Term 1 Week 1 2025

A Warm Welcome to the 2025 School Year at St. Joseph's!

As we open the doors to another exciting school year, we extend a warm welcome to all our students and families at St. Joseph’s. This week, we commenced with our Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAI) and Kindergarten Best Start Interviews. It was a joy to see our Years 1-6 students return on Thursday, sharing their holiday stories with big smiles. We've been so impressed by their easy transition back into school life and their eagerness to engage in learning activities. Walking through the classrooms and listening to their holiday experiences has been a highlight for our staff.

Next Monday, February 10th, we are excited to welcome our new Kindergarten cohort. Following the morning assembly, we invite all Kindergarten parents and carers to join us for a morning tea in the School Hall. This gathering will be a fantastic opportunity for parents/carers to meet other families, chat with our staff, and participate in this special milestone as our youngest learners begin their school journey.

We are also delighted to introduce new members to our school community. Please join us in welcoming our new students, Ralph Ward (Year 2) and Evie Eyles (Year 6). We trust that they have settled comfortably during their first week at St. Joseph's and they have already made some new friendships.

Additionally, we are thrilled to have new staff members among us: Jess Larkan, who will be taking on roles in Kindergarten and Stage 2 RFF on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during Semester One. Talya Parsons, our new Speech Pathologist, who will be working with our students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both Jess and Talya bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles, and we are blessed to have them as part of our team. ( add photos)

 As we look ahead, we are filled with anticipation for the year to come. We are committed to nurturing a supportive and engaging learning environment for all our students, and we thank you, our parents and carers, for your continued support and partnership.

MAI Assessments 

Thank you to the teaching staff and parents for all your support with the students participating in their Maths Assessment Interviews. These one-on-one assessment sessions were invaluable for teachers to understand and gather data on what students deeply comprehend regarding mathematical concepts, including counting, place value, addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division. They also provided an opportunity for teachers to check in with students on how they are feeling as they prepare to start the new school year and to enjoy hearing numerous holiday stories. Feedback on how to support your child's mathematical development, based on the assessments, will be sent home in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, teachers will utilise this information to tailor their Mathematics programs.

Supporting Your Child's Well-Being 

School Uniform Policy ( Including hairstyles) 

As we embark on a new school year, we wish to kindly remind everyone about the significance of complying with our school's uniform policy. We expect all students to wear completely black shoes every day, except on sports day. These shoes should not display any other colours. Many families opt for an all-black sports shoe that can be worn daily. Furthermore, we request that students keep their hair in natural colours and avoid extreme hairstyles, such as mullets or shaved patterns. 

Opening School Mass

Families are warmly invited to our opening school mass on Friday, 21st February, at 9:30 am. Year 6 students will be inducted into their Leadership roles and Kindergarten will have a special welcome.

Family Night - Save the Date - Saturday 1st March 5-8pm

On Saturday 1st March, we will be holding our annual Family Night. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and mingle. After listening to parent feedback, we are hoping to trial a new format, which will include a family parish mass followed by activities, a silent disco and a shared dinner back at school. We are still finalising the details, so if you would like to contribute your wonderful ideas, please reach out to Maria Wilson or Fiona Hayward through the office.