One of my many privileges is to frequently walk through the classroom spaces and engage with students across the school. It is wonderful to feel the current buzz in classrooms and hear the students’ enthusiasm about their learning. Our school has a strong pedagogical approach of inquiry, particularly when engaging the children in Integrated Studies and Religious Education. Integrated Studies is the umbrella term for many areas of the Victorian Curriculum which we teach including Science, History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Critical and Creative Thinking and the Capabilities: Ethical Understanding, Personal and Social, and Intercultural.

Each term the teachers choose an area of focus which will meaningfully link various areas of the curriculum. Through promoting an inquiry stance, we hope to spark the children’s interest, involvement and ownership of their learning. As part of this the teachers share the learning intentions of the term and ask the students how they might be achieved. The students have readily engaged in this process and are very enthusiastic about bringing these plans to fruition. Excursions and activities are planned and parent and community visitors with some expertise on the classroom learning focus are invited to talk to the students. We have found this practice a great way to involve parents and connect with our wider community. The Preps are busy organising visits from ‘helpers’ in our neighbourhood including Ambulance Officers, the police, fire brigade, nurses and radiographers.

The 1/2 ’s focus is on Celebrating Differences and are inviting parents and people of diverse backgrounds to share a little of their culture with the children. The 3/4s are transforming their whole classrooms to express their learning about animals and their habitats. The 5/6s are embracing chemical science by planning many hands-on learning experiences through conducting experiments.

At the end of the term we will have an Open Afternoon where children will have the opportunity to share this term’s learning with parents and friends on Monday June 24th from 2.30pm- 3.15pm.  All are welcome!

Catholic Education Week

Next week on Friday May 17, Catholic Education Week begins. This year the theme is I am making all things new Rev 21:5.

We will begin the week with a whole school Mass on Friday May 17 at 9.30am. All parents and friends are most welcome! Our school is proud to be part of a large network of Catholic schools. We have the privilege of spreading the message of Jesus and Gospel values which we believe can deepen and enhance the human experience. Later that day Mrs Gin, Ms Egan and myself will attend a Diocesan Mass and Leadership celebration. Kate and myself are receiving awards for 25 years of service in Catholic Education. We are most grateful to be afforded this honour and to have been lucky enough to work in such a wonderful pastoral and caring environment over a long period of time which has encouraged our growth and professional, personal and spiritual development.

District Athletics

District Athletics were held last week. We were fortunate to enjoy a glorious day weather wise for this event. Many of our students competed and their behaviour on the day was once again a credit to them. Thanks to the staff who accompanied them, Michelle Richards for all she does to organise these events and to Vicky for all her work in supporting Michelle with the communication and permission protocols.

Happy 80th Birthday Sophie!

Last Tuesday we had a morning tea for Sophie, our school’s crossing guard, to celebrate her 80th birthday. We also wanted to take the opportunity to thank Sophie for her 27 years of service to our school!

As she humbly received her card and gift she commented that the students here were very polite and respectful. She asked that we thank the staff and students for helping celebrate her birthday and the school community for their ongoing support. In Sophie's 27 years she has rarely taken a sick day or been absent from her post. Sincere thanks and gratitude to you Sophie for all you have done for our school!

Well done to our award winners who were presented with their certificates at our last assembly, congratulations.  

In the 1/2 year levels, we have been learning about Indian culture and traditions. We were fortunate to have some of our Indian families come in and share their culture with us. We learned about traditional dress, food, celebrations, and what the flag represents. It was amazing!

1/2 Team

The RSL invited our School Captains Cooper, Maya, Mila, and Frankie to represent St Joseph's at the ANZAC Day commemoration service, well done to these students for representing the school so beautifully on this occasion.  Special thanks to Courtenay Rigby for making the beautiful wreath!

Thanks to the Star Wars Committee and Courtenay Rigby for organising another terrific Star Wars Lunchtime Club & Drawing competition! This years entries were outstanding! Congratulations to all of the winners & ones who received a Special Mention!

