God of the home and God of the traveller,

we begin to dig in for an uncertain season,

and embark on a journey together.

We know in each step.

you are there alongside us:

a guide, a protector, a friend.

May each day on the road bring us closer together closer to a land of grateful reunion

closer to the place you call home.

Amen.

Parent Teacher Conversations

These important conversations continue tonight.  They are another example of the strong partnerships between parents and teachers.  There is a body of evidence underpinning the importance of positive school and home partnerships in children’s wellbeing and academic development. As you are aware these early interviews are designed as a conversation so that staff can learn more about your children and to establish relationships between teachers and parents.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support even in difficult circumstances.

Covid Update

Thanks to all of the parents, students and staff for your cooperation in undertaking the surveillance testing. The St Joseph’s community has been fortunate that we have not had significant staff numbers impacted by COVID such that we have continued to provide quality learning and teaching and student care. I remind families that this could change quickly if so we will follow these procedures.

In the event that staff are absent from school the following procedures will be implemented:

• Casual Relief Teacher to be employed to teach the class or a part time St Joseph’s teacher to teach the class on their unallocated days.
• Non-teaching staff e.g. principal, assistant principal to teach the class.
• Specialist classes e.g. Art or PE to be cancelled and those teachers teach the class.
• Class group to be shared among year level e.g. the four Year 3 classes be reallocated into 3 classes.
• Co Opting staff from neighbouring schools or DOBCEL (if available).

In the unlikely event that we cannot guarantee a safe learning environment with adequate supervision for your children we will have to investigate temporarily closing all or part of the school.

Learning From Home

Learning plans are available for all year levels under the 2022 Home Learning tile on the school App.  In addition to these activities children in Year 5 and Year 6 may access their Google classroom for home learning activities.

There is absolutely no expectation that children will complete any work while they are ill.  These activities are designed for students isolating due to being a close contact.

Masks

Marks continue to be mandatory in schools for everyone from Year 3 and beyond.

QR codes and Vaccination Status

QR codes are no longer necessary for adults entering the school. We are waiting on further advice regarding proof of vaccination status.

Staff Professional Development Day

This Monday 28th February we are working with MacKillop Family Services to continue our work on the Reframing Teaching and Learning Environments (ReLATE)

Reframing Learning and Teaching Environments (ReLATE) aims to make real, measurable and lasting change in schools to better the teaching, learning and wellbeing of not only students but staff, leaders and the whole school community.

It recognises the impact that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have on the developing body and brain of a child and the lasting impacts into adulthood. It gives education professionals tools, knowledge, skills and resources that enable them to be cognisant of the impacts of adverse experiences on engagement, learning, health and wellbeing.

Combining educational research, social science, behavioural theory and neuroscience, ReLATE supports teachers to implement practical strategies in their classrooms.

Within ReLATE, wellbeing is understood as an essential pre-condition for quality teaching and learning. Safe, predictable and supportive learning environments are created and maintained in classrooms where students and staff are not just known, but deeply understood.

The ReLATE model is a commitment, as a school community and system, to sustainable and positive cultural change and advocates for shared responsibility towards enhancing learning in a school environment.

Homework

Classroom teachers and children have begun establishing positive homework routines.  Homework plays an important role in students’ academic life. In primary school homework is designed to reinforce concepts taught at school, engage families in school activities and to begin developing life-long study habits.

The following tips might support children of all ages:

• Ask your child about their homework, know what they are learning about and when assignments are due.
• Help children to organise their homework around other activities. e.g. swimming, music lessons.
• Get into a routine of doing homework at a set time, ideally a little each day.
• Have a set place where the kids can do their homework, with the equipment they'll need.

They St Joseph’s Homework Protocol outlines the time frames and activities that are suitable for each year level. This protocol can be found on the school website under the Teaching and Learning tab. 

Remember that homework is designed to be completed with limited adult support. If your child is consistently struggling to complete activities please contact their classroom teacher.

Child Safety

Last week the Ministerial Order 1359- Implementing the Child Safe Standards- Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools and School Boarding Premises was published. This information will soon become available on the PROTECT website. The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) has also advised that we can expect new guidance, policies, and other resources to become available to schools in mid-March.

The St Joseph’s community is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and we welcome these developments and look forward to working together to further strengthen child safety.

Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday 2nd March is Ash Wednesday.

Each class will celebrate a liturgy in their rooms and be blessed with the ashes.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent.

In the Catholic tradition this season is a time for fasting, almsgiving and prayer.

In our classrooms the children will be exploring the work of Caritas Australia (Project Compassion) as a focus during Lent.

School Sports

Regretfully, I have taken the decision to not proceed with our proposed “Twilight Sports”. This event was first planned towards the end of last year prior to the Omicron variant.

At this stage our school is still heavily restricted in gatherings for both adults and children. This event would potentially involve up to 2000 people gathering on our school site. Throughout this pandemic we have been consistent in putting the wellbeing and safety of the children first. In my opinion running this event as a full school community event would be an unnecessary risk.

I am aware of the hard work that has gone in by our children, families and staff to keep our school open in 2022 and feel that it would be irresponsible to undermine these efforts in proceeding with the “Twilight Sports”. I am also aware that other junior community events have proceeded e.g. Surf Life Saving State Titles and basketball tournaments however it must be understood that these events are voluntary unlike school events. 

To this end we will revert to the Sports Day model that has been undertaken in the past few years.  Years 3-6 Sports will be held during the day on Thursday 17th March 2022. The Foundation - Year 2 Sports day will be held on Friday 1st April 2022. More information about these events will follow. 

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal