General Information
Staffing 2024
It gives us great pleasure to present the team of wonderful people who will teach and care for your child this year:
Co-Principals - Maree Holland and Greg O'Toole
AP/REC - Trish Mitchell
Kinder - Phoebe George & teacher density Trish Mitchell (Mon - Wed)
Stage 1 - Judy Ryan, Aly Kellow & Amanda Young
Stage 2 - Ellie Sampson & Melissa Buckland
Stage 3 - Luke Paterson, Jo Wallace (Mon, Tues & Wed) & Phoebe O'Shea (Thurs, Fri)
Library - Marianne Holley
RFF - Mel Crittenden & Grace Parker
Inclusion Support Teacher - Emily Sullivan
Education Assistants - Taylor Bruce, Mel Honnery, Sumudu De Silva, Lisa Vile & Kim Wadwell
AEA - Kim Taggart
Administration - Kylie Dewhurst & Jodie Westhorpe
School Counsellor - Brett Cocker
Canteen Supervisor - to be confirmed
Maintenance - Mick Macrae & Chris Cartan
Cleaner - Jenny Ayres & Shanleys Cleaning Services
School Uniform & Other Information
Just a reminder that students should wear their summer uniform Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. Sport uniform is to be worn Wednesday and Friday. Please make sure all students come to school with their school hat, a water bottle, morning tea and lunch.
Afternoon Pick Up - Crown Street
Students who are being collected from school in the afternoon are to wait inside the school gate for their parent/carer. Students are not permitted to walk to parked cars for safety reasons. Parents/carers may wait in the church grounds and, when sighted by the teacher on duty, students may walk to their parent/carer.
Compass
All new families should have received their log in details. A reminder after downloading the Compass App, please search Tamworth, then choose St Joseph's School. Please contact the office if you have any issues.
Canteen
There will be no Canteen until further notice due to staffing changes. We hope to have the canteen up and running again as soon as possible.
Enrolling Now for Kinder 2025
Our enrolment period for Kindergarten 2025 is now open! Please visit https://stjosephstamworth.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/ for enrolment details or contact the office on 67654079 for further information. Enrolment Applications must be accompanied by the relevant supporting documents as listed on the cover page of the application form. Applications close on the last of Term 1. If you know anyone who has a child wishing to start Kindergarten at St Joseph's next year, please share this information with them.
Position Vacant - Canteen Supervisor
We are looking for a new Canteen Supervisor. Please visit the following link for further information https://arm.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24-08-Canteen-Supervisor-St-Josephs-Primary-School-West-Tamworth.pdf
P & F AGM
The P & F plays an important role in building community by organising social events and supporting the school through fundraising activities. We encourage everyone to become involved in the P & F Association. Our next meeting is the AGM and will be held on Tuesday 13th February in the Staffroom.
Student Absences
The NSW Education Act (1990) and the Catholic Schools Office, Armidale require parents/carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, parents/carers are legally required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, in writing, within seven days of the absence.
Please also be aware that partial absences calculate towards non attendance at school e.g. if your child arrives late to school, leaves early or misses part of the school day.
Late arrival makes it more difficult for a child to settle in class. Leaving the class early results in the child missing out on important information to help them prepare for the next day. Each day or part day missed makes the support of your child more challenging as staff attempt to ensure they are learning at an appropriate rate.
The Importance of Arriving at School on Time
Arriving at school and class on time:
- ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day
- helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine
- give students time to greet their friends before class
- reduces classroom disruption. Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents
What if my child has to be away from school?
On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Absences explained by parents/carers have to be justified by the Principal. Justified reasons for student absences may include:
- being sick, or having an infectious disease - a medical certificate is provided or the Principal accepts the explanation
- having an unavoidable medical appointment
- being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
- exceptional or urgent family circumstance (e.g. attending a funeral)
An explained but unjustified absence is an instance where a parent/carer has explained the student's absence and this has not been accepted by the Principal.
Change in Routine
Can you please advise the school office before 2:30pm if there is any change in your child's afternoon routine.
School Student Travel
Equipment Lists for 2024
Equipment lists for each stage were sent home last year. A copy is also available by clicking on the attachments below.
2024 School Fees
Earlier today you would have received a letter via Compass regarding the 2024 school fees.
School Fees will be sent in approximately Week 2 or 3 of each term from The Catholic Schools Office to your via Compass account and email.
Any family requiring assistance with school fees is encouraged to make an appointment and come and meet with us as soon as possible.