CONCLUSION OF MEETING

• Education Resources

There have been miscellaneous savings totalling $23,965 on educational resources throughout the year. This has been done without any compromise to the students learning or environment.

• Utilities and Rates

Cumulative savings in these expense items totalling $19,072

• Loan Repayments/Interest Expenses Property purchases were anticipated earlier in the year,however did not eventuate until November and December; hence the estimated expenses were overstated by $86,277.

Trading Accounts

2022

The 2022 budget has been completed and currently forecasts for a surplus of $67,000. Whilst best efforts have been made to accurately predict the financial outcomes in 2022, there are many variables which will likely see a variance. The Finance committee will review the schools progress on a regular basis and report back to the Board.

Chris Imeson School Board Treasurer

ST JOSEPH’S PAYNEHAM AGM Principal’s Report, March 2022

Welcome to 2022. As each new school year commences, we are filled with hope –an important valuethat instils optimism moving forward. Our endeavour, as always, is for the children to experience quality teaching and learning, in a positive and inclusive environment.

It is important to reflect on 2021 –the second year where society at large was affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding, there were many success stories and accomplishments.

St Joseph’s Payneham School Report for 2021 exhibits dynamism, high expectations, and industry forachieving optimum standards for all the children in our care. Staff work diligently, collaboratively and imaginatively to attain quality outcomes for our students; in order to promote student development, from a spiritual, academic, social/emotional, cultural, physical and creative aspect.

Religious Education, Faith Formation and Catholic Identity were a central focus during the past 12 months. In partnership with our parish, staff, families and students, we sustained sound connections to our Catholic faith, whilst embracing and welcoming the diversity that exists within our community.

Ingrid Douventzidis, continuing in her role as Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM), worked with staff to promote and support planning, and subsequent teaching and learning in Religious Education, so meaningful and relevant learning would occur in this key area for our students.

There was considerable staff professional learning and formation throughout 2021, with heavy emphasis on the updated Crossways (the curriculum for the teaching and learning of Religious Education in South Australian Catholic Schools).

Certain staff members enrolled into the Graduate Certificate in Catholic Education, whilst others participated in the Catholic Professional Formation program.

All-encompassing Sacramental preparation, facilitated by Ingrid and Father Allan Winter (ParishPriest), as well as classroom teachers, occurred throughout the year. The preparation included meetings and workshops for families whose children celebrated their Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Reconciliation.

We continued to support various social justice issues and charities, so that assistance could be provided to those in need. The following organisations and causes were supported during 2021: CARITAS, St Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Charities, and The Cancer Council.

I pay tribute and acknowledgement to Fr Allan, for his support and commitment to our school. After 34 years as Parish Priest at Payneham and 50 in the priesthood, Fr Allan has retired. Whilst Parish Priest at Payneham, Fr Allan has been extremely involved in the school. Fr Allan has consistently celebrated Year Level Masses every term, as well as School Masses, and has also had heavy involvement in the Sacramental program and celebrations. On behalf of St Joseph’s School community, I sincerely thank Fr Allan for his dedication to the community.

I also take this opportunity to warmly welcome Fr Michael Romeo, as the new Payneham Parish Priest. We are looking forward to establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship.

Quality teaching and learning, as would be expected,has been priority at St Joseph’s.The key curriculum subjects of Literacy and Numeracy have been front and centre with renewed focus.

Literacy In Literacy, we commenced working with external Literacy consultant Linda Clune, to transform our teaching of reading and spelling across the school to reflect a systematic and evidence-based approach. The focus has been on our classroom teaching as we know that quality teaching in Tier 1 will ensure success for at least 80% of our students; with further support available for Tier 2 and 3 students.

The first part of the year Linda spent considerable time working with the junior primary teachers. Whilst in the second semester, Linda began working with our middle and upper primary teachers. This coming year, Linda will continue to support our teachers, so that further consolidation can occur and ultimately enhance student learning outcomes in Literacy.

During 2021, we also launched MiniLit and MacqLit Reading Intervention. Three staff members have been largely responsible for the delivery of these programs. The student results demonstrate sound improvement and growth over the course of this year.

Additionally, for students who did not receive reading intervention (and Tier 1 teaching wasn’t meeting their needs), there was implementation of targeted intervention according to students’ mid-year DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) results. These involved students being part of small group work that targeted the specific indicators of the DIBELS, identified as contributing to their reading difficulties such as; phonemic segmentation and fluency.

