Diocesan Assembly

On Friday February 14 and Saturday February 15 I had the privilege of attending our Diocesan Assembly with delegates from all the other Catholic parishes and schools in our diocese. Bishop Greg Bennett invited the delegates to this two day consultation process with the aim to:

1. to acknowledge and affirm the strengths and best practices of our Diocese that we wish to continue to build on.
2. to identify the significant challenges we face in our Diocese as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
3. to gain a clear picture of which pastoral goals and actions need to be given priority over the next five years, for our Diocese to develop towards becoming more Christ-centred, synodal and missionary.

Brother Tony Clarke facilitated the event in continuation of his work over the past year consulting with parishes and communities, in a process of prayer, reflection, and spiritual conversations centred on three key questions around our diocese’s strengths, challenges and pastoral priorities. We looked at the feedback which was compiled, exploring the common themes that emerged and worked to identify goals and actions to be prioritised. It was a very ambitious undertaking and a testament to Bishop Greg’s leadership to directly listen to  the people of the church and respond. It was a great experience and I look forward to working on initiatives identified to build and strengthen our diocese. 

Project Compassion Launch

Bishop Greg Bennet will launch Project Compassion for 2025 at Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Leongatha, on Tuesday 4 March 2025. The launch precedes Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the period of Lent. The theme for the 2025 Project Compassion campaign is “Unite Against Poverty”. The launch will commence at 11.30 am and conclude by 1.00pm. Two of our School Captains: Bille de Menech and Patrick O’Dwyer are attending along with myself and Mrs Trish Martin.  

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s main annual fundraising campaign. It mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.

Held during Lent, the six-week period before Easter, Catholic schools, Parishes, and the wider Australian public participate in a diverse range of fundraising activities and events to support Caritas Australia’s programs both overseas and here with our First Australian partners.

Project Compassion is an extraordinary demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our supporters. 

Project Compassion and the work of CARITAS is a strong focus of our Religious Education Curriculum, particularly during the Lenten period. Teachers share with students stories of children across the world in adverse circumstances that CARITAS endeavours to assist through fundraising. Each student will bring home a Project Compassion box, which can be handed back in to school at the end of term, to encourage financial donations. Alternately, you may wish to donate directly through the CARITAS website.  Our support of their work enacts the Catholic Social Teachings that help us live our faith:  Preferential Option for the Poor, Human dignity, Care for Our Common Home, Subsidiarity and Participation, the Common Good and Solidarity. 

Andrew Chinn concert

This Thursday we are fortunate to be having an Andrew Chinn concert. Andrew has written and recorded many faith based songs that help students engage with Catholic values, beliefs and traditions. Andrew is an energetic and enthusiastic performer who involves the students in his concerts. We are very much looking forward to this event!  

NAPLAN 

NAPLAN: the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, assesses literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The students participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. This year NAPLAN will occur from March 12-24 and will be conducted online with the exception of the Year 3 Writing test. 

Please click on this link to access further information or see this attached document. 

NAPLAN Information for Parents 2025

School Uniform

A huge thank you to all parents and caregivers who ensure their children are wearing the correct uniform every school day! It is much appreciated!

A reminder that our school’s whole uniform and school bag is to be purchased from Totally Workwear in Wonthaggi with the exception of the school shoes, which must be all black in colour. If students are not in uniform for any reason, parents are asked to write a note/ message/email to their class teacher.  

Please see our Uniform policy for more information.

Uniform Policy

Thank you for your continued support!

Joanne Coldebella

Principal

Congratulations to our school representative council members for 2025, who were acknowledged and received their badges at our last assembly.

SRC: Oliver, Esha, Holly, Lachlan, Lenny, Seth, Chloe, Amity and Shanaya (Absent: Isla & Sienna)

Well done to all our award recipients, congratulations on all your hard work!

In Grade 1/2 we are learning about how living things grow and change.  We have been learning about different stages of development and have come up with lots of questions that we hope to find answers to this term.  We planted a bean seed and the students have been very excited to see the first seeds germinate this week.

In Maths we have been learning about place value and have been working hard to improve our counting skills.

1/2 Team

On Monday, March 17 we welcome parents to attend our whole school assembly. We will have a special performance from our school choir. 
We look forward to seeing you there.

On February 11, 2025, we celebrated Safer Internet Day! This day helps everyone learn how to stay safe and happy while using the internet. Since we use the internet for school, fun, and talking to friends, it’s really important to know how to use it safely!

What is the Theme This Year?

This year’s theme is "Together for a Better Internet". This means that everyone can help make the internet a safer place. Whether we are playing games, watching videos, or chatting online, we should all be kind and careful.

How Can We Stay Safe?

1. Think Before You Click: Before you click on a link or open a message, make sure it’s safe. Some things online might try to trick you.
2. Keep Your Information Private: Don’t share your full name, address, or phone number with people you don’t know. Make sure your social media accounts are set to private.
3. Be Kind to Others: Always treat people online the way you would in real life. Don’t say hurtful things to others and always ask for help if someone is being unkind to you.
4. Talk to an Adult: If you ever see something that makes you uncomfortable or feel unsafe online, talk to a parent, teacher, or trusted adult.
5. Keep Your Devices Safe: Always use a password on your phone or computer, and make sure it’s locked when you’re not using it.

How Can You Help?

