Dear Parents and Carers,
After school our pick-up zone can be like a well-oiled machine when we all do our part! To keep traffic running smoothly (and safely), here’s a friendly reminder of some key tips:
- Stay cosy in your car – The zone is designed for quick stops, so please remain in your vehicle.
- Keep the corner clear – Queuing around the Birkinshaw Ave corner can block traffic and cause unnecessary stress. If the zone is full, just take a lap around the block and try again.
- No sneaky 3 point-turns, please – While it might seem like a shortcut, U-turns in the pick-up zone create confusion and safety hazards. Let’s keep it simple!
- Be a parking professional – Show our neighbours some love by ensuring your car isn’t blocking driveways.
A little consideration goes a long way.
Positive Behaviour Supports (PBS)
We are excited to share an update on the implementation of Positive Behaviour Supports (PBS) at St Joseph’s. PBS is an evidence-based framework that promotes positive behaviour and creates a supportive learning environment for all students.
Last year, we introduced three core values that are at the heart of our PBS program:
Kind, Respectful, and Learners. These values guide our actions and interactions, helping us to foster a school culture where every student can thrive.
Kind: We encourage students to show kindness in their daily interactions, whether through small gestures of compassion or acts of empathy. By being kind, we create a nurturing and inclusive community where everyone feels valued and supported.
Respectful: Respect is fundamental to our school environment. We teach students to respect themselves, others, and their surroundings. This includes using polite language, listening actively, and taking care of our school facilities. When we practice respect, we build strong, positive relationships and a harmonious school community.
Learners: At St Joseph’s, we are committed to lifelong learning. We inspire students to be curious, engaged, and dedicated to their academic and social growth. By embracing our roles as learners, we cultivate a growth mindset and a passion for discovery.
Through the PBS framework, we consistently acknowledge and reinforce positive behaviours aligned with these values. Our staff members are trained to use proactive strategies and support systems to help students succeed. Additionally, we have established clear expectations and routines that create a predictable and safe learning environment.
We invite all members of our school community to join us in promoting these values and supporting our PBS initiative. Together, we create a positive, respectful, and enriching environment where every student is empowered to achieve their best.
Promoting Nude Food
We are committed to fostering an environmentally conscious and health-focused community. One of the initiatives we proudly support is the concept of "nude food" - food that is brought to school without any disposable packaging.
Benefits of Nude Food:
Environmental Impact: By reducing the use of single-use plastics and other disposable packaging, we significantly decrease our school's contribution to landfill waste. This helps to conserve resources and reduce pollution, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.
Healthier Choices: Nude food often involves fresh, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and homemade meals. These options are generally healthier compared to pre-packaged snacks, which can be high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Encouraging nude food helps students develop better eating habits and promotes overall well-being.
Cost Savings: Families can save money by purchasing food in bulk and preparing homemade meals rather than buying individually packaged items. This also encourages creativity and involvement in meal preparation, fostering family bonding and developing important life skills.
Educational Opportunities: Integrating the nude food initiative into our school's curriculum provides valuable lessons in sustainability, nutrition, and personal responsibility. Students learn about the environmental impact of their choices and the importance of reducing waste, making them more conscious consumers.
Community Building: The nude food initiative encourages a sense of community and shared responsibility among students, staff, and families. By working together towards a common goal, we strengthen our school community and create a positive, supportive environment.
Exciting Update: Near Completion of Our New Sensory Nature Play Space
The transformation of our school courtyard into a vibrant new nature play space for our early years students is nearing completion! This innovative play area is designed to provide our youngest learners with enriching and joyful sensory experiences.
The play space will include interactive elements such as a water pump, sand kitchen and sensory pathways. These features will encourage hands-on exploration and provide multi-sensory experiences that support cognitive and physical development.
Our sand play area will encourage creativity and sensory exploration, allowing children to build, dig, and discover in a safe and stimulating environment. The texture and feel of the sand will engage their sense of touch, promoting fine motor skills and imaginative play.
The water play section will offer opportunities for experimentation and fun. Children will enjoy the soothing sound and feel of water as they splash, pour, and interact with various water features. This element will help them learn about the properties of water while providing a refreshing sensory experience.
Incorporating natural materials such as rocks, logs, and plants, the play space will create a sensory-rich environment that connects children with nature. The varied textures, scents, and sights of these elements will stimulate their senses and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
By integrating these sensory elements, we aim to create a dynamic and interactive space that promotes physical activity, social interaction, and cognitive development. The new play area will not only enhance our students' outdoor playtime but also support their holistic growth and well-being.
Staff Professional Development Day
We are delighted to share from our recent Staff Professional Development Day, which focused on enhancing our teaching strategies in numeracy and problem-solving. This enriching day was led by our dedicated coaches, who provided valuable insights and hands-on training to help our staff better support our students' learning journeys.
During the professional development sessions, our coaches guided us through various approaches and techniques and numeracy games to make numeracy and problem-solving more engaging and accessible for all students. The goal was to equip our educators with the tools and knowledge needed to foster a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and develop students' critical thinking skills.
The professional development day was a fantastic opportunity for our staff to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. We are confident that the skills and strategies gained from this day will have a positive impact on our teaching practices and, ultimately, our students' learning experiences.
Kind regards
Adrian Grbin
Principal
Social