PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Sleeping St Joseph by MIKAYLA RUTH KOBLE
St Joseph’s Feast Day (19th March)
“The Sleeping St Joseph” is a beautiful image that captures a scene from Matthew’s Gospel (1:18-20). You might remember the story. Joseph has learnt that Mary is pregnant. They are engaged. He knows that the child is not his. Being faithful to the Jewish law and with respect to Mary’s reputation he decides to divorce her quietly. The story continues, that as he sleeps an angel appears in a dream and tells him that the child is from the Holy Spirit and not to be afraid to take her as his wife. And, well, the rest is history.
I find this story particularly interesting and challenging because it reminds me that when I am confronted by a highly charged, emotional situation to metaphorically “sleep on it”. To take a moment. Take some time. Think before acting or reacting.
St Joseph’s initial response was to divorce Mary but after “sleeping on it” he realised that in fact he loved Mary and that the child was, like us all “made in the image of God”.
Our new school prayer concludes with:
“As we try our best in everything we do,
May we be inspired by St. Joseph to be caring, honest and brave.”
As a father, husband, teacher and school principal I am inspired by St Joseph and to be reflective, to take a breath and think before I act. Or to put it plainly:
“Sleep on it”
Rest well.
Enhancing Catholic Schools Identity Survey
Earlier this term many of our families were invited to participate in a survey to support us in understanding our community and our Catholic identity. This information informs our professional development and School Improvement Plan. The survey closes at the end of this term and at the moment we have only 50% of the survey completed. If you were invited to respond please log in and answer the survey as everyone’s opinions are important.
Twilight Sports Feedback
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Twilight Sports feedback. We had 152 responses which represents about one third of our community. I will take all of this feedback to the PSA tonight, share it with our School Advisory Council and the School Leadership Team who will all contribute to how this event will look in 2024 and beyond.
I would especially like to thank those families for whom the Twilight Sports was an inconvenience for the gracious courtesy in which you worded your feedback. Your polite honesty has been heard and is appreciated.
Early Arrival At School (Before 8:30am)
We have made contact with the council (who provide our After School Care) in regards to Before School Care who have responded with the following very clear and unambiguous response:
“Council’s Outside School Hours Care Service won’t be considering a before school care program at this time.”
Supervision for children at St Joseph’s does not begin until 8:30 am. So please do not drop children off prior to this time.
Reframing Teaching and Learning Environments (ReLATE)
Yesterday we continued our professional development with MacKillop Family Services ReLATE - Reframing Learning and Teaching Environments.
This is our 4th day with MacKillop over the past three years.The focus of the days was: Disability and Inclusion
The key topics were:
- Legislation and definitions
- Mental health and disability
- Prevention vs intervention
- Inclusive cultures
The simple take home message from the day was that in drawing on neuroscience, staff are encouraged to use repeated and supported actions that enhance learning for all students.
Staffing Update
Pat Allen is heading off on long service leave at the end of this week. Catherine Lee will be acting as Assistant Principal in Pat’s absence and Louis O’Connor will be teaching in F4.