Almighty God, we begin this Advent Season as an 'Advent People' – people of hope, ready to do your will. Let your blessing come upon us as we light the wreath. May it turn our hearts to you in the days ahead. Grant us the peace and joy we long for, as we await the coming of your Son with patient hearts.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, when the candle of Hope was lit in the church. As a school, we have spoken about the hope that our faith brings and how each of us can be hopeful in the coming of Jesus. We have also celebrated the themes of Peace and Joy at our Prayer Celebrations. As in the prayer above, we continue to pray to be ‘Advent People’, where we can be active in being the hope, joy and peace to those around us. May this time of patient waiting, be fulfilled by the love of Jesus.

This newsletter is the last full newsletter for 2024. Therefore, I take this opportunity to thank all parents, families and the students, for the wonderful way each of you have added to our school this year. While the year is quickly coming to an end, it has been great to look back and reflect on a busy and positive time for the school. In 2025, we have a lot to look forward to with the new building project getting underway and our continued efforts to provide a welcoming and happy school. I am excited to welcome more than 50 Foundation students and their families at the start of next year, as well as more than 20 new students and families in Years 1 – 6!

We also farewell our current Year 6 leaders in the coming weeks. I thank them for their contributions over the past 7 years and know that they can confidently head into high school with lots to look forward to. At the same time, we have students and families leaving St Joseph’s at the end of this year to take up postings overseas or away from Canberra, and other students who are starting new schooling opportunities. We wish all of our students and families leaving St Joseph’s all the best with what lies ahead.

Staffing

With our farewells done, we now look to 2025 with great excitement. Please see below our staffing arrangements for next year.

All families and friends are invited to join the St Joseph’s Christmas Nativity and Carols next Wednesday evening. Please see the flyer for details (a hardcopy will also be sent home Thursday).

Looking around the school at the moment, it is clear that a good number of students are just managing to keep a pair of school shoes or runners going to get through the year, or that school socks have gone to wherever socks go in the wash. Please, if you can keep and eye on how your child is wearing their uniform and if they have the correct shoes at home, ensure they wear them along with the correct uniform. I also understand the need to ‘make do till the end of the year’.

If you are purchasing new school shoes for 2025, a reminder that the students are to have traditional leather type school shoes as part of their full school uniform. As is always the case, the many and various types of black runners just cause confusion as to what is and isn’t a ‘school shoe’.

After a two-year transition, it is expected that all students will wear the ‘new’ purple sports shirt on sports day from the start of 2025. The old white sports shirts are no longer available for sale and are not included on the second-hand rack.

Following consultation during the year about moving to a single fleecy as part of the uniform, a decision will be communicated during Term 1, 2025 in time for purchasing winter uniforms.

School Community Council

Two weeks ago, the School Community Council AGM was held and the new Executive appointed. Thank you to out going Secretary, Alicia Porter, who has served for a number of years in this role across both the Council and previously, the School Board. Thank you also to Sarah O’Brien who served as a Parent Rep on the Council Executive in 2024. We have been fortunate to have all of the Exec members give of their time throughout the year.

Please see below the new School Community Council Executive for 2025.

School Orienteering

In recent weeks, St Joseph’s participated in the School Orienteering (SC-ORE) before school running events. As part of this 4-week program, St Joseph’s also hosted one of the morning events, which was a great opportunity to showcase the students involved. Well done to all of the participants, especially as they all continued to improve over the four weeks to record PBs!

OSHC - Kids Biz

It is worth taking this opportunity to thank Charlotte and all of the educators at Kids Biz for providing a wonderful service throughout 2024. It has been exciting to see the fun and engaging activities each day, as well as the enjoyment as the students tuck into the regularly changing afternoon tea menus!

Bookings are now open for both vacation care running from 17 December for the week, and again from 20 January, as well as term bookings for Before and After School Care in 2025. Please see the information and links below for full details.

Vacation Care programs are also available Deakin, Pearce & Gungahlin (18 - 20 Dec 2024 & 6 - 31 Jan 2025). If you wish to book for one of these programs, please visit https://www.kidsbizholidays.com.au/ for more information.

Vacation Care Flyer

Pupil Free Day Flyer

Congratulations

Last week Beatrice J in Year 4 headed to Sydney Olympic Park as part of the 10 - 12 years ACT Track and Field Team competing at the National Championships. Congratulations Beatrice on your selection and success in the U10 high jump event, achieving a personal best jump of 1.20m. Well done!

Happy Families

A final reminder for the year that we are subscribed to the Happy Families website and resources. This is a great platform to spend some time navigating and finding useful and easy to access parenting tips and support for your children, and yourselves.

This week I have linked two Insights articles – Hope Builders and The Best Way to Spend the Holidays.

Hope Builders

The Best Ways to Spend the Holidays

There are other great resources available on the Happy Families website –

URL - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/stjosephs

Password – happysjps

Parliament House and National Electoral Commission Visit

Our Year 6 students recently undertook an education learning experience at Old Parliament House and New Parliament House. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit institutions in Canberra as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $5 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Child Safety

As a school, we have a responsibility to work to ensure the safety of all children and young people. Parents are invited to have their children complete the online survey below, seeking input about ways to make them feel safe.

Feeling Safe Survey