At St Joseph's, we know that students’ wellbeing is essential to their learning and overall development. Our teachers work every day to create a safe and nurturing environment where students feel supported, valued, and connected.

However, part of growing up involves facing challenges. It’s natural — and necessary — for children to feel disappointed at times, to encounter conflict with friends, or to not always get their way. While our instinct as adults is often to shield children from discomfort, we also know that one of the greatest gifts we can give them is the confidence and ability to face life’s ups and downs with resilience.

As hard as it can be, our job isn’t to protect children from every uncomfortable moment — it’s to guide them through it. Allowing children to sit with small setbacks and giving them space to find their own solutions helps them become more emotionally capable and socially mature. Many friendship issues, misunderstandings, or disappointments are short-lived and often resolve themselves with a bit of time and perspective.

These life skills are part of the Personal and Social Capability in the Victorian Curriculum. At school, we work to support this by:

• Encouraging group work and shared problem-solving
  
  
• Teaching explicit social and emotional learning strategies
  
  
• Explicitly teaching and giving students the opportunity to practise collaboration, communication, and resilience
  
  
• Coaching students to reflect and resolve conflict respectfully
  
  

The Role of Parents and Carers
 We deeply value the role of families in helping children grow through these experiences. You can support your child by:

• Listening with empathy and helping them name their feelings
  
  
• Encouraging strategies like walking away, using kind words, or seeking adult help
  
  
• Reassuring them that it’s okay to feel upset and that they are capable of handling it
  
  
• Being patient — sometimes the best support is giving things a little time to settle
  
  
• Avoiding the urge to immediately "fix" the problem and instead asking, “What do you think you could try?”

When to Contact Teachers
 If your child is experiencing ongoing distress or repeated issues that don’t seem to improve, please don’t hesitate to contact their teacher. We’re here to support you and your child.

Before reaching out, we ask that parents:

1. Talk with your child to understand what’s happened, ask whether this has already been discussed /dealt with at school
2. Encourage your child to let go of hurt feelings and move on
3. Encourage them to talk to their teacher or a trusted adult at school
4. Wait a few days to see if the situation naturally improves or resolves (in most cases situations are resolved naturally given time)
   
   

If the concern continues or grows, please do get in touch. Together, we can support your child to learn and grow through life’s challenges with care and confidence.

**Please continue to keep teachers informed of any significant events at home that could impact your child’s behaviour or emotional state at school. For example, illness or loss of a family member or pet, changes in family circumstances such as separation or divorce.**

Email/Communications policy attached for your reference.

Resources : SchoolTV   Positive Parenting Course

Well done to all our award recipients, congratulations on all your hard work!

This week, our 1/2 students continued exploring our Walking on Country unit with curiosity and respect.

On Monday, we embarked on a nature scavenger hunt around the school, searching for native Australian plants and animals. This hands-on experience encouraged students to observe their environment closely and appreciate the natural beauty around them. We also learned the names of various Australian animals in the Bunurong language, deepening our understanding of the rich cultural knowledge of the First Peoples.

On Wednesday, we came together as a school community to commemorate Sorry Day. Students joined their house groups to create vibrant scratch-art handprints. As they worked, they learned about Aboriginal symbols and their meanings, sharing ideas and connecting with peers from other year levels.

1/2 Team

Grade 3/4 Excursion to Inverloch: Learning About Erosion

Last week, the Grade 3/4 students went on an exciting excursion to Inverloch to learn all about erosion and how it affects our coastlines. It was a great day with beautiful weather!

At the beach, we discovered how erosion slowly wears away the land, especially where waves, wind, and rain hit the shoreline. We also saw some of the clever ways people are working to stop erosion from getting worse. This includes planting native grasses to hold the sand in place, building rock walls, and even using large sandbags to protect the cliffs and pathways.

The students asked great questions and enjoyed seeing real-life examples of what we’ve been learning in class. We also went for a walk to collect some data. Two of our classes were lucky enough to see the stingrays off the pier. 

3/4 Team

At a recent staff meeting, our staff engaged in Professional Learning about the benefits of Mindfulness for improving our wellbeing and faith. 

Led by Hannah Parrett and myself, staff discussed the benefits of mindfulness and how we can introduce and utilise these practises in our classrooms. We particularly looked at the links with Faith and developing dialogue with God. 

Mindfulness offers numerous benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, improving sleep, and enhancing focus. It can also help with improving emotional regulation and even boosting the immune system. 

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool to use at home. Some fantastic age-appropriate (and free!) resources include: 

• Smiling Minds 
• Calm App
• ABC Kids Listen programs

Claire Shannon
Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader

Active supervision

Active supervision is the observation, focused attention and intentional interaction with students within the school community, to create an environment that is safe and responsive to the needs of all.  Staff position themselves to observe all students: watching, monitoring, and listening at all times.  Staff have knowledge and understanding of students’ development of social and emotional abilities, to enable the acknowledgment of positive behaviour, anticipation of behaviour and redirection when necessary.  Staff members are aware of the impact of their actions and work to de-escalate behaviour.  

Active supervision involves:

• Understanding duty of care by being aware of and acting on potential risks to student emotional and physical safety
• Being underpinned by the School Wide Expectations
• Purposefully interacting and connecting with students
• Positioning to have a high degree of visibility
• Actively moving around the space during supervision
• Visually scanning, and using non-verbal signals to show that you notice behaviour
• Having processes to de-escalate by responding, diffusing and seeking assistance if required, to maintain dignity and emotional and physical safety 
• Staff understanding how their actions can escalate or de-escalate behaviour

Trish Martin and Kylee Bertacco 
Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Co-ordinators

Just a reminder that Confirmation presentation Masses, will be held for candidates receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend on Saturday, May 31 at 6.30pm and on Sunday June 1 at 10.30am at St Joseph's Church.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will occur on Wednesday June 11 at 6:30pm at St Joseph's Church.

The Australian Government recently announced an Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. The Review will look at current approaches to addressing bullying in schools, what is working and what needs strengthening, with the aim of providing options for the development of a consistent national standard for responding to bullying and its underlying causes in schools.

The Review is now accepting submissions. The Review co-chairs, Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson AM, are seeking views from students, parents, teachers, and those involved in school education across the country. Submissions can be made anonymously if preferred.

To provide feedback through the submission process, please visit www.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-review  This page contains instructions on how to participate, along with the Review’s Terms of Reference.

School Closure Dates For Your Diary

Friday, June 6, will be a school closure day. Monday, June 9 Kings Birthday Public Holiday, school will resume Tuesday, June 10.

If you need to change the pickup arrangements for your child or children, please contact the office at 5672 1052 or via email at info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au before 3:00 PM. This ensures that your message is delivered on time. Please note that any messages regarding changes received after this time may not reach your child in time for pickup. Thank you for your understanding

In 2025, St Joseph’s is offering students the opportunity to participate in the International Competition and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), in the areas of English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Digital Technologies. 

The assessments measure the students’ skills associated with each of these curriculum areas and are open to students in Years 3-6. ICAS is developed by UNSW Global, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of New South Wales, with over 35 years’ experience in educational assessments.

ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, and Digital Technologies. 

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition. Every student will receive a certificate and an online result report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised. 

The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.

ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results. 

To learn more about this year’s exciting ICAS competition, visit: ICAS Assessments

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.
2. Read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf) 
3. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)  
4. Enter our school’s access code – NQS609
5. Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.  

Online payment will close on  21st July 2025

An ESO and or a teacher will be present to supervise the students sitting the assessments.

2025 ICAS Subject and Pricing Information

Our School Advisory Committee members are organising a community event for parents and children at Summersault Gymnastics, 5-6 McKenzie St Wonthaggi, on Friday June 20.  

Students are invited to participate in fun activities. Parents are welcome to stay or leave the children as Summersault Gymnastics staff will supervise. 

Prep - Grade 2  students are invited to attend from 4:00-5:00pm.

