FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear parents and carers,
It’s great to see everyone settled into life at school and especially encouraging to see how well the children are responding to the clear routines and expectations in place to ensure our classrooms are great places to learn and grow. Direct instruction programs such as InitiaLit, Spelling Mastery and Connecting Math’s Concepts have all started positively and we look forward to building on the great learning of 2023 and laying firm foundations for the Kindergarten children.
Attendance is Everything!
St Jospeh’s has transitioned very successfully to the Direct Instruction model to learning thanks to the Archdiocese-wide Catalyst focus. Our teachers have done a great job of participating in training opportunities with commitment and enthusiasm and consequently, implementing DI successfully in classrooms.
We would like to emphasise the importance of the children’s attendance at school. This is especially necessary with the DI model due to the pace of the learning, the importance of participating in revision opportunities and the structured programs.
Last year, the student attendance rate across the school was 80-85%. As you will see from the graphic below, this level is of concern and in 2024 we are aiming to do better. One of our goals for the year is for school attendance to increase from 80-85% to 95% or above. Please let’s work together unity to achieve this important goal.
Opening Mass – Wednesday 7th February
Thank you to all the families who joined us for the opening Mass 2024 on Wednesday. It was especially lovely to have the Kindy families join us and to see the Kindies and the children and teachers who have joined the school since the beginning of 2023 have their names added to the St Jospeh’s banner. Just think, the Kindy children will receive their stars back again in 2030! I’m sure parents of Year 6 children would agree that the years will tick over very quickly.
Congratulations to the children who were confirmed in leadership positions during the Mass. Our leaders for 2024 are as follows:
School Captains- 2024
Georgia Conron & Saskia McLelland
Student Representative Council- 2024
Year 5- Jed Metcalfe & Arabella Batinich
Year 4- Jack Fanning & Felicity Cameron- Connolly
Year 3- Claudia McCarthy & Isabelle Protheroe
Congratulations to the Hotham Family!
On behalf of the St Joseph’s community, congratulations to Melissa, Brenton, Lachlan, Riley, Angus and Archie on the joyful arrival of Fletcher Harrison, born on 5th February.
Instrumental Music Lessons
We are grateful for the positive partnership we enjoy with the Young Regional School of Music. On Thursday, Mr Barone conducted a special Music assembly where he highlighted the instruments which the St Joseph’s children can learn through the Instrumental Program. The children were introduced to instruments such as the Recorder, Guitar, Keyboard, Drums and Precussion. If your child is interested in learning to play an instrument, further details of fees etc are available at the office.
School Community Council
This year, St Joseph’s is transitioning from a School Board and a Parents and Friends Association to a School Community Council. Members of these groups will be meeting next Monday 12th February to plan for the transition. The SCC will provide the same opportunities for parents to contribute to the life of the school and we look forward to continued support for providing opportunities for the children, events and fundraising.
We will soon be inviting St Joseph’s families to participate in the School Community Council and look forward to establishing a strong, positive and inclusive School Community Council to continue the great work of the Board and the P&F.
Please watch this space for more information over the coming weeks. Thanks!
Parent and Teacher Conferences – Please Save the Date – Tuesday 27th February.
Teachers look forward to meeting the students’ parents and carers during the upcoming Parent and Teacher conferences which are scheduled after school on Tuesday 27th February.
The Conferences provide the opportunity for parents and teachers to establish the positive learning partnership for the year ahead. Teachers will be ready to discuss with you how your child is settling into the new year of learning and parents, this is a great opportunity to discuss the goals you have for our child for this year with their teacher.
Information on how to book in for the appointments will be provided closer to the date.
Assemblies will be held every fortnight in 2024. Here is our schedule for term 1. Parents are always warmly invited to join us!
In Conclusion…
This year, the children will enjoy a weekly 30-minute session focusing on Wiradjuri Language and Culture. We are delighted to welcome Julie Ferguson to our team to make these experiences fun and meaningful for the children.
In line with this cultural focus, the classes have each chosen a Wiradjuri name as follows:
K/1 - Gulaagga
2/3/4 - Gugubarra
5/6 - Bagaay
Please see below an important message from our School Counsellor, Danielle Hudson. We are delighted to have Danielle in this important role again in 2024.
We look forward to reporting next week on the Swimming Carnival scheduled for this coming Friday. Mrs Washbrook (Sport’s Coordinator) and the staff have a great day planned for all!
See you there!
With best wishes,
Louise Grant
Acting Principal
