Matthew O'Brien, Principal

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

Prayer

Our new school prayer is being launched this year (Week 3 Assembly). The prayer was developed by children, staff and parents with the leadership of Cara Chisolm and Dr Gina Bernosconi. The opening lines expresses our gratitude for our school and adorn our central noticeboard.

Welcome to 2023

Welcome to the start of a new school year at St. Joseph's Primary School! I hope everyone has had a restful and rejuvenating summer break, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities that this new school year will bring.

As we begin this new chapter, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all students, families, and staff who are joining our school community for the first time. We are thrilled to have you as part of our family, and we are eager to help you settle into our school culture and traditions. For those who are returning, welcome back! It's great to see familiar faces and to catch up on what everyone has been up to over the summer.

As we start this new school year, I would like to reflect on the successes of the previous year and thank everyone who made it such a memorable one. Our students' hard work and dedication to their learning, combined with the support of our families and the tireless efforts of our staff, resulted in some amazing achievements. From our classrooms, our camps and excursions, our arts and choir programs, to our Mini Vinnies and student leaders which all showcased the talents and creativity of our students, the past year was truly a celebration of excellence.

This year, our school has a number of exciting initiatives and events planned including twilight sports and access to the tennis courts as a play space, chess, yoga meditation, new School Prayer launch and a new partnership with Catholic Care to support all parents and families). I would like to encourage everyone to get involved and make the most of these opportunities. I encourage all children to continue to challenge themselves simply by having a “red hot go” at everything. There is a challenge for everyone at St. Joes!

I would also like to remind everyone of the importance of our school values and how they help to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Our school is committed to promoting respect, responsibility, resilience, and kindness, and I encourage everyone to embrace these values in all aspects of their daily lives.

In conclusion, I am incredibly excited about the start of this new school year and the opportunities that it presents. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support, and I look forward to working with you to make this year one of the best yet! Let's make it a great year at St. Joseph's Primary School!

Welcome Families Morning Tea

To begin our school year together all parents and carers are invited to morning tea next Monday at 9am (or just after drop off) in the hall foyer.

I would especially like to welcome all of our Foundation families and new families.  

Welcome New Staff

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new trainees. I hope that they enjoy their time at St Joseph’s.

Laura Mullins

Hi my name is Laura Mullins. I graduated high school last year and am now a trainee at St Joseph’s. I am very excited to get to know all of the students and help them in as many ways as possible whilst learning new things. 

Emily Hovey

Hi, my name is Emily Hovey and I am one of the three new trainees. I’m a past student of St Joseph’s and recently finished Year 12 at Emmanuel College and am now completing this traineeship here at St Joseph’s during my gap year. I undertook this traineeship to gather an idea of what a career in teaching would be like. I enjoy creating art and watching anime. 

Sophie Wrigley

Hi my name is Sophie Wrigley. I am joining St Joseph's as a Trainee this year. I finished Year 12 at Emmanuel College last year. I have helped out at St Joseph's over the past two years, one day a week as part of my VCAL work placement program.

My interests are playing footy for Warrnambool Blues, spending time at the beach, swimming, and bike riding. I love dogs and I have a pug dog called “Max”, he has lots of energy. Max loves to go walking and eating food. In the AFL I am a keen Sydney Swans supporter and enjoy getting along to games to watch them play. I am excited for the year and I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Shirley Harris

We also welcome Shirley Harris to our maintenance team.  Shirly will work for three hours each afternoon.

Partnership with Catholic Care

This year we are beginning an exciting partnership with Catholic Care.  Among a range of services Catholic Care delivers excellence in a broad range of child, family and youth services, family relationship services, school counselling and pastoral care services.  Catholic Care has an office here in Warrnambool and we are partnering with them through Helen Diamond who will be working at St Joseph’s leading large group, small group and one to one support for families under the broad healing “Living with Primary Aged Children”. The that she will draw upon information will be from evidence based parenting programs; “Circle of Security Parenting”, “Bringing up Great Kids” by the Australian Childhood Foundation and “Tuning into Kids” as well as the observations and experiences of parents she has met along the way.

Helen will be leading a Parent Information Night here, at St Josephs, on Tuesday 28th February. More information and booking for this session will follow in next week’s newsletter. 

An introductory note from Helen

Living With Primary Aged Children

Twilight Sports 

This year we are tweaking our athletics carnival to make it more parent friendly and to create a community event. Our date is Thursday 9th March from 1pm - 6pm followed by a picnic tea. As this will be a long and exhausting day, children are asked to rest at home until 12:30pm. Events will start at 1:00pm.  We will be able to provide supervision for children should this late start cause undue complications for some families. More information to follow.  

Classroom Helpers Program

We will be holding a Classroom Helpers information session at 9:15am - 10:45am on Tuesday 21st February on for all parents and carers in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 who would like to help with literacy activities in their child’s classroom. 

Please complete this registration form to indicate:

• attendance at the Information Session
• when and where you are able to volunteer (new and previous volunteers)

Classroom Helpers Program registration

Please note: All school volunteers must hold a current Working With Children Check. These can be obtained free of charge at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Assembly

Assembly will continue on Friday afternoons beginning at 2:45 pm.  

Week 1 on Friday 3rd February - No Assembly

Week 2 on Friday 10th February - Introduction of 2023 Student Leaders.

Week 3 on Friday 17th February - Launch of New School Prayer

Week 4 on Friday 24th February - Class Led Assembly

Wheels on Wednesday 

After such positive feedback last year we are continuing wheels on Wednesday in 2023. 

Wheels on Wednesday is an opportunity for all children to scoot, skate, rollerblade and/or ride their bikes during playtime and lunchtime. 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 week on Wednesday 1st February.

Asphalt areas will be “ball free” 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.  

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday during January and this week.

Max Burns, Lachlan Walters, Evie Cooper, Eliza Vagg, Mia Pozzobon, Neve Lyons, Evie Bushell, Violet Greening, Mia Jackson, Milla Rentsch, Nicholas Senchenko, Laila Brooks, Thisara Kumarapperuma, Ruby McNeil, Patrick Kerr, Henry McKinley, Estelle Schrama, Charlotte Newbury, Tom Farley, Annabel Hatton, Jack Gladki, Archie Shiells, Eden Tran, Max McCosh, Lennie Bell, Theodora McCaskill, Lillian Visinoni, Levi Ciurleo, Jack Harris, Buddy Macdonald, Aria De Haas, Maverick De Haas, Aila Kamath, Alexander Triance, Vincent Visinoni, Curtis Chard, Harry Kardas, Darcy Schrama, Maxim Shepeliuk, Iryna Senina, Elliot Smock, Noah Anderson, Stanley Coverdale, Charlotte Brennan, Julia Resk Wilson, Lucas Resk Wilson, Theo Arms, Rhiana Gibbons, Amali Greene, Rory Suringa, Noah Toohey, Lily Harris, Paddy McKane, Olivia Cerdena and Hugh Cugley.

Our school calendar an be accessed via our SZApp or website and is regularly updated.

Parents are encouraged to refer to this for important school dates including many 2023 dates including:

• term dates
• school closures
• public holidays
• sacramental dates
• school camps
• excursions
• PSA meetings
• School Advisory Council meetings
• Mother's Day morning tea
• Father's Day breakfast
• year level swimming dates
• classroom assembly dates
• orientation day
• graduation mass
• final assembly
• last school day.

3:30pm - 6:00pm
Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd February, 2023

These initial meetings are designed as an information sharing between parents and teachers. It is an opportunity for teachers to learn more about the students in their care. Booking for the meetings will be available through Parent Access Module (PAM) on the school app or website.

In Term 1 we have the following pupil free school closure days:

Monday 20th February, 2023

Monday 20 March, 2023

The Australia-Japan Society of Victoria has been invited to send four children (2 boys and 2 girls) to the BRIDGE Summer Camp (Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention) in Fukuoka Japan, which will be held for approximately 10 days from the middle of July 2023 (please note, this is during school term).

Hello all and welcome back to 2023. We have another very busy and exciting term coming up from the Sport and P.E side of things, lookout for more information regarding upcoming events over the next few weeks.

Tennis Trials 

On Monday 6th February we will hold tennis trials over at Supergrasse for our Year 6 Boys at lunchtime. Racquets are not compulsory but if your child would like to bring their own they are most welcome. Tennis trials for Year 6 Girls are happening on Tuesday 7th February, also at lunchtime.

Geelong Cats visit (Foundation, Year 1 and 2)

We are very excited to welcome some of the Geelong Cats players to our school on Monday 6th February for our Junior School. The players will run small clinics throughout the morning. If your child would like to bring along footy colours to wear at the session they are welcome to, eg a Football top, scarf or hat to wear with their uniform.

The Cats have informed me that the students will receive signed posters on the day, however if any student is wearing Geelong Cats attire there may be some signing time at the end of the session.

Thanks.

Matt McMillan P.E Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Swimming trials are for those children in Years 3 - 6 wanting to compete in swimming.  

Once the trials are completed swimmers will be selected to represent the school. 

Closing date for submitting this form is strictly 3pm, Wednesday 15th February, 2023. Entries will not be accepted after this date and children will therefore not be considered for selection.

Trials for registered swimmers will be held on a Wednesday 22nd February for the District Swimming to be held on Thursday 2nd March, 2023.

Matthew McMillian, Physical Education and Sport Co-ordinator

The Camps, Sports Excursion Fund is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.  If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.  An allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per primary aged student is $125 per year.

If you qualify for CSEF support, you are also eligible to apply for the Family Fee Assistance Program funded by DOBCEL.  The FFA is to help families with the Annual Family Fee by reducing this amount to $520 for the year; this means in 2023 the FFA support is $860 per family.

Both funds are to be applied for through the school (with both forms included here).  These need to be submitted at the school office along with a copy of your current Health Care Card, or Veterans Affairs Card.

If you have applied for this before you do not need to submit this form each year, however if you have become eligible over the past 6 months or are a new family, please lodge your application.  To be eligible your card must be valid on Friday 27th January 2023. 

Please notify the school by phone or by using the Update Contact Details in our SZApp if you have any updates to home address, contact phone numbers and email addresses. Parents are encouraged to have two alternate contacts for their child in the event that parents cannot be contacted.

Be aware that email addresses are used in several of our systems which we need to change each of these manually.

As we commence 2022 we require all families to login to PAM and update their child's Medical Information. Please take the time to check that all information is correct. 

This information assists with our electronic permission forms. 

Please follow the instructions below to update a medical profile for each of your children by:

1. Click on link to PAM (found on our webpage or SZapp)
2. Click on student (if more than 1 child, this will need to be done individually)
3. Click on Medical Profile (blue writing to the left of screen)
4. Check all questions and select Edit Details for updates to be made.
5. Once you get to the end of the questions please confirm by clicking on the Green “Update Details” Box found at the bottom right of screen.

As a parent/guardian you are able to access your child/rens medical profile on PAM at any time to update as needed.

If you have any queries or require your PAM login details, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the office.  

In accordance with St Joseph's Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement, it is a requirement for parents/guardians to discuss the agreement with their child/ren and accept the terms.

This agreement is to ensure that all students that have access to the school’s digital resources are aware of their responsibilities and agree to abide by the school’s Acceptable Use and Cybersafety Agreement.

The agreement covers the student’s use of technology equipment (such as computers, hand held devices, cameras, printers), and digital platforms (such as Internet, networks and email. social media, apps, and software).

Permission is required for each child in your family from Foundation to Year 6.

To access this agreement:

1. Login into your PAM account
2. Select the red bell icon in the top right corner (you will then see the agreement)
3. Download, read and discuss this agreement with each of your children.
4. Select YES for your child to agree to abide by the Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement and Use Technology Equipment at St. Joseph's Primary School for the 2023 school year.

This is required to be accepted by Friday 10th February, 2023.

The PSA (Primary School Association) 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 and Canteen support

Who can attend? Anyone and everyone, meetings are held at the school in Room C19 or the staffroom.

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 14 February and Tuesday 21 March
• Tuesday 9 May and Tuesday 6 June
• Tuesday 25 July and Tuesday 22 August
• Tuesday 17 October and Tuesday 14 November
• 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!

School Canteen Support 

St Joseph’s Primary School has been very fortunate to be able to maintain our canteen being available 5 days per week.  This has been due to having Tanya Hughes as a canteen coordinator but also because we have maintained such a strong base of canteen volunteers.  

We would love to continue to be able to offer our canteen services each school day, however, today our most pressing need is to increase the number of volunteers we have to help keep our canteen running at its current high standard and for 5 days per week.

We can work around your work roster or family commitments. You can do as many or as few 'shifts' as you would like. A daily shift will commence from 11:00am and you will be finished by 1:15pm. 

Training is offered. A Working With Children check is required. This can be applied for through the Department of Justice website. 

If you can help out please click the link to fill in your details and availability.

We really hope this request being sent out to all families will increase the number of volunteers, if not, the next step will be to look at changes we would have to make to keep it running which would more than likely mean either less days of operation or more paid time, both of which will have a massive impact on the costs and potential profits made. 

Our Parent School Association has very strong support for maintaining the canteen as a service to families, available daily if possible and quality healthy food at reasonable prices. The small profit from the canteen is spent directly on our school grounds program, including play-ground equipment and student facilities. Voluntary help is critical to achieving this outcome for everyone’s benefit.

Our 2nd Hand Uniform system allows for parents to puchase and sell items all year round with options to purchase online or in person (once COVID restrictions are lifted).

Items for second hand sale can now be dropped into the school office at any time of the year.  

Uniform items MUST be:

• current uniform items only
• very good to excellent quality
• washed and free of stains
• have any naming labels crossed out
• labelled with either the printable Pricing Label template or similar.

Items that are NOT suitable are:

• school bags more than 2 years old
• library/book bags
• stained or torn clothing
• non-current school uniform
• sports shorts without the school logo
• shoes
• secondary school uniform items.

Unsuitable items will be returned to the seller/donator.

Pricing of Uniform Items

Price uniform items accordingly and receive 70% of the amount (when the item is sold) with 30% of your sale going to the school’s PSA.

Items are kept in the second hand uniform shop until they are sold. We will notify via text of any monies to be collected, this may be after a family has left the school.

Alternatively you can donate items to be sold. We will label and price donated items. 100% of these sales go to the school's PSA.

Refer to suggested pricing guide linked below.

Purchasing of Uniform Items

Parents are able to complete an online form indicating the uniform item and size required and it will then be sent home with your child or made available for collection.

Payment to be made in cash the following day. Items can be returned if they aren't the correct size or quality.

St Joseph's Recycling Centre

St Joseph's Recycling Centre is now available for Bottle Tops, Bread Tags, Home Printer Catridges and Batteries. Children can place items in the recycling centre in the school foyer before and after school.

All Girls Blasters Program to be held at St Joseph’s Primary School, (this is not a school run event) which will not only allow girls the opportunity to try/play our great game but a chance for local cricket clubs such as Nestles Cricket Club to connect with new aspiring female cricketers! The registration link for the program is now officially live and ready for parents or guardians to begin signing up their child. A discount code has been created so that participants will be encouraged to join the program at an extremely low cost. 

Details: Wednesdays from 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM, Starts Wednesday 22nd February 2023,  4 Sessions, Ages: All years except Foundation. 

Families are encouraged to subscribe to our newsletter in order to be informed on school, student and parent related topics. Both parents/guardians can subscribe and grandparents too. Newsletters are sent on a Monday each week with a Principal column in every second newsletter. Reminder emails are often sent towards the end of a busy calendar week.

For families no longer wishing to receive the newsletter they can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of any newsletter.