Semester 1 Student Reports and Learning Progress

As we reach the midpoint of the 2025 school year, Semester 1 Reports which will be released this Friday, June 27, offer a clear snapshot of your child’s learning, growth, and development. These reports reflect progress across key areas including Religious Education, English, Mathematics, and Personal and Social Capabilities, along with other subjects taught this semester. They include evidence-based insights into your child’s academic achievement, work habits, behaviour, and emotional development.

Our staff have reviewed report statements carefully to ensure they align with the Victorian Curriculum and clearly reflect what has been taught and assessed. Each report is the result of thorough planning, teaching targeted to student needs, and thoughtful assessment. We remain focused on supporting progress for every child, recognising that each learner’s journey is unique.

Curriculum Update

You may notice some changes in this year’s reporting due to updates to the national curriculum. In English and Mathematics, some content has shifted to earlier year levels. This means students are now expected to engage with more advanced material than in previous years. As a result, some students who were previously graded as "At Standard" may now appear "Below Standard" as they adapt to these new expectations.

Please know this does not reflect a lack of effort or ability, but rather the increased challenge and rigour of the updated curriculum. These changes will take time to embed, and we thank you for your understanding and continued support.

In addition, Mathematics is now reported as a single overall grade rather than separate strands, which may also make reports look different from previous years.

Assessment has been based on a variety of tools, including classroom observations, work samples, oral and written tasks, student self-reflection, and discussions during parent-teacher conversations.

Ongoing Communication

We value open communication with families and are committed to keeping you informed about your child’s progress. In addition to formal reports, we use Seesaw, phone calls, emails, messages, and Open Afternoons to share learning updates throughout the year.

If you would like to discuss your child’s report or progress in more detail, please feel welcome to contact their teacher to arrange a suitable time to talk. Formal Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place at the end of Term 3.

Thank you for your continued partnership. It has been a joy to witness your child’s growth this semester, and we look forward to supporting them through the second half of the year.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Two weeks ago, a number of our students received the Sacrament of Confirmation—a significant milestone in their journey of faith. Surrounded by their families, sponsors, and the parish community, the children were sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirmed in their commitment to live as followers of Christ. It was a beautiful and reverent celebration, and we are incredibly proud of the way our students prepared for and participated in this special occasion.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms Hannah Parrett, our Religious Education Leader, the Year 5/6 teaching team and the parents and caregivers for their dedicated support in preparing the students with care, faith, and encouragement. We continue to keep our newly confirmed students in our prayers as they grow in grace and live out their faith each day.

Open Afternoon

Our Term 2 Open Afternoon will be held on Monday June 30 from 2.30pm- 3.15pm. Please mark this event in your calendars. The children really look forward to sharing their learning and achievements for the term with parents and friends on this day. It would be wonderful if there was someone to visit every child in the school- grandparents, neighbours, family friends are most welcome!

End of Term

As this is our final newsletter for the term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in your child’s education. It has been a rewarding semester, and we are proud of all that our students have achieved.

We wish all our families a safe, restful, and joyful holiday break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a wonderful Term 3.

Joanne Coldebella

Principal

Congratulations to our assembly award winners.  Keep up the great work.

Congratulations to the students who received sufficient points from their commendations and were presented with a Canteen Voucher at assembly.

Immigration Museum

On Tuesday, the 10th of June the whole of the 5/6 area went to the Immigration museum. We split up into two groups. Mrs Lawlor's class and my class were together and Mrs O’Brien and Mr Granger’s class were together.

When we got to the museum we were escorted to a room with some chairs and tables where we all sat down. We had to do a worksheet about a migrant. Each table had someone different. The table I was on had a lady from Vietnam called Cuc Lam. We had to fill in a worksheet using the pictures and writing pieces in a box about her. We did that for a little bit and then once everyone was finished, we had to share what we learned about our person. After we finished, we left the room and moved on.

We were each split up into three groups to explore the museum. The group I was in explored the ‘Leaving Home’ exhibit first. We had to fill in some worksheets in a little book about the exhibits. The first one was to write about how some people would feel if they had to leave their homes for different reasons. The next room was called ‘Voices Across Time’. The worksheet we had to fill in that exhibit was to choose 2 people and write their name, the country they came from, and some important objects that belong to them. The next room was the ‘Long Room’, and we just had to write what we saw and how we felt in the room. The last room was the ‘Getting In’ room. The worksheet we had to fill out was about the entry interview and the dictation test.1

In the end, it was a great day and everyone had fun. On the bus some people couldn't stop talking about it. Even though we had to be at school at seven o'clock it was worth it.

