Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

Whole School assembly

Yesterday we had our first whole school assembly for 2023 where the new school captains participated in a Pledge ceremony and were officially awarded their badges. We heard messages from the captains and acknowledged individual student achievements. We congratulate the school captains and look forward to their leadership over the coming year!

Whole school assemblies are held fortnightly on Monday mornings at 9.05am, on even weeks of the term- all are welcome to attend!  (We are currently in Week 4 of the term because the teachers return to school on Friday January 27 is counted as Week 1)

Our Vision

Last year our school went through a review process to ensure the development of a high leverage, high impact Strategic Improvement Plan for the next four years. The plan’s main purpose is to ensure we are improving measurable student outcomes for every student.  As part of this review we reflected on the past few years and evaluated our former Strategic Improvement Plan. We analysed data and feedback to inform future directions for the school. Parents were part of this process, particularly in informing our new vision, mission and strategic intent statements. We asked parents to name words to describe the ideal characteristics they wish their children to have by the time they leave our school, and what their priorities were for their children. We asked staff and students the same questions. The results were then collated and used to form our statements.

The vision statement is succinct, highlights our main priorities and inspires our direction as a school:
At St Joseph’s we strive to inspire faith, compassion, courage and a love of learning.

‘Faith’ is central to who we are as a school. We invite the students into a relationship with God through prayer, recontextualising scripture (helping students break it down so they can understand the message and relate it to their lives), celebrating liturgies and learning about Jesus’ life and mission and the Catholic Social Teachings. As a school we promote and emulate the Gospel values of Faith, Trust, Love and Hope. 

‘Compassion’ expresses the ideals of empathising and caring for others. Being able to put yourself in others' shoes and understand their perspectives is an essential element of building relationships and a healthy, functional society.

‘Courage’ encompasses our desire for students to be risk takers in their learning, to be willing to try new things and accept and bounce back from mistakes. We also want them to be courageous when standing up for what is right, admitting when they make mistakes and learning to cope with disappointment and setbacks.

We aim for our students to ultimately develop as active, engaged, independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, setting goals for themselves and reflecting on how they learn. We want them to develop a ‘love of learning’ that will persist through their lives.

Ash Wednesday: February 22

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the period of time the Catholic church knows as Lent. This special time of preparation, of about 6 weeks/40 days before Easter, we try to focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Through almsgiving we strive to be aware of the needs of others and give generously to help those in need. Fasting can take the form of self- sacrifice, self-discipline or restraint.  On Ash Wednesday the Priest places ashes on our foreheads as a symbol of repentance- being sorry for our failings and ready to try harder to be true to the messages in the Gospel- to be loving, forgiving, wise and accepting like Jesus. 

We invite all parents and friends to attend Mass with the students from Grades 1-6 at 9.30am.

School Uniform

Our school uniform is a source of pride for our school and our policy reflects the ideals we seek to achieve through students wearing a uniform: identity, equity and inclusivity. We have high expectations around students wearing the correct uniform and sincerely thank parents for their support in this regard. We are aware there have been delays in some articles of uniform arriving and we thank Totally Workwear for their efforts to rectify this. If your child is out of uniform, please send a note/message to their teacher. For your information: here is a link to the policy. Totally Workwear supplies our uniform with the exception of school shoes which must be all black in colour. It is expected that all our students use the St Joseph's school bag which can also be purchased from Totally Workwear.

New Policies

For your information, the Child Safety policies have been updated to reflect new legislation and the eleven, national Child Safety Standards. Building and maintaining a child safe culture is of the utmost importance and we continue to work towards this goal. Please note there are new Visitors and Volunteers  policies. 

Click here for more information about our Child Safety Policies  

NAPLAN

NAPLAN: the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, assesses literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The students participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. This year NAPLAN will occur earlier than usual, from March 15-27 and will be conducted online with the exception of the Year 3 Writing test.

Please click on the link below to access further information.

NAPLAN Information for parents and carers 2023

School Advisory Committee

Congratulations to Sara Donohue and Phil Dynes who are the newly elected members of the School Advisory Committee!

Joanne Coldebella
Principal

The Prep children are all doing such a great job at settling into their new role as Prep learners.  We have had a busy start in the classroom and are learning to navigate our way around all the play areas and make new friends.

We have learnt all about the letter 'm' and Milo Monkey and the letter 's' and Sally Snake. We are also reading books that rhyme and sing and dance to rhyming songs. We have also been reading about Tim, Pip and Sam in our shared reading. The Prep children have started writing and handwriting too. In integrated Studies we are learning about ourselves in the 'My Identity' unit. In maths we are busy reading, writing, making and subitising numbers to 10.

The Prep teachers are so proud of all their children and are looking forward to a great year.

