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- St Joseph's School Vision
- Principal's Message
- Assembly Award Winners
- Prep Neighbourhood
- 1/2 Neighbourhood
- 5/6 Neighbourhood
- Whole School Cross Country
- Whole School Liturgy - Catholic Education Week
- First Holy Communion
- Prep Enrolments 2026
- Personal Property
- School TV
- 2025 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
- Absences & Holiday Submissions
- School Fees - Term 2
- Conveyance Allowance Term 2 2025
- Parish News
- Australian Red Cross
New Pope
We are filled with joy and hope as we welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, he was elected on May 8, 2025, following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21. The announcement was made after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signalling the successful election. Pope Leo XIV chose his name to honour Pope Leo XIII, known for his commitment to social justice and the dignity of work. This historic moment invites us to reflect on the universality of our faith and the call to serve others with compassion and humility. At St Joseph’s we will continue to pray for Pope Leo XIV, asking God to guide him in his leadership and to inspire us all to live out the teachings of Christ.
Catholic Education Week
This week we proudly begin Catholic Education Week across the Diocese of Sale – a special time to reflect on the rich tradition, values, and mission of Catholic education in our community.
The theme for this year is “Living in Harmony – Building a Future with Hope”, a message that beautifully aligns with the Gospel values we nurture every day at our school. Catholic schools have long been places where faith and learning go hand in hand. We strive to inspire hearts and minds, empowering each student to grow in faith, love, compassion, and knowledge.
Our students regularly engage in activities that reflect what makes Catholic Education so special. From prayer liturgies and classroom reflections to creative displays and acts of service, we see the spirit of community, care, and faith come alive.
Catholic Education Week is also an opportunity to thank all those who contribute to our vibrant learning environment: our dedicated staff, our supportive families, our parish partners, and of course, our students, who bring energy and joy to our school each day.
We invite parents and friends to a whole school liturgy that will be held in the hall this Friday at 9.15 am to begin this special week.
On Wednesday May 21 Mrs Trish Martin, Ms Jennifer Lawlor and myself will attend the Catholic Education Leadership Eucharist and Awards ceremony at St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield. Jen and Trish will each receive a 25-Year Service Award for their outstanding commitment to Catholic education. Their decades of faithful service, care, and dedication have made a lasting impact on countless students and families. We thank them sincerely for their contribution to our school community and to the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Sale.
As we celebrate this week, let us continue to walk together in faith, building a future of hope, harmony, and love for all.
First Holy Communion
This weekend Grade 3 students will receive their First Holy Communion, a sacred and significant milestone in their faith journey, on the Saturday May 17th Mass at 6.30pm. This special occasion marks a deeper step in their relationship with God and the Church, and we commend them for their reverence, commitment, and understanding. We thank the 3/4 teachers, parents and our Religious Education Leader Ms Hannah Parrett who have guided them through their preparation. Special thanks to Fr Darren and Parish Secretary Ann Hemming for their assistance. Please keep these young communicants in your prayers.
Joanne Coldebella
Principal
Welcome back! We hope you all enjoyed a restful and fun-filled break with your children. It's wonderful to see our Foundation students return with big smiles and eager minds, ready for another exciting term of learning, growing, and discovery.
This term promises to be full of exciting learning experiences. We are continuing to build on our knowledge of letter sounds, segmenting and blending in reading as well as beginning to write our own sentences independently.
Our inquiry topic this term is “People who help us in the community”. Students will investigate who can help them in their community. We will be looking at what various exciting occupations, such as police, nurses, fire fighters, vets, radiographers, pharmacists and more. The children will be learning how each of these occupations help us in our community, the equipment they need to do their job and uniforms required. We are so excited!
Prep Team
Our Grade 1 and 2 students have made a fantastic start to the term with lots of exciting learning and activities! We recently participated in the school Cross Country, where students proudly ran 1km around the school grounds, showing great determination and spirit. We've also launched our iHour program, where students take part in engaging, hands-on clubs like drawing, dancing, sports, and beading. These sessions allow students to be creative, collaborate with others and problem-solve in fun and meaningful ways.
In Integrated Studies, we've begun exploring the big question, 'Why do people have special connections to places?' Students have been learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by unpacking the 'Welcome to Country', exploring the meaning behind the flags, and reading a variety of Dreamtime stories. We are looking forward to a term filled with curiosity, connection and creativity.
1/2 Team
It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks in Year 5/6!
In Maths, students have been learning different strategies to solve subtraction problems. They've been trying out things like number lines, counting on and back, and the algorithm method and rounding. It's been great to see everyone sharing their thinking and choosing the method that works best for them. The confidence in tackling tricky problems is really growing!
In Integrated Studies, we’ve been diving into Australia’s Federation. Students have been researching some of the important people who helped bring the states together to form our country. They’ll be using their research to write their own information reports soon—we can’t wait to read them! There have been lots of interesting discussions and discoveries already.
5/6 Team
On Thursday, May 8, students from Prep through Grade 6 joined our annual whole school Cross Country event. Each student tackled a course that was either 1, 2, or 3 kilometres long through our school grounds.
This term, our students have worked hard in PE to sharpen their long-distance running skills, and it really showed in their fantastic performances!
Well done to everyone who participated you all did such a great job! A big thanks to all the parents, grandparents, and friends who came out to support the students.
Congratulations to the students who will be moving on to the Division Cross Country in a couple of weeks.
Enrolment paperwork and school tours are now available for parents interested in enrolling their children in Prep for 2026. To schedule a tour for you and your child, please call the school office at 5672 1052 to arrange a convenient time.
All enrolment paperwork must be submitted, and placement offers accepted before the first orientation date. You can access enrolment packs via our website using the link below, or you can collect hard copies at the school office. Please make sure to complete the relevant paperwork and return it along with the required supporting documentation by June 1, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified prior to June 30, 2025.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the school office.
This is a gentle reminder to encourage your child to refrain from bringing personal items to school. They will be responsible for anything they bring, and we cannot guarantee its safety from damage or loss. To ease any concerns, it may be best to leave valuable or 'special' items at home.
Students who bring mobile phones and/or electronic devices to school must:
- Have their parent’s permission
- Leave them at the office when they arrive at school (for safe keeping)
- Pick them up from the office at the end of the school day
Thank you for your cooperation!
SPECIAL REPORT: Shaping Healthy Masculinity
In today's fast-moving world, many boys are struggling to find direction. Even well-meaning online searches about fitness, confidence or relationships can lead them to content that promotes rigid or unhealthy ideas about masculinity. The critically acclaimed TV show 'Adolescence' has brought fresh attention to this issue, highlighting how boys are often exposed to messages that glorify toughness and dominance, while dismissing empathy and emotional openness.
These outdated beliefs can limit emotional growth and impact how boys relate to others - with real consequences in schools, homes and communities. That's why it's more important than ever to guide boys with care, clarity and connection.
By offering healthier role models, safe spaces to talk, and encouraging respectful friendships - especially across genders - we can help boys develop the confidence, empathy and relationship skills they need to thrive.
This special report calls for a cultural shift and advocates for curiosity-driven dialogue that builds trust and critical thinking. The goal is to raise boys who are not just resistant to harmful influences, but actively capable of questioning and rejecting them.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://stjwonthaggi.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-shaping-healthy-masculinity-au
In 2025, 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.
To learn more about this year’s exciting ICAS competition, visit: ICAS Assessments
How to participate in ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:
- Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.
- Read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf)
- Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)
- Enter our school’s access code – NQS609
- Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.
Online payment will close on 21st July 2025
An ESO and or a teacher will be present to supervise the students sitting the assessments.
2025 ICAS Subject and Pricing Information
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.
Term 2 Fees are now due. Statements for Term 2 will be emailed to families this week. If you do not receive your statement or have any queries please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
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 Friday June,13 for processing.
Weekday Masses:
Tuesday Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch 11:00a.m.
Wednesday 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; Recently Deceased: Fay Suckling Anniversaries: Tony O’Halloran 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.
We pray for the Students preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion
Fr Darren will be away on Leave until further notice due to a Hip Replacement. We welcome Fr Peter Kooloos to celebrate the weekend Masses.
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 meet on Monday’s at 1.15pm at Wonthaggi Church each week.
Prayer Shawl Group : New members always welcome! Wool & simple patterns available. Enquiries: Philippa Warby 0408 331 340 or Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447
Stay Updated on Diocesan Events: There are many exciting events happening across our Diocese! Stay informed and up to date by visiting the Diocesan Events Page. It’s a great resource to find details on upcoming celebrations, gatherings, and important dates. Visit: https://www.cdsale.org.au/events
Baptism Workshop: Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Life and Mission Team are workshopping a resource for use in the Baptism Preparation of Infants across the dio- cese in 2025. This new resource will provide parishes with an easy-to use-preplanned resource which can sup- port both those new to the role and those who have been in the role for a while. Anyone involved in Bap- tism preparation are invited to attend one of the sessions. Those invited include Clergy, Baptism Preparation Teams, Sacrament Coordinators, Pastoral Associates and interested parishioners thinking about this important ministry. TIME: Start 7.00pm until 8.30pm You are invited to attend any session which works best for you. *Please note the Bairnsdale gathering will run 2.30pm-4pm* THE DATES AND VENUES ARE: • February 25 at Bairnsdale • March 11 at the Marian Room in Warragul • April 29 at Moe • March 27 at Pakenham • June 24 at St Laurence O’Toole’s Church, Leongatha • August 5 at Cranbourne •August 26 at Sale .
Fr Peter Slater will celebrate his 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination at St Patrick’s Church Pakenham at 11am on Thursday 29th May 2025. Parishioners are cordially invited to the Mass to celebrate with him on the day. Please keep Fr Peter in your prayers.
Parish Bulletin: If you would like to start receiving a copy of the weekly bulletin to your email please click on the link to register (those currently receiving the bulletin do not need to do anything)
https://www.catholicparish.app/subscription? id=001Ol00000B2zMPIAZ&req=subscribe
If you would like assistance, please see Ann at the Parish Office
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
Jubilee of Workers – Sunday 25 May at Cowes Parish
The Jubilee of Workers honors the essential contribution of all workers to our society — whether in trades or professions, as employees or volunteers. It also acknowledges St Joseph, the model and patron of all workers.
This special Jubilee celebration will be held at St Mary’s, Cowes, on Sunday 25th May at 9:00am.
All are warmly invited to make a pilgrimage to this celebration as part of their journey through the Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope.
Your invited to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Hosted by the Uniting Church Held in the Annex at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church Inverloch on Thu 29th May at 1.30pm Entry $10. Completions, Trade Table. Please wear Pink including headwear. Contact Bev 0408 502 707
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
