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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- TEACHER AWARDS
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- CAT MATHS COMPETITION
- TANABATA - STAR FESTIVAL
- THE FACT OF JAPAN - CURRY RICE
- SPORTS NEWS
- STAYING SAFE ONLINE
- SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB
- PSA MEETING REMINDER
- 2022 FIRST EUCHARIST (YEAR 4)
- FATHER OF THE YEAR
- WET DAY PICK UPS
- CANTEEN NEWS
- CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS
- QUEENS ROAD PARKING
- SUPERGRASSE TENNIS
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
A Prayer for the Protection of Children in Our Community
God of Protection
Grant us the gift of listening, that we might hear the needs of our children.
Grant us the gift of right judgement, that we may be guided in our discernment and decisions.
Grant us the gift of courage, that we might always speak and act in the best interests of our children.
Grant us the gift of friendship, that we may always have the support of our community in our efforts to protect our students.
Amen.
The prayer in today's newsletter was especially written to mark the revised Child Safe Standards that have come into place across Victoria from 1st July. Whilst this prayer might spiritually centre us in the need for the protection of children, prayer and good intentions are only part of the work required by all schools, agencies, hospitals, clubs and organisations. Structures and procedures need to be present and visible for all families.
Our documentation has been updated and our staff have been made aware of these standards as have the School Advisory Council. The St Joseph's Primary School Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy is available on our school website.
Further to child safety and the safety of our community, I draw you attention to the letter from Department of Education Dr David Howes, Michelle Green, the chief executive of independent Schools Victoria and Jim Miles, the executive director of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria asking that all children 8 years and over wear masks from now until the end of winter.
We have a supply of masks at school for children and classes have been issued with boxes today. We also have packs of child sized masks available via CDFpay. I will be encouraging teachers to remind children to wear masks whilst inside.
Finally, and still focussing on child safety, this time in the virtual world, a reminder to those who have booked for the “Cyber Safety” child and parent session with members of the Victoria police this evening at 7pm in the hall (wear a jacket). This session complements the student sessions conducted this week at school. In talking to John and Brook from Victoria Police they stressed the crucial role that parents have in supporting their children in staying safe online.
Staffing
Michelle McIntyre Hand returned from leave yesterday. Michelle will work with teams of students to accelerate their maths progress and teach across the school.
Kristian Thompson also returned yesterday. Kristian has returned 3 days per week and will also work with teams of students to accelerate their maths progress and teach across the school.
We welcome Michelle and Kristian back to St Joseph’s.
Cross Country
Last Thursday Ethan Alexander, Lucy Howland, Molly McNeil and Lottie Wilkinson headed to Yarra Glen to compete in the State Cross Country titles. Congratulations to these children who made it all the way to this elite event. We are proud of them and their efforts. Well done!
Reduction of Testing and Isolation Exemption Period.
The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks.
This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are not exempt from the testing and isolation requirements after 4 weeks of completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this period was 12 weeks.
Where a student or staff member who is a household contact wishes to attend school from 4 weeks after the end of an isolation period where they had tested positive to Covid, they must:
- take 5 rapid antigen tests (RATs) over 7 days and receive negative test results, and
- wear a face mask (if over 8 years old) in indoor spaces.
Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this 4-week period.
Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Archie Harle, Adelin Dance, Leo McMeel, Jasper Schultz, Sophie Thompson, Nancy Pham, Abbie Wrightson, Ollie Milroy, Stella Monigatti, Will Rogers, Alfie Hoy, Stella Bell and Fraser Coughlan.
In May, 30 Year 5 and 6 children took part in the CAT Maths competition. The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) competition is a one-hour problem-solving competition designed to encourage student curiosity and promote multiple modes of thinking.
The competition encourages students to solve real-world problems. It helps the children to become more confident as they take on interesting new challenges. Our children did really well and we had certificates ranging from High Distinction, Distinctions, Credit and Participation.
Congratulations to the following students who challenged themselves to take part in this competition.
Grade 5
Matthew Bennie, Lenny Buckle. Sam Collins, Stanley Coverdale, Aila Kamath, Jack Kitto, Thisara Kumarapperuma, Henry Lloyd, Ollie Marris, Mason Marshall, Myeisha Morden, Yasassri Sumanapala, Chloe Vu, Lachlan Walters.
Grade 6
Sienna Byron, Sienna Addinsall, Manan Agrawal, Sam Bushell, Casey Carlin, Layla Drummond, Jack Gibson, Sophie Ierodiaconou. Eve McGrath, Leo McMeel, Jameson Nelson, Lucas Rouse, Sophie Thompson, James Wearne, Charlotte Wythe.
