Principal's Report

I sincerely thank the students, staff, parents, carers and friends of St Joseph’s School for their resilience, perseverance, determination and team work in a year which has been fraught with challenge, yet again. While optimistic around COVID restrictions minimising, we have been unable to greatly benefit from change prior to the close of the school year. I acknowledge the disappointment that this has brought and thank you for the understanding and graciousness in which our parent and carer community has managed this. 

Thank you to the volunteer contributions of our parents, carers,  grandparents, relatives and community members, who in Term 1, 2 and early Term 3 had an active presence. Our school has benefited from a bank of great achievements, created by small and large deeds, contributed by our volunteers. St Joseph’s school community looks forward to 2022, as we anticipate a return to the inclusion of our parents and carers and other community members returning to our school. 

 It is important and fitting to recognise and thank the Parents and Friends Association and the School Advisory Council, their members and the outgoing executive members. While in a resting phase at the moment, largely due to the COVID, the school looks forward in 2022 to having a once again active P&F and School Advisory Council. These are important aspects of our school community. 

As a school and diocesan system, throughout the year, we have challenged ourselves around learning, in many ways. We have examined current practices, we have reflected, reviewed and asked ourselves three important  questions: How are we going? How do we know? Where to next? These are three key questions which any institution can ask itself in order to set direction for improvement. Improvement is a goal for any institution. At our Presentation Day ceremony, in his address to the community, Mr Geoff McManus highlighted just how very academically successful St Joseph’s School has been in 2022. Yes, St Joseph’s is proud of this achievement. 

The end of the year marks a special point for Year 6 as they leave the familiar surroundings of St Joseph’s School for new horizons.  We farewell the Year 6 students, knowing that St Joseph’s School has had a very positive effect on the minds and hearts of these young people. Farewell to George Anderson, Mary Arandale, Ivy Bogg-Sellers, Jed Cooke, Danika Elliott, Connor Grob, Hailee Grob, Ryan Key, Jasmine Klingner, Kade McBain, Thomas McHarg, Clare Munro, Lloyd Newberry, Holly O'Brien, Ella Parish, Emily Pietsch, Airlee Poulton, Emily Poulton, Madison Poulton, Ben Ritchie, Zach Skinner, Ruby Stewart, Charlie Townsend, Isobel Tremain and Mia Watson.

To the families who leave us at this point in time, after a long association, we wish you well in life beyond St Joseph’s School. Thank you to George Anderson, Danika Elliott, Jasmine Klingner, Thomas McHarg, Clare Munro, Lloyd Newbury, Holly O'Brien, Ben Ritchie, Zach Skinner, Ruby Stewart, Charlie Townsend and Mary and Porter Arandale.

2021 triggers one staff farewell. We bid farewell to Mrs Sue Croft, who for the last twenty one (21) years has been a generous community minded member of the staff, and a very competent educational assistant, with high impact effectiveness. Mrs Croft  joins her husband in retirement, finding joy in the next chapter of her life. On behalf of our St Joseph’s school community, I would like to thank and acknowledge Mrs Croft's great work. She will be missed. Mrs Shanny Core is taking Term 1 as a well earned Long Service Leave break, returning in Term 2. We wish Mrs Core slow morning starts, long lunches, afternoon TV and unrestricted time with family. 

 In 2022 we welcome Mrs Kirsty Miller to our teaching team in Stage 3. Kirsty and her husband live locally, with her husband as part of the Glen Innes High School teaching staff.  Additionally, we welcome Mr Ron Webel to our team as an Educational Assistant. 

On Monday last week, we celebrated our last school Mass, a Mass of Thanksgiving for a year of continuous quality learning and faith development. We also gave thanks for where we live and the COVID barriers we enjoy. Our Year 6 students played an important part in this Mass, as graduates and those who help keep the traditions alive. The gingerbread person tradition is a deeply special one.  After becoming the important  buddy in the November before the start of Kindergarten, the  Kindergarten student presents their Year 6 buddy with a gingerbread person gift at the conclusion of the school year.  During the Middle Ages, over one thousand years ago, around the 1300-1500’s, spices were scarce, expensive and were believed to have magical powers. At that time, the spice of ginger was thought to bring good fortune and good luck.  As a result, gingerbread became a popular gift to give as a good luck token at births, weddings and farewells. Here at St. Joseph's  School, it has become part of the tradition as we prepare to farewell our Year 6 students with a  presentation of the gingerbread person, given to them by their Kindergarten buddy. 

All good things come to an end. After two terms, my exciting and rewarding experience as Acting Principal of St Joseph’s School comes to an end. My sincere thanks to everyone for being part of a big team that helps make St Joseph’s School great. 

Catholic education in Glen Innes will continue to have a strong and successful presence. I know this community will make Mr Geoff McManus and his wife Judy very welcome. Additionally, I know that under the leadership of  Mr McManus, St Joseph’s will continue to be great, but even greater. There is strong confidence for the future. 

As a Catholic community, the celebration of Christmas is forefront in our minds; the birth of Christ, to the very ordinary people of Mary and Joseph, chosen for this special role. To all our families, I wish you love and peace, which is Christmas, and a great new year! 

Karen Jagers

Acting Principal