2024 – Much to Celebrate in these final weeks!
As we fast approach the end of term and the end of the 2024 school year, I wish to express my gratitude to our families, staff, and students for their part in making our year one of many achievements and celebrations. I am especially mindful of our 35 graduating Year 6 students, many of whom have attended St Joseph’s School since Preschool! Whilst I have only been a part of their journey for less than three years, I have been in awe of their development as learners and leaders in our school community.
STEM MAD
On Monday we welcomed Dr Neil McGoran into our school community. Dr McGoran visited to present our amazingly successful STEM MAD team, Evangeline, Isabella and Amelia, with their national ‘The Future is STEM’ award of which the girls and our school is extremely proud! It was wonderful to have the hard work and success of our team and their STEM teacher, Bianca Annese acknowledged by the Executive Director of Catholic Education SA.
Christmas Assemblies
In this time of Advent, the season for preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, our students helped us all to get into the spirit of preparation for Christmas with two wonderful performances earlier this week. Many thanks to our Performing Arts teacher, Reanna Arthur and class teachers for supporting our students to sing and dance and shine! To help those less fortunate prepare for Christmas, our students, wearing their Christmas colours and accessories, also donated money to the Vinnie’s Christmas Appeal.
End of Year Mass
In another significant celebration, we came together on Thursday morning to mark the end of our school year with a Mass, celebrated by Fr Santhosh. During this time, we gave thanks to God for the many gifts our wonderful students, staff and families have shared to make 2024 a great year of learning and celebrating. Students and staff who are leaving our school were also recognised at this time. Next year we are welcoming quite a few new students across the year levels, and, following our very successful transition visits for our new Preschoolers and Receptions earlier this term, our other new students will be welcomed at our transition day next Monday.
Graduations
Next Tuesday evening, our Year 6 students will officially graduate their primary schooling. This occasion will be marked by a Mass for the students and their families at Sacred Heart Church and will be followed by a dinner at Jarmer’s Kitchen. Many thanks to the staff who have coordinated this event and congratulations to our amazing Year 6 graduands!
Also, our preschoolers will also celebrate their graduation next week. I am sure parents will agree that their year has flown by, and their little ones have grown so much in confidence, skills, and size, over this time! We look forward to continuing our partnership with most families next year as their Preschool graduates enter Reception.
Our teaching staff for 2025 are now finalised. Where new staff have been appointed, each have been selected due to their excellent professional record as well as their understanding of, and commitment to, the values of St Joseph’s School. Whilst children may be already wondering about their new teachers and the ‘unknowns’ a new school year will bring, they will get to meet their new teacher and classmates next Monday during our whole school transition visits. Please be reminded that student class placements have now also been finalised.
Staff and class allocations for 2025 are as follows:
Two of our current staff members, Alison Pirone (Curriculum ESO) and Misty McGuire (Student Services Officer) have recently won positions in other schools and will be leaving our community at the end of this year. We are grateful to Alison for her tireless support of students over the past three years, and to Misty for her very calm, professional, and compassionate approach to supporting students, staff and families on our school.
As we journey through the season of Advent, we are invited to pause and reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that fill this special time of year. Advent marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas, a season of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth. It’s a time to grow in faith, share kindness, and embrace the spirit of giving. Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Advent season! Please find attached the 2024 Advent Calendar, filled with wonderful activity ideas for your family to enjoy throughout the season.
As part of our ongoing efforts to support those in need this Christmas, we are continuing to raise funds and collect donations for both the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal and the Moore Street Day Centre Christmas Appeal.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our St Vincent de Paul Fundraising Events! The Christmas Casual Days (with gold coin donations) and our Term 4 Spring Garden Sale were a great success, and we appreciate your generosity.
Please continue to support the Moore Street Day Centre Christmas Appeal by donating non-perishable food items and toys to our Giving Tree. Donations can be placed under the Giving Tree in the front office. A list of needed items is available on the attached flyer.
We sincerely thank you for your kindness and support in making this festive season brighter for those in need in our community.
​Congratulations to the children who recently celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This important sacrament marks a significant step in their spiritual growth, offering them the opportunity to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness. It was a meaningful and sacred celebration, and we are so proud of the students for taking this important step in their faith journey. A special thank you to Father Santhosh for leading the celebration with such care. I am grateful to the families for their ongoing support and guidance throughout this preperation process. The celebration took place in our beautiful Chapel, providing a peaceful and prayerful setting for this significant moment in the lives of our students. It was a truly special event, and we thank the children for their participation in making it such a meaningful celebration.
​It is with both gratitude and a sense of sadness that I write my final newsletter article for 2024. Reflecting on my time at St. Joseph's School, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated and supportive community. It has been a true pleasure collaborating with the leadership team and staff, whose unwavering commitment to nurturing both the academic and spiritual growth of our students has been truly inspiring. Together, we have fostered a faith-filled environment where students can thrive and grow in God’s love. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the students, whose enthusiasm, kindness, and dedication have been a constant source of inspiration. As I look back on this past year, we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for. As we approach the Christmas season, I offer my warmest blessings to all, praying for peace, joy, and renewal in the coming year. May the light of Christ guide us all into 2025 with hope and grace.
At St Joseph’s Hindmarsh, learning is co-constructed and dynamic. Learners are encouraged to IMAGINE, DISCOVER and CREATE and to make meaningful connections with their world.
As capable learners they are given opportunities to develop capabilities that build their confidence and skills to engage with the curriculum and ACHIEVE excellence.
56 Albemarle Street, West Hindmarsh SA, Australia
8424 6400
info@sjsh.catholic.edu.au
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