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Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
We have had an excellent start to the final term and we warmly welcome Ms Rachael Williams as our new Deputy Principal. Rachael is looking forward to meeting our families as she begins to learn all about our school community.
There is much to look forward to this term, with Mission Market Day, swimming programs, Grandparents Day and end of year celebrations to name just some of the events to come. Please keep a look out on ClassDojo for reminders and dates. November 14th will be a special fun day with the “Colour Run”.
The new pick up zone is working well and we have received a lot of positive feedback. The traffic certainly moves much quicker now and prevents that back up on Burke Street. Please be patient and courteous to staff who are on duty at this time, trying to keep traffic moving and our children safe.
As it is term 4, school hats are now a mandatory part of the uniform and as the weather warms up, it is important for all of us to remember to apply sunscreen.
Have a great week next week.
Best wishes
Ros Joyner
Principal
Term 4
Tuesday 7 October – Tuesday 16 December
Wednesday 15 October S.S.V. Gippsland Region Athletics
Friday 17 October Juniors Mass at 9:30am
Friday 17 October School Assembly at 2:30pm
Monday 20 October Water Safety & Swimming Lessons – 6 Spencer/Barry
Tuesday 21 October Water Safety & Swimming Lessons – 6 Daly
Wednesday 22 October Water Safety & Swimming Lessons – 5 Naismith/Tangusso
Thursday 23 October Water Safety & Swimming Lessons – 5 Dosen
Mon 27 – Thu 30 October Water Safety & Swimming Lessons – 4 Fechner & 4 Silver
Friday 24 October Grandparents Day classroom visits and morning tea
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/Run
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.
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
These workshops will be held at:
St. Joseph’s Primary School Thursday 23rd October 5pm – 6pm
St. Ita’s Primary School Wednesday 29th October 5.30–6.30
All school families are welcome to attend any one of these workshops (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
Samaritans
Samaritans pop up a number of times in the Gospels. Unlike their appearance elsewhere, the Gospels often portray them as the good guys, rather than the despised outsiders of Jewish tradition. Modern scholarship indicates they are a separated branch of Israelites. A bit like Protestant v Catholic separation, they drifted further apart over the centuries and the relationship became poisonous. Jesus, as a neighbouring Galilean, understood that culture and those prejudices.
Hatred and mistrust percolated for many years across the racial, ethnic, and religious barriers between the Jews and their near neighbours, the Samaritans. As an earlier Gospel (John 4:9) mildly puts it, “Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” Jesus rises above such prejudices, highlighting good and faithful Samaritans. We are all familiar with the “Good Samaritan” parable and the Samaritan woman at the well and here we have the Samaritan leper who alone of the ten who were cured returns to thank Jesus.
As with last week’s gospel, Jesus highlights the power of faith to cut across division and enmity. Ten lepers plead for Jesus’ help and are cured, but only this one faithfully and wholly gives himself to Jesus (Luke 17:11-19).
What is Jesus’ message for us here? Maybe it becomes clearer if we substitute “white bread Aussies” for observant Jews and then “refugees, migrants, Africans, Muslims, others” for Samaritans. Perhaps all are equally beloved. Perhaps too, others can be equally faithful.
Can we learn from those with whom we “don’t associate”? Asking Jesus to fix our immediate problems, is one thing, offering ourselves, as the Samaritan leper does, in recognition that Jesus himself is the true source of our wholeness, is another.
We too are called to sit at Jesus feet in wondrous gratitude, recognising that the bounty he offers me is offered to all his children, precious to him whatever their race, ethnicity, or religion.
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.
As we prepare for 2026 classes, please refer to our class allocation policy to explain our procedure. Please note from our policy:
Parents and carers may provide the School Principal with specific information about their child's learning or social needs, in writing, that they believe the school may not be aware of. Whilst the School Leadership Team appreciates that Parents or Carers may believe their child would benefit from being placed with a certain teacher, we are unable to consider these requests. The information should be provided in writing (letter or email) to the Principal by Friday, Week 3 of Term 4 (24/10/25). This information will be referenced, along with other available information, during the class placement process. The Leadership Team will manage this process in consultation with parents and class teachers. It must be clearly understood that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parental concerns.
Please note that all historical requests have been cleared. If you have an ongoing learning or social need request - this must be put in writing and sent via email to principal@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au
Congratulations
Congratulations to Zac who played in the Karl Posset soccer cup over the school holidays. The GUFC under 12s team came away with the victory. Zac had been training 3 nights a week and played weekend games since October 2024.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 MONDAY 20th October (6 SB) and TUESDAY 21st October (6D)
Year 5 WEDNESDAY 22nd October (5NT) THURSDAY and 23rd October (5D)
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
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.
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.
Colour Run/Blast: Ready, Set, Register!
The St Joseph's Warragul Parents & Friends committee are excited to announce that registrations for our school’s Colour Blast Fundraising Event are now OPEN!
Join us at 12.30pm on Friday 14th November on the school oval for a day full of colour, fun, and community spirit.
Register today for $6 per student and help us support upgrading and beautifying our outdoor school spaces. Registration includes entry to the Colour Run, CFA truck visit and a cool pair of sunglasses.
Click here to register: https://colourblast.com.au/registration/?stjoeswarragul
Over $1,000 worth of prizes have been kindly sponsored by Barry Plant Warragul/Drouin. The top 5 individual highest fundraiser prizes are;
- 1stOutdoor Cinema Projector Bundle
- 2nd Paddleboard with Pump
- 3rd Family Outdoor Games Pack
- 4thAll Terrain Scooter
- 5th JBL Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker & Pool Toy Pack
Everyone can be a winner with our partner, Colour Blast. They'll reward any donation of $20 with a $5 gift card credit usable at hundreds of stores. The more you raise, the more you earn: raise $40, earn $10 in credit, and raise $80, earn $20 in credit!
There will also be a whole class icy pole prize for the most students registered by 17th October 2025. The class with the highest amount raised by 8pm Thursday 13th November 2025 will win a hot chip lunch.
It’s time to start fundraising!
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
SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.
Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.
Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.
By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.
This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://stjwarragul.catholic.
Please find attached promotional images to use with this Special Report.
Gymbaroo
Netball - Net Set Go
Peninsula Cinemas, Warragul
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.
