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Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
What a delight it was to welcome so many grandparents to our school today. The classrooms were full of chatter and smiling faces as children engaged in games and craft activities. Our visitors were then treated to a beautiful morning tea which had been prepared by the Year 6’s with help from Mrs Mulqueen and Bernie. There were over two hundred visiting grandparents, making it a very special day. Thanks to all concerned.
We will be having our first Transition session for our new Foundation students for 2026 on Tuesday, 28th October. There will be two sessions, one at 9.25 am and another at 12.00pm. We look forward to welcoming our new members of the school community.
Year 6D and 6SB as well as Year 5D class have had Water Safety sessions. Unfortunately, we have had to reschedule 5NT due to the weather warning on Wednesday.
Yesterday at 5.00pm we enjoyed Prayer in Pyjamas with the Foundation students and their families. Students came along in their PJ’s and took part in activities with their families to help them engage in prayer. The Parish team facilitated this session with staff from our school assisting. The evening finished up with sharing pizza, always a hit with the little ones. Thanks to all concerned.
It’s been a busy but fun week!
Best wishes
Ros Joyner
Principal
Term 4
Tuesday 7 October – Tuesday 16 December
Mon 27 – Thu 30 October Water Safety & Swimming Lessons – 4 Fechner & 4 Silver
Friday 31 October Mission Market
Friday 31 October Day for Daniel
Friday 31 October School Assembly at 2:30pm
Monday 3 November School Closure Day
Tuesday 4 November Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wed 5 – Fri 7 November Foundation Year 1, 2 & 3 Swimming Program
Friday 7 November P & F Meeting
Wednesday 12 November Open Water Learning Experience in Phillip Island – Year 6
Friday 14 November Colour Blast
Monday 24 November SRC Pyjama Day
Thursday 4 December Swimming Carnival for Year 3, 4, 5 & 6
Thursday 11 December Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 16 December Last Day of Term 4 – 3:20pm finish
**Please ensure you check the newsletter and ClassDojo for any changes that may arise.
Jubilee of Consolation and Hope Liturgy
Prayer in Pyjama Workshops
The Drouin and Warragul Catholic Parish Communities warmly invite Foundation students and their parents to attend ONE of our …
Prayer In Pyjama Workshops
The final workshop will be held at:
St. Ita’s Primary School Wednesday 29th October 5.30–6.30
All school families are welcome to attend this workshop (Catholic and non-Catholics are invited).
This workshop is activity based and is an opportunity for Foundation families to gather, pray, learn, create and have fun together.
Children are invited to wear their pyjamas and bring their favourite cuddly bedtime toy.
The workshop is free unless families would like to donate a small amount to help cover the cost of materials used.
For more information contact Liz on 5623 1642,
or email: warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au
Children's Liturgy
A message from Deacon Mark
How Great We Are
The parable in this week's gospel (Luke18:9-14) is challenging for all of us to reflect on: the contrast between the great man who stands proud and tall and aggressively at the front of the temple proclaiming to the Creator and to all who see him what a heavy dude he is and the small man, the sinner, beaten down by life, who effaces himself at the back of the temple, quietly acknowledging his unworthiness.
All of us can think of a "great man" in our contemporary experience who has those characteristics and instinctively we envisage ourselves as the humble sinner, the bloke on the right side of the story. However, if we dwell too long on the image, feeling righteous and justified, we begin to turn into the haughty, self-satisfied “great man" ourselves.
Time and again our society has descended into proclaiming ourselves worthier than First Nations people, than non-Christians, than people of non- Anglo Saxon Celtic heritage, than people of varying sexual and gender orientations. And each time Jesus points us to the gospel story of “the Pharisee and the Publican.” In our daily lives we are called only to proclaim from the rooftops the Good News of the Kingdom, of redemption for all, of God's love for all humankind, equally and absolutely.
Whenever we start seeing ourselves as superior to our neighbour either in status, smartness, or holiness we begin to turn into that Pharisee. There is nothing so off-putting, so undermining of our message of "Good News", as the sanctimonious Christian who lets it be known that he/she has an exclusive "Royal Telephone" connection with God and is somehow better than everyone else.
So, we are called to immerse ourselves in the world around us, humbly confident, joyful, and thankful of the salvation offered to all. That is how we carry the "Good News".
Deacon Mark Kelly
At this time of the year, we ask families whose children are not intending to return in 2026 (apart from Year 6 students), to send an email to principal@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible informing of the change. We have a number of enrolment inquiries and are preparing for 2026 classes. Our Foundation 2026 enrolments are now at capacity.
