Principal's Welcome
Tēnā koutou e te whānau of St Joseph's School!
It is with great excitement, that I'm able to wish you all a Happy New Year and the warmest welcome to the new school year for 2023! A very special welcome to any new families to our school. I trust you have all enjoyed a well-deserved holiday break, despite the rainy conditions early January.
As your newly appointed Principal, I am very excited about the journey ahead, which first and foremost, begins with meeting, and getting to know you and your child/ren.
A little about me. I have lived and taught in and around Morrinsville for the past 25 plus years, Our two children, now young adults, attended St Joseph's and during their schooling both my husband and I were actively involved in the St Joseph's school community. Our involvement was fulfilling and has resulted in some wonderful long lasting friendships. St Joseph's School and Parish are certainly places held dear to my heart. I am humbled to have now been given the opportunity to lead St Joseph's School as your Principal, and I call on the guidance of our loving God to give me the strength and courage to lead in a way that epitomises all this school stands for. Of course this starts with the children; ensuring their years at St Joseph's are ones they look back on fondly, and where they all achieve personal excellence.
In order for all children to achieve personal excellence, we at St Joseph's School, firmly believe, that the partnership between families/whanau is crucial. We embark on this partnership with you on Tuesday 31st January; 'Partnership Day' - a chance to connect and share aspirations along with your child. Even if you already feel you know your child's teacher, or if your child has had the same teacher as in the past, this is still an excellent and important opportunity to reconnect and start afresh. If you haven't yet done so, please ensure you book in a time slot asap (see information below).
The team have been working hard these past few weeks preparing for an amazing year ahead and already I am so impressed with their passion and their talent, for teaching and learning! The way the team have also supported us newbies; myself along with our two other teachers - Miss Jess Phayer and Ms Rochelle Taylor, to transition smoothly to St Joes has been greatly appreciated. We have certainly felt warmly welcomed!
Our first day of classroom learning is Thursday 2nd February, and we are looking forward to seeing all our students prepared and ready for learning! That includes having 'tools of the trade' (stationery), and looking 'ship-shape' in correct 'named' uniform, worn in a way that demonstrates how proud they are to be students of St Joseph's School. We appreciate your support in ensuring your child/ren are set up for success for the new year.
We look forward to meeting/seeing you all very soon!
Ngā mihi nui
Andrea Devane, Principal
Please Note : School Buses will continue to run as normal starting February 2nd.
