Dear St. Joseph’s School Community,

Full Schooling This Week

The transition for all Victorian school students to full on-site schooling continues this week. At St. Joseph’s Foundation to Grade 2 will again be attending classes; Grades 3 to 6 continue the remote program from home or as-needed access to the school Care and Supervision on-site program.

Getting To and From School

Weather permitting, walking, scooting, riding and bussing is a healthy, safe and environmentally friendly way to get to school. St. Joseph’s is part of the City Council ‘Healthy Moves’ program. Via this co-operative traffic management system and the ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ idea, our school has established outstanding school access via paths, supervised crossings and round-about corner crossings.

These travel options are worth considering, even in the winter; a coat and carefully identified track to follow allows students to move around the city safely. Are there risks? Yes, in all areas of life there are risks (as in driving) but with planning many issues can be eliminated, avoided and managed well, if taught and after a time of practice.

Full Schooling Next Week

From next Tuesday 9th June all students resume full on-site learning, remembering Monday the 8th June, is the Queens Birthday Public Holiday and there is no school.

Drop-off Students to School

All students need to walk into school classrooms independently; parents will not be allowed on site. This is a Victorian Health requirement; to reduce gathering, support social distancing and practice good health hygiene. Note extra staffing continues to be available to help each student to stay calm, safe and supported. Weather changes are announced and communicated at 3 pm every day.

Pick-up Students from School

Arrangements continue; every student being collected by car must attend one of three locations; A to G in the Loop, H to M at Queens Road and N to Z at the Tennis Court Car Park. To improve traffic flow in the Tennis Court parking area this week staff will walk students along the pathway adjacent to the courts. This will help students to spot cars to then hop-in. Note extra staffing continues to be available to help each student stay calm, safe and supported. Weather changes are announced and communicated at 3 pm every day.

Essential Safety Item For All Students This Term

Rain, wind and cold weather will arrive! As we all know this is Warrnambool, we live on the 38 degrees South parallel (Cold and Windy) and have one of the highest average rainfalls in the State of Victoria (The June Average is 76.9mm). We had beautiful autumn weather last week which supported student movement but the winter will come! Therefore it is essential every student has their school coat to stay warm and dry. If there is heavy rain at pick-up time we will move/hold students to help reduce the impact but a great school coat is everyone’s friend in this weather. (Available from Lowes Gateway Plaza, see school app for ordering).

Cleaning Standards

To further support student, staff and family safety we have introduced many new standards to help ensure everyone’s safety. These standards and procedures are constantly being monitored by our Facility Team. All high touch area, playgrounds and classrooms are intensively cleaned, disinfected and sanitised. Students are supported with handwashing, sanitizing and access to private drinking bottles for water.

Our Staff

We have also established 3 staff-rooms across the school to help minimise staff gatherings. Classroom air circulation is also supported, social distancing, healthy hygiene and reduced gathering are all in place. Staff also had access to COVID-19 testing and free flu vaccinations. Constant up-to-date health advice is also made available to all St. Joseph’s staff from the Australian and State Health Authorities. Strict sign in, people on-site regulations and general adult school access is also enforced.

Our people, students, staff and families are important to all of us; the safety, wellbeing and learning of all is our highest priority. Support and attention to the details of our COVID-19 policy and procedures help us live the school mission “... of a vibrant, imaginative Catholic educational community striving to be a place filled with hope, passion, fun and outstanding learning”. This goal is brought to life in the new art presentation in our school hall. The mural depicts students striving, persisting and ‘having a go,’ all against a backdrop of colour, movement, life and precision.

School Choir

As per other group programs the School Choir program will be on hold for the remainder of Term 2 and all of Term 3. While very disappointing for all involved Mrs Smock (Choir Teacher) is working on a possible Term 3 option. 

St. Joseph’s Hall Mural and today’s students ‘ready to go!’

Parent Leadership and Parent Partnership; St. Joseph’s School Advisory Council (SAC)

 St. Joseph’s primary school has an active engaged Council advising myself as principal and Fr. John as Parish Priest. Members of the SAC have four key functions:

1. Provide a stewardship role in support of resourcing; both human and physical,
2. Support policy, employment and school programs,
3. Attend to financial oversight of the school finances and
4. Enrich the school ethos, Catholic culture and faith development.

Again I thank everyone for your help with these arrangements during our transition to full schooling. Again any issue can be clarified as needed by contacting our office; 5561 1343.

Regards,
Michael Gray. Principal.