Eva

On Friday the 13th of June, some of the Grade 5/6 boys and girls walked down to the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve for girls footy and boy’s netball. The girl’s played Bass Valley for our first game at 10:30 and sadly lost by a point. Our next game was against Newhaven, and we managed to win by 10 whopping points! We played very well and we were improving each game. After that, we played Bilson Street and we lost by a huge 20 points. We were disappointed, but we held our heads high and showed persistence.  Our last game was all about having fun, and relishing the game. We ended up losing by a lot of goals. Although we tried our best, we didn’t make it on. We didn’t hang our heads, and we left in a positive mood because it was about being strong leaders and enjoying the experience.

Caitlin and Zaya

Last Friday, the 5/ 6 boys went to the netball courts in Wonthaggi. We left at a quarter past 9 and headed off to the courts. The boys were really excited to represent our school well, and we did just that.

Evan

First up, we took on San Remo Primary and ran away with the win. Secondly, we versed Newhaven Primary and just barely lost by 1.  Our second last game we versed Cowes Primary and they were pretty hard to beat, so we unfortunately lost that one. Lastly, we versed Wonthaggi Primary and we beat them by heaps. 

Jed

Thank you to Ms Richards for giving us such a great opportunity. Also, thanks to Caz for umpiring all four of our games.

Nino

Next week, our school will be recognising NAIDOC Week, a special time across Australia where we celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We will share photos via seesaw.

The 2025 theme is: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
This powerful theme celebrates the strength, pride, and resilience of First Nations communities.

We encourage families to have conversations at home about what their child is learning during NAIDOC Week and to continue celebrating and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures beyond this week.

Thank you for supporting our commitment to Reconciliation and respect for all cultures.

Claire Shannon 
Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader

SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of Indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities and is a great opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you 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 seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your Special Report  https://stjwonthaggi.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

Thank you to the school community for supporting the Disco Party last Friday. A special thank you to the School Advisory Committee for organising the event and to Summersalt for hosting our students.

At St. Joseph's, we’re committed to supporting every child’s social and emotional development. One of the tools we’re using is the Children’s Wellbeing Continuum — an evidence-based framework designed to help track and understand a student’s wellbeing at a particular moment in time.

This tool offers a simple way to identify where students are on the wellbeing spectrum, with the understanding that children naturally move up and down the continuum over time.

We are using the Wellbeing Continuum to:

• Monitor students who may benefit from additional support

• Collect whole-school wellbeing data to guide planning and programs

We would greatly appreciate parents filling in this short survey for their children: 

survey link 

Claire Shannon
Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader 

On Friday the 4th of July, the students will be having a free dress day. This will include fun activities throughout the day. We may also accommodate slight changes in the timetable to make all of this work. This will be a fun day for all of the students.

Students will be allowed to wear whatever they want as long as it covers their shoulders. They will be allowed to wear short and long sleeved shirts. You have to wear closed toed shoes so no slides, crocs or thongs please. 

We also recommend wearing warm clothes as it might be cold.
We collected data to figure out what type of dress up day the students preferred. We went around to each classroom and took a vote on what the students would like best. The overall outcome was the students would prefer a free dress day!

We hope this day will be fun for everyone and that it all goes well! Thank you all for your cooperation! 

The SRC

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

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

Term 2 ends on Friday, July 4, at the earlier time of 2:25pm. 
Term 3 commences on Monday, July 21.

The August 2025 Non-Government School Census collection notice for your information.

2025 Census Privacy Collection Notice

Weekday Masses:

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

Recently Deceased: Pat Shannon Anniversaries: Gus Dal Lago 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

Parish Office will be opened next week on Tues 24 and Thurs 26 not on Wed and Fri.

Clergy Swap: As part of the Jubilee celebrations, this weekend we welcome Fr Confidence, the Parish Priest from Yarram and Foster Parishes. Please join Fr Confidence for a cuppa after each of the Masses this weekend.

The Annual Parish ladies lunch is on Thursday June 26 . Venue -Par 3 Golf           Time 12.00pm.  Please place your name on the list at the Church or phone Mary 56741367 if you are attending.

St Vincent de Paul Conference

St Vincent de Paul Conference would be grateful if you could support our annual winter appeal. Non perishable goods could be placed in the bins in the church foyer or monetary gifts placed in available envelopes.  Alternatively, donations could be made to the leaving collection on 5th or 6th July. We are assisting approximately one hundred and forty households in our area. You have been generous in your assistance in the past and we hope you can respond again this year.  Mary Morrissey, President.

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

Prayer Shawl Group :  

https://www.catholicparish.app/subscription? id=001Ol00000B2zMPIAZ&req=subscribe

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

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.           

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.      

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