The school improvement plan, developed after our review in 2022, includes statements of strategic intent.  ‘Strategic intent’ is the term used to describe the aspirational plans, overarching purpose or intended direction of travel needed to reach an organisational vision. Our statements were formed using input from students, parents and staff.

Strategic Intent

Over the next four years our students will develop as confident, resilient and motivated learners who are thriving in a faith filled, collaborative, safe and stimulating environment. They will be responsible, independent thinkers who take ownership of their learning. The students will be supported by staff who consistently work towards improving practice and student outcomes through a team based culture. 

Staff, students and parents identified that confident, resilient, motivated, collaborative and responsible were characteristics they desired for their children to develop over their time here at St Joseph's. Becoming critical and creative thinkers is also a high priority. Our intent expresses our desires for students to be prepared for life beyond the school, to grow and develop as people of character and integrity who can confidently take charge of their own learning. It also expresses the commitment of staff to work together to continually reflect on and improve their practice so that outcomes for students continue to improve. Through our Inquiry approach we strive to involve the students in their learning, to be transparent about the Learning Intentions and what success looks like. We try to ensure that the students are active participants in the learning process and encourage them to take ownership of their learning by setting personal goals, reflecting on their progress and thinking about how they are learning. We are fortunate to have a staff fully committed to achieving our strategic intent and helping students grow academically, emotionally and spiritually.      

De-escalation training

Last Friday the whole staff participated in De-escalation training. De-escalation strategies include the use of communication or other techniques during an encounter to stabilise, slow, or reduce the intensity of a challenging or potentially violent situation.  The emphasis is on protecting and promoting positive relationships between staff, students, and all members of the school community. The staff found this training very valuable. This professional development is part of our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour. We are striving to build a culture of high expectations where respect for others and safety is paramount. Our approach helps the children learn that mistakes are part of life and the way forward is to admit and take responsibility for our mistakes, express sorrow, ask forgiveness then try to make amends.      

Holy Week

Holy Week commences in the last week of term.  As a school, led by the Preps, we will mark Palm Sunday in Week 10’s Whole School assembly (Monday March 27 at 9.05am in the gym). On Monday April 3, the Grade 3/4s and 5/6 classes will lead us through the Stations of the Cross, at 9.15 am, in the parish church. The grade 1/2s will help us recall and celebrate Easter Sunday at The Whole School assembly in Week 2 of next term: Monday May 1 at 9.05 am in the gym. All parents and friends are welcome to attend.

Easter Raffle

The annual Easter Raffle will be drawn on Wednesday April 5 at 2.30 pm in the school gym. All are welcome! Sincere thanks for all the generously donated Easter prizes so far and to all those who have sold and bought tickets! Our fundraising will go towards our school playground!

St Joseph's Day

Sunday March 19 is St Joseph's Day. This is a special day for our school community as the St Josephite Sisters, from the order of nuns that St Mary MacKillop founded, established and named our school in 1911.   Our school will mark this occasion on Monday March 20 with some learning about our origins and a free dress day and a Zooper Dooper!

It is significant that Mother Mary MacKillop gave to her Congregation the name of Saint Joseph, one who committed his whole being and life to God’s loving Providence. Only in this way was he able to live out the unique calling he had received from God, to become the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the guardian of God’s own Son. In the history of the Church Saint Joseph has always been a special model of holiness. Without a doubt, in giving Saint Joseph’s name to her Congregation, Blessed Mary MacKillop was expressing a quality of her own spiritual life, a quality which then became a charism for her followers and for those of us today who would learn from her example.         Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar

Blessing and Opening

A reminder that we are having a Blessing and Opening liturgy and ceremony to officially open the refurbished classrooms, the additional classrooms built, the outdoor areas and student and staff amenities on Tuesday March 28 at 9.30am in the parish hall. Mr Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Sale, will be in attendance and will lead the official party. Fr Darren Howie will conduct the liturgy and bless the buildings and areas. Parents are welcome to attend the ceremony.

Invitation to Parents for St Joseph's Blessing and Opening Ceremony

Joanne Coldebella
Principal

The Prep’s have had a very busy start to the year. In Maths we are learning about numbers to 10, we have been making and ordering numbers. We have had a lot of fun learning our sounds and we have started to make words with the sounds we know using Elkonin boxes. This term we are learning about what makes us special and different in our Inquiry unit, we have been looking at our five senses and what we like to taste, touch, smell, hear and see and what we don’t like. Buddy lunch remains a favourite for everyone, we love to catch up with our grade 6 buddies.

