Last week was such a wonderful week at St . Joseph’s. Thank you to Emily Reed and staff for providing two amazing beach days where students were able to deepen their knowledge of water safety in a surf beach environment.

We had a magnificient day of celebration last Friday with our end of year assembly including the wonderful preps retelling the Nativity story, our Spirit of St Joseph’s awards, the colour run and a sausage sizzle to end the day. It was such a wonderful community afternoon showing great support for our students and ensuring that community is at the heart of our school at all times.

We also thank Kerry Colliver and our social justice team for their wonderful service to others singing carols at Shoreham house and then at Red Hill Bakery in Balnarring.

Learning is Life! We will be sending home holiday challenge packs this week. We are encouraging all students to continue to be learners over the summer break and keep practising their basic skills while they are away from school. It is important that students continue to read and practise their Reading and Maths skills. Students will be encouraged to bring their booklet to their beginning of the year interview and share their learning with their new teacher.

Today is our final newsletter for 2022 and we take the time to celebrate all of the wonderful achievements throughout the 2022 school year. We have remained focussed in 2022 on the high educational standards we are so proud of at St. Joseph’s and in keeping things as consistent as possible to allow students to get back into a school routine after a few interrupted years.

Our vision of growing together in Knowledge, Faith and Friendship guides all that we do as we strive to ensure our students make meaning of the world around them, know and understand themselves and feel passionate and motivated to take action and put all of their wonderful learning into practice.

Thank you to our dedicated staff for all that you have done over the year. I have every faith in our staff and know how committed they are to ensuring the best learning and teaching occurs for all of our children. I could not be more proud of all that our staff have accomplished this year. It is a privilege to work alongside such a committed and talented team of educators. A special thanks to my wonderful leadership team - Sue and Peter our Deputies along with Jane, Trish and Kate our other school leaders. Your work and dedication is second to none and I appreciate all that you do to assist me in leading our school.

Thank you to our wonderful parents for working in partnership and for all of your help and support. It does take a village to raise a child and we have a truly sensational village to do this in. We could not be more appreciative of our parents in 2022 for working in partnership with us.

A special mention to our wonderful School Advisory Council. They are a magnificent team who lead our parent group ensuring there is parent voice and involvement in the school.

Thank you and congratulations to our children – we are blessed with magnificent children who inspire us all on a daily basis.

We farewell the Graduating class of 2022 this Friday at 1.30pm. I congratulate our Year 6 graduates and thank them for the wonderful contribution they have made to our school community. I trust they will take the St. Joseph’s spirit with them and always know they are a valuable part of our school community. We have had a magnificent group of Year 6 students who have continued to shine in their leadership roles whether at school or on remote learning.

We have a number of families with their youngest child graduating from St. Joseph’s after a long association with the school. We thank the following families for all you have done throughout the years and hope you have many wonderful memories to take with you.

The Kunne Family

The Goodwin Family

The Nastasi Family

The Schubel Family

The Wilson Family

The Barthelson Family

The Hick Family

The Riddell Family

The Sanderson Family

The Wallis Family

We also farewell David Worthington, Kate Morgan and Lucette Talbott from our staff team and congratulate them both on their new directions. David will commence at St Mary's, Lucette will continue her chaplaincy position at St Mary’s and Kate will still remain at St Joseph’s in a release position.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of our wonderful school in 2022 and look forward to all that we can create together in partnership to ensure every student in our school shines, grows and flourishes.

Students will finish for the 2022 school year Friday 16th December at 3.15pm.

Have a happy, peaceful and safe Christmas with your family and friends and I look forward to continuing on our journey together in 2023.

We commence our school year in 2023 on Friday 27th January. Students will be required to come to school for an individual conference on either Friday 27th or Monday 30th January. Students will then commence formal classes on Tuesday 31st January 2022.

Yours In Partnership,

Gab Espenschied

St Joseph's Newsletter

St Joseph's is a Child Safe School: we promote the safety, well being and inclusion of all children.

Term 4, Week 11 · 12 Dec 2022

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