22 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message

Welcome once again to our “St. Joseph’s Newsletter”. Today’s newsletter is our Term 2, 3rd Edition, published for Tuesday 22nd May, 2018.

St Joseph’s is an amazingly active and vibrant school learning community. When I go to write my section of this Newsletter it is often about having “too much to add” or showcase; rather than looking hard to find news items! These last two weeks have been no exception. In fact, it disappoints me when I can’t show each parent, guardian, carer or grandparent what endeavour your children, our students place into growing, learning and becoming great young people every day.

However, with this week being Catholic Education Week it does give me a chance to reflect on the gift Catholic education is. I spoke at all the masses last Sunday to share with our parishioners and parish community this very point. Our Catholic school classrooms are sacred spaces; places where young people can grow, explore, challenge themselves and at times make mistakes in a safe place. Classrooms and our school are environments where we can safely enter into a dialogue with each other. It is this discussion that helps us test ideas, gauge standards, be challenged, consolidate ideas and create who I want to be.

The theme of Catholic Education Week this year is taken from the bible scripture John Chapter 1 verses 38-39. Verse 38 says “Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” In verse 39 Jesus replied “Come and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him.

This Scripture tells us Jesus invites us all to spend time with him to learn about what is good, right and important. This is a challenge for us all and as a Catholic school it invites us to be open to all, respect each person for who they are and especially in a school environment to also challenge each other to be our best and achieve results. Ultimately this Scripture also invites us to dialogue with the message of Jesus. A message that is at times very challenging for us all.

In a very practical sense the theme of “Come and See’ is about hospitality, learning and community Some examples of this spirit are shared for your reflection.

• A very special “Thank-you” to our Parent Association (PSA) and their great work lead by Penny Welsh with a fantastic Mother’s Day Stall. The Association, via great work by Jenny Callaghan and Team provided access to a very successful second hand clothing sale for us all.
• Many grandparents visiting to play “Old Fashion Games” as part of the Foundation Inquiry Unit. Our students loved having this time together.
• Braving the winter weather elements and walking to school last Thursday.
• Over the course of the year all our Grade 2 students will experience harvesting, planting and cooking healthy food snacks. A very special thanks to Jo Barfus McCoy for leading this program.

Some of our Grade 2 students and their produce

• Senior School “Pop Art” display recently in the school hall foyer; amazing level of detail, imagination and production. Thanks to Kath McMeel and Cara Chisholm for the display and the many able to attend.
• ANZAC Day several of our student leaders supported the Warrnambool ceremony and at Assembly last Friday RSL leader John Miles presented Eva Joseph and Harry Jenkins with a special certificate of appreciation for their wonderful reading at the 2018 service.
• Congratulations also to staff member Andrew Miles who recently was recognised for his commitment as a volunteer trainer with the Warrnambool SES. The SES also thanked our school for its support of Andrew in allowing him to attend major rescues as needed across the South West of Victoria.
• Many parent and guardians recently completed a religious education survey as part of our school Catholic identity profile. St Joseph’s achieved an outstanding response rate (78%, the highest across Victoria). A great response rate validates our data and will ensure our parent, student and staff ideas form our school future improvements.

In concluding this section of the news I would like to alert our community to two support programs being offered by the philanthropic group St. Vincent de Paul. If a family is unable to send their child to a Catholic college due to fees in their first year assistance is available. St Vincent de Paul also sponsor a senior student camping experience. If you are interested in either of these supports please contact school deputy principal, Mr. Jim Guinan.

School Reminders:

• Fair Review meeting tonight, Tuesday 22 May, at 7pm-8pm at Lady Bay Bistro followed by the PSA Meeting at 8pm-9pm.
• Foundation and Year 7 enrolments are open with applications now due.
• Winter Uniform Coats. Many families now have the coats, thanks to all for your transition to this garment. If the coat is on back order an interim item is fine.

Regards,
Michael Gray, Principal.

Teacher Awards

Week 4

Week 5

Gold Box Winner

Congratulations to gold box winner Seb Bartlett for showing respect towards others and being positive. Congratulations to gold box winners Matilda Stevens and Olivia Wolter for keeping our school clean. Our gold box winners get to go to the pool for a swim with a friend. Congratulations to Pippa Kelly for making great working sounds.

2019 Enrolments

2019 St Joseph’s Primary School enrolment forms are now available for collection from the school office.

Emmanuel Enrolments

School Photo Day

Photo Day: Thursday 31 May 2018

Photo Order Forms: School photo order forms with child’s name and room number have been sent home with your child. We encourage you to return the envelopes to school as soon as possible, preferably by Wednesday 30 May.

A surcharge of $20 may be applied by MSP Photography to late orders submitted after the photo day.

Family Photos: Families will have also received a personalised family photo envelope. Spare family photo order envelopes can be collected from the office.

Uniform: Children are required to wear full Winter Uniform; boys are reminded to wear their long grey school pants. All children are required to wear their school jumper for their photos. It may be timely to check lost property if your child has lost their jumper

Class Sports Day: If it is your child’s regular sports day they should bring their runners in their bags.

All students will have their individual photo taken and be in a class photo on the day regardless of whether an order has been placed.

MSP photography can be contacted on (03) 5222 6747

The Resilience Project

Resilience Project “Parent Information Night”. St Joseph’s can confirm this team and their visit to work with parents and staff on Thursday 23rd August and students on Friday 24th August this year. This program is being fully funded by our funds raised by our Parent Association.

Learn more about The Resilience Project at their website

Sports News

Mark Gercovich, Sports Coordinator

District Cross Country

On Friday 18th May the St Josephs cross country team travelled to the Reid oval to run in the Warrnambool District SSV event. The weather was perfect for cross country and the team performed magnificently. An incredible 25 of the 34 member team made it through to Division cross country to be held at Deakin next Friday. St Joseph's won both the aggregate trophy and the school-size average trophy on the day.

Congratulations to Taj Riddle, Shaylee Ralston and Will Main who won medals as age group winners.

St Joseph’s Primary School Cross Country Team

Mother’s Day Stall

Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers, grandmothers and special friends. Thank you to Penny Walsh and her team of PSA helpers who organise this activity.

Classroom Helpers Program

7:00pm – 8:30pm, Thursday 24th May

The Classroom Helpers Program will take place on Thursday 24th May 7:00 pm – 8:30pm. Thank you to the parents who have already indicated that they are going to attend. A fabulous response!

The program aims to inform parents of Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students, about the teaching and learning of Reading and writing and how you can help in the learning process at home. It is an expectation that you participate in this program if you wish to help in the classroom now or in the future. We also invite you to ask others e.g. grandparents, who may like to help in the classroom. Remember everyone who does help out in the classroom needs a working with children’s check.

Sacramental Program – Confirmation

Family groups have attended a Parent Meeting and have started the 5 week program.

Key Dates

Lost Property

A fitbit was found on one of the school ovals. Contact the office if you think it may belong to you.

Community Notice Board

Robert Connor Dawes

Our Community Notices are flyers that are sent in by various community and sporting groups for inclusion in our newsletter.