Principal's News

How are we already half way through the term? It astounds me! The fact that everyone is settled and vey much in to the routine of school is a credit to the staff and parents of the children. If this is any indication this year will be gone in the blink of an eye!

POWER OUTAGE PLAN:

Thank you for your support last week with the power outage and loss of phone connection. As a school we can handle and adapt to not having power but the inability to contact parents/families and emergency services with no phone coverage is putting people at risk -something we and Catholic Education Sandhurst are not prepared to do. In future if we lose power and it occurs over school hours please keep you child/ren at home wherever possible. If you are unsure of whether there is school, I will be on site to answer any questions or concerns. Hopefully this will not be a regular occurance however we need to have a plan in place if it does happen again.

LEARNING CONVERSATIONS:

Learning Conversations are taking place Tuesday 26th March from 8.30-4.30 for any child who does not have a PSG meeting. Times can be booked online using the Simon Everywhere app on your phone. If you need help with this please see your child's teacher or myself. These are a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child's start to the year and to set future goals.

PUPIL FREE DAYS:

In accordance with Department of Education/Catholic Education, schools are given 9 pupil free days a year.  Please familiarise yourself with these dates (found on Dates for your Diaries page). We have tried to minimise disruption to children's learning by having the majority on a Friday or Monday, or tagging them onto an existing long weekend, allowing families the chance to have a mini break if required. Staff will be at school on those days and be provided with professional learning/development and time for curriculum planning and documentation. 

WELCOME NIGHT:

I would like to warmly welcome and encourage all our families to join us this Thursday 29th February for our Welcome Night from 5.00-6.30pm at Nagambie Splash Park. This will be a great opportunity for old and new families to come together and meet each other and meet our staff in an informal setting. We look forward to seeing you all there. 

COMMUNICATION:

There are many ways we communicate with families at St Joseph's:

-face to face conversations and phone calls

-fortnightly newsletter (general information/news)

-SimonEverywhere app (permission forms/student absences/sick passes)

-email

-Dojo (very informal news/photos sent by teachers)

-Facebook  ( a great way to promote our school with photos and achievements)

-fortnightly Friday afternoon assembly (run by Year 5/6 students)

Each of them have their own purpose/role and it is important you stay in touch with the school in as many ways as you can to be a positive and active part of your child's education. We are stronger together!

IN HOUSE LUNCH ORDERS:

This week sees the return of 'in house' lunch orders, chosen and organised by the students - (with the help of our marvellous Ebony). This Tuesday is Hot dog day. See Ebony's Catholic Identity page for more details.

FAREWELL:

This week we farewell Sam Gaskett as she leaves St Joseph's to take up an LSO position at St Mary's Seymour. We wish Sam all the very best and thank her for her time spent at St Joseph's and the impact she has left on the students she has worked with.

A LITTLE BIT OF HELP NEEDED:

Steve, my husband and our volunteer gardener/maintenance/handy man recently had elbow surgery and although he is recovering well and back to many of the things he was doing he is still unable to do whipper snipping. If there is a parent who can spare an hour to whipper snip the chicken pen and garden area it would be most appreciated. 

Have. wonderful weekend everyone.

Take care and stay safe

Maree :)