PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
Lord Jesus,
Bless the children receiving Eucharist for the first time this weekend.
May this be an initial step into their life long love of service.
Give them hunger to turn to you for wisdom, comfort and guidance.
Amen
Celebration of Eucharist
Congratulations to all of the students who are celebrating their First Eucharist at mass this weekend.
Thank you to their families and teachers for supporting them in their preparation.
Child Safety
On 2st July 2022 the new Child Safe Standards were released. This release has provided us with an opportunity to refocus our efforts on the safety of every child at our school. We have been supported by DOBCEL in updating our policies and procedures to reflect the new Standards. These documents can be found on our website under the Child Safety tab.
Our Policy Commitments state:
“All students enrolled at St Joseph’s Primary School have the right to feel safe and be safe. The values of learning, faith and community underpin our mission and guide our actions. The safety and wellbeing of children in the school’s care will always be St Joseph’s Primary Schools, first priority and the school will not tolerate child abuse. The school will create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where children are free to enjoy life to the full without any concern for their safety. Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable children and young people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, those from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with a disability, children who are unable to live at home, international students, and LGBTQIA+ students.”
Our staff will be working with classes and year levels with age appropriate materials from The Rights, Responsibilities and Respectful Relationships Program topics 6, 7 and 8;
Help Seeking, Gender and Identity and Positive Gender Relations (including lessons focussing on Gender Based Violence).
Further age appropriate information will be sent to all parents following classroom activities. Child safety is a partnership between school staff, carers and the wider community.
Football Final
Congratulations to the Boys Football team who contested the State Finals last Wednesday. Our whole school community is very proud of them for this wonderful achievement. Thanks to Mr McMillan who coached the team and to all of the parents for their positive support. Please read the full report further into this newsletter.
Staffing Update
Kath McMeel returned from leave last week. Kath returns to St Joseph’s three days per week and will be supporting classrooms and leading a maths intervention program with Year 2 students.