Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

It was terrific to welcome back our Grade Prep and 1/2 students last week. We are thrilled to see our Grade 3/4 students today and look forward to seeing the 5/6s on Thursday and Friday. We hope to make this term as beneficial for the students as possible. We will be strongly focused on literacy, numeracy and student wellbeing. We know this has been another interrupted year for the students and that after these prolonged breaks from school, returning to school life can be challenging. Many students are excited but also a little anxious. Another strong curriculum focus will be in the Personal and Social area.

Teachers will work hard to provide predictability and reassurance for students through re-establishing class routines and procedures. Each class displays a Visual Timetable of the planned day at school which is discussed each morning. This helps the students know what they will be doing on that day and when. Research and experience verifies that this greatly assists students. Our whole school approach to positive behaviour will be constantly promoted in classrooms to assist with the students’ development of personal and social skills.  Our three school wide expectations: Be Safe, Be a Learner and Be Respectful emulate appropriate behaviours for students to succeed in personal learning achievements and to learn to consider, collaborate and empathise with others. We believe that the development of these skills is as crucial as acquiring academic knowledge. 

Learning involves taking risks and having a go at things. We strive to create classrooms where students feel safe to make a mistake- not only academically but in the social realm as well. When students do make a mistake that hurts others, they are encouraged to take the three steps so they can bounce back and move on: Admit Responsibility (own their mistake), Say Sorry and Make Amends. Students need to acknowledge their actions if they are to truly learn from them but they also need to realise that mistakes are part of life and we can learn from them and move on- they don't have to define us. Learning to accept our imperfections and do something proactive to rectify matters (when we have caused harm) is a wonderful life skill that promotes a healthy mindset and wellbeing.    

As a parent one of the hardest things to do is to watch your child go through pain. Sometimes we want to protect our children from mistakes, find excuses for them and absolve them from blame. However if we are too protective of our children we deny them opportunities to learn and grow. One of the most valuable lessons to learn is how to cope with mistakes, how to be a person of integrity, admit truth, take responsibility and strive to improve- and appreciate how wonderful you feel when you do this. This is what we want for our students here at St Joseph's.         

John 8:32

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Joanne Coldebella
Acting Principal