A reminder: Friday 30 May is a Pupil Free Day

Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

This week is Catholic Education Week and the theme for 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope to align with the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis, inviting communities to reflect on the significance of hope and faith in their lives.

On Wednesday, eleven students represented our school at the Diocesan Catholic Education Week Mass at St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield. We joined with 39 Primary Schools and 5 Secondary Colleges along with the bishop and priests of our Diocese to mark the significance of this week. It was wonderful to be a part of this celebration. All of the school banners were carried into the stadium of over 1000 people, including students, school staff and DOSCEL representatives. We were also very proud to support Suzen Kuol who received the Catholic Education inaugural award for “Hope”. Suzen was recognised for her inclusive and compassionate nature and the way in which she conducts herself. Congratulations Suzen!

We also celebrated this week with Andrew Chinn coming to the school to sing with the students, culminating in a concert in the afternoon.  This is always a highlight for the year. Thanks Andrew!

Today we had a whole school Mass to give thanks for our wonderful school and community. We also welcomed residents from Abbey Gardens who came to participate in the Mass.

We move from one celebration week to another!

Next week is National Reconciliation Week. This is celebrated from Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025 is “Bridging Now to Next”. The theme reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future, and calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

27 May is the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum which saw over 90% of Australian voters choose ‘Yes’. Yes, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being counted in the census and Yes to the Government to create laws that could assist in addressing inequalities.

3 June is Mabo Day which recognises the important contribution by Eddie Koiki Mabo and marks the anniversary of the historic 1992 High Court Mabo decision. Mabo’s court challenge set a precedent in Australian Law for the recognition of Indigenous custodianship over traditional lands.

We will hold a special assembly on Thursday to mark Reconciliation Week.

Best wishes,

Ros Joyner

Principal

Term 2

Tuesday 22 April – Friday 4 July

Thursday 29 May                                             School Assembly at 2:30pm

Friday 30 May                                                   Pupil Free Day

Sat 31 May & Sun 1 June                              First Holy Communion Masses

Thursday 5 June                                               First Holy Communion Post Teaching Mass

Friday 6 June                                                     Years 5 & 6 Mass at 9:30am

Friday 6 June                                                     P&F Meeting 2:00pm at school

Sat 7 & Sun 8 June                                          First Holy Communion Masses

Monday 9 June                                                 King’s Birthday Public Holiday

Friday 13 June                                                   Years 3 & 4 Mass at 9:30am

Friday 13 June                                                   Luigi Zucchini ‘Spaghetti Spaghetti’ Incursion

Monday 16 June                                              Winter Sports

Thursday 19 June                                            Confirmation Parent Information Meeting

Friday 20 June                                                   Foundation – Year 2 Mass at 9:30am

Friday 20 June                                                   St Joseph’s Galactic Groove Disco

Sat 21 & Sun 22 June                                     Confirmation Commitment Mass

Friday 27 June                                                   Whole School Mass – Feast of the Sacred Heart at 9:30am

Sunday 29 June                                                Confirmation Commitment Mass

Thursday 3 July                                                 P&F Meeting, online at 8:00pm

Friday 4 July                                                       Last Day of Term 2 – 2:20pm finish

Term 3

Tuesday 22 July – Friday 19 September

Monday 21 July                                                 Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 22 July                                                 First Day of School for Term 3

Thursday 31 July                                              Confirmation Parent/Child Workshop

Thursday 7 August                                          Reconciliation for Confirmation Candidates

Friday 8 August                                                Confirmation Retreat Day

Wednesday 13 August                                   School Concert

Friday 15 August                                              Sacrament of Confirmation Mass

Mon 18 – Fri 22 August                                 Book Week

Monday 25 August                                          Pupil Free Day

Friday 19 September                                     Last Day of Term 3 – 2:20pm finish

St Joseph's has had a wonderful week celebrating Catholic Education Week.

On Wednesday, our Liturgy Leaders, Mrs Joyner and Bernie, along with about 1000 students and staff from across the diocese, attended the Jubilee Mass at Francis Xavier College, led by Bishop Greg Bennett. We are very proud of our year 6 student, Suzen, who along with five other students, received the Sr Mildred and Sr Majella rsj Catholic Education Award, honouring students who exemplify the Christian value of hope.

Congratulations Suzen!

Our school came alive and was filled with great joy yesterday as Andrew Chinn used his musical talents to share God's message through songs. We are truly blessed to have had such a renowned performer entertain us.

Throughout the week, classes have been following a "Pilgrimage around St Joseph's School", a journey which led them on an exploration around the school, learning about the history of St Joseph’s at our current site and searching for signs and symbols of our Catholic faith.

Finally, we completed our celebrations with a whole Eucharist celebration with Fr Brendan to which we welcomed parents and members of Abbey Gardens Aged Care.

Children's Liturgy

Catholic Education Week

 A message from Deacon Mark

If You Were Accused

A colleague of mine years ago had a poster above her desk which read, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Good question!