Prep Team

In the 5/6 area we have been learning about people’s rights and responsibilities. We have been looking at the work Caritas does to support people around the world and how they help people access their rights to essential needs such as food, water, shelter and education. We are investigating the work different organisations do around the world to support people who are not having their rights met and working in teams to present our learning.

In writing we have been learning about persuasive writing with a focus on using a range of persuasive devices. We have looked at using high modality words such as must, need and have to, rhetorical questions and emotive language to help persuade the reader and make our writing more interesting for the reader.

5/6 Team

The Liturgy Captains have created child safety posters to remind our students that teachers can help them if they feel unsafe or see anything that worries them. Thanks to Sambriddhi and Mia, who visited the Grade 1/2 classes to deliver this year's new child safety posters.

At St Joseph’s School we use a common language to support a whole school approach to positive behaviour. This common language is - ‘Be Respectful, Be a Learner, and Be Safe’.

All learning spaces within our school have a bright visual representation of this common language (as seen in the puzzle pieces above).

The aim of this approach is to ensure each child has the opportunity to fully participate, engage in the process of schooling and become a successful learner. The characteristics of a whole school positive behaviour approach include prevention, instruction, use of evidence-based practices, and utilising data for informed decision making. A positive behaviour approach supports teaching and learning environments so that the academic outcomes of students are maximised. The WSAPB provides a structure and process for school communities to establish and maintain a positive social culture.

Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Coordinators

Patricia Martin and Travis Newton

St Joseph's Feast Day

On Monday March 20, our school will be celebrating the Feast Day of St Joseph.  As part of the day's celebration students are able to wear free dress and a Zooper Dooper will be offered to all students. 

Project Compassion

Third Week of Lent 
(Week beginning Monday 13^th March)

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Priscilla, who lives in the Hwange district in Zimbabwe with her husband, Charles, and two of their grandchildren. Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in the most vulnerable and remote communities in Zimbabwe.

During times of intense drought and food shortages, Priscilla had to commute to the town centre and wait in long queues to collect food.  

With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and started poultry farming to support her family during the current food crisis. Priscilla was able to produce a bumper harvest in her first year of practising in conservation farming. Priscilla also used the funds from her harvest to start poultry farming, which enabled her to sell eggs to pay for her grandchildren’s school fees, books and stationery. The poultry farming provides a safety net for Priscilla and her family during times of hardship, like the current drought.

While the situation in Zimbabwe and across eastern Africa remains dire, the work of Caritas Hwange means that Priscilla can learn the techniques, tools and resources she needs to build resilience and support her family during this current food crisis.  

Watch a short film about Priscilla’s story

Fourth Week of Lent 
(Week beginning Monday 20^th March)

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Thu, who lives in Vietnam. When Thu was 12 years old, he stepped on an unexploded land mine and lost his leg. ​

Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked mainly as a rice farmer. Thu also took on the role of caring for his wife, Linh, after she suffered a stroke.​

Determined to turn their lives around, Thu and Linh joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, run by Caritas Australia’s local partner in Vietnam, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).    

For Thu, the greatest impact the program has had is enabling the change in Linh’s physical and mental wellbeing. With the support of a physiotherapist, Linh can now walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick. 

Watch a short film about Thu’s story

Once again it is time for our Annual Easter raffle.  For this fundraiser we are asking families to donate an Easter egg or chocolate bar to the school, which will enable us to make up Easter prizes to raffle.

Raffle tickets have been sent home with your child to sell at .50 per ticket (selling both sides) which needs to be returned to the school with money no later than Monday April 3.  Please clearly write the full name and phone number of the person purchasing the ticket.  Additional booklets are avaliable from the office 

In past years this has been an excellent fundraiser for the students of our school.  It has always been greatly supported by the families and school community, which has contributed to the purchasing of books, sports equipment and much more while benefiting our children.  This year we will be raising funds for our school playground.

Cash or CDF Pay are options for this fundraiser, just return the cover with your tickets and tick your payment option.

Raffle prizes will be drawn on Wednesday April 5.  Good Luck and thank you for your continued support.

School Photos will take place Monday March 27.  Photo envelopes will be distributed to students as soon as they are received. 
These will need to be completed and returned with your child on Monday March 27 when photos are taken.

