Welcome back to Term 3, the beginning of a new semester of learning at St Joseph’s.

At our recent school assembly, I spoke to students about the concept of ‘Engagement’. Engagement is a key part of our school theme for 2025 - “Engagement, Effort, Excellence”.

As a school, we strive to engage students in their learning. Engagement is not about the class teacher putting on a performance and a show each lesson. It is more complex than that and needs to be self-driven from within our students. Student engagement refers to the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught. This extends to the level of motivation they have to learn and progress in their education. Goal setting is an important strategy. When we have something to strive for, we have nothing to run from.

Students have been challenged to reflect on where they place themselves in the engagement triangle shown below. They can use their school reports, particularly the ‘Personal Profile’ section to assist with this self-reflection.

Semester 1 Reports and Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

At the end of Term 2, students received their Semester One Academic Reports and Parent Teacher Student Interviews were conducted during Week 10 and Week 1. I thank all parents who made the time to attend Years 7-10 Parent Teacher Student Interviews. These were such an important opportunity to come together and work in partnership to support your children and send the clear message that their education is important.

Students, in particular, are encouraged to look closely at their reports to identify areas of progress and improvement and use these to set goals for Semester 2. It is important that reports are used as a valuable tool in enabling growth for all students in their learning. Should you have any questions regarding your child’s academic progress, please do not hesitate to contact their class teacher, the relevant Leader of Learning or PALS.

Good Luck HSC Students

Over the last few weeks, our HSC students have been preparing for the Trial HSC which begins on August 5.  Many HSC Teachers volunteered their time in the holidays to run Study Workshops and to provide opportunities for students to work on Major Projects. It was great to see some of our students take up this opportunity in preparation for their examinations and key NESA due dates. 

We wish the students well during their Trial HSC Examinations and implore them to remain focused and seek advice from their Class Teachers. I wrote to Year 12 families at the end of Term 2 and provided them with a comprehensive outline of the key events for Term 3. If you have not had a chance to view this letter on Compass, it can be found here. Please revise this information with your children in preparation for their examinations.

Welcome Back

Next week we welcome back Ms Wilson and Mr Dribbus who have both been on leave. We also welcome Mrs Claire McCann to the Creative Arts Department for Term 3.  I would like to thank the following staff who have stepped into significant leadership roles over the past 5 weeks; Mrs Biddle (Acting Assistant Principal), Mr Miller (Acting Leader of Student Wellbeing), Mrs Curcio-Borg (Acting Leader of Religious Education and Mrs Musgrave (Acting Stage 5 PAL and Sport Coordinator. The students have been well supported by your contributions through these roles.

Farewell Mrs Tamburini

Today, we farewell Mrs Sandra Tamburini. Sandra has worked in our Library for the past 17 years and has made a significant contribution to our school community. She has also been responsible for the development of our annual school magazine, ‘Cooback’. We wish Sandra well for her future and thank her for all her care for our students, the library and our school community.

As always, thank you for your support and cooperation with your child’s learning and wellbeing and in particular, the smooth return to school over the past fortnight.

Term 3 Key Dates

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

23rd - 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

Acting Principal