Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph’s Community,

Welcome back to Term 2. The break began with the most important of times for us as a Catholic faith community. Easter, and the promise of the resurrection of Jesus, gives us faithful hope in the future. As we begin a new school term, and continue to move out of all that 2020 held for everyone around the world, we are hopeful for what lies ahead. We can be thankful for the family and friends that surround us and the good fortune that we are now more able to see and spend time with them. We can be thankful that as a school community, we are able to support those in need and to reach out and make a difference to others. And we can be thankful for each other, the students, teachers, parents and friends that make up the St Joseph’s community. We are looking forward to a wonderful term ahead.

Professional Learning

On Monday, all teachers and Classroom Support Staff participated in a CE System-wide professional learning day. The day was spent learning about and discussing the use of High Impact Teaching Practices (HITPs) in the classroom. Focusing on strategies such as reviewing what has been learnt (not what has been taught), presenting new content in small steps, questioning during the lesson or checking for understanding, allows us to specifically target ways to better support students in their learning and also give direction for further teaching. The day was very valuable and productive.

Community Challenges – St Bede’s Red Hill

On Tuesday evening I attended the Community Consultation town hall meeting for St Bede’s Primary School, Red Hill. In recent weeks, Catholic Education has commenced this consultation with the St Bede’s school community, to determine the school’s viability going forward in the coming years. The reasons for initiating this viability consultation rest significantly on the impact of expected funding challenges resulting from the new Direct Measure of Income (DMI) funding model that determines the level of government funding a school attracts, and also the current enrolment numbers at the school.

As would be expected, this Community Consultation has brought the St Bede’s school community together, to ensure that Catholic Education is aware of the incredible value that comes from being part of a small, community-focused school and the wonderful experiences available to its students. It was very reassuring to hear from parents and students in the meeting, just how much St Bede’s, and all our schools, are valued and needed within our wider communities.

We keep all of the St Bede’s school community, and Catholic Education, in our thoughts and prayers as they work together over the coming months to ensure the continuing history of one of our wonderful schools is preserved in the years to come.

Enrolment Time

We already are starting to look ahead to 2022! The official enrolment period runs for three weeks starting 3 May. However, the enrolment links on our website are now live and the forms available. Please promote our wonderful school to family and friends and encourage them to come for a visit.

Enrolment Open Days – Wednesday 5 May and Monday 10 May 9.30 – 11.00am / Wednesday 12 May 4.30 – 6.00pm. 

Winter is upon us

With winter fast approaching and the prospect of a ski season ahead, please see the sport section if you are interested in finding out more about a St Joseph’s Interschools Team.

Working Bee

Do you own a shovel, what about a pair of gardening gloves? Are you looking for something to do with your spare time? Then look no further…

Canteen

Please note that the canteen is now open on a Tuesday for over the counter sales at first break. This is also the time that Katie does much of the cooking and planning for the week, so volunteers are always welcome.

School Photos

School photos will be sent home tomorrow. All of the siblings photos are available from the Front Office. The $15 cost is contributed back to the school as a donation from MSP Photography.

Mother's Day Breakfast

On Friday 7 May, we will be holding a Mother's Day Breakfast from 7:45am followed by a Prayer Celebration led by 5 Orange and 1 Teal at 9:15am. We invite all the special women in our community to join us for a cup of coffee and a bacon and egg roll to acknowledge and celebrate all of the wonderful things you do. The cost will be $5 per family and orders and payment will be open on Qkr! next week. 

Have a great weekend.

Yours in Christ, 

Principal