Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with confidence, therefore, I fly to you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
Do not O Mother of Jesus, despise my prayers,
but graciously hear and grant them.
Amen.
For today’s prayer I have returned to my own schooling, reciting the Memorare, a prayer to Mary, that we said each day. While the prayer itself holds great importance for me, and it is actually very comforting to be able to recall it so easily, the point I wish to make is more about the ways we connect with experiences, particularly our schooling. In recent weeks we have been relearning the St Joseph’s school song, and it has been wonderful to hear it being sung at assembly. The words are important, as they recall our history, but I hope that these kinds of traditions are also imprinted in the minds of our students as a way to recall positive and enjoyable times at school.
Yesterday as a staff we reviewed the student responses for the Satisfaction Survey that students in Year 3 – 6 completed some time ago. It was very affirming to read the importance they place on St Joseph’s being a community, a place where they have friends, where they feel their teachers know them, and where they are enjoying their learning. Likewise, we read how they would like to be challenged further, to support them to be active leaders in the school, and to ensure students are being positive and respectful on the playground. The students also wanted about 4 hours of playtime!
As a school, and as Principal, there is an incredible responsibility to ensure we provide positive and enjoyable experiences for our students. At St Joseph’s we are true to our Vision, to ‘grow in excellence’, and I thank all parents and carers for the trust placed in us as we continue to work at actioning this vision each day.
Anxiety Workshop – A night for all parents
On Wednesday 23 September, Mark Holburton our School and Family Counsellor is hosting a virtual workshop for parents, focusing on supporting students who may experience anxiety at school or in other settings. Anxiety can be experienced due to a myriad of influences and can present itself in just as many ways. As parents and teachers, we might see this as difficulty wanting to come to school, separating from a parent of a morning, uncertainty on the playground or disengagement in the classroom. At home, parents may see their child find it difficult at birthday parties, or when things happen that aren’t planned, or even just feeling unsure of themselves. All of these things are difficult for parents to navigate, especially if we too become anxious. All parents are invited to join the Zoom session between 7.00 – 8.30pm. https://zoom.us/j/98555670582 Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Cheese!
School photos went home this week. I hope they have all made pride of place on the fridge or maybe even into a frame. They usually take almost 12 months in the Tarrant household to get that far. Family photos are also now available from the Front Office for $15. These are great keepsakes and are a valuable fundraiser for the school. If you would like to purchase the family photo that was taken on Photo Day, please either drop into the Front Office and pay, or you can call Jenny and she is able to take payment over the phone and the photo will be sent home with your child.
Building Update
What a difference a day makes! We started the week with scaffolding all around our new building and plenty of building materials on the site. Today as you can see, we have a much better view of our wonderful new extension and the front paving and landscaping is taking shape. Last Friday I took the staff into the new rooms so they could get a feel for the rooms and they were suitably impressed!
Have a great end to the week.
Yours in Christ,
Cameron Tarrant
Principal
