Principal's Report

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, our staff team of skilful helpful adults has been focusing hard on improving and growing respectful language and actions amongst our St Joseph’s children. Not so long ago families may remember that there were automatic expectations of manners and respect for children towards each other, adults and community property. Unfortunately, for a variety of societal reasons, those expectations have sadly diminished and our families and our school need to be more deliberate about ensuring their children live up to higher expectations than those currently demonstrated in the broader community. And that orientation for respect is rightly founded in our Catholic Value of respecting the Human Dignity in all of us. Seeing the “Face of Jesus” in everyone we come across is how we aspire to live a “Christ-like” life.

In each respective stage, the teachers and support staff have reflected on age-appropriate daily activities that bring respectful behaviours and language into the “front of our minds”. From children writing a small affirmation about other kids in the class that are read out each day to a prayer focus at the start of the day to a focused discussion straight after playtime to ‘workshop any issues’ to a deliberate demand for “please”, ”thank you” and  “Ms” or Mr”, the daily and relentless push to grow respectful language and behaviours is making a positive difference to our school and (hopefully?) home climate. This is all notwithstanding the major award presented at our Assembly each fortnight, whereby two children are presented with the Respectful Student Award identified by an anonymous staff member who is on the lookout for kind and respectful behaviours and language. At the end of the term, the 10 award recipients will receive an extra-special treat from the Principal! Families can work in partnership with the school by continuing to demand respectful language and behaviour at home with a deliberate focus on respect for self, others and property.

The Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop Mass and surrounding activities were a high-quality celebration of our founding Mother, particularly in our 140th year. After a prayerful celebration of the Eucharist with Father Thaddeus, well supported by our capable student readers and lovely singing by our children, we settled down to some Feast Day Fun.  I offer public thanks to the extraordinary volunteers from the local Lions Club for their incredible capacity to feed hot chips to over 150 hungry mouths and to Cecily and her team from Super Strawberry to prepare and serve similar quantities of Ice cream and strawberries to our happy children. Notwithstanding a showcase of singing, dancing and acting in the afternoon Talent Show, the Feast Day would not be complete without a Saint Mary MacKillop tradition of the “lolly-toss”. Good fun was had by all! 

A final plug for the big Book Week parade next Thursday from 10.30 am in the Undercroft. Choose a character from your favourite book and dress up for some more community fun shared with our happy Little Joey’s people!

 Until next time.

May God go with you.

Geoff McManus

Principal