Welcome back to everyone after a long Easter break! I hope everyone was able to spend time with family and friends. Yesterday at our whole school assembly, the Grade 1/2s helped us recall what a special day Easter Sunday is for the Catholic church. We celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the beginning and foundation of Christianity. Symbols of new life at Easter are prevalent in our society, mostly in the form of chocolate eggs and bunnies. Hot cross buns, of course display Christianity’s most significant symbol, the cross, a universal reminder of the Christian faith and Christ’s sacrifice, death and resurrection. This presents a great opportunity to talk to children about how and why these traditions originated and why indeed we have holidays (holy-days) at Easter.

The Easter raffle was a great way to celebrate with these symbols on the final day of term one.  It was, once again, a great success. Sincere thanks for all the donations and to all those who bought tickets to support our school. We raised $1644.60. It was wonderful to see the children celebrate their classmates' luck in winning prizes. Thanks to the teachers and parents who prepared the children for managing possible disappointment and focusing on thinking positively about the fortune of others.     

One of the many lessons Jesus taught us was one of forgiveness. In his life He emulated kindness and mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation emphasises that God is always willing to forgive. We teach the children about the four steps involved in this sacrament: the confession of sin (wrongdoing), expression of sorrow for sins committed, penance and absolution. We use these steps as a basis for teaching children how to deal with wrongdoing or mistakes they have made. It is part of our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour and we believe, essential for their growth and wellbeing.

Mistakes, large or small, are a part of life. Sometimes making mistakes causes embarrassment or feelings of inadequacy and inferiority.  Sometimes, realising that we are at fault causes us to feel sorrow, guilt and shame and while these are not pleasant experiences, they are very natural, human experiences. Having these feelings show that we are aware of the impact of our behaviour on others. Being aware of others and acknowledging their feelings drives compassion, understanding, kindness and inspires personal growth.   

We want the children to be kind, compassionate individuals who know how to deal with mistakes and how to learn and grow because of them. Our ‘Consequences’ chart was developed to outline to students and staff how we consistently respond to behaviour across the school. It also articulates that there is a way to overcome our mistakes (see brown markings):

We teach the children that when they make a mistake, the first step is to admit responsibility, own up to and acknowledge it. Making excuses for it and blaming others does not lead to personal growth or resolution. The next step is saying sorry, showing remorse. The third step is to ‘make amends’; to do something to correct a mistake that one has made or a bad situation that one has caused, similar to the act of penance in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The final step is to accept forgiveness if it is given and importantly, forgive yourself (experience absolution) and move on.

We believe that this approach sets the children up for success. We cannot prevent our children from making any mistakes. While we do our best to protect, advise and encourage them, sometimes the best learning experiences occur when we make errors. We can help them know that it’s ok to make mistakes- they help us learn and grow.

Joanne Coldebella
Principal     

The 1/2 Area has had a busy start to Term 2!

During our RE lessons we have been learning about Jesus and Easter. On Monday the 1st of May we performed our 'Jesus has Risen' performance at assembly.  We had been practising a lot and were very excited to show the school and the parents.

In Maths we have been learning about Mass and comparing weights of objects during balance scales. We have also started a new program called Math Quest and we are learning about patterns. 

For Integrated Studies this term we are learning about Light and Sound. We will be having a science incursion on the 18th of May. We cannot wait!

During Writing we are working on our sentence structure. We have learnt that sentences need to include a subject, verb, capital letter to begin and a full stop to end. 

We have been working hard and learning a lot. This term is going to be a lot of fun. 

1/2 Team

The Grade 5/6 area has been busy settling back into Term 2. We have finished our unit on Global Citizenship and are now looking forward to our new inquiry unit on Science: Biology. The students will be participating in many experiments and fun lessons all about biological science. We can't wait to watch our experiments and track the results.  

Our writing our topic is persuasive writing and the students are developing and refining their skills of using persuasive devices to enhance their point of view.

Our focus in maths is addition and subtraction. Over the next 2 weeks we are looking at different strategies to solve addition problems, including the split strategy, number lines and the algorithm.  

Term 2 is a very busy term with many exciting activities. We have many of our students preparing for Confirmation, the Mary Mackillop Grade 6 activity day this Wednesday and the positive peer relationships incursion. The grade 5/6 teachers look forward to watching the students grow and learn in term 2.

5/6 Team

What’s happening in Performing Arts in Term 2, 2023?

Junior School – Silly Songs and Rhymes

Students are exploring the elements of music through learning silly songs and rhymes.

Middle School – Parodies

Students are exploring song writing by working in groups to rewrite and perform nursery rhymes.

Senior School – Rock and Roll

Students are learning about the history of rock and roll through listening, discussing, and playing a variety of rock and roll tunes.

As part of our music program, all students are also experiencing the world of opera this term. We are watching a livestreamed production, ‘The Grumpiest Boy in the World’, by the Victorian Opera, featuring a score from Joseph Twist (known for his stellar musical direction on hit children’s TV show, Bluey).

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. 

Dani Paulson

Performing Arts Teacher 

Hi from the STEAM room! We have had a super busy Term 1 and ready to go for Term 2.

Term 1 saw the students focus on the physical sciences with the Preps getting an introduction to what each letter in STEAM stands for.

For those of you who aren’t quite sure what STEAM is all about here is a useful little clip to explain:

What is STEAM Education?

The 1/2s explored how sound works which culminated in making musical instruments to show how sound is created.

The 3/4s explored heat insulation and conduction and showed their learning through designing and creating an insulated cup.

They were challenged to ensure that their cup retained the temperature of the water over a period of ten minutes.

Finally, the 5/6s explored electrical circuits and attempted to create a light up card. This was challenging as we had to find alternative sources of power instead of the normal lithium disc batteries.

