Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Today I joined the P and F for their final meeting for the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all their hard work and enthusiasm over the school year. We are always looking for new members to join this vibrant group. It is a great way to be part of our school community. Thanks for the fun and the fundraising over the past year!

Last Tuesday we had the Annual General Meeting of the School Advisory Committee. No new nominations were received, so we still have vacancies to fill. The current members are Caitlin Juster, Paul Jensen, Joel Gilcrist, Jess Youlden and Janelle Hartmann.  Thanks to these people for continuing in this important role.

Our school leaders represented St Joseph’s beautifully on Remembrance Day by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph. Their reverence and respect for the occasion was obvious to everyone present. Thank you Lenny, Jaz, Amity and Charlotte.

We were delighted to welcome new Foundation students for 2025 to a further transition session this week. These little people are quickly becoming comfortable with the school environment and their enthusiasm is a pleasure to see.

Please take note of the news about booklists for next year. The process for this has been changed and you no longer need to worry about book lists!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Best wishes,

Ros Joyner

Principal

Term 4

Tuesday 8 October – Tuesday 17 December

Monday 18 November                                  Year 3 - 6 Swimming Program

Thursday 21 November                                Foundation 2025 Transition Session 2

Friday 22 November                                      School Assembly

Thursday 28 November                                Foundation 2025 Music/Art Session in the Hall 2:30-3pm

Friday 29 November                                      Marist-Sion Year 7 (2025) Orientation/Transition Day

Monday 2 December                                     Foundation 2025 Library Session Group 1 2:30-3pm

Tuesday 3 December                                     Foundation 2025 Library Session Group 2 2:30-3pm

Thursday 5 December                                   Year 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival

Friday 6 December                                         School Assembly

Tuesday 10 December                                   End of Year/Graduation Mass at 9:15am

Tuesday 10 December                                   Orientation Session for 2025 11:45-1:30pm

Thursday 12 December                                 Year 6 Graduation Dinner

Monday 16 December                                   Carols on the Oval 6pm for 6:30pm start

Tuesday 17 December                                   Last Day of School for 2024 – 3:20pm finish

2025

Term 1

Thursday 30 January – Friday 4 April

Thursday 30 January                                      First day of School for 2025

Friday 4 April                                                     Last Day of School for Term 1 – 2:20pm finish

A message from Deacon Mark

Perspective

Science reveals the universe to be about 13.8 billion years old. Which puts into perspective the few million years of life on our little planet and the mere decades of our own lives. Those of us who were there know just how much life has changed since mid-twentieth century when our milk and bread deliveries arrived by horse and cart, there was no TV and telephones were what the wealthy people down the road had in their homes. Nonetheless, whatever our age, this 21^st century of frenetic electronic pace is “our time.” Change is the only constant. Once seemingly invariable aspects of our world have disappeared without trace and others are held in the balance.

What is there to rely on? Well: Jesus! However long the universe lasts; whatever and whoever passes away, his words will not pass away. (Mark 13:24-32). Pope Benedict reminded us that all those tangible circumstances we might think are reality “are only realities of a secondary order. Who builds his life on these realities, on matter, on success, on appearances, builds upon sand. Only the Word of God is the foundation of all reality, it is as stable as the heavens and more than the heavens, it is reality” (Synod on the Word of God, October 2008). “The only thing that will stand is the Word of Jesus, the command of Jesus that we love one another as he has loved us.” (Moloney, F. This is the Gospel of the Lord p201). 

“One of the truths that burns at the heart of evolution is our kinship with Creation, with nature, with stars and with planets, with the almost 14 billion years of our infancy.” (O’Leary, D. An Astonishing Secret p240). How do we fit into this reality? How do we love like Jesus? It always comes back to this question and the answer: In loving all creation as the Creator loves us, we best fit the reality of Jesus Word.

Deacon Mark Kelly

Exciting news!

The 2025 booklists will now be managed by St Joseph’s Primary School. This means that parents/carers will no longer need to organise their child’s booklist supplies - a new levy will be introduced and the classroom teachers will order and manage the supplies. These supplies will be ready to go for the beginning of the school year. You may notice a difference in year level booklist levies - this is determined by the supplies selected by the classroom teachers and if your child requires an InitiaLit workbook (Phonics program in Foundation to Year 2). Additional information will be shared closer to the end of the year.

A reminder that we ask families whose children are not intending to return in 2025 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 now working on class groupings for 2025, 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 2025. Our class allocation policy is attached below. Please note from our policy:

St Joseph's Primary School Warragul Class Allocation Policy.pdf

Thank you to all families that placed an order in Issue 7. All orders have been received and distributed to students.

We have one final issue for Book Club this year, Issue 8. There are great deals for Christmas gift ideas; including series packs and box sets.

Overdue Reminders

Overdue reminders will be sent in the last week of November. Please endeavour to help your children to locate their borrowed items to return back to the library. Any queries or concerns, please contact Bernie in the library via email:  library@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au 

Congratulations!

Alirah represented St. Joseph’s at the S.S.V. State Athletics Championships. yesterday. She competed in the Discus, achieving an admirable 6th place out of a field of 16 athletes. Her best throw for the day was 22.21m.

Well done Alirah!

Join us for a Christmas Celebration on the School Oval

Monday 16th December

6pm for a 6:30pm start

Food and drink can be purchased from Franklin and the Bean. Some of the items available are:

- Hot & Cold Drinks

- Milkshakes

- Hot Dogs

- Grazing Boxes

Term 4  Tuesday 8 October - Tuesday 17 December (3:20pm finish time)

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

Health Department Alert - Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

The Department of Health, Victoria has issued a health alert, increasing pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Victoria.

Cases of pertussis are increasing in Victoria, mostly affecting children aged 10-12 years. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for causing a cough and can lead to life threatening infections in babies. Symptoms of pertussis may be very similar to other respiratory infections, especially in the early stages, meaning diagnosis by a doctor as soon as possible is important. Please remain vigilant and seek medical attention as soon as possible when symptoms present.

The below exclusion periods apply to diagnosed cases and contacts - 
For diagnosed cases:
 - students diagnosed with pertussis should be excluded from primary schools for a minimum period of 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have completed five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment. The treating doctor will complete the required notifications to the Department of Health

For contacts of diagnosed cases:
The exclusion requirement only applies to contacts who meet all three (3) of the below criteria:
- aged less than 7 years;
- in the same class as the student with the diagnosed case; and
- have not received three (3) effective doses of pertussis vaccine.

Students meeting these criteria should be excluded for 14 days after the last exposure to the infectious case, or until they have taken five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment.

Car Line

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.

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. 

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

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...

We have plenty of unnamed bomber school jackets from lost property, mostly new and hardly worn. These can be purchased for a gold coin donation. Children can see Mrs Mulqueen on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's.

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. 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 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.

Container Deposit Scheme

If you would like to support St Joseph’s Primary School with a donation from your exchange of eligible drink containers, please use partner ID C2000009902, or scan the barcode below.

C2000009902

Second Hand Uniforms

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

To check out what is available, just ask at the school office or contact the P&F Committee on stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com

Get in Touch

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

Warragul Cricket Club

Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.

The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.

Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.

As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation.This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stjwarragul.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-navigating-ai-relationships-au

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 Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (FDR) which is the highest level of fire danger. This will apply when the warning is issued for our weather district tof the school (West and South Gippsland - Region).

A decision is made at 1:00pm the day before if possible, and will not change regardless of changing weather conditions. This will help limit confusion and help families plan for how their children will be cared for when their school is closed.

Where possible, four (4) to seven (7) days’ notice of a planned closure will be provided. However, experience indicates that a Catastrophic FDR may be forecast at short notice. Parents, guardians, and carers should expect that in some instances less than four (4) days’ notice may be provided. No one will be permitted on site when this notice has been issued.

When an Extreme Fire Danger Rating has been issued, the school may close and remote learning enacted - students will join their class online through Google Meet.

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. 

Dear Families,

2024 School Fees

As the 2024 school year is rapidly coming to a close, all School Fees still owing are now due for payment.

Concession Cards

Could all parents who are holders of a Concession Card please forward a copy to Kitty.  This can then be taken into account when processing the 2025 School Fees.

If you have any problems with the fees or questions about the Concession Card, please call Kitty on 5623 2943 or email kbarrett@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au