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Term 4
Monday 7 October - Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 8 October is the First Day back for students in Term 4
Tuesday 17 December is the Last Day for Students with school finishing at 3:20pm
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
I have just watched 302 students run for the gate to start their holidays! It has been a long wintry term for everyone. Many of them certainly need the break to recharge.
The students enjoyed footy colours day, even though it was cold and windy. Thanks to the SRC for organising this day. All donations received will go to Kids for Cancer.
The year 5 and 6 classes are busy preparing for the Mission Market to be held in term 4. This is always a highlight and we see so many creative stalls. The whole school is looking forward to this day.
Term 4 brings excitement with warmer weather, transition programs, orientation for 2025, Christmas carols and more. There is much to look forward to.
As the holidays are dawning please remember to keep an eye on screen time. With the Spring weather, hopefully the children can get outside as much as possible.
Thanks to staff, students and parents for a very busy term. Take care and look after each other.
Best wishes,
Ros Joyner
Principal
At this time of the year we ask families whose children are not intending to return in 2025 (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 beginning to prepare for 2025 classes. Our Foundation 2025 enrolments are now closed.
Term 4
Tuesday 8 October – Tuesday 17 December
Monday 7 October Pupil Free Day
Monday 7 October 9am – 11am Sue Larkey, Special Education & Autism Spectrum Disorder Expert
Tuesday 8 October First day of Term 4
8 – 11 October Dental Van Visit
Tues 8 – Fri 11 October Foundation to Grade 2 Swimming Program
Friday 11 October 5/6 Parliament Victoria Incursion
Friday 11 October School Assembly
Monday 14 October Practice Emergency Drill
Tuesday 15 October Gippsland Regional Athletics, Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough
Friday 18 October Year 3 & 4 Science Excursion
Friday 25 October Day for Daniel
Friday 25 October World Teacher Day
Friday 25 October School Assembly
Sat 26 & Sun 27 October First Holy Communion Masses
Thursday 31 October Foundation 2025 Transition Session 1
Friday 1 November Mission Market 12pm – 1:30pm
Monday 4 November School Closure Day
Tuesday 5 November Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Friday 8 November School Assembly
Friday 22 November School Assembly
Friday 6 December School Assembly
Thursday 12 December Grade 6 Graduation Dinner
Tuesday 17 December Last day of school for 2024 – 3:20pm finish
The World is Calling
Our whole school religious education
As a culmination of our learning and in recognition of the Season of
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSESCommunion Masses will be held over two weekends at Parish Masses: Please consider your preferred First Holy Communion Mass for your child before you come to the information night.
The Mass times are:
- Saturday 26th October, 30pm St. Ignatius - Neerim South
- Saturday 26th October, 7pm St Joseph’s - Warragul
- Sunday 27th October, 9am St Joseph’s – Warragul
- Sunday 27th October, 10:30am St Ita’s – Drouin
- Saturday 2nd November, 7pm St Joseph’s - Warragul
- Sunday 3rd November, 9am St Joseph’s – Warragul
- Sunday 3rd November, 10:30am St Ita’s - Drouin
FAMILY MASS POST FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Thursday 7th November, 6pm St. Ita’s Church Drouin
This year we would like to hold a family Mass where all the Communion candidates can come along together with their families and celebrate this wonderful sacrament. This will also be an instructional Mass to deepen our understanding of the Mass, and a time where the candidates can receive Holy Communion together. Then after the Mass we will share a BBQ picnic together.
Sacrament News
SPECIAL TEACHING MASS INVOLVING THE CHILDREN
Teaching Mass
St Joseph’s Church, Warragul:
Saturday 12th October, 7pm, Sunday 13th October, 9am
St Ita’s Church, Drouin:
Sunday 13th October, 10:30am
We encourage candidates and their families to attend one of these Parish Masses.
2nd Rite of Reconciliation: (Preparation for Communion)
This combined reconciliation rite will be for all First Holy Communion candidates and their families. It will be held on Thursday, 17th October at 7pm at St Joseph’s Church Warragul.
Migrant and Refugee Family Mass and Lunch
A message from Deacon Mark
Blackballing at the Club
Occasionally we Catholics presume to instruct Jesus who is and isn’t a member of his club! Like the disciple John in the gospel (Mk 9:38-48) we find ourselves reporting back to Jesus that we’ve weeded out some pretenders acting in Jesus’ name. Because, of course, we reckon we know who is on the list and it’s not them! Like John, we foolishly ask Jesus, “surely not such and such?” or “not these people?” But, if we are truly listening, we hear Jesus’ response in this gospel, “Anyone who is not against us is for us.”
We are reminded that we don’t make the rules, we don’t make the judgements and we certainly don’t have authority to be turning away those acting in his name. In fact, there are dire consequences for us if we do!
Disunity of Christendom is a scandal, but the Church teaches us (Ut Unum Sint 65) to celebrate that which we Christians share in common, which is far greater than that which separates us.
Recently a friend asked me to join him at an “Eco-feminist” service with a Protestant denomination. I probably started out somewhat hesitant but their earnest desire to worship God lovingly won me over. These people (mostly women) are of God and called by Him as I am.
One who acts in Jesus’ name “will most certainly not lose his reward” and in many ways, as Jesus does in this passage, we are called to celebrate our diversity and certainly not to stop those acting in Jesus’ name. We have much to learn in the grace of the Holy Spirit, through non-Catholic Christians. (Unitatis Redintegratio 4) The Church calls all Christians to pray, study and work together (UUS). Ultimately Christian unity is God’s will and God’s work and not solely our own.
Deacon Mark Kelly
Overdue Books
Thank you to all families for being punctual with returning their students' overdue items to the Library.
The orders for issue 6 Book Club have been distributed to the students. Apologies to families for the delay in receiving your orders as there was a delay with the shipment from Scholastic.
Our final two issues will be in Term 4.
Thank you to all families for your support!
UPCOMING SPORTS DATES:
Tuesday, 15 October Gippsland Regional Athletics - Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough
2024
Term 4 Tuesday 8 October - Tuesday 17 December (3:20pm finish time)
Health Department Alert - Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
The Department of Health, Victoria has issued a health alert, increasing pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Victoria.
Cases of pertussis are increasing in Victoria, mostly affecting children aged 10-12 years. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for causing a cough and can lead to life threatening infections in babies. Symptoms of pertussis may be very similar to other respiratory infections, especially in the early stages, meaning diagnosis by a doctor as soon as possible is important. Please remain vigilant and seek medical attention as soon as possible when symptoms present.
The below exclusion periods apply to diagnosed cases and contacts -
For diagnosed cases:
- students diagnosed with pertussis should be excluded from primary schools for a minimum period of 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have completed five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment. The treating doctor will complete the required notifications to the Department of Health
For contacts of diagnosed cases:
The exclusion requirement only applies to contacts who meet all three (3) of the below criteria:
- aged less than 7 years;
- in the same class as the student with the diagnosed case; and
- have not received three (3) effective doses of pertussis vaccine.
Students meeting these criteria should be excluded for 14 days after the last exposure to the infectious case, or until they have taken five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment.
Car Line
Our school is very blessed with a long carline with ample parking. However, we continue to experience some issues during the afternoon pickup. Burke Street is extremely busy from 3:00-3:30pm. If you arrive before school finishes, it is an expectation that you move all the way down the carline and fill all 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.
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
School Uniform
During Term 2 and Term 3, all students are required to wear their full winter uniform, including correct socks and shoes. Wearing the school uniform correctly demonstrates school pride and identity. Please ensure your child has the correct uniform on the correct days.
We appreciate your support.
Lost Property
Please note that if your child tests positive to 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, including if they have tested positive to COVID-19.
Absences & Holidays
In Victoria, it is compulsory for children and young people 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 as 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 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.
Big Blokes BBQ
Every year the Baw Baw Big Blokes raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer Research and Awareness. They have again asked St Joseph's to provide wait staff for their major fundraising event, and as a thank you they make a donation to the school.
This year, the event will be held on Friday 25 October at Lardner Park, from 11am-3pm.
If you are able to help out on the day (no experience needed) please reach out to us and stay tuned to our Facebook page for a sign-up link.
It is great fun and a great way to support a group of local volunteers who have chosen to support our school.
Container Deposit Scheme
If you would like to support St Joseph’s Primary School with a donation from your exchange of eligible drink containers, please use partner ID C2000009902, or scan the barcode below.
C2000009902
Labels
We’re almost in Term 4, which means the summer uniform is just around the corner.
Clearly naming your child’s items is the best way to ensure they don’t get lost or if they do, they find their way back home.
To make it easy for parents and also raise some funds for the school, we have an ongoing fundraiser with ‘Stuck on You.’ Stuck on You offer personalised school products including labels, stamps, bento lunch boxes, drink bottles, bag tags and stationery.
Check out their products here
Please use our St Joseph’s fundraising code moPSTs0sQygQ at check out to ensure a commission on every order is returned to the Parents and Friends Committee.
Join us on Facebook
We welcome all families to join our P&F Facebook page, a great place to engage with our school community - please search 'Parents and Friends of St Joseph's Primary School Warragul'.
Second Hand Uniforms
We have lots of clean second-hand school uniforms, available for a gold coin donation.
To check out what is available, just ask at the school office or contact the P&F Committee on stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com
Temporary Changes to Trading Hours for School Holidays
Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run & Festival
Warragul Cricket Club
NOTICEBOARD