PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE...

Last week our Juniors experienced "A day at school, 100 years ago".  Kate and Sophie went to extraordinary lengths to immerse themselves in the theme of the day for their students.  This is just one example of the incredibly dedicated staff we have here at St Joey's.  Thanks Kate and Soph for making this day so special for our students!  I applaud you for your will-power in staying the distance, and going so far as to take the children to the courts for sport (old fashioned games) whilst dressed so conservativly.  Well done!!

Thank you also to our wonderful parents who took the time to dress their children according to the theme for the day.  The costumes were outstanding and the children had a great day!  

For more on the day see 'Junior's Spotlight' in this newsletter.

Trivia Night and Pie Drive

Our Social Club have been busy these last few weeks organising both our School Trivia Night on August 20 and our annual Pie Drive.  See the 'Social Club' section of this newsletter for more information.

Building Update

We are finally nearing the time for our Middle students to return to their classrooms.  The major works of removing the original lath and plaster ceiling and replacing the suspended ceiling in both classrooms, the multi-purpose room and the server room (room 8) have been completed.  We are now at the stage of cleaning and we are awaiting a report from a structural engineer to confirm that the rooms are safe and the children can 'move back in'.

Tomorrow the Out of School Hours Care programme (EXTEND) will relocate from the Parish Centre and move back into room 6 (their original location).  The morning session for tomorrow will still be held in the Parish Centre - and after school care will be back on site.   I thank all the parents who use this service for their patience during our building works.

SJN New Website

Last week we welcomed Tserlin and Mark to St Joey's to complete a photoshoot for our new website.  Tserlin designed our current website and has worked periodically with our staff over the past few years. 

She has sent us this sneak preview of her shoot...

https://www.schoolpresence.com.au/post/photoshoot-st-joseph-s-northcote

School Closure Day

Monday, September 05  Our focus for this day will be to continue our professional learning around the Zones of Regulation and Curriculum Planning.

Child Safe Standards

On 1 July 2022, 11 new Victorian Child Safe Standards came into effect for schools.  To meet the new Child Safe Standards, we have built on our existing child safety strategies, policies and practices to strengthen our school’s culture of child safety and protect children and young people from abuse.

The 11 Child Safe Standards are listed on the 'Child Safe Standards' section of this newsletter.  This week I would like to take the opportunity to highlight how we at St Joseph's have promoted Child Safe Standard 2.

Child Safe Standard 2 - Leadership, Governance and Culture

Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

At St Joseph's we have a firm committment to child safety and wellbeing.  OurChild Safety and Wellbeing Policy is available on our website together with our Child Safety Code of Conduct.  Staff and volunteers are required to follow our policies and sign the Code of Conduct.  We have created a child friendly version of our policy and code of conduct, which will be ratified by the Student Representative Council at our meeting this week.