THE SJ VIBE

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Principal's Reflection

Monday 4th April 2022 Edition 3, Volume 4

SHELLEY'S REFLECTION

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

It is hard to believe that eleven weeks ago we were beginning the school year together. This scripture passage rings so true when I reflect on this time. We are growing stronger every day.

The most significant season of the Catholic Church is about to take place. Over the holidays, Holy Week and Passover takes place. The Holy week concluding with Easter, celebrating the risen Christ. For some this means New life, starting again, for others it has other significance. Foundation will be leading our Assembly this week, focussing on Holy Week.

I look forward for families to have an opportunity to connect on Wednesday evening, with your hampers or takeaway. This is a chance for families to meet and greet each other. Kelly Club will have a few activities taking place on the oval. Please note that families will need to be vigilant and we will not have parking on the school grounds due to safety and well being of children. Please enter via the Treeve Parkway Main gate and Bike Shed gateway. Fairhall Ave will be closed off for Kelly Club OSCH care families

Please enjoy a safe and restful holiday break. For those travelling close to home, interstate and overseas, may you be blessed with safe passage.

I am so grateful to our St Joseph's Community for who you are and what you share with each other. Thank you for walking this educational journey together in God's love.

Kind regards,

Shelley

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

On Friday March 18th, Rasmus, Noah, Kenzie, Ethan and Korey celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Andrew’s. We welcomed Bishop Ashe. It was a beautiful mass shared in our community. We congratulate our candidates on their preparation for the sacrament and their reverence and joy in their celebration of the sacrament.

Project Compassion Casual Clothes Day: Friday 8th April

Starting with the Ash Wednesday Liturgy, back in February the students at St Joseph's have been discussing Lent. They have been learning about how Project Compassion helps communities across the world, that are affected by poverty.

As a way of raising funds to support this charity, our Just Leadership Leaders, Heemarksi and Liz will be leading this collection on Friday 8th April. If children wear casual clothes on Friday, they are asked to bring a gold coin donation to add to their classroom Project Compassion boxes. This will then be shared with the charity as a school. The girls shall share the total figure raised with families early next term, in our next newsletter. Thank you in advance.

ST JOSEPH'S FEAST DAY

On Friday March 18th, we all celebrated St Joseph’s Feast Day! The Year 3/4 students travelled to St Andrew’s church and participated in a liturgy with Father Albert. It was amazing to see all the students show reverence, courage and kindness throughout the day. Here are some happy snaps from the day! The Foundation to Year 2 students celebrated a liturgy back at school. We finished our day with an icy pole and tabloid sports. Thank you to Kelly Club for their participation.

Stage 2 Building and Infrastructure Update

St Joseph's is pleased to share an update of the Stage Two Building works. This has been endorsed by the Archdiocese of Melbourne, MACS and St Andrew's Parish. The Stage two building tender has closed. We will begin building works over the next term. I would like to acknowledge Baldasso Cortese Architects for the works they have completed to date.

Next term should see a two classroom portable added to the grounds. The Year 3/4 classes will be moving into these buildings once they are installed. 

Please see the website for the Master Plan and updated plans for Stage two.https://sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au/our-school/school-masterplan/

We would also like to acknowledge MACS and the Victorian Government  for the Shade Sail Grant that is enabling shade for the outdoor classroom to be created to enable the Environmental Education and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.  MACS and the Victorian Government have provided the air purifiers, that have been supplied to  St Joseph's. We acknowledge and are grateful for their support, in providing a safe and healthy work environment for our students to learn.

STAGE TWO DRAWINGS

ST JOSEPH'S FAMILY EASTER PICNIC

To conclude our term we are inviting families and children to the Easter Picnic. This will be held next Wednesday night on the 6th April, from 5.00 - 7.00 pm.

Families can bring a picnic rug and a packed picnic dinner. This will take place on the oval. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our school families to connect, be introduced to their children's friends and meet each other whilst sharing a meal.

Please note that

  • Double vaccinated certificates are to be provided upon request.
  • No alcohol is permitted on the school's premises. 
  •  

    We are asking families for "Easter inspired" donations, for prizes for the Easter Raffle to be drawn on the evening. If families could send any donations to school via classrooms by tomorrow for wrapping, that would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

    Harmony Day

    Last week we celebrated Harmony Week, with everyone invited to wear a splash of orange. Classes discussed cultural events, dress, prayer and food. It was a beautiful day and one filled with understanding and curiosity. As a staff, everyone brought a little something to share for lunch. Diversity is celebrated at St Joseph's and it helps us grow our minds and open our  hearts to difference, which allows us to embrace difference as well as similarity. Thank you to families who shared images of dress, food and celebrations.

    LEARNING DIVERSITY

    Any families who are working to access NDIS may find the following service helpful. Please note that aaimCHOICES is not affiliated with St Joseph's, however the organisation has reached out to our community to offer support for families who may wish to access it. Please see the information below.

    • support to your staff, students and families who may be trying to gain access to the NDIS or whom have an NDIS plan and are struggling to utilise it or find the right supports.

    • support at no cost to Clients who have a disability or questions about eligibility to navigate the pathway to apply for NDIS support(s).

    • examine the available evidence of disability, make suggestions for further information, complete or assist to clients to complete forms and assist with the submission of paperwork.

    We offer support in many languages other than English, Arabic, Persian/Dari, Farsi, Vietnamese, Chinese, Turkish, Sinhala, Hindi, Filipino and Polish. If any of your Staff or families have any questions regarding the NDIS pathway, the supports offered or support for Clients struggling to utilise their NDIS Plan please give us a call.

    Michelle Judd:  Mobile: 0407 201 922 or email mjudd@aiim.com.au

    NAPLAN - Years 3 and 5

    Families of year 3 and year 5 students will have received information regarding upcoming NAPLAN assessments via Operoo. If you have any questions regarding this correspondence, or seek further clarification regarding the assessment processes please contact Hayley. 

    Community Conversation No.1. 2022

    Dear Families,

    On Thursday 5th May at 6: 00 -7: 00 pm, we will host our first Community Conversation for 2022.

    Term One has flown and I am privileged to have engaged with families one to one. For that I am very grateful. 

    The foci of the meeting shall be:

    1. Norms around Community Conversations - Reflections on Term One
    2. PBL forum
    3. Student Wellbeing / Learning 
    4. Stage 2 Build

    Please let us know if you have any questions.

    We look forward to seeing you there.

    YEAR 3/4 STUDENT VOICE

    Over the past term the Year 3/4 students have been exploring the communities in which they belong, who they are as a learner and how they can reach their full potential. They have been working very hard to complete their projects and have showcased their learning using ICT, PowerPoint, videography and dioramas. 

    YEAR 3/4 ACTIVE KIDS PROGRAM

    St Joseph's school is proud to let you know that we will be delivering Wyndham City Council’s Active Kids program in Term 2. Over 8 weeks Year 3s and 4s will learn about healthy eating and physical activity through teacher-led activities, an Active Kids Passport, have access to activity sessions run by community sports and fitness organisations and rewards to help connect our children to activity opportunities within Wyndham. We hope this gives our children a boost to help make healthier food and activity choices. Keep an eye out to see your child bring home their Active Kids passport next term!

    The program is supported by the Active Kids website www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/activekids which is available to everyone. You can find activities to do at home, online sessions to follow plus links to websites with recipes, healthy eating tips and information and ideas to be active. 

    Looking for inspiration? – we hope this helps.

    KITCHEN GARDEN

    There has been a lot happening in Kitchen Garden. Senior students have been learning about pest control and have made cabbage moth deterrents for the garden. Students also made a herbicide that they painted onto weeds in the garden.

    Some new plants have gone into our sensory garden. These plants will be grown around the passive play areas and will (over time) provide opportunities for students to use all of their senses when encountering the garden. One of the favourites so far has been the soft fuzzy “lamb’s ear” plants. On St Joseph’s day, students were also given the opportunity to plant some native plants around our new mud kitchen space. 

    We now have a Kitchen Garden letterbox where children can submit ideas about any new plants they would like to grow, ideas they have for the garden or things that they would like to learn about. We also have some play areas popping up in the sensory garden area with a car table, story gardens and a mud kitchen. We have also installed our new friendship bench which is located at the entrance to the kitchen garden. This is a place where any student can go if they are having difficulty finding a friend to play with.

    A big thank you goes out to James Loveridge for his help with putting all the flat pack items together for our Kitchen Garden space.

    ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

    In Environmental Education, students participated in activities for Sea Week and Parks Week. The junior students enjoyed learning about rock pools and made their own salt water to add to our rockpool habitat. Students also “explored” Victorian national parks and the various habitats these provide for Australian animals as well as the way people encounter these spaces.

    THE BIG RACE

    What a fantastic day for all! 

    A BIG congratulations to all the students who ran, jogged, walked and tried their hardest to complete the course.

    The St Joseph’s Cross Country team will be officially announced soon. These students will compete against other schools in the Werribee District on Tuesday May 3rd at Presidents Park in Werribee. The team will consist of those who qualified fast enough in their age group and who are committed to represent the school on this date.

    A huge thank you to the parents and grandparents who helped out as course officials on the day. Any big school event thrives when our community comes together and gets involved. (Our Athletics Carnival is coming up in term 2 so another great opportunity to show your support!) Thanks to the numerous parents and friends who came to cheer and support the hard working runners all the way to the finish line. 

    There was certainly a great buzz in the air, not only celebrating our runners but being able to come together as a community onsite together!

    Events such as our cross country race not only allow us to congratulate and celebrate the talented runners we have at our school but celebrate our schools vision in practice! There were several instances where teachers saw our students treating others with respect and kindness, lending a helping hand even if it meant slowing down or stopping during their own race. 

    A special shout out to ¾ Jack and Beau for helping their friend when he fell over. To Jaxson who lent a hand even though he was really tired himself.

    To Jeremy in ½ who persisted in running with Caitlin the whole race. 

    Michael P in year ¾ is an amazing athlete who didn’t run in our race as he had his own state athletic competitions the following weekend. He was a voice of total encouragement all morning constantly moving around the course, making sure everyone was going their hardest.

     We thank all the students for their leadership, support and commitment in their own various ways. It created a wonderful event and celebration.

    Congratulations to the following students who completed the full course and finished in the top 3 for their age group:

    SCHOOL PHOTO DAY - Tuesday 5th April 2022

    Our School Photo Day is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday 5th April, 2022

    All students are required to be in full formal school uniform - full summer or full winter uniform with black school shoes (NO SPORTS UNIFORMS).

    For any classes scheduled for a Sports Day on Tuesdays, please pack runners in your schoolbags.

    This is also a gentle reminder that you do need to pre-order school photos from the online portal with Advanced Life Photography:  

    www.advancedlife.com.au

    FAMILY/SIBLING PHOTO orders need to be ordered online today 04-04-2022.

    Our school code is:  E8M KWB RKZ

    Please find attached information to assist with the ordering process:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1paIK-J6xFPDHZ-8A5FM8t6dFUbkD_Tnf/view?usp=sharing

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CUigXj9oCTSa4EkrEBM8ZJ6EKE6vIDwk/view?usp=sharing

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yJIraGkvIp3Yvs1qgIMAS2G8PrLSdlAN/view?usp=sharing

    2022 SCHOOL TERM DATES

    TERM 1: Wednesday 2nd February – Friday 8th April

    Please note: Last day of Term 1 (Friday 8th April EARLY FINISH 2:10PM)

    TERM 2: Tuesday 26th April – Friday 24th June

     TERM 3: Monday 11th July – Friday 16th September

     TERM 4: Tuesday 4th October - Thursday 15th December

    Please note: Maths Online Interviews Assessment Days: Friday 16th December & Monday 19th December

    ADMINISTRATION UPDATE

    SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE - SkoolBag or Voicemail (Attendance Line - 8742 3381)

    If your child is absent from school please communicate this with the school office. SkoolBag has an attendance e-form which can be filled out and submitted. This will be sent directly to the office.

    Alternatively, please use the school phone number (8742 3381) and select the attendance line option. When leaving a message please ensure you clearly state your child’s full name, class and the reason for their absence. We must have a valid reason for marking your child/children absent.

    If your child needs to be collected early from school, please also communicate this with the school office. The SkoolBag attendance e-form can be used and this will be sent directly to the office.

    Thank you for your co-operation as it is much appreciated.

    The SkoolBag app is the easiest way to keep up with school events, last minute notices, access the attendance e-form, view newsletters and receive all school communications. For those new families who have joined our community in 2022 please downloaded the App, and request access to your child's class group.

    IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

    Tuesday 5th April:             School Photo Day - Whole School

    Wednesday 6th April:       Family Easter Picnic 5.00- 7.00 pm

    Thursday 7th April:            Hot Cross Bun Delivery (Collection details TBC)

    Friday 8th April:                  Term 1 concludes for all students (EARLY FINISH 2:10PM)

    Monday 25th April:             ANZAC Day (Public Holiday - School Closure Day)

    Tuesday 26th April:             Term 2 Commences (Students return)

    Monday 2nd May:                School Closure Day (no students)

    Monday 3rd October:          School Closure Day (no students)

    ST ANDREW'S BASKETBALL CLUB

    St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Werribee

    "Spirit of Unity: Respect,  Courage,  Kindness"

    St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children