Messages from Mrs Trewick

As we prepare to finish 2023, I would like to share my highlights:

• Starting the year onsite
• Rebuilding with the intention to future proof our school
• The staff have worked in challenging spaces again, while some have classrooms, their break and planning space was not supportive of balance between work and breaks. Yet, they made the children and learning their priority
• Special mention to 3/4MM, Michelle and her team for the extra workload of setting and packing up the Parish Hall every week. It was a huge job that most didn’t see  happen
• We have had a committed team of Student Leaders in the area of Wellbeing, Catholic Identity, Sports and Events Managers and Sustainability. It was great to work with them and listen to their ideas about how we could make St Joseph's a better space
• Community Connections - as Dr Michael Carr-Gregg taught us about helping our children find their spark. This program certainly provided a variety of opportunities for our children
• Finally, on Tuesday, Transition Day, Grades 3/4 and 5/6 will have the day in their classrooms for 2024. How awesome is that!

Thank you to the School Advisory Council and Parents & Friends Association for the work they have done to make sure St Joseph's is the place to be. I have enjoyed meetings that focus on our children and community. Thank you for questioning decisions and offering suggestions for ways we can improve. They have organised activities and events for us, looking to make your child's school experience memorable.

What a year it has been. Thank you for the confidence you have shown in my vision for our school. Thank you for the support you have given us and for working with us.

Foundation/Grade 1: Miss Eliza McNamara

Grade 2: Miss Lauren Sortino

Grade 3/4: Mrs Cheryl Schwab & Miss Elli Williams

Grade 5/6: Mrs Yvette Lupa & Miss Amy Eade

Intervention: Mrs Susan Kerlin

Visual Art: Mrs Jessica Carmichael

PE: Ms Olivia McEvoy

Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships: Mrs Fran Bennett

Digital Technology: Mr Jerrod Davison

Education Support Officers:

• Mrs Deanna Palmer
• Mrs Leanne Hansen
• Mrs Leanne McInnes
• Ms Hannah Schwab (3 days)
• Mrs Asha McConnell (2 days)
• Ms Bianca Robins

Administration:

• Maria Whitehead (3 days)
• Bree Cox (3 days)
• Toni Cripps (3 days)

Elara Bowald will finish at St Joseph's at the end of next week and begin a new role at Rochester Secondary College. We thank Elara for the work she has done in supporting the students at St Joseph's School.

Students will spend the morning with their 2024 teacher. 

They will begin the day in the pavilion and classes will be announced.

We look forward to welcoming our 2024 Foundation students to St Joseph's.

All families received a letter last week regarding school fees. Please take the time to read this information and return the form indicating how you will pay fees in 2024.

If your family holds a Health Care Card, there is fee relief available, so please make sure we have this information in order to apply the relief.

Families experiencing financial hardship are asked to speak to myself (Liz).

We thank the following families for being a part of our community. We wish you well as your family continues to learn and grow in other spaces.

• Tash, Tom  & Jack Collins 
• Trav & Tye Windridge
• James, Rebekah, Matilda, Denvah & Brydie Anderson (Hocking ) 
• Ingrid & Michael, Caitlyn & Matthew Quinn (West)
• Paul, Kel, Noah and Meg O’Sullivan 
• Travis, Bronwyn, Elli and Charlotte Harris 
• Damian, Sarah, Liv and Mitchell McInnes 

Brydie Anderson, Bridgette Bramley, Shania Broucek, Jack Collins, Ruby Connelly, Charlotte Harris, Noah Makepeace, Mitchell McInnes, Meg O’Sullivan, Corey Pangrazio, Matthew Quinn, Holly Scoble, Matilda Shawcross, Jameson Watson and Tye Windridge.

Our prayer for you is:

We ask for your almighty hand to be upon our Year 6 students as they graduate from Primary school this week. Bless their lives from this day on with goodness and love. Help them to stay true to their dreams, to use their gifts wisely, and to walk into the future with humility, justice and compassion.

Week 11: 11 - 15 Dec

• 11th: Pupil Free Day - 2024 Planning
• 12th: Step Up - Statewide Transition
  • 9.00am - 11.40am
• 13th: Last lunch order day!
• 14th: Graduation Dinner @ Rich River Golf Club
• 15th: Last day for 2023 
  • End of Year Mass including the Sacrament of Confirmation @ 10.00am
  • Sausage Sizzle for lunch
  • Assembly @ 12.00pm
  • Students finish @ 3.15pm

If you need any more information as you prepare for the Christmas break, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes