During the previous week Ms Amanda Thompson and I, along with Mr Matthew Brown and Mr Joe Shorter from the Secondary Campus, along with 32 teachers from around the Diocese of Toowoomba, were privileged to be able to visit three schools in the Auckland area of New Zealand. These schools have all been on the Visible Learning journey for at least eight years and it was interesting for us to be able to put our own journey in context against theirs. Prior to visiting we were asked to reflect on a document which spoke about professional development from a teacher's perspective by comparing knowledge with driftwood on a beach. Whilst the context was specific, I believe that it has much relevance for life in general. We all have opportunities that are presented to us and from which we can collect 'grains of sand' or larger pieces of driftwood. These may be the things which give our lives meaning. But for this to happen we need to have our eyes, minds and hearts open to the possibilities and sometimes this is not easy in the busyness of each day.

We were certainly kept busy during our four-day trip but we all returned with many pieces of driftwood, grains of sand and even some prized gems which we will be sharing with our colleagues and the wider community over the coming weeks and months.

Last week a Year 6 student, Trey Colyer, had his head shaved as part of the World’s Greatest Shave. Trey’s motivation was personal as members of his family have suffered from or are continuing to suffer from cancer. In doing this, he raised in excess of $1500 through fundraising. Thank you to all those students and families who assisted Trey with this personal endeavour and thank you also to Mr David Fleming who supported Trey by having his head shaved as well.

This comes on the back of our reading challenge during the month of August where we highlighted the condition of Multiple Sclerosis. Again, our involvement in this was borne out of a student’s personal connection to the condition and their desire to help others. Year 6 Student, Makayla Osborne was passionate about her desire for the school to be involved, and fundraising on the book character parade day resulted in $323.60 for MS Queensland. How humbling it is to see the selfless acts of students as they embody the Gospel values which we hold in such high esteem at St Joseph’s School.

You will be aware that NAPLAN results have now been received by schools.  We are very pleased with the efforts of our students as detailed in an email from Mr Andrew Kendall last week. Shortly parents will receive a report outlining their child’s results. As a school, we are in the process of analysing the data and identifying how we can best use it to further the progress of each individual learner.

The passing of the next two weeks will see the conclusion of Term 3 but that does not mean that the pace of life on the Primary Campus slows! There is still much to achieve in that time but I hope that each person involved can take the opportunity to recognise the grains of sand, the driftwood and possibly the gems that give meaning to our lives.

My thanks as always to the endeavours of the teachers, school officers, volunteers and also the students who all contribute to the ongoing success of St Joseph’s School as a place where each person is supported to be the best version of themselves that they can be.

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary