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- St Joseph's School Vision
- Principal's Message
- Prayer
- Prep Neighbourhood
- 5/6 Neighbourhood
- STEAM News
- St Joseph's News Podcast
- Frozen Cups
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Prep Orientation 2023
- Last Day of Canteen - Thursday December 8 2022
- Hats - SunSmart
- SRC Writing Competition
- Specialist Open Afternoons
- Parenting in the Digital World - Free Parent Webinar
- School Raffle 2022
- Expression of Interest for Enrolment 2024
- Finance Information 2023 / Term 4
- Conveyance Allowance Term 4
- School Closure Information
- Christmas Eve Mass
- Parish News
- Bass Coast Community Foundation
- Speechie Library Talks
Every Child, Every Day,
Learning and Achieving in a Faith - Filled Environment
Dear Parents, Students, Staff and all associated with St Joseph’s Community
Have you noticed an increasing reluctance on the part of your children to get out of bed in the morning over the last week or two? Well that’s what hard work and a constant routine does to small people (and big people) over the course of a school year. The only known cure for such an ailment is a good dose of Christmas holidays. In the meantime, those wonderful persons known as parents might have to call for understanding and family support.
There is an old review of a Japanese film titled “The story of Jiro”. The summary contained this sentence, “As he matures, Jiro learns the restrictions of the world and the suffering of life”. No doubt all adults can relate to this sentiment, as it has been part of the human experience for all of us. However, children who are full of hope and the excitement and expectation of what life might have in store for them, are sometimes alarmed by the growing realisation that life isn’t as easy as it perhaps seemed to be when they were at the infant stage.
Sometimes our children are asked to master learning skills or cope with emotional situations which are beyond their capabilities or maturation levels and as a result, can slowly lose their confidence and self-esteem. If we, as the significant adults in their life, are not aware of these difficulties and don’t assist our children to cope then, the children’s development to full potential will never be realised and their lives may not reach that fullness of which it was capable.
If at this time of the year we, as grown people, are feeling the wear and tear of a year’s accumulated happenings, then no doubt, so are our children. The question is, do we regard it as of sufficient importance to find some sympathetic time to spend with our children. We shouldn’t attempt to shield our children from the realities of their life or mislead them with false hope. What we can do is to be seen to be understanding as to how they see their life and its difficulties and offer assistance. In this way, they feel as if they are the ones who are finding the solutions and coping with their problems.
Hopefully, self-esteem and personal confidence will soon be on the healthy road to recovery. It is so easy being a parent!!
Over the next few weeks, teachers will be finalising end of year reports. These documents should reflect accurately and transparently, the "story" of your child's progress in 2022. There should be no surprises at all. Hopefully there has been open and honest communication throughout the year which ensures no issues. I commend the teaching staff on preparing these important reports. They take time and effort to compile. Many hours are spent making sure it is just right.
Our numbers for next year are very healthy. We are constantly receiving enquiries about enrolling in 2023. This is very encouraging and indicates that St Joseph's is offering something families are attracted to and want. If you know that you won't be returning in 2023, can you please contact the front office and let us know. This will help us in preparing and organising the school for 2023. I thank you in advance for letting us know.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school.
Yours in Catholic Education
Ronan O’Mahony
Principal
The Preps have been learning about Subtraction in Maths lessons. We have used concrete materials and number lines to help us understand that quantities get smaller when subtracting. We are now learning about Sharing. When sharing, we are being careful to ensure each share is equal or the same. In Literacy lessons we have been reading and writing information reports. We have been reading and writing facts about Living and Nonliving things which links to our Inquiry Unit. In Religion we have been learning the special prayers The Our Father and the Hail Mary. In Art with Ms Ton we have started making 3D bees and are also learning about how important bees are for our environment. We are really looking forward to our excursion to Phillip Island which is coming up on the 21st November.
Please ensure all children bring a named school hat and drink bottle to school everyday please.
Prep Teachers
It has been a busy few weeks in the 5/6 building. We had our softball team play in the inter school sports but most of the games were called off because of the rain. The St Joseph’s Writing Competition was recently announced and writing has just kicked off and have until the 18th of November to hand them in. While the Grade 5’s were on camp we made little taco trucks and the same happened when the Grade 6’s went on camp. Everyone loved making them and they included all the appliances that you would need in a taco truck. In maths we have been learning about fractions and decimals using fun games.
Max Abrahamson
Listen to the next episode of the St Joseph's Podcast created by some of our very talented students.
Click below to check out their channel and all their episodes!
All Children To Attend
If you have any questions regarding session times please please contact the office on info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or 5672 1052.
Last Day of Canteen - Thursday December 8 2022
Please note the last day of canteen for Term 4 will be Thursday December 8 2022. We thank families for their support and patronage over the year.
The Canteen Team
Students without hats will need to find a shaded area to sit as the no hat no play policy will be enforced in accordance with our SunSmart Policy.
Hats are able to be purchased from our uniform supplier Totally Workwear Wonthaggi
There will be two Open Afternoons at the end of this year to showcase the specialist lessons of Italian, STEAM and Performing Arts (Dance/Drama/Music). This is to cater for our growing number of students and families.
Thanks to all who participated in the parent survey to identify the most suitable time for these events. We had a terrific response which helped us to make an informed decision. The survey revealed that 50% of respondents preferred the 2-3pm timing while the other 50% preferred 5-6pm. As a result we will have one event at each time. More parents of senior students opted for the 5-6 pm time while more parents of Junior students chose the 2-3pm time therefore…
The Prep-2 classes’ Specialist Open afternoon will occur in the parish hall on Thursday November 24 between 2-3pm. The hall will be open for visitors from 1:30 pm.
The Grades 3-6 Specialist Open afternoon will take place in the parish hall on Thursday December 1 between 5-6 pm. The hall will be open for visitors from 4:30 pm.
This will be a great opportunity to meet the specialist teachers and see some of the children’s work which will be on display.
Each grade will be performing an item they have been preparing in their Performing Arts classes. Details of the schedule for these performances will be sent out at a later date.
We invite all parents and friends to attend. Posts of the event will be shared via Seesaw and on the school’s Facebook page.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Parenting in the Digital World - Free Parent Webinar
At St Joseph’s we are committed to helping students develop the skills they need to be safe online. We aim to work in partnership with parents to help keep children safe. To assist with this we are hosting an online information session run by esmart schools designed to equip parents with skills and strategies to navigate negative interactions and promote positivity online. The session is on Thursday 24th of November at 7.00PM.
If you would like to attend please click the link to join the event through Microsoft Teams. You may wish to try logging into the meeting a few minutes early to ensure you don’t miss the start.
Meeting ID: 445 291 312 057
Meeting Password: rR2VEo
We are excited once again hold our annual St Joseph’s School Raffle for 2022. Raffle books have been sent to families via students.
This year we have COLES MYER VOUCHERS as our major and minor prizes which offers our winners a large variety of options to spend their winnings. Vouchers will be issued in various denominations. What a great Christmas gift a voucher would make for your loved ones!
Tickets can be returned to the office with cash payment or via CDF pay. If you choose this option, please write Paid by CDF pay on the front of your booklet of tickets, before returning it to school. Please return all tickets either sold or unsold by Wednesday December 7. Raffle will be drawn Monday December 12.
Thank you to all parents and guardians and for your ongoing support.Our capacity to continue to undertake improvements around the school is dependent on the income received from this raffle.
Expression of Interest for Enrolment 2024
We are now accepting Expression of Interest Application forms for student enrolments for 2024. Current families with students attending in 2024 should also complete and return an application to ensure all details are current and up to date. The application form can be found below. Email completed forms to jblair@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
Finance Information 2023 / Term 4
School Fee information for 2023 has been sent to all families via PAM. If you have a concession card in 2023 please complete the relevent forms and return it to the office with a copy of your card. If you are currently on a direct debit payment and there is no changes to your details then that will continue on for 2023. Could forms be completed and returned by 9th Dec, 2022.
Statements for Term 4 have been sent to families, for those not on a direct debit, fees for Term 4 have are now due. If you have any queries or have not received your statement please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
Applications for Conveyance Allowance are due to the office by November 21. You can download a form by clicking the tab below. Please forward completed forms to the office or email them for processing to kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
School closure dates for your diary
Monday November 14
Thursday December 15 - Tuesday December 20
(Last Day of Term 4 for students Wednesday December 14 3:25pm)
Weekday Masses:
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi
Friday 9:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi (Remembrance book available at the Wonthaggi and Inverloch Churches for the month of November.
Please pray for those who continue to be affected by the Ukrainian War, and those experiencing floods and storms. For the anniversaries of Fr. James O’Donnell, Mgr. John Cunningham, Fr. Denis O’Callaghan and our loved ones. May God’s merciful love shine on them and on their loved ones left behind.
Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine.
Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine.
God of peace and justice,
Who change the hardened heart and break the power of
violence, we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.
Protect them in this time of peril;
let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom,
You are Father of all;
we are brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength to live that truth in love,
choosing peace not war.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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 FIND ATTACHED A LETTER FROM BISHOP GREG AND BISHOP RICHARD (Anglican Bishop of Gippsland) inviting you, to the Advent Ecumenical Conversation on 18th November 2022. (This letter can be read at the bottom of this Bulletin!)
The Catholic Women’s League; Thank you to everyone who supported the cake and plant stall-it raised $426.00.
FATHER DARREN HOWIE’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE PRIESTHOOD. You are invited to join Father Darren at a Luncheon to be held at the Whalebone Hotel, McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi on Sunday 20th November 2022 @ 12:30pm, to celebrate this special time in his life and the gift that he brings to our Parish.
RSVP: Can either be by phone call to the Parish Office or recorded on the RSVP sheets that are on the table at both Churches. We will need to have the numbers finalised by 15th November 2022.
(The opportunity to make a donation to be presented to Father Darren at the Luncheon can be placed in the separately marked collection bowl at both churches, left at the Parish Office or placed in the envelope at the luncheon). We are both blessed to have Father Darren with us and to come together and celebrate!
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES; MAKE A DIFFERENCE OVERSEAS. Do you require professional renewal, or are you seeking retirement challenge? Communities abroad are asking for qualified and experience Australians able to mentor their people in education, health, administration, trades,
Agriculture and more. Imaging yourself re-engaging your vocational passion in Africa, Asia or the Pacific. Since 1961 Palms Australia has been recruiting Australians able to offer mentoring that will allow overseas counterparts opportunities otherwise unattainable. Sharing your skills will strengthen the capacity of workers overseas to serve their communities for generations to come, long after you return home.
Communities in American Samoa, Cambodia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Zambia are seeking to fill a variety of roles. Enquires about those roles via www.palms.org.au or by calling 02 9560 533 or 0422 472 567.
OPEN DAY’ MARY MACKILLOP HERITAGE CENTRE; 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne Saturday 26th November, 2022.
Fr. Julian Tenison Woods co-founded the SOSJ with Mary MacKillop. The exhibition will explore Tenison Wood’s work as a missionary priest, his advocation of Catholic education for the poor, as well as his scientific endeavours and his eco-spirituality. His life was lived to the full, intertwined with faith and science. Julian is a role model for us today in prayer and sustainability. Joins us for: Guided Tours of the Museum, A Mary MacKillop Walking Tour @ 11a.m. Mass @ 1pm in the Chapel where Mary prayed. Call 03 9926 9300.
YARRA THEOLOGICAL UNION (YTU) Holding its annual information Session via Zoom on Wednesday 9th November 2022 from 5:30pm -6:30pm This event will be a great opportunity for anyone interested in studying Theology to meet the Lecturers and find out about our courses and pathways. Link to join Zoom on Wednesday 9th November: https://divinity.zoom.us/j/85121739377?pwd=cjVqZk9TL3NuZ2FoNk9Fd1JwU0daQT09 All prospective students are very welcome. No need to register. For further information or enquiries please email the Registrar- registrar@ytu.edu.au or Admin admin@ytu.edu.au MARY MACKILLOP HERITAGE CENTRE (MMHC)
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
CATHOLIC CARE: New self-help mental health service for parents, families and individuals.
Teaching children and young people how to keep safe online (on how to use technology wisely) is important for their mental health and wellbeing.
But as a parent or carer, ensuring eSafety for kids and teens can feel overwhelming or unachievable.
Whether you’re worried about cyberbullying, privacy, online content, social media, or time spent using technology, there’s things parents and carers can do to help keep kids safe.
To learn more please contact CatholicCare Victoria.
Aid to the Church in Need Australia; Red Wednesday, 23rd November 2022-Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) invites you to join in this special day to pray for and stand in solidarity with the 200+ million Christians persecuted for their faith. Around the world, churches and public buildings will light up in red as a symbol of the sacrifice and suffering of our modern-day martyrs. In Australia, ten Cathedrals will be lit in red, with some holding Masses and prayer vigils for persecuted Christians. Parishes and groups may like to hold a prayer hour or pray the rosary together. Individually, you may wish to go to Mass for someone who can’t or intentionally wear a religious symbol remembering those who cannot make such a public display of faith. To find out what is happening at a Cathedral near you and other ways to get involved visit
www.aidtochurch.org./redwednesday.
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.
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 eithe Father Darren Howie 0356 722 923 or Kristine on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.
Advent Ecumenical Conversation
Father Darren Howie Mrs. Kristine McRae
Parish Priest Parish Secretary
St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi