Newsletter – Term 2 Week 2, 2022

April 27, 2022

Dear Parents & Guardians

Welcome to Week 2.

It was wonderful to see our little school represented so well at both the Dawn Service and the ANZAC March on Monday. It is always great to see so many people prepared to honour those who made the supreme sacrifice to provide us with the freedoms we enjoy today.

Congratulations to Year 3 teacher Ms Leah Ward who got married over the Easter holiday break. Leah is now Mrs Leah Muhling or affectionally known as Mrs M to the students.

As of Monday, we have reverted to the normal 3:00pm pick-up time for our Joey’s students in the afternoon. All students from Prep to Year 6 will be released at the regular 3:00pm bell. Please re-enforce with your children that they should sit with their siblings and be on the lookout for their car. It would also be extremely helpful if all families make sure that pick-up vehicles are displaying the laminated surnames on the passenger side visors for easy identification.

With redirected traffic from Glenmore Road still in place since the beginning of the school year, please be aware that the carpark is quite congested for 10-15 minutes. Please keep this in mind and continue to be kind and understanding during this time.

Your help and understanding in this matter is much appreciated.

Our National School Improvement Tool visitors have arrived and will be getting to know our school community over the next few days. On Friday afternoon the team will be presenting their findings that will consist of commendations and recommendations over 9 different school domains to the staff.

The visitors conducting the NSIT review will be:

• Mr Mike Kelso – Assistant Director: Schools – Rockhampton Region.
• Mr David Paul – Principal: St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School Mackay.
• Mr Ron Bamford – ACER Lead Reviewer.

Once the final report is completed, I will then begin to share this information that will help shape our future directions with the school community.

We have had a number of small staffing changes over the Easter holiday break.

• Mrs Daena Walton is an expert in the field of Digital Technologies and will lead STEM lessons 2 days a week in addition to her 3 days in Year 4.
• Mrs Lesha McLeod has accepted the extra 2 days in Year 4 replacing Daena in addition to her normal PE days.
• Mrs Kylie Farr who has been with us on a nearly full-time capacity since the beginning of the school year, has officially become a full-time staff member. Kylie will be internal relief and due to her vast experience and wonderful skills, you may see Kylie in the office, or in any of our classrooms as an Educational Support Officer.
• Mrs Kira Tickner, who is our specialist Arts teacher, has taken on some additional days in the classroom as an Inclusive Curriculum teacher.
• Ms Brooke Black will still be in her role as an Inclusive Curriculum team member but will expand her role in Student Protective practices to include Staff and Student Well-Being.
• Mr Paul Nicholson who has had vast experience in our Joey’s rooms has picked up an extra day as an Inclusive Curriculum teacher in Year 3.

All these staffing moves are exciting as they all help us to improve the academic opportunities for our Joey’s students.

Don’t Forget….

• Parent/Teacher interviews 26 – 28 April.
• Primary Maths Challenge. 27th April.
• NSIT School Review. 27 – 29 April
• Peer Support commences this week
• Labour Day Holiday (Pupil Free Day). Mon 2nd May
• Whole School Assembly. Tues 3rd May
• Small Town Culture visit. 3 – 5 May
• CAPRAS Challenge 11-12 years Rugby League Gala Day. Fri, 6th May
• Mother’s Day. Sun 8th May

Kindest Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal – St. Joseph’s Catholic School Park Avenue