PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

"CHILDREN MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN THEM. IT COULD BE YOU."

Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children’s Defence Fund

If you’re reading our newsletter, you already agree with Mrs. Edelman’s words. To support and nurture a child, we must intrinsically believe in their ability to achieve. Children of all ages need active support from all the adults in their life. As the saying goes, “It takes a village.”

On a recent visit to Australia, leading education expert and Harvard senior lecturer Doctor Karen Mapp reinforced the importance of collaboration between teachers and parents. Dr. Mapp said, “We need educators to understand that we’re not going to be able to develop students to their full potential without their families.” (Burrell, A 2018, ‘Parents key to boosting results’, The Australian, 15 June, p. 10.)

Dr. Mapp based her opinion on 50 years of US research which revealed that, when parents and teachers work together, many student outcomes improve, including better behaviours, attendance rates and overall academic performance. Her visit was a timely one. The Gonski 2.0 report also recommended that parents and teachers share responsibility in improving Australia’s academic results.

The St Joseph’s College community regularly invites families to be engaged in school activities in academic and social capacities. Besides Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews, we host events such as Teacup Tuesdays once a month and Breakfast with the Principal mornings throughout the year along with open invitations to major sporting events. The dates for all College events can be found here. 

On Friday August 31, we look forward to welcoming fathers, grandfathers, uncles and caregivers to the annual Father’s Day Breakfast, a free event where Radio broadcaster and comedian Richard Stubbs will speak about fatherhood’s funny and rewarding moments. 

When we work together, our students are the real winners. Here’s to finding even more ways to collaborate in 2018. 

God Bless,

Mrs Marg Blythman