The Season of Lent

During the past week staff and students observed the start of the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday liturgy in each classroom. 

During the season of Lent Catholics focus on:

• Almsgiving
• Prayer
• Fasting

Our Mini Vinnies group will be leading the advocacy and fundraising for Caritas Australia (Project Compassion). The Mini Vinnies team for 2022 are: Millie Black, Charlotte Wythe, Samantha Coghlan, Bella Blackmore, Bella Mammone, Harry Brooks, Zarah Timpson, Sarah McInerney, Blair Lyons, Ruby Koch, Bellalie Martin, Rose Armitstead, Manan Agrawal and Abbey O’Keefe. 

School Advisory Council

Mark Koch has informed us that he is stepping down from his role as chairperson and from his position on the School Advisory Council.  I would like to thank Mark for his contribution to our school, particularly for his thoughtfulness, insight and dedication to the ongoing development of our school.

Personally, Mark welcomed me to my new role at St Joseph’s and provided great support and a sounding board over many issues.

Peter Furphy has accepted the role of chair for the remainder of 2022.

Mark's resignation creates a vacancy on the SAC. The group meets once a term and its main functions are:

• to support the strategic direction of the school in achieving its vision
• Provide a voice for the members of the school community

Should you be interested in joining our SAC please email principal@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Other SAC members are: Donna Monaghan, Chris McGrath, Mel Happ, Christian Saywell, Liz Noonan (staff rep).                

Foundation-Year 2 Parent Helpers In Classrooms

We are now allowed to have volunteer workers in our classrooms which means that we will begin the Parent Helper Program in Term 2. This program supports the literacy development of students by providing extra adults to support the classroom activities.  The volunteers generally hear and change home readers, help small groups with tasks and work with individuals on their literacy learning. 

Register for Training

We will hold a training session on Monday March 28th at 9:30am in the hall foyer. Volunteers are required to hold a Working with Children’s Check and to provide proof of being fully vaccinated including a booster shot.

Register to express your interest in help in a Foundation, Year 1 or Year 2 classroom

Generally, parents are rostered once a week or once a fortnight from 9-10am. It is recommended that parent complete the Training prior to assisting in the classroom.

Fire Safety Fundraising Day

As some people might know, Eamon Cottee from E1’s house has burned down, and we are going to run a fundraiser to support Eamon’s family. With the money that we will raise is going to go to the Cottee family for the 5 of them to get new clothes, sheets, and other household items for when they get a new house.

We are going to have a uniform free day and focus on fire safety and also have a fun day. On this day we could all dress up as firefighters or casual clothes if you prefer. Mrs Lee is working with us to contact the fire brigade to come to the school to teach us about fire safety. We will announce the date soon. 

From, Archie McGovern, Stuart Thring, Gano Akoch, Monty Darcy and Oliver Mugavin (Year 6 students)

Rapid Antigen Test Survey

The Department of Education and Training is working with the Department of Health to gather feedback from parents/carers and staff to review and improve, where possible, the implementation of the rapid antigen testing program in schools.

This is being done by identifying a representative sample of schools across all three sectors (government, Catholic and independent) and asking those schools to distribute a link to surveys for parents and staff respectively, with the principals of each sample school also invited to complete a principals’ survey. Each of the surveys are entirely voluntary and anonymous.

St Joseph’s school has been identified as one of the schools invited to take part in this survey.

You are asked to complete the survey by 5.00pm Sunday 13 March 2022.

Regards
Matthew O'Brien, Principal