Dear Parents and Community Members,

Welcome back to school everyone!  I hope you all enjoyed some ‘down time’ and are re-energised for a fabulous and productive Term 4.   It has been great to visit students in classrooms and witness first hand how they are engaging wholeheartedly with their learning and it is a joy to see them interactively positively with their peers.  Students in Year 5/6 listened with intent to the Carly Ryan Foundation presenters last week and parents who attended the evening information session also considered the information as ‘essential’ in understanding and navigating social media platforms to keep our young people safe. 

God Bless

You may have been aware through media reports that following a consultation process with key stakeholders, the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) have reviewed the Fees Policy and decided that Catholic Education needs to be more affordable.

Karyn Burlow and I have met with Finance Team at Catholic Education office to determine the level of fee reduction for St Joseph’s School Hindmarsh, that can be sustained without impacting on the quality of education being offered.

This information has been presented to the School Board and I am happy to report that the fees will be reduced in 2021.  Every family will receive an email with the new fee structure.  (If you have changed your email address recently please provide new email address or if you do not receive the information please contact the school office)

This year we are seeking 4 nominations to the School Board.  Nominations close on 1 December. If you are interested please fill out our digital nomination form by following this link.

Role and Function of School Board

Each diocesan School Board has delegated responsibility from the Archbishop for the overall well-being of its school, within South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) and diocesan policies and guidelines. In practice, this means that in a spirit of partnership, the School Board acts to:

• develop policies that nurture the religious dimension and guide the direction of the school;
• develop the relationship between the school and the local Church;
• promote educational excellence within the school;
• support the administration of the school;
• foster harmonious and positive collaboration within the school community;
• protect children;
• monitor buildings and grounds development and maintenance;
• exercise financial stewardship of the school; and
• ensure compliance with legal obligations.

School Boards are important as they bring together, in a formal setting, the significant parties concerned with the provision of education of young people in the school.

The structure of the School Board includes:

• Parish Representative
• Chairperson
• School Principal as the executive officer
• Elected Parents
• Staff Representative
• Parent Voice Representative

The School Board is a partnership between parish and school, parents and staff, the school and Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) as a whole, and between the school community and the broader Church Community and society.

Currently, School Board meetings are held each month.

Membership of the Board will be for a period of two years for elected, nominated and appointed members. Members (other than Ex-Officio Members) should not serve more than six consecutive years.

The Criteria for membership is as follows:

• possess an enthusiasm for and willingness to promote the mission of Catholic schools;
• bring to the Board their gifts and skills;
• desire to give service to their school community;
• have an ability to work cooperatively and constructively with all Members of the Board
• be prepared to undertake formation;
• have an ability and desire to uphold confidentiality in Board matters;
• have sufficient time to devote to Board duties; and
• have a current police check clearance for the Screening and Verification Authority—Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide.

There are three vacancies. If you are interested in being part of the School Board please nominate. If you are interested in being on the School Board please complete the nomination form. Should there be more than three nominations a vote will take place.

Nominations close on 1 December 2020. An online voting process will also take place along with the voting slip in this newsletter to ensure that everyone has the opportunity of participating in this important decision.

The School Board Manual is available on request or you may wish to have a conversation with me or a current member of the School Board if you would like more information about what the role involves.

Please name containers and uniforms, parents can come and check our lost property baskets in the front office. If items are not collected after a period of time they will be donated.

Congratulations to Maya in 1/2GM whose winning Mayoral Make-A-Book was selected to be made into an eBook on the Charles Sturt Councils webpage.

Have a look and read her story "My Cultural Background is Vietnamese".

Well done Maya! 

Please keep Sebastian M, Ruby, Lina-Marie, Maria, Alexander C, Shayla and Luca in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist.

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

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

Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you bless our St Joseph’s Community with love.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop,
may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.

On Wednesday the 14th of September the members of the Carly Ryan Foundation visited the Year 5/6 students. They educated us mostly about the importance of keeping safe online.

Never meet up with someone you meet online, unless you know them.

When creating a password, SA police recommend you use 3 random words and 3 random numbers.

Don’t put personal information online (Laurence, Yr. 5).

Carly was a victim of cyber danger and how somebody can lie about their name and age but somehow earn your trust. That is why it was so important that this foundation came to talk to us so we can be safe. Sonya, Carly’s Mum, started this foundation, so kids like us can be aware of what happens and prevent it from happening. Safety and privacy online are the number one priority (Jiyaa, Yr. 6).

If you’re gaming online with other people or having your social media account on public you have to think before you say, do or post something. Apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Facebook Messenger all have settings that can be changed so what you post isn’t public (Jordan, Yr. 6)

“This is the second time I have attended this presentation, four years apart and have been blessed both times to have Sonya present in person. As a parent it truly sinks in when the presenter herself has suffered the loss of a child and I can only encourage you all to access as much information as you can regarding on line safety as it is forever changing and there is so much we can do to protect our innocent sons and daughters.” (Richard, Parent, School Board Chairperson.)

“I had the privilege of attending the Carly Ryan presentation on Wednesday evening, it was one of the most heart breaking yet insightful presentations I have ever seen. Sonya opened our eyes about so many online, phone, app & internet safety features that can protect and support our children. If we ever have the opportunity to have Sonya at our school again I will definitely be attending, she is a very brave & strong woman, using the loss of her child to help save other children! God bless her.” (Caterina, Parent)

Thank you for the opportunity to attend the Carly Ryan Foundation presentation for a second time at our school. I urge all to attend this most valuable and informative session should the opportunity arise again. It is definitely an eye opener and a credit to Sonya Ryan who lost her daughter Carly and continues to educate parents and students through her Foundation. (Stav, Parent)