PARENTS AND FRIENDS PRESIDENT’S REPORT –Aly Giannitto (including P&Fs

Chairperson’s Report

I recently attended the online launch of the Catholic Education SA Strategy for Catholic Education South Australia towards 2027. The strategy highlighted the core purpose –to help shape thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires. The launch identified 7 strategies – Catholic Identity and Mission, Students, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Teaching, People, Leadership and Culture, Financial Stewardship and Improvement and Participation in Mission and Purpose. Along with these strategies there were a set of desired outcomes. The strategies and outcomes are available for viewing at the school, however, it occurred to me that St Joseph’s Payneham has for a very long time, and continued with the present Leadership group, maintained and strived to achieve those outcomes and a lot have already been achieved. We all can be proud of what we have achieved so far and that the school is heading in the right direction.

I look back at the achievements we as a group have achieved over the last year and with pride. Our support to the school leadership team has been vital in the focus the school has in making our students the Core of all our decisions. The programs we offer here has attracted many more students and families and the education, guided by the Catholic Faith and Love in Everything matters to them. We must be able to cater for the increasing numbers and be at the forefront of learning by providing them with modern facilities and resources and a safe place to learn. To see the difference in the buildings and surroundings at the school from 8 years ago is fantastic and to see the children enjoy the facilities we have helped to create here at St Josephs is a pleasure we all should have. The purchase of 11 Marian Road and the Tarcoma corner block will provide the children great indoor and outdoor learning spaces for many years to come. I would like to thank Simon for his passion and the staff at Catholic Education who have been very supportive of the plans, expert advice and financial support.

We have also witnessed the many achievements of the school, of which Simon will, no doubt, highlight further in his report. However, from a parent’s point of view the way the Leadership team, the teachers and staff have managed through the last year and this year with the pressures that Covid 19 has placed upon them, is remarkable and on behalf of the Board, I would like to express our appreciation.

As we look towards the future, one of our achievements was the adoption of the new logo which the students will wear with pride and a reminder of the part we played in making this happen. In our deliberations each month we have shown great support to Simon and the school in making sure the buildings and surrounds are adequate and safe for the Children to work and play in. The Finance Committee have shown great skills in keeping our finances on track and helping to keep the fees at a low rate. We understand fully the pressures that a lot of our families are experiencing, some losing their jobs, some having to work at home, home teaching their children, isolating and quarantining. Lives have changed and the school recognises this and have and will adjust our focus on the support for those who are suffering.