This term we will be exploring all things Earth and Space Sciences with a focus on the solar system and space!

If families have any suitable boxes or materials of any type that could be used in construction and craft, please feel free to send them into the STEAM room, thank you. 

Nicole Buccilli
STEAM Teacher

Our Whole School Mass celebration for Catholic Education Week will take place on Friday May 19 at 9:30am at St Joseph's Church. Parents are welcome to attend.

This year our Mother’s Day Stall will be held on Monday May 8.
The stall will provide
$4 gifts for students to select from. 
In keeping with our cash free platform, we
encourage all parents to pay for their child’s gift via CDFpay before the day.
 The CDFpay shop is open now for purchasing.
St Joseph's Wonthaggi CDFPay Shop

Term 2 brings the transition to our winter uniform.  Students may start to wear their winter uniform beginning Term 2. Whilst not compulsory until Monday May 8 it is important that students wear either full Winter uniform or full Summer uniform during this time and not a mixture of both.

As noted in the newsletter previously Totally Work Wear has some supply of Winter Pinafores on hand and have been taking orders for additional sizes if needed.  Please call 5672 5878 or visit instore if you wish to place an order.  (If you have placed a winter uniform order that has not yet arrived, please inform your child's teacher) 

Parents and Guardians would have received an email including an Application for Year 7 Placement 2024 to be completed and returned to St Joseph's school office by last friday May 12.  

If for some reason you are unsure about your choice for next year we will still need the form returned asap if you have not already done so, preferences can always be changes at a later date if needed. Parents opting to send their child/ren to Bass Coast College and require a bus need to complete the Bus application form. Mary MacKillop College and Newhaven will organise their own bus application upon receipt of placement forms.

Forms may be emailed to the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or send in via your child.  If you require a hard copy of the form please email us at the office or give us a call on 5672 1052.

Year 6-7 Placement Pack 2024

Bus Application Bass Coast College

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 War in Ukraine and Sudan. For Sylvia Veal, who passed away recently, and the anniversaries of Maria Brusamarello, Fr. James Martin and our loved ones.  May God’s merciful love shine on them and on the loved ones left behind.

Please pray for those who continue to be affected by the Ukrainian War, and those natural disasters. 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.

St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph’s Conference.

Our conference would like to thank you all for your continued support. It is your partnership with us that enables us to assist local families who are in need.

We continue to respond with visits to families in their homes on four days per week. In the first quarter of this year, we have made 218 visits, assisting 317 adults and 242 children. This is a 25% increase on the previous quarter. The increased cost of living has put increased financial stress on the members of our community.

We meet as a conference at 10:30a.m. in the foyer of St. Joseph’s Church, Wonthaggi every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

If you would like to share in the rewarding work, please feel welcome to join us.

Sunday Gospel Reflection
Sunday gospel reflections written by the clergy, religious and laymen and women of our diocese are published weekly through the diocesan website and the diocesan Facebook page enabling us to reflect and prepare ourselves on the Gospel before we get to the weekend masses.

The link to  our website is   https://www.cdsale.org.au/news/sunday-gospel-reflections
and the link to our Facebook page is  https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofsale 

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP: Many thanks to those who are knitting or crocheting at home and unable to attend our meetings, but still very much a part of the group. Your work is much appreciated. If you are knitting squares, we would ask that you follow the suggested measurements as it helps those sewing the squares together to create rugs. Plenty of wool is available as well as the patterns at both our churches.

Enquiries: Philippa 0408 331 340 or Maureen 0407 055 447.

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED: ACN AUSTRALIA A message from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) CARDINAL PELL LUNCHEON & LECTURE: Aid to the Church in Need is launching an annual George Cardinal Pell Luncheon & Lecture with the inaugural event to take place in Melbourne CBD on Sunday 21^st May. The keynote speaker will be Mr. David Pell, brother of the late Cardinal. For information and to register, please visit www.trybooking.com/CGUDA.

 World Youth Day: Lisbon, Portugal 2023. Young people (18-35 yrs) in our diocese will join up with the World Youth Day Group from the Archdiocese of Melbourne to travel to Lisbon for the celebration of World youth day in August. Parishioners, are requested to pray for these young people who have come forward to attend the WYD. For more information, please contact Fr Avinash George at Email: avinash.george@cdsale.org.au 

Phone # 03 59971510.

HEART OF LIFE (Centre for Spiritual & Pastoral Formation) ‘Dare to Dream’ via Zoom, 5 X Wednesday, 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May, 5:00-6:30pm (AEST)

“We have had dreams and there is no one to interpret them…” and Joseph said to them, “do not interpretations belong to God? (Genesis 40:8)

Join our director, Clare Shearman and guests in our ‘dream lab’. Based on the Dreams sessions previously offered as part of the Siloam Program, this five-week program will explore the significance of our dreams, include the practice of dream circles, provide guidance and practice for working with dreams-our own and others’, consider the potential for our dreams to personally and collectively shape the future.

Heart of Life Centre for Spiritual & Pastoral Formation. Cost $130. Book and pay via website www.heartoflife.melbourne email info@heartoflife.melbourne or telephone 03 9890 1101.

‘Pondering Grief’ (in person event), Saturday 20^th May 2023, 10am-3:30pm (AEST)

This day offers an invitation to reflect on and honour our inner life of change and transition. With creativity, space and gentle support, this workshop will offer a sacred place for the breadth of human experiencing and spirit to guide individual exploration. Facilitated by Linda Espie a counsellor of loss, grief and bereavement for over 35 years. Heart of Life Centre for Spiritual & Pastoral Formation. Cost $80 including ‘Pondering Grief’ book (BYO lunch). Book and pay via website www.heartoflife.melbourne or telephone 03 9890 1101.

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