Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Welcome back to St Joseph’s for 2023! We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to a great year ahead. It has been a very calm and smooth start to the year with many smiling faces from students and staff. Our Preps have made a positive beginning to school and we warmly welcome our many new students across the other school levels.

To start the year off we are having a welcome barbeque next week, on Thursday 16^th February from 6.00pm. This will give families an opportunity to catch up with friends and give our new families an opportunity to come along and meet others. We hope to see you there.

You will already have received communication from me regarding some reminders about the following:

• PAM
• Anaphylaxis, Asthma and Medication
• Covid-19
• Bushfire Management Plan
• Uniform
• Child Safety
• Newsletter and Assembly
• Mobile Phones and other Devices

Further information for new families and reminders for current families:

Drop off/pick up car line - Please remember to follow the speed limits entering and exiting the school grounds.  When approaching the line to drop off in the morning, move on down the line at least to the end of the covered way to avoid back up of cars. If you approach whilst others are waiting for passengers to get out, move on past them further down the line to keep the traffic flow moving. There should be no cars stationary on or behind the pedestrian crossing.

At the end of the day, vehicles also need to move right down the line to fill spaces as well. That is the reason we had the bays extended (see the instructions below). At present, cars are backing up right out onto Burke Street, because some drivers are not moving on down. Please follow these instructions for the safety of all.

Thanks for a great start everyone!

CARLINE

Please be aware that when using our carline, particularly for pick up in the afternoon, it is important that all cars move down the line and take up all spaces. Some cars are stopping close to the carline cover causing a bank of cars all the way along Burke Street. We are asking that all cars move down the line and if there are no spots left, that families park their cars opposite the carline and walk to collect their children. If emergency services needed to reach our office area in the afternoon, they would have extreme difficulty to arrive in a timely manner as cars completely block the entry. 

Please see the image for clarification.

Best wishes,

Roslyn Joyner

Principal

Friday 17 February                          - Warragul Swimming District Carnival at Warragul Leisure Centre

                                                                - Hockey Roadshow (Junior students only)

Wednesday 22 February               - Ash Wednesday

Monday 27 February                      - Kids Roar Parent Education Session via Zoom at 7pm

Tuesday 28 February                      - West Gippsland Swimming Division Carnival at Warragul Leisure

                                                                Centre (back up dates 2 March or 7 March)

                                                                - KidsRoar Australia visit to school

Friday 3 March                                  - Project Compassion Bucket Challenge

Thursday 9 March                            - St Joseph’s Athletics Carnival – Junior and Senior

Monday 13 March                           - Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 14 March                           - Student Free Day

Thursday 16 March                         - Gippsland Regional Swimming Championships at Sale Aqua Energy

                                                                Centre

                                                                - Athletics Carnival (back up date)

Wed 15 - 27 March                          - NAPLAN

Tuesday 21 March                           - St Joseph’s Day

                                                        - Parent/Teacher Interviews

Wednesday 22 March                    - School Photos – Full Summer Uniform (NO sports uniform)

Thursday 23 March                         - Parent/Teacher Interviews

Monday 27 March                           - Warragul District Athletics at Geoff Watt Memorial Track, Warragul

                                                            (back up date 4/4)

Thursday 30 March                         - Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday 4 April                                - District Athletics (back up date)

Wednesday 5 April                         - Stations of the Cross

                                                       - Last day of Term 1

2023 - TERM 2

Wednesday 26 April                       - First day of Term 2

                                                        - ANZAC Day – Whole school reflection

A message from Deacon Mark

Beyond Liberation

Sometimes Matthew’s gospel is interpreted as liberating us from the “old rules”. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus insists on the importance of “the law and the prophets.” Certainly, Jesus calls us to go to the core of the Law, rather than the technicalities and fine print beloved of the Pharisees. He calls us to the spirit rather than the letter of the Law.

But addressing the spirit of the Law is at least as demanding as just ticking the boxes as the Pharisees were doing! Jesus calls us (Matt 5:17-37) beyond merely avoiding killing, adultery, theft and the other sins condemned in the Law of Moses. This is but the starting point for Christians. We are called to establish exactly what the commandments are asking of us, to discern and avoid what leads towards sinfulness and to be pro-actively good. 

