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- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- TEACHER AWARDS
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- TERM 4 SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES
- 2023 TRANSITION AND CLASS PLACEMENT
- JAPANESE NEWS
- WHEELS ON WEDNESDAYS
- BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
- PSA MEETING REMINDER
- ASTHMA WEATHER WARNING
- CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) - YEAR 5
- SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB
- RECYCLING CENTRE
- CANTEEN NEWS
- LOWES 20% OFF SALE
- SUPERGRASSE TENNIS
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
Classroom Placements for 2023
Over the duration of this term, staff will be following a long process to organise class groups for 2023. The teachers take into account, childrens’ friendships, academic achievement, behaviour, social learning and special needs to create balanced harmonious class groupings.
Often parents have some information that can help inform this process for the best outcomes for everyone. For example you ask that your child not be placed with their cousin or close neighbour. If you feel that you have some information that can help inform this process please complete a “Green Form” from the office by next Friday, the 14th of October.
Another important part of this process is inviting children to list four “good working buddies” that they would like to be with the following year. We do our best to accommodate at least one of these buddies.
You might like to discuss appropriate “working buddies” with your child as teachers will begin this part of the process shortly.
Shade Sail Rotunda
A new rotunda has been completed near our basketball courts. This rotunda was largely financed by a grant that we secured through the State Government Shade Sail Fund. Experience has taught us that permanent structures are more suitable to Warrnambool’s climate than shade material. The concreting was completed over the weekend and grass will be planted to clean the surrounding area. Classes will be encouraged to use this area for outdoor learning in nice (still) weather and passive play e.g. chess will be available at playtimes.
Sports Update
Congratulations to the following children who participated in Regional Athletics in Ballarat on Friday.
Ethan Alexander, Sophie Brown, Eamon Cottee, Lucy Howland, Harley Kane, Aaron Lougheed, Daisy Martin, Cooper McCosh, Molly McNeil, Jay Moloney-Smith, Abbey O’Keefe, Patrick Ralston, Amelia Roache and Lottie Wilkinson.
Staffing Update
Mr Tom Beks has accepted a position at St John’s Dennington for 2023 and 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity for Tom to continue his professional development in a new setting. Since graduating from university 8 year ago, Tom has taught at St Joseph’s and been a compassionate and highly engaging teacher. Tom has been a leader at St Joseph’s in the area of Religious Education and most recently as the Year 4 Team Leader. Tom will be missed at St Joseph’s and will be a great asset to the children, parents and staff at St John’s. A fitting farewell will take place later in the year.
Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Maya Molan, Estella Roberts, Esther Baulch, Finn Davis, Georgia Finneran, Rushleigh Jeffries, Gracie O'Grady, Van Myroniuk, Jenson Riordan, Bodhi Rudolph, Spencer Sarra, Flynn Burleigh and Georgie Milroy.
This term we will be introducing a new form of play. Wheels on Wednesday is an opportunity for all children to scoot, skate, rollerblade and/or ride their bikes during recess and lumch. This initiative is designed to promote participation, physical activity and to introduce an element of risk to the playground.
Identifying and managing risk is an important part of growing up. Just as children’s bodies mature and develop, so do their brains. As children’s brains are developing, so is their ability to identify and judge risks. Children need opportunities to develop their own internal thermometer for risk. In “Balanced and Barefoot”, Angela Hanscom (2018, p. 126) writes, Although letting kids take risks might be scary for parents (and teachers) and even children at first, it is an essential part of growing up. Taking risks allows children to overcome physical challenges and strengthens their senses at the same time. These benefits ultimately make them safer and more resilient in the long run. Risky play also allows children to overcome fears and anxiety and builds strong character. Children need opportunities to fall and make mistakes in order to become more confident and capable when facing future life challenges.
Wheels on Wednesday will begin this Term.
Asphalt areas will be “ball free” to allow for skating, scooting and rollerblading and a separate area for riding bikes.
There are two rules:
- Wear a correctly fitting helmet
- Have fun
Of course, all bikes must have working brakes.
I am hoping that this initiative might also have the follow on effect of more children riding to school.
5:30pm, Friday 14th October at St Joseph’s Church
Many people bring their pets to church to be blessed on or around the feast of St Francis of Assisi (4th October). St Francis had a beautiful rapport with animals and he expressed his love for them in his Canticle of Creatures.
If you are unable to join us on Friday, you can always pray for and bless your pets and animals at home. A verbal blessing, with or without a sprinkling of holy water, can be offered in your backyard, garden or anywhere inside your home.
The following Pet Blessing can be used:
Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land. You inspired St Francis to identify them as our brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet, N. By the power of your love, enable him/her to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
Election of new chairperson
At our next meeting we will hold an election of a new chairperson for 2023. If you wish to know more about the role of chairperson please contact the school.
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 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!
Wednesday 12th October, 2022 is predicted to be a bad thunderstorm asthma day.
Parents are advised that two cases of Chickenpox (varicella) have been reported to the school.
These cases were in a Year 5 classroom and the children were present at school 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.
Orders for Scholastic Bookclub close at 5pm on Friday 28th October, 2022.
This year alone, we have received up to $1,195.00 back in rewards from all the purchases by families in our school! We are so grateful for the contributions to our School Library.
But don't worry if you miss out this week ... look out for next week's Newsletter for an exciting Christmas Shopping event for all the Book Lovers!
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!
St Joseph's Recycling Centre is now available for:
- Bottle Tops
- Bread Tags
- Home Printer Catridges
- Batteries.
Children can place items in the recycling centre in the school foyer before and after school.
