Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

Last week I spoke of the season of Lent; its purpose, it’s call to action and the focus of supporting others. Every year, across the world, countless people turn Lent into this demonstration of faith, love and generosity. The exciting aspect of Lent is we can all be part of this incredible community, those who believe there are simple actions we can all take to “be more” for our world.

Around School Updates

Sports Day, Years 3 to 6 & School Camping Program ‘Extended School Stay’ Years 1 and 2. This Thursday brings our school sports day for the older students, Years 3 to 6 and an extended school day stay for our Years 1 & 2 students.

 Both programs will run on our school grounds with the support of extra school staff and volunteer parents with a Working With Children Check (WWC Check). The ‘Extended School Day’ is part of the school camping program and the School ‘Sports Day’ part of the school health, sport and physical education curriculum. Both events won’t have parent on-site access due to our current Covid Safe Plan. Moving forward though, with our Covid safe plan and the weekend easing of gathering/mask wearing restrictions, our St. Joseph’s day Colour Run will allow families on-site in groups for the first time since March 2020! This will be another step in life returning to a more normal feel at St. Joseph’s. (See below for early arrangements for the St. Joseph’s Day school community event).

Note the Junior School Sports day, Foundation to Year 2 will be held on Thursday 1st April, on the school grounds; families will be able to be on-site for this event.

Secondary School Year 7 Experience: Year 6 students will have an excursion experience visiting a Year 7 setting as part of building their personal understanding of secondary schooling. The setting will be Emmanuel College over a morning and will be held on Tuesday 9th of March, 2021. Further information will be shared at the year level.

School Curriculum Closure Day and Victorian Public Holiday: This Friday 5th March is our term one school closure day; followed by Monday 8th March as the Labour Day Public Holiday. There will be no school for students on both of these days. On Friday staff will be working on the school English curriculum with a focus on writing. Under school governance arrangements schools are required to spend one day each term on staff training, curriculum professional development and/or faith formation. A reminder to families that Monday is also a public holiday, no school on this day.

Principal Project Wow!!! What a response. The project is now closed. A very special congratulations to everyone for your support, creative attention to the activities and commitment to learning and fun.  A special thanks to Kellie in the front office who has received every entry and organised the files into Year Levels for assessment. Entries dropped off to school have also been included. The local Warrnambool cinema has provided movie passes as prizes. Over the coming week I will review the work and award three passes per year level for creativity, attention to detail and final results.