With this newsletter comes the end of Semester 1.  It has been an eventful Semester with so many opportunities available to every student across varied domains.  It is important to us as a school that we don’t just help the children to grow academically but that we offer possibilities for spiritual, social, emotional and cultural growth. Amongst other things, this semester has seen some or all of the students perform in the Border District Eisteddfod and the Stanthorpe Busking event, participate in Life Education with Healthy Harold, compete in sporting events at school (local and district level), undertake learning around building and nurturing friendships, engage with members of the community, donate produce to people who are in need, show respect by commemorating ANZAC Day and learn about what it means to be resilient. This is as well as undertaking exciting learning projects in the classrooms.  I would have to say that each and every student in the Primary classes has grown in so many ways. We have witnessed it as staff, and I am sure parents would also have seen it. This is a time of celebration; it doesn’t matter where you are compared with other students, but it matters that we celebrate the growth – however small and in whichever domain - of each individual.

Today we shared affirmations of each member of the Primary Campus during our School Liturgy.  This was an opportunity to celebrate our personal strengths and growth with each other, as recognised by our peers. We certainly are all special in the eyes of God and each person contributes to the life of St Joseph’s School in their own unique way. Everyone here is valued for who they are.

My thanks are extended to all the staff on the Primary Campus who have worked tirelessly for the students this semester and also to the students who give us such joy each day. I trust that all families will have the opportunity to spend some quality time together over the next two weeks and to show how important each individual is to the family.

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary