Let us Pray.

We remember in our prayer:

Those whose lives have been devastated,

Those who are feeling vulnerable and weak.

Those who are stranded

Those who are facing both long-term and short-term needs.

Those who are homeless in this crippling time

We pray also for all those who are meeting needs at this time:

Volunteers and community workers

Those working to rescue people who are stranded and feed the hungry.

Those supplying food, water, equipment, money and urgent supplies

Those working to clear roadways and homes that have been damaged

Police officers, emergency personnel, medical and social welfare responder

We pray that each of us will play our part in responding to the overwhelming conditions of this time, and particularly in reaching out to those who are struggling to rebuild their lives.

We pray too, that as a community, we will play our part in strengthening structures that will heal our land, restore creation, and relieve those suffering homelessness and poverty.

We make all our prayers in the name of Jesus, who reached out to those most in need.

Amen.

Jan Barnett rsj

Josephite Justice Network

School Advisory Council

New members needed for 2023-2024

I encourage all parents to consider joining the School Advisory Council in 2023 and 2024.

This group provides an opportunity to be involved in the life of your child’s school through engagement in school policies, finances, teaching and learning and Catholic School Culture.  If you are curious I would love to talk to you about the role.

The School Advisory Council meets once per term, usually in week 5.

Our current Chairperson is Mr Peter Furphy, our Deputy chairperson is Mrs Donna Monaghan.  They are joined by Mr Chris McGrath, Mrs Melissa Happ, Mr Joel Saywell. Mrs Liz Noonan is our staff representative.

Over the next few weeks we will be publishing short biographies of these members.

The School Advisory Council meets once per term, usually in week 5.

How our School Governance works:

Under our DOBCEL Governance model the role of the local School Advisory Council is to:

• assist with stewardship of the Catholic vision, ethos and culture of the school
• provide strategic advice and support to the principal on matters relating to school operations and ongoing improvement
• fairly represent the views and needs of the school community
• Assist with promoting the school and Catholic education generally in the local community
• Have what is best for the students at the heart of all advice it offers

As outlined in the DOBCEL Governance Charter, SAC members do not have any financial or non-financial decision-making powers.

The School Advisory Council is intended to:

• provide a voice for members of the school community
• actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholi Identity of the School
• provide input into and support for the strategic planning and directions
• actively support and promote child safety practices including the National safeguarding principles for Child Safe Organizations
• provide input and contribute advice i the processes of school improvement and school review
• support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting
• actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement
• support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning

Ongoing members of our School Advisory Council include Mr Matthew O’Brien as our School Principal and Mrs Cathy Duynhoven as our School Business Manager.  We also then have up to 6 parent members representing our school community and one staff member.

Each member will serve a two-year term with the limit of two consecutive terms, being a maximum of four years.

At the end of this school year 3 of these members will finish their tenure of 4 years and we are seeking expressions of interest from our parent community to fill these vacancies to commence in 2023.

If you are interested in joining the School Advisory Council please email Cathy Duynhoven on cduyn@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au stating your current role and interests, and what you believe you could bring to this committee.  If you have any questions and would like to discuss this first you may call either Cathy or Matt O’Brien for an informal chat first.

Mrs Melissa Happ

Hi, I'm Melissa Happ. I've been on the SAC since April 2021. My daughter Jessica is in Grade 4.

My family has a long association with Joeys, I was in the last Grade 6 year at Lava St! My sister and parents also attended St Joseph's.

After Year 12 at Emmanuel College I moved to Melbourne and worked in the Thoroughbred Industry on and off for the next 15 years or so, with stints in recruitment and project management in between. I moved to the Hunter Valley NSW in 2007 to work as a Bloodstock Agent, and we (husband Cam, daughter Jessica) moved back to Warrnambool in 2014.

We have loved being part of the St Joseph's community, we relocated to the USA for 2018/19 for medical treatment for Jess, and were supported by Joeys every step of the way, before, during and after our move.

When we got home I volunteered at the school, helping with the canteen, reading groups, and swimming lessons. When I started working again in 2021 I was looking for a way to continue to support and be involved at the school, and found that opportunity on the SAC. It has been a wonderful experience to be on the SAC, we are lucky to have a great leadership team at the school, who go out of their way to keep parents on the SAC informed and involved.

I would encourage parents to put their hand up for the SAC, it may seem intimidating, I was a bit sheepish at the first meeting, but it's been amazing to be part of a passionate committee of parents and staff who are helping drive the school forward. Come join me!

Mr Christian (Joel) Saywell

I grew up in the local area on a sheep farm and went to our local university, Deakin Uni. Working in a variety of government, multinational and private companies over the course of my career, I have experience in compliance, education/training and people management. My wife teaches at St. Joseph’s, we have a child in Year 4 and a couple of big lazy, spoiled black labs. I enjoy all sports, good food and am a passionate pies supporter. Go Pies!

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal