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- Message from our Principal
- Upcoming Event Dates
- Carline - Reminders
- School Fees
- Religious Education
- Emergency Management - Bushfires
- World Teachers' Day
- Library News
- Sports
- Mission Market Day
- SCHOOL TV - Discussing War & Conflict
- General Information
- Parents and Friends
- Beleza - School Uniform
- Camp Australia
- Public Notices
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers
On Wednesday the senior classes held their Mission Market. The amount of effort and creativity that went into making the stalls was fantastic. The students in the other classes joined in so well and it was an enjoyable day for everyone. Well done to everyone involved and thanks to parents who supported their children with this initiative. The children in Timor Leste will benefit from the money that was raised.
Preparation for First Communion is well underway and we are keeping these families in our prayers as they prepare for this beautiful sacrament.
I am pleased to advise that class structures will change for next year. We will now have an additional class across the 3/4 level. This means that there will be 2 year 3 classes and 2 year 4 classes.
Prep 2 classes
1/ 2 3 classes
Year 3 2 classes
Year4 2 classes
Year 5 2 classes
Year 6 2 classes
Our school is growing and the refurbishment is coming along nicely to accommodate this. It is anticipated that the work will be finished by the end of December.
Best wishes,
Roslyn Joyner
Principal
Friday 3 November - Senior Mass at 9:15am
Monday 6 November - School Closed
Tuesday 7 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Friday 10 November - Colour Run (back up date Fri 24 Nov)
Friday 10 November - School Assembly at 2:40pm
Mon 13 – Fri 17 November - Swimming Program (All Grades)
Thursday 16 November - Book Fair Begins
Thursday 16 November - School Advisory Committee Meeting
Friday 24 November - Junior Mass at 9:15am
Friday 24 November - 2024 Year 7 Orientation Day for Grade 6 Students
Friday 24 November - School Assembly at 2:40pm
Mon 27 – Wed 29 November - Grade 5 Camp – Camp Rumbug, Foster Nth
Thursday 30 November - Senior Swimming Carnival (Grades 3-6)
Saturday 2 December - First Holy Communion Mass at 7pm
Sunday 3 December - First Holy Communion Mass at 9am
Mon 4 – Wed 6 December - Grade 6 Camp – Urban Camp Melbourne
Thursday 7 December - Senior Swimming Carnival (back up date)
Friday 8 December - Grade 6 Gumbuya World Excursion
Friday 8 December - School Assembly at 2:40pm
Tuesday 12 December - Year 6 Graduation – 5pm Mass at St Joseph’s Church
Thursday 14 December - End of Year Whole School Celebration Mass (TBC)
Friday 15 December - Last day of Term 4 – school finish time is normal at 3:20pm
Please remember the following items when using our carline:
- fill all available car spaces along the carline - we will direct the students to your car if you are down the carline
- drive with caution at all times through the carline - speed limit of 10km/h must be obeyed
- never park across the crossing and please look out for students/adults using the crossing
Parents must park if dropping off late or collecting their child from the Admin office, the driveway leading to the admin building is a NO STANDING area. This is a matter of child safety and we appeciate your support keeping our students safe.
A big THANK YOU to all families who have paid their school fees. A reminder that all school fees are due before the end of the school year.
The School Fee Statements were sent out in the mail at the beginning of Term 4.
If you are experiencing any difficulties or wish to arrange a payment plan, please contact Kitty on 5623 2943 or email kbarrett@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au
This year’s Remembrance Mass, organised by the Parishes Bereavement Team will be held on: Tuesday, 31st October 7.30pm St. Ita’s Church Drouin.
All Parishioners are invited and welcome to attend this Mass. Mass will be followed by a cuppa. Please bring a plate of supper to share.
Next weekend at all 3 Church centres, a Remembrance Book will be displayed and available for parishioners to enter the names of deceased relatives and friends.
Enquiries: Barbara Durand: 0414 965 079 or Joan Robertson: 5623 1642: Parish Office.
A message from Deacon Mark
The Big Question
Over his three years of wandering ministry, Jesus taught much and answered many questions, but today’s gospel is where the rubber hits the road. Of all the commandments, his teachings, the 600 odd laws of tradition and the prophets, which is most important (Matt 22:34-40)? You could hear a pin drop waiting for the answer, except Jesus doesn’t hesitate:
Love God and his people, two sides of the same coin! All else is inconsequential! Though love of God and love of neighbour are distinct, a little later in Matthew’s gospel Jesus makes plain that you can’t have one without the other.
Jesus is the new presence of God in the world calling us to enter God’s reign of peace, compassion, and justice, focussing on the last of humanity, justice for the most neglected, kindness to relieve suffering, trust in God the Father who wants a life of happiness for his sons and daughters.
“No man [or woman] is an island,” the poet John Donne writes, “because [we] are involved in [hu]mankind.” In every society people observe the actions of others. Our actions [and inactions] have consequences for ourselves, for those we directly interact with and for those who observe our actions or inactions.
