Introducing our updated school logo... 

It was time to update our school logo with some colour and a refreshed design. Our school logo encompasses our school colours of bottle green and yellow. The crucifix is a reminder that Jesus is at the centre of all we do at St Joseph’s. The tools on the left represent St Joseph the Worker who was Jesus’ earthly father, a carpenter and symbolically represents someone who helped build the Kingdom of God here on Earth - a place where people follow in the footsteps of Jesus,  acting with kindness and justice for all. Peace lily flowers are often seen in statues or in artwork of St Joseph. These flowers represent that St Joseph showed goodness and integrity as the spouse of Mary. The circular logo embodies our school name, town and school motto of ‘Advance in Wisdom’.

As we begin to rebrand our school signage, please note that the previous logo will still be used and accepted on school uniforms. You will not need to replace any uniform items.

Have a lovely long weekend.

Kind regards,

Roslyn Joyner

Principal

2024

Term 1

Wednesday 31 January – Wednesday 27 March

Monday 11 March                                           Labour Day Public Holiday

Tue 12 – Wed 13 March                                  Parent Teacher Interviews

Wed 13 – Fri 15 March                                    Year 6 Sovereign Hill Camp (rescheduled)

Thursday 14 March                                         Gippsland Regional Swimming Championships, Sale Aqua Energy Leisure Centre, Sale

Friday 15 March                                               School Assembly 2:30pm in School Hall

Monday 18 March                                           Warragul District Athletics, Geoff Watt Memorial Track, Warragul (Back up 21/3 & 18/4)

Mon 18 – Wed 20 March                                 Year 5 Camp Rumbug

Tuesday 19 March                                            St Joseph’s Day (wear the colour RED)

Friday 22 March                                              Easter Raffle – Special School Assembly at 2:30pm

Wednesday 27 March                                     Stations of the Cross in the School Hall at 12pm

Wednesday 27 March                                     Last day of Term 1 for students (3:20pm finish time)

Term 2

Monday 15 April – Friday 28 June

Tuesday 16 April                                             Grade 3 Day Camp to Forest Edge

Tue 16 – Wed 17 April                                    Grade 4 Overnight Camp to Forest Edge

Wednesday 24 April                                        School Photos (new date)

Thursday 25 April                                            ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Friday 26 April                                                  Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 30 April                                               West Gippsland Division Athletics, Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough (Back up dates 2/5 or 6/5)

Wednesday 22 May                                        National Simultaneous Storytime

Tuesday 11 June                                              Pupil Free Day

Term 3

Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September

Thursday 25 July                                               Book Fair begins

Wednesday 14 August                                     Pupil Free Day

17 – 23 August                                                  Book Week

Term 4

Tuesday 8 October – Tuesday 17 December

Monday 7 October                                          Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 15 October                                        Gippsland Regional Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough

Monday 4 November                                       School Closure Day

Our school is very blessed with a long carline with ample parking. However, we continue to experience some issues during the afternoon pickup. Burke Street is extremely busy from 3:00-3:30pm. If you arrive before school finishes, it is an expectation that you move all the way down the carline and fill all 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.

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.

SCHOOL PHOTOS - Wednesday 24 April

School photo ordering flyers will be sent home with students in the final week of Term 1, before the Easter School Holidays commence. If you know you will be away during this week, please contact the School Office on 5623 2943.

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. 

Sacrament of Baptism

Congratulations Eve Barake and Angus Shiels who were recently welcomed into the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Baptism. 

May God Bless You.

Holy Week

Lent

Saving the World

“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost” and he came not to condemn but to save the world (John 3: 16-17). Christians find these perhaps the most reassuring passages in scripture. Despite our imperfect understanding, our sometimes-faulty actions, our flickering belief, the Creator is firmly on our side. We should build on that belief, perhaps praying, “Lord I believe. Help me overcome my un-belief.”

We have free will and could choose to reject the salvation offered; but why would we? But what of those who haven’t properly heard of the Good News of salvation? Even in our “Christian” society or our own family? At first glance this gospel seems to exclude them.

Pope Francis assures us though that, “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! Even the atheists. Everyone!” (Vatican 22 May 2013). God wills the salvation of all and so the offer is on the table for everyone.

Our Catechism tells us that “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their own actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation” (CCC847). 

Pope Francis asks, “How do we behave with our brothers and sisters, especially with those who are not Christians? Are we impediments to their encounter with God? Do we hinder or facilitate their encounter with the Father?” The pope concludes, saying: “Today we ask for the grace to recognize and encourage the ever new ways in which the Risen One pours out His Spirit into the world and attracts hearts.”

Deacon Mark Kelly

At the beginning of each school year, 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. 

UPCOMING SPORTS DATES:

Friday, March 8th - Foundation Athletics Carnival.

Thursday March 14th -  Gippsland Regional Swimming Championships, Sale Aqua Energy Leisure Centre, Sale.

Monday March 18th - Warragul District Athletics Geoff Watt Memorial Track, Warragul. (Back up 21/3 and 18/4)

Tuesday, April 30th - West Gippsland Division Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough (Back up 2/5 or 6/5).

Tuesday, October 15th - Gippsland Regional Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough

District and Division Swimming Carnival

Our students recorded fantastic swims at the Warragul District (16/2) Swimming Carnival with 16 students successfully progressing to the West Gippsland  Division (26/2) Swimming Carnivals. 

Well done to all the students who participated.

Congratulations to Joseph Faithful who finished first in freestyle and Neille VanAswegen who both placed second in backstroke and have been invited to compete at the Gippsland Regional Championships.

St Joseph's Swimming Team 2024

Joseph Faithful, Yvan Buensalido, Billy Bridger, Jonty Lacunes, Lenny Barake, Zac Robinson, Luke Gleeson, Joshua Robertson, Xander Gough, Harvey Monson, Sebastian Draper, Neille Van Aswegen, Riley Chaplin, Noah Pickett, Maddi Marx, Charlotte MCKenna Leila Van Aswegen, Piper Johnson, Ava Mullen, Olivia Hardy, Remy Youlden, Cobie McCullough, Liv Hynd, Sophie Zekic, Lexi Borthwick, Imogen Hendricks, Ashleigh Johnson, Alirah Dalton, Ida Blackwood.

Special thanks to Bernie Rigano, Melia Silver and the parents that came to support our students.

St. Joseph’s Athletics Carnivals

What a fantastic Day. Congratulations to all the students who participated. It was great to see so many students trying events and activities for the first time or that they find challenging.

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to assist on the day; Caitlin Juster, Tania Thompson, Hayley Heatly, Bec Murnane, Stuart Dalton, Michael Thek, Kristy Robinson and Valerie Ryland.  Thank you to the parents and families that came to support their children. Thank you to the Marist- Sion students and the Staff who were exceptional.

Congratulations to John House who were victorious on the day!

Congratulations to the following Age Champions:

12/13 Boys - Bailey Mumford

12/13 Girls - Xanthe Dalton

11 Boys - Lenny Barake

11 Girls - Lexi Borthwick

10 Boys - Tadgh Sheehan

10 Girls - Alira Dalton

8/9 Boys - Ace Robinson

8/9 Girls - Summer Mumford

BIG 4 Sports Trials

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 sheet before registering. This document contains important information on the SSV Team Vic Program, in relation to eligibility, registration, multiclass, selection and participation costs. https://ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic/Documents/2024TeamVicInformationSheet.pdf

• 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 - amended

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: Year 4 and Foundation Classes

WEDNESDAY: Year 1/2 and Year 3 Classes

THURSDAY: Year 5/6 Classes

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

Book Club

Issue 2 Book Club orders are due Friday 8th March. Thank you to all families that have placed orders. 

Don't forget to spend your $5.00 credit if you spent $35.00 or more on Issue 1. 