• Talk About It: Tell your friends and family about what you’ve learned and share tips to keep everyone safe online.
• Be a Digital Role Model: Show others how to be kind and careful on the internet.

Let’s all work together to make the internet a fun and safe place for everyone!

Happy Safer Internet Day!

Safer Internet Day

A reminder that If your child/ren will be away from school for a family holiday outside of the school holiday period time that applications for holidays should be submitted prior to your holiday. Correspondence must be sent through to the school office informing us of the dates that your child will be absent for approval of this absence.  This information can be sent via email to info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

Absence notes must be submitted via PAM each day your child is absent, before 10:00am on the day of absence.  You can also email the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or call 5672 1052.

PAM Attendance Instructions for Parents

What is Conveyance Allowance ?

The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus. The conveyance allowance is available to eligible students travelling by public transport, private car and private bus. The conveyance allowance is also available to eligible students whose nearest school is not serviced by a free school bus.

Students attending a government or non-government school must:

• attend their nearest government or non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible
• be enrolled at a school/campus outside Melbourne’s metropolitan conveyance boundary
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended
• be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria.

Forms are available at the school office or download below. If you have any questions please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

Applications are to be submitted to the school office by Tuesday, March 11 for processing.

Conveyance Allowance Application

This is the first year our school community is taking part in the roll out of the Mental Health in Primary School (MHiPS) program. This is a $200 million-dollar program funded by the state government and is in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system. By the end of 2026, all Victorian primary schools will have a staff member dedicated to the role. 

Developed by paediatricians, educators, psychologists, researchers, and teachers, the MHiPS program upskills experienced teachers to become Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders and aims to increase the capacity of Victorian primary schools to support the mental health of their students.

For St. Joseph’s, I will undertake this position two days a week, engaging with staff in developing their knowledge, developing whole school research-based wellbeing practices and engaging with a range of services and resources.

I am eager to engage with our wider community, particularly with parents who have specialised knowledge and skills in mental health, leading the community and general wellbeing. I am contactable via email at cshannon@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au

Claire Shannon
Wellbeing and Mental Health Leader

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2025

Test dates

The 2025 National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be administered to students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 from Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March.

Please see the Information brochure attached for further information.

NAPLAN Information for Parents 2025

School closure dates for your diary

Friday, February 21, will be a school closure day.

Friday, March 7, will be a school closure day.  Monday, March 10 is the Labour Day Public Holiday, and school will resume Tuesday, March 11.

School Photos will take place Monday March 17.  Photo envelopes will be distributed to students once received, these will need to be completed and returned with your child on the day when photos are taken.

Trafficquiz.com is a free-to use website developed with the aim of spreading awareness regarding traffic rules and road safety rules. Through trafficquiz.com, students can learn and test their knowledge about traffic and road safety rules in an entertaining way, i.e., by playing quizzes. Teachers and parents can also use trafficquiz.com regularly to refresh their knowledge about traffic, road safety, and child safety rules. School bus drivers can also regularly use it to learn and be conscious about following traffic rules. The benefit of being online is that trafficquiz.com can be used anytime, anywhere, on any device.

We request that you kindly share the links given below with students, parents, teachers, and the driving staff so that everyone can learn and be conscious about following road safety and traffic rules. This can save many lives.

The links are as follows:

1. For Age group (5 to 9 years):

 https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-junior-level-1/

2. For Age group (10 to 15 years):

https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-secondary-level-1/

3. For Parents (Child safety quizzes):

https://trafficquiz.com/child-safety-quiz-for-parents-level-1/

4. For Parents and Teachers (Traffic & road safety rules quizzes):

https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-for-adults-level-1/

5. For Drivers and support staff:

https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-for-adults-level-1/

6. Road Signs quiz

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: For the deceased clergy of the Diocese of sale. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. “May they rest in peace.” We pray for the sick, lonely and those suffering from illness and pain. May God’s merciful love shine on them

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 Shawl Group : First Meeting : Wednesday 26th Feb @ 10.30am Inverloch Church Annex. The following month we will return to the 3rd Wed of the month (March 19th) Our group gathers for a cuppa & chat while creating shawls and rugs that are blessed at Mass & later wrapped to be given ( no cost ) , to those who may be struggling with life in ANY way . If you like to knit , crochet or sew up squares then come along - bring a friend .Patterns & yarns are freely available. Contact us if you know someone who would benefit from receiving a shawl or rug . Enquires: Philippa Warby 0408 331 340 Julie de Bondt 0407 535 032 Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447

Help Needed: We are looking for Parishioners to assist with counting Church offerings after 10.30am Mass on Sunday. There is a 3 monthly rotational roster and it takes approx. 3/4—1 hour. (Training will be provided) Please contact John Bordignon 0438 672 279 or Denise Jeffries 0419 721 433

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

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

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 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                                                                        

Live Your Best Life in Love...

A Marriage Encounter weekend is for you…

Every married couple deserves this very special weekend.

Time-out to nurture your most precious relationship away from daily distractions.  

The two of you will come away from your weekend feeling more deeply connected 

and with tools to help keep the passion alive.

No group sharing required.

The weekend is based around Catholic values. Couples of all faiths are welcome.

Please check our website for more details and to book your special weekend:

Our next weekend is: 25-27 April 2025 at St Paul's Retreat Centre, Wantirna South.

Starts Friday evening at 7pm and finishes Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm

Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or

Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au    Website: wwme.org.au