Welcome to the 2025 school year! I hope everyone had a lovely break and made the most of the holiday period. It is great to see the students back at school and eager to begin the school year.

The emphasis for school over the initial few weeks will be on building/renewing relationships with our students and assisting them to build relationships with the new members of their class. It is our aim for the students to feel comfortable and supported so to this end we introduce them to classroom routines, procedures and expectations that we try to keep as consistent as possible. Every classroom displays and uses a Visual timetable each day. The students soon learn to read this timetable which provides some certainty as to what will be happening that day. Teachers explicitly refer to the Learning Intentions for each lesson which are accompanied by Success Criteria which let the students know what they are meant to learn and how they know if they have been successful in achieving the learning. This involves the students in their learning, helping them take responsibility and be an active part of it.      

All classes will be trying to form a strong classroom culture that is conducive to optimal learning. Our whole school approach to positive behaviour provides the backbone for this work. Teachers and students will unpack and specify what it means to Be Respectful, Be Safe and Be a Learner, our three school expectations. Establishing classroom and school expectations for behaviour is crucial in helping every child experience a space where they feel safe, valued and have opportunities to challenge themselves in their learning. This practice is also strongly influenced by our belief in the Catholic Social Teaching of the Dignity of the Human Person:

The Catholic social teaching principle of human dignity is about understanding that each of us is made in God’s image. Our common humanity requires that we respect and uphold the dignity of each and every human being. All our other rights and responsibilities flow from this dignity. This principle is deemed as the central aspect of our Church’s social teaching.

Our Student Code of Conduct specifies the behaviour we expect of our students:

Expected Student Behaviours and Conduct

• Uphold the School’s Catholic ethos, traditions and practices
• Behave in a respectful and courteous manner towards other students, teachers, school staff and all members of the school community, including visitors
• Behave in a manner that does not endanger the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves or others
• Resolve conflict respectfully, calmly and fairly
• Adhere to all School policies and procedures at all times, including during school activities and events or when representing or acting on behalf of the School
• Respect School property and the property of other students, teachers, school staff, and visitors
• Actively participate in learning by completing work set by teachers promptly and to the best of their ability
• Refrain from behaviour which would interrupt the work of any class or hinder the learning opportunities of other students
• Dress appropriately by complying with the school uniform or dress code
• Value the interests, ability and culture of others
• Communicate with other students, teachers and school staff and members of the school community, including visitors, in an open, positive and honest manner.

Child Safety Code Of Conduct

Communication

Here at St Joseph’s we highly prioritise working in partnership with parents to achieve the best outcomes for our students. Open communication is vital for this to occur. We have many avenues of communication including Seesaw, SIMON via PAM, our Facebook page, the newsletter, email, telephone and face to face conversations. We invite you to utilise these avenues to maintain communication. Please ensure your PAM and Seesaw accounts are set up. 

More information around communication can be found on our Communication/Email/Seesaw Policy.

Communications / Email / Policy

In relation to the last two points I give parents a gentle reminder that we all want the best for our students. To achieve this, we need to work together.  We strive to create a culture of respectful relationships.  As parents, guardians or carers, you act as one of the most influential role models in your child’s life. We therefore seek your support in promoting and upholding the core values of the school community and its culture of respectful relationships.  Please see our Parent Code of Conduct for more information.

Parent Code of Conduct

Teachers, similarly, are held accountable by a Code of Conduct set by the Victorian Institute of Teaching and numerous other policies including Duty of Care, Child Protection, and Pastoral Care to name a few and many around Child Safety. 

Student School Leaders Pledge Ceremony

Yesterday at our first whole school assembly for 2025 the newly appointed school captains made their pledge to the school community to be exemplary role models and uphold the school values. They were all awarded their badges (which will be blessed at the Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday, March 5th).

We thank them for their willingness to be leaders and look forward to working with them throughout the year!

SRC representatives from the Gr 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 classes will be elected in the coming weeks. The Gr 5/6 SRC representatives will confer with the Prep classes throughout the year. The Student Representative Council will meet regularly with myself and/or Mrs Gin, our Deputy Principal.

Joanne Coldebella

Principal