Hockey
On Friday 15th July our school Hockey teams travelled via bus to the Hockey courts here in Warrnambool to take part in the Division competition. Our boys and girls team played four games each. The boys played some excellent Hockey and ended up with two wins, one draw, and one loss. The girls were unstoppable, winning all four of their matches comfortably, meaning that they will progress on to the Regional competition on 29th July in Dimboola. Both teams displayed excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.
Lunchtime training will be on Thursday 20th July for the girls hockey team.
A huge thank you to Belinda Van Zelst for coaching the girls team and for taking lunch time training sessions, and also for helping to pick the teams. Thanks Belinda.
Hooptime
The first try outs for Grade 4 hooptime will be conducted next week on Wednesday (Girls) and Thursday (Boys). The competition is scheduled for Thursday 11th August (note change of dates from the Friday to the Thursday).
Matthew McMillian, Sports Coordinator
Staying Safe Online/Cyber Safety
Parent and Child Night, 7pm Tuesday 19th July
The Warrnambool police are working with our Year 4, 5 and 6 students on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th of July regarding Cyber safety. A part of this program is a parent and child session on the Tuesday evening. I cannot stress enough how important it is that children and parents hear and discuss the same information with their children. To that end I urge all families to attend this important evening.
Orders for Scholastic Bookclub Issue 5 close on Friday 12 August, 2022.
If you would like any help in book suggestions for your child then please feel free to email us;
Foundation - Year 2 students use lhyland@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Year 3 - 6 students use elloyd@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Please remember that there is NO CASH option for purchasing books through this Scholastic Book Club program. We encourage you to use the website and/or the LOOP App. to make all purchases. We are grateful for all your support in building a positive reading and learning culture in our school!
Emily Lloyd
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 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!
Registrations close: 3pm Thursday 21st July, 2022
First Eucharist is a Sacramental Program for Year 4 students who have been Baptised and Confirmed.
Please complete this form and make a $25 contribution payment, to meet the cost of materials, through CDFpay (our online ordering system).
A kit containing the materials and information to prepare your child for the Celebration of First Eucharist and details of your Family Group will be available to collect at the Parent and Student Information Meeting in the Gathering Space at St Joseph's Church. If you are unable to attend this meeting please contact the Parish.
After school groups meet at the school at 3:30pm and evening groups meet in the home at a time arranged by the families in the group.
This Sacramental program is run by St. Josephs Church and supported by the school. Please contact Leanne the Parish Office on (03) 5562 2231 if you have any queries.
Key Dates
| 3pm Thursday 21st July, 2022 | Registrations Close |
| 7pm, Tuesday 26th July, 2022 | Parent and Student Meeting at St. Josephs Church |
| Various Times, Monday 1st August - Thursday 25th August | Family groups |
| 8:30am, 10:30am and 6:00pm - Sunday 28th August, 2022 | Celebration of the First Eucharist Sacrament |
Entry Form - Foundation - Year 2
Entry Form - Year 3 and 4
The office is often inundated with calls to change pick up arrangements on wet days. If it is raining heavily we hold the children under cover until it eases before walking them to Queens Road or the tennis courts. In a light drizzle we walk them across.
If you wish to change arrangements please call the office well before 3:15pm as a message is delivered over the loudspeaker at 3:15pm listing all of the children whose arrangements have changed. Calls after 3:15pm will not get through to children as office staff are busy and classrooms are unpredictable at these times.
We understand that at times changes are unavoidable but ask you to keep to your usual routine where possible.
School Canteen Support
Sharing of food items in the classroom
As our school community grows we have more students enrolled who have been diagnosed as having food allergies or intolerances. To support all needs we have procedures for the sharing of food items in the classroom. At times some classrooms will have a shared morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. This is a supervised event and all families are advised of this via a letter sent from the classroom teacher.
This ensures all children's individual needs are met and catered for.
To ensure the inclusion of all students please adhere to the routine for the sharing of food items within the classroom.
Celebration of Birthdays
At St Joseph's we celebrate children's birthdays as a school by presenting the child with a Birthday Certificate at our whole school assembly. Each classroom celebrates birthdays in different ways. Some classes have a special chair for the day or a badge to wear, most classrooms have birthdays displayed in the room.
For the purpose of an individual child’s celebration or birthday we are now advising an lemonade icy pole or Zooper Dooper be a recommended option for these occasions. It is not compulsory to celebrate all birthdays through the classroom.
Icy poles can be dropped into the school office. Please label with child's name and room number and let the classroom teacher know. Average classroom numbers are Foundation (23), Year 1 (21), Year 2 (23), Year 3 (21), Year 4 (26), Year 5 (26) and Year 6 (25).
To all families that park and collect children from Queens Road, a reminder that the vacant land adjacant to the creek IS PRIVATE PROPERTY and we ask school families to please NOT park there while waiting for your children to be collected.
Please remember the Aquazone car park is available as well as along Queens Road.
Warrnambool Multicultural Festival
