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Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
An Advent Prayer
Loving God, ever faithful to your promises, all of creation rejoices in hope that Christmas brings us.
Prepare our hearts to hear and see You at work in our lives and our world.
In this third Week of Advent, may we notice and celebrate the joy in our lives. Let us enjoy your creation and let us rejoice together. In the lead up to Christmas, may we be inspired by hope and joy so that we may truly live your Good News.
Amen.
Thank you
Thank you for the gift of your children.
The staff here at St Joseph's thank you for sharing the gift of your children with us. Our lives are so much richer because of their presence. We are grateful for the trust you have shown in us and wish you all a merry Christmas.
To the Staff
Your generosity, flexibility, enthusiasm and professionalism help make our school such a joyful and vibrant place. This year you have continued to be challenged by unforeseen events yet, together you have continued to create inclusive and engaging learning communities. On behalf of our school community I thank you for all that you have done for our children and wish you a merry Christmas and a long, relaxing holiday.
School Board
Thanks to Mark Koch (Chairperson), Peter Furphy, Chris McGrath, Donna Monaghan and Mel Happ for their leadership and support throughout 2021. Let us all hope for a few less surprises in 2022!
Parent School Association
To all of the parents who have joined us virtually and then finally in person this year, thank you for your ideas and contributions. A special mention to Adrian Benson who has chaired this group. May 2022 will be filled with plenty of opportunities to welcome our parent community back to the school.
On a personal note
Thank you to the families and staff who have welcomed me so warmly and generously to St Joseph’s. I am fully aware of the privilege that I have in leading this school and am grateful for this opportunity. I would especially like to thank the children of St Joseph’s for their cheerfulness. I am a very lucky person to be greeted with smiles and “Hello Mr O’Brien” as I head down the corridor or yard.
Thank you.
Staffing Update
Farewell
Our school community extends its gratitude to Sheila Murphy, Jim Guinan, Kym Lyons, Tegan McDonald and Mary Lane who are leaving our school at the end of the week. We are thankful for the contributions they have made to our school and to the wider educational community. We wish them every success and happiness in their future endeavours.
Naomi Foster begins maternity leave at the end of this school year. We are looking forward to sharing her good news with you all sometime in the new year.
Marcia Miller will be teaching in B8 with Clare Stacey in 2022. We welcome Marcia to our staff. Marcia has been a regular CRT at St Joseph’s and her son Harry is in Year Two.
Louis O’Connor is taking leave for 2022 to travel. We wish him well for his adventures.
Graduation
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 who celebrated their graduation last Thursday. We wish all of these children every success and happiness in their endeavours. My prayer for them is:
“Whatever you do and wherever you go in this world, make it a better place just from your presence”.
Leaving Families
Thank you to the following families who are leaving the St Joseph’s community this year. Thank you for your support and for entrusting your precious children to us.
We especially thank these families who are leaving our school. God Bless you all.
Albert (Bonny) |
Jellie (Charlie) |
Neal (Lucy) |
Baker (Sam) |
Keilar (Xavier) |
O’Brien (Lily) |
Boschen (Xavier) |
Khaidurov (Alexei) |
Perrott (Milla) |
Callaghan (Matthew) |
Lang (Makenzie) |
Rehan (Azhan) |
Cameron (Bridget) |
Lucas (Roy) |
Robinson (Mia) |
Couch (Ethan) |
Materia (Mark) |
Rodger (Sebastian) |
Duncan (Isacc) |
McCormack (Grace) |
Ruane (Bridget) |
Foreman (Rylee) |
McGorm (Amy) |
Scarborough (Eva) |
Gapes (Grace) |
McGowan (Bella) |
Sell (Paddy) |
Ginley (Niamh) |
Miller (Harry) |
Smith (Zack) |
Gome (Lachlan) |
Mills (Archer) |
Sony (Rhea) |
Graham (Bridget) |
Morgan (Grace) |
Stevens (Jimmy) |
Hellessey (Toby) |
Morley (Millicent) |
Sypott (Micheli) |
Hickey (Grace) |
Mueglitz (Sarita) |
Telford (Bella) |
Hoffmann (Mikayli) |
Munday (Ella) |
Vesey (Tahlia) |
Jago (Charli) |
Munro (Dayna) |
Wallace (Kayla) |
Douglas (Hamish James ) |
Phillips (Tyler) |
Walsh (Edith) |
Final Assembly
12:0pm, Tuesday 14th December
We will conclude our year with a range of farewells (staff and students), prayer, songs and awards tomorrow at the final assembly. The event will begin at 12:00pm however please arrive early as QR codes and vaccination status checks will slow down the entry process.
