This Friday we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful teachers who work so diligently at our school! They truly are a dedicated team of professionals who strive to create the best learning environment for our students. Their care and concern for the students is exemplary and each and every one of our staff is always working on improving their practice so we can see students thrive.   

Sincere thanks for all you do!

School Advisory Committee

This year will see two of our longstanding members, Mrs Linda Tack and Mrs Carla Poletti, reach the end of their six year terms respectively on the School Advisory Committee. Ms Mairead Taylor will also reach the end of her three year term (she may be re-nominated). Therefore, there will be three positions available on the committee.

Parents are invited to nominate suitable candidates using the form attached by Friday, November 10.  

School Board Nomination Form 2023

Alternatively, you can pick up a form from the school office.

The purposes of the School Advisory Committee are to:

• act as an advisory body to the principal on matters concerning education in the school
• act as a forum for discussion on matters concerning education in the school
• provide a link between the parish priest, principal, teachers and parishioners in relation to the provision of Catholic education in the parish community
• promote community development by fostering a strong inter-relationship between the parish, the primary school and Catholic secondary colleges

Meetings are held five times over the course of a year. They are usually mid-term on a Tuesday morning at 9.05am.  The AGM is held in November of each year.

The conclusion of Mrs Linda Tack’s youngest child’s primary schooling at the end of this year will mark the end of a long time association with St Joes. Linda and her husband Rod have been incredible supporters of our school and community and we are so grateful for their volunteer work over many years on various committees, fundraising pursuits, and school events. Sincere thanks to you Linda for your work on the School Advisory Committee, your positive attitude, thoughtful feedback, and enthusiasm is much appreciated! 

 Mrs Carla Poletti has also worked tirelessly to support our school. Carla, we thank you for your kindness, understanding, and unique perspective. Your constant support and giving up your time and expertise so generously has been highly valued. 

Swimming Program

The junior swimming program has now been completed. Thanks to the parents and carers for all your support for these important lessons.  Swimming and Water Safety are a mandatory part of our curriculum and considering where we are fortunate enough to live, with close access to beautiful beaches, they are crucial skills for our students to learn.

Results of Specialist Showcase Surveys

Thank you to all the parents and carers who filled in the survey/s.  We have assigned days and times for the Specialist Showcases based on the results.

The Grade Prep and 1/2 Specialist Showcase will be held on Wednesday, November 22nd, beginning at 2pm and concluding at approximately 3pm.

The Grade 3/4 and 5/6 Specialist Showcase will be held on Wednesday, November 29th, beginning at 2pm and concluding at approximately 3pm.

The Showcases will be held in the parish hall. The students will be performing an item they have been working on in Performing Arts and Italian, supported by props they have made in STEAM class. There will also be other STEAM and Italian work on display.

Parent/Carers’ Gathering after the Specialist Showcases

On behalf of the School Advisory Committee, we would like to invite parents/carers to stay in the parish hall for a cuppa after the students’ performances. Tea and coffee will be served from the canteen at the back of the hall until 3.20pm after the junior and senior Specialist Showcases. Students can be collected from their classes after this.

We look forward to seeing all who can make it there!

Parent Helpers Welcome for iHour and Lunchtime Clubs

Each term there are several Lunchtime Clubs that run from 1.50pm- 2.20pm.

Please see the table below for this term:

iHour allows students to work on a passion project, idea or new skill.

There will be three iHour sessions this term on:

Thursday November 2

Thursday November 9

Thursday November 16 

From 2.20pm - 3.10pm

Activities are varied and usually include some sports and art and craft activities.

Parents/Carers or Friends are most welcome to assist with Lunchtime Clubs or iHour activities. All volunteers must have a Working With Children Check and there is a process we need to adhere to before beginning.

Please contact the school office for more information via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

Joanne Coldebella

Principal

Well done to our award winners and the students who received their ICAS certificates at our last assembly, congratulations on all your hard work.

Last week in the 1/2 area, we hosted an Older Person Afternoon. 

During this afternoon we invited a special person to join us for the afternoon. We got to interview our special person about what it was like growing up in their generation. Our older person brought in something from their childhood that was special to them. Some artefacts we saw were photos, typewriters, telephones, and records. After our interview, we shared a scone with jam and cream for afternoon tea. Before we said our goodbyes, we got an opportunity to visit other artefacts around the 1/2 area. 

We would like to thank everyone who was a part of our Older Person Afternoon and to the people who helped us organise this activity.

1/2 Team

On Thursday 19th of October, all of the 3/4 's went on school camp to Phillip Island Adventure Resort. The 3/4’s arrived at school at normal time with their overnight bags and backpacks. The 3/4 's went through some rules to keep us safe on camp. Once we finished we lined up outside to go to the bus with our overnight bags and backpacks. We got on the bus and drove to San Remo for a snack then hit the road to the camp. 

