New Beginnings

Of course, for every child and young person returning to school this year there is also a sense of a new beginning. Every new year level is a different experience for all children and an opportunity to make new friends and set new goals. Similarly, as educators, as this new school year commences, we have another opportunity to be the kind of leader or teacher that we dream of being. I hope that, individually and collectively, we can continue to grow and evolve as educators, nourished by our faith and our commitment to making education truly liberating for children and young people.

As we commence this new school year, there is much for us to be excited about. In Term 1, children will experience our beginning of year whole school excursion, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, St Joseph’s Feast Day celebrations and Sports Day; just to name a few.

Importantly, though, 2026 offers us the opportunity to strengthen the quality of the education that we provide - a truly Catholic education - to equip children and young people to be more self-aware, skilled in critical thinking and willing and able to take their place in society as leaders for the world God desires.

In other news, I would also like to officially welcome Mrs Alice Sun to our school community. Alice commenced in the role of School Finance Officer in mid-December, engaging in a handover with Kali Brown in the lead up to Kali finishing up with us on January 12 before moving to Brisbane with her family on January 15.

2026 Teaching Staff and Class Structures

Below is an outline of our 2026 teaching staff structure:

Shaun O’Leary: Principal, Leader of Teaching and Learning: Numeracy & STEM (1.0)

Simon McCullough: APRIM (0.6), Admin (0.2) & Specialist Music/Drama (0.2 Thursday)

Trish Pfeiffer: Leader of Teaching and Learning: Literacy & EALD Coordinator (0.8 Mon-Thurs)

Louise Moody: Inclusive Education Coordinator & Literacy Mentor for Early Career Teachers (0.4)

Melissa Strudwick: Dyslexia Support Program Coordinator (0.3 Thursday, Friday am)

Preschool Teacher: April McInerney (0.6 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

R/1 Classroom Teacher: Izabella Callisto

1/2 Classroom Teacher: Natalie Doyle

2/3 Classroom Teacher: Anna Huynh

3/4 Classroom Teacher: Ben Higgins

4/5 Classroom Teacher: Matt Pick

5/6 Classroom Teacher: Jane Smith

Janine Myer: Specialist French Teacher (0.2 Friday)

Daniel Nguyen: Specialist Physical Education Teacher (0.4 Monday & Friday)

Jennifer Craig: Floating Relief Teacher (0.2 Monday)

Upcoming Events

I would like to draw your attention to the following upcoming events:

Parent Information Evening & School Board AGM- Monday February 9.

This will involve class teachers outlining their classroom programs and procedures. This is an opportunity for parents to meet the teacher and hear about class routines and ways they can support their child at home. During the evening, I will present the AGM Report in the School Hall sharing our school’s achievements from 2025 and our future plans moving forward. All families are very welcome to attend. Please refer to the notice sent home to all families on Tuesday January 27 for further information.

In addition, Parent/Teacher Conversations will also take place during Week 9 of this term. More information will be forwarded to you closer to the time.

Whole School Excursion - Wednesday February 11.

To celebrate the beginning of the new school year, the whole school will spend the day at Tusmore Park on Wednesday February 11. The day promises to be full of fun.

Ash Wednesday - Wednesday February 18.

As a school we will join the parish community in celebrating Ash Wednesday mass in St Maximilian Kolbe Church. Parents are very welcome to join us during this mass. 

Pupil Free Day - Friday March 6.

Our staff will be involved in professional learning facilitated by our Leader of Learning Trish Pfeiffer, classroom teacher Natalie Doyle and myself, focusing on the latest research around teaching and learning. OSHC will be available on the day. Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Mieke or the Front Office.

St. Joseph’s Feast Day - Thursday March 19.

As a whole school we will celebrate the feast day of St Joseph on Thursday March 19. The St Joseph House Team will lead our whole school liturgy which will be followed by several fun activities. Parents are very welcome to join our celebration. Further details about the day will be forwarded to you closer to the time.

Sports Day - Thursday April 9.

Sport Day this year will once again be held at the Port Adelaide Athletics Club.

Whole School Assemblies

Another of our community activities at St Joseph’s are our school assemblies. Whole School assemblies will take place in Weeks 5 and 10 this term on Friday at 8:45am. Parents are warmly invited to attend assemblies where we celebrate learning and working together.

Catholic Identity

The following are past twitter feeds from Pope Francis:

• God needs people who bring His forgiveness and His mercy into the world
• God loves us in a way that crushes all loneliness and isolation
• Holy Spirit, you who sustain the Church, come down upon us again, teach us unity, renew our hearts, and help us to love as Jesus taught us
• Never forget this golden rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Mt 7,12)

These messages from our previous Pope remind us of the importance of valuing all those we meet throughout our lives.

Curriculum News

I have included two mathematical tasks which you might like to have a go at with your child/children.

This week’s Mathematical tasks:

Reception to Year 3

You see a sign in a shop window     

Record what this means to you in as many different ways as possible.

Years 4-6

Two fractions add to give 6/9. List as many possibilities as you can as to what those two fractions might be.

Happy inquiry.

Reading is another core learning area here at St Joseph’s School. Our staff use an agreed set of practices around children’s development of reading skills, knowledge and understanding. These practices shape our reading programs across the school.

Below are some strategies you might like to try at home to support your children’s learning:

• Encourage and model reading in the home
• Listen to your child read their reading material and ask specific questions related to what they have read                                      
• Read with your child
• Share what you are reading with your child
• Read your child a bedtime story
• Talk to your child about the different situations you find yourself in whereby you are required to read texts.

Happy reading.

Teaching and Learning

During the first three weeks of the school year, classroom teachers spend much of the time focusing on wellbeing and relationship building within their classes. This focus also incorporates components of the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum which since 2008 has provided the framework to teach children and young people from ages 3 to Year 12 to recognise abuse, talk to trusted adults and understand ways to keep themselves safe. In 2013 the curriculum was updated to reflect contemporary child safety issues and to align with both the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum.

In 2026 we will continue to have separate English and Mathematics blocks across the school; non-interrupted times where teaching and learning is focused on developing children’s understanding, knowledge and skills in these vital areas of school life. English and Mathematics blocks will commence in Week 4 of Term 1.

Religious Education is another important area of learning in our school. Children regularly have the opportunity to develop their personal relationship with God through participating in prayer and liturgy experiences, learning to live faith filled lives informed by scripture, reaching out to those in need within our community, creating a sense of community within classes and across the school, witnessing to God’s love for all of the creatures of the Earth and recognising each of us as unique gifts made in the image and likeness of God.

Of course, there are many other areas that we focus on at St Joseph’s School however the above-mentioned areas are integral to us. If you would like further information, please see your child’s class teacher or a member of the leadership team.

School Master Plan Update

I’m pleased to announce that work on Stage Three of our School Masterplan (refurbishment of downstairs classrooms, relocation of canteen and student toilets) is complete and our Year 2-3 and 3-4 classes have moved into these brand-new contemporary learning spaces. I encourage you to come into the school and have a look for yourself.

2026 School Board Nominations

Nominations are now open to members of the school community who would like to serve on the school board in 2026. The school board plays a valuable role in school governance. The board also allows parents to have a voice in the strategic direction of the school. Being a part of the school board can be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. The school board meets twice a term on Mondays at 5:30pm.

If you are interested in serving on the school board in 2026, please complete the nomination form below and return it to the front office by Monday February 9.

2026 School Finance Committee Nominations

Nominations are now open to members of the school community who would like to serve on the school finance committee in 2026. The school finance committee reports directly to the school board and plays a valuable role in school governance and transparency.  The school finance committee meets the week before school board meetings (twice per term).

If you are interested in serving on the school finance committee in 2026, please complete the nomination form below and return it to the front office by Monday February 9.  

Audiri App

To keep up to date with what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events why not download the AudiriApp from the App Store on your mobile phone. Once downloaded simply search St Joseph’s School, Ottoway and add to your Audiri page. Many of our families currently use the Audiri App to keep up to date with what is happening across our school.

May God continue to bless all our families throughout 2026.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

2026 School Board Nomination

Please return to Shaun O’Leary

I wish to nominate_______________________________________________ to serve on the St Joseph’s School Board in 2026.

Nominee’s Signature __________________________________________

I wish to nominate myself _____________________________ to serve on the St Joseph’s School Board in 2026.

 Signature __________________________________________

2026 School Finance Committee Nomination

Please return to Shaun O’Leary

I wish to nominate myself _____________________________ to serve on the St Joseph’s School Finance Committee in 2026.

 Signature __________________________________________

Some event and dates you might like to know are-

Shrove Tuesday - 17/2 - pancakes for all student / staff - thanks Rebecca for that great help.

Masses in Term 1 - all families are invited to join us

• Ash Wednesday 18/2
• St Patrick's Tuesday 17/3
• St Joseph's Thursday 19/3
• The Annunciation of the Lord Wednesday 25/3

Holy Week Liturgies - 30/3 - 2/4 - There will be a daily liturgy and we would love for you to join us.

• Mother's Day breakfast and liturgy - Friday 8/5
• Father's Day breakfast and liturgy - Friday 9/9
• Multicultural Day - Monday 24/8 starting with Whole School performance from Sean Choolburra
• Andrew Chinn is also booked for a whole day on Friday October 16. There will be a concert at the end of the day and you are very welcome to join us.

Parents and Friends Volunteers

We would love to see you join us as a volunteer. There are a range of ways to be involved, and we greatly appreciate opportunities to work with you and get to know your family. Volunteering requires that you complete a process of induction and some online training in child protection called, ‘Responding to abuse and neglect.’ All people who work with children are required to do this training. If you would like to volunteer, you will need to complete the following:

Speak with Tanya or Alissa about a Working with Children Check which the school will lodge on your behalf. There is also a personal information form to complete which includes your contact details and those we would contact in any emergency.

Complete the required Child Protection training - Responding to abuse and neglect for volunteers. This will take an hour or two and it is done online. Follow the instructions below to locate this training. You will need to register for a PLINK number to access the training on the Department for Education website.

Provide the school with a copy of your child protection training certificate. This will be accessible at the end of the training module - Responding to abuse and neglect for volunteers. Follow this link to register and get your plink number. This will allow you access to the training.

https://www.plink.sa.edu.au/ilp/pages/login.jsf?faces-redirect=true

Thanks very much for considering becoming a volunteer, we respect and value your time very much. Please let me know if you have any questions.

My email is smccullough@stjotto.catholic.edu.au

We are developing a new Sacred Space in the Gabby Hamlyn Centre for all to use for prayer and liturgies. You are very welcome to join with us during the year in this space.

So far the space looks like this, but it will change and evolve throughout the year.

St Joseph's Ottoway 2026 Music Application Form
 

See link to sign up https://forms.gle/m5GNRHBSegkama3EA

Please visit the Front Office if you would like a paper copy, alternatively a pdf copy can be emailed to you. 

SEE BELOW LIK TO REGISTER FOR AUSSIE HOOPS

https://registration.basketballconnect.com/userRegistration?organisationId=6a6480ca-341e-41a4-885c-4ea651071727&competitionId=5be385ff-af74-4aeb-9f6c-cb3547748dc0