Thank you to Mr Ray Wooby and Mrs Jenny Bell for stepping up to the position of Principal during my leave. I was able to have a wonderful experience of the top end of Australia with a trip to Cape York. It was amazing and inspiring and I was totally outside my comfort zone learning to 4WD through creeks, sand and rocks. It is important for adults to be outside your comfort zone as that is the only way we learn. It is the schools job to make students move outside their comfort zones to learn but to upskill and scaffold the learning experiences. I would highly recommend a trip to the far north if you are thinking of it.

In reference to last week's lockdown, St Joseph’s as a school community is very fortunate to have such a good student body that the need for Lockdowns is very limited. They are only called for to ensure student safety.

I thank all the students who were sensible and serious about maintaining safety for all. It was disappointing that a handful of students were not responsible or cooperative during that time. It is important for students to understand that lockdowns are only called when student safety is in question and they need to take responsibility to assist and help. For parents we inform about the events via compass if it is appropriate to do so.  During a lockdown, staff are not to be on their devices and are not able to answer phone calls.  When the school is in lockdown it is not appropriate for parents to arrive to collect their children. You will not be allowed on site until the lockdown is released, you are just adding to the management, and risk to yourself as well. At the end of lockdown another compass notification will be sent to give an all clear. Lockdown can cause some students distress but safety is the paramount concern. If your child is experiencing any ongoing distress please contact their PALS to gain additional support from the school counsellor.

Year 12 return this week from trial exams. They are to be highly commended for their behaviour and approach to the examination situations. In the next few weeks they have the opportunity to polish and improve their results and I would highly recommend them taking every opportunity offered during this time.

Year 9 are off to camp on Thursday and Friday. I wish them well and thank the teachers who are going above and beyond so that students can have this experience. I would ask parents to remind their child that their behaviour and following directions is even more important when at this type of event and that all school rules still apply.

The SRC presented Life Coaching at Monday's assembly. It was an excellent reminder about the value of education and lifelong learning. I commend them for their interesting and positive presentation.

Green and Gold Day -  Wednesday

The Matilda’s are an example of grit and perseverance and what a wonderful game it was to watch as part of the world cup. On Wednesday this week we are having a Green and Gold day in support of the Matilda’s and ask for a gold coin donation for the winter Vinnies Appeal.

Even if you only have a ribbon get involved in the spirit.