Dear Parents and Caregivers
As I write the first newsletter of the year, I acknowledge that it probably isn’t the way we anticipated how the beginning of the 2022 School Year would begin. I would like to thank you all for your support in these first 2 weeks of school, with face-to-face learning for our Preschool, Reception and Year 1 students and online learning for our Year 2 – 6 students. Next Monday, I look forward to seeing the fresh smiles of our students on our William Street campus as they too return back to the classrooms. I am sure that many parents and caregivers are also grateful for this.
Just a reminder as we return to school that we follow the current COVID restrictions. Until further notice, parents are reminded not to access the school site. For students who are new to the community, parents may come onsite to accompany their child to their classroom on their first day. Parents are reminded to QR code and wear facemasks when onsite at any time. At the end of the day, we ask parents to utilise the Kiss and Drop zone rather than wait for their child at the gate to ensure we are socially distancing and keeping safe. If you require a Yellow car sign, could you please contact either Jess Nelson or Mary Fantasia to organise one for you.
WELCOME
I extend a warm welcome to all our new students and their families as you join our community. Although we aren’t able to meet in the traditional ways of the past, we hope that in the near future we might be able to host a welcome morning tea for parents and caregivers.
NEW STAFF 2022
This year we welcome the following new staff members to our community:
Mr Franco Canil - APRIM
Mrs Zoe Gower - Rec/1 R Teacher
Ms Cristabel MacLeod - Year 5/6 R Teacher
Ms Eloise Di Sisto - Year 5/6 G Teacher
Mrs Kate Didyk - Year 5/6 G and PE Teacher
Mrs Megan Pollard - Performing Arts Teacher
SPORTS TRAINING
At the beginning of Week 4, sports training may commence on school sites. Only the coach and the team members are allowed to be onsite during this time. For morning training sessions, students are to wait with their parents at the front gate at William Street for their Coach to collect them and escort them to their training session in the morning. If sports training is in the afternoon, the coach will escort the students to the front gate and wait for the students to be collected by their parents. We thank you all for your support as we navigate this time.
BUILDING PROGRESS
The building of our Performing Arts Studio is quickly taking shape. We have had a slight hold up to the end date but hope that by the end of March, the transportable classrooms will be removed and access to the Performing Arts studio will be available to staff and students. This does mean that for the next few weeks there will still be limited play space. Also, students who walk to school will no longer need to use the oval gate to access the yard.
Once this work is complete, work on our Nature Play area will commence. We hope that by the beginning of Term 2 we will have a transformed outdoor area for our students to use. I thank all staff, students and parents for their patience as we move towards this time. At this stage, a date and time for the Official Opening and Blessing of this space has not been set. We will advise you all as soon as a date has been set.
CAR PARKING
A reminder to all parents and caregivers to obey the parking signs near our school. Please do not park across driveways etc. as this causes our neighbors great stress and anxiety trying to access their homes.
Prayer for the New School Year
Blessed are you, Lord God,
Creator of body and mind and heart;
you have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge
to guide your people in all their ways.
At the beginning of this new school year
we implore your mercy:
bless the students, teachers, and staff of St Joseph’s Memorial School,
that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love
as we learn from you and each other
how to follow your Son Jesus.
Expand the horizons of our minds,
that we may grow in wisdom,
understanding, and knowledge;
deepen our commitment to seek the truth of your ways;
and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.
Amen
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield
