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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- SCHOOL SPORTS DAY
- SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ON SPORTS DAY
- TEACHER AWARDS
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- WELLBEING NEWS
- FOUNDATION EXCURSION
- NAPLAN
- SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB
- NO CHOIR THIS WEEK
- 2024 FOUNDATION ENROLMENTS
- MOBILE PHONES, SMART WATCHES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
- HOT CROSS BUN DRIVE 2023
- LOWES 20% OFF
- CANTEEN NEWS
- EMMANUEL COLLEGE OPEN EVENING
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
I am looking forward to our sports on Thursday. I really enjoy watching the kids getting out of their comfort zones as they run, jump and throw. I particularly admire those kids who push themselves and try their best even though athletics is not their most natural or preferred pursuit. I also enjoy listening to the support and encouragement that the children offer each other as they win, lose and draw throughout the day.
I am hoping for good weather with light winds so that as many spectators as possible can come to watch the children compete. It really adds something for the kids having supporters there to watch them just being themselves and doing their best.
Remember, the phrase "I love to watch you play" can mean the world to your child. It shows that you are proud of them no matter what and that their efforts are appreciated. These six simple words can go a long way in building your child's confidence, self-esteem and love of participating.
Good luck to all of the competitors at our school sports and to everyone participating in competitions and tournaments across the long weekend.
NAPLAN
Wednesday 15th March - Friday 17th March
NAPLAN is a national assessment plan that normally takes place each year. It is designed to assess students in Grade 3 and 5 in Reading, Mathematics, Grammar, Punctuation and Writing.
NAPLAN is scheduled to take place this year on 15th, 16th and 17th of March. Students in Year 3 and Year 5 attending school on those days will complete these assessments. Catch up sessions will be available for students who are absent on the testing days. Our school values the information gained from these tasks and we use it along with other data to inform our school programs and school improvement plans.
Some children can be a little intimidated by NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Our teachers do not “coach” children in NAPLAN tests but we do familiarise the children with the format of the test to ensure that they are prepared and comfortable.
If you do not wish your child to participate in NAPLAN please contact our office.
Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Thursday 9th March, 2023
We are looking forward to our Twilight Sports Day on Thursday. We are particularly excited to welcome parents, carers and family members as spectators on the day. The following information is provided to help make the day run as smoothly and safely as possible.
Times
Children arrive at school at 12:30pm and go to their classroom as per normal. Events briefing at 1pm with the first event at 1:15pm.
We expect children to have eaten lunch prior to coming to school.
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
- Navy Blue logoed windcheater, vest or coat
- School logoed hat
- White socks (no logos)
- Runners.
No hair colour or coloured zinc permitted.
Sunscreen
Children should arrive at school with recently applied sunscreen.
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).
Parking
On street and tennis court parking is available as is the paddock on the north side of Russells Creek (enter via Bromfield St).
Photography
Please read the St Joseph’s Primary School Photography Guidelines for Parents and Carers.
School Photograph Guidelines for Parents and Carers
Canteen
No canteen facilities on Sports Day.
Food and drink bottle
Provide food for your child sufficient for two breaks during the day. A full drink bottle of water only is recommended.
Community Picnic
Families are invited to bring a picnic tea to enjoy with their children and other families at the conclusion of sports. We invite everyone to join us on the Passive Playground for this celebration.
- Please note: there is no alcohol at school events that involve children.
Student Collection
Children (whose parents are not at the sports) can be collected from the school hall after the conclusion of the school sports, from 6pm.
Awards
Age champions and school sports winners will be announced at assembly on Friday 17th March.
Good luck to all of our athletes.
Map and Schedule
On this day school will begin for children at 12:30pm and the sports will begin at 1pm.
In order to support those families who have absolutely no other way of caring for their children limited babysitting will be provided. I urge you not to use this service unless absolutely necessary and please call in favours from family, neighbours and friends prior to sending children to school. The sports day will be long, tiring and exciting for children and a good rest in the morning will help them through the day.
Please note that classes will not be running and teachers will not arrive at school until 12:30 pm. If you do require your child to be minded at school before the sports please make a booking using the following link.
Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Lila Gommers, Aaron Lougheed, Ryder Willoughby, Keilan Lawlor, Kruz McDonald, Sophia McSween, Nina O'Kane, Bradie Rankin, Amelia Austin, Bridget Ambrose, Isaac Brown, Simone Lobos Boada, Ali Boyd Tregea, Gretta Heggie and Logan Wythe.
Last week we were pleased to welcome Helen Diamond, who is a parent educator from CatholicCare. It was great to listen to Helen share her experience and knowledge of research and supportive approaches to help parents build strong relationships with their children. It can be challenging to navigate the journey of parenting with all the information that is available.
