Are you ready for the 2016 school year ? 5 key reminders

In 2014, we began to share our learning, news and events digitally. In 2015, we transformed our learning spaces (Engaging Learning Spaces ELS learn more here) to reflect our school wide goal: To engage every student in deep learning for success. We continued to share our learning via blogs and a dedicated Teaching and Learning Site.

Our popular weekly school newsblog has had over 45,000 views from learners, families and interested visitors across the world.

We also welcomed over one hundred visitors to our school in 2015. You can learn more at this link. Principals and teachers from across the South Island described our students as "...engaged and connected learners who could speak confidently about their learning". You can learn more about 2015 and next steps for 2016 at this link.

     Here is a video taken during one of the visits.

We received a glowing Catholic review report. You can learn more at this link. We are committed to continuing to keep Christ at the heart of all we do at St Joseph's as we strive to honour the reason for the existence of our Catholic schools.

Here are 5 key reminders for the 2016 new school year:

1. School starts back on Monday 1st February. The uniform shop will be open on Wednesday 27th January and Friday 29th January from 9:15-12:30pm. It will also be open on Monday 1st February from 8:30-9:00. Thanks Adele for being available. 

2. Our 2016 stationery lists can be found at this link. You can order them online through Office Max or take the list to our local Paper Plus or Warehouse store and collect what you need. 

3. The Home & School with funding support from the board and the Otago Community Trust are generously upgrading the hall kitchen. There will be no school canteen in Term 1. Lunch options will be shared with you next week. Children will need to bring their own lunches during the first week of term.

4. On Thursday 4th February at 9:15am there will be a welcome back school mass followed by the presentation of badges to our Year 8 leaders in St Patrick's Basilica. All parents and friends are welcome to join us.

5. Our dedicated  'Teaching and Learning Site' will be updated and ready to go for 2016 before the new school year begins. You can check what's happening in the first week of the term by going to the section for your child's year group at 5pm on Sunday 31st January. Take some time to help prepare your child for school by discussing the learning together.

You can access the site by going to this link.

Thanks to our board who have funded the installation of three air conditioning units for the upstairs ELS. These will help to provide some much needed cool air for our Senior Hub 2 learners and staff.

At the request of the School Council, the board have also funded a new water fountain where drink bottles can be easily filled up. A new uniform shop is also under construction and we are waiting for the new basketball hoops to arrive.

Thanks to all of our staff including cleaners, caretakers and office staff who have spent time preparing our school to officially welcome you back on Monday.

Please contact us if you have any questions, worries or concerns by emailing office@stjoseph.school.nz or jjackson@stjoseph.school.nz or by ringing 03 4348856. Like us on our school Facebook page St Joseph's Oamaru or follow us on Twitter and Instagram by typing in #Stjoesoamaru. You can also check up on any information on our newsblog or school website and download the PTC calendar app on your phone.

We look forward to welcoming you all back to St Joseph's for the 2016 school year as we continue to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.