For many “new Catholics” or “neophytes” across our diocese and the world, our recent Easter Vigil was the culmination of a lengthy period of discernment about joining the Catholic community. Quite counter-culturally, these people have put their hands up and proclaimed, “I want to be a Catholic!” “Wow!” is my response, “Come on in!” Many (including neophytes in our local parishes) report that they have been inspired by Catholic Christians they have encountered in their daily lives. And we welcome them, celebrating too our separated Christian brothers and sisters, longing for the day when we will all be completely one. That is what this gospel is all about! (John 17: 20-26)

John’s gospel depicts Jesus asking the Father that his followers “may become completely one so that the world may know that you have sent me …” (Jn 17:23) This is a sobering thought for Christians – that our behaviour, our example of unity or disunity, reflects directly on how the world sees Jesus.

If those we work and school and play with don’t see the face of Christ in us, then we have to question our Christianity. If we are harping and carping and divisive within ourselves and in our relationship with other Christians, we are a poor example. There are very real differences and divisions amongst us, but if we allow these to mask the many and much greater things that unite us, we do a disservice to Christianity.

Hopefully for each of us individually and for all of us collectively there is enough evidence to convict us of being Christians.

Deacon Mark Kelly

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 Construction

Over the next several weeks, construction will begin on a new car line shelter at the west end of our car line. Once completed, this shelter will serve as our designated afternoon pick-up area, where all students will wait to be collected.

Langden Constructions will be managing the project. While the car line will remain operational throughout the construction period, there may be times when the number of available waiting bays is reduced. We kindly ask for your patience and cooperation during this time.

The safety of our students remains our highest priority. Please ensure you follow the directions of school staff in the car line at all times.

Construction is expected to be completed by the start of Term 3.

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

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.

Galactic Groove Disco

Back by popular demand, the P&F Committee are very excited to invite all St Joseph’s students to the St Joseph's Galactic Groove Disco 2025.

Date: Friday 20 June 2025

Location: St Joseph's School Hall

Time:

• Foundation to Grade 2: 5pm- 6pm
• Grade 3 to Grade 6: 6.30pm-8pm

Entry fee includes:

• A fun evening of dancing to the tunes of DJ BOOM
• Fluro sticker and glow sticks
• A small fairy floss snack.

There will also be a quiet area for those who want to party with a little less noise.

Children are invited to dress in their best space/galaxy/alien costume if they like - or just come dressed for some fun! (No pressure to dress up.)

Tickets are $10 per child or $25 per family of three students or more. 

Book your tickets now at  https://www.trybooking.com/DBJWT

If you’re an adult who also likes to dance or play party games, we are eager for some parent helpers on the night (nibbles supplied). There are 3 timeslots available, if you can lend a hand, please register at https://volunteersignup.org/BRPTR

Win a Million Cents

Until 15 June, Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is offering Victorian recyclers the opportunity to WIN A MILLION...Cents. That’s $10,000, and all you have to do is return at least 50 eligible containers in one transaction (and hold onto the proof of return).

There are 5 x $10,000 cash prizes to be won, and one of the winners will also get a bonus $10,000 to donate to a registered CDS Vic donation partner of their choice (e.g St Joseph’s Primary School). Could it be you?

You can enter the competition regardless of whether you keep or donate your container refunds.

Maybe a St Joe’s family will land the bonus $10,000 donation partner giveaway. How awesome is that!

To Enter

1. Return at least 50 eligible containers in a single transaction.
2. Grab your proof of return and head to https://winamillioncents.com.au/
3. Complete the online entry form, upload a photo or screenshot of your proof of return and accept the competition Terms & Conditions.

For those who would like to support St Joseph’s Primary School with a regular donation from your exchange of eligible drink containers, please use partner ID C2000009902, or scan the barcode below.

C2000009902

Join us on Facebook

We welcome all families to join our P&F Facebook page. This is a great place to ask any questions you might have and to engage with our school community - please search 'Parents and Friends of St Joseph's Primary School Warragul'.

P&F Meetings

Our next couple of Parents and Friends meetings are:

• Friday 6 June, 2.00pm at school
• Thursday 3 July, online 8.00pm

If you would like to be involved, we would love to have you join us. Please reach out to us via email stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or send us a message through our Facebook page. Otherwise, you are welcome to turn up at the school office- please ensure you bring your Working With Children’s Check (if you don’t have one, it’s free for volunteers online, visit Working with Children Check | Working and Volunteering | Service Victoria).

Calendar Dates

• Friday 6 June: P&F Meeting, 2.00pm at school
• Friday 20 June: St Joseph’s Disco
• Thursday 3 July: P&F Meeting, online at 8.00pm

All students must now be wearing their winter school uniform. Please see the attached School Uniform Policy.

Warranor Junior Football Club

Warragul Blues Junior Football Club

Peninsula Cinemas, Warragul