Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome back, I trust that the summer holiday break allowed you to spend valuable time with family and loved ones. Can I say that it was wonderful to see everyone return, especially in the many unfortunate natural disasters that have unfolded over the summer.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 19 new families that have joined our St Joseph’s Memorial community this year. We are blessed with an additional 29 students who join us across the school. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly each child’s nerves and anxiety dissipate at the start of a new year, how within a few weeks their confidence blossoms.
The first week was full of excitement for students in the anticipation of catching up with friends. However I am very impressed with how all students have come back and settled into the routine and rigour of school life and their learning.
Over the break I had the opportunity to spend some time at Carrickalinga. It was a great chance to relax as a family and do things such as fishing, walking and surfing. However I have found myself keen to get back into work and the plans for 2020.
2020 should be a wonderful year. St Joseph’s Memorial School Board received some very exciting news of two grants from the Government of South Australia and the Australian Government at the end of 2019. These grants will see the school work towards achieving Stage 1 of the school master plan which is inclusive of a new Performing Arts Centre and creation of open play space where our transportable buildings are currently located at William Street, creating contemporary spaces that are conducive to learning and play for our students – stay tuned.
In the week prior to school commencing, we continued to focus on delivering the best educational and academic outcomes for our students from the time they start at St Joseph’s Memorial, to the day they leave, ensuring there is a consistency and continuity of learning throughout a student’s time at St Joseph’s Memorial School.
This year we focus on several key agendas:
Strengthen engagement and wellbeing
Literacy and Numeracy
Assessment and Reporting
In 2020 we endeavour to work in collaboration with the other Catholic schools in the Eastern suburbs, particularly St Joseph’s Hectorville, St Joseph’s Payneham, St Joseph’s Tranmere, St Francis of Assisi, Loreto College, Rostrevor College, Mary Mackillop College and St Ignatius College.
This year we introduce Children’s University to our Year 4 cohort. Last week Gemma from the Adelaide University spoke to the Year 4s about being involved in Children’s University. Children’s University aims to encourage high quality out of school hours activities for children, engaging the wider community as learning partners in this process. We believe that this will be a wonderful opportunity to expose students to University life and the experience of graduating at university in robes, planting the seed to become a lifelong learner beyond school.
This year we also continue our Learning Extension Acceleration Program (LEAP). Preschool, Reception and Year 1 students will all have access to and benefit from the program. LEAP engages with qualified Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, to identify and maximise appropriate early interventions as needed. Educators will use the data gained to ensure learning is modified and individualised for every child on a daily basis. While at William Street, there will be a range of activities that offer all students the opportunity to be challenged and extended beyond the classroom; this will include Chess, Debating, Tournament of the Minds, SHIP (Students of High Intellectual Potential) Days, ICAS Testing, Speech Pathology screening if required amongst many other offerings.
Parent Learning Conversations
This week we have held our ‘Individual Learning Conversations’. These meetings are designed to be a conversation about your child, a two-way process that enhances our crucial partnership; a process that allows us to share our hopes and expectations; a process that allows us to celebrate success and identify goals for the year; a process that is in the spirit of open, frank and continuous dialogue. As a school we have put these meetings at the centre of our partnership, 100% attendance will ensure that it stays firmly at the centre.
At the start of the term and the school year it is always beneficial to refresh our memories about a few simple but important things
Uniform: A copy of the St Joseph’s Memorial Uniform Policy is available here to assist parents in ensuring that their children are dressed correctly. I especially draw your attention to footwear, jewellery and hair styling, which at times in some cases appear to be open to interpretation. Families are asked to show their support for the standards set at the school by fully adhering to this policy. Should your child inform you that something contrary to the policy is permitted, please check with us! This will avoid ‘incorrect uniform’ notifications being sent home.
Food in School: We have a number of children in our school that are allergic to nuts. The severity of the allergy varies and in some cases it is quite severe; therefore we operate a ‘Nut Free’ policy at our school. You are asked to support this by being ‘Nut Aware’ and not sending nuts or nut products to school. This includes products such as peanut butter and Nutella/hazelnut spread, sesame seed, whole soy as well as the ‘hidden’ nut traces in products such as muesli bars, fruit bars, honey crackles made with crunchy nut cornflakes, sesame nut bars and muffins. Contact with, or ingestion of these products can have serious consequences for some of our students. I want to assure you that all procedures to assist these children at school are in place. Please do not hesitate to talk with class teachers or myself if you have any questions. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Animals in School: We have a few children in our school that are highly allergic to animal fur/hair. We ask, due to the severity of the allergies, that animals do not enter the school grounds (excluding service dogs which are allowed on site).
Punctuality & Attendance: Research and my experience show that if children are to maximise the benefits of school they need to be in school and on time. Our School gates open from 8:30am (Bridge Street) and 8:20am (William Street) and our school day begins at 8:45am (William Street) and 8:55am (Bridge Street). Therefore, punctuality needs to continue to be a priority. This simple principle is more than a legal compliance on your behalf; it is providing your child with a work ethic that they will carry into their adult life. I am very proud of our attendance and punctuality rates but there is always room for improvement. Naturally, there are of course times when absence or lateness are unavoidable and we accept this however, as a school we also have a legal obligation to report cases of repeated or extended absences. In line with our colleagues in the government and independent sectors we have adopted a common template called an ED 175. This simple to complete form, available online or from the office, needs to be submitted and signed by the Principal to evidence that the non-attendance is legitimate and that we comply fully with our Child Protection Practices. This form is only applicable for absences of more than one week. Current guidelines recommend that any student whose non-attendance is greater than 10 days in any term be referred to the local Attendance and Welfare Officer for further monitoring.
Communication to students during a school day: We are aware that arrangements for collection of children can change during the day. School Office staff are happy to pass on these messages; I would ask though that you contact the school by telephone to speak directly with a staff member to make these arrangements. Personal contact with the School Office is encouraged to ensure a prompt response to any enquiries.
Parking: I ask that we continue to drive safely around St Joseph’s Memorial and obey the road and parking rules for everyone’s safety. Please remember that you are unable to leave cars unattended in the Kiss and Drop zones on both Bridge and William Streets. Always refer to the parking signs along Bridge and William Street.
Thanks for your ongoing support, I am looking forward to an excellent 2020. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Parents and Friends Welcome drinks this Saturday, 6pm in the Piazza at 139 William St Norwood.
God bless
Brady Stallard