Dear Parents,

Thanks to Peter Whyte, Matt Demarte and all staff who contributed to such a wonderful Beginning of the year Mass and community BBQ on Friday. Building a strong community around our students is at the heart of everything we do as it provides a wonderful landscape for everyone to thrive, flourish and build a sense of identity. It is then that we can all make a difference and enrich the world around us.

Congratulations to our student leaders who received recognition of the exciting leadership journey they have commenced in 2023. All of our Year 6 students work collaboratively in teams leading house spirit groups, sustainability, technology, social justice and Indigenous fire carrier groups.

Congratulations on a wonderful week of learning last week. Students have been working really well in their new learning communities and are setting learning goals to achieve the very best in all they set out to do. As Principal, I am very proud of the scaffolds, routines and supports in place ensuring safe environments that are consistent and automatised, allowing our brains space to learn new things and reach the highest of academic standards.

We strive to achieve excellence for every student in their learning. Our learning framework below outlines what learning looks like at St Joseph’s. We have the highest priority on ensuring every student reaches their full potential in the basic skills in literacy and numeracy.

Additionally, we strive to ensure our students are fully equipped with the necessary skills and attitudes to recognise, create and participate effectively in a changing world. Please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher regarding your child’s academic progress at any stage.

Please take the time to read the learning page in our newsletter where our Deputy - Learning and Teaching leader Sue Jackson has important information each week on high standards of learning at St Joseph’s.

To ensure we have the most successful learning environment and that each child achieves excellence in their learning we ensure we have a safe and supportive learning environment. We do this by focussing on our wellbeing and faith frameworks.

Our theme for week 4 and 5 is respecting the dignity of every human being and building safe and supportive relationships. What a perfect theme for us this week! Look out for each other, stay connected and make sure we respect that each individual may react differently to what occurs around us so the utmost respect, tolerance and love to all.

We are focussing on the think, feel, act tool on our tool kit. Ellis (1997) highlights that we can maintain emotional stability and wellbeing through self-acceptance by disputing and checking in on our thinking. As one internalises, self regulates and assimilates their thinking to self they experience autonomy in agentic ways (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

We use our tool kit strategies to ensure the highest standards of behaviour. Students are removed from the learning community for a discussion and learning opportunity for the following four reasons: swearing, physical behaviour, put downs and disrespect. A reflection sheet is completed with a staff member and will be sent home for parents to sign. The discussion that occurs is a learning opportunity for the child to grow and learn and ensures a safe learning environment for all students in the learning community.

Finally, please make sure your child has the correct St. Joseph’s uniform every day. Runners are not to be worn on days that are formal uniform. All students must have the official hat, bag and all clothes must have the St Joseph’s logo on them. We have a wonderful second hand uniform shop where you can get uniforms in excellent condition in exchange for a gold coin donation.

We strive for the highest of standards in all aspects of our school and look forward to working with you to ensure we achieve excellence in all that we do,

Yours in Partnership,

Gab

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