St Joseph's Primary School Sorrento Newsletter

School Advisory Council

The School Advisory Council Annual General Meeting took place last Thursday evening. Please find the Chairperson and Principal's reports below.

 

School Advisory Report St Joseph’s School Sorrento

23 November 2023

Summarising the main events of an incredibly eventful and exceptional year has been challenging to try and summarise everything that the school has done. I have to say being a part of the school for 8 years this has been the most exciting year. I would like to thank Monica O’Shannassy for her leadership and for pushing for the changes that will hopefully come to eventuate in the Masterplan for the school. The intake in students and the happy children and parents are a clear sign that it has been a year that no one will forget.

 

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 2023

Parish Priest: Father John McGinty

Principal: Monica O’Shannassy

Deputy Principal: Megan Barber

Secretary: Position was not filled

Chairperson and Parent Representative: Adriana Rios

Parent Representatives: Jessie Jacobs, Asunta Galbraith, Tahnee Bell and Natalie de Morton

  • An amazing amount of work was done through CotterReid Architects in conjunction with stakeholders at school including teachers to students to draft a Masterplan for fundamental improvements to the school. The plan has multiple stages and costings to apply for funding; 
  • The re construction of the wall has been a focal point with unfortunately a slower outcome due to council that wants the road to be re-surface;
  • The combined School Fete had a great success;
  • Marketing virtual tour of the school;
  • Mathematics planning;
  • Personal and social capabilities planning;
  • SEMP policies;
  • Anti-Bullying Policies;
  • Bus Policy
  • Bluey addition thanks to the Rotary Club;
  • Regular Child Safety report as well as Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy;
  • Berry Street Education Model;
  • Incredible success in Performing Arts “The Great Wall of Courage”;
  • Trish Cowling met with the School Advisory Council Members to facilitate discussion around what we do well here at St Joseph's and what needs to be improved;
  • Grade 6 students ran the canteen with the guidance of Kristen Young from PeninsulaHealth and it helped them raise money for their graduation; and
  • Working Together in Mission: Bishop Tony Ireland visited the parish aiding to re-establish special services after years of lockdown and a very important connection for parishioners. Continue to invite families to mass, the proposed changes to the school will have a very visual catholic iconography that will be able to be seen from the distance and reflect the schools’ values. The proposed extension has considered as a place for the church choir to meet and practice as well as other possible community and church.

 

I would like to thank everyone involved in making such a special community and school. I admire the commitment of the teachers and staff that make our little school and a massive difference for our children and I will never have enough words to thank everyone that makes such a difference in our children’s lives.

Looking forward to an amazing bigger and brighter 2024!!

 

Kindest Regards,

Adriana Rios

Chair

 

 

 

The year has passed incredibly quickly with great learning happening both within and outside the formal spaces and by all members of the community. It is with great pleasure and pride that I share with you some of the many highlights from 2023:

 

EDUCATION in FAITH

  • Faith Based Inquiry Units – Participation, Change, Exploration & Production
  • Celebration of Sacraments: Eucharist, Penance & Confirmation
    • Confirmation Reflection Day & Parent Evening
    • Eucharist Parent Evening
  • Easter Liturgy
  • St Joseph’s Day Mass, activities and colour run
  • Bishop Tony’s visit
  • Professional learning on sacraments with Ang Virgona and Advent with Anette Viney
  • RE Accreditation study

LEADERSHIP and MANAGEMENT

  • Allowing all to flourish
  • Focus: attendance and engagement of students and families
  • Review
  • Master Plan completed
  • Fortnightly Meetings with Fr John
  • 2024 Enrolments
  • New Agreement for school staff - Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 (CEMEA 2022)

 

LEARNING and TEACHING

  • Maths Intensive Partnership
  • NAPLAN results
  • Student Led Conferences - 4  reporting points throughout year
  • The Great Wall of Courage Performance
  • 5 /6 City Camp
  • 3/ 4 Don Bosco Camp
  • Intervention Programs
  • Sports: Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival, Whole School Cross Country, Sporting, Schools Grants, Swim Squad, Running Club
  • Termly Parent Support Meetings (NCCD)
  • Incursions and excursions
  • Sustainability Program: Beach STEAM, Birds in School Program, Point Nepean Rangers, Dolphin Research Institute
  • Special days - Grandparents Day, Italian Day, Book Week, 
  • Padua Academic Conference
  • STEM Conference
  • Peninsula Health
  • Go Green Summit presentation
  • Sorrento Writer’s festival

 

 

STUDENT WELLBEING

  • Berry Street Education Model
  • School Wellbeing Action Team
  • Cyber Safety Sessions for students
  • Student Wellbeing Surveys
  • Calm corners, Brain breaks, Visual timetable in every learning space
  • St Joseph’s Award, acknowledging appropriate behaviour
  • Buddy program
  • Student run activities – Lunchtime sports
  • Lunchtime Clubs
  • Walk to School, Swim Squad and Running Club Breakfasts
  • The Fathering Project

 

COMMUNITY

  • The Combined School Fete
  • The Fathering Project
  • Parent assistance
    • Mother’s/Father’s Day Stalls and Morning Tea/Breakfast
    • Oak’s Day Lunch
    • Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
    • The Great Wall of Courage, St Joseph’s Day, Beach STEAM, learning areas etc. 
  • Canteen
  • Playgroup 
  • Working Bees
  • Prep and New Families Welcome Night
  • Bluey - the Rotary Community Bus
  • Instagram
  • Community Engagement Leader
    • Contact lists

 

I would like to thank the School Advisory Council members for your thoughtful insights, energy and commitment to St Joseph’s School. I would particularly like to express my thanks and appreciation to Tahnee who has been an active parent and has contributed a great deal to our community in such a short time. Thank you also to Fr John for his consistent support throughout the year.

 

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. I look ahead with great expectation to next year. 

 

Monica O'Shannassy

Principal