Principal's Page
Dear Families,
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector. The theme this year is "In the light of Christ."
I look forward to attending the Mass of St Patrick's for Schools at the Cathedral and a concert in the Treasury Gardens on Friday with some Year Six leaders.
We will be launching a video of a virtual tour of our school on our website this week and some parent testimonials also. I will be visiting local kindergartens to promote our wonderful school.
Open Door Afternoon
We would like to invite our families into our learning spaces on Monday 25 March at 2:45pm. This is another way we aim to engage parents in the learning happening at school. We hope to hold one at the end of each term. We will rotate the days each term.
SJM Care
Thank you to Catherine and Hope for organising this important outreach program, assisting those in our community needing a bit of extra support. Thank you also to all the parents who offered to be contacted when the need arises. Catherine and Hope will be contacting you shortly. If you become aware of anyone needing support eg parent/family illness, arrival of a new baby please, ask the person or family would they like a bit of support and let me know. Information will be confidential. Here are photos of Hope and Catherine with their sons for those who don't know them yet.
Prep - Year 4 Intensive Swimming Program
Thank you to Jenny Todd for organising the Intensive Swimming Program last week. Thank you also to the parents and local community members who assisted the program as swimming instructors: Annabel, Nat, Jacki, Bill and Leonie. It was wonderful to see and hear of the progress students were making over the week.
St Joseph's Award
Congratulations Jack and Vesper for receiving the St Joseph's award last week at assembly. The award acknowledges students who consistently display our school values of respect, teamwork, learning and honesty and our behaviour expectations of being respectful, being safe and being a learner.
St Joseph's Day
Our school community will be celebrating St Joseph's Day next Tuesday 19 March. An Operoo was sent to all families explaining the activities students will be participating in: mass, learning activities on St Joseph and the people our house colours are named after, a sausage sizzle and colour fun run. We feel it is a great way to celebrate that we all belong to St Joseph's School and are valuable members.
Easter Egg Raffle
Thank you to Annabel and Sarsha for organising the Easter Egg Raffle. Tickets were sent home last week and are due back at school by Monday 25 March. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 27 March after our Easter/Holy Week performance. Please remember to hand your donations in as soon as possible.
School Advisory Council (SAC)
The 2024 School Advisory Council met this afternoon for the first time this year. The goals of the SAC are to be a parent voice in policy and procedures around school improvement. This year we will be focusing on developing parish & school connections and family engagement in learning. Adriana, Jessie S, Jessie H, Assunta and Nicole, Megan Barber and myself are happy to be approached about any matters in the community.
The Berry Street Education Model
Staff have enjoyed four days of professional learning about the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). The learning has equipped staff to develop meaningful relationships with students, manage challenging behaviour, provide students with strategies to regulate their emotions and improve overall engagement and learning outcomes. Students will benefit from the shared beliefs and understandings staff share on developing relationships, acknowledging students' strengths and character, improving student stamina, increasing engagement and students understanding their bodies and strategies to assist them being ready to learn.
Wall Project
The building works to repair the retaining walls on the western side of the school building are on schedule. Workers made the most of the school closure days to complete some noisy work!
Welcome
We welcome Hudson (Yr 5) and his family to the St Joseph's School community and hope that they have a rewarding experience with us.
2025 Prep Enrolments
Enrolment are now open for 2025. Please encourage any neighbours or friends looking for a school, to please ring the office and book a tour.
Have an enjoyable week,
Monica