Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

A warm welcome back to another exciting term!

We hope the children had a chance to rest, relax, and recharge over the break. This term promises to be a busy and rewarding one, with many highlights ahead including our much-anticipated Production, Confirmation, Parent–Teacher Interviews, Father’s Day Breakfast, and Book Week celebrations, just to name a few.

The staff began the term with professional learning opportunities focused on strengthening positive relationships and exploring evidence-based strategies to engage students in their learning and classroom environments. We also had the pleasure of meeting with Dr Tessa Daffern, spelling expert and creator of our Year 3–6 spelling program, the Components of Spelling Test (CoST), for a refresher on effective spelling instruction. We’ve been implementing the CoST approach for the past 18 months, and Dr Tessa was pleased to report that we’ve made great progress in our students’ spelling outcomes since its introduction.

Unfortunately, Mrs Joyner is currently on leave after sustaining an injury during the holidays. We're pleased to share that she is on the mend and expected to return in a few weeks. In the meantime, I am honoured to step into her role and continue leading our wonderful school community, with Vanessa Barry supporting as Acting Deputy Principal until Mrs Joyner returns.

Please note: NAPLAN results will be sent home early next week for Year 3 and Year 5 students. Please keep an eye out for the envelopes coming home with your child in those year levels. A reminder that secondary schools will require a copy of the Year 5 NAPLAN result during their enrolment process.

Stay warm and best wishes,

Camillo Redi

Acting Principal

A warm welcome to our newest staff members — Bethany, Briana, and Meaghan!

We’re thrilled to have them join our amazing staff as Education Support Officers. They will be working across the school to support our students, and we are confident their contributions will make a meaningful impact. We hope their time with us is both fulfilling and rewarding.

                  

Term 3

Tuesday 22 July – Friday 19 September

Thursday 31 July                                              Confirmation Parent/Child Workshop

Friday, 1 August                                               Junior Mass - Foundation, Year 1, Year 2 & Year 3 at 9:30am

Friday 1 August                                                Assembly at 2:30pm

Wednesday, 6 August                                    Senior Mass – Year 4, Year 5 & Year 6 at 9:30am

Thursday 7 August                                          Reconciliation for Confirmation Candidates

Friday 8 August                                                Year 6 Confirmation Retreat Day

Monday 11 August                                          National Science Week

Wednesday 13 August                                   School Production at West Gippsland Arts Centre

Friday 15 August                                              Whole School Feast of the Assumption Mass at 9:30am

Friday 15 August                                              Sacrament of Confirmation Mass at St Ita’s

Mon 18 – Fri 22 August                                 Book Week

Friday 22 August                                              Book Week Dress Up

Monday 25 August                                          Pupil Free Day

Friday 5 September                                        Father’s Day Breakfast

Monday 8 September                                   Child Safety Week

Tuesday 9 September                                   Parent & Teacher Interviews

Thursday 11 September                               Parent & Teacher Interviews

Friday 19 September                                     Last Day of Term 3 – 2:20pm finish

Term 4

Tuesday 7 October – Tuesday 16 December

Monday 6 October                                                 Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 7 October                                          First Day of School for Term 4

Tue 7 – Fri 10 October                                   Dental Van visiting during the week

Friday 24 October                                            Grandparents Day classroom visits and morning tea

Monday 3 November                                    School Closure Day

Tuesday 4 November                                    Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Tuesday 16 December                                   Last Day of Term 4 – 3:20pm finish

**Please ensure you check the newsletter and ClassDojo for any changes that may arise.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Parent/Child Workshop

Our Parent/Child workshop will be held on Thursday, 31st July in the Marian Room at 7pm.  Some parents have indicated that they would like to attend, but are unable to do so that night, therefore, we are offering another date for this workshop to be held on Wednesday, 30^th July at St. Ita's Church at 7pm.

If this night suits you better, please RSVP Liz at warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au  letting her know of your intention to attend on this night. This Wednesday night workshop will only run if there is enough response for it. Thursday night’s workshop will go ahead as planned.

Confirmation Mass

Our Confirmation Mass with Bishop Greg will take place on Friday, 15th August at 7:00pm at St. Ita’s Church.

Our Confirmation Mass with Bishop Greg will take place on Friday 15^th August at 7pm at St. Ita’s Church. For more information contact Liz   warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au

Baptism Program for School Aged Children

Have you ever thought about Baptism for your school aged child?

An invitation is extended to parents who desire Catholic Baptism for children of school age to attend our Older Baptism Program. The program consists of two parent/child workshops, held on Tuesday, 26^th August and Tuesday, 2^nd September in the Marian Room in Warragul (enter car park from Bowen Street).

Each session will begin with an afternoon tea at 3:45pm.

When families have attended these two sessions, parents will need to attend a parent session to book a time for Baptism.

For more information, please contact Liz via email: warragul.sacraments@cdsale.org.au or phone: 5623 1642.

 Children's Liturgy

 A message from Deacon Mark

Father!

How absent-mindedly we recite this prayer that Jesus taught us: at every Mass, six times in a Rosary and other times in our daily lives!

Where does it come from? Well, from Jesus of course. But there are strong elements from Old Testament prayer and the Jewish prayer tradition with which Jesus was familiar. Our Catechism teaches that this prayer is “truly the summary of the whole gospel” yet, sadly, in our human frailty, we rarely stop to savour it as we should. This week’s gospel features the less well-known Luke version (Luke 11:1-13), essentially the same as Matthew’s but with some interesting variations.

Jesus encourages us to address the “Father” who is extolled as “holy”. No mention of “heaven” but entering into dialogue with the Creator of all, we are blessed to have a special and personal connection. The core of Jesus’ mission is to bring us the Good News of the Father’s Kingdom, which is coming in fullness but is observably already here. Luke’s prayer doesn’t mention the Father’s will (that’s a given in his kingdom) and Jesus encourages us ask for our needs for each and every day, for forgiveness of our sins and to be spared time of trial.

Rattling it off in rote form as we often do is exactly the wrong way to pray. The disciple asks for guidance (Luke 11:1) and Jesus models how to pray rather than the detail of what to pray. He might have said, “these are the main things: remember you are speaking with the Creator of all, who is your loving Father and who wants what is truly best for you and for everyone.” It is in thoughtfully articulating our issues we pray best. The Father knows it anyway but, rather than going around in circles, we might trustingly nestle to this loving Father, telling him how we adore him and what is happening in our lives at the moment.

Deacon Mark Kelly

Aussieventure is Almost Here!

Term 3 is set to be an exciting one as we bring Aussieventure to the stage! After weeks of singing, dancing, and rehearsing lines, our students are ready to shine. The energy across the school is electric – costumes are being fitted, props are coming together, and rehearsals are now in full swing.

This high-energy production celebrates Australian spirit through music, movement, and storytelling. Our students have shown incredible dedication, and we can’t wait for you to see the magic they’ve created.

Tickets are on sale now!
Bookings can be made via the Arts Centre website https://wgac.com.au/ or by phone 03 5624 2456. Please ensure you select the performance that includes your child’s year level:

• 5:00pm Show: Foundation, Year 1, Year 2, and Year 4/5/6 students
  
  
• 7:30pm Show: Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5/6 students
  
  

Please note: Year 4/5/6 students perform in both shows. If you’re attending both performances, a ticket is required for each session.

Costume and performance details have been posted on your child’s ClassDojo page. Please check for year-level updates.

Thank you for your continued support – we can’t wait to share this magical event with you in a few weeks time!!!

Ms. Rose Butera- Arts Specialist Teacher

In Victoria, it is compulsory for children aged 6-17 years to attend school.

Parents are legally required to ensure their child attends school every day and to provide an explanation for their child's absence from school unless an exemption from attendance has been granted or an exception to their attendance applies.

Absences

If your child is away sick or away due to a planned absence or appointment, please ensure you advise the school office. Student absence text messages are sent out if your child is marked absent without a reason. Emails or ClassDojo messages may be missed in some instances; if the classroom teacher is teaching or the classroom teacher may be away.

It is imperative that you notify the school office through one of the following methods:

1. Log into PAM (Parent Access Module) and register your child's absence;

2. Email absence@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au or info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au 

3. Phone the office on (03) 5623 2943

When sending an email, you may wish to "cc" your child's classroom teacher so they are aware of the absence too.

Holidays

If you are planning an extended holiday (a week or more) during the school term, please email info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au or principal@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au addressing your intentions to our Principal, Mrs Roslyn Joyner.

If you have any questions or need any clarification, please feel free to contact Shirley or Kitty in the office on (03) 5623 2943.

Join us on Facebook

We welcome all families to join our P&F Facebook page. This is a great place to ask any questions you might have and to engage with our school community - please search 'Parents and Friends of St Joseph's Primary School Warragul'.

P&F Events and Meetings in Term 3

Our Term 3 Parents and Friends meetings and events to pop in your diary are:

• P&F Meeting: Friday 1 August, 1.30pm at the school
• Father’s Day Breakfast and Stall: Friday 5 September
• P&F Meeting: Friday 5 September, 2.00pm at the school

If you would like to be involved, we would love to have you join us. Please reach out to the P&F via email: stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or send us a message through our Facebook page. Otherwise, you are welcome to turn up at the school office - please ensure you bring your Working With Children’s Check (if you don’t have one, it’s free for volunteers) visit: Working with Children Check | Working and Volunteering | Service Victoria).

