Principals' Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Week 8!  We hope you managed to enjoy the weekend with family and friends. With the weather now getting cooler, please ensure your child is dressed in the full winter school uniform as the long weekend was our official changeover from our summer school uniform. While some children do not seem too bothered by the cold weather, it is important that they wear their school jumpers/jackets to avoid the chill as much as possible. Please ensure that these items of clothing are clearly labelled with your child's name.

Assessment and Reporting

This time in our school year is always a busy reporting period. Students have been working hard to show what they have learned throughout the semester. It should be noted that assessment and feedback of students work is ongoing throughout the semester as are goal setting opportunities and student reflection on their work.

The Common Grade Scale describes performance at each of five grade levels for your student up to this point in time. This may vary throughout their learning cycle.

A - The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.

B - The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.

C - The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.

D - The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.

E - The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

Please note a D in a child's learning, put simply, indicates that they required a teacher's assistance to commence and prompt them in their assessments.  An E in learning shares with parents that a teacher was required to work with them throughout their assessment task.

Many students also achieve significant growth in their learning.  This growth is also to be celebrated. Whilst a written report may not share this growth, discussions with your child's teacher about their progress is encouraged. Our students are wonderful learners and they have worked hard on their assessments.

School reports are a celebration of your child’s learning!

Why Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance is essential for students to fully engage in their learning and make academic progress. Here are some key reasons why attendance matters:

1. Academic Success: Attending school regularly allows students to benefit from consistent instruction, participate in classroom discussions, and complete assignments on time. This contributes to better academic performance and helps students achieve their educational goals.
2. Building Relationships: School attendance provides opportunities for students to build meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers. These connections enhance the learning experience and contribute to a positive school environment.
3. Developing Essential Skills: Consistent attendance helps students develop important life skills such as time management, responsibility, and resilience. These skills are crucial for success both in school and in future endeavours.
4. Preventing Learning Gaps: Missing school, even for short periods, can lead to gaps in learning that may be difficult to overcome. Regular attendance ensures that students receive continuous instruction and stay on track with their learning objectives.

It is essential for children to attend as much school as possible if they are to get the most from their education and achieve their full potential. Being absent or late to school means a lost learning opportunity for your child.

The Impact of Missing School

While the importance of good attendance is clear, it’s also essential to understand the negative consequences of missing school:

1. Academic Challenges: Students who are frequently absent often struggle to keep up with their classmates academically. They may miss important lessons, fall behind in their learning, and experience difficulty mastering essential concepts.
2. Decreased Engagement: Chronic absenteeism can lead to disengagement from school and a lack of motivation to participate in learning activities. This can result in decreased academic performance and lower levels of achievement.
3. Social and Emotional Impact: Missing school can also have social and emotional consequences for students. They may feel isolated from their peers, experience increased stress or anxiety about falling behind, and miss out on valuable opportunities for personal growth and development.
4. Long-Term Outcomes: Research has shown that students who are chronically absent are more likely to have lower graduation rates, decreased earning potential, and higher rates of involvement in negative behaviours such as substance abuse.

We are committed to promoting good attendance and providing support to ensure that all students can attend school regularly. We encourage all families to join us in prioritising attendance and recognising its importance in shaping the future success of our students. Our goal is literate and numerate students for a HOPE filled future!

A Community Built on Mutual Respect

At St Joseph, the partnership between school and home is something we cherish. It is built on a strong foundation of mutual respect, safety, and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our children.

With this in mind, we want to share an important legislative update currently being discussed at a state level that affects all school communities across New South Wales.

The Education Amendment (School Community Safety) Bill is currently before the NSW Parliament. This proposed legislation has been introduced in response to a rising trend of bullying, aggression, and threatening behavior directed toward school principals, teachers, and staff across the state.

The Bill will permit an authorised person, such as a school principal, to issue a School Community Safety Order against a parent, carer, or adult visitor in specified circumstances. This legal measure is designed to act as a protective shield, ensuring that schools remain safe, secure, and respectful environments for staff to teach and children to learn.

We are deeply grateful that when our families have queries or concerns, you approach us to address them in a positive, collaborative, and constructive manner. By always keeping the best outcomes for our children at the heart of the conversation, we ensure our school remains a place care and learning.