It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you as we commence the new school year.

I'd like to extend a great 'thank you' to everyone that took time out of their holidays to help us when the concern for another flood impacted our town. We are a fabulous community and working alongside you all is a pleasure and privilege.

On Australia Day, I was humbled to be acknowledged by our school community with a Certificate of Appreciation for the work and effort put into St Joseph's since the October 2022 Floods. We have worked together to restore our spaces and by taking our time and building back better, we are securing a better future for our school and children.

I am excited about continuing the journey of improving our external facilities now that our internal restoration is almost complete. Yesterday, the poles for a new shade sail were installed. The old vegetable beds, that were destroyed by the flood, are going to be reimagined into a wellbeing space / outdoor learning space for students and staff.

The next page is an exciting announcement regarding Before and After School Care. If this is something you are interested in, Shannon at TheirCare Rochester is excited to welcome you and your child/children to the service.

Reminders

Supervision begins at 8.30am, classrooms open at 8.50am. Children arriving prior to 8.30am are to make their way to the office to wait until this time.

F/1/2 children are to put their bags near the doors
3 - 6 children may put their bags in their lockers and then move outside

If you child arrives at school before 8.30am, they are to make their way to the office.

Attendance

This year we will have a big focus on attendance.

Attendance that hasn't been reported will be followed up. Children that are away for more than two days for any reason will be check on by their classroom teacher.

Late Arrivals

Children arriving after 9.00am are to check in at the office to be signed in. This ensures that all children are accounted for when we do our attendance check at 10.00am.

Early Pick Up

Parents wishing to pick their child up early are asked to collect their child from the office. Office staff have been instructed to keep a child in the office until they have sighted the adult picking up the child. Office staff are not able to sign a child out.

LUNCH ORDERS

Began on Friday 2nd February

We now order online from the Rochester Bakery.

Please use the link to School Lunch online

Communication

We have many platforms for communication

Seesaw - teachers will use this to communicate changes to the day or as a reminder for an event. There is the facility for 1:1 messaging, please make sure you have your notifications turned on.
Email - families will receive an email each morning at 6.30am. These are the most up-to-date information about what's on for each day. Families are asked to use these emails to prepare their child for the school day
Phone - for anything urgent, families will receive a phone call. If your child is involved in an incident at school, families will receive a phone call prior to the end of the school day.
Text messaging - texts will be sent when individual reminders are needed. These will also be sent for attendance reminders.
PAM - new families will be supported to log in to PAM early next week. Permission notes and student information are the two facilities that we use at St Joseph's at this time. In 2024, we are looking to extend the facilities on offer.

Beginning of Year Liturgy

Friday 9th February
Venue to be decided (church or Kildare Centre)
9.30am
this will take place of assembly

I extend my best wishes to all of you for a fulfilling and rewarding school year ahead. May it be a year filled with joy, laughter, discovery, and success for each and every member of our St Joseph's School community.

Take care

St Joseph's Community News

Information sent home with eldest child on Friday 2nd February 2024.