Dear Parents and Carers,
It is amazing to think we are nearing the end of October and moving rapidly towards the end of the year. When it comes to Term 4, there is no hiding - it is simply a busy term, even in the middle of a pandemic and with restrictions.
Already this term we have seen our students celebrate Book Week, tackle our postponed sports day events and our senior students are attending or preparing for their camps.
Yesterday I was lucky to visit our Year 6 students on their adventure camp at Mylor. They are having a wonderful time making life long memories. Our Year 4/5 students will be away on camp next week. They will be travelling to Aldinga for 3 days and I am looking forward to visiting them and experiencing the many fantastic activities that are planned for the students. Camps provide students with many opportunities and a chance to challenge themselves and build greater self-confidence.
Last week we welcomed our new 2021 Reception students as our Student Transition and Readiness program (S.T.a.R) began again. This program, which was introduced in 2018, provides an extended transition period for those children starting in Reception in 2020. This program has been a very positive experience and well received by our families starting their school journey at St Joseph’s Tranmere.
I was lucky to have the children visit me today as they venture around the school, exploring all the rooms and different elements that make up our school. This year we have introduced a t-shirt that they can wear, identifying who they are and making them part of our community. The children will visit each Friday for the term and we welcome them and their families into our school community.
Staffing News
I wish to inform the school community that this will be Cynthia Thompson’s last term at our school. Cynthia has inform me that she will be retiring at the end of this school term. She has been at St Joseph’s School for the last 11 years as the Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM) and has worked as a classroom teacher over the years, teaching many of our students.
The APRIM role is an important position in any Catholic school. An APRIM works as part of the leadership team and together with the Principal, is responsible in a unique way for the school’s religious identity. The APRIM shapes the religious identity through the active development of Catholic ethos and culture. The APRIM as a skilled educator works with staff and students to implement the new ‘Crossways’, a Religious Education Curriculum Framework, which supports the integration of Faith and Life ensuring excellent teaching and learning in a faith-centred environment.
I would like to inform our school community that I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Annette McCard to the APRIM role for our school from next year. Annette is currently working in the Catholic Education Office as a Religious Education Consultant and has been in the role for the last 5 years. She is a Lecturer in the Graduate Certificate Program for UniSA and was previously the Deputy Principal at St Francis School, Newton for 7 years. She is an experienced educator and brings a wealth of knowledge on curriculum design, teaching methodologies and a wonderful understanding of the new crossways curriculum. She is a person of deep faith and is excited to be joining our school and parish community. We look forward to meeting her and welcoming her into our school soon.
Thank you to the parents who attended our first free session on 'Developing Resilience in Children' facilitated by Madhavi Nawana Parker from Positive Minds Australia. This was the first in our series of Wellbeing and Parenting sessions.
These sessions will provide valuable information for parents across the five parish schools as part of the Eastern Star Wellbeing Initiative. We will keep you informed on the next topic early next year.
Kind regards
Adrian Grbin