What a delight it was to welcome so many grandparents to our school today! The classrooms were filled with chatter, laughter, and smiling faces as children proudly shared games and craft activities with their special visitors.
After spending time together in the classrooms, our guests were treated to a beautiful morning tea prepared by the Year 6 students, with the wonderful support of Mrs Mulqueen and Bernie. Their efforts created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that was enjoyed by everyone.
With more than two hundred grandparents joining us, the day was truly a celebration of family, connection, and community. A heartfelt thank you to all who helped make this special event such a memorable occasion.
Pictured below are some of our students as they prepared the slices and morning tea treats that were enjoyed by our visitors.
Swimming Program
This year, we are very excited to be offering senior students an opportunity to achieve their Victorian Water Safety Certificate as part of their swimming program.
This program includes sessions in the classroom, Surf Lifesaving Victoria (SLV) 1 hour incursion for the Year 5’s. Year 5 and Year 6 will complete a 90min Swimming Lesson and Water Safety Session as an opportunity to complete their Victorian Water Safety Certificate at Splash’s Pool in Pakenham.
Year 6’s will travel to Phillip Island on Wednesday 12th November
For program details : Lifesaving Victoria 2hr Wet at Cowes Beach.
Year 4 Swimming Program - Splash’s Pakenham
Dates: Monday 27th to Thursday 30th October
Program details: 4 x 45 minute sessions, last session is Victorian Water Safety Certificate Assessment.
F- 3 Swimming Program - Latrobe Leisure Centre Newborough
Dates: Wednesday 5 November- Friday 7 November
Program details: 3 x 30min Swimming Lessons
Keep an eye out for permissions that have been sent via PAM as some consent and swimming ability surveys will be due on 6th OCTOBER.
2025 Swimming Carnival for YEAR 3-6
Venue YMCA Victoria - Warragul Leisure Centre
Date: Thursday, 4th December 9:30am to 2:30pm
In Victoria, it is compulsory for children aged 6-17 years to attend school.
Parents are legally required to ensure their child attends school every day and to provide an explanation for their child's absence from school unless an exemption from attendance has been granted or an exception to their attendance applies.
Absences
If your child is away sick or away due to a planned absence or appointment, please ensure you advise the school office. Student absence text messages are sent out if your child is marked absent without a reason. Emails or ClassDojo messages may be missed in some instances; if the classroom teacher is teaching or the classroom teacher may be away.
It is imperative that you notify the school office through one of the following methods:
1. Log into PAM (Parent Access Module) and register your child's absence;
2. Email absence@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au or info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au
3. Phone the office on (03) 5623 2943
When sending an email, you may wish to "cc" your child's classroom teacher so they are aware of the absence too.
Holidays
If you are planning an extended holiday (a week or more) during the school term, please email info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au or principal@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au addressing your intentions to our Principal, Mrs Roslyn Joyner.
If you have any questions or need any clarification, please feel free to contact Shirley or Kitty in the office on (03) 5623 2943.
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
As members of the St Joseph's school community, we all have a responsibility to keep children safe. To support families with information about the actions our school takes to keep children safe, our Child Safety and Wellbeing policy has been updated, endorsed by our Child Safety Team and shared with our community both here and on our school website. Families are encouraged to read the policy or visit our school website and explore the Child Safety section.
Victoria’s Child Safe Standards under Ministerial Order No. 1359 require certain roles and responsibilities to be allocated within schools, including the role of Child Safety Champions who supports school leadership to effectively implement their child safety and wellbeing plans. Our Child Safety Champions for 2024 and 2025 are Ros Joyner, Camillo Redi and James McMahon.
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Car Line
If you arrive before school finishes, it is an expectation that you move all the way down the carline and fill all the spaces. If the carline is full, take a parking spot opposite the carline and walk to the crossing for student collection. Alternatively, leaving home 5-10 minutes later may be a better option to avoid being stuck in the congestion. Children are supervised in the carline area until 3:35pm, at which time, our carline and Burke Street are clear.
School Crossing
Please remember that the carline is private property and all people using our carline must follow the instructions of the staff managing the area - this is non-negotiable and aggressive or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Entering the carline via the exit is dangerous and illegal.
When waiting along Burke Street to enter the school grounds, please do not stop your vehicle on the school crossing. For safety reasons, the school crossing supervisor is not authorised to allow children to cross the school crossing if a vehicle has stopped over the school crossing.
