Welcome to Term Four
I trust everyone had the opportunity for some down-time during the break and is ready for the final term of 2024.
As mentioned in the letter last week, it is good to be back after being on leave for the last five weeks of Term Three. I again express my thanks to Mr Michael Musolino and Ms Tania Melfi for their leadership (as respective Acting Principal and Acting Deputy Principal) during my absence.
Being able to forgive and move on
I recently came across a piece about what means to forgive and move forward in our lives. The information is pertinent adults, but also central for our children.
During our journey through life, we often experience difficulties, traumas, relationship breakups and all manner of things that we feel hurt us. When we begin defining ourselves by these ‘wounds’ it begins to impact the way we see the world and how we fit into it.
These wounds show themselves in our lives as feelings of fear, betrayal, pain, anger and resentment. We know we’re stuck in the wound because we continually bring it up in conversation, frequently thinking about what we could or should have done and can’t seem to let it go.
Often getting stuck in our wounds leads to a negative spiral and can put us at risk for illness. Using the wound for self-pity, or an excuse for poor behaviour, attitude and unkind words is not helpful. Taking a healing approach is crucial.
We are not meant to stay wounded, but instead to move through the tragedies, challenges and painful episodes of life with a perspective of growth. Wounds and difficulties provide us with the ability to transform our thinking and behaviour as we reflect on what we have learned. Taking responsibility for our healing journey also means that we are increasing and building up our positive energy bank.
Learning to move through the pain attached to the wound in a constructive and healthy way is important. Being able to let go of the pain and incident and re-author a new preferred story that allows us to learn and move on with life in a positive way is essential.
I really like the sentiments of Don Miguel Ruiz, author of ‘The Four Agreements’ – “Don’t take things personally, because the truth is everyone is dealing with their own feelings, beliefs and opinions. Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
The biggest step of moving on from wounds is the ability to embody forgiveness. This is not saying that what happened didn’t matter or approving of another person’s actions. A significant goal of forgiveness is to release the negative emotions and feelings about the event or persons involved from our being, so that it is not causing long term damage to our mental, physical and emotional health.
‘Right to Disconnect’ legislation
We understand that parent/caregiver engagement goes hand in hand with student wellbeing and success and productive communication with parents/caregivers is an essential feature of a positive school culture.
Digital technologies have greatly assisted in this regard and the use of parent/caregiver information apps, social media (for general school information), school website, SEQTA and the use of email communication directly with staff is now routine.
We appreciate that parent/caregiver expectations as to staff accessibility have evolved in the context of enhanced digital communication practices. While representing efficient modes of communication, the breadth of digital communication options can create ‘availability creep’ where school employees become more accessible in locations and at times of the day, weekends and during periods of leave when they should be able to disconnect from work. Indeed, the Fair Work Act has taken effect which provide school employees a right to disconnect.
In the interests of respecting the rights of our staff and recognising the importance of facilitating and promoting healthy communication, we are introducing the following as standard protocol during term time:
- Noting our staff spend a significant amount of their workday focusing on teaching or other activities applicable to their roles, staff will endeavour to respond to parent/caregiver communications requesting a response within 48 hours, noting staff will discern whether an urgent matter requires a shorter response timeframe:
- Teachers will likely respond to emails between 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday; and
- Parents/caregivers are encouraged to contact the school Front Office in the first instance for general information and anything requiring immediate attention.
Thank you for your anticipated understanding and support of the above.
World Teachers’ Day
Friday 25 October is World Teachers’ Day. I believe the day should be called ‘World School Staff Day’, as it is a combined effort which is required to educate and support children. I pay tribute to all staff at St Joseph’s Catholic School Payneham, for the dedicated work towards the children in our care.
School Uniform Reminder
As we are now in Term Four, all students are expected to wear their summer uniform (noting that for the first week of term there is a grace period between winter and summer uniform) However, the summer uniform is expected to be worn by all students from Week 2.
We also seek your ongoing support in ensuring students are meeting the school uniform expectations, including having hair that is clean, neat and well-groomed. Cuts and styles which are extreme are not acceptable. Hair that touches the collar must be tied back. Thank you to the families who consistently send their child in neat, clean, full, and correct uniform.
Further, as per our Sun Smart Policy, students need to be wearing hats when outdoors i.e., recess, lunch, P.E. lessons, etc. Please ensure you remind your child to place their labelled hat in their school bag each day. Thank you to those who consistently send their child in neat, clean, full, and correct uniform daily.
Carlo Acutis Building
I remind you about the official opening of the Carlo Acutis Building, to take place on Thursday 20 February 2024 at 10:00am.
Additionally, a letter will be distributed to families tomorrow about a wooden sculpted relief depicting Blessed Carlo, which will be installed and displayed in the building.
Surname displayed in car for Marian Rd after school pick-up and moving efficiently on Marian Rd
As promoted, if you collect your child/ren in the ‘pick-up’ area along Marian Road after school, we’d love to trial having your family surname written on a piece of A4 paper, placed on the front passenger side windscreen. From a staff perspective, this will allow for easy visibility, so when on yard duty the respective staff member can call out the surname ahead of time, preparing your child/ren ready for pick-up, and hence speed up the collection process. Obviously, your help is required, in writing your family surname on an A4 white, keeping it in your car, and placing it on the front passenger dashboard when collecting your child. If there are family members who regularly do the pick-up, promoting this initiative with them will be appreciated. Thank you to those who have already got on board.
Further, please ensure there is efficiency when dropping-off and picking-up your child on Marian Road. Moving along in safe and efficient manner assists with traffic flow.
Condolences
I extend my sympathies to:
- The Nero, Luppino and Gentilcore families (Mrs Joyce Nero, Reception teacher, Julian, 5YV, Alana, 1TC and Annalise, RCL) on the passing of their maternal great grandmother, Grazia, who passed away during the school holidays.
Congratulations
I offer my best wishes to:
- Michael Musolino (Deputy Principal) and Caterina Musolino (Year 1 teacher), on the recent birth of their third child, Gia Margherita.
- Josie Ferragamo (Business Manager) on becoming a grandmother (for the first time), to baby girl, Mia.
Diary Dates and Term Four Calendar
Please refer to the Term Four Calendar which was distributed earlier this week. I particularly highlight the following whole school events taking place this term:
- Sports Day, Friday 8 November (at Payneham Oval); and
- End of Year Christmas Concert, Wednesday evening, 27 November, on the school grounds.
Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
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