Matthew O'Brien, Principal

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

Project Compassion - Lent

School Arrival and Before School Care

Many children are arriving at school well before 8:30 am when our school gates open. Some of these children are being dropped off in the loop and others are making their way into the school grounds via the Russells Creek path. Please ensure that your child does not arrive before 8:30 am so that we can be confident that everyone is safe and supervised.

Child safety when walking home

We have had a report of a student from a neighbouring school being approached by a man on Ardlie Street near Willow Way. Please be aware and speak with your child about the importance of safety when walking to and from school. Such as considering walking with a friend or if they see someone ahead on the path and feel uncomfortable, consider crossing the road if it is safe to do so. Please contact police if your child is inappropriately approached by a member of the community when walking to and from school.

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.

Moses McCann, Ava O'Connor, Harley Kane, Finn Gunner, Sylvie Roberts, Abisayan Paramanantham, Isaac Sinioukov, Emma Ludeman and Whyat Brian.

9:05am, Tuesday 27th February, 2024

We will be holding a Classroom Helpers information session for all parents and carers in Foundation, Year one and Year Two who would like to help with literacy activities in their child’s classroom.

If you would like to be involved in the helping in the classroom please register your interest and attendance/apology on the linked form. 

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/ 

The session will focus on child safety and how to support children in developing reading skills using the latest research based approaches.

4pm - 6pm
Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th February, 2024

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.

Bookings are now open via Parent Access Module (PAM) on the school app or website. 

2024 Wellbeing Team at St Joseph’s

The wellbeing team at St. Joseph's is led by Maryanne Evans and Liz Noonan. The wellbeing team is available over each day. In this complex and busy world we live in, the needs of students have developed over time and being able to support them through our Wellbeing team is very important. Students can seek support for themselves or they can be referred by their teacher or a parent can contact the team directly or via email.

Typically, students seek support for friendship, personal or social situations. The support can be in small group or individual, one to one meetings or pastoral chats.

Maryanne Evans

Maryanne has been working in wellbeing for the past 10 years following a 20 year career in nursing and a move to education in 2006 led to working at St. Joe’s as a classroom teacher for over 12 years. She has completed a Masters in Student Wellbeing and has studied counselling and Clinical Pastoral Care education. She brings enthusiasm and passion and a genuine interest in the wellbeing of children and families.  She has raised a family of three and enjoys her 6 grandchildren.

Maryanne Evans email: mevans@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Liz Noonan

Liz has been in teaching for 25 years 15 years of this time at St Joseph’s, teaching across all year levels. She has a particular interest in the wellbeing of students and is very excited to be involved in this area. Liz has had substantial experience working with students in all year levels. She has a passion for the wellbeing of students and looks forward to working with students and their families. Liz is looking forward to further developing her knowledge in these area by completing more study this year. She comes from a large family base, having 4 sisters who all have children. She has 3 adult children.

Liz Noonan email: lnoonan@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

CatholicCare

Our partnership with CatholicCare will support parents and caregivers. Helen Diamond is located at the Warrnambool Office, 142 Timor Street. Phone 5559 3000.

Scholastic Book Club Fundraiser

Your child should bring home a Scholastic Book Club catalogue this week. This is a great incentive to purchase books for your children whilst knowing the School Library receives a ‘kick-back’ bonus by earning Rewards that can be spent on new books for the library! Please make sure you read the attached information on how to pay for books online and the option to make them as secret gifts!  We will check every order before handing them out to the students to ensure any of the ‘GIFT’ orders remain a secret from your children!  We will then make contact with you to let you know when the order has arrived.

Any order from the current issue #1 will close Friday 16th February. Online orders only, no cash orders accepted.

Emily Lloyd, Teacher-Librarian/Digital Technologies

We are thrilled to announce that our school - along with many others - has joined the Diocese of Ballarat's Structured Literacy Project. In 2024 we will be taking the first steps towards a renewed, evidence-based approach to Literacy instruction through participation in this award-winning research partnership with La Trobe University.

The Sciences of Reading and Learning tell us that a systematic, explicit approach to the teaching of the alphabetic code and the grammatical rules that underpin written English offers our students the best chance at becoming confidently literate. The approach we are strategically adopting is called Structured Literacy, which is the approach endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association, the International Literacy Association and the Australian National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.

Our whole staff group will be working closely with the Structured Literacy team from the Catholic Education Office over the next few years, to learn more about the principles, elements and characteristics of a Structured Literacy approach. This is a substantial change that will take time. However, we are assured by the results achieved in the pilot schools and the endorsement of the La Trobe University researchers.

We will strive to keep you updated on the progress of this important project, but for now you may wish to watch this short video from the DOBCEL Structured Literacy team to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLLrFOqmg7k

Please read the attached letter in regards to the collection of data for the research project. If you do not wish your child/children’s data to be used for the study, you may opt out by collecting a hard copy form from the office and signing it.

Swimming trials are for those children who are competent swimmers 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 14th February, 2024. Entries will not be accepted after this date and children will therefore not be considered for selection.

Trials for registered competent swimmers will be held on a Monday 19th February for the District Swimming to be held on Thursday 29th February, 2024.

If any parents are available to assist with time keeping on the day please indicate on the form. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Matthew McMillian, Physical Education and Sport Co-ordinator

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 13 February and Tuesday 12 March
• Tuesday 30 April and Tuesday 28 May
• Tuesday 30 July and Tuesday 27 August
• Tuesday 22 October and Tuesday 19 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!

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 2024 school year.
5. Parents & Guardians of Year 5 and 6 Students will be sent a survey for them to indicate if they wish for their child’s Chromebook to remain at school OR to be taken home and charged overnight. 

This is required to be accepted by Wednesday 14th February, 2024.

In addition to this action at home, all students will go through the Agreement in class with their teachers.  They will be required to sign a hard copy of the ‘Student’ sub-heading content only.  These contracts will remain with their teacher until the end of this school year.  Foundation to Year Two students will discuss the topic of Cyber Safety in their classrooms by using age appropriate language that they can understand and relate to.

We appreciate your support in helping us keep our students safe in a digital world.

Mrs Emily Lloyd, LRC Coordinator

Mr Pat Allen, Deputy Principal

Senior Reconciliation is a Sacramental Program for Year 6 students who have completed their Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Sacraments. 

Complete the registration form if your child would like to participate in this program. Please make $20 payment through CDFpay.

The Student and Parent Information meeting is held at St Joseph's church.

Contact Cara Chisholm at cchisholm@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au with any queries.

Key Dates

3pm, Friday 16th February, 2024 - Registration and payment closes

7pm, Tuesday 20th February, 2024 - Student and Parent Information meeting 

Postponed: 5:15pm - 6:15pm, Wednesday 27th March, 2024 - Sacrament of Reconciliation

New Date and Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm, Wednesday 16th April, 2024 - Sacrament of Reconciliation

School Canteen Support