Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is just around the corner. In the last newsletter I alluded to the fact that this would be an action packed term. This past week has lived up to the billing!
November has traditionally been the month when we remember the dead. Throughout its thirty days, requiem masses are frequently offered, lists of the dead placed at the foot of the altar or the paschal candle, and prayers for the faithful departed encouraged. As a community of faith none of this is gloomy or morbid. It is realistic and a strong countercultural statement to values that are pervasive in today’s society which wants us to pretend that we can live forever in this world. One day we will leave this world and we hope - but are not assured - that we will enjoy eternal happiness. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus we triumph over death and sin, however we must remember that this is not an automatic right or entitlement. We are given it as a gift. And we can pray that others receive that gift too - hence our prayers for the dead. Throughout November let us say the age old Catholic prayer: Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
This Monday morning, in lieu of Sunday November 11, we will gather for Remembrance Day Liturgies at both campuses (Bridge St at 9:10am and William St at 10:45am). Generations of Australians as part of the ANZAC forces answered the call, and paid the ultimate price. Their selflessness, then and now, provide us with the enduring freedom and liberty that we continue to enjoy today.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
(Laurence Binyon : For the Fallen, first published 1914.)
2019 Class Placement
The class placement process for 2019 is now in full swing. Thanks to everyone’s efforts - parents, teachers and students - the information we’ve canvassed will now be factored into the mix. However, it is also equally important that any parent or caregiver who has decided not to continue their child’s enrolment at St Joseph’s Memorial for whatever reason, inform me in writing. I need to emphasise that this is crucial for our class planning as your child’s absence or presence in a year group ultimately effects the class composition, friendship groups and optimum learning conditions.
I am currently finalising our class structures for 2019. In 2019 St Joseph’s Memorial will offer the following class structures as a guide. At this stage of planning the school structure will consist of 2 Reception classes, 2 x Year 1 classes; 3 x Year 2/3 classes; 1 x Year 4 class; 2 x Year 5 classes; and 2 x Year 6/7 classes.
I am also working on finalising teachers for these classes, which involves determining the best fit to ensure the optimum learning for children at each year level. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful, dedicated group of teachers here at St Joseph’s Memorial. 2019 will be another great year for all our children. Families will be informed of class allocations in Week 9 on Monday 10 December.
Uniform
All children are to be wearing their correct summer uniform this term. This also includes the correct footwear for the uniform. School sports shoes need to be fit for purpose and not skate shoes or basketball boots. We know at this time of year families are reluctant to buy new uniforms as there is only one month left of term. However, many families have opted to buy second-hand to get them through until the end of the year and therefore still comply with the school’s policy. We appreciate your support in this matter. If there are any financial concerns that families have please make an appointment with leadership to discuss these.
Finishing the Year Well
I would like to stress the importance of finishing off the year well. The end of the year is a busy time and often life becomes hectic and this is manifested in unusual behaviours from students. Can I ask parents and caregivers for their continued support of the teaching and learning program that runs until Week 9, with one month remaining this equates to 1% of a student’s life at school. As we know it can be 1% that can often make a difference.
2019 ICT
As discussed with Year 5 parents and caregivers at the end of last term, St Joseph’s Memorial would like to eventually have all our Year 4 to Year 6 students accessing a school supplied laptop. To this end, I would like to give 2019 Year 4 to Year 7 parents and caregivers advance notification that this may be a possibility in 2019 if the ‘student licence and co-constructed T&Cs’ are successfully established in the next 5 months.
In teaching to the Australian Curriculum, students develop their ICT capability as they learn to use ICT safely, effectively and appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas, solve problems and work collaboratively in all learning areas at school, and in their lives beyond school. The capability involves students in learning to make the most of the digital technologies available to them, adapting to new ways of doing things as technologies evolve and limiting the risks to themselves and others in a digital environment.
The Melbourne Declaration on the Educational Goals for Young Australians recognises that in a digital age, and with rapid and continuing changes in the ways that people share, use, develop and communicate with ICT, young people need to be highly skilled in its use. To participate in a knowledge-based economy and to be empowered within a technologically sophisticated society now and into the future, students need the knowledge, skills and confidence to make ICT work for them at school, at home, at work and in their communities.
Information and communication technologies are fast and automated, interactive and multimodal, and they support the rapid communication and representation of knowledge to many audiences and its adaptation in different contexts. Safe ICT use transforms the way that students think and learn and gives students greater control over how, where and when they learn.
God Bless
Brady Stallard
