Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

Today marks the formal beginning of our ‘Flexible and Remote’ learning program for Term 3, 2020. Again I thank everyone for your cooperation, help, support and understanding of the need to support and comply with the directives of the Victorian State Government and medical officers.

I particularly note our staff’s amazing focus on support to all learners, I celebrate with confidence our students ‘can do’ attitude and I know families have trust in our school and faith in our ability to help in these unprecedented times.

It is fair to say "Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations!” This statement has certainly resonated with me for 2020! The pandemic road is a rocky challenge; learning continuity for students, policy interpretation for everyone based on state government requirements, constant decision making for families and schools, community responsibility to support and do the ‘right thing”. Ultimately this COVID-19 road is forcing behaviour change and asking us to reconsider what our futures could be. Indeed, big questions for us all!

So what have I discovered as the “beautiful destination?” For me it has been the students; their incredible resilience, positive outlook and their sense of trying to do the best. I have found this to be our school’s guiding light. It helps us stay focused on our mission and sharpens our moral and ethical sensibilities and drives our purpose. To me this is the “beautiful destination”.

I invite all to consider the question; “What is my beautiful destination?” An insight to answers to this question for young students is if you ask them to share “What You Are Grateful For?” Invariably their answers are amazing; they often focus on family, school, friends, pets and community. Students don’t just make this up; they speak their minds, speak from the heart, are honest and show an outstanding understanding of respect. Parents and our school should feel confident in their destinations; they are learning from you, our school, each other and the community.

In today’s newsletter there are many examples of support, help and guidance. I encourage all to check out this newsletter as today and over the weeks, valuable insights, opportunities and support are available to all. One alert I do bring to your attention is that in a ‘flexible and remote’ environment the students will be on devices more often; supervision and monitoring is critical. In each of the learning plans we have encouraged daily physical activity; this is critical to health and wellbeing; learning and positive human development.

I have also included a critical link to the Australian e-Safety Commissioners website. This site is unparalleled in quality information, resources for families and timely advice. The link I have specifically shared, goes to the page about ‘apps’ and student age access. Most recommend 13+. In talking with our students last week, many that have personal devices do have these apps on their ipads or smartphones. This can be problematic as it does open up some worrying access for unsolicited contacts, shared posts that can be aggressive, bullying, sexualised or plain rubbish.  If your child has access to these tools it is imperative you have strict rules. You have access, the devices don’t go to bedrooms after 8pm and when they are on-line they are in common areas in the home and you know who is connected via the ‘apps’.

Lyn Hyland has also shared the arrangements for student access to the library over the next 6 weeks and quotes about the importance of checking-in to reading with your child; from Foundation to Grade 6.

We have also completed some minor up-grades this term, new lost property and COVID-19 friendly furniture in our first aide room.

New Lost Property Display

Reading and Writing Assignment

Bella Mamone and Eva Pinny

All the best during this time to families.