Principal's Report

Last week I spoke to the children about the essential link between regular attendance at school and successful achievement and positive wellbeing. The key message is that no matter what the issue, there are skillful, helpful adults here at St Joseph’s School who can offer experienced advice and compassionate support for everyone in our community. I then emphasized that being here is the first step followed by the next crucial step - participation.  I have to say how impressed I have been in my early days here with our children and families getting in and “having a go”, not just in the classroom and playground, but out in the community, at the local Show, at the Swimming Carnival and local sporting events. I particularly identify the generous group of parents who masked up and devoted hours of hard work at the Swimming Carnival. As an ex-PE teacher many moons ago, I cannot speak more highly of the ‘high-tech’ organizational work that was delivered by our dedicated parents. Their quiet, unassuming participation allowed for our kids to have a smooth and easy opportunity to happily compete,  cheer and participate themselves in a positive community-building event. And of course, the skillful helpful team of staff lead by Mrs Chard deserve similar affirmation for their care and concern for every child, to either complete or to just enjoy some fun water sports in the wading pool. All round good day really! Take a look on Facebook for all the color and action.

In a similar vein, we gathered last week in the COLA for the first time as a faith community for the 2022 Opening School Mass. Our Parish Priest, Father Gleeson led a prayerful celebration of the Eucharist that allowed easy entry for all to full conscious and active participation of the assembled children and staff. While COVID restrictions continue to impact our ability to gather inside the church, our faith community was able to both call the presence of God into our collective vocation of raising committed, happy and skilful young people, as well as blessing the work of our 2022 student leaders. I congratulate the following students on their election to these important roles of leadership and service in our community.

 2022 STUDENT LEADERS

SCHOOL CAPTAINS:                           Allegra Pinferi     Patrick Wright

SPORTS HOUSE CAPTAINS: 

MacKillop (Yellow)                              Bronte Ellis           Thomas Pietsch

Penola (Red)                                          Mylie Doust          Bobby Chard

Fitzroy (Blue)                                        Grace Tarrant      Harrison Bailey

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC):

Stage 1 RED                                       Alec Newberry

Stage 1 BLUE                                    Harry Smith

Stage 2 RED                                      April Collins

Stage 2 BLUE                                   Kash McPhillips

Stage 3 RED                                     Abigail Pietsch

Stage 3 BLUE                                  Ruby Grob

This talented and committed group of children met with myself and Mrs McCarthy earlier this week to set our operating norms and focus our service work for 2022. Already the younger members of the group are ‘stepping up’ and offering ideas that will not only provide community pathways for fundraising for our Catholic Church partners Caritas, Catholic Mission and St Vincent de Paul, but offering new ideas that generate positive participation and fun for everyone.

In closing, it would be no surprise to anyone that my daily prayers have a clear focus on encouraging the government to ‘open our gates’. While I have always fully and actively supported the necessary COVID restrictions to ensure that everyone stays safe, with the levels of vaccination and boosters at an all time high and ‘herd immunity’ on the rise, one would hope that we can soon get back to welcoming families into our school gates. Be assured that once we get the ‘green light’ we have many plans to reinvigorate our partnership with families in supporting our beautiful young people to achieve in their learning and to grow positive well being. While P&F Associations and School Advisory Councils have a necessary place in schools, we would hope to be welcoming families very soon to Parent-Teacher Conferences, Welcome BBQ, Family Masses, Student Learning Fairs and much more. Please join me in praying for a relaxation in the restrictions sooner rather than later!

May God go with you.

Geoff McManus

Principal