Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to term 3. I trust you all had a relaxing holiday period. The children have returned to school in a settled manner and semester two work has commenced apace. Teachers have developed semester 2 learning goals for your children and there are many interesting and exciting learning opportunities ahead. School sports have commenced for term 3, which has been a welcome return to a more normal rhythm, and last Thursday we attended our first SACPSSA Carnival-Netball-for some time.

Building program imminent….Playground nearly finished!

Our much awaited playground development is entering its final stage, and over the next 2 weeks we anticipate a flurry of activity as the larger elements of the playground are established. The children have been very excited to watch the growth of the two areas and are very much looking forward to when they can play! I want to acknowledge the efforts of our Parents & Friends past and present, who have been an integral part of bringing this project to life – through fundraising, concept planning and creating the imperative! Thank you!

As that development comes to fruition, I am delighted to announce that the first stage of our Master Plan will commence from August 4. This is an exciting renovation of our existing school facilities and will include a brand new administration centre, redeveloped class spaces, a brand new Resource centre and other multi-purpose learning spaces as well as a rejuvenated courtyard space. Please refer to the communique sent earlier this week via szapp, outlining how the program will unfold, and some temporary arrangements for terms 3 and 4.

Rich opportunities during term 3

This term will see many opportunities that were previously put on hold, come to life. These include, as previously mentioned, sporting activities-games, carnivals etc, local excursions such as our walks to the Mitcham Library, overnight excursions such as the year 4 ‘Zoo Snooze’ and the continued preparations for our school Musical…with a difference! There will be more information about that in coming weeks. The Catholic Schools Music Festival, too, will be presented during term 3, through the provision of a virtual performance. All of the children will look forward to our annual disco later in the term, and our House leaders are getting ready to host ‘House days’  again, as well as busily preparing for our annual end of term sports carnival. It was exciting to once again offer Playgroup in the first week back! This will continue now, throughout the year.

Welcome…. And welcome back!

Last Wednesday, we welcomed our new JOEYS, to our school. This intrepid group of children are beginning their journey towards commencing school in 2021. They will be visiting every Wednesday, and spending time with Mrs Paula Thomson, getting used to being here at school, playing, having fun and making new friends. When I visited the ‘class’ during the morning, they had all settled in remarkably well.

This term, we have welcomed back our APRIM Mrs Christine Farrugia from parenting leave. In doing so, we also acknowledge and thank Mrs Emma Begg who admirably performed the role for the first two terms of 2020. Emma has returned full time to the classroom, while Mrs Kate Meuller has taken on some other important duties in the school, including playgroup!

COVID-19

It was fantastic to be able to welcome families back into the school yard this term. I would like to thank all parents and caregivers for supporting our COVID safe plan, and for keeping in line with all social distancing and hygiene practices. I also appreciate those families who have recognised the value of independence amongst the children by continuing to support the children to come into school independently. The situation with COVID-19 is of continuing concern, around Australia, and while SA is currently managing very well, the possibility of restrictions being reintroduced remains a moving target. At St. Joseph’s Kingswood we remain vigilant, and have prepared for the possibility of further restrictions that could lead to remote learning. We hope and pray that this doesn’t happen! 

Catholic Schools Week- 10^th-17^th August

Across SA, all Catholic Schools will celebrate the contribution of Catholic Education. There will be a strong media campaign, which includes an insert you may have seen in Saturday’s Advertiser, as well as Open Schools, and other events. We will kick off the week early, this Friday by celebrating the Feast of St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop, who in so many ways IS the story of Catholic Education in this state. Our children will attend Mass, followed by the first of our ‘House Days’ for 2020- hosted by….MacKillop House (Blue.) A gold coin donation from the children will be donated towards a Josephite charity.

Have a great week everyone,

God Bless,

Phil Schultz.