Responsible Use of ICT/Social Media

In recent days I have unfortunately had to work with some students and their parents concerning significant breaches of the CEDoW Student Responsible Use of ICT Agreement. These breaches have included the photographing and filming of both staff and students without consent, and the creation of inappropriate memes about students and staff. In some cases, technology has been deliberately used to harass and embarrass staff/students and has caused significant distress to the victims. These types of incidents have no place at St Joseph’s and they do not align with our Josephite Values.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind students (and parents) about the CEDoW Student Responsible Use of ICT Agreement that is signed at the start of each school year.

I encourage all parents to regularly check their child's use of social media and camera rolls including any password-protected folders that your children may have created on their devices.

The eSafety Commissioner website is a valuable resource for both parents and young people. I encourage you to explore this website for information on how to best support your young person in navigating the digital world in which they live.

Updated 2024 Uniform and Grooming Policy

In our last newsletter, I wrote to you about our updated 2024 Uniform and Grooming Policy. To ensure that all students and parents/carers receive this information, I have included it once again in this newsletter.

It is important to be aware that students who return to school in 2024 and whose presentation does not align with this policy risk being sent home from school until their uniform and grooming adhere to the standards outlined in this policy.

Uniform Revisions and Areas of Focus:

• School Shoes: Polished, plain, black hard leather lace-up school shoes (jogger style, canvas, soft leather, vans or boots are not acceptable).
• Sports Shoes: Sports joggers/Trainers; (no skate–style, vans, canvas, Converse or slip-on shoes).
• Girl’s Skirts: Skirt length must touch the top of the knee. Rolling of the skirt is not allowed.
• Outerwear: Students may only wear the school-approved blazer, jumper and windbreaker jacket during cooler weather. Plain white undershirts can only be worn if the sleeves do not exceed the length of the school shirt sleeves.
• All students must have the school-issued navy blue school bag with the school crest.
• When wearing the uniform, students are expected to be in full school or sports uniform – not a mixture of both.

Grooming Revisions and Areas of Focus:

• Haircuts: Haircuts that invite comment including 'tracks', 'rats tail', 'mullet', ‘horsey’, extreme hair parting/cuts, undercuts or extensions are not allowed. The Leadership Team will determine if future hairstyle trends conform with the intent of this policy. Hair must be grown/cut/groomed in a neat and professional manner.
• Hairstyles: Hair below the collar must be tied back. Half-up/half-down hairstyles are not permitted. Students who choose to colour their hair must use a natural hair colour.
• Earrings: One simple gold or silver sleeper or stud per ear lobe to a maximum of 5mm diameter. Piercings in any other part of the ear are only permitted if a clear plastic stud is worn. Students wearing other types of piercings will be instructed to remove them.
• Nose Piercings: These will only be permitted if a clear plastic stud is worn. Students wearing other types of piercings will be instructed to remove them.
• Banned Piercings: Tongue, lip, nasal septum, eyebrow, cheek, and chin piercings are not permitted. Students will be instructed to remove them.
• Nails: Acrylic and artificial nails are not permitted and students will not be permitted to attend practical sessions with acrylic/artificial nails as this is a safety issue.
• Eyelashes: False eyelashes and eyelash extensions are not permitted.

Upcoming Dates

Sports Award Presentation

We will be celebrating our year of sporting success for 2023 on Wednesday 13th December commencing at 11:20 am in the School Gym. Our Guest Speaker will be Olympic middle and long-distance runner - Jessica Hull. We invite all parents and Year 12 students to attend this celebration of sport and success with the rest of the school.

Year 7 - 11 Academic Award Presentation

We will be celebrating our year of academic achievement for 2023 on Thursday 14th December in the School Gym. The presentation will commence at 9:45 am. We ask that parents/carers please arrive at 9:30 am so that we can organise seating. Parents and Carers are warmly invited to attend these presentations. The awards that will be presented include:

• Academic Achievement - 6 A grades over the two semesters
• Academic Excellence - 10 A grades over the two semesters
• ADF Leadership Awards (Year 10)
• CAPA Perpetual Trophy
• Spirit of Micah Awards

Mr Chris Shelton

Assistant Principal