This term we have welcomed Mrs Belinda Matthews to the St Joseph’s staff as a Classroom Support Assistant.  Belinda comes to us with the relevant qualifications and experience as a CST, and was the successful applicant to our advertised position as a result of some additional funding received to support the K/1 classroom.  Belinda is working three days a week and provides extra support for Literacy and Numeracy.  We are very excited that she has joined us and we know that she is a fantastic addition to our staff.

Ms Robyn Saunders who has been working in the 2/3 classroom over the last six weeks heads back to her role at Australian Catholic University in the Science department.  We thank her for filling in for Miss Soulsby in her absence, and I know that the children will miss her wonderful sense of humour along with many other things.  At a 2/3 parent meeting yesterday Mrs Helen Mulholland was introduced to parents and will be working in the classroom Monday – Thursday beginning next week with Ms Cat Dawson continuing to take the class on a Friday.  We would also like to acknowledge and thank Ms Dawson for taking on an extra day – again in Miss Soulsby’s absence and appreciate the extra time she has put into the 2/3 classroom.  Any parent who wasn’t able to make the meeting – please let me know if you would like an update of the changes that will be happening.

The students in Yrs 3 and 5 have sat the NAPLAN assessments this week with minimal disruptions.  The children will sit their last one tomorrow – Numeracy.  There will be catch up days for those children who were away and need to sit the ones missed.

Included in the newsletter is correspondence from CE regarding Semester one reports.  You will note that there will be no comments on the reports.  The Archdiocese is going through a process of change with reporting and are mindful that educators across the country have been discussing for some time the contemporary relevance of comments on reports.  We can convey so much in 10 minute conversations about a childs learning and progress, which is why all parents will be strongly encouraged to attend parent/teacher interviews.  

I look forward to St Joseph’s presenting Mass this weekend and thank Mrs Murray for all her preparation.