Best wishes,

Roslyn Joyner

Principal

CARLINE

Please be aware that when using our carline, particularly for pick up in the afternoon, it is important that all cars move down the line and take up all spaces. Some cars are stopping close to the carline cover causing a bank of cars all the way along Burke Street. We are asking that all cars move down the line and if there are no spots left, that families park their cars opposite the carline and walk to collect their children. If emergency services needed to reach our office area in the afternoon, they would have extreme difficulty to arrive in a timely manner as cars completely block the entry. Please pass this message on to family or freinds who may be picking up children from the carline.

Please see the image for clarification.

If so, please contact Kitty in the office on 5623 2943 or via email: kbarrett@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au 

• Do you hold a current Centrelink Concession Card?
• Do you no longer have a current concession card?
• 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?

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.

Our Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 21st March and Thursday 23rd March between 3:30-6:00pm. Booking details will be sent out in the coming weeks. Interviews will be offered both face-to-face or virtually.

2023 - TERM 1

Monday 27 February                      - Kids Roar Parent Education Session via Zoom at 7pm

Tuesday 28 February                      - West Gippsland Swimming Division Carnival at Warragul Leisure

                                                           Centre (back up dates 2 March or 7 March)

                                                         - KidsRoar Australia visit to school

Thursday 2 March                            - Reconciliation Workshop

Friday 3 March                                  - Project Compassion Bucket Challenge

Thursday 9 March                            - St Joseph’s Athletics Carnival – Junior and Senior

Monday 13 March                           - Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 14 March                           - Student Free Day

Thursday 16 March                         - Gippsland Regional Swimming Championships at Sale Aqua Energy

                                                         Centre

                                                          - Athletics Carnival (back up date)

Wed 15 - 27 March                          - NAPLAN

Tuesday 21 March                           - St Joseph’s Day

                                                        - Parent/Teacher Interviews

Wednesday 22 March                    - School Photos – Full Summer Uniform (NO sports uniform)

Thursday 23 March                         - Parent/Teacher Interviews

Friday 24 March                               - Harmony Day Assembly

Monday 27 March                           - Warragul District Athletics at Geoff Watt Memorial Track, Warragul

                                                          (back up date 4/4)

Thursday 30 March                         - Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday 4 April                                - District Athletics (back up date)

Wednesday 5 April                         - Stations of the Cross

                                                        - Last day of Term 1

2023 - TERM 2

Wednesday 26 April                       - First day of Term 2

                                                        - ANZAC Day – Whole school reflection

Friday 28 April                                  - State Swimming Championships at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic                                                             Centre

Tuesday 2 May                                 - West Gippsland Division Athletics at Joe Carmody Athletics Track,

                                                            Newborough (back up date 4/5 or 9/5)

Friday 9 June                                     - No school buses running

Monday 12 June                              - Monarch’s Official Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 13 June                              - Student Free Day

Friday 23 June                                   - Last day of Term 2

This week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal.

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come.

By donating to Project Compassion, Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, can work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Each family will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

A message from Deacon Mark

Tempted without falling

… lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil ……

Don’t the words just trip off the tongue every time we recite this most Christian of prayers, The Lord’s Prayer; the one Jesus himself taught us to pray?

But to never experience temptation is to never live. Jesus himself experienced every temptation humans can experience. Jesus knows all about temptation, he’s been there and done that. (Matt 4:1-11) Jesus lives a full life in the world. As we commence the Season of Lent, this gospel is about Jesus modelling for us being tempted and overcoming temptation.

We can expect to encounter temptation all through our lives and we are tested constantly, what we pray for is not to be led into temptations beyond our capability.

Human beings have an incompleteness, a longing, an emptiness. Temptation exists to fill that emptiness with things, experiences or even people that gratify our immediate desires. Having done so, and realised how empty our lives remain, we are tempted to seek further things to fill that emptiness, even while knowing futility in our hearts.

Temptation threatens to overcome us, until we recognise our own weakness and turn to God to deliver us from temptation, because we cannot do so alone. Doing as Jesus does we discover our forgiving God, who indeed fills that emptiness.

Lent is particularly a season for reflection on our lives, for prayerful recognition of our shortcomings, and discovery (or re-discovery) of the Creator whose love for us is infinite. We ask forgiveness from God for the mess we have made of things and part of that is forgiveness of those who have made a mess against us.

However sinful we have been, God is waiting for us to turn humbly to him.

Deacon Mark Kelly     

Sacrament Dates for 2023

Book Club

All orders for Book Club have now been processed. Items will be distributed to students next week.

Library Borrowing

UPCOMING SPORTS DATES:

Swimming

Tuesday, February 28th West Gippsland Division Carnival. Warragul Leisure Centre. (Back up 2/3 or 7/3)

Thursday March 16th, Gippsland Regional Championships. Sale Aqua Energy Centre

Friday April 28th, State Championships. Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Athletics

Thursday, March 9th. St. Joseph’s Athletics Carnival Jr. and Sr.

Monday, March 27th.  Warragul District Athletics Geoff Watt Memorial Track, Warragul. Back up 4/4)

Tuesday, May 2nd. West Gippsland Division Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough (Back up 4/5 or 9/5).

Tuesday, October 10th. Gippsland Regional Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough

District Swimming

The conditions were very hot, but perfect for swimming on Friday. Our students recorded some excellent performances in the pool at the District Swimming Carnival last Friday at the Warragul Leisure Centre. It was great to have the opportunity to watch our students compete against other local schools.

Well done to all the students who participated. The sportsmanship they demonstrated and the encouragement they gave the teammates was impressive. 

Congratulations to Charleigh Pendlebury, our 11 Year Old Boys and 12/13 Year Old Girls Relay Team who progressed to the Division Swimming Carnival to be held next Tuesday. 

Special thanks to Bernie Rigano, Kitty and the Parents and Friends for the delicious watermelon and the parents that came to support our students.

Hockey Clinic - Foundation, Grade One and Grade Two

The Junior students had the opportunity to participate in a Hockey Clinic last Friday. It was a lot of fun.

St. Joseph’s Athletics Carnival - Calling all Volunteers March 9th.

Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered to assist.

The St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School Athletics Carnival is one of the largest events on the school calendar. To continue being a successful day, it requires the support of our school community. If you are able to assist on the day, or even part of the day, it is always appreciated.

The Junior Carnival (F-Grade 2) 10.30am-12.30pm

The Senior Carnival (Grade 3-6) 9.30am-2.30pm

Volunteers must have a current working with children check, be double vaccinated and have completed a St. Joseph's Code Conduct.

Please express your interest and the age group you would like to assist with by email to mspencer@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au

BIG 4 Sports Trials

https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/pages/parents.aspx

The School Sport Victoria (SSV) Team Vic representative program provides a development platform for Victoria’s emerging athletes to participate in the annual School Sport Australia (SSA) Championships. SSV coordinates the selection process for Team Vic teams in partnership with relevant state sporting organisations.

Please read the Team Vic Information Sheet before registering. This document contains important information on the SSV Team Vic Program, in relation to eligibility, registration, multiclass, selection, participation costs, and financial assistance.

View up-to-date information regarding 2023 Sport & Registration Dates.

Please see the new Team Vic Principal Endorsement Sheet process for the following teams in 2023:

• Australian Football 12 Years & Under Boys
• Basketball 12 Years & Under Girls
• Basketball 12 Years & Under Boys
• Cricket 12 Years & Under Boys
• Football (Soccer) 12 Years & Under Boys
• Netball 12 Years & Under Girls

Sports Uniform Reminder

It was great to see so many students prepared for Sport this week with the correct sports uniform.  Just a reminder that the sports uniform is to be worn only on the students' Sports Day. This includes appropriate footwear for vigorous activity.

TUESDAY: Grade 3/4 Classes

WEDNESDAY: Foundation and Grade 1/2 Classes

THURSDAY: Grade 5/6 Classes

Grade 6 can also wear their sports uniform on a Monday.

Congratulations to Shelby Helps

Shelby did an amazing job on Wednesday, 22 February, representing St Joseph’s Primary School at the Stratford Interschool Equestrian Challenge held at Sale.

Shelby competed against her year level, grade 5 & 6 with approximately 25 to 30 riders. All ages competed in the jumping and bending class.

The competition was open to any primary or secondary school children in Victoria. Children had to compete in 6 events for the day. Shelby rode and placed in all of her 6 events and winning the two phase jumping section out of all primary school students. Shelby placed 2nd rider out of the grade 5 & 6 students, 4th place out of all primary school students in the bending event, received the best presented participation ribbon out of the grade 5 & 6 students and placed 3rd in the ridden mount event of all grade 5 & 6 students.

The competition was a qualifier for the State Championships which will be held in April. Shelby will now be able to compete in the event, most likely in Dressage, which is her passion along with jumping. We wish Shelby all the best for the State Championships.

In the Classroom

These first few weeks at school our students are exploring and discussing the behaviours of a S.T.A.R. at St Joseph’s. And how they would demonstrate these positive behaviours in their classrooms. They use the Expectations Chart as a guide. 

Expectations Chart  2023

The students are creating posters and digital booklets that include examples of them demonstrating these positive behaviours. Each class will create their own posters and digital booklet, which will reflect their voice, needs and will be age appropriate.

They are keen to share these with you in the coming weeks.

Reflection Forms

Some of you may have received a Reflection Form that your child has completed. Thank you for returning them.

The forms allow students to consider their choices, how they felt and how they can make improved choices in the future.

More importantly, they inform us and assist us to gain a better understanding of our students' behaviour and how we can support them. 

The Forms will be completed by a teacher with the student. The teacher and student will sign the form. The form will then be sent home for the parent/guardian to read, sign and return to school.

Contact will be made with parents/guardians prior to the form coming home.

Copy of Reflection Sheets Form 1

Copy of  Reflection Sheets Form 2

                      We are a School Community, who

                                     Take Responsibility,

                                     Act Safely

            and are always Respectful

Further to this our Staff have developed a matrix which highlights the behaviours we expect of all the members of our community.

Expectations Chart  2023

In these first weeks, the Staff are reintroducing their classes to the expectations we have at St. Joseph’s that make our students S.T.A.R.s

Have a conversation with your child about being a STAR at St. Joseph’s.

Part 1: Introducing The Resilience Project – Parent and Carer video series

Throughout 2023, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community. 

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.

Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community. 

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids' learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers. 

This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.

View the first presentation of the series here:

Part 1: Meet Hugh and learn about The Resilience Project - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/

In this presentation, Hugh shares a personal experience about his sister's battles with Mental Illness.

Note: This video contains a story about an Eating Disorder that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page. 

We will be in touch fortnightly to share the remainder of the program, including research and wellbeing activities to integrate into day to day life.

Megan Spencer and Melinda Mulqueen

TRP co-ordinators

KidsRoar Australia

We are excited to announce that KidsRoar Australia will be visiting St Joseph's Primary School next week to work with students, staff and parents. KidsRoar Australia uses protective behaviour themes to educate students on personal safety. Students in Year 5/6 will be involved in a 2 hour "We Can Roar" session and all other classes will be involved in a 1 hour interactive personal safety program.

A highly informative parent session is being offered next Monday 27th February at 7:00pm via Zoom. Please see the attached flyer with the Zoom link.

KidsRoar Australia is an organisation in high demand and we are lucky to have secured their services this year.

 Welcome BBQ

Thanks to all the families who were able to join us for the welcome BBQ on Thursday 16 February, it was a great start to the year.

It was a lovely balmy evening and wonderful to see school staff and families mingling in a casual environment.

Big thanks to the P&F committee and staff helpers on the night.  

Second Hand Uniforms

We have racks of second-hand school uniforms from size 4-16 available, all for a gold coin donation. Thank you to Warragul Drycleaners who have donated their services to professionally clean our second-hand school unforms.

View these at assemblies or contact the P&F Committee on stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or the school office.

P&F Meetings

The next P&F meeting is scheduled for Friday 3 March, 2.00pm at the school.   

If you would like to be involved, we would love to have you. Please reach out to us via email stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com, send us a message through our Facebook page ‘Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s Primary School Warragul’ or just turn up.

Join P&F

Hello, my name is Tabatha Cook, and I am a Foster Care Recruitment, Assessment, Training and Retention worker for the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA).

We have a large need for foster carers in your area.

As you may be aware, at the moment more and more children are coming into foster care programs across Victoria and there are not enough carers available to meet these needs, meaning children are often moved from short-term-to-short-term options. By spreading the word and supporting us to raise awareness of the need for foster carers, you will be supporting children who are at risk to find stability, safety, nurture, and the home base care they need to be able to focus on healing, empowerment and be able to achieve their dreams and goals. We encourage and support carers from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences and Cultural support and training is provided.

Warragul Show

Chess Tournament

Warragul Lions Club Book Fair

Warragul Blues Junior Football Club

Judo

Junior Badminton