Numeracy In Numeracy, we continuedworking with Lisa Jane O’Connor from the Primary Mathematics Association. The Lead Learners from each of the Eastern Primary Schools came together on a fortnightly basis, as well as Numeracy ‘Champion’ teachers, to attend to professional learning; so thatthis learning could be brought back to staff. Moreover, Lisa Jane spent some time with teachers within our school either modelling lessons or coaching and/or conferencing in small groups; and collaborative planning in year level teams has also followed. Finally, discussion and research for the best way to implement Numeracy intervention, occurred during 2021.

This year, as a result of the communication and investigations from the previous 12 months; we will commence multi-sensory Mathematics intervention, which is based on student Numeracy needs.

Gifted Education As part of our ongoing work to develop a school framework and three-tiered response for students who require extension, we began working closely with Catholic Education’s, Dr Rebecca Napier. We formulated a gifted and talented team, with whom we are beginning the process of identifying these students. Our aim is to implement a range of programs that align with the needs and interests of our students.

Assessment and Moderation Staff completed rigorous professional learning (along with other Eastern Catholic Primary Schools) in Assessment and Moderation, through Prescient (formerly Institute of Educational Assessors). Professional learning in this important area has now become regular, with year level teams meeting once a term with colleagues in the other Eastern Catholic region schools.

I do wish to mention Vanessa Saccardo, our school’s Leader of Learning, who has been a key driver in enabling some significant change and impact, in the areas identified above, Payneham over the last two years.

Community and home/school partnerships are essential in supporting student learning and development. We always strive to improve communication and share learning with families.

Parent engagement and partnership continued to be a fundamental focus and as such, parent representation on various committees was well-supported, including: School Board, Finance, Uniform, Canteen, and OSHC. I express my gratitude to the members in our school community who formed part of these groups.

Similar to 2020, despite the COVID-19 challenges and restrictions imposed during the course of the year, a variety of learning activities with families as well as school and social events occurred, including: Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Stalls; the school’s inaugural Colour Run; Student Disco; Book Week Parade; Sports Day; and an outdoor End of Year Christmas Concert. Sincere thanks to the Parents and Friends (P&F) Committee, and especially P&F Chair, Aly Giannitto, who worked resolutely for the events to take shape.

Also, during 2021, as part of a regional approach, we hosted a wellbeing parent workshop, ‘how to build greater resilience in children’; facilitated by Positive Minds Australia.

Resources, Infrastructure and School Structures

The exciting stage of renewing and bringing to life a strategy for the future i.e., Strategic Plan, 2022-2026 took shape. The parent community, SRC members, staff and School Board all had opportunity to contribute thoughts within the scope of our Vision and the vision of Catholic Education SA. The new Strategic Plan will be shared with the community soon.

A tidy, welcoming and aesthetically pleasing school environment, with modern and sound facilities is important. During 2021, the school began ‘master planning’ for the predicted enrolment growth. This process involved consultation with staff, Parish, School Board, a reference group (made up of school community members) and Catholic Education Building and Planning Team.

Subsequently, a Master Plan has been developed, with the endeavour to commence building in May 2022, and the new two-level, eight-classroom junior primary facility open during 2023.

Again, being aware of current and predicted enrolments, theschool was able to purchase two properties. The allotment on 84 Portrush Road (the corner of Tarcoma Avenue and Portrush Road), as well as 11 Marian Road were acquired late in 2021. I thank the School Board for their support during this process. The details of what will transpire with this land will be communicated in due course.

During 2021, the school marketing team, in consultation with the School Board, considered and worked on some rebranding for St Joseph’s Payneham, including discernment for a new school logo. Families, staff, as well as input from the Student Representative Council (SRC) were given the opportunity to contribute feedback on the proposal for a new school logo.

The overall preference was to change to a new logo; this was endorsed bythe School Board and the logo submission approved by the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS). A gradual introduction of the new logo has started appearing across the school, commencing in digital form, letterheads, flyers, brochures, etc.

In closing I wish to acknowledge: - The students of St Joseph’s Payneham. They bring life and vitality each and every day they are school. We wouldn’t be here, if it were not for them. - The families in our community. For placing trust in the school to provide quality education and care for their child(ren). - The staff of St Joseph’s Payneham. For their great commitment and passion to the children and families at our school. - Board Chair, John Flynn. I am grateful for the support, insight and availability that is given on a consistent basis. - All School Board members. For the encouragement provided, feedback and judgment to school decisions. - Lastly, I wish to recognise outgoing School Board members, David Desteno, Chris Imeson, and as mentioned Fr Allan Winter; for their contributions and input over a long period of time.

Simon Mechis Principal