Week 10 - Term 3 Newsletter 2021
Principals Message
Hello everyone, and welcome to our final newsletter for Term 3 and my last as Principal. It has definitely been an interesting term!
I want to thank all the staff at St Joey's for going above and beyond during this challenging time. Their dedication, kindness and support for me, the students and families, and each other has been second to none, and I will always be grateful that they were on our team this term.
A very heartfelt thank you to you all as well. The support we received from our community has been unprecedented. From kind words to small gifts, showing patience when the technology wouldn't work (again!), or simply helping your child through Blended Learning, we have felt we were really all in this together.
Since returning to school, our staff have reviewed our Education Continuity Plan and made small adjustments based on feedback and reflection. We have surveyed our students to see what helped them and I am asking you to complete a short survey by following this LINK so we can get your feedback as well. This process of reflection and review means that if we are required to go into Lockdown again, we are well prepared to meet that challenge.
If you need any help, please reach out, and we will do what we can to support you.
I hope you are all able to enjoy the school holidays. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday 5th October.
Kind regards,
Deb
Leader of Learning
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the last but probably the most significant week of our term...one where we are all back at school together! What a great way to finish off the term. This week the teachers and students reconnected face-to-face and focused not only on learning but learning together, working together and being together, things we can no longer take for granted given our current health situation. Let's hope we have the same freedom in the holidays to enjoy not only our families but our friends in our local community.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Deb Bailey for her time as Principal whilst Mr Layland has been on leave. Mrs Bailey provided much support and strong leadership for both the staff and students this term, especially so during the challenges presented by Blended Learning. We look forward to welcoming Mr Layland back next term, and Mrs Bailey will resume her role as Leader of Learning in the K-2 area.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Louise Senz, who fulfilled the role of Leader of Religious Education this term. Mrs Senz was fabulous in this position and led retreats, virtual sacramental classes, provided resources for class prayer and class liturgies. I am very grateful for her support this term.
And finally, thank you to you...all our families. Your support, particularly during Blended Learning, where you became the most important teacher to your child, is truly appreciated. Your willingness to face the challenges of Blended Learning...yes, we know, hours of screen-time, learning how Google Classroom works, responding to emails and your ability to support your child to allow them to continue their education. Thank you.
And finally, as always, let's share the best thing about our school...the kids! Enjoy the photos.
Happy holidays,
Mrs Mullins
Our St Joey's kids
Mission & Values
The 24th of September is the Feast Day for the Sisters of Mercy. This a special day for our school as St Joseph's was first established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1898. The original school and was built on the site in Stanley Street. This is now the Music Academy and Parish Office.
Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine believed you should show love through your actions. She taught us that real love is more than positive words towards others. It is a way of ‘seeing and acting’ in the world, with your friends and family. A good deed done to anyone is a good deed done to God himself.
God of mercy and comfort, may we be Emmaus people.
Give us hearts of mercy to reach out, respond and comfort others.
Remind us how our actions can show our love to others.
Amen
All classes celebrated a Class Liturgy on Friday to honour the Sisters of Mercy and Catherine McAuley.
Mrs Senz
Mercy Liturgy
Spelling Bee
Thursday 16th September saw the long-awaited finals of the 2021 St Joey's Spelling Bee. The resilience and sportsmanship shown by all competitors and the audience was outstanding.
Congratulations to all the finalists and our winners on the day:
Stage 3 Finalists - Kayla Ellis, Sam Carroll, Sonny Bennett
Stage 3 Champion - Emily Upston
Stage 2 Finalists -Sarah Afzal, Harry Cook, Reece Bennett
Stage 2 - Champion - Sahara Cook,
Stage 1 Finalists - Alice Davis, Marlie Cook, Brock Camilleri
Stage 1 Champion - Oliver Ward
Kindy Finalists - Lawson Bell, Noa Chapman, Kyah Horan
Kindy Champion - Kahiah Cook
Library -Book Week Celebrations
Book Week will be celebrated in Week 2 next term. There will be a host of fun activities in the library, class competitions and a Dress Up Parade! Stay tuned for more details.
A book is a magical thing that lets you travel far away without ever leaving your chair - Katrina Mayer.
Mrs Waghorn - Librarian
