Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,
The past weeks have further reinforced what a remarkable school community we have at St Joseph’s. I have enjoyed the opportunity to join some of the Teams meetings during the day, seeing the students as they meet with their classmates and teachers to stay connected and complete their remote learning lessons. At the same time, as a staff we have continued to come together for professional, and social, discussions and to ensure we finish the term positively.
All the while, I am aware of the challenges that are being lived out each day at home. With today being R U OK Day, I do want to reach out to our school community to genuinely ask how you are going. Please know that we are here to support you as we continue throughout lockdown.
Considered Return to Face to Face Teaching and Learning
On Wednesday this week, I sent out a letter to all parents and carers via Compass, outlining our two priorities as we consider what returning to face to face teaching and learning may look like. Safety and pastoral care will underpin all planning and decisions as we prepare for a return to school. Included in the letter is a link to a survey that I ask all parents to complete, providing necessary feedback that will help guide our decisions for Term 4.
Virtual Magician!
Next Monday and Tuesday, 13 and 14 September we have arranged some virtual magic shows for your families to enjoy. This is a little way for us to say thank you to all for the wonderful work that has been done during lockdown. All families are invited to join their allocated Zoom magic show, based on their family name. The links to the Zoom meetings will be sent out via Compass on Monday morning, but please set aside the time on your calendar! Please see the flyer below for further details.
Community Wellbeing
Throughout the weeks of lockdown, the staff have created a number of ways to reach out to our school community to show we are missing you all and staying positive. Our efforts can be seen on our school Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/StJosephsPrimarySchoolOConnor This week, we thought we would turn the task over to the students and families. Our Signs of Hope wellbeing initiative is a way for our community to reach out to each other and to our neighbourhoods. We look forward to seeing just what a difference we can make at this time.
Nature Playground
As has been communicated over the past 12 months, the School Board has been engaging with a landscape designer to prepare plans for the installation of a nature playground at the Boronia Street end of the oval. The Board is very excited to be able to share the initial design plans that are now being reviewed and costed. It is expected that approval of the design plans will occur in the coming weeks. (Apologies for the image quality - seeking a solution)
Events
Unfortunately, the current lockdown and restrictions have impacted many plans that were in place for the last part of Term 3 and into Term 4. Please know that we will endeavour to reschedule those events that are important in the life of our school.
- Eucharist – This will be rescheduled for Term 4, once restrictions ease.
- Confirmation – Registrations will not open until further details about Term 4 become available. The date is still set down for Thursday 28 October.
- Boorowa / Sporting Events – The Boorowa Carnival has been cancelled for 2021. All other sporting events are postponed, but unlikely to go ahead for 2021.
- Tournament of Minds – Planning is in place to have this take place virtually.
- School Musical – It is hoped that once we return to school, that the cast will be able to continue rehearsals so that we are able to ‘perform’ the musical in some capacity to share with the community. It will not be performed as was originally planned.
- Farewell to Mrs Parmenter – Mrs Parmenter will return to school when the opportunity is available, so she is able to say goodbye to us all. Before the end of the year, we will ensure there is an opportunity for the St Joseph’s community to give her a fitting farewell.
- Official Opening of the school refurbishment – This has been postponed to a later date.
- Year 6 Graduation Function – Date is still set for Monday 13 December, at Ainslie Football Club.
- End of Year Events – The Christmas Carols and Thanksgiving Mass, along with other end of year plans are all subject to change according to restrictions.
Thank you to all parents for the support that you give to the school, particular at this challenging time.
Stay safe and go gently.
Yours in Christ,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal