School Advisory Council

St Joseph’s  School, Sorrento  Annual Report 

What a truly busy, eventful and fantastic year 2022 has turned out to be! 

Our School  Advisory Council started the year with great enthusiasm for what the year would bring for  our school community and it did not disappoint!  

Firstly, it was wonderful to finally be able to conduct our meetings in person and not  through a screen!  

The buzz and excitement that can be felt throughout our school community, with the full  return to a “normal” school life, is truly palpable.  

We started our SAC with many new members including our new School Principal and Deputy  Principal. We also welcomed new Parent Representatives. I feel that all members of the SAC  brought with them a real enthusiasm and a positive mindset to represent our school  community in the best way possible. 

Our SAC members and their positions for 2022 were as  follows:  

Parish Priest - Father John McGinty  

Principal - Monica O’Shannassy 

Deputy Principal – Megan Barber 

Chairperson and Parent Representative– Mel McFayden  

Secretary and Parent Representative– Nat de Morton 

Parish Liaison and Parent Representative – Adriana Rios  

Parent representative– Assunta Galbraith  

Some topics and issues that were raised and discussed throughout the year included:  

• The discussion and breakdown of the Marketing Report - prepared by Dr Stephen  Holmes 

• Ongoing building updates, including discussion around the repair of the wall outside the  Prep area  

• Discussions surrounding Child safety, in particular around Cyber Safety 

• Enrolments, including Prep and throughout various year levels 

• The resumption of the school canteen  

• Fundraising and organisation of the Grade 6 Graduation

• The addition of 2 new flagpoles; with the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag on  the school grounds

• The Annual Action Plan for 2022

• The amendment of the school sports shorts 

• Mathematics Intensive Partnership 

• The return of Parent Helpers and open afternoons for parents/carers 

• The combined School FETE with Sorrento Primary School 

• Working Together in Mission: Possibilities discussed – continuing to invite families to mass; bulletin; rosters/parts in mass; choir weekdays; morning tea for parish staff; kids getting to  know Father

It is with sadness that I write this as my last report as Chairperson. This will also be my last year as a  member of the School Advisory Council as I will no longer be a parent in 2023. I wish to thank the members of the SAC  for all of their support in my role and for everything that they have achieved as a team this year.  I know that the SAC will continue to grow and do amazing things for our school community and I  have felt incredibly honoured to have been a small part of what has been achieved so far! 

Looking  forward to even greater things!! 

Mel McFayden  

Chair