When we arrived at the camp we got off the bus and followed our teachers to the hall. The ladies who worked there went through some other rules and then we went out to the hill and played there for an hour while our cabins were getting cleaned. The teachers told us our activity groups and our cabin mates. We settled into our cabins and then we got ready for our first activity. The activities that we did included: archery, canoeing, photo hunt, giant swing and flying fox. We did three activities on Thursday. In between the second and third activity we had afternoon tea. We had fruit and a Zooper Dooper. We did our final activity and then we got settled for dinner. We had chicken schnitzels, gravy, chips and veggies for dinner and for dessert we had vanilla ice cream and desired toppings. We went back to our cabins and got changed for the movie. We also brought pillows for comfort. After the movie we went back to the cabins to do our teeth and toilet then got into our beds to go to sleep. 

The next day we started packing our bags and then at 7:00 we went to the hall for breakfast. The options were: toast, weet-bix, cornflakes, sultana bran and rice bubbles. We went back to our cabins and got ready for the last two activities. In between them we had our lunch. For lunch we had a desired roll. We did our last activity, had a play on the hill and then we packed up and got on the buses. We drove to St Joseph’s and went to the gym for a play. All of the 3/4’s had heaps of fun. 

Caitlin and Bella 3/4T

CONSEQUENCES

A school wide approach to using consequences makes the school a predictable, consistent, positive and safe environment. Consequences are outcomes that occur as a result of actions. Consequences can be used either to encourage the behaviour to occur again or to discourage the behaviour from occurring again. Consequences should be logical; meaning that they directly relate to repairing the situation. Before using consequences, it is crucial that teaching, prompting and acknowledging expectations of behaviour has occurred.

In this WSAPBS, Consequences involve:

• Maintaining the dignity, psychological safety and physical safety for all
• Being clear, fair and consistent
• Being connected to the School Wide Expectations
• Directly teaching behaviour through personal, social and emotional development
• School community members becoming aware of the impact of their behaviour on others
• Using natural and logical consequences for all behaviour
• Focussing on re-establishing positive relationships
• Gradually progressive responses, related to the seriousness and repetition of behaviour
• Documenting and recording incidents, issues and agreed outcomes
• Using behavioural incident data to make informed decisions
• The school community actively practicing, enacting and evaluating agreed processes

Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Co-ordinator

Trish Martin 

Congratulations to the students who represented St Joseph's at the Regional Athletics at Newborough, District Softball at Bass, and the Girls Basketball Team that is off to the Regional Basketball Championships at Taralgon next week.  All students are to be commended on their excellent behaviour and sportsmanship. 

School Fee information for 2024 has been sent to all families via PAM. If you hold a concession card in 2024, we kindly request you complete the relevant forms and return them to the school office along with a copy of your card.

If you are already on a direct debit payment and there are no changes to your details, the direct debit will continue for 2024.

We request you complete the forms and return them to the school office by Friday,  December 8, 2023

If you have any queries please email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

School Fee Schedule 2024

Direct Debit Form

Concession Application

CSEF Application Form 2024

Statements for Term 4 have been emailed to families.  If you have not received your statement or have any queries please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

The Catholic Women’s League is having their annual toiletries collection in October.
Donations will be given to homeless people, asylum seekers and other people in need.
A container located is in the school foyer near the office for any donations.

Thank you!

School closure dates for your diary

Friday November 3

Monday November 6, Tuesday 7 November (Melbourne Cup Day)

Friday December 15 - Wednesday December 20
(Last Day of Term 4 for students Thursday December 14 3:25pm)

Weekday Masses:

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

Wednesday 25th October 2023 NO MASS OR LITURGY at St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi

Friday Mass at St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi 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

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 and earthquakes. For all who are sick, lonely and suffering from illness and pain. For those suffering from Road Trauma, both death and injury. For Dot Connelly, who passed away recently and the anniversaries of George Cassie, Paul Kavanagh, Fr. Peter Curran and our loved ones, may God’s merciful love shine on them and on the loved ones left behind.

FATHER DARREN HOWIE WILL BE AWAY ON HOLIDAYS UNTIL 18^TH NOVEMBER 2023. During this time Father Martin Dixon will be celebrating the weekend masses at Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
Father Martin will also be saying Mass at St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi on Wednesday 1^st November 2023 @ 9:30a.m. for All Saints Day and at Our Lady Star of the Sea on Thursday 2^nd November 2023 @ 9:30a.m. for All Souls Day.

BLESSING OF THE GRAVES WILL BE ON SUNDAY 29^TH OCTOBER 2023:
Wonthaggi Cemetery at 2:00pm.
Inverloch Cemetery at 3:00pm.

