Dear St Joseph's Community,

I hope everyone in our community has had a positive start to the term. Term 3 is always filled to the brim with exciting events, with a few having already occurred, and lots more still coming.

Eco Warriors Staff Meeting

Our Eco Warriors made an impressive surprise appearance at our Staff Reflection Day on the first day of term! These enthusiastic students delivered an engaging session on Recycling and Waste Management that both entertained and educated our staff. Their goal was to increase staff knowledge so we can collectively make a greater positive impact on our environment.

The day continued with a screening of David Attenborough's "Our Ocean," which prompted staff to reflect on humanity's impact on our oceans. While confronting the reality of environmental destruction, the film also highlighted the hope that comes through intentional, positive action.

Our exploration continued as we journeyed through biblical stories from the Old Testament to the New, reflecting on narratives that feature water as a central theme.

The day concluded with a collaborative art experience where staff sculpted coral forms from air-dry clay. These individual creations were assembled into a collective artwork that now stands framed. This meaningful piece will be featured in our SALA exhibition silent auction in Week 5.

Overall, the day help nourish staff’s body, mind and soul, helping us feel fresh and ready for the term ahead.

St Dominic's Day Mass at Cabra

Last Friday, 1st August our school captains Clara and Kye joined me at Cabra Dominican College to honour the Feast Day of St Dominic. It was wonderful to see so many schools coming together in unity. The beautiful singing and reverent atmosphere created a memorable experience for all who attended. We thank Cabra for welcoming us on such an important occasion.

Mary MacKillop Mass

Friday, 8th August brought us another meaningful celebration as we honoured the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with a beautiful Mass presided over by Fr John. Sr Liz delivered an inspiring homily that focused on Mary MacKillop's words: "never see a need and not do something about it," and how we can apply this spirit in our care for creation.

Special Invitation: This Friday, we invite our school community to join us for the Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9:15am.

Garden Grant - Great News!

We are pleased to share that our grant application to develop the Seafield Avenue and Cambridge Terrace corner garden has been approved! Work will soon begin to create a wonderful native garden that will serve as both a learning space and peaceful area for our school community.

Our plans include:

• A variety of native plants indigenous to our local area
• A comfortable seating area designed for prayer, reflection, and outdoor learning
• A pond that will attract frogs and encourage local wildlife

This garden will provide students and the wider community with opportunities to connect with nature and find quiet moments in their day. We'll keep you updated as this project progresses.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the school’s Parents and Friends Community who supported this application from its conception both with keen interest, invaluable insight and advise, and by committing to contribute financially to the construction of the seating area, through their amazing fund-raising efforts.

Embracing New Responsibilities

I am honoured to share that I have recently stepped into Vanessa Saccardo's Inclusive Education role while she enjoys her well-deserved maternity leave. Vanessa has built something truly special in this space, and I am deeply grateful for her outstanding dedication and the strong foundation she has created.

I am committed to carrying forward her passion and unwavering determination, ensuring that our school continues to flourish as a warm, welcoming, and genuinely inclusive environment where every single student can thrive and feel truly valued. This important work is close to my heart, and I look forward to building upon the excellent progress Vanessa has made.

A Warm Welcome to Junny

We are thrilled to extend the warmest of welcomes to Junny, a dedicated social work student who has joined our school community for the coming months. From the moment she arrived, Junny has demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and skill in building genuine, positive connections with our students. Her natural warmth has already made a meaningful difference in our school environment.

In the days and weeks ahead, Junny will be offering various programs and facilitating lunchtime activities designed to enrich our students' school experience. Additionally, she will be offering support and assistance to families who may benefit from her expertise.

Please reach out to me if you or your family would welcome any Social Work services. This is also a perfect opportunity to remind our community about our comprehensive Pastoral Care team, which extends its caring support not only to our students but also to their families.  

Warmest Regards,

Christine Farrugia