Matthew O'Brien, Principal

School fee statements have been sent out today.  If you have made any electronic payments that are not reflected on this statement please contact Cathy Duynhoven on 55611343. 

I have received one Bpay payment where the incorrect reference code was quoted so I have been unable to match that against an account, if you believe this was you please ring me with the details of the payment you made.

Temporary change to after school pick up arrangements.

With the Warrnambool City Council commencing road works on Bromfield Street today we have needed to make a change to our after school pick up arrangements as they are using the Tennis Court car park for their trucks and equipment.

For the near future, or further until notified, we will change our pick up arrangements to be

A - L in the school loop

M - Z to Queens Road

If your children walk or ride, or you park in Barbers Lane, and they need to cross Bromfield St, please make sure they are aware of these roadworks, the children's crossing supervisor will still be present. 

If your children walk or ride in any other direction and do not need to cross Bromfield St, this will not affect them.

If you park at Aquazone and your children walk to you this will not affect you.

We are pleased to confirm that the Sacrament of Eucharist will be held at 7pm on Thursday 11th, 7pm on Friday 12th and 10am on Saturday 13th of November, 2021.

Could you please complete the form link below to indicate which day you would like to attend. Registrations close Friday 5th November.

No Celebration following Mass

Unfortunately, there will not be a traditional sharing of food after the Mass.

Stole

Parents will have received an iron on Eucharist transfer for their child. Wear the stole with the Baptism and Diocese transfers on the right side. The Eucharist symbol should be placed on the stole.

COVID Vaccination

Due to the current COVID guidelines all adults attending the Celebration of Eucharist are required to be fully vaccinated.

Masks and Numbers

Masks are compulsory, social distancing protocols apply and QR code check-in is required. We anticipate 20-22 candidates per session which would mean each family could bring an average of 4 people to the Mass.

Queries

Please contact Leanne at the Parish on 5562 2231 if you have any queries.

Over the weekend we received the updated CECV -School Operational Guidelines. As a result sadly the Year 4 camp which was planned for next week has been cancelled. Under the current restrictions all camps and overnight stays are prohibited.

If no other activities are allowed to be held in place of this a full refund will be made to your school fees.

Have you ever wondered who to contact or how to go about getting your ideas heard at St Joseph’s Primary School?

The two groups we have for parent representation at St Joseph’s Primary School are our PSA (Primary School Association) and our SAC (School Advisory Council).

Our PSA can be joined by any parent of St Joseph’s Primary School.  This group meets on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in weeks 3 & 7 each term.  At the moment they meet via zoom, the link is included in the newsletter of the meeting week, or when they can meet in person, they meet in the school staffroom.

The PSA is a forum for all parents to become involved in the life of the school, with the aims of the group being:

• To work and 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,
• To cooperate with the Parish Priest, Principal and Staff in matters relating to St Joseph's Primary School. 

The PSA organises and supports: 

• The school's fundraising and community events, 
• Discusses and looks at our uniform options, 
• Supports and runs our canteen and 
• Talks about the student daily life at St Joseph’s Primary School.  

If you have any ideas you would like tabled at any of the PSA meetings and can’t get along in person you can email them to psa@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

The current chairperson of our PSA is Mr Adrian Benson.

Please note: the PSA does not discuss operational organisational matters. 

Our School Advisory Council is the leading advisory group for the Principal, as an active forum for parent and community participation, providing support and advice in strategic planning, school improvement, educational outcomes and stewardship of resources.  As outlined in the DOBCEL Governance Charter, SAC members do not have any financial or non-financial decision-making powers. 

The role of the Advisory Council is intended to:

• Provide a voice for members of the school community.
• Actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School.
• Provide input into and support for strategic planning and directions.
• Actively support and promote child safety practices including the National Safeguarding Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
• Provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review.
• Support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting.
• Actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement.
• Support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning.

Nominations for the School Advisory Council will now be sought during Term 4 each year, and will commence during Term 1 of the following year.  Each member can serve a maximum of 2 terms, with each term being for 2 years.  From 2022 this group will meet once per term in week 5.

Our current SAC members are Mark Koch (Chairperson), Peter Furphy (Deputy Chairperson), Chris McGrath, Donna Monaghan and Melissa Happ.

If you ever have a questions you would like tabled at the SAC you can contact any of the members listed above or email sac@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.

Erika Small, Hilary Collins, Patrick Griffey, Ruby Griffey, Tex Cust, Mackenzie Marshall, Islay Alison, Matthew Callaghan James Haberfield, Isla Hansen and Charlie Jellie.

Our PSA is holding a Pie Drive this term, in conjunction with Alex Luu from Gallo Bakery & Take Away.  Alex is one of our many St Joseph’s Primary School business owners.  All orders can be made through our CDF Online Ordering system.

Orders will close on 3:00  pm on Friday 5th November.

All orders will be delivered to school on Wednesday 10th November.

All pies are sold in packs of 4 at $13.50 per pack; party pies are sold in a pack of 12 for $13.50

Types of Pies  & Pasties available are:

• Party Pies (Pack of 12)
• Meat & Veggie Pasties (Pack of 4)
• Plain Pies (Pack of 4)
• Cheese and Bacon Pies (Pack of 4)
• Mushroom Pies (Pack of 4)
• Onion Pies (Pack of 4)
• Pepper Pies (Pack of 4)
• Curry Pies (Pack of 4)

For our Term 4 raffle this year we are wanting to support all of our own families.  If you are a St Joseph’s family and you own a business we want to support you this year!

We hope to list as many businesses as possible and the winners of the raffle can select any business to receive their voucher from.

So we don’t miss anyone, if you are a business owner can you please fill in this form attached with your business details so I can include you.

Last year we used this raffle to support our fair sponsors but without the fair this year we wanted to open it and include everyone.  The feedback I received last year from the business owners and members of our school community was that the extra exposure and advertising these businesses received was amazing!

We are also going to try and run the raffle in an online format.  A link will be sent out to all families and will be made available via our newsletter; you can forward this onto your family, friends and relatives to purchase tickets.

The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 15th December.

If you are a business owner click here and complete by Friday 5th November.

Volunteers Needed

We rely on our volunteers and are also in need of more parents to assist. Canteen can only run 5 days a week if we have sufficient volunteers. Can you help?

Training is arranged by our Canteen Co-ordinator Tanya Hughes. Please consider volunteering, even if only once per term, all help most appreciated.