Some people believe that parents are no longer welcome in school once their children reach high school age. This is a myth eroded by research of the past 50 years showing parent engagement in the high school years can lead to positive outcomes such as more enjoyment of school, better academic outcomes and a higher percentage of students going on to tertiary education.

This is reiterated by young people themselves who place significant importance on the independence of their high school years but also suggest the need for parental guidance and interest. Engagement with your child’s high school teachers will make a difference in their experience of an education that will shape their lives.

It is tricky for many high school parents to figure out who at school they need to build a professional relationship with. Unlike primary school where your child usually had one teacher, high school children have a different teacher for each subject. At St Joseph’s, they also have two PALS who offer pastoral and learning support to your child's year group. Add to that, Leaders of Learning such as Maths, English, Science, HSIE, Religion, CAPA, TAS, VET and PDHPE, and we can see how it might be difficult for parents to know where to start!

High school though, is like every other part of life with which we deal. Relationships matter and the effort put into building relationships is repaid. I encourage all our families to take the opportunity to meet with our teachers during the upcoming Year 7 -10 Parent-Teacher Interviews.

This semester, we have added a face-to-face option for interviews to be held in person at school. This is a school response to parent/carer feedback received in the recent Tell Them From Me Survey.

In summary, the two opportunities for Years 7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews are:

• Tuesday 2nd July from 4pm to 8pm via ZOOM (Term 2 Week 10)
• Tuesday 23rd July from 4pm to 8pm FACE-TO-FACE (Term 3 Week 1)

Term 3 Key Dates

July

22nd - Staff Development Day - Spirituality

23rd - Term 3 Commences. Years 7-10 Parent-Teacher Interviews

August

2nd - Diocesan Athletics Carnival

5th - 19th - Trial HSC Exams

8th - Feast of Mary of the Cross Mackillop

15th - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

19th - Staff Development Day - New Curriculum Implementation

September

12th - R U OK? Day

16th - 27th - Year 11 Preliminary Exams

16th - 20th - Year 12 HSC Intensive Week

20th - Final House Assembly, Year 12 Activity Afternoon

25th - Year 12 Final Assembly & Year 12 Graduation (Day Events)

27th - Last Day Term 3

Mr Chris Shelton

Assistant Principal