Envelopes for sibling photos will be inside the envelope of the eldest sibling.

We will be conducting Prep tours during first term.  Emails have been sent to all those families 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.  Bookings for Prep tours can be made by contacting the school office on 5672 1052.

Expression of Interest for Enrolment

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

Weekday Masses:

Tuesday Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch LITURGY 11:00a.m. 

St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi MASS 9:30a.m.      

Friday Mass at St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi 9:30 a.m.                                             

STATIONS OF THE CROSS WILL FOLLOW THE MASSES AND LITURGIES AT OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA, INVERLOCH EACH TUESDAY DURING LENT.                                                                                      Weekend Masses

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

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

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 Ron Mahoney, who passed away recently and the anniversaries of 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.

LENTEN GROUP: An additional opportunity to attend a Lenten Group will be at the home of Helen Murphy, 35 Lyndhurst Street, Wonthaggi on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. Pat and Anne Kelly will be facilitating this group. There is a sheet in the Foyer at St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi for you to record your name to attend and therefore we can make sure that booklets will be available.  Booklets are $10.00.

CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC:  INTER CHURCH COUNCIL, WONTHAGGI AND INVERLOCH.

Saturday 25th March 2023 @ 11am to 1pm

State Coal Mine, Garden Street, Wonthaggi.

Inter Church Council Wonthaggi and Inverloch

Invite you to BYO Picnic Lunch, Chair or Rug.

Barbecues are available. Most importantly bring a friend.

 INVITATION TO THE BLESSING AND DEDICATION OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH CLYDE NORTH ON SUNDAY 23^RD APRIL 2023.

DIOCESAN CATECHIST ASSOCIATION Diocese of Sale. An invitation is extended to all Catechists and those involved in Children’s Liturgy to attend.

Annual Gathering and Eucharist on Tuesday 21st March 2023. Venue: Teacher’s Centre, Sion House, Warragul.  

Program for the Day    

9:00 am Arrival   9:30 Mass with Bishop Greg-Sion

Chapel, 10:30 Morning Tea, 10:50 Annual report,

11:00 a.m. Dr. Elissa Roper “Pope Francis and Synodality

What it means for us.”     1:00pm Lunch  

2:00pm Dr. Elissa Roper “Missionary Discipleship in our homes and parishes”.       3:00pm Close

Please bring a plate of morning tea to share. Lunch will be provided. 

Please RSVP by Wednesday, 15th March, 2023 to

Barbara Durand at bdurand@sale.catholic.org.au or 56 226678.

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 are delighted to announce our first gathering for this year which will now be on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, commencing on MARCH 15th @ 10:30a.m. in the Inverloch Church Annex. (Please note new day & time!)

Our group gathers for friendship over a cuppa while creating shawls & rugs that are blessed at Mass & later wrapped to be given (no cost) to those who may be struggling with life in ANY way.

So, if you like to knit, crochet or sew up squares over a cuppa & chat, then come along & bring a friend. We would warmly welcome some new members. Patterns and yarns are available. Donations of knitting yarns are gratefully accepted and can be left at the Wonthaggi Parish Office or at the Church Annex in Inverloch. For enquiries please call: Philippa Warby (Inverloch) 0408 331 340 Maureen Maartensz (Wonthaggi) 0407 055 447.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND “Live Your Best Life in Love” Every relationship is a journey and the grind of everyday life can cause you to lose touch with your spouse. This weekend gives married couples the tools to keep passion alive in a gentle, nurturing environment, away from pressures and distractions of daily living.

The weekend is based around Catholic values and couples of all faiths are welcome. Please check our website for more details. 28-30 April 2023 in Melbourne (Book early to avoid disappointment) Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy and James 0409 183 676 or Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au     Website: wwme.org.au

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED: ACN AUSTRALIA A message from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is asking for support to provide sisters in Romania with a new heating system. The Sisters of the Mother of God are the oldest congregation of sisters in the Romanian Greek Catholic Church. The history of their community has long been one marked by persecution, particularly when Romania was under communist rule. Today the sisters continue to aid their local community with youth groups, spiritual support and counselling, as well as providing the poor with basic necessities. But they are facing a major problem. Their ancient heating system has finally broken down and needs to be replaced, but they cannot afford the cost. The sisters need your help!

To make an offering and learn more visit www.aidtochurch.org./monthlyproject  

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.

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