PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

Staffing News

It is with sadness that I announce today that Fiona Ehmer has taken extended leave and will not be returning to St Joseph's.  Fiona 'attempted' to retire at the end of last year, but after some discussion, she very generously offered to continue into 2023 in the capacity of Learning Diversity Leader, for two days per week.  Her intention was to fill the position until the end of term two (this term) at which point Ashlyn Keane would return from parental leave and assume the role.

Recently Fiona and her husband bought into a business (she really isn't very good with the whole concept of retirement) and as much as she thought she would be able to complete the term - this has not come to fruition as her new venture in life is, at this stage, quite demanding.

The profession is losing a truly passionate and excellent educator.  Fiona has the ability to find and tap into students' hidden strengths and,  in the words of Albert Einstein, "to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge".  She has made a difference in the lives of so many, and we are grateful to have benefited from her unwavering commitment and dedication to the craft of teaching.

I most sincerely and genuinely thank Fiona for all that she has contributed to St Joey's in the last 3 and a half years.  I am extremely grateful for the assistance, guidance, and outstanding leadership she has provided; to me personally, to each and every staff member, and most importantly to each and every child and their family.  

I had the privilege of working with Fiona when she was a graduate teacher, entering the profession of teaching, and I'm very honoured and somewhat humbled, to be her colleague once again as she retires from the profession.  We will miss her professional expertise, mentorship, and most of all, her friendship and sense of good humour and fun.   

Ashlyn Keane will commence in term three.  Ashlyn has been a teacher at St Joseph's for 11 years and is very well-known to many of our students and families.  Ashlyn will work three days a week and will assume the roles of Learning Diversity Leader and Wellbeing Leader.

ART SHOW - SAVE THE DATE

We are super excited to announce that this term we will be hosting an ART SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Please save the following date: THURSDAY, JUNE 15.

Families will have the option of attending a viewing session at 3:30 pm or 6:00 pm.  A note will be sent out via Audiri (SkoolBag) asking you to select a time.  

I hope that all families will be able to attend this event as the children (and Louise!!!) have been working tirelessly throughout this term preparing for this occasion.  The artwork that is already displayed around the school is outstanding!

Walk to School Day

This Friday is the National 'Walk Safely to School Day'.

On 'Walk Safely to School Day', primary school-aged children across Australia are encouraged to walk with their parents or caregiver to school.  This encourages healthy habits as well as teaches vital road safety skills.

The children at St Joey's who walk to school will receive a 'tattoo' and house points for participating.

To acknowledge this day we will also be holding a 'Shoe Throwing Competition' and a competition for the most 'Decorated Shoe'...  for more information click on the link below.

Outdoor Classroom Day

Our Sustainability Leaders, Mella and Zia, have organised a whole school event to acknowledge 'Outdoor Classroom Day'.  This will be held on Thursday this week - May 18.  

Mella and Zia sent an email to all the teachers asking them to organise one half-hour lesson that they could hold outside with their class.  They provided the teachers with a link that suggested some classroom activities and devised a timetable so that each class has an allocated time for some outside learning.

I applaud Mella and Zia for taking on this initiative and I'm super impressed with their organisational skills.  Well done!!

Cross Country Team

Over the last few Wednesdays, a group of students and parent helpers have braved the cold with me and presented at All Nations Park at 8:00 am for Cross Country Trials and Training.  The Cross Country Event will be held this Friday at Bundoora Park.

I wish the following children the best of luck as they prepare to compete in either a 2km (9/10yr old) or a 3km (11/12yr old) run.

Saskia Thomas                 Charlie Jamieson               Sophie Brunton               Amelia Brown

Elise Jones                         James Huynh                      Freya Hamilton                Jana Kalogeratos

Zahra Lania                        Sophia Kanellakis              Joshua Tame                    Zachary Wright

Julian Zammit                    Stella Ryan                           Klara Nakic                       Sienna Iuele  

Parker Jamieson               Elliot Becroft

Grade Six - Anti-Racism Workshop

Each year our grade five students participate in the 'Yarning Conference' hosted by the Darebin Council Education Network.  The Conference is centered on Indigenous Cultural Awareness.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, community members, educators, activists, and artists share their wisdom and skills through presentations, story-telling, and interactive workshops during the Conferences, reflecting on the annual NAIDOC theme. This is the heart of the Conference – the generosity, interaction, and learning from First Nations people.

As a follow-up from this Conference, the Darebin Council is offering a workshop for year six students, focusing on anti-racism.  The workshop will encourage and support the voices of grade 6 students, in order to act on systemic racism issues together.  This workshop will complement the children's learning from the Yarning Conference and provide another annual project that enables participation and action in response to real-world social justice issues.

Winter School Uniform Reminders...

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card, or those who are temporary foster carers, are eligible to apply for CSEF payments to support eligible students to participate in school activities.

The CSEF provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:

•             school camps or trips

•             swimming and school-organised sports programs

•             outdoor education programs

•             excursions and incursions.

Primary school students receive $125 a year, with secondary school students receiving $225 a year. Payments go directly to the school and are allocated to the student.

This funding is helping ensure that all students can participate in camps, sports and excursions each year.

Parents/carers wishing to apply for CSEF payments for 2023 must submit their application form to the relevant school by 23 June 2023.

Further information, visit: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au) 

FOOTY TIPPING

Be sure to check out who is in the TOP 10 of our FOOTY TIPPING ladder in the 'Footy Tipping' section of this newsletter.