Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

God of the fire and God of the wind,

God of the silent sound, when you speak to us,

you do so in ways we may not expect but cannot ignore.

Allow us in this time of frantic noise and eerie stillness

to listen again to the wind

and the earth,

to the gentle whisper of you

calling our name.

And may we hear in your voice

words of love and hope,

the good news of your presence with us still.

Amen.

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.

Sadie Boyle, Ada Cooper, Louie Welsh, Harrison Farrelly, Sophie Timpson, Luke Bennie, Ruben Darcy, Jasper Henry, Gracie Jess, Paddy Quinn, Alfie Woonton, Sierrah Greene, Joseph Jackson, Emelia Kelly and Bella Mammone.

Thursday 17th March, 2022

We are looking forward to the Middle and Senior School Sports Day next week. We are particularly excited to welcome parents, carers and family members as spectators to the day. The following information is provided to help make the day run as smoothly and safely as possible. 

Event Program

Please note that the event program timing may change on the day due to weather conditions and other factors.

What to wear

Sports Uniform

• Navy Blue school logoed shorts
• House coloured Sports polo (compulsory in 2022)
• Navy Blue logoed windcheater, vest or coat
• School logoed hat
• White socks (no logos)
• Runners

No hair colour or coloured zinc permitted.

Spectators

Spectators are welcome at our school sports. Enter via the gate near the school hall. Spectators are not to enter the school building (with the exception of the School Hall for event and toilet access)

Volunteers

If you are able to assist on the day please email sport@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au and indicate which age group you would like to assist with. All volunteers are required to be triple vaccinated-please email your certificate to Cathy Duynhoven at cduyn@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Parking

On street and tennis court parking is available. Please obey parking rules.

Photography

Please read the St Joseph’s Primary School Photography Guidelines for Parents and Carers. 

Sign your child out

A reminder that if you are taking your child home early on sports day, they must be signed out at the office. If, by arrangement, you are taking another person's child we must receive either verbal or written permission (note in diary) from the child's parent.

Canteen

Middle and Senior school children are advised NOT to have a lunch order as they may have a modified lunch timetable.

Middle and Senior children can place an ice-cream or icy pole order via CDFPay. No cash purchases on the day.

Junior school children can put in a normal lunch order on this day.

Good luck to all of our athletes.

Tennis

On Friday 11th March, Hudson Green represented not only our school, but our District at the Division Tennis tournament held at Lawn Tennis Club. Hudson was successful on the day, making the final, which in turn was not played due to both players deciding against playing, as they both qualified for Regional Tennis. A huge congratulations to Hudson.

Lawn Bowls

Good luck to our Lawn Bowls team who make the trip to Ararat this Wednesday to compete in the Regional competition, just making it this far is something our students should be very proud of. Mr. Jim Guinan will be the teacher present on the day, as well as Layla Monk. The bus will be leaving St. Josephs at 8:00am, so please make sure you are here before then.

Middle/Senior School Sports

We are so excited for our Year 3 - 6 school sports this Thursday 17th March. We are particularly looking forward to welcoming parents and spectators to our school, as this isn’t something we have been able to enjoy recently. We hope you all enjoy the day. A big thank you to everyone who has put their hand up to assist on the day, whether it be with an age group, or stationed at an event. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Swimming

Our swimming team is off to Horsham to compete at the Regional championships on Friday 18th March. The bus will leave St. Josephs at 10:00am, so a normal school drop off for that day. Good luck to everyone involved. A big thank you again to any parents that helped out at Division Swimming.

Thanks everyone
Matt McMillan.

Foundation-Year 2 Parent Helpers In Classrooms

We are now allowed to have volunteer workers in our classrooms which means that we will begin the Parent Helper Program in Term 2. This program supports the literacy development of students by providing extra adults to support the classroom activities.  The volunteers generally hear and change home readers, help small groups with tasks and work with individuals on their literacy learning. 

Register for Training

We will hold a training session on Monday 28th March at 9am in the hall foyer. Volunteers are required to hold a Working with Children’s Check and to provide proof of being fully vaccinated including a booster shot.

Register to express your interest in help in a Foundation, Year 1 or Year 2 classroom

Generally, parents are rostered once a week or once a fortnight from 9-10am. It is recommended that parent complete the Training prior to assisting in the classroom.

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?

• 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 2022 the PSA will meet face to face with meetings held in Room C19 at the school.

How often do they meet?

Tuesday evening, Week 3 and Week 7 of each term. 8 meetings per year! Meetings commence at 7:30pm.

• Tuesday 15 February, 2022 
• Tuesday 15 March, 2022
• Tuesday 10 May, 2022
• Tuesday 7 June, 2022
• Tuesday 26 July, 2022
• Tuesday 23 August, 2022
• Tuesday 18 October, 2022
• Tuesday 15 November, 2022
• DATE TBA: 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!

We now invite all CURRENT families only to login via our school website, to complete the enrolment form for any 2023 Foundation children.

Enrolments for all other families will open on Monday 16th May, 2022.

The Warrnambool City Council have informed us that they will be undertaking the installation of parking bays alongside the Botanic Gardens on Botanic Road in the week beginning Monday 21st March 2022.

Works will occur between the hours of 7:00am and 6:00pm and are anticipated to be complete by the end of April 2022.

During construction parts of the roadway may be closed. Motorist and pedestrians are advised to observe all signage.

Tickets to everyone's favourite Easter Raffle are now being sold in the foyer at the school.

$1 per ticket. Children can purchase tickets before and after school.

Raffle Drawn: Friday 8th April, 2022.

Our PSA are once again holding a Hot Cross Bun Drive. Brown's Bakery will be supporting this event with orders now open through CDFPay. Please place your order against the eldest child in your family with orders now open.

Orders close at 3pm on Monday 4th April, 2022.

Delivery dates

Tuesday 5th April, 2022 (Years Foundation, 1 and 2)

Wednesday 6th April, 2022 (Years 3 - 6)

School Canteen Support