St Joseph's Newsletter

Parent Engagement

School Advisory Council

Each week you will find a brief bio on School Council members.

This week: Adam Green

 

About Me: I’m Adam Green, father of Cleaver in Grade 6, and Eli who is now in Year 9 at Galen. After growing up in Beechworth myself I now have the joy of living and working in Beechworth for Forest Fire Management Victoria. I’m also fortunate to be married to the delightful Mrs Green!

 

Why am I on the Board: When we moved back to Beechworth in 2015 I was keen to put back into my community in the same way my parents had and thought what better way than to offer my services to what was the School Board. I chose a great time to become involved as Catholic education in Sandhurst navigated its way through the largest governance shift in its history to find us where we are today as the School Advisory Board, a structure more befitting contemporary society.

 

What do you love about St. Joe’s: Obviously educational outcomes are the cornerstone of all great schools but the thing I love the most is listening to all of the stories my boys come home and tell me every night. Having fun and enjoyment is what life as a child should be about and St. Joe’s offers those opportunities in spades!

 

Climate Survey Feedback Semester 1 2023

Thank you to those who participated in the school survey earlier this year. We welcome your thoughts on what you value about our school and how we can make it better. We will be repeating this short survey once a semester and I encourage you to participate in future surveys and be part of shaping the future direction of St Josephs.  

But please don’t wait for the survey! My door is always open to receive feedback or send me an email.

 

As a leadership team and staff, we look at common themes to see how we can continue to grow our community.

Below are the most common answers only, from the responses around 21% of the school community participated.

 

The good news is that all responses rated their satisfaction with St. Joseph’s as satisfied or extremely satisfied.

 

When asked about what is currently working well at St Joseph's, the common themes were:

  1. Good communication
  2. Literacy and numeracy programs
  3. The sense of community/ family, care, and attention of individual students- This was by far the most common theme

When asked about what we could improve upon/ do better there were no common themes, with some responses including:

  1. Improving/ encouraging more children to walk/ride to school
  2. Increased time for kids to eat
  3. More cross-school events would be cool, during winter- clubs during lunchtimes
  4. More science in the curriculum
  5. STEM, coding, digital learning
  6. Consistency with reading practices such as readers, and diaries in the junior school
  7. Integrating consistent methods or platforms of school-to-parent/carer communications

All of these areas and others are reflected on as a staff. Some have been actioned, with others marked as areas of growth for us. An example of this would be the introduction of STEAM as a specialist subject this year. 

When asked what is most valued about being at St Joseph's (either in theory or from their experience), responses included:

  1. The team focus- love and genuine support of all
  2. The human or care factor is really important
  3. Education & Inclusion
  4. Student well-being and learning
  5. The way my child feels connected and known

The survey responses provide some general compass points for us to go forward within our school planning and daily school life. I look forward to sharing more on this in future newsletters and warmly invite your involvement in this process.

 

TRIVIA NIGHT

Upcoming Trivia Night - 26th August 2023- Tickets are to be finalised by this Friday for catering purposes!

We are now booking tables!! Past and current parents are welcome. 

Tickets are $28 each. EFTPOS is available. Tickets must be paid when booking a table.

Woodfire Desire will be cooking up a storm and drinks will be at bar prices. This will be held at the Beechworth Football/Netball function rooms. 

Doors open at 6.30 pm starting at 7.00 pm.

If last year is anything to go by, we can assure you a fun night is on the cards! If you don’t have a table of 8-10, come and see us at the office and we will set you up. We hope to see you there!

 

Little Joeys

Little Joeys is on Thursday Mornings from 9.00 - 10.30 am.

Connect and play

Mums, Dads, Grandparents, and carers 

Children aged 0-5 years are welcome

BYO healthy snacks, drink bottles, and a hat - everything else is supplied