has attained high levels of sporting achievement and school representation.

Cultural Endeavour Purple Star - For any student who has displayed a significant involvement at a high standard in cultural presentations and performance. Has achieved quality participation or work in one of the following area: Music, Arts, Visual arts, Drama.

Service and Stewardship Green Star - For any student who has shown unselfishness and consideration by helping others in the school, parish or local community.

-In an exemplary fashion, has participated in a program or activity that benefits the school or local community.

-Has represented St Joseph’s Parish School with pride