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Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,
Prayer
To mark the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat in 2024, Bishop Paul Bird composed a special Anniversary Prayer. Following a request from the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, Bishop Paul has now adapted this prayer to serve as an ongoing Diocesan Prayer. We encourage its use throughout the diocese as a unifying expression of faith and community.
First Eucharist
Sunday at 10:30am & 6:00pm – St. Joseph’s Church
This Sunday, we’re excited to celebrate a very special moment in the lives of our First Eucharist candidates. Over the past four weeks, our students have been preparing for this sacrament with the support of their parents. During the 10:30am and 6:00pm Masses at St. Joseph’s Church, some of our students will receive the Body of Christ for the very first time.
The Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith, and this sacrament marks an important step in our students’ spiritual journey. It’s a meaningful reminder of the deep faith tradition that brings us together as a Catholic school community.
Please keep our First Eucharist candidates and their families in your prayers as they take this beautiful step in their faith.
Our Candidates are:
Ava Walsh, Gus Kenna, Islay Allison, Nova Gainey, Annie Murrell, Patrick Kerr, Darcy Schrama, Lucas Sarra, Maddox McDermott, Max McCosh, Diesel Harrington, Grace Densley, Harvey Umbers, Stella Bell, Beaux McInerney, Ollie Gynes, Tully Moloney, Alejandro Lopez, Ezra Smith, Georgia Perry, Millicent Hughson, Daniel Wakely, Louis Kenna, Mary Fitzgerald, Harry Kerr, Saina Maria Manjaly Tony and Abel Delaney.
Cara Chisolm (Religious Education Leader)
Australian Catholic Education Commission Conference
Last week I was fortunate to attend the Australian Catholic Education Conference in sunny Cairns. The conference theme was “Hope Anchored in Faith” and delegates attended from all Dioceses in Australia. Guest presenters included Jason Clare (Federal Education Minister), Archbishop Anthony Fischer, Dylan Wiliam and Dr Steve Constantino. Many themes ran through the event, in particular the value that Catholic Education provides our communities, the positive partnerships that schools and families create in order to support students to flourish, the role of the Catholic School in the mission of the church and artificial intelligence, its opportunities and implications for education.
The highlight was the celebration of Mass led by Bishop Joe Caddy in the Cairns Tipans Snake Pit with a choir of over 400 students accompanied by musicians from local Queensland Catholic Schools.
School Improvement Review
This week we have welcomed Lee Schlooz (Education Consultant), Janet Cain (Principal, St Colmans Mortlake) and Pauline Fischer (External Reviewer) to support us in validating the recommendations of our school review. This panel will meet with a range of staff, students and parents to help shape our school improvement priorities for the next 5 years. I look forward to sharing their findings with you in the coming newsletters.
Matthew O'Brien, Principal
Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.
Willa Brown, Jayden Stephenson-Smith, Jack Carter, Frankie Chatfield, Leo Jenkins-Smith, Nixon Lubeek, Godson Chikku Chacko, Lachlan Gladki, Hady Hady, Hudson Hope, Harry Kenna, Seb Amos, Emmy Marris and Audrey Wolff.
Basketball
Last week was a big week of basketball for our students from Year 4 and Year 6.
On Tuesday 19th August, our Year 4 teams took to the court with great energy and teamwork. The Year 4 boys team played some outstanding basketball and finished the day as winners. Our Year 4 girls team also impressed, showing great skill and determination, finishing second overall. The Year 4 mixed team played competitively all day and represented the school with pride.




On Friday 22nd August, our Year 6 students competed in the Division basketball tournament. The Year 6 boys team put on an excellent performance and were crowned winners, which means they will now progress to the next stage of competition on Friday 24th October. Our amazing mixed team were also crowned winners and played excellent basketball for the day. The girls team showed fantastic teamwork and skill throughout the day, playing some great basketball and being very close to also finishing on top.
Lawn Bowls
Our Year 6 Lawn Bowls team continues to train hard as they prepare for the Regional Tournament in Ballarat on Tuesday 2nd September. We wish them the very best of luck as they represent our school at this exciting event.
Matt McMillan - Sports Coordinator & Physical Education Teacher
Over Term 3 we are running our raffle again, which is aimed at supporting local and school connected businesses.
This also acts as our major fundraiser for 2025, and hopefully reaching the total needed for our new playground!
Families will be asked each to sell 4 x $25 tickets, with there being one prize of $10,000 worth of vouchers selected from the participating businesses only (the winner can choose to have 1 voucher or a maximum of 10 vouchers from different businesses).
The seller of the winning ticket will also have their 2026 Family fee (at least $1,445 based on the 2025 fees) credited off their school fee account.
Please return all SOLD and UNSOLD tickets by Friday 5th September. Thank you.
Our Theme this year is, 'Illuminate your creative heart and mind’ incorporating Art, Music and Dance to celebrate the Arts in a fun and engaging way.
Some events to look forward to are:
- Exciting arts workshops in unit areas daily Monday - Thursday 10:45am - 1:00pm
- Jon Madin Musician workshops with classes F-6 using his wacky instruments.
- Wednesday 3rd September night “ILLUMINATE” Lantern walk around the school 6:00pm -8:00pm with food vans and BBQ and entertainment.
- St. Joes got Talent performances daily with the winners performing at Assembly on Friday 5th September.
- Lunchtime busking performances by students.
- Painting at playtime for juniors.
- Art Exhibition of student art work in the Hall.
Poster by Lyla SMith, Year 6 student
Kath McMeel, Arts co-ordinator
7:00am - 9:00am
Friday 5th September, 2025
Our PSA is once again holding a Father's Day Breakfast for our school Dads (or special person).
Children arrive at school early with their dad and enjoy a breakfast of egg sandwiches, egg and bacon sandwiches or sausages in bread. The PSA will provide some fruit, juice and hot drinks, gluten free bread available. After the breakfast dads can walk their child/ren to the classroom for a visit.
Orders made via CDFPay
Orders close 3pm Tuesday 2nd September.
Sorry, no late orders accepted.
Volunteer
We rely on the assistance for volunteers on this day and the afternoon prior.
Please complete the volunteer form if you are able to assist with setup on Thursday after school or on the Friday morning for cooking, serving or cleanup.
This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching and we’d love to see our families benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
You do not have to have viewed part I and part II for this webinar to be of value.
Please note: Participants must register prior to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.
From Monday 1st September, children are required to wear their hats at school whilst outside at recess, lunch and sport.
No Hat = No Play
Children without hats will have to stay in the undercover area during lunch and recess. We do NOT have a grace period, hats must be worn from the 1st September.
Hats are available at Lowes, Gateway Plaza.
As per our Sun Protection policy:
Please ensure your child has adequate sun protection during the months of September to May. You child will require the following:
- their own sunscreen SPF 30+ or higher,
- St Joseph's Primary School sun hat,
- rash vest (if they are going swimming).
The above items are all to be labelled with their name and room number please.
Classrooms all have a supply of sunscreen available.