Prep Team

The Grade 5/6 students have had a wonderful start to the year, with great teamwork and leadership on display so far. We have revised how to be safe, be respectful and how to do our best learning. We have worked together to revise the “learning assets” - how to be good communicators, collaborators, thinkers, researchers and self-managers and to persevere if we aren’t successful straight away. These important traits help us work successfully at school and are lifelong skills. We are using these skills as we work together to explore the concepts of rights, responsibilities, Australian citizenship and global citizenship.

We are working on understanding place value, from millions to thousandths, and writing engaging narratives using a mixture of simple, compound and complex sentences. Different forms of prayer and how people around the world pray is the focus of our Religious Education lessons. Thank you to all the families who have supported their child in reading at least four times a week for 15 to 30 minutes and remembering to bring in their signed reading diary each Friday. This is an important part of our weekly routines and is helping support the students in their learning, with benefits well beyond reading.  

5/6 Team

Thanks to everyone who attended our first whole school assembly on Monday as we presented our captains for 2023 with their badges.

Well done to all our award recipients for this week, keep up the great work!

On Tuesday 7th February students took part in Safer Internet Day, highlighting the need for everyone to Connect. Reflect. Protect. whenever they are online. 

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and regularly review your privacy settings.  
 
Reflect on how your actions may affect others or jeopardise your safety.  
 
And protect yourself and loved ones by visiting esafety.gov.au for advice and support, or to report serious online abuse.  The esafety commission website is an excellent resource for people of all ages

What parents and carers can do to help keep their children safe online.

• Supervise your child and be engaged with their online activities
• Find out if the app or game your child uses has a direct message function, and consider turning it off
• Choose strong privacy settings
• Encourage your child to ask for help if they feel uncomfortable or unsure about any situation online
• Avoid taking devices away if your child if your child comes to you with an issue. They may see this as punishment and not ask for help in the future, making them more vulnerable to exploitation

We will be conducting Prep tours during first term for all students who have submitted an expression of interest form for 2024.  If you have not already done so expression of interest forms can be sent to jblair@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au.

Expression of Interest for Enrolment

Performing Arts encompasses Dance, Drama, and Music. It is a fantastic outlet for students to develop personal and social skills, whilst also exploring their individuality and creativity, in a safe environment.

What's happening in Term 1?

Junior ~ All About Emotions through dance, drama, and music.

Middle ~ Australian History through dance, drama, and music.

Senior ~ Storytelling through dance, drama, and music.

I would encourage you to have a conversation with your child about the variety of skills they are learning in Performing Arts. Also, please feel free to contact me if you have any queries. 

It has been a wonderful start to 2023, and I look forward to seeing the students' confidence and creativity develop even more.

Dani Paulson 
Performing Arts Teacher

SchoolTV is a service offered to parents with new material offered each month based on topics relevant to helping parents help their children survive and thrive at school.  You are encouraged to explore the St Joseph’s SchoolTV website at - St Joseph's SchoolTV

Here, you can explore many topics with advice, reports, articles, videos and more from professionals in adolescent psychology and education.

The section of transition may be beneficial for some students as we begin the new year.(click the image below)

Friday February 17 - There are no school buses, please make alternate travel arrangements for your child/ren.

Friday March 10 will be a school closure day for staff professional development.
Monday March 13 is the Labour Day Public Holiday.

Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday February 28 and Thursday March 2 between 3:40pm and 5:50 pm.

Attendance at these interviews may be either face to face in your child's classroom or via phone, of which you may select your preference at point of booking.

Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews are to be made though PAM and are open now.  If you have not setup your account or you are having difficulty accessing PAM please contact the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au and we will help you get setup. Bookings for interviews will close on Monday February 27.

It is very important for parents and teachers to be working in partnership for the benefit of the students' learning. Parent Teacher interviews are a great opportunity to discuss your child's progress. 

If you have been involved in or contacted regarding a PSG meeting, please do not arrange an appointment.  These interviews are expected to be of 10 minutes duration.

If you have any queries regarding booking an appointment please contact the office.

Statements for Term 1 have been emailed to families.  Concession paperwork and CSEF Applications can be forwarded along with a copy of your current concession card to the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

If you have any queries or have not received your statement or 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 Wednesday March 14 for processing.

Conveyance Allowance Application

Weekday Masses:

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

Weekend Masses

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

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

ROSARY WILL BE SAID FOLLOWING THE MASSES AND LITURGIES AT OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA, INVERLOCH EACH TUESDAY.

COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE: People who prefer to receive communion on the tongue, would you please come last for communion, as there is still widespread fear of COVID.

PLEASE PRAY: For those who continue to be affected by the Ukrainian War and the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. For Val Smith, who passed away recently and the anniversaries of Zophia Howie, Giuseppe Tiziani, Bishop Arthur Fox, Fr. Emanuel (Manny) Spiteri, Fr. Wladyslaw (Les) Lisik S.Chr and our loved ones.  May God’s merciful love shine on them and on the loved ones left behind.

Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine.

Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine.
God of peace and justice,
Who change the hardened heart and break the power of
violence, we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.
Protect them in this time of peril;
let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom,
You are Father of all;
we are brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength to live that truth in love,
choosing peace not war.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

SAVE THE DATE:  FOR THE PARISH BBQ AND VOLUNTEERS MASS:    FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2023. Volunteers Mass at 5pm and Barbecue will commence at 6pm. All Parishioners are invited to the annual Parish BBQ in Inverloch. Please bring your own meat, cutlery, crockery and drinks (Tea & Coffee available) Salads and Sweets provided by the CWL ladies.  If inclement weather, we will set up in the annex.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Friday 3rd March 2023 10a.m. at the Baptist Church Wonthaggi.   ALL WELCOME!

NO STAMPS: There will no longer be a stamp collection. The Salesians have ceased this activity and we wish to thank Pam Dunlop for all her follow up work over the years with forwarding the stamps on.

Reflection from St. Vincent de Paul Conference.

WE ARE TRULY BLESSED

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won’t survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear, harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than most three billion in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch.  If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways that you may never even know.

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP:  We will have our first meeting in March-Date & Time to be confirmed. Meanwhile, keep those knitting needles and crochet hooks moving! Enquiries: Philippa 0408 331 340 Maureen 0407 055 447.

FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCES OF OCEANIA SYNODAL CHURCH: SYNOD OF BISHOPS: The Church around the world has entered the Continental Stage for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality. Groups around the country are praying with and responding to the Document for the Continental Stage, which was published recently. Groups around Australia have spent time in responding to the Document which reflect the voices of the People of God from over 114 countries around the world. A collation of the Australian submissions is Being prepared for the Bishops from the Oceania Region when they meet in Fiji in February 2023. Access the Document for the Continental Stage www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch 

PRAYER FOR THE ASSEMBLY

O God, you revealed yourself in Christ Jesus as loving, merciful and just.
Guide our Bishops of Oceania as they meet together to further Pope Francis’ call to become a listening Church. Open their hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit, that they might truly discern and faithfully serve the needs of your People and your World.
Color our way of life and give witness to your
Presence among us. You who live and reign, God,
For ever and ever.
Amen

MEDITATION GROUP: In recession until the New Year of 2023 when dates will be advised.

MISSAL ONLINE: ‘An App’ which Father Darren Howie finds very helpful is Universalis. This will allow you to follow the Daily Mass.                                           

CARITAS AUSTRALIA: There is still time to support our global neighbours as they tackle the challenges of poverty. Your generosity today can help create a better tomorrow for people living in some of the most remote and marginalised communities in the world. All donations over $2 are 100% tax deductible. Caritas Australia:   www.caritas.org.au

CATHOLIC CARE: New self-help mental health service for parents, families and individuals. Teaching children and young people how to keep safe online (on how to use technology wisely) is important for their mental health and wellbeing.

But as a parent or carer, ensuring eSafety for kids and teens can feel overwhelming or unachievable.

Whether you’re worried about cyberbullying, privacy, online content, social media, or time spent using technology, there’s things parents and carers can do to help keep kids safe. To learn more please contact CatholicCare Victoria.

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED AUSTRALIA: ACN is the Pontifical Foundation dedicated to supporting the suffering and persecuted Church.

Aid to the Church in Need is asking for support to aid sisters in Kenya in building a new mother house and formation centre for their local community. Hunger, illiteracy, and lack of medical provision, combined with desperately poor roads and a lack of clean drinking water make life incredibly difficult for many people in Kenya. The diocesan congregation of the “Visitation Daughters of the Immaculate Heart” were established in order to help this needy population-but to continue their work they need our help! The sisters’ work includes caring for expectant mothers, acting as midwives, providing counselling, caring for the sick and looking after the elderly and orphans who are frequently abandoned by society. Your support will help these sisters to continue their mission by providing them with a permanent convent.  To make an offering and learn more visit: https://aidtochurch.org./monthlyproject.

Aid to the Church in Need ACN Australia PO Box 335, Penrith NSW 2751 1800 101 201 or 02 9167 9517 (direct) teresa@aidtochurch.org www.aidtochurch.org

We have been emailing and sending out important communications from the Diocese and if you would like to be involved and receive this information then please contact the Parish Office on 56 721 111 or email your details to wonthaggi@cdsale.org.au.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN: AS WE ARE HOPING TO RETURN TO A ROSTER SYSTEM FOR READERS AND SPECIAL MINISTERS, THIS IS JUST A REMINDER TO CHECK THAT YOUR WORKING WITH CHILDREN HASN’T EXPIRED AND IF IT DOES NEED RENEWING, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS.

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 Kristine McRae via 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 eithe Father Darren Howie 0356 722 923 or Kristine on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.

Father Darren Howie                                                        Mrs. Kristine McRae
Parish Priest                                                                       Parish Secretary
St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi