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- St Joseph's School Vision
- Principals Message
- Prayer
- Assembly Awards
- 1/2 Neighbourhood
- 3/4 Neighbourhood
- Project Compassion
- Parent Teacher Interviews - Term 1 2024
- School Advisory 2024
- No Bus Travel Thursday February 22
- Easter Raffle 2024
- Parent / Guardian Contact Information
- School Closure Information
- Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour
- Absences & Holiday Submissions
- NAPLAN 2024
- 2024 SRN Collection
- Conveyance Allowance Term 1 2024
- Gippsland Regional Little Athletics Carnival
- Parish News
- Magic & Emotion Coaching Program
- Ritchies Community Benefit Program
- Wonthaggi Basketball
- Wonthaggi Library - Lego Club
- Wonthaggi and District Netball Association
- Starlight SUPER Swim Challenge
- Underwater Hockey
Whole school focus
At our first school assembly the school captains announced that the whole school’s Learning Intention, for the next few weeks, is for everyone to be “Using people’s names and using manners” when we speak to others at school. It is amazing the difference it makes when staff and students consistently greet each other, using names, a positive tone of voice and good manners. It improves spirits and brightens the day for everyone!
One of the things we find we need to explicitly teach at school is the difference between formal and informal language and when to use each type. Society generally uses informal language much more frequently than in the past. For example, it is becoming very rare these days to hear children refer to their neighbours as “Mr and Mrs Smith” or their aunties and uncles as “Aunty Sue” or “Uncle Mike” as opposed to simply using their first names, which is much more informal. However there are times when using formal language is much more appropriate than the alternative. Formal language is usually used when speaking to someone of authority for example or going for a job interview or applying for a bank loan… and at school. When conversing with teachers and school staff we expect the students to use formal language. Teachers and staff should be addressed by name and spoken to with respect which is evident in the tone of voice and words used. We find that many students don’t automatically know how to do this. They can tend to address staff in a more casual way that may come across as disrespectful at times, therefore we spend time teaching them what is expected. The visual below is an example of a tool we might use to show and remind students of the expectations.
As educators we try to be friendly, approachable and supportive of students…but not their friends. We need our relationship with students to be a professional one. We appreciate any way you can support this at home!
In our efforts to create a strong culture of respect, understanding and acceptance where everyone is given the opportunity to thrive, we try to explicitly teach the students how to be caring, kind and compassionate. Through our high expectations of student behaviour, we continually ask children to be aware of the impact their behaviour has on others. Through learning self-discipline/control, self- regulation and self-management individuals are able to set personal goals, accelerate their learning and achievements and enhance their wellbeing: their mental health.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
Our first Parent - Teacher Interviews for 2024 will be held on Tuesday March 5 and Thursday March 7, between 3.40 pm and 6.00pm. To provide each student with the best opportunity to grow and thrive, we need to work in partnership with parents. Please make an appointment with your child/ren’s teacher/s (unless you already have an appointment for a PSG meeting). If neither of these days suit, please contact your child/ren’s teacher directly to arrange another time as this first interview is particularly important.
Parent Helpers Welcome for Lunchtime Clubs
Each term there are several Lunchtime Clubs that run from 1.50pm- 2.20pm.
Please see the table below for this term:
Day |
Type of Activity |
Teacher |
Location |
Monday |
Sports |
Mr Granger |
Oval |
Tuesday |
Sports |
Mrs Richards |
Gym |
Wednesday |
Sports Gardening Club |
Mr Granger Mrs Gin |
Oval Around the school |
Thursday |
Sports Italian Club |
Mrs Richards Maestra Daniel |
Gym Italian room |
Friday |
Basketball Choir |
Ms Nielsen Ms Paulson |
Gym Hall |
Parents/Carers or Friends are most welcome to assist with Lunchtime Clubs. All volunteers must have a Working With Children Check and there is a process we need to adhere to before beginning.
Please contact the school office for more information via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au.
Joanne Coldebella
Principal
Grade 1/2s have been learning about minibeasts in our integrated studies unit 'Creepy Crawly Critters'. We are learning about life cycles and how living things grow and change. We have had two butterfly chrysalises that we were observing closely and on Monday one of them emerged from its cocoon! We are also observing our crowned stick insect nymph as it grows into adulthood and comparing it with our spiny leaf insect.
We have had a wonderful start to the year in 3/4. In Maths we are exploring different patterns including picture, number, and growing patterns. We have worked hard to identify the rule each pattern is following.
In Reading we are focusing on fluency. We have listened to ourselves reading, reflected on what we need to do to read aloud well and written a list of learning goals to help us improve our reading. This week we are starting partner reading where we read aloud to a partner and provide each other with feedback to help us improve our fluency.
Overall, we have had a very busy start to the year!
3/4 Team
We have begun our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey. This year, we are going to learn about three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations.
Ronita is 22. She lives with her husband and two children in Metro Manila, the Philippines. Ronita left school early to start her family which made it very difficult to find a good job. Thankfully, she heard about a program run by Caritas Australia’s local partner, the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Ronita was able to join the Alternative Learning System program. Completing this program was a pathway back to senior school where she completed her senior school certificate. Ronita now has a job and is able to support her family.
“I have now graduated senior school and I am so proud of myself,” she said. “I feel hopeful for the future… Now it’s not impossible for me to achieve my dream… Thank you.”
Parent Teacher Interviews - Term 1 2024
Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 7 between 3:40 pm and 5:50 pm.
Attendance at these interviews may be either face to face in your child's classroom or via phone, of which you may select your preference at point of booking.
Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews are to be made through PAM and are open now. If you have not set up your account or you are having difficulty accessing PAM please contact the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au and we will help you get set up.
It is very important for parents and teachers to be working in partnership for the benefit of the student's learning. Parent Teacher interviews are a great opportunity to discuss your child's progress.
If you have been involved in or contacted regarding a PSG meeting, 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.
We are delighted to announce the formation of our School Advisory Board for the year 2024. We warmly welcome our newest members, Susie Green, Chandrakala Trasanayagam, and Taryn Robinson, who will be joining our current council members Sara Donohue and Phil Dynes. We express our gratitude to them for volunteering their time to assist us in the continued development of our school.
No Bus Travel Thursday February 22
We have been notified by the Bus Coordinator that bus services will not operate this Thursday, February 22 due to a student free day at BCC. Please make alternative transportation arrangements for your child/ren on this day.
Once again it is time for our Annual Easter raffle, raffle tickets have been sent to all families.
In past years this has been an excellent fundraiser for the students of our school. It has always been greatly supported by the families and school community, which has contributed to the purchasing of books, sports equipment, and much more while benefiting our children.
For this fundraiser, we are asking families to donate an Easter egg or chocolate bar to the school, which will enable us to make up Easter prizes to raffle.
Raffle tickets will be sent home with your child to sell at .50 per ticket (selling both sides) which needs to be returned to the school with money no later than Monday March 25. Make sure you clearly write the full name and phone number of the person purchasing the ticket.
CDFPay is also a payment option for this fundraiser, just return the cover with your tickets and tick your payment option.
Raffle prizes will be drawn on Wednesday March 27. Good Luck and thank you for your continued support.
Parent / Guardian Contact Information
If you have recently moved to a new address or changed your phone number, kindly inform us by sending an email to our office with the updated details. In case you are not sure whether the information on our records is current or not, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email or phone call, and we will gladly verify it for you.
info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
Administration
Friday March 8 will be a school closure day for staff professional development.
Monday March 11 is the Labour Day Public Holiday.
Wednesday March 27 is the final day of Term 1 for students, school finishes at 3:25pm
Thursday March 28 will be a school closure day for staff professional development.
Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour
At St. Joseph’s School we use a common language to support a whole school approach to positive behaviour. This common language is - ‘Be Respectful, Be a Learner, and Be Safe’.
All learning spaces within our school have a bright visual representation of this common language (as seen in the puzzle pieces above).
The aim of this approach is to ensure each child has the opportunity to fully participate, engage in the process of schooling and become a successful learner. The characteristics of a whole school positive behaviour approach include prevention, instruction, use of evidence-based practices, and utilising data for informed decision making. A positive behaviour approach supports teaching and learning environments so that the academic outcomes of students are maximised. The WSAPB provides a structure and process for school communities to establish and maintain a positive social culture.
Trish Martin and Kylee Bertacco
Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Co-ordinators
Absences & Holiday Submissions
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 9:30am on the day of absence. You can also email the office via info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au or call 5672 1052.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2024
Test dates
The 2024 National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be administered to students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March.
Please see the Information brochure attached for further information.
Please see the attached information for parents from the Department of Education.
Conveyance Allowance Term 1 2024
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 6 for processing.
Gippsland Regional Little Athletics Carnival
Five students from St Joseph's School represented Wonthaggi Little Athletics at the Gippsland Regional Athletics Carnival in Berwick on the weekend of February 10th and 11th. They competed against participants from all over Gippsland. Neave and Oliver took part in the Junior Carnival for under 8s and 6s, while Lachlan, Georgia, and Matthew represented the team in the under 9s to under 17s category. Most of them were competing for the first time, and they did their best despite the hot weather over the weekend. Several of them achieved personal bests in their performances.
Weekday Masses:
Tuesday Our Lady Star of the Sea, Inverloch 11:00a.m.
Wednesday 9:30am and 5:30pm 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: Kevin Jackson, Fr Manny Spiteri, Fr Les Lisik
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 resume at the beginning of the School Term.
Lenten Group will meet at 1.15pm at Wonthaggi Church each week during lent season.
Prayer Shawl Group: Our first gathering for the year will be on MONDAY FEBRUARY 19th @10.30 in the Inverloch Church annex . After February, we will return to the usual 3rd Wednesday of the month . Our group gathers for a cuppa & chat while creating shawls & rugs that are blessed at Mass and later wrapped to be given ( at no cost ) to those who may be struggling with life in ANY way. So if you like to knit , crochet or sew up squares over a cuppa then come along . We warmly welcome new members . Simple Patterns & yarns are available & do- nations of wool ( 8 ply acrylic preferably) are gratefully accepted . For any enquiries please call Philippa Warby ( Inverloch ) 0408 331 340 Maureen Maartensz ( Wonthaggi) 0407 055 447
Prayer Shawl Group will meet in February. Any enquires please contact Philippa Warby 0408 331 340 or Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447
St Mary's Maffra Church Centenary: Join us in cele- brating the St Mary's Maffra Church Centenary on Sun- day, April 28, 2024, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Maffra, fol- lowed by lunch at the Parish Hall. Kindly RSVP to 51471921 for catering purposes.
Come and See: Bishop Greg has called for the young men of our Parishes of the Diocese to come to St Agatha's Parish, 129 Sladen St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 on Sunday, 7th April 2024 at 2:00pm particularly those who sense a call from God to life as a priest. Or, who simply want to come and enquire. It will be an op- portunity to meet and greet those living the life, to pray with them and have all your questions answered. And, remember, "the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it" Mt13:45
Welcome and thanks for worshipping with us at St Joseph’s Wonthaggi and Our Lady Star of the Sea Inverloch
If you are new to the Parish or have changed your details or need Thanksgiving Envelopes, please complete your details and drop the form on a Collection plate or drop off to the Parish Office.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email: ________________________________________
New Parishioner o Change of Address or Phone # o
Thanksgiving: Envelopes o or Electronically o
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 Kristine on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.
Father Darren Howie Ann Hemming
Parish Priest Parish Secretary
St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi