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- Principal's Report
- Students NOT returning in 2023
- Upcoming Event Dates
- Child Safety
- Teaching and Learning
- Library News
- Religious Education
- Foundation Transition Program
- General Information
- School TV - Resilience
- PAM - Parent Access Module
- Parents and Friends
- Camp Australia
- Beleza - School Uniforms
- Public Notices
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
Friday October 28th is World Teachers’ Day. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful staff here at St Joseph’s. They are dedicated teachers who strive for the best for all of their students. I am grateful to them every day. I wish them a very happy World Teachers’ Day. Attached is a message from the Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Sale, Ms Maria Kirkwood.
Director, Ms Maria Kirkwood, applauded school staff for their resilience and unwavering commitment during another challenging year for the education sector nationally.
“The 2022 school year began with a renewed sense of hope as schools transitioned back to face-to-face learning after pandemic lockdowns. However, the year threw a new set of challenges as schools grappled with significant student and staff absences, compounded by a national teacher shortage. “
Ms Kirkwood said World Teachers’ Day was an opportunity for everyone to personally thank a teacher.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme is, ‘The transformation of education begins with teachers’. This recognises the capacity teachers have to be a guiding light – to inspire hope, ignite imagination and instil a love of learning in every student within their care.”
Kind regards,
Roslyn Joyner
Principal
Students NOT returning in 2023
At this time of the year we ask families whose children are not intending to return in 2023 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 busy working on class groupings for 2023, so it is important that we know of any students leaving (apart from the Year 6 students) that may affect enrolments and class groupings for 2023.
TERM 4
Friday 28 October - School Assembly at 2:40pm
- Grade 5/6 Football Victoria Soccer Clinic
Monday 31 October - School Closure Day
Tuesday 1 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 2 November - State Athletics
- Grades 3/4 Swimming Program
Thursday 3 November - Grade 4 First Communion Parent & Child Workshop
- Foundation and Grades 1/2 Swimming Program
Friday 4 November - P & F Meeting at 2pm
- Grades 5/6 Swimming Program
Sunday 6 November - Barefoot Bowls (adult social event)
Friday 11 November - School Assembly at 2:40pm
Sat 12 & Sun 13 Nov - First Communion Teaching Mass
Friday 18 November - P & F Colour Run (25/11 back up date)
Monday 21 November - Student Free Day
Friday 25 November - School Assembly at 2:40pm
Thursday 1 December - Senior Swimming Carnival
- Grade 4 Eucharist 2nd Rite of Reconciliation 7pm
Friday 2 December - P & F Meeting at 2pm
Wednesday 7 December - Junior Swimming Carnival – Water Safety Session
Friday 9 December - School Assembly at 2:40pm
Monday 12 December - Grade 6 Graduation – 5pm Mass
Wednesday 14 - 15 December - Year 6 Camp – Phillip Island Adventure Resort
Thursday 15 – 16 December - Year 5 Camp – Phillip Island Adventure Resort
Friday 16 December - Last day of school year
Our wonderful Student Representative Council (SRC) have been busy recently promoting Child Safety Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. They have been leading classroom meetings across the school promoting student voice and agency. The SRC have been asking 3 core questions in these meetings:
1. What has been working well this week?
2. What concerns or changes would you like see in the classroom or at our school?
3. What, if anything, has made you feel unsafe?
The SRC reps report back to their SRC leader (Mrs Silver) and then to the whole school during School Assembly. The SRC report celebrates the positives around the school as well as provides student voice and persepctive to influence decisions around the school.
We encourage all students to always feel confident to discuss any issues they may be facing with their classroom teacher or one of our Child Safety Champions - Mrs Joyner, Mr Redi, Mrs Van Boven or Kerry.
Junior School
On Tuesday 11th October, the Foundation students headed off to the Melbourne Museum. The bus left at 9.15am filled with some very excited students, eager for an excursion to remember. We arrived at the museum at 11am, enjoying a yummy snack before heading into our first session. This session, on the Triceratops, was led by Museum staff. The students learnt that the triceratops lived around 67 million years ago, and was found in Montana, USA. It was 7 metres long, 2.5 metres tall, and was covered in scales. The triceratops mostly ate plants, and its body parts included a horn, frill, sharp beak, long tail and four legs. The students were able to touch and feel various body parts of the Triceratops, and had wonderful group discussions when trying to identify each fossil. Following on from this session, the students broke up into small groups and were led through the ‘Dinosaur Walk’ and the Triceratops exhibition. The students were able to see up close, many different dinosaur skeletons, as well as read, listen to, and touch various interactive displays. We all then enjoyed our lunch and a quick play, before hoping back onto the bus to make our way back to school. The Foundation students thoroughly enjoyed their excursion to the Melbourne Museum. The following day we followed up with lots of discussion about dinosaurs, specifically the triceratops, before writing about our favourite part of the excursion.
Middle School
Senior School
This is our last week reading our senior novel ‘Detention’ by Tristan Bancks. As we come to the end of the novel, students have been discussing their opinions on complex issues surrounding refugees and immigration detention. The students were encouraged to think about the complexities of a world that deems what is ‘moral’ and what is ‘legal’ as being polar opposites. The conclusion of ‘Detention’ is hopeful but realistic and students will ponder its issues long after the final page is turned.
Our senior reading theme integrates well with our R.E unit as we focus on the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world.
This also links well with our Inquiry unit as we explore Australia’s neighbouring countries and their diverse characteristics. Students have been locating Australia’s neighbouring countries on a map and examining the human and natural features of these countries. Students compare the features of these countries with their own country. They have also chosen a country of interest and are completing an Information report that includes; maps, images, themes, sub-headings etc.
Senior students have also enjoyed returning to the pool this week for swimming lessons.
Upcoming Dates
Athletics
Wednesday 2 November - State Athletics
Swimming
School Swimming Program
- 2 November - Grades 3/4
- 3 November - Foundation and Grades 1/2
- 4 November - Grades 5/6
1 December - Senior Swimming Carnival
7 December - Junior Swimming Fun Day - Water Safety Session
Soccer
Friday 28 October - Grade 5/6 Football Victoria Soccer Clinic
Thursday 10 November - Grade 1/2 Football Victoria Soccer Clinic
S.S.V. State Athletics
Congratulations to Zaria Dalton who will be competing in the 100m and 200m at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park on November 2nd.
The events will be livestreamed, https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/state/pages/track-field.aspx
Good Luck Zaria, we are so proud to have you represent St. Joseph’s.
Whole School Swimming Program
Well done to the children swimming this week. Thank you to the parents and teachers for keeping the children organised. It was great to see the children gaining confidence in the water and being independent as they organised themselves getting changed etc.
There is another Swimming Lesson next week. Please check the schedule attached to the PAM form. The program concludes with a Fun Session with a water safety focus for the Juniors and the Senior Carnival in December (See Dates above).
All orders for Book Club Issue 7 have now been processed. Ordered items will be distributed next week. Thank you to all families that placed orders.
With the end of year fast approaching, we need all those overdue items to be returned as soon as possible. Families will start to receive overdue notices more frequently. If you have any concerns regarding any overdue items, please contact the library via email: library@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au
Next week, the Catholic Church celebrates two important days on the Church’s calendar. On Sunday, 1st November the Church celebrates All Saints Day. This is a special feast day on which Catholics celebrate all the saints, known and unknown. We remember those people who lived the mission of Jesus with commitment and at times, great sacrifice.
All Souls Day
Following All Saints Day, on 2nd November, Catholics celebrate All Souls Day. This is also known as "The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed". On this feast day, we remember all those that have passed away, not just the Saints, but all those who have passed away, especially those close to us.
First Holy Communion
October is World Mission Month
A message from Deacon Mark
Tax Collectors!
What is it with Tax Collectors? This despised (and feared) caste appear so often in Jesus travels and parables. Today we often characterise them as outcasts, like drunks and drug addicts in our own society, but in truth there were various types and levels of tax collectors and they weren’t especially figures for pity. What they shared was a propensity for unfair dealing and stand-over tactics and a reputation as traitors.
When tax collectors came to Jesus to be baptised (Luke 3:12-15) and asked what they should do about their trade, Jesus told them not to overcharge or intimidate or falsely accuse anyone, which suggests that this was their normal practise. No wonder they were despised.
Jesus cuts through reputations and preconceptions though.
Though the Pharisees were probably disgusted, Jesus calls Matthew (Mt 9:9), the tax collector to leave it all behind and follow him and the tax-collector in last week’s gospel parable, “went home at rights with God”, because he recognised his sinfulness and asked for mercy.
Zacchaeus, the somewhat comical figure of this week’s gospel (Lk 19:1-10), was a “chief tax gatherer” who has made himself a rich man, probably on the proceeds of defrauding and extorting the poor. He would have been doubly despised.
But not by Jesus. No, to the chagrin of upright people, Jesus honours him by visiting his house. The result? The cocky Zacchaeus is repentant, forgiven and assured of salvation.
The lesson for us? We too find ourselves in a world of circumstances beyond our choosing. Our call is to make the best we can of our world and be sure that our God is proffering merciful forgiveness whenever we turn to Him.
Deacon Mark Kelly
Have your personal contact details changed?
- Has there been a name change?
- Have you moved address?
- Have you changed your mobile phone number?
- Is your landline still valid?
- Have you changed your workplace, therefore your business phone number has changed?
- Have emergency contacts changed? Maybe they have moved away?
- Do you hold a current Centrelink Concession Card?
- Do you no longer have a current concession card?
If you have answered "YES" to any of the above dot points, please email the office info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au with your updated information.
LOST PROPERTY
Please ensure all student belongings, especially jumpers and jackets are named!
Absences & Holidays
In Victoria, it is compulsory for children and young people 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 as absent without a reason. In some cases, if you email your child's classroom teacher, they may be away and may not be able to check their emails to forward to the office. It is imperative that you notify the 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
3. Phone the office on 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 addressing your intentions to our Principal, Mrs Roslyn Joyner.
The latest edition of the School TV newsletter is out and this edition is all about - RESILIENCE.
Resilience is important for a child’s mental health. It is their ability to bounce back from failure, challenges, adversity and stress. It’s not something that kids have or don’t have but a skill that kids develop over time as they grow. Building resilience not only helps a child deal with current difficulties, but it also helps develop a resilient mindset that will help them deal with challenges later in life. All children are capable of working through challenges and coping with stress, but they require guidance and support from a charismatic adult role model.
Please follow the link for more information School TV - Resilience
PAM is our main platform for correspondence. It is important that you register with PAM and verify your email so you can receive all communication.
PAM Instructions
- Ideally parents should have received an email – check your junk/spam folder. If you locate the email in your junk/spam folder – you should make it ‘Not Junk’, then follow the link to verify your email address and set your password.
- If you cannot find the email, please contact our office on 5623 2943 or info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au and we can help you.
- Once you have been provided with your username and password, go to a browser on your preferred device (phone or iPad) and enter the following web address:
https://pam.stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au
- Use the provided Username and password to login.
- Once logged in, you will need to verify your email address by clicking on the link at the top of the screen:
- This will send an email to your nominated email address. Click on the link in the email to complete the verification process.
- Once the email address has been verified, you can use this as your username.
- Finally, go to the main menu at the top right side of PAM, select ‘My Settings’.
- Enter your preferred password in ‘Change Password’ fields (new password will need to be entered twice), then update password.
- It is recommended that you save this webpage to your home screen and it will appear on your phone screen with the following icon:
Upcoming Dates
Term 4
- P&F Meeting- Friday 4 November, 2pm
- Adults social event (P&F)- Barefoot Bowls- Sunday 6 November
- Colour Run (P&F)- Friday 18 November (back up Friday 25 November)
- P&F Meeting- Friday 2 December
'Bright n Tight' Barefoot Bowls
Adult Social Event
Book in your babysitter, gather your neon and spandex and get excited!
The P&F Committee are hosting a barefoot bowls (adults only) social activity on Sunday 6 November from 2pm- 6.30pm.
Held at the Warragul Bowling Club and themed, ‘bright n tight’, it is sure to be a fun day. With nibbles provided, drinks at bar prices and music by DJ Nige, this will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with other parents.
Please wear your snazziest, tightest and brightest bowling outfit!
$20 per person, please book your tickets here https://www.trybooking.com/CDKPZ
Colour Run
We are hosting a Colour Explosion School Fun Run on Friday 18 November to raise money for ‘The Resilience Project’.
Students have received their sponsorship booklet and can now create their online profile at www.australianfundraising.com.au.
Big prizes are up for grabs- incentive prizes start once your child raises $10!
If you would like to volunteer on the day, please register your name via the following link volunteersignup.org/TB3XR
Second Hand Uniforms
Don’t forget, we have racks of professionally cleaned (thanks Warragul Drycleaners) second-hand school uniforms. Sizes 4-16 available, all for a gold coin donation.
You can view these at assemblies or contact the P&F Committee on stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or the school office.
Webinars - Presented by Child Psychologist Kirrilie Smout
Learn to support your child with worry, frustration, managing impulses and tricky behaviour
NOTICEBOARD