During the last fortnight we held two Prep 2022 Open Mornings and were delighted to welcome some familiar younger siblings to the school as well as some new families.  The morning focused on what we can offer children in that first, significant year of schooling as well as emphasising that we see it as a 13-year journey, which will see the children who start next year graduating in 2034.  As educators, we have a responsibility to ensure that we are enabling learners to develop the skills that they will need to function and flourish in that society and we very much believe that we can successfully achieve this.  On work in the area of Visible Learning constantly demands us to reflect on what we are doing and to consider the impact we are having.  In the next few weeks, we will begin interviews with the 2022 Prep students and their parents and then further aspects of the transition program will commence.  It is important to us that every child feels as comfortable as possible being in this environment from January 2020 and the work we will do over the next term and a half will be of great benefit to our newest St Joseph's students.  This is a busy time for Mrs McNichol and I thank her for all the work she does with the class for next year whilst still nurturing and teaching the current Prep students.

The campus has been busy over the last few weeks with a number of guests joining us.  Ruby and Sue from Granite Belt Dental spent some time with the Prep and Year 1 classes and then the children from Milestones visited the Prep classroom last week to have a look around.  It was lovely to see the interaction between the two groups of children.

Congratulation to those students who competed in the Granite Belt Athletics Trials on 6 August.  We had a large group qualify for this event and they did themselves and the school proud - not only in their events but also in the way they conducted themselves throughout the day.  Whilst we had a number of students who qualified for the Darling Downs Carnival, due to COVID that has been cancelled for 2022.  This is disappointing but everyone should feel proud of their achievements. Thanks to Mr Fleming, Ms Day and Ms Badcock who accompanied the students.

We also had some students compete in the QAMT competition against a team from the State Primary School.  Our students were victors on the day, working their way through some very 'interesting' questions.  Thanks to Mr Fleming for his work in preparing the students for this and for running the event on the day.

This week has seen the reintroduction of Learning@home for some students and details were sent home yesterday regarding the support we are offering the Primary students and their families.  Hopefully it is a short- term measure, but should this not be the case, we are confident of being able to maintain the learning of any students who need to stay home as a result of COVID over an extended period.

Next week is Book Character Dress Up Parade...........have you chosen your character and costume yet?

With God's blessings

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary