St Joseph's Newsletter

Dear Parents and Community Members

I would like to take this opportunity in the last Newsletter for 2021 to acknowledge, give thanks and express my gratitude for the many blessings on our community this year.

As a Josephite School we are committed to ensuring our vision ‘In all things love’ is expressed in all we do. 

Even though we have continued to be challenged by COVID, resulting in school closures and limiting interactions with the wider community on occasions, we have continued to learn from each other, all journeying together to ‘make a difference’ in the lives of our precious children and focusing on the strategic directions outlined in the school annual improvement plan. 

This year our school started the “Clarity” journey as an early adaptor school, implementing the 14 Strategies of School Improvement, a CESA system wide initiative.   

Our focus this year has been on making ‘Learning visible’. This involved clearly articulating Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in all classrooms. Bump it Up Walls and Learning walls that were co-constructed with students aim to further engage and promote student goal setting and self management, capabilities required for ongoing success.  We will continue this work in 2022, further refining and embedding best practice across the school. 

I am grateful that all staff are committed to the notion of lifelong learning and relish the opportunity of embracing evidence based pedagogical practices that promote best practice.

I would also like to acknowledge the leadership team, Helen Clark and Rita Garreffa for their ongoing commitment to school improvement and leading the school during my absence whilst on leave, together with Mr Catalano.  Thank you!

It is indeed a privilege to work with parents in a respectful and authentic partnership.  Teachers look forward to meeting with parents and students at the beginning of the year to begin new partnerships. 

Please take the opportunity of meeting with 2022 class teachers on Thursday 27 January, setting goals together for the year, and working towards achieving excellence. 

Information regarding this will be sent out via Skoolbag, early in the new year.

In 2022 there will also be another opportunity to meet staff informally at a social gathering on Wednesday 2 February commencing at 6 pm and then venture into classrooms where teachers will provide an overview of the year and share further information, as well as, answering any questions you may have.  More information about this will be communicated next year.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the School Board Members who have been integral in the shaping of the school by supporting the staff, financial stewardship and helping to realise the School’s vision and mission.  Their wisdom, discernment and collegiality has been greatly appreciated.

President: Fr Lancy
Chairperson: Richard Ellerman
Chair of Finance Committee: Craig Costello 
Staff Representative: Kathleen Melis
Deputy Executive Officer: Helen Clark

Board Members:

• Mark Thompson
• Francis Ben
• Leath Margrie
• Laura Morris
  
  

Richard has been Chairperson of the School Board for four years, during this time he has represented our school at SACCS forums, been on panel selections for senior staff and offered a listening ear regarding various school initiatives, including monitoring the school crossing on occasions.  Thank you, Richard, for your leadership and genuine interest in making a difference to the development of our school and for always demonstrating a deep appreciation of the staff. 

Special thanks also to the members of the ‘Parent and Friends’ committee who have persisted in their endeavours of fundraising and community building, during the pandemic.  Whilst, Leath, Jacki and Laura have been instrumental in leading the team, they have been supported by many enthusiastic helpers.  Thank you P &F for all your efforts with Breakfast Club, Coffee Club and the other school events!    Thank you for your persistence and determination in ensuring the community of St Joseph’s continues to feel a sense of connection during this challenging time.  

 Leath, Jacki and Laura, whilst still wanting to be actively involved in supporting school events in 2022, will not be part of the executive committee. 

Thank you for balancing your commitments with both P & F, School Board and Breakfast club!!! 

Thank you to all volunteers in our school, those who coach sporting teams, assist in the classroom, transport students to events, and the list goes on – your help ensures that students benefit and are provided with so many possibilities and opportunities. Volunteers are an integral and very important aspect of school life.  Many students benefit from your care and support of the initiatives offered here.   Thank you!

I am grateful that the two properties on Bertie Street were finally demolished in preparation for the redevelopment of the school grounds.  I am delighted to announce that the engineers have completed the detailed stormwater plans requested and these have been lodged with the council.  We have approval from the church office and hope to begin the tendering process soon!  We are getting closer! 

I would like to take this opportunity of acknowledging Emily Revell, Raymond So and Helen Carter's contribution to our school community this year.  We extend our best wishes and hope that your new school communities value you as much as we have!

On behalf of the staff, I extend best wishes for a happy and holy Christmas.  May it be peace and joy filled.  We look forward to a positive and exciting 2022 school year. 

God Bless,
Maria D’Aloia
Principal

St Joseph was the foster father of Jesus and a hard worker. This is awarded to a senior student who is a trusted hard worker and demonstrates persistence and determination when faced with challenges, just as Joseph did.

Awarded to:  Gianluca Ruffo

Jules Chevaliers was a French Catholic priest and founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. His mission was that all would strive to ‘be on earth the heart of God.’ At St Joseph’s we endeavour to educate the heart by developing each child’s unique gifts. This award is given to a student P – 6 who demonstrates exceptional skill in the co-curricula areas of Art, Dance, Music, Sport, or Languages.  

Awarded to: Isabella Staikopoulos

I have renominated for a second term as I would like to continue to have an active involvement with the redevelopment of the school grounds and I enjoy the interaction with other like minded parents and teachers. I also enjoy volunteering with the kids classes for excursions.  I am very much a hands on dad who enjoys every bit of what my three boys throw at me (well most of it!)  I have two boys at the school, beginning Years 3 and 1 respectively and another son beginning in the pre school term 3 of 2022.

Dear St Joseph's School Community,

I am Liam Parker, the proud Dad of Lotye (2R) and Amelie (RGA).

I am currently a House Leader at Cabra Dominican College and have taught in Catholic Education in Adelaide, Victoria and London since 2006. I have also been fortunate to work in leadership roles in both Primary and Secondary School's throughout the last decade, focussed on Student Wellbeing. 

I am hoping to serve on the St Joseph's School Board as a means to actively contribute to the community. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to attend a variety of School events over the nearly 3 years since we joined the School and am aware just how much Lotye and Amelie love coming to St Joe's everyday. I would really appreciate the opportunity to give something back through serving on the School Board.

Thanks for your time.

I have been passionately involved in our school community now for the past 11 years, beginning with my son in pre school (he is now in year 9 at Nazareth ) and my daughter, who is currently in year 4.

I have volunteered with St Joseph’s Parents and Friends Committee  for 9 years, was a previous board member for 2 terms until earlier this year when I had to resign my position to care for my Husband who was diagnosed with cancer, thank God he is now in remission.

I am ready, willing and able to come back and give my time to helping make some positive changes to our wonderful school community at St Joseph’s and ensure the path of our children is aligned with our school motto “in all things love”.

We are a school committed to School Improvement.  We value your feedback.  Please help make a difference by having your say and completing the survey.

Have your say! Click here to complete the survey

‘Is your child interested in learning the drums? There are now slots available for private tutoring in the new year!

Please contact Andreanna via email andreannamassacci@outlook.com or message 0450 972 702. 

Dear parents, 
Please find a link to App facts sheets for a large number of Apps that many of our students are using. Each of the fact sheets provides a guide for parents around age recommendations, how best to set up the permissions for the App and some information regarding the Apps.

Due to difficulties in the guarantee of delivery of devices in 2022, we will not be offering a portal for the purchase of BYODs. Factory shutdowns due to Covid have led to a worldwide shortage of parts required for devices. All existing BYODs will continue to be supported as per our policy guidelines. We will review our BYOD program in 2022 and inform the community of the process going forward.

Students in Years 5-6 will continue to have 1:1 access to school devices to use during school hours. Years 3-4 students will have access to shared devices during school hours.