The end of a school year can result in many conflicting emotions.  There is the excitement of course of the ensuing holidays which are almost upon us, tinged with some sadness that another year is over.  There is also the tiredness that both students and teachers are currently feeling, following a very busy term.  

It is also a great time for reflection and celebration of growth and achievement.  The Semper Una celebration this week acknowledged the end of primary schooling for our Year 6 students and the start of the adventure which awaits them next year.  The academic reports for Semester 2, which have been made available to parents and carers this week, recognise the significant efforts of the students to develop as learners across the disciplines of the curriculum.  

The last few weeks on the primary campus have been very busy with activities such as the Dance Fever concert, International Fairy Bread Day, the Granite Belt Lecturette competition, the interschools' chess and tennis competitions and the Prep Fairy Tale Ball to name but a few.  Congratulations to Sarah Scudamore and Jaycob Hardy who competed in the Lecturette competition final against 12 other local Year 6 students.

Our thoughts have also turned to next year, and in the last week all the children have had the opportunity to spend some time with their new teacher for next year.  We were also blessed to be joined by some of our new students for 2024 and it was wonderful, but not surprising, to hear that they enjoyed their time at St Joseph's.

This week sees us saying goodbye to two key members of staff. After 39 years working with children and staff at our school, Mary McLucas will retire.  Mary's commitment to the children across the years has never been in doubt and her support of other staff has always been appreciated.  In her role as the Arts teacher in recent years, Mary has encouraged students to be creative and dramatic and for all that she has done, we thank her sincerely.  Mary's presence at St Joseph's will be missed.

Cate Green will also leave us this week, choosing to retire to the beach life provided at Evan's Head. Cate has only been with us for two years but she has certainly made her mark with the children, staff and parents and she will be missed. 

We wish them both every happiness and good health as they start their retirement and thank them for their service to the community of St Joseph's. 

It is important to recognise also that Karyn Heads will leave us this week to welcome her baby.  This is such a wonderfully exciting time for the Heads family and we look forward to the news of the pitter-patter of tiny feet around Christmas.

Finally, as the end of the 2023 acedemic year approaches, I wish to thank all of the staff on the primary campus for their ongoing commitment to every student and for the work they do every single day.  We are fortunate to have such wonderfully passionate teachers and school officers in our midst and I thank them for their ongoing work.

On behalf of all the staff, I wish all of our families a restful, happy and holy holiday period and look forward to the opportunities that 2024 will bring.

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary & Teaching & Learning