Grade 3 - Grade 6 students are invited to attend from 5:00 - 6:00pm

Please BYO drink bottle and snack.

The cost will be $15 for each child, payable via CDF pay. Payment is due by 2pm Friday June 13 as final numbers will need to be given to Summersault Gymnastics.  

CDFpay

Numbers for each group will be capped at 70.  

A reminder that If your child/ren will be away from school for a family holiday outside of the school holiday period time that applications for holidays should be submitted prior to your holiday. Correspondence must be sent through to the school office informing us of the dates that your child will be absent for approval of this absence.  This information can be sent via email to info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

Absence notes must be submitted via PAM each day your child is absent, before 10:00am on the day of absence.  You can also email the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or call 5672 1052.

PAM Attendance Instructions for Parents

This is a gentle reminder to encourage your child to refrain from bringing personal items to school. They will be responsible for anything they bring, and we cannot guarantee its safety from damage or loss. To ease any concerns, it may be best to leave valuable or 'special' items at home.

Students who bring mobile phones and/or electronic devices to school must:

• Have their parent’s permission
• Leave them at the office when they arrive at school (for safe keeping)
• Pick them up from the office at the end of the school day

Thank you for your cooperation!

Term 2 Fees are now due.  Statements for Term 2 have been emailed to families.  If you have not received your statement or if you have any queries, please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

What is Conveyance Allowance ?

The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus. The conveyance allowance is available to eligible students travelling by public transport, private car and private bus. The conveyance allowance is also available to eligible students whose nearest school is not serviced by a free school bus.

Students attending a government or non-government school must:

• attend their nearest government or non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible
• be enrolled at a school/campus outside Melbourne’s metropolitan conveyance boundary
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended
• be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria.

Forms are available at the school office or download below. If you have any questions please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

Applications are to be submitted to the school office by Friday June,13 for processing.

Conveyance Allowance Application

Weekday Masses:

Tuesday Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch 11:00a.m.
Wednesday 9:30am St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi

Weekend Masses Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch Sunday 9:00am

St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 10:30am

PLEASE PRAY FOR; For the deceased clergy of the Diocese of Sale. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. “May they rest in peace.” We pray for the sick, lonely and those suffering from illness and pain. May God’s merciful love shine on them. Sick: Elizabeth Vincent

We pray for the Students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.   Confirmation with Bishop Greg Bennet will be held Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 6.30pm. All Parishioners are welcomed.

Fr Darren will be away on Leave until June 6.  We welcome Fr Peter Kooloos to celebrate the weekend Masses.

Parish Office will be open on Wed & Fri 8.30am-4.30pm. All items for the bulletin or Mass intentions to be received by 5pm on Thursdays.

Prayer Group will meet on Monday’s at 1.15pm at Wonthaggi Church each week.

Prayer Shawl Group :  

St Joseph’s Wonthaggi Cuppa after Mass held on 1st Saturday & Sunday of the Month

Our Lady Star of the Sea—Inverloch Cuppa after Mass held on 1st Sunday of the Month

Your invited to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Hosted by the Uniting Church Held in the Annex at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church Inverloch on Thu 29th May at 1.30pm Entry $10. Completions, Trade Table. Please wear Pink including headwear. Contact Bev 0408 502 707

 
Our Parish is committed to the safety, well-being and dignity of all children, young people and adults at risk. Find out more at: catholic.org.au/childprotectionsunday and www.catholicregligious.org.au/safeguarding

If you are concerned about any form of abuse, or believe that someone is at significant risk, you should immediately raise your concerns with one of our Parish Safeguarding Officers. Contact the Parish Office: 03 56 721 111 or St. Joseph’s School Safeguarding Officer 03 56 721 052.   Take care, we are here to help.                  

If you are in need of urgent assistance, please phone either Father Darren Howie 0356 722 923 or Ann on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.

Father Darren Howie                                                              Ann Hemming  
Parish Priest                                                                          Parish Secretary
                               St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi