As we move through the term and reach our halfway mark, we look back on what our students have achieved. From an outstanding Year 6 camp, including some character-building moments, with a few delays trying to get home, enjoying a well-rehearsed Dance Showcase together as a community and finally, we witnessed some of our students receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday. It is wonderful to celebrate special milestones in your children’s lives and witness these special moments with you as a school community.  

We continue to recruit for our vacant positions and welcome Miss Madison Woodley as our prep school officer. Madison has a passion for working with younger students and we are sure you will welcome her into our St Joseph’s family. The position of Indigenous Liaison Officer has been filled but unfortunately, we cannot announce the successful candidate just yet, as paperwork is still being finalised. We are continuing to advertise for a Tuckshop Supervisor and also more Teachers in preparation for next year and cross our fingers that we have some applicants in this round of advertising.

Learning and Teaching

I hope everyone enjoyed the Dance Showcase and were impressed by the students’ talents and hard work from The Arts curriculum last term. A big thank you to Mrs Barber who bopped her way through the performances and put in lots of time to bring the dance together for all to enjoy.

We are approaching the time in the year where Health curriculum will become a topic of conversation particularly in weeks 6 – 9. Students in years Prep – 4 will be participating in the Daniel Morcombe Relationships Education program. Students in years 5 – 6 will be participating in the ‘Real Talk’ Relationships Education program. These programs have been mandated by CES and have been quality assured to ensure that students participate in a safe environment where all feel supported. Please be assured teachers are aware of the sensitive curriculum and will deliver it as the professionals that they are. Teachers will communicate topics discussed via a SeeSaw postcard. These postcards give details of the lesson taught so parents can support students with further discussion if required. Parents would have also received an email with more information for P-2, 3-4 and 5-6. In the attachments, parents are provided with a brief overview of topics discussed in class and websites to access for more information.

In the coming weeks we will be preparing for our student led conferences on Wednesday 3^rd September from 3:15-4:15pm. This is a new initiative where we would like our students to take charge of their learning and show you their own progress over the year. It is not a parent – teacher opportunity but you are always welcome to make a mutually convenient time to meet with all our teachers to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns you may have. More details will be provided but please put the date in your calendars.

Each year we do our best to provide access to swimming. Our curriculum does not allow us to provide lessons to teach swimming, but it is an awareness of water safety and survival. This year we will condense our time at the pool to the last weeks of this term. We will have the swimming carnival on the last day of this term. More details will be sent home shortly.