The flags of St Joseph’s school will fly at half mast until after the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth 11. We join with our community in celebrating her life as an example of dignity and respect. In particular I am inspired by her humble leadership and diligence in serving those she led.

Year 5 camp

I was privileged to join the Year 5 children on their camp to Ballarat last week. It is always fun enjoying the company of kids outside of the routine of school and as principal I think that the Year 5 camp is a great opportunity to really get to know the future leaders of our school. Rest assured our school is in good hands. Across the three days the children showed every characteristic that you would hope for especially those who were well out of their comfort zones. This group missed out on their Year 3 and Year 4 camps and were heading off for two nights for the first time. As we headed off to our cabins to sleep it was quite obvious that some children had a little sense of trepidation and heart warming to see their friends gently distract them and make them feel at ease. Equally impressive was the display of enthusiasm and manners that the children showed in public and to our guides and hosts. Please and thank you goes a long way and many adults commented about this to me.

Another impressive observation was the knowledge the children had regarding the Gold Rush and Eureka Stockade so congratulations to their teachers. 

The only downside was the movies. I had to sit through “Minions -The Rise of Gru” that is 90 minutes of my life that I will never get back.

Thanks to the teachers for their organisation and generosity, Layla and Kayne - our trainees and Travis Thornton, Mark Davis, Katie O’Kane and Alison Russell - our volunteer parents.

NAPLAN Results

The NAPLAN tests were administered during May this year for Year 3 and Year 5 students. For the first time they were conducted online. As the tests were online they were adaptive i.e. the questions became easier or harder depending upon previous responses. These adaptive tests will a more accurate picture of children’s achievement particularly children achieving well outside the mean for their year level.

Our staff analyse these results (along with other work samples) and use them to plan further learning for individuals and to inform our School Improvement Plan.

Student results were posted yesterday and should arrive in the coming days. At this stage we do not have comparative results to state and national scores as the participation rate was quite low due to COVID. Parents are able to see their child’s results compared to a national average. Congratulations to all of the children who participated and continue to do their best.

Whole School Mass

Please join us for mass this Friday at 10:00am. We don’t get the opportunity to celebrate mass as a whole school very often and the participation of parents adds to the occasion. Our school choir will be leading the singing from the choir loft.

State Election

Letter to Parents and Carers regarding the coming state election.

Please find a follow letter addressed to parents and carers from Catholic Education Commission of Victoria regarding the coming state election.

School Improvement Survey

Thanks to those families who completed the School Improvement Surveys over the last two weeks. This information is used to help guide future improvements at St Joseph’s and across our system. I am looking forward to analysing the results next term and working with our school community to continue developing our school.

Arrangements for the End of Term

Friday 16th September is the final day of Term 3 and we remind families that classes finish at 2:30pm on this day.

Hats from 1st September

In accordance with our Sunsmart policy all students and staff are required to wear a school hat for all outdoor activities from September to April.

We ask all families to locate student hats and send them to school. New hats are available to purchase from Lowes.

Safe and enjoyable holiday

Finally, I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Go Lions!

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal