Dear Parents,

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

We also thank Kerry Colliver, Mindi and our social justice team for their wonderful service to others singing carols at Arcare and then at Red Hill Bakery in Balnarring. Thanks to our wonderful past staff Jane Allsop and Sandi Klose for attending.

Today is our final newsletter for 2024 and we take the time to celebrate all of the wonderful achievements throughout the 2024 school year. We have remained focussed in 2024 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.

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.

Sadly, we are farewelling some wonderful staff at the end of the 2024 school year.

Firstly, we farewell our amazing chef Matt who has led our Cafe and food science program so capably over the past 12 years. Matt commenced as an aide in the classroom and pretty soon we realised his amazing talents. We commenced our Joey’s cafe in 2012 and it has just been a highlight of our wonderful school. Matt you are such a great role model to all of our community and we can’t thank you enough for all that you have done for us keeping us fed, teaching us about food and supporting us in any way you could.

We also farewell our wonderful Peter Whyte. Peter came to us in 2018 as our wonderful Deputy. He is such a valued member of our St Joseph’s team and we love having him on staff. Thanks for all that you have done for us and all of the support you have given to so many students, staff and parents over many years. Peter we thank you wholeheartedly for all you have done at St Joseph’s. You will be sadly missed and we appreciate the significant amount of work you have done.

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 2024 for working in partnership with us.

A special mention to our wonderful School Advisory Council. They are a magnificent team who lead our parent group ensuring there is parent voice and involvement in the school.

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 2024 tomorrow at 1.00pm. 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 1.00pm 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 12.30pm. 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. We thank the following families for all you have done throughout the years and hope you have many wonderful memories to take with you.

We farewell the following families
Armstrong family	Berryman family
Essing family	Hannah family
Law family	Miglioranza family
Shaw family	Spooner/Birchall family
Brkljacic/Clifton family	Garland family
Hanson family	Kraulis family
Lyngcoln family	Strange family
Walshe family	Hinch family
Kerr family	Kyriacou family
Leyden family	Wallace family
Clarke family

We will be sending home holiday challenge packs this week. We are encouraging all students to continue to be learners over the summer break and keep practising their basic skills while they are away from school. It is important that students continue to read and practise their Reading and Maths skills. Students will be encouraged to bring their booklet to their beginning of the year interview and share their learning with their new teacher.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of our wonderful school in 2024 and look forward to all that we can create together in partnership to ensure every student in our school shines, grows and flourishes.

Have a happy, peaceful and safe Christmas with your family and friends and I look forward to continuing on our journey together in 2025.

The school year for 2025 commences on Wednesday 29th January. Students will be required to come to school for an individual conference on either Wednesday 29th or Thursday 30th January. Students will then commence formal classes on Friday 31st January, 2025.

Yours In Partnership,

Gab Espenschied

Christmas Eve Mass...