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Michael Gray, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community.
Enrolling at St. Joseph's brings connection and engagement with the ‘whole school’ and the ‘whole school’ is greater than the sum of all individual parts. When enrolling, and also being employed as staff, we commit to all people, including to our school programs and outstanding facilities that make up this community. We also commit to a student focused environment where learning is paramount, we commit to just, equitable and fair resource allocation; all within a value system of respect, dignity, quality relationships and a hope filled future. It is this approach that will continue to ensure our students and school thrive and that our school is a leader in community and ensure outstanding results for all.
Last Friday Catholic Education Ballarat (Tom Sexton, Director) and Fr. John Fitzgerald (St. Joseph’s Parish priest) wrote to our school community and announced my resignation from St. Joseph’s. I will not be leaving Catholic education, as I will be taking up a role in the Catholic education sector supporting principals across Victoria as the full time President of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals (VACPSP).
I understand this news may come as a surprise to many. It is with enormous gratitude that after 27 years as a primary school principal and with 25 years at St. Joseph’s Warrnambool. As the correspondence announced I will finish as Principal of St Joseph’s at the end of Term 1, 2021.
I feel a tremendous sense of pride in what our school community has achieved over this time and I feel most grateful for the support I have received from students, our families, a collegial staff and the parish community. Being a Principal has been the most rewarding position a teacher could ever have and I will cherish my time at St Joseph’s dearly.
I would like to thank Fr John Fitzgerald for his stewardship and support over many years while also wishing each and every member of our community well. Mr. Tom Sexton, Executive Director, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) will lead the recruitment program commencing next week. I know and am very confident that our school is well placed for another person to experience our truly special St Joseph’s community and to lead it into the future. I will also be speaking with our students over the coming weeks about their thoughts and hopes and dreams for the school’s future. The appointment process will start with community consultation, a comprehensive advertising campaign over four weeks, subsequent interviews and final appointment prior to the end of this term. Mr Lee Schlooz of the Catholic Education Office will coordinate the recruitment campaign process, which will include local school participation on the interview panel with final appointments being recommended by the director of catholic education and ratified by the Bishop of Ballarat
Michael Gray, Principal.
St Joseph's Primary School, Warrnambool
Health and hygiene protocols to continue, including hand washing, sanitiser, and social distancing in classrooms will also consider hygiene protocols as established in 2020. Drinking taps are again available for all students.
If unwell or any flu like symptoms students are to stay home, consult with your doctor and get tested if advised to do so.
Any visitor onsite for longer than 15 minutes will be required to register with Vic Health via our QR code system.
The rule of no large group adult gatherings is to continue
Programs for students that can start up again include student only assemblies, choir, sport and camping/excursions programs. Any off-site locations we visit Covid Safety plans will need to be in place.
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Ella Munday, James Robson, Leo Van Ginneken, Greta Farley, Harry Brooks, Sage Fleming, Jasper Lin, Bella Blackmore and Harley Kane.
Happy Birthday to children who celebrated their birthday during January.
Eamon Cottee, Tomm McKane, Charlotte Smedts, Lachlan Walters, Evie Cooper, Sophie Ierodiaconou, Eliza Vagg, Stella Lawlor, Tyler Phillips, Mia Pozzobon, Neve Lyons, Ruby McKinley, Emma Winnell, Evie Bushell, Violet Greening, Mia Jackson, Milla Rentsch, Tahlia Vesey, Zoe Davis, Ruby McNeil, Jameson Nelson, Jack O’Brien, Azhan Rehan, Charlotte Newbury, Annabel Hatton, Archie Shiells, Max McCosh, Lennie Bell, Lillian Visinoni, Levi Ciurleo, Cohan Kane, Blake Wood, Charlie Bowman, Buddy Macdonald, Poppy Monk, Lachie Cannon, Aila Kamath, Alexander Triance, Vincent Visinoni, Isabelle Ward, Curtis Chard, Darcy Schrama, Elliot Smock, Stanley Coverdale, Oliver Mugavin, Theo Arms, Rhiana Gibbons, Amali Greene and Abbey O’Keefe,
Happy Birthday to children who celebrated their birthday during the first week of February.
Toby Hellessey, Emily Amos, Lily Harris, Harry McDonald, Paddy McKane, Micheli Sypott, Hugh Cugley, Bridget Graham, Alexia O’Grady, Millie Hughson, Hamish O’Kane, Leo Rees and Mack Rees.
3:30pm - 5:30pm, Monday 15th February, 2021
3:30pm - 6:00pm, Tuesday 16th February, 2021
Room D1's Interviews will be Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th February, 2021.
