Principal's News

Thanks to all who sent cards, emails, and their condolences to me and my family on the passing of mum. It has been a consolation to me and my father that so many have prayed for us and kept us in their thoughts. It was lovely to return to school at the end of last week and to see how much the children have grown and to catch up with the staff.   

Thank You, Mrs Jagers 

I wish to thank Mrs Jagers for her role as Acting Principal in my absence. Karen enjoyed her time at St Joseph's and we wish her and her husband Dean safe travels to the Northern Territory.

School Refusal and Student Attendance

All children experience some form of anxiety about school throughout the year whether it be returning after sickness or other absence or as is becoming more prevalent, anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an article in Saturday's Telegraph, reporter Clare Masters quotes data from the Australian Primary Principals Association that backs the claim that anxiety and stress have increased markedly in the return to school post remote learning. NSW Principals Association Executive Rob Walker states that "some students have suffered from the triple whammy of droughts, fire and pandemic". He also states that some families are under enormous stress and keeping their children at home has severely impacted their learning.  

In NSW we are spared from the added stress of having to return to remote learning like the students in Victoria or the lockdowns and deep cleaning that is taking place in some schools in Sydney.

School TV has produced videos and resources for parents on School Refusal. 

View our WELLBEING page for further information. 

Survey My School

As has been undertaken in the past, annual surveys of staff, parents, and students (Year 4 and up) in all schools across the Armidale Diocese will take place in late August. 

It has been a challenge to maintain a sense of community in the face of the COVID 19 restrictions and the staff thank our students and their parents for their feedback on remote learning at our recent Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences. We seek the feedback of our community to check in on aspects of “how we are going” and to assist in future directions. I encourage all parents to take part in this survey process, providing feedback that is both positive and constructive. 

Survey links will be sent via email for staff and parents on August 24th.  The survey closes on September 9th. Students in Years 4 and higher will have an opportunity to complete the survey during this time. 

2021 Kindergarten Enrolments

Enrolment packs for Kindergarten 2021 and all other grades are available from the school office and can also be emailed upon request.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our usual transition process cannot take place. 

Parents are invited to make an appointment to discuss enrolment through the office. 

Tours of the school and alternatives to transition will be discussed on a case by case basis. 

We request that 2021 enrolments be lodged at the school office by August 31st. 

Fortnightly Newsletter Publication

A reminder that from this week on the newsletter will be published in the odd school weeks of each term.

May God bless,

Joe Dimech

Principal