Principal's Report Term 2 Week 2
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
Welcome to Term Two – I hope families enjoyed a restful break over the holidays and enjoyed celebrating Easter with loved ones.
Term Two has started in a flurry of activity and the calendar ahead is quite active as well! Make sure to read communications carefully to keep up with what is going on. We are very excited looking ahead to Cross Country, the Winter Sports and our Mother’s Day Celebration.
Staff commenced Term Two with a continuation of professional learning in Structured Literacy. We are well underway with teachers implementing the evidence-based strategies of explicit and diagnostic instruction; reduction of cognitive load; gradual release to independence and multi-tiered levels of support.
Students commenced the term with an Easter Liturgy celebrating the most joyous time in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar! This was followed by the traditional easter egg hunt, many of which were a bit melted by the time they were discovered! Staff and students have also joined together in prayer and service to acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis, who was known for being kind, caring about the poor, protecting the environment, and trying to make the Church a more welcoming and inclusive place.
This week, we were excited to start our journey with Auslan – Teachers as Co-Learners. While staff delivered their first lesson, students met our teacher assistant, Renee. Renee lost her hearing at nineteen after contracting meningococcal disease and now hears via cochlear implants. Remember to ask students what they have learnt this week!
Project Compassion Boxes
A sincere thank you to families for returning their Project Compassion Boxes which were in homes throughout Lent. This is a last call for any Project Compassion Boxes still at home so we can tally our final contribution and send the funds to Caritas Australia.
New Windows
Over the holiday break, Wright Building, installed a further bay of new windows, this time in the Senior Room. Holmes-Brown Floor & Window Coverings have this week installed blinds which has finished of the project. These new windows make a huge aesthetic difference, enhance safety and allow for air flow throughout the classrooms. Thank you, Danny, Matt and employees!
Weekly Assembly
Weekly Assembly is held each Monday at 12:30pm. At Assembly we pray together, present student awards, see what’s on for the week ahead and sing the national anthem.
Families are most welcome to join us in the Multi-Purpose Room for Weekly Assembly.
Tuesday Afternoon Badminton
Good news! We have been informed students attending Badminton on a Tuesday afternoon have been granted permission to transfer to Charlton College using the school bus. Mr Start has advised students will get on the first bus in line at the bus stop. On exiting the bus, students are to proceed to the stadium for Badminton. Parents must add students to the bus roster using PAM.
Country & Belonging
Next week, all students will participate in the Country & Belonging Regional Arts Victoria Program. We are grateful to the Charlton neighbourhood House for funding these sessions for our students. F-2 students will participate on Tuesday and 3-6 students on Wednesday. Students will be transported to and from Charlton Park by Start's Buslines. (see flyer below)
STOMP Dancing
We are thrilled to be able to access the STOMP Dancing program again in 2025. We will join with the Charlton College students for each dance session in the College Stadium. We will keep you updated, but at this stage in time, P-2 students will be dismissed from Charlton College each afternoon of STOMP Dancing , which is May 12-16th. St Joseph's School staff will be with, and supervise our students at all times.
In faith & learning,
Have a great week,
Mary
