Reports

Reports will be released this Friday, Jun 21. Please take the time to access and read your child’s report. The report statements include the main Victorian Curriculum learning focuses for this semester.  As required, each child must be assessed against the curriculum standards. However, our focus, as a school, is on individual progress. Each child has their own unique capabilities, interests, strengths and weaknesses. Some children’s strengths lie in academic pursuits and achievements while others thrive in a sporting arena. Some enjoy escaping into their imagination and/or are very creative.  Some children have learning challenges and take a while to grasp new concepts and ideas. Every child progresses at their own rate.  We value all our students and our aim is to see all of them make progress, to continue to improve. We want them to see themselves as learners who can set themselves goals and work towards these. Our aim is not only to teach them knowledge, content and skills but ultimately to empower them to self-direct their own learning.

Not all children will be ‘at standard’. Some will be below, some will be above and this is to be expected. What is important is that each of them is taking steps forward. While learning to read, write, calculate, and about our world is very important, just as important is learning to get along with others, communicate, collaborate, tolerate and be respectful. ‘Success’ is not always measured in academic or financial achievements but in the quality, integrity and decency of a person.  

Professional Learning

On Friday June 7, the staff had the opportunity to work with Shaz Bailey, a consultant in the field of the Inquiry approach to learning. Shaz worked with the staff planning teams to deepen, challenge and expand their thinking around a conceptual approach to implementing the curriculum. Our staff are committed to constantly improving practice, so this was a great opportunity to work with an expert on this.   

Shaz is committed to authentic, inquiry-based, concept-driven and transdisciplinary learning in environments that nurture wellbeing, agency, curiosity and fun.

We thank Shaz for the day and look forward to implementing new learning for the benefit of our students.

First Holy Communion

We congratulate the students who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday July 15th. It was a pleasure to witness their pride in participating in the Mass and receiving this special sacrament. They were well supported by their families and friends. I would like to thank Fr Darren and the Grade 3/4 staff who prepared the children for the sacrament and to Ms Hannah Parrett, our Religious Education Leader, who supported them.    

Open Afternoon

A reminder that our Term 2 Open Afternoon will be held on next Monday June 24 from 2.30pm- 3.15pm. The children really look forward to sharing their learning and achievements for the term with parents and friends on this day. It would be wonderful if there was someone to visit every child in the school- grandparents, neighbours, family friends are most welcome!

Please note that all students will see each others' work earlier in the day. Therefore, to fulfill our child safety and duty of care protocols, we ask that students are not taken from their classes to see other's work in the afternoon. If you would like to take your child/ren home early, you are welcome to do so, please let their teacher/s know.

Staffing News

Ms Hannah Parrett is expecting her third child in June and therefore will be taking parental leave from the end of Term 2.  Miss Tara Whiteside, has been appointed to the role of 1/2T classroom teacher, from the start of Term 3. Tara is originally from the Gippsland area and is keen to return, she has been working in Queensland the last few years. We welcome Tara to our staff! 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hannah for her valued contribution to the St Joseph’s School community and ask that you join me in keeping her in our thoughts and prayers as she prepares for the arrival of a new addition to her family.

Beginning in Term 3, Mrs Belinda O’Brien and Mrs Julia Foster will be teaching 5/6T for the remainder of the year. Julia will teach the students on each Monday and Wednesday while Belinda will teach each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday as Ms Bek Nielsen will be taking some leave.

Thanks to Bek for her contribution to our school and community. Her passion and enthusiasm are well appreciated by the students and our staff. We wish her well in her time off.

Joanne Coldebella

Principal

Well done to our award winners who were presented with their certificates at our last assembly, congratulations on all your hard work.  

Two staff members from St. Joseph’s, Joanne Coldebella and Kate Egan, received a Catholic Service Award in recognition of their 25 years or more of service to Australian Catholic Education at a recent Mass celebrating Catholic Education Week. They were among 10 staff in the Diocese of Sale to receive this award, which Bishop Greg presented.

It has been a busy time in the Prep neighbourhood these past few weeks. In literacy we have started to move into reading groups, using literacy games to practise our segmenting and blending strategies. Our Grade six buddies even popped by to help us.

We have also started to use our new writing books with dotted third lines this term. The Preps are starting to set writing goals to help us become better writers. These goals include where we place our letters on the lines, using Capital letters, full stops and finger spaces between our words. So much to think about when writing.

In Maths we have been focusing on our teen numbers, 11 -20. We have been using brick towers, bead frames and playing bingo to consolidate our learning.

We also made a start on our portfolio pictures. We used a mirror to look at our features, had a think about our features then used a grey lead to make the initial sketches. Watch this space to see how they turn out!

Prep Team

The senior students are working hard to finish off a busy term learning about chemical science. We had a very exciting trip to Scienceworks, where we took part in presentations in the solids, liquids and gases lab; the lightning room and the Planetarium. It was an early start but we had a great day. A big thank you to the parents who were able to accompany us on the day, and to all the parents and carers for getting the students to school by 7am!

When we arrived, we went to Cool Stuff, which was about states of matter. Veronica told us all about solids, liquids and gases, which we are learning about in class. I learned that about 80% of the air you breathe is Nitrogen. As well as learning that dry ice is -100 degrees and what it can do to different objects. by Izzy.

The Lightning Show - I already knew that if you rubbed a balloon on your hair it creates static electricity. I learned that you need metal, movement and magnets to make electricity. Something I wonder is - how does a magnet and metal wire charge up an electric guitar? by Aayush.

At the Planetarium we learned where there is water in space. The man there had a laser to point at things. The chairs reclined and were so comfy, I was amazed it felt like we were moving. One thing I already knew was that there is no water on the moon but water on Earth. Another thing I learned was that there is water on Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto and ice on Venus, Mars, and Titan, which is a moon. Something I wonder is: can you boil water on the sun?  by Levi

This term in Performing Arts, Grade 5/6 students have been exploring how to play in a band. In this particular lesson, students were asked to play Waltzing Matilda in small groups, and the learning intention was to blend instruments and voices together. I think they all did a pretty great job! 

Danielle Paulson

Performing Arts

On Monday during our last assembly students from our Choir performed, thanks to those who came and supported these students. 

Last Friday some students went to boys netball at the Wonthaggi netball courts. We played against  Wonthaggi North PS, Newhaven  and Cowes PS.  We won all our games and we made it through to the grand final. We played against Wonthaggi PS in the final but lost by 1 point. 

We played really well all day and had a great time. Thank you to the teachers and helpers who helped make the day so amazing. 

The girls played football on Friday at Wonthaggi oval. We played 3 games against Wonthaggi North PS, San Remo and Bilson Street. We won all of our games and made it through to the grand final. In the final we played a different San Remo school and won! Thank you to the coaches and umpires for helping make the day possible. Good luck to the girls competing in division football this week.

Frankie, Lachie and Taylor 5/6

Absence notes must be submitted via PAM each day your child is absent, before 9:30am.  You can also email the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or call 5672 1052.

We ask that the classroom Seesaw app is not used for notifying of an absence.

If a lunch order has been pre-ordered for the day of absence, please ensure that you let the office know via phone call or email info@stjwonthaggi,catholic.edu.au 9:15am to ensure that the order can be carried over.

If your child or children will be absent from school due to a family holiday outside of the designated holiday period, we kindly request that you submit an email before your holiday to the school office to seek approval from the principal for any absences exceeding 5 days. Please direct any correspondence regarding the dates of your child's absence to the school office via email at info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

If you need to change the pickup arrangements for your child/ren, please contact the office via 5672 1052 or email info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au before 3 pm, so we can ensure the message is delivered on time.

Administration

In 2024, St Joseph’s is offering students the opportunity to participate in the International Competition and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), in the areas of English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Digital Technologies. 

The assessments measure the students’ skills associated with each of these curriculum areas and are open to students in Years 3-6. ICAS is developed by UNSW Global, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of New South Wales, with over 35 years’ experience in educational assessments.

ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, and Digital Technologies. 

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition. Every student will receive a certificate and an online result report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised. 

The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.

ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results. 

Learn more about ICAS here: unsw.global/ICAS

Payment and Permission Information 

If you wish for your child/ren to undertake an ICAS assessment or assessments, you must register and pay online through the parent portal:  

https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

Our schools uniques access code is: NQS609  

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.

2. Read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf) 

3. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)  

4. Enter our school’s access code – NQS609  

5. Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.  

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.  

Online payment will close on  22nd July 2024

An ESO and or a teacher will be present to supervise the students sitting the assessments.

2024 ICAS Subject and Pricing Information

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

We are excited to announce that St Joseph’s children can now access an OSHC Program hosted at Wonthaggi North Primary School run by an independent Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) provider called TheirCare.

TheirCare provides a stimulating & safe environment where children develop life skills, friendships, confidence, and creativity.

Parents are asked to register their children on the Theircare website. 

Children will be required to take a one minute bus ride to the service at Wonthaggi North Primary School on the Harley’s Buslines Wonthaggi township bus  ($1.50 per trip to be paid to the bus driver), where an educator will greet them from the service.

For further information, visit www.theircare.com.au or call our support office on 1300 072 410.  Further information regarding the program can be viewed via the links below.

Program Information Flyer - TheirCare

How to Enrol

CCS Flyer

Parent Handbook

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.

Term 3 Begins Monday July 15

Please return any overdue
Library Books before the holidays.
Thank you.

Library Team

Statements for Term 2 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

Caritas Australia’s Papua New Guinea Landslide Disaster

Following a massive landslide on the 24 May of 2024 in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, an initial rapid assessment report from the UN has revealed extensive losses and damages to communities downhill, also destroying livelihoods and key infrastructure.

7,849 individuals from 1,427 households across two communities are affected with food security, clean and safe drinking water (as well as water tanks and purification tablets), and the provision of nonfood items such as utensils and clothes the top three priorities.

Sister John Mary, Secretary and Project Manageress of the Catholic Diocese of Wabag explained, “We have visited communities to deliver food and medicine to people who are digging their loved ones out of the earth. The shock and grief in these communities is profound, and among it all many have no home to return to, no food to eat, no clean water to drink or no clothes to wear.”

Please act now.

You can donate online at www.caritas.org.au/png
or phone 1800 024 413

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: Leo O’Connor, Arteena O’Connor 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: Next meeting 19 June @ 10.30 in the Inverloch Church Annex. Plenty of wool is freely available and newcomers are always welcome.  For enquiries : Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447 Philippa Warby. 0408 331 340

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

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