This Sunday’s letter from St Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1:5-10) celebrates their imitation of the Lord, being joy filled examples and inspiration to many others, loving God, and neighbour. There is nothing else.
Those Thessalonians are shining examples to those around them, not through eloquent speeches, but through faithfulness to God and to each other in their lives, even in the face of difficulties. Our call too is to live joyfully and courageously; generous of spirit, loving our neighbours and our Creator, so that others want to know our secret. They want to imitate us as we strive to imitate Jesus.
Deacon Mark Kelly
First Assembly of the Synod of Bishops Concluding
After three weeks of prayerful listening and dialogue around insights from the continental assemblies of the Church and how to proceed, as well as focussing on fifteen concrete worksheets with questions for discernment, the Synod of Bishops concludes this week.
The last part of this First Assembly will focus on deciding the Church’s next steps and “the necessary in-depth theological and canonical studies in preparation” for a Second Assembly in October 2024.
We can expect to learn something of the Synod’s deliberations as early as next week.
Australian theologian Fr Ormond Rush addressed the synod members and Pope Francis on Oct. 23 before they review a draft of a document summarizing their conversations over the past three weeks.
Speaking about discernment, Fr Ormond told synod delegates they should strive to see with the eyes of Jesus. He also warned them of “traps” where they could be “drawn into ways of thinking that are not ‘of God.’”
The assembly will vote to approve the document on Saturday, shortly before it is expected to be publicly released. (Catholic News Agency, Mon October 23rd). They need our ongoing prayers.
The bushfire season is upon us and normally runs from October until April.
As St. Joseph’s is located in a high-risk bushfire area, the school will be pre-emptively closed in the event that the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issues a Code Red Fire Danger Rating warning for the weather district in which this school is located (West and South Gippsland - Region). A decision is made at 12:00pm the day before if possible, and will not change regardless of changing weather conditions. If possible, three-days notice may be given to families about the closure. When a school is closed in response to bushfire risk, no one will be permitted on site. This is a part of our emergency management plan for St. Joseph's and every effort will be made to give you advanced warning of a closure.
Book Club
Thank you to all families that placed an order from Issue 7. All orders have now been distributed to students. We have only one more issue for Book Club. We wish to thank our families that have made purchases this year. With your support we have been able to purchase many resources for our library. This has allowed our students access to more books to nurture and encourage their enjoyment of reading.
Book Fair
It’s our Scholastic Book Fair
Overdue BooksUPCOMING SPORTS DATES:
Thursday 2 November - Grade 5/6 Basketball Gala
13 - 17 November - Foundation - Grade 6 School Swimming Program, Leisure Centre
Thursday 30 November - Senior Swimming Carnival, Leisure Centre
S.S.V. Gippsland Region Athletics
Well done to all of our Athletes who represented our school last week at the Joe Carmody Athletics Track in Newborough. It was a fantastic day with the most perfect weather. Everyone competed with enthusiasm and encouraged their teammates.
Our team included: Crystal Allsop, Isaac Barr, Lenny Barake, Talan Britt, Phoenix O’Brien, Adam Garvey, Chad McIntosh, Harrison Brown, Xanthe Dalton, Maddi Marx, Lexi Borthwick, Lomani Gregoric, Alirah Dalton, Tadgh Sheehan. Coby Murnane and Indi Olsson qualified for this event
Congratulations to Lexi Borthwick who won the High Jump and Xanthe Dalton who came second in the Discus. Both girls will compete at the S.S.V. State Athletics meet in November. We wish them both the very best of luck.
Thank you to the families who were able to come and support our children.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Phoenix O'Brien who has had a stellar Off-Road Motorbike Racing season.
It takes enormous commitment to compete in the National contest, with races held each month at a different location in Australia. The final round was held last weekend in Dungog, N.S.W. where Phoenix finished 2nd place on both days and secured a ranking of fourth in Australia for the season 2023 Australian Off-Road Champsionship for enduro motorbike riding in the J1 small wheel 85cc class.
Phoenix also came 1st place in the Victorian Off-Road Championships in the same class. This is an amazing achievement. Well done Phoenix!
Hats for Term 4
As we look forward to sunny days in Term 4, we must be SunSmart and remember our hats. Hats must be broad rimmed St. Joseph’s approved uniform, no caps.
Sports Uniform Reminder
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.
The rest of the students, armed with money bags, wandered around and engaged in the great variety of stalls available.
A fabulous total of $1734.10 was raised for Catholic Mission’s Appeal for Mission Month. The theme of this year’s appeal is “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move” and we definitely saw this happening today as we put into action our mission to help others.
SPECIAL REPORT: Discussing War & Conflict
Children are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Children’s responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect a child's behaviour and perception of danger.
Children need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. Tailor conversations to your child's age and emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, while older children can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.
Before discussing these topics with your child, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your child regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping children cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helping children understand there is still hope in our complex world. Please take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://stjwarragul.catholic.
