Welcome to the first official school newsletter of the year.
It is stating the obvious that this is not how we expected the school year to begin. However, I am grateful for how well the community has adapted to the changes and challenges of this interrupted commencement.

Our learners across all year levels have been engaged and
cooperative and the feedback, thus far, has been overwhelmingly positive. I want to congratulate all the new Preps, who have coped so well with the disrupted start.

Overall, it has been a very promising sign for the year ahead.
I do wish to acknowledge the teaching and support staff for what they have done over the past few weeks that has enabled such a smooth transition for all.  They have spent time planning and preparing lessons, completing mandated student protection, code of conduct, health and
safety and first aid training over the past two weeks.  The plans that they had in place have had to change and change quickly. The innovative work of teachers in preparing and adapting thecurriculum means that we return to school with some momentum.
In welcoming everyone back to school, it is important to draw your attention to the followingmatters.

We return to school while the wider community is learning to live with COVID-19. This means we have to operate school as normal in some regards while also managing the likely presence of the virus in the school. In this context, we are focused on keeping students and staff healthy while also mitigating the risk of further infection.

The fundamental step in this regard is to be clear about our processes and protocols in the Health Management of our community.

To limit the spread of illness:
 Staff and families will monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek testing if they
develop symptoms.
 Staff and children should not attend school if they have symptoms. Please seek testing and isolate at home until well or for seven days after a positive COVID test.
 If anyone in your household has COVID-19, you are deemed to be a close contact. Youwill need to isolate at home for the same period as they are in isolation. Because any respiratory illness is most likely to be COVID-19 at the present time, it is also advisable that if anyone in your household is isolating while awaiting COVID test results, children should not attend school until the household member returns a negative result.
 All staff employed at St Joseph's are fully vaccinated. Medical authorities encourage full vaccination as the best form of protection against serious illness. There is no mandate for student vaccination and the school does not judge, discriminate, or highlight the
status of any child in relation to vaccination.
 The safety and wellbeing of staff and students is our key priority at all times. As such we will continue to work closely with Queensland Health to ensure that all necessary health advice is followed. Should you have any concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Over recent weeks there has been extensive planning from the School Leadership Team for the term ahead during what is likely to be a time of considerable uncertainty. It is clear to us that some students will fall ill, as will staff, in the coming weeks. Consequently, we anticipate
disruption throughout the first term. As a school community we have all done so well to support each other with Covid restrictions and requirements to date. The beginning of this year has been no different.
I am particularly grateful for the blessing of this community, and I look forward to working with you all to ensure that our students have an enriching and joyful school year.  

I hope that whatever comes your way in 2022, that you will find encouragement, support and a listening ear, here at St Joseph's Primary School. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, 

Megan

Staffing Updates:
After 4 years of dedicated service, Leanne Gibson -Finance Officer, will be leaving us to pursue a career in mining. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Leanne for her hard work, for the compassionate and caring way she has supported our families and for being such a steadfast support for myself. Leanne has been an asset to our community and won’t be easily replaced.

The position of Finance Officer will be advertised shortly, following the Cairns Catholic Education Services Recruitment procedure. Once the procedure is complete, the successful applicant will be announced to our community. 

Religious Life
Loving God who is with us, the year ahead holds many unknown, unborn opportunities.  Bring life and growth to all that awaits us. Open us to the new and unfamiliar, the challenges and the surprises. Amen

The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to reflect upon the joys and challenges of the year that was and to re-vision our hopes and dreams for the continuing journey ofour life.  We do not know what or who will challenge, delight, surprise or sadden us during this year.  What we do know, however, is that we can walk the journey of the new year
with confidence and in the sure knowledge that God goes with us
What gifts do you bring with you into the new year?
What fears or anxieties does the year hold for you?
What do you hope to contribute to this community?
What is your greatest desire for the community in the coming year?

2022 brings a new school year, as part of the St Joseph’s Annual Action Plan, we aim to ensure that every student benefits from an engaging, contemporary and personally relevant religious education curriculum.
Over the course of this year, we will be working to support staff, students and families in the following areas.

 Prayer Meditation Practices – This year we will continue to build our skills andknowledge in the teaching of year level appropriate prayer, introduce meditation practices and develop our own school prayer.

 Social Justice vs Charity – Staff, students and families will be invited and encouraged to participate in activities and learning experiences that promote social justice. Charity is incredibly important for many things however knowing and understanding the difference our actions and time can make is extremely powerful.

 First Nations Reconciliation Action Plan – Working together to ensure that our First Nations communities and families are honoured, their cultures and beliefs respected, and our schools committed to Closing the Gap imperatives for every First Nations students.

 Parish & School Relationship – We will continue to foster our relationship with our parish, St Joseph’s. School staff and families are encouraged to attend parish celebrations and events as well as parishioners invited and welcomed to our school events. Throughout the year we will schedule weekend children’s masses where families
and students are encouraged to come along. We will be working with Fr Dariusz and the Parish to introduce children’s liturgy at Mass each week.

Reminders

Late Arrivals: If your child is late to school - it is very important that they are signed in at the office as presenting late, before going up to their classroom.  School commences at 8.40 am each day.  Roll Marking is done between 8.40 am - 8.45 am.  All children who are late, must
take a Late Slip up to their classroom teacher.  

Early Departures: Children who leave school throughout the school day, must be signed out by a parent or guardian in the office.  Children are not permitted to walk out of the school grounds without a parent/guardian during school hours.  They must also be signed back in once theyreturn to school.

Late Pick Up: If you are late to pick up your child from school, the children are supervised till 3:15 pm.  After 3.15 pm they will be wait in the office, and a parent will be rung about collection.  

Absentees: Please remember to notify the school office by 9.00 am each day if your child is absent from school.  For any absences that are unexplained you will receive a call from the school about this absence.

Sickness: It is important to remember that if your child is unwell, particularly in these current times, we do ask that you keep them home until they are feeling better to return to school.  Any child who presents to school with symptoms of feeling unwell will be sent home immediately.  

Medication at school: Medication at school can be administered by the office staff, however it is very important to note that any medication administered must be prescribed from the doctor with a doctor's label printed on the medication.  We are unable to administer any kind of
panadol or paracetemol.  Parents will be rung immediately if a child presents with high temps. A medication form must be completed by a parent prior to any medication being given to a student at school.  
Asthma Medication: Children who are asthmatic are required to have their puffer, spacer and asthma medication plan at school.  This includes children who do suffer from seasonal asthma.   If you are yet to send in your child's asthma medication and current plan, we do strongly advise you to do this as soon as possible. 

Head Lice: At times we do have cases of Head Lice present at school. Please see attached flyer from Qld Health outlining the correct steps in treating head lice.  If Head Lice are detected on your child whilst at school, a parent will be rung and you will be asked to come and collect
immediately and commence treatment at home.

Birthday treats: We love the children celebrating their birthdays at school.  Just a quick reminder that ice-blocks can be an option to bring in, please ensure that they are frozen (particularly Zooper Doopers).  Cupcakes (rather than a whole cake) are welcome however we
do ask that you check with your child's teacher first in case of food allergies in that class. 

Facebook: St Joseph’s has a Facebook page.  If you like Facebook hop on and like us.  We do post updates and events on Facebook regularly, so it is a great way to keep in touch with what is happening in and around our school.

P&F: Welcome BBQ has been postponed to Friday 11th March. More details to come closer to the date. The first P & F meeting will now take place on Tuesday 8 th March will be the AnnualGeneral Meeting (AGM) for the year starting at 6p.m. 

School Crossing Supervisors:
We need Crossing Supervisors for 2022.  Please see the advertisement below