Newsletter Term 1 Week 2 2024

Principal's Report

Dear Community,

Firstly I would like to warmly welcome you all to a new year at St Joseph's.  A special welcome to all of our new families and staff, who this year, have joined the St Joseph's community. 

In the lead up to the beginning of the school year, our staff spent some time reflecting on the work of Mary MacKillop and the impact she had on the people around her.  For her time, she was very courageous, outspoken, determined and focused on what she believed in.  Mary MacKillop is an integral part of our school as she was the leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.  The sisters were the ones who set up our school here at St Joseph's. Last year, many of you would be aware that we launched our school learning behaviours.  These five learning behaviours help teach the students vital skills that they will need for all facets of their life.  Tied to these learning behaviours is a quote from Mary MacKillop, that connects to each of these.  This year, we will be putting a greater focus on how Mary MacKillop is tied to our school learning behaviours and how she displayed each of these behaviours in her daily life.  By the end of Year 6, it is our goal to send out well rounded, resectful young students who have a sense of justice and resilience, and who can think critically about the world around them.  By introducing the stories of Mary MacKillop, connected to our school learning behaviours, we believe that our students will have the skills to be able to do this in the wider world.  As Mary MacKillop stated, 'Nothing is too little to be noticed.'

Over the last week I have been privalaged to spend some time in the classrooms, conversing with students and getting to know all about them and their new classrooms.  It has been wonderful to see students getting settled into their routines and helping to build clear expectations for their learning.  

On Friday night, we welcome all families to join us for a BBQ and a chance to meet with teachers and ask questions that you might have about the year.  This is a great chance to build relationships with school staff and other families in the school and I look forward to seeing you all there.

I am excited about the year ahead and of the opportunity to lead the school this year and build on the great work that has been happening over the past couple of years.

God Bless,

Michelle

From the APRE

Prep News

Hi everyone!

My name is Grace Twidale and I am the Prep teacher for this year. I am so excited to be teaching your little ones for their first year of school. I completed Prep/One in the same classroom so this classroom is very familiar to me!

Over the past short week in Prep, we have been learning about the routines and expectations in our classroom, we have been creating some awesome craft pieces and we have been practicing writing our name neatly. The Preps have blown me away with how quickly they have settled into the routines at school so you should be very proud of them all. We have also been doing lots of play dough work, iPad work (Reading Eggs), painting, lego, fine motor skill games, singing and dancing.

To ensure your children are prepared for the year to come, it is important that you are doing the following at home:

• Getting your child to practice writing their name
• Counting to 20 (in any opportunities that arise)
• Singing/Saying the alphabet
• Completing craft activities – drawing and cutting (these are great for their fine motor skills)
• Reading to your child most nights (and eventually, getting your child to read to you)

If you have not already joined the Prep Facebook group page (where information and notices will be shared), please let me know and I will forward through the link to you. Make sure you continue to check this page as notices are always posted here!

I am absolutely honoured to be teaching your beautiful children in Prep and I am looking forward to what the year has in store for us!

Kind Regards, 

Grace Twidale

Prep

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