Deputy Princpal News
Celebrating Routines
The first few days have provided students and teachers with the opportunity to build on the success of Term 1 and the work we engaged in to develop clear and consistent routines across the school.
At St Joseph's, we place a strong emphasis on consistent routines, as they are foundational to our Conditions for Learning and underpin success for every student. Clear, predictable structures create the environment in which students feel safe, settled, and ready to learn.
Routines provide clarity and stability. When students know what to expect, they are able to transition calmly between tasks, remain focused, and engage more deeply in their learning. This sense of predictability supports both wellbeing and readiness to learn.
They also build strong habits for learning. Through consistent structures across the day – particularly within our literacy and numeracy blocks – students develop independence, stamina, and the ability to manage themselves effectively. These are critical skills not only for school, but for life beyond it.
Importantly, consistency across the school matters. Our agreed timetables and shared expectations ensure that every classroom operates with the same high level of clarity and purpose. This alignment strengthens our collective practice and ensures that learning time is protected and maximised. These routines may appear simple, but their impact is significant.
Enrichment - Up and Running!
Term 2 provides a wonderful opportunity for our Year 5 and 6 students to engage their minds in some exciting enrichment and academic activities.
This week, our Year 5 and 6 Maths Olympiad and Da Vinci Decathlon students began practising and refining their skills in readiness for this year's upcoming competition.
In the final weeks of Term 1, our Year 6 Ethics Olympiad Team engaged in a full day of training, focused on extending their skills and understanding of philosophy and ethics, to assist them when they compete in the Ethics Olympiad later in Term 2.
I am excited to continue working alongside our Year 5 and 6 students as they prepare for the upcoming competitions that will occur across this term.
Key Dates
Maths Olympiad Competition Papers (In School)
- Wed, 6 May 2026
- Wed, 10 Jun 2026
- Wed, 29 Jul 2026
- Wed, 9 Sep 2026
Da Vinci Decathlon
- Tuesday, 12 May 2026 – Year 5 & 6 (Korowa Anglican Girls' School)
Ethics Olympiad (Online)
- Tue, 9 June
Topic: A Rich and Engaging Learning Experience
At St Joseph's, Topic is a rich and engaging unit of learning that brings together a range of disciplines to provide students with meaningful, real-world connections to their learning. Our Topic units are carefully built on the Victorian Curriculum and weave together concepts and themes drawn from Humanities — including History, Geography, and Civics — as well as Economics, Technology, Capabilities, Health, and Science.
This integrated approach allows students to explore big ideas and develop critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills in a way that uses knowledge in a purposeful and meaningful way.
In Term 2, students across the school will be exploring the following units:
Prep–Year 2: Places and Our Connection to Them
Our youngest learners will explore the places that are significant to them — from their home and school to their local community and beyond. Students will develop an understanding of place, belonging, and how our environments shape who we are. A trip to Rickett's Point earlier this week has set the tone for our Topic unit and will serve as a valuable tool to support student learning throughout the term.
Years 3 & 4: Diversity of Places and Our Environment
Students will investigate the diversity of places across Australia and the wider world, exploring how environments differ and how people interact with and respond to their surroundings. This unit encourages curiosity, empathy, and an appreciation of our natural world, with a strong focus on plants and ecosystems. A trip to the Botanic Gardens will provide students with a wonderful opportunity to make meaningful connections between the concepts explored in class and the living world around them.
Years 5 & 6: Economics and Business – Shark Tank
Our senior students will dive into the world of economics and business, developing an entrepreneurial mindset as they design, pitch, and refine their own business ideas in a Shark Tank-style challenge. This exciting unit builds financial literacy, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills. To further enrich their learning, Year 5 and 6 students will also take part in the Mini Boss incursion, The Launch — a hands-on experience linked to Business and Economics that supports students in building their knowledge of the skills and requirements involved in launching a business.
Luke Daffy
Deputy Principal