Congratulations to all of the children for their efforts and achievements this year.  I hope that you have a Merry Christmas and wonderful holiday.

Year 6 Graduating Class

Congratulations to all of our Year 6 students who are formally graduating at our mass and ceremony this evening.  Graduations are a time for looking forward and for looking back.  I hope that all of these children can look back at their time here with joy and are proud of their achievements.  As I look forward I am heartened that our world, with all its challenges, will be in the safe hands of these intelligent, loving people.  Thanks to all of you for your unique contribution to our school.  May your next chapter be challenging, fun and rewarding.

This year are also farewelling 51 families whose partnership with St Joseph’s is coming to an end. Thank you for your contributions to our school community.

I would particularly like to thank Donna Monaghan and Chris McGrath for their contributions on the School Advisory Council and Adrian Benson for his service to the PSA as our Chairperson.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to the St Joseph’s Staff

To our teachers, Learning Support Officers, Tanya in the canteen, our maintenance team; Sharyn, Andrew and Wally and to Cathy, Alecia and Kellie in the office, thank you for your love, care and dedication this year.  Our school is a wonderful place to work, learn and grow largely because of the atmosphere you create. On behalf of all of our families I wish you a Merry Christmas and a restful and safe holiday.

To all of our families, may your Christmas and summer break be everything that you hope for; quiet and relaxing or packed with excitement and energy or a combination of the two.  Most of all let us all stay safe and well to return next year full of optimism and enthusiasm.

Merry Christmas.

Farewell to Leaving Staff

Lyn Hyland

This week we are celebrating the wonderful career of Lyn Hyland who begins her well earned retirement at the end of this week.

Lyn began teaching at St Patrick’s Port Fairy in 1981 an incredible 41 years ago. Lyn had some time off whilst she raised her family and made the move across to St Joseph’s in 1997 where she has become a permanent fixture at our school. In 2010 Lynn completed a Graduate Diploma of Librarianship through the University of South Australia and over recent years passed on her love for literature through our school library.  Lyn is a musician of note and a vibrant contributor to our parish through her organ playing.

Lyn is a calm, gentle, welcoming and committed teacher. She is concluding a remarkable career. Her contribution to St Joseph’s, our community and your children cannot be measured.

On your behalf I thank her for all she has given to our community through her life as a teacher. And I wish her every happiness in the next phase of her life.

Tom Beks

Tom began teaching at St Joseph’s in 2015 and is an enthusiastic and valued member of staff. His classroom is characterised by a fun and vibrant atmosphere.  Tom is moving to St John’s Dennington where I am sure he will become a wonderful asset to the school community.  Tom has been really proactive in seeking new challenges to continue to develop himself professionally. In his time at St Joseph’s he has undertaken Religious Education Leader and Learning Leader roles. I wish Tom every success at his new school and hope that he finds the joy there that he has brought to his classroom at St Josephs.

And who knows, we may see Tom back here in the future.

Jenny McInerney

I would like to thank Jenny for her contribution to the staff and to the children in D4 this year. Jenny has been a long time part of our school having taught here in many capacities as far back as 1994. Jenny’s classroom is full of challenge and support. She has a particular affinity for those children who need a little extra help. Thanks Jenny for all you have given this year.

Layla Monk, Kayne Brereton and Zoe Ritchie

Our 3 Trainees Layla Monk, Kayne Brereton and Zoe Ritchie and conclude their work with us this week. These three outstanding young people have been amazing in the care, support and friendship they have shown our children. 

No task has been too big or too small for them to do. They have been flexible, highly reliable and most of all shown maturity and initiative beyond their years. They have brightened the staffroom with their energy and banter and I have admired the way they have welcomed and farewelled the children each day. I wish each of them every success and happiness wherever they go in the future.

Emma McDonald also concludes her time with us at the end of the year. Emma has been a regular on our CRT list in 2022 and in the latter part of the year she has worked part time in our junior school. We are lucky to have such talented and flexible teachers to be able to call upon.

Wally Sledziona has been supporting Sharyn and Andrew in cleaning since part of the way through last term.  Wally concludes this year and I thank him for his work with us.

Student Reports 

School reports will be released on PAM via the School App after 4pm on Thursday 15th December, 2022.

I have read through the reports and commend the children on their progress

Please take the time to read through these documents carefully. They contain a deal of information about your child’s social, academic and behavioural development. If there is anything that requires clarification or discussion please feel free to contact the classroom teacher.

To access your child’s report:

1. Log into PAM
2. Select your child
3. Open the Profile Menu drop down options
4. Click the Assessment Reports tab
5. Download 2022 Semester 2 Timetable

Rapid Antigen Tests

We have a surplus of RATS which need to be distributed or destroyed after the summer break.  The RATs are still well within their use by date.  Please use the ordering function on the school app to place your order.

End of Year Arrangements

School concludes at 3:25pm on Friday 16th December, 2022.

Beginning of Year 2023 Arrangements

Office Opens: Monday 23rd January

Australia Day Public Holiday: Thursday 26th January

Staff Begin: Friday January 27th January

Students Begin: Monday 30th January