Principal's Message
Next week we begin the process of students returning to the College by welcoming back our Senior students. From Week 4, Junior year groups will be additionally attending school one day per week. Although it is the expectation that students return to school, the College will continue to use the Blended Learning model during this time. This will ensure learning is accessible to all, especially to some students whose family members may remain vulnerable. Courses will continue to be uploaded to the online learning platform on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Notwithstanding, I am sure that many students are feeling very happy about being reunited with their friends and teachers. I am hopeful that we will all return to a fulltime face-to-face program as soon feasibly possible.
A reminder all students are to return to Term 2 in full Winter Uniform.
Social Distancing and The College Office
While we don’t require students to socially distance themselves at the College, we are obliged to maintain this expectation for adults. For this reason, I would ask that parents attend the College Office for relatively urgent matters only and ask parents to be mindful of using other forms of communication wherever possible.
If you do need to collect your child in an emergency or for an appointment, you are most welcome to call the College Office and arrangements will be made for your child to meet you outside the office.
There is currently a limit of three people in the office foyer at any one time.
How SJRC Teacher Assistants are Keeping Connected with Students.
This week I would like to acknowledge the great work being done by Mrs Janine Handley and her team of Teacher Assistants during this time. How privileged we are to have such a dedicated group of professionals to give support to our students.
Our Teacher Assistants have continued to work hard during Blended Learning, ensuring the students they work with at school under normal circumstances, are able to access their online learning.
The team are supporting and staying connected with students; enhancing and assisting their learning, by:
- Supporting organisation skills via their Google Classrooms and producing a day planner for each student.
- Joining students in zoom meetings to clarify points made by their teachers.
- Keeping in touch with families; ensuring the support meets the needs not only of the student but is appropriate for the family circumstances.
- Assisting via email. It's wonderful to see students using technology to reach out and seek help or clarification with a problem.
- Regular contact with all our Indigenous students via phone, zoom and email.
- Keeping connected by sending out a weekly email to all our students on a Personalised Plan offering any assistance that may be required.
In essence, our committed teacher assistants are not only doing whatever they can to assist the students with their online learning but more importantly, caring for their wellbeing by simply staying connected to them.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the St Joseph's Regional College Teacher Assistants team for all they are doing to assist and support our students in this uncertain time.
Rhonda Worthing, Nikki Williams, Deb Nicholson, Carly Taylor, Braden Saggers, Carol Avery, Nathan Thurlow, Kylie Joseph, Jeremy Bate, Leanne Hunter, Ebonie Green and Jason Berry.
Federal Government’s COVIDSafe App
As we return to College, I would like to refer you to the COVIDSafe app, which has been developed to minimise further spread of COVID-19 through early notification of possible exposure to the virus. St Joseph’s Regional College has recognised that the app could play a vital role of slowing down the pace of a potential outbreak. As such the Leadership Team is encouraging all families and staff to download the app. The app can be downloaded by clicking here.
Cancellation/Postponement of College Events
For the remainder of Term 2, there will be no extra-curricular activities, no assemblies, masses, year group meetings, parent functions or information evenings, representative sport or excursions.
Please find a list of events that were scheduled for this term.
| 12th- 15th May | Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN |
| 12th May | Mid North Coast Careers Market |
| 13th-17th May | Year 12 Retreat |
| 19th May | Science and Engineering Challenge |
| 5th June | Year 7 Jesse Manibusan Incursion |
| 15th June | Year 8 Bell Shakespeare Incursion |
| 16-17th June | Year 8 and 9 Retreat Days |
| 18th June | Year 9 Metal Excursion to Newman Senior Technical College |
| 18-21st June | Street Retreat Brisbane |
| 25th June | Year 7 and Year 10 Poetry in Action Incursion |
| 29th June-2nd July | Year 9 Canberra Excursion |
| 29th June-2nd July | Year 11 Hospitality Work Placement |
| 1st July | Year 12 Newcastle University schools visit |
| 1st July | Year 11 Mass |
Happy Mothers Day
Finally, I would like to wish all our mothers in the St Joseph’s Regional community a very happy Mother’s Day. Indeed, we are all very appreciative of the role mothers have played in guiding us through this very difficult time.
I said a Mother's Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.
I thanked God for the caring
you've shown me through the years,
for the closeness we've enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.
And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you've done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!
- Author Unknown
