Message from Liz 

Dear Parents and Carers

At St Joseph’s Primary, Rochester, we value the role photos and videos play in celebrating learning and building community. We are equally committed to protecting each child’s safety, wellbeing and future digital footprint.

We carefully manage who can take images at school and school events, seek written parent/carer consent before publishing, and ensure consent reflects how images will be used. Student device use is supervised, and external access is monitored.

Images are only published with permission, and students are not identified where appropriate. Together, we can celebrate achievements while safeguarding privacy and long-term digital wellbeing.

When completing the Parent Consent Form for Photography and Recording, families will notice there are several options available. As technology continues to evolve and the ways we share information change, it is important that our processes remain clear, consistent and supportive of your preferences.

Our school newsletter is currently shared with:

• Families
• School website
• Social media platforms

Because the newsletter is also published on social media, if you choose to give permission for newsletter sharing but not for social media, your child’s photo will not be included in the newsletter. This ensures we honour your consent choices and protect your child’s digital footprint.

To provide families with easy access to important learning information, Curriculum Notes, that have previously been attached to the newsletter, will be distributed directly to families via PAM as a Daily Message and will remain accessible throughout the term.

This approach allows us to celebrate class learning while respecting family preferences. For example, families who are comfortable with their child appearing in a class photo within Curriculum Notes, but not in the newsletter or on social media, can do so with confidence.

Please be assured:

• If you do not provide consent for photography or recording, your child will not be included in Curriculum Notes photos or any other published image

We value working in partnership with families to celebrate learning in ways that prioritise student safety, privacy and long-term digital wellbeing. If you have any questions about your consent selections, we are always happy to assist.

School Advisory Council nominations

The scope of the School Advisory Council is:

The Advisory Council serves as a consultative and advisory group for the Principal, a means through which the Board receives information and feedback from the broader school community and an active forum for parent and local community participation, providing support and advice primarily in strategic planning and school improvement, and is intended to:

• actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School/College
• provide parental and local community input into strategic planning, school improvement, child safeguarding practices and school review
• support the Principal in meeting their accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting
• actively support the Principal in the encouragement of parent/carer engagement
• Provide a means by which the CESL Executive (and thereby the CESL Board) can dialogue with and hear from school community members

Taken from the CESL Terms of Reference.

Parents and supporters of St Joseph’s that are interested in being a member of the School Advisory Council are invited to complete the Expression of Interest Form. (click on the link)

SCHOOL BUS INFORMATION FOR 2026 – Shared on behalf of Rochester Secondary College

Please note that three of our buses are at capacity so NO BUS PASSES will be available during the year for the buses listed below.

Bus 1 - Corop/Elmore

Bus 2 - Lockington

Bus 6 - Toolleen

Students may use the School Bus Program only for travel between their approved home bus stop and school. Travel for sport training or social visits (including friends’ houses) is not approved and families must arrange their own transport.

If your student/s require a bus pass for any other buses due to extenuating circumstances, please ensure a note by the parent/carer is dropped into the office at the commencement of the day. This note must be signed, dated and an explanation as to where your student is going and why. Please do not come to the office at the end of the day to request a pass as it will not be granted. 

Students are NOT permitted to travel on any of our buses without a pass.

Finally, we had wonderful celebrations to welcome in 2026 last week.

Thank you to the Parents & Friends for their coordination and organisation of these events. We appreciate the time and energy that goes in to events that benefit the whole of our community.

Thanks for your support and co-operation.

Liz