Principal's Page
Dear Families,
I hope that you all enjoyed the long weekend and managed to find some time to delight in the beautiful weather.
We have a busy few days in this short week. Our Year 5/6 students left this morning for CYC City Camp where they will take in many sights of Melbourne and enjoy a variety of activities. Thank you to the staff who are accompanying them: Phil Whelan, Sarah Connolly, Sarah Pancic and Megan Barber.
The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) commences this week for our Year 3 and 5 students. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of our school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide schools with additional information about students’ educational progress and school's programs.
We round this coming week off with the Sorrento Community Fete, with funds raised going towards the maintenance of the swimming pool we share with Sorrento Primary. It is sure to be a fun afternoon.
Just a reminder that with the fete beginning at 2:00pm, students will be dismissed at 1:30pm and will need to be collected by parents, on the school bus or booked into Their Care (After School Care.)
There will be no valet Friday afternoon as the playground will be set up for the fete. We are asking parents to please park in surrounding streets and collect students.
If your child/ren usually walk to meet you, please let the school know via email as you can understand that we need to be extremely vigilant on this day. We appreciate your assistance with this.
Thank you for your generous support of the fete. Please check the fete page later in the newsletter for ways you can be involved and contribute.
School & District Swimming Carnivals
Congratulations to our swimmers on their outstanding results in the pool, sportsmanship displayed and behaviour supporting on the side at both the Whole School and District Swimming Carnivals. Thank you to Mrs Jenny Todd, parents and staff who supported the swimming program and carnivals.
St Joseph's Award
Congratulations Florence (Flossy) and Giuliana on receiving the St Joseph's Award last week. The St Joseph's Award acknowledges students who consistently uphold our school values and behaviour expectations.
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week commences this coming Sunday 16 March and is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector.
New research using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data that found people who attended Catholic schools are likely to see lifelong benefits in employment status, general health and life satisfaction.
The research found that on average, there are both personal and community benefits of Catholic schooling. The report also found that Catholic school attendance had a positive average impact on personal health and life satisfaction scores.
The research was undertaken by a team in the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by VCEA.
These findings are statistically significant and included adjustments to the data to isolate the impact of attendance at a Catholic school from other individual and family characteristics and influences.
This research is evidence of what we have always known intuitively, that educating the whole person supports the development of well-rounded individuals who will succeed and be happy and confident in the world during and after their schooling, whatever path they choose through life.
You can read the full report at https://vcea.catholic.edu.au/resource/lifelong-benefits-of-attending-a-catholic-school/
Learning Conferences
Student/Teacher/Parent Learning Conferences will take place over the next fortnight on Tuesday 18 March and Wednesday 26 March. An Operoo will be sent out in the next few days for booking. These are a wonderful opportunity to discuss with your child's teacher, their progress, next steps in their learning progression and goals. Students are encouraged to attend but this is left to the parents' discretion.
The next fortnight @ St Joseph's
Tues 11 Year 5/6 City Camp
Wed 12 NAPLAN begins for Year 3
Thurs 13 NAPLAN begins for Year 5
Opening of St Mary's & St Joseph's Community Garden
Fri 14 Sorrento Community Fete
Tues 18 Learning Conferences
Wed 19 St Joseph's Feast Day
Thurs 20 Reconciliation Family Evening
Fri 21 Canteen
St Patrick's Day Mass for School Leaders in Melbourne
Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.
Enjoy your week,
Monica