Welcome back to 2024 and a warm welcome to the new students and families who have joined us this year. As you would be aware, the start of the year has presented many challenges for our school community. I would also like to pass on the thanks of our staff and students for the many thoughts, prayers and support that we have been fortunate to receive during these trying times.

A few reminders regarding school procedures and policies to be aware of to ensure that students can maximise their learning while at school.

Ready To Learn

This is a framework based on students own responsibility for their learning. Our Ready to Learn focus is one of our main focus areas at the start of the year and has been covered in great detail with students. The full framework can be found on page 7 of the school diary, please review, and discuss with your student to ensure they understand. Having students consistently following the Ready to Learn framework will allow teachers to focus on delivering deeper learning for students.

Attendance

Attendance at school is a legal requirement. It goes without saying that for quality learning to occur students need to be at school and in class. This year we are targeting a school attendance rate for students of 95% in line with the target of the Catholic Education Office. Students not meeting this requirement will be identified and interventions put in place to assist in getting students to school. We appreciate that for some student’s significant illness issues may arise requiring extended leave in which case support will be provided to support learning as required. Where possible we ask families to limit extended leave/holidays to allocated school holidays as far as possible. This is especially crucial for students in Years 10-11 working towards their ROSA/HSC credentials.

Uniform

Uniform is an integral part of our school community. Upon accepting enrolment at St Joseph’s all students and their families agree to abide by the school uniform policy. We ask for your support with this from the start of the year as dealing with uniform issues takes time away from teaching/learning for students and staff. The uniform policy is found on pages 13-15 of the school diary but in particular we are asking for your support with the following:

• Black leather school shoes with full school uniform (black leather joggers are not acceptable)
• Jogger style shoes with sport uniform - no skate shoes, cons style shoes or slip-ons
• Socks to be worn with shoes at all times. Socks need to be above the ankle at a minimum.
• Sport uniform only to be worn on allocated sport/PE days. For seniors the only classes that have practical PE lessons are SLR so all other students should be in normal school uniform each day.
• Hair below the shoulders is to be tied back at all times.
• Only one piercing / ear and nose piercings are to be a clear stud only.

Notice

Next Monday (12 February) will see students involved in House Liturgies. To help get into the spirit of the occasion students will be allowed to wear a t-shirt that matches the colour of their house on the day. The shirt should predominately be the colour of their house and have no inappropriate words, slogans, or images. Students can wear the shirt with their sports uniform or their normal school uniform if they do not wish to wear the sport uniform, students are not to wear any other items of clothing (apart from the shirt) that do not meet the school uniform requirements.

Mr Brett Moran

Acting Assistant Principal