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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- TEACHER AWARDS
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- WELLBEING NEWS
- SPORTS NEWS
- SCHOOL SPORTS DAY INFORMATION
- CHILDRENS FACE MASKS
- EASTER RAFFLE
- HOT CROSS BUN DRIVE 2024
- TERM 1 PIZZA DAY
- MOTHERS DAY EVENT SURVEY
- RECONCILIATION PROGRAM (YEAR 6)
- COLLECTION NOTICE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
- LOWES 20% OFF
- EMMANUEL COLLEGE ENROLMENTS
- TERM 1 CANTEEN NEWS
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
Project Compassion - Lent
2024 Mini Vinnies Team
During the assembly last Friday our 2024 Mini Vinnies Team received their badges.
Mini Vinnies is designed to empower primary school students to become advocates within their school and local community by putting their values into action.
Di Brown coordinates the team and meets regularly with them to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider Vinnies community. The St Joseph’s Mini Vinnis is a part of the St Joseph’s Church St Vincent De Paul Society who support our local community and is a wonderful example of our church in action.
On Monday I had the pleasure of escorting 3 of our Mini Vinnies members to Heatherlie Homes in Warrnambool to distribute meals on wheels. This was our first visit for the year and it was touching to be welcomed back so fondly by the residents who were very pleased to see the kids again. It was also a pleasure to watch the students interacting so positively with new people in a new environment.
Our Mini Vinnies Team are currently working on a big project to raise money and awareness of the Caritas Project Compassion campaign to be run in the last week of this term.
Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Lila Gommers, Keilan Lawlor, Kruz McDonald, Sophia McSween, Nina O'Kane, Bradie Rankin, Cooper Leach and Bridget Ambrose.
Fears and worries
It's normal for children to feel afraid at times. Fear is an emotion that can help kids be cautious. Things that are new, big, loud, or different can seem scary at first. Parents and teachers can help kids feel safe and learn to feel at ease.
So how do we help kids start feeling braver? The key is an invisible skill called self regulation. Self-regulating is essentially the ability to process and manage our own emotions and behaviors in a healthy way. It’s what gives us the ability to talk ourselves down or to feel things without acting on them. Most grown-ups practice self-regulation without a second thought. Think of feeling a moment of fear before reassuring yourself that there’s really nothing scary about a dark room. But for kids, building self-regulation takes time, practice and space to learn — which means parents have to get comfortable with letting kids be a little uncomfortable as they figure things out. This can be challenging.
Remember:
- It takes time and practice for children to learn new coping skills.
- Young children usually learn best when you do it with them.
- Older children may be able to use coping skills but still need support when scared.
- Children feel secure and confident when they have regular quality time with parents and carers.
- Bedtime is often when fears can surface. Try to have some calming time before bed to unwind and develop a bedtime routine.
Help children identify what is happening in their bodies when they experience strong feelings like fear, for example some children say they have a pain in the tummy. Help them understand that their thinking ( I’m scared of the dark), leads to strong feelings ( in this case fear) which then influences what happens in the body, (such as the way they breath or things like pains in the tummy). These things then impact what actions the child can take, such as settling down to sleep.
Fears and worries
|
Difficulty |
Ideas on how to support your child |
|
Feels scared and worried |
Acknowledge the feeling - ‘You’re having trouble going off to sleep because you are worried something might happen. |
|
Feels unsafe |
Reassure - That storm was only on TV it is not going to happen here. |
|
Can’t think through logically |
What are the facts - that can’t happen where we live. |
|
Feels overwhelmed by a scary thought |
Label it. Eg. That’s just a scary thought. You don't have to keep it. |
|
Doesn’t feel confident about managing fears |
Encourage helpful thinking and self talk. Eg Tell those scary thoughts I know I am safe so go away. OR I know it is new but I can try my best and I know who to ask for help. |
|
May not believe in own ability to manage fears |
Praise and encouragement eg You did it ! You are trying really hard to be brave. Well done! |
Tennis
Good luck to Sierrah Greene as she faces formidable opponents from across our division at Beachside Tennis this Thursday. Sierrah claimed the top spot at District tennis, earning the privilege to continue representing our school at the next level. Best of luck, Sierrah!
1,500m trials
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 800m trials last Friday. It's truly inspiring to witness so many passionate young individuals challenging themselves, particularly at a distance greater than they are accustomed to. This Friday 8th March we are excited to conduct our 1,500m trials, following a similar format as the 800m trials. We kindly ask that those interested in trying out wear their sports uniforms on the day.
