Dear Parents,

Today is our final newsletter for 2025 and we take the time to celebrate all of the wonderful achievements throughout the 2025 school year. We have remained focussed in 2025 on the high educational standards we are so proud of at St. Joseph’s and the ways we have also connected learning to life to ensure our students all shine and flourish in so many ways.

Thank you to Emily Reed and staff for the positive, fun, colourful afternoon on Friday with the colour run.

We also thank Kerry Colliver, Maria Milan, Mindi and our social justice team for their wonderful service to others singing carols at Arcare and then at Red Hill Bakery in Balnarring.

Our vision of growing together in Knowledge, Faith and Friendship guides all that we do as we strive to ensure our students make meaning of the world around them, know and understand themselves and feel passionate and motivated to take action and put all of their wonderful learning into practice.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for all that you have done over the year. I have every faith in our staff and know how committed they are to ensuring the best learning and teaching occurs for all of our children. I could not be more proud of all that our staff have accomplished this year. It is a privilege to work alongside such a committed and talented team of educators.

A special thanks to my wonderful leadership team - Sue, Trish and Kate. Your work and dedication is second to none and I appreciate all that you do to assist me in leading our school. A special shout out to Trish and Kate for leading the school throughout Term 2.

Sadly, we are farewelling some wonderful staff at the end of the 2025 school year.

Natalie Dullard has been on our faith team throughout 2025 and is an exceptional faith leader always focussing on our Catholic Social Teachings with a contemporary approach.

John Poole has been on our support staff for the past 7 years and is just a brilliant role model to all of our students. Every day John listens to many students read connecting with text and having wonderful conversations around literacy and just being a very special support to our students. We will miss you both and wish you all the best.

Thank you to our wonderful parents for working in partnership and for all of your help and support. It does take a village to raise a child and we have a truly sensational village to do this in. We could not be more appreciative of our parents in 2025 for working in partnership with us.

Thank you and congratulations to our children – we are blessed with magnificent children who inspire us all on a daily basis.

We farewell the Graduating class of 2025 tomorrow at 1.30pm. I congratulate our Year 6 graduates and thank them for the wonderful contribution they have made to our school community. I trust they will take the St. Joseph’s spirit with them and always know they are a valuable part of our school community. We have had a magnificent group of Year 6 students who have continued to shine in their leadership roles whether at school or on remote learning.

This will be a long service commencing at 1.30pm and is expected to be finished by 3.30pm. If you do not think your child will be able to sit for the duration you are most welcome to collect your child at 1.00 pm. Students will not be able to be dismissed during the graduation ceremony.

We have a number of families with their youngest child graduating from St. Joseph’s after a long association with the school and some other families sadly leaving us. We thank the following families for all you have done throughout the years and hope you have many wonderful memories to take with you.

Banks Family - Cooper

Buckley Family - Maddie

Elliott Family - Bonnie

Hermiston Family - Everett

Mead Family - Asher

Rynaard Family - Isla

Stow Family - Ayden

Sydney Family - Olive

Tiplady Family - Arlo

Finally, I wish you all a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas Holiday period. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the community involved in last nights very sad events in Sydney and we pray for peace, love, joy and hope in this Advent season.

I look forward to seeing you in 2026 and partnering with you to ensure your child is successful in all that they set out to do.

Yours in Partnership,

Gab

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