Message from Liz 

At St Joseph’s, we are dedicated to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn and succeed. We support each child to reach their full potential. While we are working on improving our school grounds to make them more lively and inspiring places for learning, our focus stays on providing a high-quality education that encourage curiosity, confidence, and outstanding growth for all students. 

Earlier this term, we assessed how well students were doing in different curriculum areas. We are happy to share that 91% of our students made progress in Mathematics, showing they are gaining better understanding and solving problems more effectively. Additionally, 81% of students made progress in Reading, demonstrating continued development in understanding and reading skills. Some students made smaller improvements, but we are very pleased that everyone showed some progress. These results show the hard work and dedication of both students and teachers, and the positive influence of the MAGNIFY initiative, led by Catholic Education Sandhurst, ensuring student success. 

Book Club – 2026 

We are seeking a parent helper to continue coordinating Book Club in 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our children’s love of reading and help them access a wide range of books. 

We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Shelley MacFarlane for her dedication and commitment over the years in ensuring all children had the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from Book Club. Her contribution has been greatly appreciated by our school community. 

2026 staff announcements 

While we are still working with Catholic Education Sandhurst to finalise our plans for the school in 2026, we want to take this chance to thank the following staff members for their hard work and commitment to our school and students. 

Eliza McNamara is moving on to a new role in Grade 2 at Lumen Christi School in Ballarat. Eliza showed great courage by accepting a position at St Joseph’s in 2023 without having seen the school or knowing exactly where she would be teaching. Since then, she has become a valued part of our community, supporting children and their families as they start their learning journey with us. We wish Eliza all the best as she moves to Ballarat and begins the next chapter of her teaching career. 

Moni Ingram has spent this year working as a trainee Learning Support Officer in our school, helping students in all year levels. She has played an important part in making sure students feel supported and understood. We hope Moni continues to share her positive attitude and bring happiness to those she meets, making a difference in the lives of many more children. 

Fleur McInnes joined us in Term 2 and has been a wonderful addition to our team. With her calm and caring nature, she has provided excellent support in the classroom and throughout the school. She has a special talent for noticing when a child needs help and taking the time to offer thoughtful support. 

Due to our current enrolment numbers for 2026, these positions will not be replaced. We remain committed to providing high-quality learning within calm, orderly, and supportive classrooms, ensuring that every child continues to feel safe, valued, and heard. 

The class structure and teachers will be finalised by the end of next week and I am grateful for your patience.

We look forward to the coming weeks as teachers maintain a strong focus on learning while also preparing to celebrate the joy and festivities of the Christmas season. 

Thanks for your ongoing support.