Applications for enrolment are now available for Prep 2025.  Tours for all prospective 2025 Prep families can be made by contacting the school office for an appointment time. Enrolment applications are to be submitted by Friday, June 26, 2024.

Orientation sessions will be held for all incoming Prep students beginning in August.

Enrolment information can be found on our website.  Email us at info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or call the office on 5672 1052 for further information.  Click below for our school enrolment pack information.

Website Enrolment Information

Our Whole School Mass celebration for Catholic Education Week will take place on Friday May 17 at 9:30am at St Joseph's Church. Parents are welcome to attend.

Just a reminder that Confirmation presentation Masses, will be held for candidates receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend on Saturday, May 11 at 6.30pm and on Sunday May 12 at 10.30am at St Joseph's Church.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will occur on Wednesday May 22 at 6:30pm at St Joseph's Church.

Thanks to all who purchased gifts at our stall today.

We have a number of students who selected gifts but have not paid for them as yet.

We will keep these gifts at the office until payment is received. Gifts are $5 each. 

CDF pay will be available until this Thursday May 9 at 3pm OR cash may be sent into the office.

Friday, June 7 will be a school closure day for staff professional development.

Monday, June 10 is the King's Birthday Public Holiday.

Thursday, June 27 Final day of classes for students, school finishes at 3:25pm.

Friday, June 28 will be a school closure day for staff professional development.

A SPECIAL REPORT: Trauma Recovery

Trauma in children significantly disturbs their sense of safety and normalcy, leading to substantial emotional and behavioural changes. Such disturbances often result from exposure to traumatic events, which may be exacerbated by continuous media coverage. This exposure can trigger stress, anxiety, and trauma, with varying recovery timelines due to the unpredictable nature of trauma's impact. Observing young people grappling with these effects can be highly distressing for parents and caregivers.

It's important to establish a nurturing environment to help restore a child's sense of security to help promote resilience. Active involvement in their recovery is essential, as is recognising the unique, personalised needs of each child in responding to trauma. Depending on their age, children may present with different symptoms, such as regressive behaviours in younger ones or withdrawal and agitation in older children and teens. It is important to monitor and manage the type of information children may access to reduce their emotional distress.

The brain stores traumatic events as powerful emotional memories, influencing behaviour through mechanisms beyond a child's conscious awareness. By providing young people with support and equipping them with coping mechanisms to handle uncertainty, parents and carers can greatly enhance a child's capacity to recover and build long-term emotional resilience.

This Special Report will help you identify a child experiencing trauma and how you can support them to overcome it.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://stjwonthaggi.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-trauma-recovery

Please find attached a fact sheet regarding the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on School Students with Disability for your information.

NCCD Parent Fact Sheet

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; Anniversaries: John Cartner.  For the deceased clergy of our diocese

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.

Prayer Group: will be held at Wonthaggi Church on Mondays at 1.15pm. All Welcome

Prayer Shawl Group: New members are always welcome. Wool and simple patterns are available. For enquiries : Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447 Philippa Warby. 0408 331 340

Rosary Beads for sale $10 each. Available at 10.30am mass on Sunday in Wonthaggi. Please see Carole Gow.

St. Vincent de Paul News: Thankyou for your wonderful support. We appreciate the regular donations to the baskets and money boxes at the churches. In the period January to March, we made 198 visits and provided $28,274 in assistance of various kinds.
The work of our Conference is rewarding but our number of members has diminished. We are very flexible and work around holidays, baby sitting and any other engagements. You decide what time commitment you can offer.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, in Wonthaggi Church foyer at 10.30.  People requesting assistance are visited by two members Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Please consider attending a meeting to find out more about our Conference work.
For further information contact: Mary Morrissey on 0467 005 528.

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

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

Reminder all signed Code of Conducts to be returned to the Parish Office as soon as possible. Thank you

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.                  

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