Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Her lived example and continuing presence within our school community gives comfort and guidance. Her words here reflect that in all that we do, we should be soft and gentle in our footsteps, seeking to ease the journey of those whom we encounter along the way. May St Mary continue to guide our footsteps at this time. 

Professional learning

As a staff, we constantly work to improve what we do so as to positively impact student outcomes. Today the teachers worked to review our Literacy Agreed Practice. This is being informed by the introduction of the InitiLit program in Foundation to Year 2, a need to continue this targeted explicit spelling approach in Year 3 to 6, and considering how best to develop our students as confident and capable writers, and articulate and knowledgeable readers. 

I am always appreciative of and emboldened by the teachers' efforts to reflect on what is working well, where we can continue to improve, and the professional and robust discussions that reflect their expertise. We have a clear intention to ensure our efforts do positively impact student outcomes. 

Carpark

Once again a reminder to all users of the school carpark and surrounds, to be mindful of the need to take extra care. While many children know the 'road rules' and parents regularly reinforce these when using drop off, there are times even when using the crossing, that cars fail to stop for them. There is no time to be made up getting to work or home, by being careless when driving through the carpark. 

The groups that are working for you

Thank you to the parents who currently sit on the School Board and P&F. These two parent groups work to action ideas and strategy to better the school and to promote our community. All parents are members of the P&F and are able to attend meetings held in Weeks 3 and 6 each term. Members of the School Board are nominated, and elected if necessary, to two-year terms and support the operational aspects of the school. Early in Term 4, nominations will be called for new appointments to the School Board from the start of 2022.

I encourage all parents to consider getting involved in either the P&F or School Board, to take an active role in our school community. 

A great resource

As children grow, they leave behind good quality school uniforms which families donate back to the school. These great quality uniforms are on sale at the moment as we are inundated with stock.