Dear Parents, Carers and the St Joseph's Community,

This week the topic in one of my Principals meetings was centred on HOPE. As you can imagine, the conversation most definitely reflected the current situation we all find ourselves and the desire to maintain hope. We all have such a clear idea of what we want – to return to normal, or to be able to be carefree once again. Yet we are surrounded by reminders of the challenges that we are all being called to face, and we continue to do this together.

One Principal asked what is the difference between hope and faith. I took the chance to give my thoughts – I think that hope is something that we feel we still have a degree of control over. We are more able to identify possible steps to realise our hopes. Faith, perhaps is something deeper where we surrender our hopes to others and to God.

Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.

— POPE FRANCIS

Outstanding learning and teaching

Our core business is learning and teaching. With many distractions and events currently not possible in the school, we have the opportunity to focus on what we do best – teaching with passion and marvelling at learning. This learning is infectious within the students and the staff.

1 Teal creating fractions pizzas - Sophia M, Ajmer S	Foundation Pink demonstrating addition in multiple ways - Ivy E, Claire A	2 Yellow using descriptive language in their writing -  Dylan M
3 Black building fractions walls to show equivalence - Kayla N	2 Magenta describing intricate shapes by naming 2D shapes -  Holly H	6 Silver designing advertisements using online apps -  Wylie A

COVID-19 Update

As previously communicated, schools in the ACT have remained at Stage 2.2 restrictions for the start of Term 3. These current restrictions maintain the protocols that were in place in the school at the end of Term 2. Please see below a link to a very easy to read Roadmap to the easing of restrictions for Catholic Schools.

Catholic Schools Roadmap

Parenting Ideas – Sleep Tips

This week the attached article from Parenting Ideas focuses on developing good sleep patterns for our children. I have been fortunate with my three children to have good sleepers, but I do know that this can be a significant challenge at times and it can impact the whole family. The parenting Ideas website has many great resources to provide information for parents.

Sleep Tips – Michael Grose

Book Week 2020

Don’t panic… yet! Book Week in 2020 has moved into Term 4, to hopefully allow for current restrictions to ease. Please note the new dates for Book Week – 19 to 23 October. 23 October is also set down as our Grandparents / Friends Day.

Building Project

A new week and new photos! After doing an extended walk through both building sites this week, I can really start to see the new classrooms taking shape – they are just going to be fantastic! The downstairs classroom demolition is almost complete, but will require Year 5 and 6 to remain in the Hall until the end of next week. The builders have been cutting out new, larger window openings and preparing to bring the courtyard wall out in line with the upstairs breakout area. It will be so much brighter and engaging.

Family Maths Week

Thank you to all participants of the Family Math Week! Here are are few of our families playing games on Monday and enjoying the Kahoot Quiz from Tuesday. Please follow the link on Seesaw if your family would like to join in. A big shout out to our Year 5 and 6 students for all of their fantastic efforts to create the website and activities for our Virtual Family Maths Week!

Family Maths Week

Congratulations to the winners of our daily raffle so far for posting their photos on Seesaw. 

Hats on in August