Reports
The students’ progress reports will be available on PAM this Wednesday 15th December. I commend the students for their efforts and growth this year.
Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Maddison Howell, Percy Pappin, Michael Lougheed, Oliver Moloney, Jordan Parker, Daniel Wakely, Bonny Albert, Lachlan Cugley, Luna Gibbons, Ethan Couch, Mia Neave, Turner McCaskill, Neave Goodfield, Aylah Petalas, Pippa Ward, Ned Van Rooy, Nicholas English, Indiana Henry, Erin Howlett, Gus Kenna and Brodie Manson.
Year 6 House Cup
After all the various lunchtime games of Soccer, Netball, Table-Tennis, Touch-Footy, Basketball and Badminton were tallied up, it was Green House who came away the overall winner of the 2021 House Cup!
Congratulations! We hope to see this optional lunch time House Cup tradition continue in 2022!
Sports Equipment
For the past few weeks we have trialled a new colour coded system for the Sports Equipment Trolleys, for student use during playtimes. The equipment was gradually drip fed into the trolleys each day with the goal to retain the same amount returned by the end of lunch. The junior trolley has green coloured equipment, the middle trolley has blue and the senior trolley has red coloured equipment. This has proven successful, teaching all students the importance of responsibility and accountability!
There was extra incentive for students to keep up this new method with a reward of extra special equipment on offer at play times. Today the middle school were rewarded for their efforts by playing table-tennis, bocce, hand-ball target, spike-ball and time in the Hall! A fantastic achievement, that we hope to continue next year.
Return of Sporting Uniforms
Final reminder for all school sporting teams' uniforms to please be returned to the front office as soon as possible. We are particularly low in school football jumpers.
Thank you
On behalf of the PE department we would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for your patience and support throughout this Covid year. We are looking forward to more sporting opportunities next year!
Mrs Emily Lloyd and Mr Matthew McMillan
THANK YOU TO OUR CANTEEN HELPERS
Last Day of Canteen
Wednesday 15th December, 2021
A special thank you to Elaine Gome who is retiring from canteen duty as her youngest child is heading off to Secondary School.
Thank you also to all our parents who have assisted in the canteen at special events during the year when it was possible to have volunteers coming into the school.
Thank you to our canteen volunteers: Helen Ambrose, Rachel Bellman, Eliza Boyle, Carolyn Cook, Fiona Crowe, Georgie Eldridge, Kate Foster, Fiona Gleeson, Elaine Gome, Catriona Hardiman, Sharon Howlett, Lauren Hoy, Anna Jenkins, Satoko Kamath, Jasmine Koch, Joelle Martin, Jessica McCarthy, Mel McDonald, Melissa McMahon, Melissa Mills, Megan Mugavin, Belinda Newbury, Sara O’Donnell, Erin O’Grady, Katie Rentsch, Kia Smith, Elise Smock, Jane Thring, Stuart Thring, Andrea Welsh and Nicky Winnell.
Our school community is very fortunate to have a fully furbished canteen facility that operates 5 days a week and is also available for special events. We rely on canteen volunteers and appreciate the time and effort that they contribute to our school.
Celebration of God’s Mercy and Forgiveness |
Tuesday 14th December 7:30pm |
Anointing Mass |
Friday 17th December 2:00pm |
Christmas Mass Times |
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Christmas Eve |
5:00pm Warrnambool |
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9:00pm Warrnambool West undisclosed vaccination status (50 max) |
Christmas Day |
9:00am Port Fairy |
Photo orders are now open
Images can be purchased from the gallery.
Delivery
Prints will be delivered to the address provided at checkout
The access password to view and purchase images as digital downloads and prints is: RLP9LTHT