Dear Parents and Carers,

Term 3 is certainly underway!  Students have returned to school full of enthusiasm and eager to reconnect with friends and teachers.  It was fabulous to gather as a school community in the hall for Assembly last week and welcome our new students, as well as, revisiting the 5 Respects that underpin all that we do at St Joseph’s.

Respect for Self, Others, Staff, Learning and the Environment. 

I’m sure if you asked your child(ren) they could provide you with many examples of how respectful behaviour is evident throughout the school.

The staff and I are very grateful to all parents, grandparents and carers who have demonstrated care and respect to teachers and administration staff by maintaining social distancing requirements in classrooms, corridors, outdoor space, front office and outdoor areas.  Thank you for demonstrating that you care for all staff!  We really appreciate it!!

As we come to acknowledge and celebrate the Feast of Mary MacKillop next week let us ponder on the words of Micah: the verse of Micah is at the beginning of the Constitution of the Sisters of St Joseph and names values and relationships underpinning Josephite Spirituality.

This is what he Living God asks of you;

Only this,

To Act Justly,

To Love tenderly,

To Walk Humbly with your God –

With a grateful heart God Bless,

Maria D'Aloia & St Joseph's Staff

The staff are committed to continually improving their teaching to ensure the students receive the best learning opportunities to continue to develop and grow and achieve good learning outcomes. 

As outlined in the 2020 School Annual Improvement Plan, Spelling and Mathematics are the areas that staff will focus on throughout this year.  In Semester 1, staff have been working earnestly and enthusiastically with consultant Tony Hole to review and refine the teaching of Spelling across the school. 

This Semester the focus is Mathematics.  The conversation began with the President of Primary Mathematics Association, Lisa – Jane O’Connor on Monday 20 July.  Her insights and provocations have stimulated significant professional dialogue and whilst affirming many aspects of the Mathematics curriculum including pedagogical practices here at St Joseph’s we are excited to review and enhance the curriculum delivery in this area.  Staff will continue the conversation with Lisa – Jane in planning meetings this term and next!  

If your child was born in a country other than Australia we are required to hold copies of current VISA’s.  If your resident status has changed to ‘citizen’ it is imperative that you provide us with copies of your Australian Passport and Citizen certificate.   

Every August we are required to complete an Australian Government Census which includes reporting how many students attend our school who hold VISA’s to determine eligibility to attend Government funded schools.

If your VISA has expired, conditions have changed or you status is now that of an Australian citizen please bring your original documents into the Office as a matter of priority so we can update our records.  If our records are not current or we are unable to determine your eligibility to access Government funded schooling you may be charged the overseas full fee paying student rate per year.

Confirmation Parent Meeting: Tuesday 25th August @ 6:30pm in St Joseph’s School Hall

Confirmation Practice: 7th September @ Sacred Heart Church, Hindmarsh

Confirmation: Saturday 12th September @ Sacred Heart Church, Hindmarsh

First Communion Parent Meeting: 20th October @ 6:30pm in St Joseph’s School Hall

First Communion: 22nd November @ Sacred Heart Church, Hindmarsh

Thank you for your generous donations on the last day of term. Many of these ingredients will be used for cooking that will be distributed by St Vincent de Paul. The remaining items will be donated to St Vincent de Paul Charities.

This week our third term intake of Preschool children joined us. It is a time to learn new routines, explore and get to know each other.

Welcome to Samuel, Gurfateh, Sebastian, Angus, Leo, Macy, Zoe, Aleah, Nanaati and Eskadmas.

Over the next week OSHC will be transitioning into their new home in the Hall. Please keep in mind that parents will now have to pick their children up from Albemarle Street instead via the Preschool gate. OSHC will send out more information soon. If you have any questions in the meantime please ask the Catherine or the OSHC Staff.

A kind reminder that if you are unable to collect your children after school and they are brought over to OSHC by the yard duty teachers,  they will be booked in and an authorised adult who comes to collect them must sign them out. This is to ensure that your children under our care are accounted for and are leaving the service only with authorised adults as per Australian Education and Care Laws (NQS Reg 99).

For children who are booked in, please let us know if your child/ren are not going to attend OSHC. Every minute counts, to ensure your child is with the right person, if they do not show up at OSHC.

Due to safety reasons, we are unable to let children leave the service with unauthorised persons who is not on the parents’ collection lists and we have not been notified of the collection authorisation.