2023 TERM DATES
Term 4 Monday 2 October – Friday 15 December (school finish time is 3:20pm)
2023 SCHOOL CLOSED
Monday 6 November
2023 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 7 November - Melbourne Cup
School Uniform
During Term 1 and Term 4, all students are required to wear a school hat when outdoors, including recess/lunch breaks, outdoor learning tasks and PE sessions. All students should now be wearing their school hats for outdoor activities. If you are looking to purchase a school hat, please speak to the office or drop into Beleza in Warragul. All students should be in their full summer 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.
If your children are not intending to return to St Joseph's in 2024 (apart from Year 6 students), please 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 2024 classes. Our Foundation 2024 enrolments are still open, please encourage any family or friends to speak with Kitty in the office if they are looking to enrol their child in 2024.
Rapid Antigen Tests are available from the school office.
Please note that if your child tests positive to 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, including if they have tested positive to COVID-19.
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.
Colour Run- 2 weeks to go!
Our Colour Run date of Friday 10 November is fast approaching. The event will be held on the school oval from 12.30-2.30pm. Please put this date in your diaries- we would love to see as many people there as possible.
A $5 donation per child covers costs and gives you entry and a pair of cool sunnies. Don’t forget, there will also be popcorn and slushies available for purchase on the day ($1 coin each)
Help us fundraise for our outdoor spaces
All Colour Run funds will go towards commencing works from a Landscape Plan to improve our school’s outdoor spaces. The first priority is the embankment area fronting Burke St. We’re dreaming of a slide down the embankment, a larger sand play area and improved access…
This type of landscaping and play equipment is very expensive, so works will be staged as funds allow. Every bit of fundraising helps, so it’s time to start fundraising!
Create your family profile here https://chuffed.org/project/stjoescolourrun2023/signup
The online portal also displays the leader boards and gives you the ability to share your fundraising page via social media.
Alternatively, cash donations can be tracked on the Cash Donation Form, which went home with each student.
Please finalise all donations by 4pm on Wednesday 8 November. Cash donations must be at the Office by this time to be eligible for a leaderboard position.
Prizes
There are some incredible prizes to strive for this year.
Our top 30 highest fundraisers will receive;
- 1st Nintendo Switch OLED Model – valued at $539
- 2nd Gumbuya World Family day pass that includes water world. Valued at $320
- 3rd Type R Pro Scooter in Gold Rush colour – valued at $180
Next top 7 highest fundraisers will receive one of the following vouchers - 1 x $50 Bowling voucher, 1 x Family Movie Pass, 1 x $50 Intersport voucher, 1 x $50 Toyworld voucher & 3 x $50 Penny Worth O’ Lollies vouchers.
The top 30 highest fundraisers earn the privilege to hurl colour in the special edition “Staff ONLY Colour Run”
Staff Only Colour Run
We have an exciting new addition to this year’s Colour Run… a Staff ONLY Colour Run. Some of our favourite teachers and staff have kindly put their hands up to be coloured by our Top 30 Highest Fundraisers.
Has there ever been a more enticing incentive to raise money?
Volunteers Needed
This event wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers, any help is truly appreciated.
We’re still on the lookout for volunteers to help out on the day. If you can spare a few hours to have fun spraying colour on Friday 10th November 2023, please sign up via https://volunteersignup.org/9RPL4
Second Hand Uniforms
Has your child lost or grown out of their bomber jacket? If you’ve checked the mountain of lost property with no luck, we have heaps of second-hand jackets in all sizes available, for a gold coin donation. Thanks to Warragul Drycleaners who have donated their services to professionally clean our second-hand school uniforms.
View these in the school hall or contact the P&F Committee on stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com.
P&F Meetings
The next P&F meeting is scheduled for Friday 3 November at 2pm in the school meeting room.
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.
BELEZA SALE!
We're excited to announce that our Annual VIP Sale will be running again soon for 2023!
For our Warragul store, the sale will be running from Saturday 28th of October to Saturday 4th of November. Families can receive 20% off Beleza-branded items during this sale period, so it's a great opportunity for families to prepare for the 2024 school year and save on some of those back-to-school costs.
Green Polo Tops
The new St Joseph's bottle green polos shirts are available for purchase from Beleza.
Green short sleeve polo shirts are available in the following sizes:
* size 2-16 - $26.00 each
* size 18 - $32.00 each
Green long sleeve polo shirts are available in the following sizes:
* size 2-16 - $28.00 each
* size 18 - $34.00 each
These prices are before the Beleza membership 5% discount.
* A transition period of two years will begin as of Term 4 2023. The existing yellow polos can continue to be worn until the end of Term 4 2025. The new bottle green polos will be compulsory as of Term 1 2026.
Please note: grey shorts and pants for girls are also available from Beleza.
A reminder that the new summer dress will become compulsory as of Term 1 2025.
Gold/yellow short sleeve polo shirts are available in ALL sizes, 2 - 16
Gold/yellow long sleeve polo shirts are available in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 & 12 - 16 (size 10 & 14 are no longer available)
Green windcheaters are ONLY available in sizes 2 & 14
Warragul Pony Club
Wild Dog Triathlon Club
Western Park Cricket Club Juniors
Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run & Festival
