Principal's Report

As we close out the year for 2024 I offer the following updates and affirmations as important notifications and reminders for 2025.

In my previous newsletter, I explained the context of the 3.5% Fees increase from 2025. Below is a further explanation from our governance body, Armidale Catholic Schools. Similarly, the attached letter affirms a slight change to the billing processes through COMPASS. From 2025, all families will be billed MONTHLY between February and November in a deliberate effort to make fee payments more manageable for family budgets.

School Fees and Assistance

No matter who the new Principal may be for 2025, please be very confident about making a confidential appointment with them to discuss fee management if tightening family budgets becomes an issue.

With the advent of the new Multipurpose Court, we would encourage all families as they update their children's black school shoes for 2025 to purchase either the non-marking black soles or the black leather jogger style so that children can easily access the court without having to bring sports-type joggers separately.

The GaGa Pit has been successfully purchased by the P&F and expertly installed by Graham Constructions. Also a big shout-out to a wonderful local business, Allcrete Concrete Solutions who generously donated the sand for the base. When looking for great local people to complete your local work in Glen Innes, we highly recommend Graham Constructions and Allcrete Concrete Solutions!

Thank you to parent, Julie Miller for her initiative and commitment to implementing our Chess Club each Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime in the Library. Up to 40 children regularly learn, grow and compete in the wonderful international game of Chess. Another example of opportunities for children to “test themselves at the next level”. There are bigger plans afoot for 2025 - stay tuned! Thank you, Julie!

As my final newsletter article after 3 incredible years at St Joseph's School Glen Innes, I offer deep heartfelt thanks to all the members of our local, parish and school communities for their willing and active participation in “making our GREAT school even GREATER!” No longer can I say “making a GOOD school GREAT” because our academic and positive well-being metrics demonstrate we have moved beyond simply being GOOD. Our partnership together as Parish, Parents, and Staff has set our children up for success and demonstrably “future-proofed” them for success beyond our school gates. You are privileged to have such a dedicated team of skilful helpful adults as staff at the school. They give above and beyond what they should and your children reap the rewards of that extra effort. I have never worked in a better, happier, funnier and loving environment in my career and will cherish the kind memories and the incredible successes we achieved in partnership together. On behalf of my wife, Judy, we thank everyone for making our time here appreciated and valued. And of course, thank you for the gift that is your beautiful, talented, kind and respectful children. They are God's gift to us all!

Until we meet again - “Keep Testing Yourselves at the Next Level” and “READ - REST - RUN”

ps. Late Mail - on behalf of all of the staff THANK YOU so much for the exceptionally generous gift vouchers presented to all of the staff today by our kind and caring parent body. Over $800 Vouchers for our staff to enjoy together and celebrate their work and commitment to your beautiful children are deeply appreciated. Thank you!

May God go with you.

Geoff McManus

Principal