Formal Parent Teacher Interviews are conducted twice yearly in Terms 1 and 2.
To help start the year with a clear understanding of student needs at St. Joseph’s we conduct 10 minute parent teacher interviews with all parents and guardians starting next week. The first Parent Teacher interviews allow parents to formally meet their child’s classroom teacher, discuss their child’s needs and to allow the teacher to gain information pertinent to the student having a successful year of learning.
Appointments with your child’s teacher can be booked online, similar to the recent literacy interviews.
Allow 10 minutes between appointments to move from one classroom to the other to ensure you get the full 10 minutes with your child/ren's teacher.
A covid safe environment will still be in place; including mask wearing at all times, social distancing and application of hand sanitizers. All families must enter the building from the school front office foyer, register via the QR code and only attend the classroom of your child. Waiting seats will be at classrooms as you wait for the previous interview to conclude. Extra cleaning of areas will also occur. Once the meeting has concluded please exit via the school foyer.
School age children are welcome to wait for their parents in the school library, staff supervision provided. Children are not permitted to play on the school playground as this is an unsupervised.
The second Parent Teacher interviews are late in Term 2 to allow the parents and teachers to discuss students’ mid year formal written reports.
This year our school photo day will once again be held in term 1 and will be held over 2 days.
Tuesday 23rd February, 2021
A - L Family photos from 8:15am - 9:00am
Individual and Class photos for Foundation to Year 4
Thursday 25th February, 2021
M - Z Family photos from 8:15am - 9:00am
Individual and Class photos for years 5 and 6
What does PSA stand for?
Primary School Association.
What is the role of the PSA?
It is a forum for all parents to become involved in the life of the School. It’s where we work to provide, improve and maintain the amenities available for the school students, including equipment and maintenance of School Buildings and grounds.
To provide opportunities for social meetings between parents, and promote a spirit of union and good fellowship. The PSA runs and supports several events throughout the year to raise money for the school and to support our school community.
What do we do?
- Annual Fair/Fun Run
- Mother’s Day Stall
- Hot Cross Bun Drive
- Father’s Day Breakfast
- Pizza Days
- Art Activities
- Canteen support
Who can attend?
Anyone and everyone. In 2020 the PSA met via Zoom which suited many families.
How often do they meet?
Tuesday evening, Week 3 (Week 4 for Term 1 only) and Week 7 of each term. 8 meetings per year!
- Tuesday 16 February, 2021 (to be held via Zoom)
- Tuesday 9 March, 2021
- Tuesday 4 May, 2021
- Tuesday 1 June, 2021
- Tuesday 27 July, 2021
- Tuesday 24 August, 2021
- Tuesday 19 October, 2021
- Tuesday 16 November, 2021
- Tuesday 30 November, 2021 (6:30am, Parent Committee Thank you evening)
How can I help?
Come along to the meetings, contribute to the discussion, share ideas, support events that enrich the school community.
We really need our school families to support this group.
It’s only 8 meetings per year!
Hope to see you there, better still bring a friend!
District Athletics’ Trials - Updated Dates
We will be holding some trials for the long distance running events to help alleviate the pressure of time restraints on the day of our Sports Carnival for Years 3 - 6 on Thursday 4th March. Therefore any students who believe they might qualify for these events MUST be present and participate in the following events:
- Monday 8th February; BOYS 9-12 yr olds 1500m at 11:00am. Now complete
- Thursday 11th February; GIRLS 9 - 12 yr olds 1500m at 9-12:00pm
- Monday 15th February; BOYS 9-12 yr olds 800m at 11:00am
- Thursday 17th February; GIRLS 9-12 yr olds 800m at 11:00am
For any questions or concerns please email us at sport@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Thank you.
Regards,
Mrs Emily Lloyd (Physical Education & Sport Co-ordinator)
Mr Matthew McMillan.
Swimming trials are for those children wanting to compete in swimming. You will only qualify for the next stage if you participate in the scheduled swimming trials to be held on Friday 19th February, 2021.
Once the trials are completed swimmers will be selected to represent the school at Division Swimming and notified.
Closing date for submitting this form is strictly 3pm, Friday 12th February, 2021. Entries will not be accepted after this date and children will therefore not be considered for selection to the division swimming finals.
Emily Lloyd, Physical Education and Sport Co-ordinator
Volunteers
We rely on our volunteers and are also in need of more parents to assist. Training is arranged by our Canteen Co-ordinator Tania Hughes. Please consider volunteering, even if only once per term, all help most appreciated.
Warrnambool Wolves Football Club
Warrnambool Calisthenics Club
Warrnambool All Girls Cricket Blast
