Dear Families and Friends, 

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week!! It provided time to reflect on our school and how working, learning and belonging in a Catholic school is significant. I thought I’d share my reflections of how I have heard from parents how we truly open our hearts through parent conversations over the past few weeks and days:

• On connecting in our community:
  • The set-up of the class Parent Rep and the Facebook having opportunities to get together has been very positive. Some of our friends don't have it in their school, and they haven’t made many friends yet.
  • Seeing the joy of our newest members, the Joeys mums, making connections at the Ladies Lunch
• On our Catholic School:
  • I have been so impressed by the masses and prayer. I enjoy attending and seeing that the children learn to be respectful and learn why we do certain actions in the Church.
• On supporting students and families:
  • A dad expressed his gratitude of the school when sharing how we have supported and welcomed his family culturally in a new community. The appreciation of helping them understand alternate options.
  • An email from a family, expressing gratitude for ‘incredible support and interest you have shown our child’ and the positive impact this has had at home.

We are a Catholic community, and our focus on kindness to enable every child and family to feel valued. St Joseph’s School Kingswood connects and enables all to ‘Shine with open hearts.’

The changing of our Pope

Watching and being in prayer through the passing of Pope Francis, the announcement of the new pope, and the official inauguration of Pope Leo has been compelling, and hope filled. As a leader in Catholic education, I am proud of the work of these Church leaders in standing up for injustices, working for peace and unity, welcoming all and being a voice for the care of our earth. I am hopeful that Pope Leo can be a significant role model of how we can bring peace through prayer and dialogue. I have been especially taken by the coming together of diverse people at St Peters Square, acknowledging the significance of this time in our world for all.

See Christine’s article to get to know Pope Leo!

Staffing

This week we welcome Bridget Hughes as our Year 6 teacher for the remainder of term 2 while Mr Bennett takes leave to prepare and welcome his new bundle of joy in coming days.

Earlier in the term we welcomed Michael Franze, our new Work Health and Safety officer. Michael works on a Monday to support us in keeping our school a safe and healthy place for workers, volunteers and students.

With Gratitude – thank you to our ESOs

Last Friday was National ESO day. I wanted to pass on my thanks for our ESO who play such a significant role in our community and are often the ‘golden’ thread that keeps us connected and growing as a school. Thank you Anna, Benji, Bianca, Bridget, Charlie, Charlotte, Chiemelie, Clare, Diego, Dinuri, Emma, Eva, Gabrielle, Heidi, Josh, Katina, Leah, Michael, Nic, Oscar, Patrick, Shelly and Zac.

Jodie Higgins

Principal

In all things, Charity