Matthew O'Brien, Principal

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

Feast of St. Joseph

Tomorrow, Wednesday 19th March, we are celebrating the Feast of St Joseph, our patron.  Everyone is invited to join us for Mass at our church beginning at 10AM. Following Mass we will enjoy a fun afternoon in mixed up classes with children from Year 1 - Year 6.

Above is an image of the “Sleeping St Joseph” it symbolises the story of Joseph being visited by an angel in his dream. Pope Francis popularized this life-like saint statue: that of St. Joseph, lying on his side, fast asleep during an address whilst visiting the Philippines.

“I like St. Joseph very much. He’s a strong man of silence. On my desk, I have an image of St. Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he looks after the Church. Yes! We know that he can do that,” Pope Francis said during an address in the Philippines. “So when I have a problem, a difficulty, I write a little note, and I put it underneath St. Joseph, so that he can dream about it! In other words, I tell him: Pray for this problem!” he added.

As our school prayer so beautifully says:

“May we be inspired by St. Joseph to be caring, honest and brave.”

School Sports Days

The last two Fridays were full of excitement and activity as the children participated in our annual sports days. We were blessed with perfect Warrnambool Weather on both days and thanks to Sharyn and Andrew the ovals were looking green and lush.  There is something spontaneous and joyful in watching children run. I had the pleasure of supporting the hurdles event win, lose or draw. All the children seemed to enjoy themselves, the events and the company of their friends.

A big thank you to Mr McMillan and the staff for their efforts in getting the children trained and organising the day.  Thanks also to Shane Crowley and the Woolies staff for supporting us with water, sunscreen and a range of healthy snacks.  

The age group champions and winning team of the Middle and Senior Athletics will be announced at assembly this Friday.

Parent School Association (PSA)

The PSA met again last week (we meet twice a term) with another highly enjoyable and productive meeting.  I am always enthused and energised by this group as we get so much done in a short time with a great deal of positivity.

Just for your information the General Business Items discussed were:

• Playground update
• Mother’s Day Stall
• Mother’s Day Breakfast
• Trivia Night
• Bunnings BBQ
• Hot Cross Bun Drive
• Election Day BBQ/Cake Stall
• School Disco
• Art Fundraiser

As you can see the team has a great deal going on. The PSA serves two purposes; fundraising but most importantly community building. 

Please support this team of willing parents by getting along to the trivia night to continue building a vibrant, supportive St Joseph's Community. 

Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.

Luke Bennie, Ruben Darcy, Gracie Jess, Alfie Woonton, Archie Beaton, Cooper Shields, Layla Hooper and Lettie Nuske.

Enrolments for Foundation students for 2026 are now OPEN.

All applications are to be submitted by 4:00pm on Wednesday 11th June, 2025. 

Enrolments

All of our enrolments are completed online, via the Enrolment/Online Enrolment Form page on the schools website.

You will need to make sure you have your child's documentation loaded onto your device, either by taking a photo or scanning and uploading.  

• Birth certificate
• Immunisation Statement
• baptism certificates
• any specialist reports

Discovery Tours and Information Sessions

Our Discovery Tours and Information session dates have also been set and can be booked via the Enrolment/Tour Registration page on the school website.

• 11:30pm, Tuesday 13th May
• 7:00pm, Tuesday 13th May
• 11:30am, Friday 23rd May
• 11:30am, Wednesday 28th May

School photos were distributed via the classrooms on Tuesday 18th March.

All children receive either their order OR a personlised bookmark with a "second chance code".

If your child was absent on Tuesday 18th March their photo order or "second chance code" will be available for collection at the school office.

Contact Glen Watson Photography directly with any queries regarding your order.

A huge congratulations to all our students for their effort and enthusiasm during both the Junior and Senior Sports Days. It was wonderful to see everyone having a go and showing great sportsmanship. A special thank you to all our teachers and volunteers who helped make both days run so smoothly. Your efforts are much appreciated.

Here are some important dates coming up:

High Jump Tryouts

On our Senior Sports day, high jump was not a scored event. This is because at times it can be a lengthy event and can hold the day up. This Friday, we’ll be holding high jump tryouts for those interested. This is not compulsory.

Year 6 Hockey Tryouts

On Monday 24th March, we’re running Year 6 hockey tryouts. Selected students will represent our school at the District Hockey competition on Thursday 3rd April.

Regional Swimming – Horsham

Good luck to our swimmers heading to Horsham on Wednesday 26th March for the Regional Swimming!

District Athletics

The District Athletics carnival is on Wednesday 23rd April. The district athletics team will be released shortly.

If your child has experienced concussion outside of the school setting it is important that they rest for a period of 24 to 48 hours and then gradually return to activities after this time. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sporting activities. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.

It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of school; this is to ensure the school can monitor your child’s wellbeing and adapt activities as required.

There is a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children’s research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.

This factsheet link below from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.

Dear Parent/Guardian

The Lions Eye Health Program is offering Free Vision Screening for St Joseph’s Primary School for Foundation, Year 3 and Year 6 students.

If you would like your child to participate in this vision screening program or wish to know more about the program, please view and/or complete the linked form.

Registrations close Thursday 20th March. 2025.

Scholastic Book Club

We hope everyone received Issue 2 of the Scholastic Book Club. If you are looking for another copy, we have spare catalogues in the LRC at the Circulation Desk. 

First time ordering from Book Club?

You can order books via the website or download the App from the App store: Be sure to select ‘St Josephs School’ and then add your children and their classes.  Once you’ve logged in once on the App - it should remember you each time, which makes it easier to order in the future!

You also have the option to tick the “GIFT” box when ordering.  This is a great opportunity to purchase BIRTHDAY GIFTS and we will sit them aside secretly for your collection from the Office.

Closing date for all current Book Club orders is FRIDAY 21st MARCH - 2025

Premier's Reading Challenge

The 2025 Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge has opened!

As the school has embarked on a real focus on literacy this year we have decided to enrol every student in this year’s Reading Challenge.  Students in Years 3-6 have access to their own device so they will be responsible for adding the books they have read and generating a Book Review on each book which will be emailed to their Classroom Teachers. We will add the books that the Juniors have had read to them, plus the books that they borrow from the library each week.  Students in Years 3- 6 need to read 15 books while the Junior students need to ‘experience’ 30 books by September.

If you would prefer your child/children NOT to participate in this year’s Reading Challenge or you would like a copy of your child’s username and password sent home so that you can also support your child in adding books to their ‘dashboard’ then just send me through an email to elloyd@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

LRC Coordinator
Mrs Emily Lloyd

Get the babysitters booked - ready for an epic trivia night

How it Works

Gather a group (8-12 people) OR sign up solo/couple

Register + pay for your ticket through CDF pay ($20 per person) 

If you’re entering as a group you will be able to nominate your “table leader” OR you can suggest your child’s classroom to join the class table 

• BYO - bring drinks and nibbles - (think eskys and platters)
• DJ after the trivia night - from 10pm - hang around for a dance and catch up
• Spot prizes and raffles will be drawn on the night

It’s about building community, having fun + fundraising for our new playground!

Tables are limited, so don’t wait too long - we don’t want you to miss out.

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, Monday 31st March, 2025.

Delivery date: Thursday 3rd April, 2025.

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

Term 1 Roster

School Canteen Support