30 January 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Principal Welcome, Michael Gray

Welcome back all. I hope and trust everyone has had a relaxing and joyful summer holiday and are feeling excited about the new school year ahead. As I have shared via our school corner sign this week, St Joseph’s is a learning community where everyone will be supported this year “To Think, To Dare and To Dream.” I will make this my motto for 2018 and encourage all our students to approach their learning with this attitude. We will do this at school via discussions at assembly and with practical examples in classrooms. Why do I think this is important? I believe if we all approach life and learning with a positive mindset we are all better placed to grow, learn and engage positively with life. With a proactive mindset, challenges become great opportunities to build capacity, resilience and decision making. Parents are vital to this process and at St. Joseph’s we are indeed fortunate to have many people helping and supporting us all to be the best we can be.

New Digital Environment

This newsletter is also our first launch into a fully integrated digital environment. As we transition to the new environment, support is available from our office and arriving in homes this week is a letter that has much important family information presented as paper. The digital newsletter can also be printed by you for a paper copy if this suits. The newsletter can also be translated into our 100 languages if this helps.

The first steps for families to engage simply with this environment is to download the new SZapp (schoolzine). (With this newsletter is a help sheet to support you). Once you have the new app downloaded you can then delete the Skoolbag App.

Student Leaders 2018

After a development program with our Grade 5 students at the end of last year and as announced to our school community our student leaders for 2018 are listed below. Congratulations to the following people who have put themselves forward, with the support of staff and students to help our school thrive in 2018. I thank each for their commitment to St. Joseph’s and offer the student team our support. The role of this group is to support school programs and events that build community, promote student growth and create a fun place for all.

Following this introduction are many important administrative tasks for everyone; always remember if help is needed please call.

Annual School Fair

Sunday 25 March

Our Annual Fair is one of the highlights on our School Calendar. The first Fair Coordinators Meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday 12th February 2018.

New Year … New App (SZapp)

We will now be using a new parent communication App called SZapp (we previously used the Skoolbag App). The app is available for downloading from the App Store and Play Store. Search for SZapp.

The School Calendar feature of the App if very useful and you can elect to view Whole School events and events applicable to only your child’s year level.

Administration

2018 Family Fee Assistance

In 2018 the Catholic Education Office, Ballarat will still be offering their Family Fee Assistance Package to families who are holders of a Health Care Cards.

You can apply for this assistance by collecting a form from the school office and returning it to us along with a copy of your healthcare Card. The assistance package is worth $780 per family.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund

Families may also be eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF). The CSEF is applicable to all year levels not just those that attend a camp. This can be used to cover various items that are part of our school fees.

Direct Debit or Credit Card Deduction

It is not too late for families wishing to set up a regular direct debit or credit card deduction for their school fees. Forms are available from the school office.

Queries

If you have any questions regarding your school fees or any assistance, please contact Cathy Duynhoven on 5561 1343.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Monday 19 February and Tuesday 20 February

This is an opportunity for parents to meet with their child’s classroom teacher. The interviews run for 10 minutes. You need to allow 10 minutes between individual interviews to allow time to move between classrooms.

Bookings are NOT yet open. Bookings are made through our Parent Teacher Online (PTO) booking system. This can be accessed by the following link OR from the Helpful Links on the school website.

Forgotten your password? If you have previously registered your email address you can simply click on Obtain PIN/Password from the PTO main page.

Parents are encouraged to make their own bookings using their provided login details. Contact the office if you have any difficulties.

Foundation and New Students photos

Foundation students will have their photo taken by our school photographers, MSP Photography, on Friday 9 February. Personalised individual order forms for these photos will be sent home with these children. Spare copies are available at the office.

On this day MSP photography will also take photos of any new students in other year levels. These photos are used for the school’s library system.

Senior Reconciliation

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

Please complete the online registration form and make $20 payment through CDFpay (our online ordering system).

A kit containing the materials and information to prepare your child for the Celebration of Reconciliation will be available to collect at all Masses (8:30am, 10:30am and 6:00pm) on Sunday 18 February. It’s important to attend Mass on that Sunday.

Key Dates

PSA News

Welcome to all families to 2018.

PSA Welcome and Meeting Night

Our first PSA Welcome and Meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 20 February in the staffroom at school. The committee invite all interested parents to come along to find out more about what is happening at the school and contribute to activities run by the PSA.

A parent social night has been organised for Friday 2 March from 7pm. This night is organised by the PSA as an opportunity to get to know other parents in a social, friendly environment. Put the date on your calendar and more information will follow in our next newsletter.

Canteen News

Our 2018 Canteen Price List has been updated with some price and item changes. We are now stocking Billabong ice-creams instead of Fandangles. Prices and items have been updated on the CDFpay Canteen ordering system.

Please consider volunteering in our canteen for 2018. Each year we need new volunteers and our canteen relies on parent support.

With the changes to the School’s daily timetable there has been a change to the shift times. We are now moving to a two person, one shift roster with the hours of 11:00 am – 1:45 pm.

Contact the office if you are able to assist.

Excursion Permission Form for 2018

Have you completed your 2018 Excursion Permission Form?

The Excursion Permission forms were distributed at your child’s Literacy Interview earlier this week. Please complete this form and return them to the school by this Friday 2 February.

Smiles on Site Dental Program

The Smiles on Site Dental van is visiting our School in Weeks 2 and 3. Forms have been sent home late last year to be completed if you would like for your child to access this service.

You can also go online to register at:

First Aid and Student Medication Needs

New and existing families should ensure that the school office staff are aware of your child’s medical needs. Medical plans signed by a doctor are required annually. Appropriate forms are available from the school office.

Working with Children Check

To ensure the safety of all students we remind all families when visiting the school to always come through the school foyer area and sign in.

Please present your Working with Children Check to office staff if you wish to participate in activities with the children. Could people who have not yet presented their card for photocopying at the office please do so? Many thanks.