Earlier this week we hosted the Granite Belt Lecturette Town Schools Final. This is a long-standing event on the calendar and offers Year 6 students the opportunity to write a speech on a topic of their choice and, if nominated as one of the school finalists, the opportunity to compete against students from other local schools. Congratulations to the following students who shared their speeches on Monday night: India St John, Erin O'Dea, Ashley Juriss, Lillian Kendall, Eden Shatte, Stella Rabic and Magnolia Mills.  Following adjudication by three members of Stanthorpe Toastmasters, Ashley, Lillian, Eden, Stella and Magnolia have all progressed through to the District Final to be held on Monday 30 November.  We wish the girls well.  Thank you to Ms Thompson who, as well as supporting the students with their writing this year, also hosted the competition on Monday and also to the Primary Campus teachers who supported the students on the night.

Over the last 2 weeks, we have welcomed the Prep students for 2021 for their "Prep Practice Day's".  Thankyou to Mrs McNichol and Miss Holly who made the transition days so very welcoming.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I had the pleasure of attending the Corwin annual conference where the theme was 'Moving Learning Forward'.  With me was Mrs Charlton and Mr Page.  Corwin is the organisation we have partnered with in the previous three years as we have embraced Visible Learning.  Whilst the conference was a virtual one, we did hear from some key researchers and practitioners from around the world and learnt much about how we can continue to move learning forward at St Joseph's.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to share our learnings with the teaching staff across the school with the aim of embedding Visible Learning further into the learning programs so that we can ensure that every student can be the best they can be.  During the conference, I also had the privilege of sharing our story of the last three years with conference attendees from across the country.  Certainly a proud moment for me to reflect on how far we have come as a school in the last three years and I thank sincerely the teachers for the way in which they have embraced the changes for the benefit of the learners.  There is still much for us to learn in this arena as teachers and leaders and we are excited about the opportunities that 2021 will bring.

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary