Principal's Piece

Dear Families and Friends

Welcome back to another school year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, relaxing and spending time with friends and family. All the staff at St Joseph's are looking forward to the year ahead and to supporting each of our students to achieve their best. We have lots of new staff who have started with us this year and they have brought with them enthusiasm and a fresh energy that has been welcomed by all. 

This year our staff are focusing on ensuring our school is a place of excellence, a place where all students feel they belong and flourish in all areas of their development. Our Professional Development last week focused on creating a learning environment that is based on high expectations, is trauma informed and reflects our Catholic and cultural values. We reviewed whole school expectations and clarified the St Joseph's approach to teaching and learning, which is about quality relationships, providing the best education to every child in our school and supporting the development of the whole child. We look forward to partnering with our families this year in ensuring each student achieves their personal best. 

Communication from Executive Director Debra Sayce was sent out last week to all parents/carers providing an update on how Catholic Education is responding to the latest COVID situation in WA. At St Joseph's we have re-introduced extra cleaning measures throughout the school day. Hygiene practices will continue to be part of each classroom's daily routine and we will ask our students to physically distance wherever possible. If you or your child are unwell and have any symptoms, please do not attend school. To return to school, students must be symptom-free and return a negative COVID test. If your child is immunocompromised, please inform the front office of this so we can make any necessary plans in the event of a positive COVID case at school. Regarding mandatory vaccinations, parents and carers are not required to show proof of vaccination when: 

• dropping off or picking up their child from school, including entering the classroom 
• volunteering at school on an ad hoc basis (attending only one school no more than once per week) 
• attending an event such as an assembly, sports carnival or parent teacher interview

Parents and carers who regularly support our school as regular volunteers are required to comply with the mandatory vaccination direction order. These parents and carers are required to provide proof of their double dose vaccination from 31 January 2022 and must have their third dose (booster) within one calendar month of becoming eligible or an exemption when: 

• volunteering at the school more than once a week 
• working in an unpaid capacity at the school more than once a week 
• participating in an endorsed program at the school where parent attendance is required (e.g. AFAFE Playgroup) 

At this stage we have decided to not hold any whole school gatherings (assemblies/mass) as we do not have a large-enough indoor space where we can all gather safely. We are working on an alternative model for our assemblies so that we still have the chance to come together (virtually) and celebrate our students' achievements. 

We look forward to welcoming all our parents and families to our first event of the year at an afternoon meet and greet on Thursday 17th February 2.30 to 3.30pm. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teaching team and have a look at their classroom. We are comfortable we can conduct a COVID safe event by utilising individual classroom spaces and our outdoor areas.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Miss Gabby