Dear parents, carers and the St Joseph’s community,

The end of the school year is always a time of mixed emotions and excitement as everyone looks forward to the break and to celebrate the special time that is the Christmas season. It also brings to an end a year of learning, of new experiences and at times, challenges. It can be an anxious time as students think about and then discover their new teacher and even who will be in their class the following year. All of these emotions and uncertainties are important for the students to experience, and for us as teachers and carers to support.

With the end of the school year, comes a whole new one to experience. The new year will bring excitement and joy, as well as challenge and change, but we can support our children in this by focusing on the positives of new friendships, a deepening of their learning and an opportunity for continued growth. The only sure thing in life, is change!

Next week, the students will learn who their teachers are and also have an opportunity to know their new class groupings. There will be opportunities to find out what classroom they will be in and to consider what 2020 might be like. This will be a very exciting time and I know that the students will return in 2020 ready for a wonderful year.

Staffing

As we come towards the end of the school year, it is important to finalise our staffing for 2020. I am very pleased to welcome Linley Ellis to the staff fulltime in 2020, as Year 6 teacher. Linley has been working across the school for most of the second half of the year. Mara Pangallo will be joining the staff in a part-time capacity, working in Year 5 one day a week and in Year 2, providing release for Ellie Palmer to support ICT across the school. Christine Johnson will also continue working in our school, taking on a couple of opportunities to support students and teachers.

While next week we will have an opportunity to farewell other members of staff who are leaving St Joseph’s at the end of the year, Lynn Wilkinson and Jill Lambert are also finishing their time here, before retiring. Thank you to Jill for the care and dedication shown over the years in the ELC. You have given many of our students a wonderful start to life at St Joseph’s. And to Lynn, after more than 20 years of commitment to our wonderful school, we can only say an enormous thank you. To think of the number of lives you have impacted, is overwhelming. You will be tremendously missed and know that you will forever be a part of Joeys.

Year 6 Farewell

Last Thursday night, our Year 6 students and their families came together at Ainslie Football Club to celebrate the end of their primary schooling. It was a lovely night, thanks to the efforts of the organising committee and it was wonderful to see the many friendships within our Year 6 cohort on display. The students were happy to be joined by many of our current staff, as well as Mrs Dempsey, Ms Capper and Ms Gray. Congratulations to all of our graduates. We wish you every success and happiness as you head to high school!

End of Year Carols and Picnic

Our End of Year Carols and Picnic is on Tuesday 17 December. This is always a wonderful community event, and this year the P&F are providing a free sausage sizzle on the night. Thank you to YMCA who are also assisting on the night to cook and serve. Please go onto Qkr! and RSVP.  Please note that a decision will be made Monday morning about the carols, taking into consideration the current air quality and very high temperatures.

Reports

Over recent weeks the teachers have worked tirelessly to prepare the Semester 2 reports. They are currently being finalised and will be sent home with the students on Friday 13 December. As part of the on-going reporting and communication cycle, parents are welcome to contact their child’s teacher to arrange a meeting should the need arise to discuss the report.

School Board

Last week the School Board held its AGM, at which time out-going members were thanked and recognised for their contributions to the effective management of the school. The School Board for 2020 is:

Positions and roles on the Board will be elected at the first meeting in 2020.

Have a great end to the week.

Yours with Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

Principal

cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au