Dear Parents and Carers

What an eventful week it has been for child protection week.  There have been some alarming and tragic news stories in recent weeks involving the abuse of children and this week an incredibly graphic and disturbing video flooded the internet and social media platforms and internet filtering services struggled to contain this material.  

I have been both shocked and concerned this week over the reaction to the graphic video circulating online.  While there has been a massive response to try to limit exposure to this video, as well there should have been, it highlights some inconsistencies in approaches to how we allow children access to online material. 

No one, especially children, should have the images of that particular video or any other, forced upon them.  The act of embedding the video in internet searches for kittens and puppies is disgraceful.  It is, unfortunately, one of the many risks associated with online content.  

My concern this week is there has been a massive reaction to this graphic content appearing online, with media heralding this as a huge concern and danger to students and the catalyst for headlines such as 'why your kids shouldn't be on Tik Tok' and 'what you need to know!'  The reality is that the daily use of sites such as Tik Tok pose as much of a concern to our children as this one viral video has this week.  

As I have mentioned now on numerous occasions, students in primary school should not be accessing social media platforms.  They are not the correct age and are not able to process the content, nor are they aware of the dangers that exist or the risks they are taking.  Angry, violent, foul language, sexualised behaviours, grossly inappropriate content and online bullying are sadly some of the secondary concerns associated with these platforms.  These platforms are rife with hackers, scammers and pedophiles looking to take advantage of children who are not equipped with the skills or maturity to protect themselves or others. 

After a week of hoping and working to minimise the chances of students being exposed to one horrendous video, I would ask all parents and carers to again be aware of any online activities your child is involved in and to remove them from social media platforms, not just for the sake of one video but for the very real and substantial dangers that exist on a daily basis.

Have a great week.

Tim

How our Mercy Values align with our Joey’s 5R’s

At St Joseph’s School, our witness of Christ is filtered through this lens of the Mercy Charism.  

Our Mercy Values are 

LOVE,  COMMUNITY, EXCELLENCE

We have linked our classroom values to our distinct Mercy Charism in an effort to clarify for our community and our students the grounding of our everyday rules in our Catholic tradition.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic School, our classrooms are built on 

• Respect
• Right Relationships
• Responsibility 
• Resilience
• Rigour

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

​This week we give thanks for the birth of Mary, the mother of our Saviour, Jesus. She is also the mother of all who follow Jesus, so we call her our Blessed Mother. People of every nation and language honour Mary. They have given her many titles of respect. Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s birth; however, the Church has celebrated Mary’s birth since at least the sixth century.

Prayer
Here is a Mary prayer composed of only a few words.
'Mary, Mother of us all, give me strength' (or wisdom, patience, generosity — whatever spiritual gift you need at this time.) Use different titles for Mary such as Gentle Woman, Woman of Faith, Star of the Sea. 

http://bcewaystopray.weebly.com/week-29-6-12-sept.html

Have a wonderful week

Take care and God Bless

Amanda

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Week 10- Tuesday,September 15 and Wednesday, September 16.

As Covid - 19 restrictions resulted in the cancellation of Term 1 Parent Teacher interviews, it is highly recommended that you take this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. 

In considering current restrictions and advice regarding Coronavirus, the following format for Term 3 interviews has been decided.

1. Interviews will be 15 mins maximum. If you need a longer meeting, please contact your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements. 
2. They will be conducted in your child’s classroom.
3. Appropriate social distancing protocols will be observed. (remaining 1.5m apart, no handshaking/ unnecessary physical contact, appropriate personal hygiene conventions). If you or a family member are unwell, please reschedule your interview with your classroom teacher. 
4. Bookings are now open. Here is a link to a booking guide in Compass.

Formal written reports are provided at the end of Term 4.