Week 3, Term 1 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the 2025 school year and our first newsletter.

For our new families a special welcome to St Joseph’s School Tranmere and we look forward to getting to know you and your family as you start your journey in our wonderful community.

Like every year, we are always filled with the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead when you begin a school year. There is a feeling of excitement and curiosity. The year ahead provides everyone with an opportunity for personal growth, new learning, and making positive connections within our school community. Our school is committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports your child’s academic, social, and emotional development.

Each year the first week of school focuses on connections, building positive relationships with new class mates and making a strong positive connection with teachers. Students are invited to build and develop a positive class culture as well as establish and construct routines and expectations for a strong productive learning environment, one that everyone can thrive.

Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended the recent Parent Information Evenings. Our staff greatly value the connections between school and home, recognising the importance of establishing positive relationships and a real sense of belonging for you and your child.

Early Years Play Space Update

Construction is progressing well with our new nature play space in the courtyard. The overall design is taking shape with the sand and water decks now being constructed. The landscapers are currently working on the new paved path that will connect to the main walkway and allow for a smooth transition through the middle of the school grounds. We are pleased to report that the play space is currently on track to be completed by mid-March and we look forward to students enjoying this new area very soon.

Class Names and Teachers 2025

RCZ                  Claudia Zurcher

RPM                 Pamela McCrea

1KD                  Kelly Davies

1NC                 Nada Cirocco

2FJ                   Jessica Hicks (Mon-Tues), Fil Crescitelli (Wed – Fri)

2SF                  Stephanie O’Leary (Mon-Wed), Fiona MacDonald (Thu-Fri)

3/4CC              Caraline Casey

3/4MM            Meaghan McCarthy

5DS                  Danielle Hodson (Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri), Sharon Gulley Frith (Wed)

6HC                  Hannah Cotter

Parents & Friends

Our P&F Committee recently held their first meeting in preparation for a great year of fundraising and social events. The school is always very grateful to the P&F for their support of the school.  P&F funds in 2024 contributed to the new sports shed building which is being very well used.

Our thanks to those parents who have put their names forward as the Parent Representatives for their child’s class this year.

Diary Dates

The Term 1 calendar of important dates has been distributed to families through Seesaw today. Please note the Pupil Free Day on Friday 7th March when staff will be undertaking professional development focussing on numeracy and literacy.

Road Safety

Road Safety is very important in and around any school.

I strongly encourage all our families to make themselves aware of all restrictions around our school. The biggest complaints we receive each year from the council and also from our neighbours are around cars queueing in Birkinshaw Avenue and around the corner into Magill Road after school, cars parking over driveways and drivers exiting cars in the pick up zone to collect children. Currently council parking inspectors are monitoring and fining drivers who fail to follow these rules.

Again I remind everyone to move on if the pick-up zone is full, drive around the block to return a little later, or even park correctly and then walk in to school to collect your child. Finally, please I ask drivers to check their speed when driving along Birkinshaw Avenue as it has been quite apparent that some drivers are travelling over the 25kpm speed limit when children are present. 

Thank you for your understanding on these very important matters and I  look forward to many safe and smooth pick up and drop off times ahead.

I look forward to a productive and enjoyable year of learning and continuing to grow our beautiful school.

Kind Regards

Adrian Grbin

PILGRIMS OF HOPE

This year is a special year for our school community and the global catholic community. Pope Francis has named this year a Jubilee Year. This happens every twenty five years and it is a year for communities and individuals to reflect and a prayer together. This year’s theme is Pilgrims of Hope. We started the year with this theme at our Beginning of Year Liturgy. This year our focus is to be people of hope and kindness. I think we would all agree that a world with more hope and kindness can only be a good thing!

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

This term some of our young people in our community will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a special time for the children and their families as they learn more about forgiveness and participate in a ceremony experiencing God’s love and forgiveness. Please keep the children and their families in your prayers at this special time.

SHROVE TUESDAY, ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

In Week 6 we being our 6 week Lenten journey to Easter. On Shrove Tuesday we will have pancakes and on Wednesday we will commemorate Ash Wednesday. The Years 3 to 6 classes will attend the 9.15 am Parish Mass and the Reception to Year 2 classes will have an Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 10.30 am in the Hall. All are welcome to come and receive ashes at any of the services.

Annette McCard