Principal’s Message

Welcome back to Term 2

I hope everyone enjoyed a happy, holy Easter break with their families and friends.  As always, the year seems to be zipping by as we head into a busy Term 2.  This term brings a variety of different events many of which we missed out on last year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Thankfully, most of our events are back on the calendar and I encourage you to read the newsletter carefully for further information.

Professional learning for teachers this term includes a twilight session tomorrow night on the 'Living Well, Learning Well' framework.  This framework lays the foundation for expectations around learning and behaviour - 'I am safe.  I am respected.  I am a learner'.  I encourage you to read the 'Learning Zone' section of the newsletter for more information regarding the 'Living Well, Learning Well' framework.  

This year marks the anniversary of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.  It is a year to reflect on the hard work and dedication of those who founded Catholic schools in Australia. We are proud of our history, having been founded in West Tamworth by the Sisters of St Joseph in 1919.  Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.  This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff.  Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities. The formal celebrations were due to be held from October 2020 to October 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the celebrations will now be held during the 2021 school year. The official launch of the celebrations was held in the week commencing 22 – 26 February 2021 and involved local state, territory and diocesan events.  A National Mass will also be celebrated in every state, territory and diocese on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on 24 May 2021 with some of our school leaders and staff attending at the cathedral in Armidale.   It is timely that we are holding the official opening and blessing of our new school facilities in the bicentenary of Catholic education.  This important occasion will be held on Friday 16th July and parents/carers are very welcome to attend.

As we head into Term 2, our focus remains on providing effective teaching to improve student learning outcomes and well-being.  We hope to hold another round of Parent Learning Walks in the coming weeks and parents/carers are invited to see contemporary learning in action.  We look forward to another wonderful term ahead.  

May God bless you,

Katie Hanes

Principal

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