HOME ALPHA:  Alpha is an eight-week course for those interested in finding out more about the Christian faith.  It caters for those wanting to investigate Christianity, newcomers to the church and those who want to brush up on the basics of the faith. In short everybody is welcome. Come to meet Jesus in a friendly, relaxed environment.  Time: Thursday evenings 6pm to 9pm. Starting October 26th.  Format is Dinner -DVD presentation-Chat. Place: 22 Nelson St, Wonthaggi. Bookings are essential for catering purposes. Children welcome. More information:  Anne Kelly 0409011040 or Pat Kelly 0407 505232.

COUNTING TEAM ROSTER: The parish would like to form a team of Counters for the weekend collection monies. Each team must comprise 3 Parishioners.  The counting will be done either on a Sunday or Monday in the crying room at the Wonthaggi Church.  Full training will be available.  Please contact Parish Bookkeeper Ann Hemming if you have any questions or would like to be part of a team. 0418 344 817 annh@sale.catholic.org.au

PREPARATION OF UPCOMING WONTHAGGI ROSTERS:  If you are currently on our Roster for Welcomer/Readers, Offertory and Special Ministers and will not be available during the next month’s please contact Kaye Carew on 0459 359 224 or email kaye.carew28@gmail.com  Similarly, if you would like to join, please contact Kaye. (Remember current Working with Children is necessary). Also, if you are unable to fulfil a rostered time, please organize a swap or replacement. THANK YOU!

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE:The Catholic Women’s League is having their annual toiletries collection in October.
Donations will be given to homeless people, asylum seekers and other people in need.  Containers will be placed in both churches and at St. Joseph’s School for donations. Thank you!

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: THE OFFICE IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS.

THE OFFICE IS OPEN TUESDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. with Lunch being taken between 1:00pm and 1:30pm.  PLEASE CONTACT FATHER DARREN ON 03 56 722 923 OR KRISTINE ON 0499 915 784 IF THE MATTER IS URGENT.  ITEMS CAN BE PUT THROUGH THE LETTER BOX AT THE PRESBYTERY FRONT DOOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

POPE FRANCIS’ INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER: FOR THE SYNOD

We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world. 

The Sale Diocese is shedding light on Domestic Violence, an issue impacting many. Commencing next weekend, we invite you to a four-week journey of prayer and listening to raise awareness within our parish and school communities. From November 17-19, wear white to Mass as we come together against Domestic Violence. A special liturgy will be held on No

vember 17th, with locations at St. Michael's (Berwick & Traralgon), Sion House (Warragul), and St. Mary's (Bairnsdale & Yarram). We encourage everyone to join and make a stand.

Diocesan Mission Council: We thank all those people who have submitted their Expression of Interest form

to be considered for membership of the Diocesan Mission Council. Bishop Greg will now take consider and pray over each submission before calling applicants to a morning of information and discernment about the role of the Diocesan Mission Council that will be held on the 18th of December. Please continue to pray the Holy Spirit will guide the selection process.Fr. Timothy Radcliffe's Meditative sessions: During the Synod on Synodality, attendees devoted three days to a retreat near Rome, readying themselves for the Synod. Each day, Father Timothy Radcliff, a knowledgeable English Dominican, delivered two presentations on synodality-related themes. Access these insightful meditations on our diocesan website (https://www.cdsale.org.au/srm) for spiritual enrichment and a deeper understanding of the synodal church's call.

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP:New members are always welcome-plenty of wool & simple patterns available. Good weather for knitting over a cuppa & chat! If you would like a shawl or know of someone in need, please phone Philippa or Maureen. Alternatively, shawls are available at the Parish Office and Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch. Enquiries: Philippa Warby 0408 331 340 and Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447.

The Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry has published a document on evangelisation, offering a scriptural and theological reflection on the proclamation of the Gospel through the lenses of encounter, discipleship and mission. It draws on seminal documents on evangelisation from recent decades, including the teachings of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. Evangelisation can be downloaded directly from https://bit.ly/Evangelisation2023

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 

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

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.

Bishops Conference: On August 31, 2018, the Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia responded to the Royal Commission's recommendations. On its fifth anniversary, an update reflects the Church’s ongoing efforts to be publicly accountable for how it is working to create, maintain and enhance safe environments for children and all people who are at risk. You can access a copy of the media release and the report on our diocesan website at https://www.cdsale.org.au/news/."

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has launched its 2023-24 Social Justice Statement. This year’s statement is titled Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. “Strengthening our relationship with our First Peoples is integral and indeed critical to the strengthening of the whole nation,” Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv said at the launch. The media release and the statement can be found at the diocesan website at cdsale.catholic.org.au.

In a letter addressed to bishops and eparchs around the world, Cardinal Mario Grech , Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, invites the faithful around the world to participate through prayer to the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that will open in the Vatican on October 4.
With this letter, the Secretary General wants to remember that the Synod Assembly is above all a spiritual event, of prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit, the true protagonist of the event.

A copy of the letter and more information on the synod can be accessed through the diocesan website at https://www.cdsale.org.au/synod-of-bishop

An Ecumenical Advent Conversation - Letter Bishop Bennet

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 either 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