Dear Families,

Happy new year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are feeling well rested and rejuvenated, with many happy memories. Welcome to the 2026 school year. There was such a buzz in the air this morning. It was wonderful to hear the excited voices and see beaming faces fill the school. Unfortunately our coffee van broke down on the way to us but it was good to see some families join us for a coffee at Stringers.

We especially welcome our new prep students, and their families: Bodhi, Leni, Hank, Max, Spencer, Leo, Estella, Thomas, Danny, Avery, Grace, Alina, Daisy, Azali,

Archie, Florence, Saylor, Madeline,

Holly and Tilly.

A warm welcome also to new students Robin (Year 6) and Lucia (Year 2) and their families.

Better Together

Our theme for the year is Better Together. “Better Together” ties our school values together into one clear message: when respect, teamwork, learning and honesty guide how we treat one another, the whole school community thrives.

Respect: “Better Together” emphasises valuing every person’s voice, background and ideas. When students learn that the community is stronger because of differences, respect becomes more than a rule, it becomes a shared responsibility.
Teamwork: This is the heart of the theme. Whether in group work, learning tasks, sports, performances or problem-solving, it reinforces that cooperation, listening and supporting one another lead to better outcomes than working alone.
Learning: The theme highlights that learning is social. Students learn better when they ask questions, explain their thinking, make mistakes together and help each other grow. Teachers and students are partners in the learning process.
Honesty: Being “Better Together” requires trust. Honesty allows students and staff to communicate openly, admit mistakes, ask for help and resolve conflicts in healthy ways, strengthening relationships across the school.

As a Catholic school , "Better Together," isn't just a slogan but a faith centred invitation to live as a loving Christ centred community every day.

Beginning of School Year - Staff Learning

Staff commenced the school year on Tuesday and spent the two days planning for the new year, reviewing policies and procedures, completing compliance activities and participating in professional learning. Rebecca Ball, an occupational therapist, shared with staff knowledge on catering for all students including ones with diverse needs. Presenters from Jesuit Social Services facilitated a session on breaking gender stereotypes and encouraging each student to break restrictions and allow students to feel confidence, develop a sense of belonging and follow their passions.

New Programs and Offerings

This year our students in Year Five and Six will be participating in a Mental Health and Wellbeing Program on Friday afternoons. St Joseph's School has a good reputation for supporting particular needs and are focusing on extending many of our students through a more formalised program.

Communication

nForma is our new platform for communicating with families. Newsletters will be published fortnightly on Monday's (odd weeks) and on the alternate Monday afternoon (even weeks) at 2:30pm we will have whole school assemblies in the 3/4 learning area or outside. Our first assembly will be this coming Monday, where will announce our Year Six student leaders.

Contacting staff

Staff are very happy to meet with parents to discuss their child. Please email them to make an appointment.

If wanting to contact staff regarding an urgent matter throughout the day, please contact the office and messages will be passed on or ask staff to return the call. Teaching staff are not checking emails throughout the day. All other communication with staff should be through their school email and not their private phones. Your assistance with this is greatly appreciated.

Stay and Play

For the Fridays in February we will have Stay and Play after school. Families can stay and play on the playground and students and younger siblings can enjoy a Zooper Dooper. This will begin next week.

Meet & Greet

Meet and Greet Meetings are designed to allow parents to meet their child's teacher and share important information with them. These will take place on Monday 9th February between 2:00pm and 5:30pm. A booking form will be sent out in the next few days through nForma. School will finish at the usual time of 3:20pm on this day.

Building Project

It is with great excitement that I announce that Baxter Projects is the company who will be completing the building works. They are hoping to commence at the end of February.

Parish Celebrations

As a member of the St Joseph's School Community, you are also members of the St Mary's Star of the Sea Parish. All school families and parishioners are invited to the mass and light lunch on 22nd February to commemorate 150 years of the establishment of the parish and 100 years of the Oblate Fathers serving the Sorrento Parish. Please note the invitation on the Religious Dimension page.

Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating

As St Joseph's School is on the Bushfire -at - Risk register, the school will need to close on days when the fire danger is deemed as catastrophic. Families will be notified as soon as we are made aware of the rating. Students will be participating in an evacuation drill next Monday.

Medication

If there are any changes to medication taken at school, please contact the office. Asthma and Anaphylactic Action Plans need to be updated annually and signed by a doctor before being shared with the school.

Could all parents please check and update your child's medical records on nForma.

School Policies

Please note that we have updated our MACS and school policies. They can be found on the school website.

Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

Many thanks,

Monica

moshannassy@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au

Learning and Teaching