Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

I write for the last time with some exciting news:

Liz Mills Achievement

Firstly I share Liz Mills (Fifteen-odd years ago, Liz Mills – then a student at Willoughby Girls High) – was one of many young women around the courts at Northern Suburbs Basketball Association at Crows Nest, Newcastle, New South Wales. She loved the game of basketball, but her passion was not three-pointers, inside play, or jump-shots. Instead she quickly discovered her true passion was coaching. Liz recently led the Kenyan Men's basketball team to success; Kenya are going to the AfroBasket for the first time in 28 years and will travel to Kigali, Rwanda in August to compete. I share the success of her coaching:

 “I love the African notion of ‘ubuntu’. It means, ‘I am because we are’.” Liz Mills.

Liz places effort, knowing and supporting the personal lives of her team, player practice & efficacy; and a cultural focus on individual effort for the collective; if this is the focus, results take care of themselves in Liz’s opinion. This is a St. Joseph’s student; we saw this in action last week at the ‘St. Joseph’s Day Assembly and Colour Fun Run.’ I thank each and every person; both big and small, doers, triers, fundraisers, supporters and individuals for your effort, help and commitment. I can also announce a fundraising total of $57,000. Amazing community result leading to upgrades of our hall technology and sound system for school liturgy and whole school assembly programs.

Farewell

Secondly I acknowledge everyone; from the bottom of my heart, for the farewell I have received over the last weeks. It has been valued, appreciated, fun and beyond what any person could expect. I am humbled, honoured and privileged to experience this support. 

Principal Announcement

Most importantly however, I share the following from Mr. Tom Sexton, Executive Officer of Catholic Education Ballarat (DOBCEL). Tom has announced the appointment of Matt O'Brien to the position of principal of St. Joseph's Primary School. I sincerely welcome Matt and offer our support, gratitude and commitment to Matt's leadership that he will bring. I thank Tom for his support of the process, I especially thank Lee Schlooz (Educational Consultant, Warrnambool) for his fastidious and forward thinking work in organising the appointment process. On your behalf I especially thank our local selection panel for their outstanding voluntary work leading to this appointment. This group has reviewed our school performance data, analysed feedback and spent time researching and interviewing interested applicants. I acknowledge this team’s commitment to supporting every student, family and staff member.

Covid-19 Recovery Program

This last two weeks we have welcomed or had families back on site, I thank all for your support of these arrangements and it was wonderful to have this atmosphere and engagement returning to school life.; for next term the arrangements will be:

• Normal Covid general hygiene still applies for visiting school site
• Drop off procedures for mornings still apply
• Pick-Up area allocations remain in place for walking, scooting and car pick up.

Foundation, Year 1 and 2 can now collect their child/children from the classroom doors after school. No prolonged visiting in the classroom. If attending in the building for longer than 10 minutes this must be an arranged booking via administration and QR code sign in. Our younger students have developed excellent resilience skills and are very capable of walking to classroom and from classrooms to collection points. The opening up of classroom collection is very much there to support parents meeting each other etc.

Once students are collected from the classroom door please move off site ASAP.