During the second week of Advent, we focus on John the Baptist’s challenge: Prepare the way of the Lord!

Last Sunday was the second week of Advent, where we pray for the peace that the coming of Christ brings to our lives. Our Year 5 students led our Prayer Celebration, speaking of the peace that we all so desire in our lives and our world. I also spoke to the students about seeking peace within themselves, so that they can bring peace to others. At this time of the year, when there are many in our community who feel removed from others and alone, I pray that we can be people of peace, as we prepare for the birth of Christ.

We are again at the end of the school year. It is always a time of mixed emotions and excitement as everyone looks forward to the break and to celebrate the special time that is the Christmas season, this year perhaps more so than ever before! It also brings to an end a year of learning, of new experiences and at times, challenges. It can be an anxious time as students think about, and then discover, their new teacher and even who will be in their class the following year. All of these emotions and uncertainties are important for the students to experience, and for us as teachers and carers to support.

With the end of the school year, comes a whole new one to experience. The new year will bring excitement and joy, as well as challenge and change, but we can support our children in this by focusing on the positives of new friendships, a deepening of their learning and an opportunity for continued growth. The only sure thing in life, is change!

Next week, the students will learn who their teachers are and also have an opportunity to know their new class groupings. There will be opportunities to find out what classroom they will be in and to consider what 2021 might be like. This will be a very exciting time and I know that the students will return in 2021 ready for a wonderful year.

Staffing

Attached is the 2021 staffing that was shared earlier in the week. It is wonderful to have such continuity of staff into 2021, allowing us to build on the successes of 2020 and to set new goals for the years ahead. It is also great to welcome new staff to St Joseph’s; welcome to Shakira Beale who is joining us from the Northern Territory as our new Italian teacher, and Geanean Gillett and Alex Martens who are both continuing in their roles working in the Classroom Support Team. We have an incredible staff here at St Joseph’s!

2021 Staffing

Next week we will farewell Annette Carroll and Rosie Taliano from the primary school. Annette is taking 2021 to spend time with her young family, and will be missed by all here at St Joseph’s. She is an incredibly dedicated teacher and we hope to welcome her back in the future. Likewise, Rosie has been a great addition to our school, teaching 5 Blue for the second half of the year. Rosie is returning to Sydney where her family is, but we too hope to see her again in the future. In the ELC, Sally Gibson finishes at the end of the year. Sally has been a wonderful practitioner in the Early Years and will be missed by all in the ELC. We wish Annette, Rosie and Sally all the best for the future.

Upcoming Events

Even after the different year that we have had, it is wonderful to be able to come together in a number of ways in the coming week, to celebrate and recognise all that has been achieved and to farewell the community.

• Friday 11 December – 9.15am School Hall. Third week of Advent Prayer Celebration, led by 4 Gold (Parents / friends invited to attend)
• Friday 11 December – 12 noon St Joseph’s Church. Year 6 Graduation Mass. An important occasion for our graduating students and their families (Year 6 parents and St Joseph’s siblings invited to attend)
• Monday 14 December – 9.15am under the trees. Foundation to Year 2 End of Year Carols and Thank You (Parents / friends invited to attend)
• Monday 14 December – 10.15am under the trees. Year 3 to Year 6 End of Year Carols and Thank You (Parents / friends invited to attend)
• Wednesday 16 December – all day. Year 6 Fun Day at Big Splash Water Park
• Thursday 17 December – 9.15am School Hall. Leadership Handover Ceremony (Year 5 parents / guests invited to attend)
• Friday 18 December – 9.15am School Hall. Fourth week of Advent Prayer Celebration, led by 4 Green (Parents / friends invited to attend)
• Friday 18 December – 2.45pm under the trees. Year 6 and leaving staff Farewell Tunnel

Reports

Over recent weeks the teachers have worked to prepare the Semester 2 reports. They are currently being finalised and will be sent home with the students on Friday 11 December. As part of the on-going reporting and communication cycle, parents are welcome to contact their child’s teacher to arrange a meeting should the need arise to discuss the report.

School Board

Last week the School Board held its AGM, at which time out-going members were thanked and recognised for their contributions to the effective management of the school. The School Board for 2021 is:

Positions and roles on the Board will be elected at the first meeting in 2021.

Vote 4 Me

Today, Krys Saclier, parent of Nova (Yr 3) and Alexandria (Yr 6) shared with our Year 6 students her latest book, Vote 4 Me. Thank you to Krys for coming and spekaing with the students about our electoral and voting systems here in Australia. Please see the flyer in the Community News section of this week's newsletter.

Thank you to all of our parents who have been able to come into the school throughout this year - which has been limited unforatunately. We greatly value the expertise and experience that you all are able to share with us and hope that 2021 presents many more opportunities to engage with this important resource within our school. 

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,