Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community, welcome to another school week. Now that December is almost upon us I again share several updates about important school events leading to the celebration end of this very different year.

St. Joseph’s Church

Candle Holder: Over the years Fr. John, the church financial and liturgical teams have been working with parishioners on repairing, restoring, ensuring safety and future proofing our beautiful church. This work is governed by the building itself, community expectations, heritage overlays and importantly liturgy. A recent upgrade in this important stewardship of the parish church asset has been the installation of a new memory candle receptacle.

Mass at St. Joseph’s Church: After an amazing virtual time for mass attendance over COVID times the government, working with the Victorian Bishops, have announced a return of greater numbers to mass, funerals and weddings. This weekend people can book to attend St. Joseph’s Church. The numbers are capped at 100. All details available by contacting the parish office on 5562 2231.

Season of Advent: The church liturgical season has now entered Advent. Advent has a twofold purpose; to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s birth is remembered and to await, as forecast in the ancient scriptures, our future meeting with Christ. It is this second coming of Christ that encourages us all to live with a sense of hope and comfort.

General Updates

Details of these events have, and will continue, to be communicated via this newsletter as well as individual class and parent notes and our messaging app. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place for visitors and parents on site a short summary of activities and events is provided:

School Advisory Council and Parent Association ‘Thank-you’ Function: Our two parent groups have continued to meet and support school decision making, events and activities this year. The School Advisory Council members will join our Parent School Association for a thank you function this Tuesday 1st December, 2020. Starting at 6:30 pm we will gather in the downstairs function room at the Flying Horse Tavern. All most welcome, RSVP to our school office.

2021 Parent Foundation Information Session: A virtual meeting will be held for families of Foundation students starting in 2021 on Wednesday 2nd December starting at 7:30 pm. Details have been mailed to families.

Orientation Day for 2021: Our current students will participate in our program on Tuesday 8th December, including a sausage sizzle and drink provided by our PSA budget for lunch. All students wear normal St. Joseph’s school uniform. Our 2021 Foundation students will have their orientation day this year in the last week of the school year. These students will have their session as well as participating in their interviews.

Year 6 Graduation:  A COVID-19 safe program is planned. I especially thank our parish, school and administration staff for working together on this program. Mass will be filmed and available virtually and will include a Year 6 presentation.

Final School Assembly: This event will occur in a modified format onsite for students and will again be available virtually. Full details will be shared when finalised. The program will be held on Monday 14th December from 9:30 AM.

School ‘Emergency Practice’ Sessions: Over the course of a year we practice various school emergency scenarios to ensure all students, staff and families associated with St. Joseph’s are safe and supported during actual emergencies. This Term we have been running planned awareness experiences on our school emergency sound system and ‘Lock Down’ procedures. This work is helping all to understand requirements in real emergencies and to ensure we have good practice. The ‘Lock Down’ last week was well executed with staff, students and visitors all following procedures in a safe and calm manner.

Employment Updates

St. Joseph’s recently advertised for further staff in 2021, applications closed last Friday with interviews occurring over the next week.

Welcome and congratulations to Yuichi Deguchi who will teach in our Japanese language program in a full-time capacity at St. Joseph’s Primary School. Yuichi has previously worked across the Warrnambool Catholic Network of schools.

Congratulations to Laura Dunn (current replacement teacher B1) who will continue at St. Joseph’s in 2021 as a full-time teacher. I especially thank Laura for filling the replacement position this year and offer Laura all our continued support and congratulations for 2021.

This year we have been fortunate to have the support of Ms. Rosalie Cullum in our languages program. Rosalie has especially supported the younger years with Sensei Deguchi and Emily Lloyd.   Rosalie joined us under a Language Traineeship and was shared with St. John’s Dennington. Rosalie’s work has been outstanding. I wish her all the best as she takes up her University offer for 2021.

Curriculum Updates

Book Week: A brilliant program result for fundraising and book purchases over the week. A very special thanks to all involved. See note with this newsletter especially the spectacular result of the book sales.

Outdoor Experience Year 5: Good luck to our Year 5 students as they participate in our outdoor water experience this week. Great time to be in the canoes and fishing. Remember sun awareness safety.