Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

What a busy two weeks since the last newsletter! The swimming program has been very successful for years Foundation to Year 4, although we have had some tired little people at the end of the week. Foundation transition, Day for Daniel and Mission Market have all been in the mix as well.

Last Wednesday we had a whole school Mission Mass as October is Mission month. It was a Parish Mass as well and we are always pleased to warmly welcome parishioners to our school Masses.

On Friday we had the Mission Market. Students right across the school were very excited to participate in this and there were some very creative stalls to enjoy, designed and made by the Years 5 and 6 students. Thanks to everyone concerned, students, staff and of course parents who got behind the initiative as well. 

Remembrance Day will be marked by a school service for the students on Tuesday, whilst the school captains will attend the service in Warragul to lay a wreathe on behalf of our school.

The Colour Run is always a highlight for the year and this will be held next Friday, 14^th November. Special thanks to the P and F for organising this day with their band of helpers. It is a huge undertaking. I hope the students enjoy the day and have the best time. Please note that the School Assembly on this day is cancelled.

As the weeks get closer to the end of the year, things get busier no matter how we try to keep things calm. Excitement always starts to build at the thought of new classes, new schools in the case of our Year 6 students, celebrations etc. It is time for lots of good sleep at night! Let’s help our students manage best by making sure they eat well and sleep well.  Hopefully that will go a long way to ensuring that “All will be well”.

Best wishes

Ros Joyner

Principal

Term 4

Tuesday 7 October – Tuesday 16 December

Wednesday 12 November                           Year 6 Open Water Learning Experience in Phillip Island

Friday 14 November                                      Colour Blast / Run

Friday 14 November                                      NO School Assembly (CANCELLED)

Monday 24 November                                  SRC Pyjama Day

Thursday 4 December                                   Swimming Carnival for Year 3, 4, 5 & 6

Friday, 5 December                                        Year 6 Gumbuya World Excursion

Monday 8 December                                     Carols on the Green (weather permitting)

Tuesday 9 December                                     Orientation Day for 2026

Tuesday 9 December                                     2026 Year 7 Orientation Day at Marist-Sion College

Wednesday, 10 December                          End of Year & Graduation Mass at 9:15am

Thursday 11 December                                 Year 6 Graduation Dinner

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.

Children's Liturgy

A message from Deacon Mark

We the Church

Normally we would be celebrating the 32^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time this Sunday but this year the feast of Dedication of the Lateran Basilica falls on this day and has precedence.

The Lateran Basilica in Rome is first among all churches and the Pope’s Cathedral. His cathedra (bishop’s chair) is situated there, and the feast recalls the dedication of the church in 324AD marking change from persecution of Christians to a newfound religious freedom for Christians.

Of the four major basilicas in Rome, the oldest and most important is not, as we might think, St Peter’s but Saint John Lateran. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Rome but also the mother church of the entire world.

Now in its eighteenth century, the Archbasilica has retained its original form through several fires and a devastating earthquake and we proudly celebrate it as such.

More importantly though, our scripture readings emphasise that the church is not made up of bricks and mortar but of individual Christians as living stones and local faith communities.

In our first reading today, we hear Ezekiel’s vision of a river flowing from the Temple in Jerusalem and bringing life everywhere it went (Ezek 47). For us it is a vision of the Church receiving life-giving grace from Jesus.

St Paul makes it plain that it is we ourselves who make up God’s building – the Church of which, graced by God, he is the successful architect and foundation layer. While John’s gospel (John 2:13-22) of Jesus cleansing the temple symbolizes that the true temple is now in Jesus himself and his followers as the Body of Christ, rather than a single physical building.

Celebrating today the dedication of the “the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world”, we pray that the Church be a true mother and that Jesus may become the foundation stone and corner stone of all lives.

Deacon Mark Kelly

At this time of the year, we ask families whose children are not intending to return in 2026 (apart from Year 6 students), to send an email to principal@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible informing of the change. We have a number of enrolment inquiries and are preparing for 2026 classes. Our Foundation 2026 enrolments are now at capacity.

Swimming Program

Year 6’s will travel to Phillip Island on Wednesday 12th November

For program details : Lifesaving Victoria 2hr Wet at Cowes Beach.

2025 Swimming Carnival for YEAR 3-6 

Venue YMCA Victoria - Warragul Leisure Centre

Date:  Thursday, 4^th December 9:30am to 2:30pm

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.

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.

Colour Blast- Only 1 week to go!

Join us on the school oval next Friday for a fantastic afternoon of colour, fun, and community spirit.

Date: Friday 14 November
Time: 12.30pm
Register now: $6 per student  https://colourblast.com.au/registration/?stjoeswarragul
Registration includes entry to the Colour Run, emergency services visits and a cool pair of sunglasses.

Fundraise: We are raising funds to upgrade our outdoor spaces. So far, we have raised over $8,000 - a huge thank you to everyone involved, let’s keep going to reach our target.

Thanks to our friends at Barry Plant Warragul/Drouin, the top 5 fundraisers will receive amazing prizes valued at $1,000.
Plus – everyone’s a winner with a $5 gift card for every $20 raised:

Check out the fundraising leaderboard for both classroom (highest class wins a hot chip lunch) and individuals at https://colourblast.com.au/organisation/?stjoeswarragul Images attached are as at 6 November 2025.

Things to remember:

• Cash donations must be at the Office by 4pm on Wednesday 12^th November to be eligible for a leaderboard position.
• Online donations towards a leaderboard position will close at 8pm on Thursday 13^th November.
• Popcorn and icy pole packs will be available to purchase on the day for $2.
• Students to wear shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting colourful. A white or black t-shirt makes the colour pop.
• Pack a towel and a change of clothes for the trip home.

Can you help on the day?
This event wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers.

We’d love your support – whether it’s 2 hours or all day!

Volunteer here https://volunteersignup.org/Y9XDW

Second-Hand Uniforms – Donate or Grab a Bargain

Donate good-quality uniforms your child has outgrown to the school office.

Need uniforms? Pre-loved items are available for a gold coin donation and school bags for $10.

Contact: stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or visit the school office.

Join us on Facebook

P&F Events in Term 4

• Colour Run: Friday 14 November

Want to get involved? Email us, message on Facebook, or visit the school office.
Don’t forget your Working With Children Check – it’s free for volunteers: Working with Children Check | Working and Volunteering | Service Victoria).

SPECIAL REPORT: New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know

From 10 December 2025, new laws will take effect in Australia to protect young people online by restricting access to social media for those under the age of 16. This important change reflects growing community concern about the impact of early social media use on children's mental health, wellbeing and development.

Research shows that social media can expose children to unrealistic comparisons, online pressure and harmful content long before they are emotionally ready to manage it. While regulation is a positive step forward, real safety begins at home. Families continue to play the most powerful role in helping children build confidence, resilience and awareness in the digital world.

These new regulations provide an opportunity to talk openly with your child about their online experiences and what these changes mean for them. It's also a chance to review family technology habits, reinforce healthy routines, and explore age-appropriate ways for young people to connect, learn and express themselves.

This Special Report explains what the new laws mean in practice and offers practical guidance to help families prepare for the upcoming changes.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stjwarragul.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-new-social-media-regulations-what-you-need-know

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