Principal’s Message

Welcome Back

Welcome to all members of our community to the start of the 2021 school year. I hope everyone had an enjoyable break with their families and friends.  I extend a very warm welcome to our new families and staff who are joining the St Joseph’s school community. Our Kindergarten students commenced Best Start assessments today and will have the first official day of school on Thursday 4th February. 

We warmly welcome Mrs Aly Kellow to the Stage 1 Learning Team. We also welcome Mrs Marianne Holley and Mr Greg O’Toole who are returning to the staff for 2021.  We bid a fond farewell to Mrs Cassie Gardiner who has accepted a permanent position at McCarthy Catholic College.  Cassie will continue working at St Joseph's for the next few weeks and we wish her all the best in her new role.  

As we commence 2021 we have much to look forward to. We have finished the building project and are so fortunate to have first rate learning facilities.  Our teachers are teaching collaboratively in teams and work hard for their students every day.  It is wonderful to walk through the buildings and see committed professionals working with their students and in turn, it is wonderful to see our students engaged with their learning and happy to be here.

Each year, all schools in the diocese develop an improvement plant with goals which guide the school throughout the year.  The overarching goal in our 2021 Annual School Improvement Plan is to improve conditions for learning, teaching, well-being and faith development.  This means we plan strategies which assist in fostering an authentic Catholic community of care with effective learning and teaching led by strong teams.  We regularly reflect and review our teaching and learning cycle to improve student outcomes and well-being.  As a faith filled Catholic learning community we prioritise the spiritual development of our students through religious education, sacramental programs, liturgies and Masses. Part of our Annual Improvement Plan includes encouraging and fostering parent engagement so we hope to invite parents in for 'learning walks' this term so you can see, firsthand, the fantastic learning and teaching which is happening every day.  

In spite of the challenges of the past year, we hope and pray that 2021 will bring many blessings and good health to all.

Have a wonderful week.

May God bless you,

Katie Hanes

Principal

St Joseph's School - a Faith Filled Community Where Learning Matters.