A message from the SRC about the School Colour Fun Run:

Only two weeks to go until our Colour Fun Run! (Thursday August 31st at 1:30pm)

We have raised over $24,000 so far! That’s way past our goal of $20,000!

Over 20 staff members will be slimed on the day! We are deciding who should get to slime them.

Thank you everyone! We have been looking at different kinds of playgrounds and things we could build in the school yard. We have been asking all the students for ideas. The ideas have been really great!

Mr Newton and Mrs Coldebella will help us get ideas of prices so we can work out what we can afford. Playgrounds are very expensive!

So, if you haven't yet, please share the link to your profile with family and friends so they can donate- every little bit counts!

Footsteps

Next week is our Footsteps Dance whole school performance. It will be in the gym on Monday August 21 at 2pm. Please be aware that seating will be very limited but there will be standing room. The whole school will also be in attendance and the performance should take under an hour. Parents and friends are very welcome!   

Book Week

The theme for Book Week this year is “Read, Grow Inspire”. This is the week we celebrate books and particularly Australian children’s authors and illustrators.  Here is a link to the Book Week Theme launch. To celebrate this event, the school will hold our annual Book week Parade on Monday August 28 at 9.05 in the gym. Students (& younger siblings) are invited to come to school dressed as a book character. The Grade 5/6s will be also holding their “Bake a Book” event. Gr 5/6 students are invited to bake a cake and decorate it with a book theme. These cakes will be on display in the school reception area for the day. Classes will be participating in activities to highlight and celebrate books, reading and particularly the books shortlisted for Book of the Year.  

The students will also be treated to a performance from Meerkat Productions on Thursday September 7, The Way of Dog (for the senior students) and Frank’s Red Hat (for the juniors), two of the books shortlisted for this year’s awards. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Term 3 optional Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday September 5th between 8.30am-5.00pm. They will all be held in the parish hall. These interviews may be via telephone or face to face. Parents and carers can enter the school via the front entrance and as per our Child Safety protocols, are required to sign in before their interview, so please allow time for this. I encourage you to take this opportunity to talk to your child’s teacher about their academic progress and social growth. If this day doesn't suit you, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher directly to arrange another suitable time.

Staffing news

We welcome Ms Tara Mcdermid to our staff!  Starting in September and for the remainder of this year Tara will be working for two days a week in a classroom support role. Tara was a former student at St Joes so it is a special privilege to have her back working here! 

Congratulations to Mrs Dianne Gin, Mrs Trish Martin and Ms Jennifer Lawlor who were officially awarded their Master of Evidence Based Teaching degree at a Graduation ceremony in Melbourne last Saturday. They join the growing ranks of our staff who have attained their Master’s degree, including Mrs Tracy Allan and Mr Leigh Granger, sponsored by the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited. We appreciate all their hard work and sacrifices they made to achieve this. We are extremely fortunate to have a staff so dedicated to improving the teaching and learning at our school. Several staff members have studied to achieve their Religious Accreditation over the last few years. Ms Hannah Parrett is currently undertaking her Master of Education degree while Ms Claire Shannon is studying for a Master of Wellbeing. As we enjoy a team based culture and work in collaborative teams, all the staff benefits from their learning and expertise.

Joanne Coldebella
Principal

This term in Prep we are learning all about the weather. We have gone on a cloud search and learned about different types of clouds in the sky. We have been learning about precipitation and we have been recording the rainfall using a rain gauge. We even did a science experiment and made a cloud in a jar! 

This term we also celebrated our 100 days of school. It was a very exciting day. We dressed up as ‘what we want to be when we are older’. There were lots of police officers, vets, nurses, paramedics, teachers, engineers and many more. Our buddies came to our classroom to help us make 100 day glasses. We all got special 100 day cupcakes and had a disco party in the classroom. We finished our day with a class movie with lots of treats and popcorn.

It is lots of fun and very busy being a St. Joey’s Prep! 

Prep Team

The excited grade 5/6 students and teachers got up early for their destination excursion to Melbourne. The students had the opportunity to visit Parliament House where they were shown the Green Room and the Red Room. We were lucky to have our local representative Jordan Crugnale come visit and share her experiences in parliament. The students had some great questions for her and our tour guides.

Following that we had a beautiful self tour through St Patrick's Cathedral where the students were in awe of the beauty of the architecture and curious of the different spaces throughout the cathedral including the large organ pipes.

After a speedy snack, the buses dropped us off at the Melbourne Museum to experience the Melbourne Story Exhibit. The students completed a scavenger hunt to find out lots of interesting historical information about Melbourne. Phar Lap's heart and the little house were of particular interest.

Lunch was in the gardens at the Shrine of Remembrance. This was our last stop for the day and the students had a tour through the Shrine learning much about the different wars Australians have been involved in. The Crypt and the Sanctuary were both places the students were able to quietly reflect and they were amazed by the ray of light that the building lets in to cross the Stone of Remembrance on Remembrance Day. One group even got to try on different items from World War 2 which was a highlight for them. The Grade 5/6’s had a wonderful day out. 

5/6 Team

This week marks National Science week. Science week occurs around this time every year and is a celebration of all things Science and Technology. More information can be found on the National Science Week website: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/ This year’s focus is on Innovation.

In STEAM this term we have been discussing what innovation means and have focused particularly on Australia’s first scientists, the Aboriginal people. We have explored many of the amazing innovations they developed. They had some truly amazing innovations and the students have been thoroughly engaged in researching and constructing their own models of these innovations.

Nicole Buccilli
STEAM Teacher

We’re just two weeks out from our School Fun Run! We hope students are working hard towards their fundraising goals!

Currently we have raised $24,000 and we hope you’ll keep supporting us! Remember, the money raised will be going towards improvements to the school playground.

We've had a great response to our first School FunRun, students are looking forward to the event.  You have until Sunday September 10 to register or fundraise.   All children will need to wear suitable/older clothes for running, the powder is made from food colouring, so it can stain.  The greatest visual effect comes from white clothes!  

If you’re having any trouble setting up your student profile or fundraising online, please get in touch with the Fun Run team on 1800 FUN RUN.

Thanks for supporting us with your fundraising efforts, we look forward to celebrating with an amazing day!

St Joseph's School SRC

School Fun Run Prizes

Parent Fun Run Information

St Vinnies De Paul Winter Appeal

Congratulations on being so generous with donations.  
These donations support St Vincent De Paul to continue to provide a vital service to those less fortunate within our community. Keep sending in your donations. We have until the last week of school this term to donate.

Optional Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews are available for Parents on Tuesday, September 5 between 8.30am and 5:00pm (this will not affect the students’ school attendance that day).

These interviews will be of 10 minutes in duration and will take place in the Parish Hall.  Attendance at these interviews may be either face to face or via phone, of which you may select your preference at the point of booking. Entry for onsite meetings will be through the front office, with all visitors asked to sign in. Please allow extra time before your interview to complete this process.  Please note Parent Teacher Interviews for Claire Shannon will be held on Wednesday, August 23.

Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews are to be made though PAM. If you have not setup your account please email the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au and we will help you get setup. 

If you have been involved in PSG meetings, please do not arrange an appointment.  These interviews are expected to be of 10 minutes duration.

If you have any queries regarding booking an appointment please contact the office.

Prep 2024 orientation schedule 

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held from Monday August 21 until Friday August 25 in the School Reception Area

This year our Father's Day Stall will be held on Tuesday, August 29. The stall will provide a variety of $5 gifts for students to select from.

In keeping with our cash free platform, parents are asked to pay for their child's gift via CDFpay before the day.  
The CDFpay shop is open NOW for purchasing (students are able to bring in cash on the day).

Trafficquiz.com is FREE to use website developed with an aim to spread awareness regarding traffic rules and road safety rules. Through trafficquiz.com school students can learn and test their knowledge about traffic & 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 & 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. 

The road safety quizzes cover various topics, such as :

a. Pedestrian safety (Safe walking)
b. Bicycle safety (Riding safely)
c. Bus Safety (School bus)
d. Car safety (passenger safety)
e. Child safety quizzes for Parents

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

Statements for Term 3 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

Friday September 1 is a School Closure day.  School resumes Monday September 4.

Weekday Masses:

Tuesday Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch 11:00a.m.

Wednesday St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi MASS 9:30a.m.

Friday Mass at St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi 9:30 a.m.

Weekend Masses Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch Sunday 9:00am

St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 10:30am

(Please note that Father Darren Howie will be away for the next 10 days following the Assumption Mass. Father Tony Cox will be celebrating the weekend masses and Father Manny Lomagno will take any calls that are urgent 03 59 525 418.

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 PRAY: For those who continue to be affected by the Wars in Ukraine and Sudan. For all who are sick, lonely and suffering from illness and pain. For those suffering from Road Trauma, both death and injury.  For Noel McRae and Pamela Moonan, who have passed away recently and the anniversaries of Mary Jongebloed, Matilde Kent, Bishop Patrick Lyons, Fr. John McCormack and our loved ones.  May God’s merciful love shine on them and on the loved ones left behind.

Please pray for those who continue to be affected by the Ukrainian War, and those natural disasters. 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.

A Voice to Parliament - A message from Bishop Charles Gauci of Darwin “As Australians we are at a very important time reflecting on the Voice to Parliament. I will not tell anyone how to vote, but it is my responsibility as Bishop to encourage you all to be reflective in the light of our faith and Catholic Social Teachings: the Common Good and the Dignity of all People.” Visit https://indigenousvoice.church/

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP: NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 16^th August 2023 at 10:30, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch Annex.  New members are always welcome-plenty of wool & simple patterns available. Good weather for knitting over a cuppa & chat!

Enquiries: Philippa Warby 0408 331 340 and Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447

The Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry has published a document on evangelisation, offering a scriptural and theological reflection on the proclamation of the Gospel through the lenses of encounter, discipleship and mission. It draws on seminal documents on evangelisation from recent decades, including the teachings of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. Evangelisation can be downloaded directly from https://bit.ly/Evangelisation2023

Mary Mackillop Catholic Regional College Walkathon: 

On August 8^th the staff and students will walk 11kms in solidarity to raise money for our chosen charities this year. We will walk from Koonwarra back to school in Leongatha and return for a celebratory lunch. We would greatly appreciate it if you could give big or small.

Sunday Gospel Reflection
Sunday gospel reflections written by the clergy, religious and laymen and women of our diocese are published weekly through the diocesan website and the diocesan Facebook page enabling us to reflect and prepare ourselves on the Gospel before we get to the weekend masses. The link to  our website is   https://www.cdsale.org.au/news/sunday-gospel-reflections
and the link to our Facebook page is  https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofsale 

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED: ACN AUSTRALIA A message from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN This month Aid to the Church in Need is raising money to build a parish house in Sierra Leone. The parishioners of the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour have been trying to help their priest who is living in a house that is decaying due to heavy rainfall and salt-laden sea air but they themselves are poor and have little to give. ACN has promised to help but we need your help to make this possible. To learn more and to make an offering visit www.aidtochurch.org./monthprojector

World Youth Day: Lisbon, Portugal 2023. Young people (18-35 yrs) in our diocese will join up with the World Youth Day Group from the Archdiocese of Melbourne to travel to Lisbon for the celebration of World youth day in August. Parishioners are requested to pray for these young people who have come forward to attend the WYD. For more information, please contact Fr Avinash George at Email: avinash.george@cdsale.org.au Phone # 03 59971510.

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

TRINITY FAMILIES: Charities providing services for families in the region covered by the Catholic Diocese of Sale are invited to apply to the Catholic Charity, Trinity Families, for 2023 project funding, 

To be eligible to apply there are three criteria an applicant must be able to demonstrate:-

1. They must be a registered charity with deductible gift recipient status (DGR)
2. Any funds granted must be used to support families in a way which aligns with Catholic values
3. The project must be within the defined area of the municipalities of Cardinia, Casey, Baw Baw, Latrobe, Wellington, Bass Coast, South Gippsland and East Gippsland.

Charities wishing to apply for funding are encouraged to download the fillable application form and send is back. Deadline for submission is 30^th September 2023.

Further information is available on the website www.trinityfamilies.org.au or by email at trinity@sale.catholic.org.au

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 either Father Darren Howie 0356 722 923 or Kristine on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.

Father Darren Howie                                                        Mrs. Kristine McRae
Parish Priest                                                                       Parish Secretary
St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi