Week 6, Term 4 2023

Dear Families

At this time of the year, we have one eye on completing 2023 and the other on planning for 2024. I would like to thank the teachers for all their hard work at this time of the year.

REPORTS
As the same for semester 1, your child/ren’s reports will be emailed home, Monday 11 December (Week 9). If you have any changes to your email addresses, please make sure you update these with the front office.

PERMANENT TEACHER APPOINTMENTS
Today I would also like to share the exciting news about our contract staff who have been appointed to permanent positions on our staff:

• Christopher Heaney
• Will Dacombe-Bird

Next year we also welcome Annie Brearley to our Primary teaching team. Annie has a wealth of teaching experience in schools in Canberra and South Australia.

SCHOOL MUSICAL ON THE LIFE OF ST MARY MACKILLOP

On Monday our Bridge St students hosted families to share an afternoon musical performance on the life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. In addition, on Tuesday night our William St students also hosted a sold-out musical performance they had collectively written on the life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. It was amazing to see all our students showcasing their amazing talents. It was wonderful to host this event in our new Performing Arts Studio. Once again, thank you to Mrs Williams for your amazing work to ensure the performance was incredible. Thank you to the Parents and Friends team for helping on the night and the money raised from the ticket sales and popcorn will go towards the Performing Arts program in the future.

FIRST INTER-SCHOOL SPORTS DAY

On Wednesday of this week, we held our first inter-school sports competition with partner school St Raphael's School Parkside. As a new initiative we had over 100 students from both schools collectively participate in Soccer and Netball games from Year 1 to 6. The team spirit on show from all the students was to be commended. We are hoping to continue this event in years to come to be bigger and better. What a great opportunity for two schools to work together.

NORWOOD CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Last weekend we had over 80 students, parents and staff representing our school at the Norwood Christmas Pageant. It was great to see our families enjoy participating in the community event.

In closing, I would like to share that next Wednesday I will be in Melbourne, as I have been accepted to present findings of my PhD research at the Australian Association for Research in Education national conference at the University of Melbourne. In my absence, Franco Canil will be in charge, assisted by the leadership team.

Adam Slater

Principal

Come see our Preschool in action, contact us for a tour or enrolment information.

We would like to inform you of the dates for Pupil Free Days (PFD) for this year. Please note that OSHC will be available for families that require this service on these days.

• 13 December 2023 Last Day of Term R-6
• 14 December 2023 Last day for Preschool Children 
• 15 December 2023 Whole School Pupil Free Day 

We are trialling a new Assembly format for the year.

All Assemblies will be held in the Performing Arts Studio at William St on Friday afternoons at 2pm.

Students from Bridge Street will walk across to William Street to participate in Assemblies, face to face.

Term 4

1 December - Mid-Year Reception Assembly

We will ask for help from our wonderful parents and caregivers to help walk the Bridge Street students across on these dates. Please look out for the form on Skoolbag, next week.

Please remember to check the school calendar regularly for any updates.

St Joseph's Memorial School provides a safe environment for all while valuing the partnership between school and home.

As a Catholic community, we welcome and value volunteers. To be able to volunteer, and/or attend at other times throughout the school year, we ask that you hold the following:

1. A current Catholic Police Check (parents/caregivers attending excursions, reading in class, helping in class, attending community events);
2. A current Responding to Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care for Volunteers certificate (please click here to view how to complete this requirement);
3. Completed the volunteers application.

A Catholic Police Check for volunteers at SJMS are free for our current parents and caregivers. Application Forms are available to download here or at either school office.

We ask that you present your completed form with verification ID to the front office, and we will submit the application on your behalf. You will then receive an email link to complete the process online. Once all cleared you will receive a Catholic Police Check ID card in the post, please bring this in to the front office and we will take a copy of your clearance.

This process ensures we maintain a child safe environment. To avoid disappointment, we encourage you to apply for a Catholic Police Check through either school office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at either office.

Thanking you
The SJMS Admin Team
info@sjms.catholic.edu.au

For more information on how Catholic Education SA provides a safe environment for all, please click here.

Summary of what is needed to volunteer at SJMS:
Valid Catholic Police Check
Responding to Abuse and Neglect Education and Care Volunteer Certificate
Completed application form