Medical Profiles and Emergency Contact Details
We remind parents and carers that it is time to review your child/ren's medical profile on PAM. Any changes in medical needs should be communicated to the school to ensure that we provide the most up-to-date care for our students. If emergency contact details have changed or emails, phone numbers need updating, please contact the office to provide the updates necessary. The most efficient way to provide these details to the office would be to email - info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au
If your child is affected by Anaphylaxis or has any allergies and requires an ASCIA Allergy Plan developed by your child's doctor, please provide information and a copy to the office. In addition, Asthma plans may need updating, please ensure that these are also current. If your child has medication stored at our school, please check with the office that the medication is still in date and there is ample supply.
**All Medical Authority Forms held at school must be updated as soon as possible to allow for any medication changes, dosage or student growth . An email was sent out to all familes on 30 January with medication information and the forms required, depending on the ailment. Please contact the school office if you need any further assistance.
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders:
- are every Wednesday and Friday
- can be placed using the Flexischools app
- are delivered to school for the first break at 11:30am
- can be placed until 11:00pm the night before (Tuesday and Thursday) from a full menu
- can be placed until 9:00am on Wednesday and Friday mornings from a limited menu
School Uniform
During Term 2 & Term 3, all students are required to wear their full summer school uniform, including correct socks and shoes. Wearing the school uniform correctly demonstrates school pride and identity. Please ensure your child has the correct uniform on the correct days.
We appreciate your support.
Lost Property
Anyone with flu-like symptoms, however mild, should not attend school and should follow medical advice, including being tested for COVID-19.
It is strongly recommended that students:
- Who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five (5) days;
- Should not attend school after five (5) days if still symptomatic;
- Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school until their symptoms resolve;
- Parents, guardians or carers advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result.
To assist with limiting the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, parents, guardians and carers should be strongly encouraged to ensure that their child(ren) remain at home if they are unwell.
Big Blokes BBQ- What a Day!
A huge thank you to our amazing St Joe’s volunteers- Tania, Elisha, Jenny, Renee and Gabrielle- for helping serve 700 meals at the Baw Baw Big Blokes BBQ on Friday 10 October.
The event was a tremendous success, raising $310,000 to support men’s health, prostate cancer research and local causes in the Baw Baw community.
As a thank you for our involvement, the Baw Baw Big Blokes have generously donated $1,000 to our school.
Colour Blast- Friday 14 November @ 12.30pm
The countdown is on!
Join us on the school oval for a fantastic afternoon of colour, fun, and community spirit.
Date: Friday 14 November
Time: 12.30pm
Register now $6 per student https://colourblast.com.au/registration/?stjoeswarragul
Registration includes entry to the Colour Run, emergency services visit and a cool pair of sunglasses. We are raising funds to upgrade our outdoor spaces.
Thanks to our friends at Barry Plant Warragul/Drouin, the top 5 fundraisers will receive amazing prizes valued at $1,000.
Plus – everyone’s a winner:
- Raise $20 = $5 gift card
- Raise $40 = $10 gift card
- Raise $80 = $20 gift card
(Usable at hundreds of retailers!)
Last week’s highlights:
Congrats to the class with the most registrations who won an icy pole prize! Also, shoutout to the 10 lucky students who had registered who were randomly selected for Cheesecake Shop prizes.
Can you help on the day?
This event wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers.
We’d love your support – whether it’s 2 hours or all day!
Volunteer here https://volunteersignup.org/Y9XDW
Second-Hand Uniforms – Donate or Grab a Bargain
Donate good-quality uniforms your child has outgrown to the school office.
Need uniforms? Pre-loved items are available for a gold coin donation and school bags for $10.
Contact: stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or visit the school office.
Join us on Facebook
Search: Parents and Friends of St Joseph's Primary School Warragul
Want to get involved? Email us, message on Facebook, or visit the school office.
Don’t forget your Working With Children Check – it’s free for volunteers: Working with Children Check | Working and Volunteering | Service Victoria).
P&F Events and Meetings in Term 4
- P&F Meeting: Friday 7 November, 2.00pm (at school)
- Colour Run: Friday 14 November
Want to get involved? Email us, message on Facebook, or visit the school office.
Don’t forget your Working With Children Check – it’s free for volunteers: Working with Children Check | Working and Volunteering | Service Victoria).
Netball - Net Set Go
Peninsula Cinemas, Warragul
Australian Red Cross
Got a bit of time next month? Time to give blood and change lives? 1 in 3 people in Warragul will need blood, and they need people like you to give it. We’re rolling into town from 4 to 21 November. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at lifeblood.com.au, on our app or on 13 14 95.
