Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students and Community,

It is fantastic to see our classes so settled and working so well. I have visited many classes over the last few days and it has been the same story in every room – engaged students working hard. The children have also been enjoying catching up with friends and making new friendships. Thank you to all our parents for your co-operation and preparedness. We appreciate the organisation that goes into getting students ready for the start of each new school year.

On Friday Fr Darrius joined us to celebrate the new school year with a beautiful mass to mark the occasion.  It was a pleasure to see our school community come together in prayer and song. Well done everyone and a special thanks to Miss Newell for organizing such a wonderful way to begin our year.

It was great to see such a fantastic turn out of parents at our parent information sessions.  Congratulations to Kylie Argent who won the $250 off School Fees and Sarah Ward who won the $100 Flexischools voucher.

The most important aspect of these nights at the beginning of each year is establishing a working relationship and open communication with the class teacher. It is essential that we develop a partnership involving trust, mutual respect and open communication exists. We will always think the best of you first and we ask that you do the same for us. I encourage all parents to get involved in school life when you can, and communicate with us, particularly with your child’s class teacher.

If you have an issue or a concern, please know that we will try and deal with this together. If you need to discuss a concern with the teacher, please take the time to make an appointment as the mornings and afternoons can be busy for teachers. You are always welcome to speak with a member of the Leadership team after speaking with your child’s teacher.

Last year St Joseph’s Parish School and several other schools in our Diocese took the opportunity to join in partnership with Educational Consultant Lynn Sharratt to increase ALL student achievements by:

• Using data to improve instruction
• Building Principal and teacher leader capacity t lead and manage change, develop quality assessment and improve instruction in every classroom
• Establish a common understanding of those practices that enhance student learning outcomes across the diocese.

Part of our commitment to this partnership is that our leadership team attend professional development for 3 to 4 days in Term One and then again in Term 3. This week myself, Meg Newell and Amanda Rowe will be attending this PD in Cairns so will be away for part of the week. In our absence Mel Turner will be acting Principal supported by Sigita Ularnas.

We are looking forward to sharing our learnings with the community upon our return.

God Bless,

Megan

Attendance Winners

Congratulations Year One. They will now have the pleasure of looking after our reward fish “Adam Attendance” for the next fortnight.

Soccer at St Joseph's                                                                                  

Soccer is a popular game among our students. Some of our Soccer games in the older grades have become too rough and competitive without the support of an Adult referee. Rather than ban the game our kids enjoy so much, we will have alternative days and times for years 4/5/6. The roster is displayed in each classroom and on the notice board near the Tuckshop.

We will also be ensuring there is a shared understanding of the rules, bibs for players and a soccer space will be mapped out on the oval. Rules will be published in our next newsletter.