PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Michael Gray, Principal
The highlight last week for me was the opportunity for families to visit our Library Resource Centre to browse, and purchase from the many books available from the Book Fair. While students also enjoyed delving into books they did enjoy presenting, via costumes, their favourite books and characters. What was incredible was the diversity of interest on display, the quality of the costumes and the engagement of all to ‘Book Week’, thank you everyone.
In this digital time it is heartening to learn that our families, staff and students all value the importance of both the digital world and book platforms for learning, information and enjoyment. We recognise that too much digital connection can harm, so too do hate books, poorly written propaganda, sexist photography in magazines and aggressive print advertising.
The challenge for schools, families and our wider community is supporting young people to develop critical thinking, build comprehension skills, provide access to quality digital and literacy education, support age appropriate supervision and up-hold a child safe environment. In our democracy people do have the right to speak, digital technology is critical for future success and books can bring wisdom, history, story, insight, scientific knowledge and fun.
Importantly, complementing books and the digital world was NAIDOC Week. This special week in the first nations story in Australia, which we celebrated last week, highlighted with our students the richness of story to cultural heritage, passing on family history, traditions and sharing knowledge. Certainly, two weeks at St. Joseph’s that have been insightful, engaging and challenging, thanks all!