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

As members of the St Joseph's school community, we all have a responsibility to keep children safe. To support families with information about the actions our school takes to keep children safe, our Child Safety and Wellbeing policy has been updated, endorsed by our Child Safety Team and shared with our community both here and on our school website. Families are encouraged to read the policy or visit our school website and explore the Child Safety section. 

Victoria’s Child Safe Standards under Ministerial Order No. 1359 require certain roles and responsibilities to be allocated within schools, including the role of Child Safety Champions who supports school leadership to effectively implement their child safety and wellbeing plans. Our Child Safety Champions for 2024 and 2025 are Ros Joyner, Camillo Redi and James McMahon.

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Car Line

If you arrive before school finishes, it is an expectation that you move all the way down the carline and fill all the spaces. If the carline is full, take a parking spot opposite the carline and walk to the crossing for student collection. Alternatively, leaving home 5-10 minutes later may be a better option to avoid being stuck in the congestion. Children are supervised in the carline area until 3:35pm, at which time, our carline and Burke Street are clear.

School Crossing

Please remember that the carline is private property and all people using our carline must follow the instructions of the staff managing the area - this is non-negotiable and aggressive or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Entering the carline via the exit is dangerous and illegal.

When waiting along Burke Street to enter the school grounds, please do not stop your vehicle on the school crossing. For safety reasons, the school crossing supervisor is not authorised to allow children to cross the school crossing if a vehicle has stopped over the school crossing.

Medical Profiles and Emergency Contact Details

We remind parents and carers that it is time to review your child/ren's medical profile on PAM. Any changes in medical needs should be communicated to the school to ensure that we provide the most up-to-date care for our students. If emergency contact details have changed or emails, phone numbers need updating, please contact the office to provide the updates necessary. The most efficient way to provide these details to the office would be to email - info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au

If your child is affected by Anaphylaxis or has any allergies and requires an ASCIA Allergy Plan developed by your child's doctor, please provide information and a copy to the office. In addition, Asthma plans may need updating, please ensure that these are also current. If your child has medication stored at our school, please check with the office that the medication is still in date and there is ample supply.

**All Medical Authority Forms held at school must be updated as soon as possible to allow for any medication changes, dosage or student growth . An email was sent out to all familes on 30 January with medication information and the forms required, depending on the ailment. Please contact the school office if you need any further assistance.

Lunch Orders

Lunch orders:

• are every Wednesday and Friday
• can be placed using the Flexischools app
• are delivered to school for the first break at 11:30am
• can be placed until 11:00pm the night before (Tuesday and Thursday) from a full menu
• can be placed until 9:00am on Wednesday and Friday mornings from a limited menu

Anyone with flu-like symptoms, however mild, should not attend school and should follow medical advice, including being tested for COVID-19.

It is strongly recommended that students:

• Who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five (5) days;
• Should not attend school after five (5) days if still symptomatic;
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school until their symptoms resolve;
• Parents, guardians or carers advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result.

To assist with limiting the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, parents, guardians and carers should be strongly encouraged to ensure that their child(ren) remain at home if they are unwell.

Free Government Funded Autism Workshop for Families

Interested in becoming a foster carer?

Victoria is currently experiencing a shortage of foster carers, and the aim is to raise awareness about foster care within our local community.

Olivia's Place Gala Dinner & Charity Auction

Olivia's Place is a local charity based in Drouin dedicated to providing essential support to families across Gippsland during any stage of pregnancy and throughout the first year of their child’s life.

One Night Outside Camp for a Cause

On Saturday 30 August, Park Lane are holding One Night Outside at BIG4 Traralgon Park Lane Holiday Park, to raise funds for Flying Fox, a not-for-profit organisation creating life changing experiences for young people with and without disability.

One Night Outside is a fun and inclusive evening under the stars. All are invited to pitch a tent and enjoy a night of BBQ, hot chocolate, kids' activities, entertainment, and the chance to connect with the community.

100% of all camping site fees and 10% of all glamping and cabin proceeds from the night will be donated to Flying Fox, helping them continue their incredible work with young people of all abilities.

Book your camping site here: www.parklaneholidayparks.com.au 

For more information about the Flying Fox charity: www.flyingfox.org.au 

Warranor Junior Football Club

Warragul Blues Junior Football Club

Peninsula Cinemas, Warragul

Cinemas_Schools_Newsletter_30.06.pdf

Aussie Disposals

Aussie_Disposals.pdf

Australian Red Cross