Helen shared what we can do to support children to feel ‘safe, seen and secure’. Helen was drawing on evidence-based parenting programs such as ‘Circle of Security Parenting’, ‘Bringing up Great Kids’, by the Australian Childhood Foundation and ‘Tuning into Kids’. We look forward to working in partnership with Helen to offer support to parents in our school. Helen will be available for individual consultation and will also run group programs offsite. Parents can have consultations with Helen at school or the Warrnambool Office.
Helen can be contacted through the Warrnambool office of CatholicCare, 142 Timor Street and by phone 5559 3000.
Helen recommended a number of parenting resources which I will list below. I have ordered all of the text books and they will be made available for parent borrowing when they arrive and are catalogued. It will give parents a chance to have a look and decide if they would like their own copy or they can have a read.
Websites
- Janet Lansbury
- Mona Delahooke
- Dan Siegel
- Karen Young. ‘Hey Sigmund’
- The Gottman Institute
- Michelle Mithell
- Dr Becky ‘Good inside’
Books
- Raising a Secure Child by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper & Bert Powell
- Beyond Behaviours by Mona Delahooke
- The Whole Brain Child by Dr Daniel Seigal & Dr Tina Payne Bryson
- The Power of Showing Up by Daniel Siegal & Tina Payne Bryson
- Raising an Emotional Intelligent Child by John Gottman
- No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury
- Good Inside by Dr Becky Kennedy
Karen Young
Karen Young in Warrnambool on Thursday 9th March - Anxiety - Supporting your child.
This is an exciting opportunity for parents to learn more about how to help their child with anxiety. There is no cost so please follow the directions to register.
Karen began her career as a psychologist in private practice. She has worked extensively with children, teens and families, and in educational and organisational settings. She has written some great books which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety.
Karen created Hey Sigmund, an internationally popular online resource, as a way to provide contemporary, research-driven information on the art of being human, and being with humans. The website has a particular emphasis on strengthening the mental wellness of children and adolescents.
Yesterday the Foundation children went on their first excursion to St Joseph's Church as part of our Religion unit on Belonging. The children were particuarly excited for the bus ride!
We had a walk around the inside and outside of the church looking at all of the things that can be found inside a church. We sang our favourite song "These Hands" and then it was time to come back to school.
This excursion was great preparation for our first whole school Mass later in the term.
Wednesday 15th March - Friday 17th March
NAPLAN is a national assessment plan that normally takes place each year. It is designed to assess students in Grade 3 and 5 in Reading, Mathematics, Grammar, Punctuation and Writing.
It is scheduled to take place this year on 15th, 16th and 17th. All students in Grade 3 and 5 attending school on those days will complete the supervised test unless school is notified that you do not want your child to participate.
Orders for Scholastic Bookclub close at 5pm on Friday 24th March, 2023.
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!
Any queries about book club can be directed to elloyd@sjwarrnambool.catholic.
Emily Lloyd, Librarian
There will be no choir this Thursday 9th April, 2023 due to the Twilight Sports. We look forward to seeing our Choir children back practising in Week 7.
Online Enrolment
Online enrolments are now available and can be completed and submitted electronically.
For this process go to our school website and select the Enrolment tab. Complete the Enrolment Enquiry to add your details for reminders and updates.
Under the Enrolment Tab you will also notice an Online Enrolment Form - select this and away you go. A tip with this one is do not use a phone or ipad to complete the form, any laptop or desktop computer will work fine.
You will also need to make sure you have your child's documentation (birth, immunisation, baptism certificates and any specialist reports) loaded onto your device, either by taking a photo or scanning and uploading as you will be able to upload all of that as well.
In accordance with the DOBCEL Digital Technology Policy and the St Joseph's Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement, it is it is a requirement that mobile phones and personal electronic device must be signed into the school office.
We understand that from time to time students may bring a device for use before or after school. If your child brings a phone or device they are required to sign them into the school office prior to school and collected at the end of the day. These items are stored securley in the office area.
For any students wearing a smartwatch it is a requirement that they must see the Assistant Principal to clarify its operation during school hours.
Please remind your child of this process.
Our PSA is once again holding a Hot Cross Bun Drive. Baker's Delight Norfolk Plaza 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.
Buns available to order are:
- Traditional Hot Cross Bun - 6 Pack,
- Choc Chip Hot Cross Bun - 6 Pack,
- Apple and Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns - 6 Pack,
- Fruitless Hot Cross Buns - 6 Pack.
Orders close: 3:00pm, Thursday 30 March, 2023
Delivery date: Tuesday 4th April, 2023