Thank you for this land we share, for the skies above and the earth below. Thank you for the First Nations People of Australia who have cared for this land for thousands of years. Help us to listen and learn from each other. Help us to be kind, fair and respectful. Please guide us to grow together in peace, and to make our community, our homes and our country places where everyone belongs.

Amen

Dear parents and carers,

This past week has been Reconciliation Week, recognised here at St Joseph’s at last week’s Sorry Day Prayer Celebration, led by 1 Teal. To reconcile, is to work to make things better than what they are, so that ‘tomorrow’ is something to look forward to. At the end of our prayer celebration, I spoke about the importance of all of us, wherever we are, working to build relationships and to support those that are hurting or those that might need our care. Within our classrooms and as part of the curriculum this term, the students have also been focusing on indigenous perspectives across a number of learning areas to deepen their understanding of the experiences of our First Nations Peoples.

While not directly related to Reconciliation Week, I have also reflected with staff this week about the importance of ‘listening’. Unfortunately, I think these days we tend to listen only to respond, rather than just listening so that others feel heard. I have tried to practise this when meeting with parents in recent weeks and have come away with some valuable insights into what is working well at St Joseph’s and where we can continue to focus to improve.

School Community Council Open Meeting

As part of this same listening process, the upcoming School Community Council Open Meeting on Tuesday 17 June is focusing on this same reflection on ‘what is working and must continue’… and ‘what can we do differently’ to ensure our school continues to thrive. 2026 is the 70^th Anniversary of St Joseph’s Primary School and a year when we will enact a new Strategic Plan, along with what I hope will be a revitalised focusing on our Mission and Vision as a school.

A broad parent voice is vital in this process, so I openly invite all parents and carers to save the date – 6.30pm 17 June to come along to a night of discussion and brainstorming, which will then inform ongoing development of future planning. More information to come in the coming days.

Breaktime Clubs

Each day there are breaktime clubs that students can join to build new friendships and to foster some personal interests. Please feel free to print the timetable out and remind your child/ren to come along. Thank you to our wonderful Classroom Support Staff who are facilitating many of these clubs.

State of Origin II – Dads and Grandads Night

After State of Origin I going to NSW, I will again host a night for dads and grandads to come along and hopefully see NSW claim the 2025 series.