This term has, no doubt, been a challenging one for us all and the weeks ahead will present further challenges. However, I am confident the school is well prepared for what the future brings, both in the short term and the long term.

Strategic Plan 2020-2023

Last year, after consultation with staff, students, the Parents and Friends Association and the School Board, and drawing on the School Renewal and Improvement Plan 2018, the School Leadership Team, under the guidance of school education consultant Dr Judy Smeed, developed our Strategic Plan to inform the direction of St Joseph’s School from 2020 to the end of 2023.

The plan provides the basis for shaping the School’s Annual Action Plans in each of the following five focus areas:

1. Catholic Identity and Mercy Charism
2. Teaching and Learning
3. Well Being and Capacity
4. Community Engagement
5. Resources and Facilities

We believe the plan provides a clear and detailed platform to grow the school and, most importantly, provide the opportunity for our students to be the best they can be.

The Strategic Plan 2020-2023 can be downloaded HERE.

On the 24th March, the School Board met for its AGM and the first meeting of the year. The Board for this year is:

Julie Kay (Chair)
Andrew Kendall (Principal)
Father Brian Connolly (Parish Priest)
Angelina Sims (Secretary)
Megan Mahoney (Staff Representative)
Suzanne Dole
Patrick McCosker
Michael Pradella
Amanda St John
Dorothy Switala

A key role of the Board will be to monitor the progress of the school’s implementation of the Strategic Plan.

I thank them for their support of the school and welcome the new members, Suzanne Dole and Amanda St John, to the Board.

Learning from Home

The staff have been working hard this week to prepare for the possibility of students having to learn from home at the start of Term 2. Much training and collaborative planning has gone into their preparations.

I appreciate that for many families, the need to coordinate the learning of their children at home may be difficult and stressful.  Parents and caregivers need to be aware that they are not expected to be teachers and are not expected to have their children sitting at their desks from 8.35am to 3.10pm Monday to Friday, like a normal school day. The staff will provide programs that are flexible enough to cater to the varying needs of families and will be available to help with your queries and concerns.

The learning programs that will be set across different year levels will vary. Both Sarah Yates (Primary) and Matthew Brown (Secondary) will send out details about these programs for the respective campuses and the expectations for students. They will also give some advice on how you may assist with your child’s learning at home.

I encourage you to contact the school at your earliest convenience if you need support or have any queries.

God Bless