Principals' Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to welcome all our new and existing families to St Joseph’s for the start of the 2023 school year. We trust you have enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing Christmas and summer holiday break and spent some precious time with your families and friends. The first few days of a new school year are always filled with excitement as children reconnect with their friends and classmates and share news of what they did in the holidays. To all our new families who are joining us this year, a very warm welcome to the  St Joseph's school community, we hope the start of your journey here at St Joseph's is a happy, prosperous and rewarding one. 

Staff returned last Friday and spent two busy days of professional learning.  We explored our Annual Improvement Plan, Mission Statement, Code of Conduct, NSW Government Child Safety Standards, took part in Asthma and Anaphylaxis Emergency First Aid Awareness Training and learnt more about ViVi, a screen sharing solution from the CSO which is being rolled out across the school in 2023. Staff have also been working hard to plan and prepare for the return of students and were delighted to welcome them back and see their enthusiastic, smiling faces today.

Staffing 2023

We are also very excited to welcome Miss Phoebe George and Miss Melissa Buckland to our teaching team this year. Phoebe will be teaching Kindergarten whilst Melissa will teaching in Stage 1. Mrs Emily Sullivan also joins us in the Inclusion Support Teacher Role, a role she has previously held at St Joseph's Wee Waa. Mrs Kylie Dewhurst is a new member of our Administration Team and will be working in the office with Mrs Jodie Westhorpe. We know that you will join us in welcoming these new staff members to our school community. A full staff list for 2023 is in the General Information section of the newsletter.

Best Start Assessments

Miss George and Mrs Bearman are currently conducting the Best Start Assessment with each new Kindergarten student.  This assessment checks early literacy and numeracy skills and the results will determine student learning needs.  Kindergarten parents will also receive feedback on ways they can support their child’s learning at home. We will warmly welcome our new Kindergarten class for their first official day as a group on Friday 3rd February. (Kinders should wear their sports uniform on this day). Starting school is such a big milestone and we look forward to supporting our new students and their families as they embark on their learning journey with us.

Living Well, Learning Well Framework

The Living Well, Learning Well framework guides us as we work to increase learning, wellbeing and life-opportunity outcomes for the children in our care.  We are provided with three 'Rules for Living and Learning' which define the behaviour expectations we have for ourselves and others. As safe, respectful learners we strive to encourage good behaviour, self-discipline and respect for ourselves and others in a positive and consistent manner as all students have the right to learn in a safe and happy environment.

At St Joseph’s we remind our students that ‘manners cost nothing but mean a great deal’ and that ‘our actions speak louder than words.’ It has been pleasing to see our students embrace these ideas and link them to our rules for living and learning as we commence our school year. Thank you for your continued support as we begin a new year of learning at St Joseph’s. 

We are looking forward to a fabulous year with our school community and hope that 2023 will bring many blessings to all.

May God bless you and your family,

Maree Holland & Greg O'Toole

Co-Principals

St Joseph's School - a Faith Filled Community Where Learning Matters.