Log onto the LOOP to spend your credit on Issue 2.

Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour

At St. Joseph’s, we continue to have a  Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour.  This approach is for our whole School Community (Students, Staff, Parents and Carers). It is a structured framework whereby we can establish and maintain a positive social culture.

This approach outlines the behavioural expectations that promote a climate within our school that is predictable and known, providing safe learning spaces for all of our students to thrive.

The S.T.A.R. acronym is displayed in our classrooms and in shared areas to remind us of the values that underpin our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour.

                                    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 2024

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.

School Awards

Our school awards (which are presented fortnightly at assembly) reflect  our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour. In the spirit of St Joseph, teachers select a student who has displayed our STAR attributes of either responsibility, safety or respect.

Reflection Forms

As part of our WSAPBS, we will be using Reflection Forms to assist our process when addressing behaviour. These forms allow students to consider their choices, how they felt and how they can make improved choices in the future. 

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

In the Classroom

Our students and teachers have been working together and preparing slideshows to share with you that highlight the expectations that are important to them in their learning spaces.

Term 1  Wednesday 31 January - Wednesday 27 March (finish at 3:20pm)

Term 2   Monday 15 April - Friday 28 June

Term 3  Monday 15 July - Friday 20 September

Term 4  Tuesday 8 October - Tuesday 17 December

Lego

Zooper Dooper Thursdays!

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 from a full menu
• can be placed until 9:00am on Wednesday and Friday mornings from a limited menu

The lost property shelves can be found in the multipurpose room. 

Parents are most welcome to come and look in the tubs if students have lost any items of clothing, drink bottles etc...

 

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.

Container Deposit Scheme

Did you know you can now exchange eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund in Victoria?

You can either keep your refund, or support St Joseph’s Primary School with a donation.

Together, we can make a positive difference to our school community and environment.

Simply follow these steps

• Step 1: Collect eligible drink containers

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible. Look for the 10c mark on the back of pack. Some drinks are not eligible, including plain milk containers, wine and spirit bottles.

Tip: Keep lids on and don’t crush your containers

• Step 2: Return your eligible drink containers

Local depots are located at 4/15 Phoenix Street in Warragul or 42 Weerong Road in Drouin.

• Step 3: Earn a refund

Donate to St Joseph’s Primary School, using partner ID C2000009902, or scan the barcode below.

C2000009902

Labels

Avoid having to replace your children’s things and help us reduce the lost property pile by clearly naming your child’s items.

To make this easy for parents and also raise some funds for the school, we have started a new fundraiser with ‘Stuck on You.’ Stuck on You offer personalised school products including labels, stamps, bento lunch boxes, drink bottles, bag tags and stationery.

Check out their products here

Please use our St Joseph’s fundraising code moPSTs0sQygQ at check out to ensure a commission on every order is returned to the Parents and Friends Committee.

Easter Raffle

Only two weeks to go before our annual Easter raffle is drawn.

Raffle tickets have been sent home with your child. If you need extra, please ask at the office.

Any Easter egg donations are welcome (big or small), as well as non-chocolate Easter items (crafts etc.) to make up the prizes. We would be very grateful if you could send donations to your child’s classroom or to the office.

This is a great little fundraiser for the Parents and Friends group and prize day is always super exciting for the children.

Tickets (sold and unsold), money and Easter donations are to be returned by Tuesday 19 March.

Raffle prizes will be drawn at a special assembly at 2.30pm on Friday 22 March. All are welcome.

Join us on Facebook

We welcome all families to join our P&F Facebook page, 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'.

Second Hand Uniforms

We have lots of new stock of clean second-hand school uniforms, available for a gold coin donation.

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

P&F Meetings

P&F meetings are generally held on the first Friday of each month (except during school holidays) at 2.00pm (or 1.30pm on assembly days) at the school. Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday 3 May.  

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 or just turn up.

School Holiday Trade