Last week I had the opportunity to meet with parents who are considering St Joseph's School in 2020 for their Prep-age children, and this week there has also been an Information Evening for Year 6 into Year 7 students.

Both events provide an ideal opportunity to share what is significant and unique about being at St Joseph's School. I spoke to the parents I met about being within a welcoming and inclusive environment where each individual is valued for their uniqueness, and where values such as compassion, forgiveness, service, dignity and mercy permeate all aspects of school life.

Teachers across the school are also continually looking to refine their skills for the benefit of the students and in relation to the latest research regarding what makes for effective learning. This term, as part of our Visible Learning journey, each of us is undertaking an 'impact cycle' around a question that relates to our own classrooms, collecting evidence and measuring the impact of the strategies used. The third significant reason I mentioned for choosing St Joseph's School is our ability to support each person to be the best version of themselves, through our academic programs, the care and support offered by every member of staff, as well as the focus on Gospel values and the teachings of Jesus.

Last week we were very busy on the Primary Campus. As well as celebrating Catholic Education Week, we started the week by acknowledging Mrs Johanna Campbell’s 30 years at St Joseph’s School as well as Mrs Mary McLucas' 35 years in Catholic Education.

On Wednesday some students attended a STEM Day at St Saviour’s Primary School in Toowoomba and then on Thursday, three teams travelled to Toowoomba for a netball carnival. Congratulations in particular to the netballers who played very well to win the majority of their games. Thank you is extended to all the teachers involved with these excursions – Mr David Fleming, Mr Shane Page, Mrs Kayelene O’Dea, Mrs Bernadette Brunckhorst and Miss Erin Canavan.

We also launched our reading challenge this week, in aid of MS Queensland and the work they do in supporting those with multiple sclerosis and their families.  The challenge was made to ‘Read! Read! Read!’ and I thank Mrs Grant, Miss Gangemi and Miss Osborne for their organisation of this event.

Mrs Glenda McNichol and Miss Erin Canavan also visited C&K Kindy to meet the parents and spent some time with the children.

This week we have seen the first of the ‘transition weeks’ where students from Year 5/6F have experienced the Secondary Campus and all it has to offer. They have enjoyed their time sampling lessons from the Secondary curriculum and are looking forward to 2020.  Thanks to Mr Matthew Brown and the teachers for organising this.

Finally, a reminder that we have another Prep Open Morning on Thursday 15th August from 11:15am for those parents looking to enrol their child into Prep in 2020. Please share this information with friends and family.

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary