Welcome to the 2023 year! We have had a wonderful start, actually the best start for a number of years with no restrictions. It was so nice to support our newest learners as the started school.

A special welcome to our new Reception children: Vinuki, Chiara, Albie, Leo, Chester, Grace, Annie, Harry, William H, Julian, Elaina, Milena, Murray, Seb, Tom, Laila, William R, Jack, Aaliyah, Clem, Sunelie, Mathilde, Aston, Charlie, Isaac, Liam, Avery and Alexandra.

I also welcome our new families and students to our other St Joseph’s Kingswood community: Year 1: Gabriel and George, Year 2: Sam, Year 3: Lucas, Jason, Sophia and Alexa, Year 4: Sophie, Year 5: Patrick, Year 6: Grace and Annabel.

Our new staff member have settled in. We welcome Shelly Youngs, Jane Poole, Tia Della Pace and Lucia Mitchell – thank you for making a smooth start for our families. 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

It was wonderful to welcome the community this year with our School Captains William Phillips and Bethany Frith. 

2023 we are working to empower our students as learners and community members. As said by Oscar Romero ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more.’ We hope to instil virtutes of gratitude, connection and excellence through opportunities for children to lead, be a voice and take action.

At Thursday’s Assembly we announced the new leaders, from each class, who will help us build an even better school and community in 2023:

• Eco Warriors: this year we will have a bigger team to help us all to care for our world.
• Spirit Leaders: there will be a larger committee to help gift our school with grace and gratitude through their work
• SRC: this group continues to help make decisions to make our school a better place to where we can collaborate and excel.

STAFF CHANGES

People and change are a natural part of life, but some changes are unexpected and a bit sad. This week Steph Insanally has shared with us that she has made the difficult decision to leave our community. Steph has been given a wonderful opportunity to work on a music project meaning she cannot commit to our school. Fortunately, Steph will be around for most of the term so we will have opportunity to farewell her and thank her for her amazing contribution to our community.

PARKING AND DROP-OFF AREAS

We heard that last Tuesday and again on Thursday this week a Mitcham Council parking inspector gave out several parking tickets. The inspector informed a staff member that there have been several complaints of Cambridge Tce being blocked while waiting for a park at pick-up.

I have provided information to assist:

Cambridge Tce (both sides and also on the Northern side of Seafield Ave)

- No Parking 8-9 am and 3-4pm school days

You must not park your vehicle in an area where a 'No Parking' sign applies, unless:

• you are dropping off or picking up passengers or goods;
• you do not leave the vehicle unattended - that is, move more than three metres away; and
• you complete the dropping off or picking up as soon as possible - in any case, within two minutes.

So… you only have 2 minutes, unfortunately you can’t hop out and have a chat, you need to stay close to your car and you can’t park along there after 3:30 for school sports.

***If there is no space to pull in fully, best to drive around the block

***If you child is not waiting at the gate, best to drive around the block

Seafield Ave (adjacent the school)

No Parking 1/4 8-9 am and 3-4pm school days only

Parking signs with time limits

Where there is a time limit indicated by a sign, you must not park in the zone for longer than the specified time limit.

So… there is a 15min time limit. A place for a quick drop/deliver. If you intend to chat, we strongly encourage you park elsewhere.

The inspector said they will be undertaking more checks. Remember, don’t arrive too early so you don’t outstay the time. My advice is to come after 3:15 to give you child time to get to the gate.

Thank you to those walking to school where you can, and for being aware of others when parking.

I am excited about the year ahead, Please join the us for the AGM on Wednesday 22nd March. 

Jodie Higgins

In all things Charity