Filter Content
Michael Gray, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
St. Joseph Day
Farewell Assembly and School Fun Run ...
So many smiles, great spirit, so much colour!
I would like to conclude my last newsletter with a heartfelt thanks to everyone at St. Joseph’s. At Friday’s assembly I experienced the true spirit of young people at St. Joseph’s, the professionalism and enthusiasm of all staff and the friendly supportive engagement of every family. We are blessed, fortunate and appreciative of our faith, learning, community, fun and friendship.
On the day I also witnessed generosity, endeavour and determination with our outstanding ‘St. Joseph Community Day and Colour Fun Run!’ The effort was symbolised by our students; they ran, walked, laughed and tried. Our student leaders lead with respect, care and joy. The stunning total achieved has broken many records and will ensure our school hall sound system, projector and ICT support will enhance student presentations, community learning and all special school events. Thanks everyone; this is expensive equipment that needs to be well set up to meet the demands of a modern curriculum for all students.
A highlight for me was the assembly too. This included beautiful songs sung by all, prayerful reflection on the life of our Patron Saint Joseph and the celebration of the role of principalship. The day reminded me how important the role of leadership is in the primary years. Modelling, challenging, creating, planning and commitment are what every parent, staff member and student rightfully expects.
I would especially like to thank the organisers for the day and all those families and students who led the prayers, shared a vote of thanks, put time into organisation and coordination; indeed it was a team effort. I note Catherine Lee, Mark Hyland, Cara Chisolm, Andrew McCombe, Pat Allen, Cathy Duynhoven, Alecia Bidmade and Kellie Mentha, Fr John, Adrian Benson, Don Stewart, Jim Guinan, all student leaders, pack-up crew and our facility team of Sharyn, Andrew, Peter, Rosa and Nigel.
I thank the Sudanese community (the Lual and Akoch families) for their symbolic presentation of a traditional leader's cultural costume. I felt proud to wear this special gift. When difference is celebrated we all experience growth, respect, learning, important traditions and valuable experiences. This brings richness to our daily life. Languages, cultural diversity and friendship were also celebrated and shared by our partner school, Doshisha Elementary School in Kyoto, Japan. We do indeed have friends across the world. I also especially acknowledge and thank all staff for their support on the day. I also recognise our very special group of learning support officers; who generally, in the background ensure all are supported to engage and be a part of these important days. These days are demanding of student resilience, family patience and staff support; everyone shone in this environment, thanks all.
Important updates
School Photographs: Today and tomorrow we are completing several classroom reshoots of the class group photographs. This is to ensure quality and consistency with all photographs.
Warrnambool Catholic Ministry District and St. Joseph’s Parish: Along with other parish communities the community of St. Joseph’s Parish is reviewing its ability to provide to its community. With clergy changes, changes in demographics and the importance of responding to the signs of the times all St. Joseph’s parishioners are invited to a gathering to reflect on the parish mission. The meeting will be held on Tuesday 13th April, 5:30 pm in the St. Joseph’s Church Gathering Space, all invited. See the link below to a summary document prepared by the administrators of the parishes.
Junior School Sport Day: The event plan and information will be shared in the newsletter today. As previously advised our Covid Recovery Plan implementation is underway and I again advise parents are welcome on-site to support the day.
Normal Covid procedures will apply similar to Friday. The Covid Safe arrangements for the day will be:
- Single entry point at the hall to sign-in
- Please don’t attend if unwell
- Conscious of social distancing
- Staying outside
- Mask wearing voluntary
- Parking in off street parking (follow street signage)
The Junior School Sports day will start on the school ovals at 9:20am and conclude at 1:30pm. Parents are welcome to collect their child/ren after the sports day to head home for the term break. A reminder to again please sign out via our school front office.
Last Day this Term and First Day Next Term: Just a reminder that school finishes this Thursday at 2:30 pm. This will also include all bus students. The first day of Term 2 starts normally at 8:55am on Monday 19th April, 2021.
Holy Week
Fr. John Fitzgerald (St Joseph’s School Parish Priest) invites all in our community to engage with the Easter liturgical season. The liturgies/prayers and mass opportunities are all outlined below.
Passion (Palm) Sunday begins Holy Week, Sunday 28th March.
The palms symbolise Christ’s triumph, while the cross is the symbol by which his triumph is achieved.
Mass of Holy Oils at 6:30pm (St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat) Monday 29th March.
This Mass has special significance for those who will use the Blessed Oils in 2021; the sick, those to be baptised and confirmed, the ordained.
Communal Celebration of God’s Mercy and Forgiveness at 7:30pm, Tuesday 30th March, Parishioners and visitors are invited: to hear the Word of God, to examine our conscience, to repent of our sins and to seek forgiveness of Almighty God.
The Easter Triduum: The Easter Story
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper (7:00pm), Thursday 1st April.
Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (3:00pm), Friday 2nd April.
Easter Vigil: 6:00pm (The Vigil begins with the Easter Fire), Saturday 3rd April.
Easter Sunday: 8:30am & 10:00am, Sunday 4th April. (NB: No 6:00pm Mass)
Michael Gray, Principal.
St Joseph's Primary School, Warrnambool
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Tyler McCosh, Austyn McInerney, Ethan Thomas, Mya Amos, Halaynah Beaver, Rebecca Coghlan, Elouise Flett, Chelsea Kao, Ethan Alexander, Mackenzie Davies, Darcy Drummond, Harlem Field, Jackson Rogers, Isaac Rae, Greta Lloyd and Chris Vu.
CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) - YEAR 4
Parents are advised that the school has had a fourth unconfirmed case of Chickenpox (varicella) reported to the school.
This latest case is in a Year 4 classroom and the child was present at school every day last week.
"Chickenpox can be a serious disease in adults and babies. It is very contagious. Vaccination is the best protection against chickenpox."
If your child presents with the symptoms in the linked fact sheet from Department of Health please contact your GP.
A reminder that school concludes for Term 1 at 2:30pm on Thursday 1st April, 2021.
We wish all our families a safe and happy holiday break.
Junior School Sports
The Junior School Sports will be held this Thursday. Children will assemble in the hall before heading out to their events in the morning. The program is scheduled to commence at 9:20am and conclude around 1:30pm. We look forward to a fantastic day to finish off the term.
Good luck to our team of swimmers who are competing in the State Swimming Finals in the first week of Term 2. We wish them the best of luck. I would also like to extend a huge Thank you to Ms Georgia Johnston who volunteered her swimming expertise and time out of her Foundation classroom to support our Inter-School Swimming Program.
District Athletics
We wish all our students the best of luck who are competing in the District Athletics Competition today. The successful athletes who qualify for the Division Athletics Finals will take place in Term 2 on Friday 7th May, 2021.
Term 2 Sports
Next term promises to be busy again with the focus of our sports program shifting to Cross Country Running (all year levels) and Winter Sports (Football, Netball, Tee Ball and Soccer) for Years 5 and 6.
In addition to this, golf, basketball and rugby clinics, volleyball and basketball tryouts will also take place at various stages through the term. Children will be selected for these teams once they have tried out and they will then represent our school at the events for they were chosen.
Thank you
Thank you to staff, parents and students who have done a fantastic job in helping out in many ways over the course of the term. We look forward to Term 2 and another great term for St Joseph’s.
Regards,
Mrs Emily Lloyd (Physical Education & Sport Co-ordinator)
Mr Matthew McMillan.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION (YEAR 3)
Registration closes: 3:00pm, Friday 23rd April, 2021
Note: The parent meeting scheduled for 7pm on Tuesday 27th April, 2021 is now a Student and Parent meeting and will still be held at St Joseph's church.
A message from Fr John Fitzgerald
Year 3 children who have been baptised will have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 2.
If you desire and are ready to support your child in his/her faith please complete the Registration Form. Parents should not feel pressured to enrol their child just because they are in Year 3. The celebration of Confirmation is a celebration of faith and needs to be seen in the context of Church and not merely as part of the school curriculum, even though the faith of the child is very much supported by the school.
Year 4 children who did not register in 2020 may choose to register and participate this year with the Year 3 children.
Registration is available online as well as nomination for preferred family group meeting times. Payment for the program ($25.00) materials etc can be completed via CDFpay (online ordering system).
Key Dates
3:00pm, Friday 23rd April, 2021 |
Closing date to complete the registration form |
7:00 pm, Tuesday 27th April, 2021 |
Student and Parent Meeting at St Joseph’s Parish |
Various Days/time (4 Weeks) |
Family Home Groups |
4:15 pm, Wednesday 2nd June, 2021 (TBC) |
Rehearsal at St Joseph’s Parish |
7:00 pm, Thursday 3rd June, 2021 |
Confirmation Sacrament |
7:00 pm, Friday 4th June, 2021 |
|
11:00 am, Saturday 5th June, 2021 |
Mr Gercovich and Room F7 have shared these fantastic Before and After Photos from our Fun Run Day last Friday.
Delivery dates
Tuesday 30th March, 2021 (Years Foundation, 1 and 2)
Wednesday 31st March, 2021 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Orders are now closed
Last year our Year 6 students completed an Environmental Project where they were asked to identify an environmental problem and come up with a practical solution to solve their problem.
Mataya Murfett in E3 came up with the REDcycle bins in every classroom at St Joseph’s which have now been rolled out across the school with the yellow bins in every classroom.
The photo you see with our current sustainability captains, Eva Scarborough and Ella Hall is the pile of soft plastic we have collected so far!!! Fantastic effort everyone.
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.