God of all life…

May your love and light shine in and through me today
In a way that no mask can hide.
May my eyes dance with the laughter and joy
Replacing my hidden smile.
May my actions of care and concern
Speak louder than my muffled voice ever could.
And may the generosity of my heart
Radiate out through who I am
And how I respond to the world around me
So that others may not see my mask
But your image shining out
Moving in and through me today.
Amen

Br Michael Herry fms

Dear parents and carers, 

Advent

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. This most important time in the liturgical year prepares us for the birth of Christ, and the fulfilment of a promise. 2021 has presented us all with challenges, beyond what we imagined possible, but with hope we look forward to the Holy season of Christmas and the joy that it holds for each of us.  

Enrolments

This week I have met with and enrolled more students who are

 starting at St Joseph’s in 2022. It is wonderful to have families come to our school because of the great reputation we have in the wider Canberra community.

We still have enrolment places across the school and in the Early Learning Centre. Please, if you know anyone looking to enrol in 2022, encourage them to make contact with the school or ELC as soon as possible.

Wizard of Oz

The final touches are going on, and the atmosphere is building… it is almost ‘show time’!

Tickets will go home with the eldest child in each family, tomorrow. The tickets clearly indicate the performance chosen, and these tickets must be presented on the day.

Please be sure to have a read of the information that was sent home earlier in the week and also via Compass today.

It will be a fabulous time for our school community.

Parent / Teacher Interviews

Thank you to the teachers, and to parents and carers, who have engaged in Parent / Teacher Interviews in recent weeks. 2021 has been a year of challenges, but wonderful successes too, so it has been important to have the opportunity to provide feedback on student progress and areas for growth in 2022.

School Board

Last Wednesday, the final School Board meeting for 2021 was held here at school, before a social gathering to celebrate another successful year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pip Cleary as Board Chair. 2021 has presented a number of challenges and Pip’s support and guidance has been greatly appreciated. We wish Pip and her family all the best in the coming years, before returning to St Joseph’s. Thank you also to Kimberly McDonald, Rachael Whiteley-Black, Tom Tokic, Kieran Fordham and Zoe Cawdron for their time and contributions whilst on the School Board.

We also received nominations for the 2022 School Board. I would like to thank all in our school community, who take the opportunity to actively get involved in the school and I look forward to an exciting 2022.

The School Board for 2022 is:

Positions and roles on the Board will be elected at the first meeting in 2022.

P&F

At the last P&F Meeting for 2021, I was also able to thank and acknowledge the work of many who have assisted across various areas of the school this year. Thank you to Kate Osborn as P&F President and to all members of the P&F for their efforts during another difficult year. I would also like to mention Alison Marks, who after many years’ involvement in the school, and on the P&F, attended her final meeting. Our school relies on the dedication and energy of many, and I would like to thank Alison for all that she has contributed over the years.

Please see the full P&F report further in this newsletter.

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

Cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au