School Sports
Next week we look forward to our Junior and Senior sports days! The focus of the day is fun and participation. All students will score points for their house colour in every event. The goal is for every student to push themselves to do their best. The school sports are not tryouts for the District Athletics.
In our Physical Education lessons this term, we've been diligently recording students' attempts in each event. This data will play a crucial role in determining our athletics team. We're excited about the upcoming sports days and look forward to providing our students with two enjoyable and memorable events!
Swimming
A big congratulations to our swim team for a successful and enjoyable day at the pool last Thursday. For many swimmers, this marked their inaugural representation of St. Joseph's at sporting events, with special commendations to our Year 3 participants. We were blessed with good weather, and our swimmers showcased great swims, accompanied by excellent sportsmanship. Numerous St. Joseph's students achieved fast enough times to progress to the next level. Well done, everyone!
District Athletics
District Athletics will take place on Monday 25th March at Brauerander Park. Our athletics team will be announced before this date, following the completion of all trials during PE lessons.
Matthew McMillian, PE Teacher/Coordinator
Middle and Senior School (Years 3 - 6) - Thursday 14th March, 2024
Junior School (Foundation - Year 2) - Friday 15th March, 2024
We are looking forward to the upcoming Sports Days. We are particularly excited to welcome parents, carers and family members as spectators to the day. The following information is provided to help make the day run as smoothly and safely as possible.
Event Program
Please note that the event program timing may change on the day due to weather conditions and other factors.
Sports Uniform
- Navy Blue school logoed shorts
- House coloured Sports polo (compulsory)
- Navy Blue logoed windcheater, vest or coat
- School logoed hat
- White socks (no logos)
- Runners
No hair colour or coloured zinc permitted.
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)
Volunteers
If you are able to assist on the day please email sport@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au and indicate which age group/year you would like to assist with. All volunteers are required to have a current Working With Children Check.
Parking
On street and tennis court parking is available. Please obey parking rules.
Photography
Please read the St Joseph’s Primary School Photography Guidelines for Parents and Carers.
Sign your child out
A reminder that if you are taking your child home early on sports day, they must be signed out at the office. If, by arrangement, you are taking another person's child we must receive either verbal or written permission (note in diary) from the child's parent.
Canteen
Children are advised NOT to have a lunch order on their School Sport Day as they will be working to a modified lunch timetable.
Good luck to all of our athletes.
Tickets to everyone's favourite Easter Raffle are now being sold in the foyer at the school.
$1 per ticket. Children can purchase tickets before and after school.
Raffle Drawn: Wednesday 27th March, 2024.
Our PSA is once again holding a Hot Cross Bun Drive. Baker's Delight Norfolk Plaza Bakery will be supporting this event and donating $2:50 from every pack sold back to the school. Orders are 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, Friday 22nd March, 2024
Delivery date: Tuesday 26th March, 2024
We require some volunteers to assist on the day of delivery from 1:30 pm to pack the packs of buns and deliver to the classrooms. If you can assist please email Alecia on abidmade@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Pizza Day: Tuesday 19th March, 2024
Orders Close: 3pm Friday 15th March, 2024
Once per term the PSA run a Pizza Day as a "special occasion" lunch option and to raise money for the PSA.
This term the Pizza Day is set to coincide with the school's St Joseph's Feast Day Celebrations.
Children can choose from either Garlic or Hawaiian pizza (Gluten Free options available) which are provided by Pepper's Pizza (formerly Pinkies Pizza) who are one of our school sponsors.
Orders are now open via CDFPay (Canteen ordering system)
There are no canteen orders on Pizza Days and children not wanting to order pizza should bring their lunch from home.
Sorry, no late orders can be accepted.
Parents School Association (PSA)
Over the past few years we have introduced a Mother’s Day event which has comprised of a morning tea beginning at 10:30am.
We have received some anecdotal feedback that this event may be more inclusive should it be held as a breakfast, before school, similar to the Father’s Day Event.
We are seeking your feedback to help us in planning for the 2024 Mother’s Day in May.
Leon Senchenko, PSA Chair
Senior Reconciliation Program Reminders
Contact Cara Chisholm at cchisholm@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au with any queries.
Key Dates
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
Term 1 Roster
There are lots of gaps on our Term 1 Canteen Roster. Can you help? Training provided.