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Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
I have lifted this prayer from our DOBCEL newsletter as I found it timely to share.
This week a fragile peace is returning to Gaza. We keep all those experiencing war and violence in our prayers. Bringing peace is something we are all capable of, individually and as communities. The following prayer by Pádraig Ó Tuama may prompt consideration of how peace can be created in the here and now.
Retrieved from: Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community
Staffing Update
Congratulations to Nick Murrell on his appointment as the Principal of St Joseph’s for 2026 and beyond. Nick is well known in our community as he is a past teacher and leader at St Joes. Most importantly he is the father of Annie (Year 4) and Mason (Year 6) and husband of Caz who is an active member of our Parent School Association. I am looking forward to working with Nick over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition for our school community.
Teaching Positions 2026
I am delighted to be able to announce that we have appointed three new full time teachers for 2026.
Georgia Krebbs joins us from St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary in Armstrong Creek where she has been teaching foundation for the last few years.
Breeanna Saddington (currently teaching F6) will continue with us next year after joining us in a full time capacity this term. Breeanna has a deal of experience around the Gippsland area and has been a wonderful asset to our school as a CRT this year.
Eliza Blundell is a graduate teacher who has gained great experience through her work at St Pius X as an LSO while she has completed her degree.
Trainees 2026
We have appointed four trainees to support our students next year and we give a big welcome to Sophie Jellie, Ava McKenzie, Sam Marris and Charlie McKinnon.
I hope that all of these staff members find St Josephs to be a welcoming community to learn and grow.
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Sawyer Hallam, Ollie Harris, Tully Williams, Jamahlin Geebung, Rex Kelly, Charlie Moran, Tully Shaw, Erika Small, Patrick Griffey, Ruby Griffey, Layla Hernan, Billie Niklaus and Cally Shoo.
Collins Booksellers Kids Club
Introducing - NEW Collins Booksellers ‘Kids’ Club’ Book Ordering Forms.
When I am given the opportunity to shop locally - I always jump at the chance! I am so excited to support our local booksellers Collins, in their new venture ‘Kids’ Club!’ This term we are handing out their ordering magazines to the eldest child in the family, in place of our usual Scholastic Book Club Magazines! Do start ordering from Collins Booksellers, just follow the step-by-step instructions below to order some great books in time for Christmas, and we will receive a 10% kick back to our School Library!
If you have any outstanding rewards or points with Scholastic Book Club then we can continue to honour these while you still make your order via the LOOP App.
Book Week Dress Up and Parade
Friday 7th November - will be an optional ‘Book Week’ Dress-Up Parade and short Assembly prepared by our Year 6 Library Leaders. We will use this occasion to celebrate the conclusion of the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge and present awards to those who finished the Challenge and to announce the Class Winners who read the most books during the Challenge! You are more than welcome to join us in the School Hall from 9am, for a 9:15am start.
Please email me with any questions you might have about these two events to: elloyd@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Good luck to our Year 6 cricketers who will be competing this Thursday 23rd October at the Reid oval in the District Cricket Competition. We wish them all the best as they represent our school and showcase their skills.
We’d also like to wish our Year 6 boys basketball team the very best of luck as they travel to Ballarat this Friday 24th October to compete in the Regional Basketball Competition at Selkirk Stadium. A huge achievement to progress this far.
Matt McMillan
Sports co-ordinator and Physical Education Teacher
If your child/ren are not returning to St Joseph's Primary School in 2026 could you please notify the school office ASAP as we have many children on waiting lists in various year levels. Many thanks.
on the morning of Thursday 23rd October.
9:30am - 11:30am
including Morning Tea in the Hall.
Due to the changes to Child Safety the Passtab sign in procedures have been updated to collect more information from all visitors when entering a school. You WILL need to bring with you your Working With Children Card, your VIT card and Driver's Licence when you sign in. Once you have completed all sections of the updates you will be cleared to continue with volunteering or visiting the school.
- If you currently hold a Working with Children Check please bring your card into the School Office so details can be recorded.
- If you are a teacher and not employed at St. Joseph’s School and will be doing volunteer work at school please bring in your VIT card and Drivers Licence so details can be recorded.
- If you do not have a Working with Children Check card, you will need to apply for one please.
If you have any queries please contact the school office.
Wear Orange on Friday
We will be having a WOOF - Wear Orange On Friday 31st October when students will be able to wear a touch or ALL orange for Story Dogs. We will be raising funds for Story Dogs and you can donate via CDFPAY, now open.
We are very excited to have Story Dogs as part of our school Community. St. Joseph’s has joined Story Dogs as part of a National Story Dogs program that reaches over 390 schools nationally.
Story dogs involves a reading session of 20 minutes each, for 4, year 2 students, each week with our Volunteer Deb, and her dog Sadie. Susie Alexander is the coordinator for our school program.
Please see the Story Dogs website at www.storydogs.org.au for more information and read about the success of the program.
The PSA is excited to invite our school community to a special movie screening of the new release film ‘Zootopia 2’ at Capitol Cinema Warrnambool, 2pm, Sunday 30th November.
This is a community social event organised by the PSA and is not a school-supervised activity. All children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult for the duration of the event.
This is NOT a drop-off event. Responsible parents/guardians must remain with their children throughout the movie.
Zootopia 2
2pm, Sunday 30th November, 2025
Capitol Cinema Warrnambool
Ticket Cost (includes popcorn & drink combo)
$25 adult tickets
$20 child tickets
Tickets available on CDF Pay.
Tickets are limited, so get in quick! This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy quality time with your children at a new release film and connect with other families from our school community.