Just as good habits of honesty, integrity, self-control and trustworthiness in small things, enables trust in big ones, so bad choices multiplied became bad habits; and bad habits lead to bad consequences. Anger, lust, untruthfulness, disrespecting others and other seemingly ordinary and innocuous thoughts and feelings can lead to things far more serious if we don’t face, work through, and overcome them.

Jesus does liberate us from the technicalities that the Pharisees hair-splitting understanding of  the law inflicted on the Jews. Even today we need to ask, “What is at the centre of this law? Is this building up God’s Kingdom?” But recognising that the core of the OT Law remains, we are freed not so much from as to. Freed to focus on Jesus teaching, freed to repent and remove our own failings and forgive those of others, freed to be pro-active in seeking out the poor and lost.

Deacon Mark Kelly

Sacrament Dates for 2023

Parish Secretary: The position of Parishes Secretary has become available based at St Joseph’s Parish Office Warragul. The primary purpose of this role is to provide secretarial, administrative support to the Parish Administrator and Parish, also including bookkeeping using MYOB. Hours of work are 27.5 per week 9am-3pm.

Applications are to be submitted by email to Confidence.Masvosva@cdsale.org.au by Friday 10th February 2023. For a position description please contact Fr Confidence via email. 

Sacrament & Catechist Coordinator: The position of Sacrament & Catechist Coordinator has become available based at St Joseph’s Parish Office Warragul. The primary purpose of this role is to coordinate the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation and also run Catechist classes for our parish children who do not attend Catholic Schools. Hours of work are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9am to 5pm. Applications are to be submitted by email to Confidence.Masvosva@cdsale.org.au by Friday 10th

February 2023. For a position description please contact Fr Confidence via email. 

If so, please contact Kitty in the office on 5623 2943 or via email: kbarrett@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au 

• Do you hold a current Centrelink Concession Card?
• Do you no longer have a current concession card?
• Has there been a name change?
• Have you moved address?
• Have you changed your mobile phone number?
• Is your landline still valid?
• Have you changed your workplace, therefore your business phone number has changed?
• Have emergency contacts changed? Maybe they have moved away?

If you have answered "YES" to any of the above dot points, please email the office info@stjwarragul.catholic.edu.au with your updated information.

At St. Joseph’s we continue to have a Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour. This approach is for our whole School Community (Students, Staff, Parents and Carers). It is a structured framework whereby we can establish and maintain a positive social culture.

This approach outlines the behavioural expectations that promote a climate within our school that is predictable and known, providing safe learning spaces for all of our students to thrive.

The S.T.A.R. acronym is displayed in our classrooms and in shared areas to remind us of the values that underpin our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour.

            We are a School Community, who

                          Take Responsibility,

                          Act Safely

   and are always Respectful

Further to this, our Staff have developed a matrix which highlights the behaviours we expect of all the members of our community.

Expectations Chart  2023

In these first weeks, the Staff are reintroducing their classes to the expectations we have at St. Joseph’s that make our students S.T.A.R.s 

Have a conversation with your child about being a STAR at St. Joseph’s.           

School Awards

Our school awards (which are presented fortnightly at assembly) reflect  our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour. In the spirit of St Joseph, teachers select a student who has displayed our STAR attributes of either responsibility, safety or respect.

Reflection Forms

As part of our WSAPBS, we will be using Reflection Forms to assist our process when addressing behaviour. These forms allow students to consider their choices, how they felt and how they can make improved choices in the future.

The Forms will be completed by a teacher with the student. The teacher and student will sign the form. The form will then be sent home for the parent/guardian to read, sign and return to school.

Contact will be made with parents/guardians prior to the form coming home.

Copy of Reflection Sheets Form 1

Copy of  Reflection Sheets Form 2

UPCOMING SPORTS DATES:

Swimming

Friday, February 17th Warragul District Carnival at Warragul Leisure Centre

Friday, February 17th Hockey Roadshow – Junior students only

Tuesday, February 28th West Gippsland Division Carnival. Warragul Leisure Centre. (Back up 2/3 or 7/3)

Thursday March 16th, Gippsland Regional Championships. Sale Aqua Energy Centre

Friday April 28th, State Championships. Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Athletics

Thursday, March 9th. St. Joseph’s Athletics Carnival Jr. and Sr.

Monday, March 27th.  Warragul District Athletics Geoff Watt Memorial Track, Warragul. Back up 4/4)

Tuesday, May 2nd. West Gippsland Division Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough (Back up 4/5 or 9/5).

Tuesday, October 10th. Gippsland Regional Athletics. Joe Carmody Athletics Track, Newborough

Sports Uniform

It was great to see so many students prepared for Sport this week with the correct sports uniform.  Just a reminder that the sports uniform is to be worn only on Sports Day.

TUESDAY: Grade 3/4 Classes

WEDNESDAY: Foundation and Grade 1/2 Classes

THURSDAY: Grade 5/6 Classes

Grade 6 can also wear their sports uniform on a Monday.

Congratulations to Charlie Thek

Charlie Thek (Grade 1/2 Vincent) has passed a Judo practical and knowledge test called a grading at the Ju You Kai Judo Club.

This is no easy task and requires a great deal of practice.  The grade is awarded by the presentation of a coloured Judo belt.

Junior Judo belts are in varying colours signifying age and expertise.  Charlie has been awarded a White-Yellow belt.

Book Club

Once again we will be providing families an opportunity to purchase books through Scholastic Book Club. Book Club looks a little different this year. It is coming to us in newspaper form. 

Ordering books through Book Club is the easiest and most affordable way to offer students the best in children’s books for the home and to encourage independent reading for fun. Book Club offers students a wide range of titles in each issue, from
popular and award-winning fiction series and charming new picture books, to fascinating nonfiction titles and hands-on activities that stimulate creativity and encourage problem-solving. Plus every order you place earns the school FREE books and learning resources. Book Club catalogues arrive to school up to twice a term, so
make sure you keep an eye out for when it arrives home in your child’s school bag! Also the electronic link will be attached to the newsletter.

HOW TO ORDER

1. Your child will bring home a Book Club catalogue from school

2. Discuss with, and help your child pick the books they would like to read

3. Order online via the Scholastic Australia LOOP website or app and the school will take care of the rest! (LOOP orders are electronically linked to your school in an easy, secure online process).

4. The books are delivered to your child’s classroom.

LOOP is the easy way for families to order and pay for Book Club.

Log in, or create a new account at scholastic.com.au/loop

1. If you are new to Book Club, follow the Wizard to set up your profile
2. Click the ORDER tab, and select your school and child’s class
3. Add your child’s first name and last initial (so the school knows who the book is for)
4. Enter the product item number shown on the Book Club catalogue
5. Make payment via credit card.

Alternatively students can bring their order and money to school. These orders need to be handed to their teacher for collection and processing.

Issue 1 2023 was distributed to all students on Thursday 9th February. All orders need to be placed by Friday 17th February.

Below are the links for Scholastic Book Club and the catalogue for Issue 1

Attached is the Book Club LOOP ordering guide

https://wlps.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Book-Club-Loop-Order-guide-amended.pdf

Scholastic Parent Guide 

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/

Link to electronic catalogue

https://issuu.com/scholastic_australia/docs/bcn_1-23_issuu?fr=sZGVmZjM0NDU5MDI

On Wednesday, we were fortunate to have three Collingwood football players visit St Joseph’s. The three players were the Club’s Captain, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott and Tom Wilson.  

Each player told a little bit about themselves, before answering a number of questions from our students. In their spare time the players said they enjoy reading, cooking, travelling, sleeping and playing video games. 

The visit was split into two groups, with the seniors going first asking lots of great questions and having their Collingwood merchandise signed by the players.

The visit with the juniors, had the students asking plenty of questions and finished up with the players and juniors singing the Collingwood theme song together and Darcy playing a tune on the piano.  

Below are some of the questions that were asked.

Which was your most memorable game?

Do you like magpies?

Which is your favourite stadium to play at?

What number do you wear? 

Besides football, what is your favourite sport?

How did you get your opportunity to play your first game?

Do you get nervous when you make a mistake during a game?

How fast can you run?

How high can you kick a football?

What was the first football club you played in?

What is the worst sports injury you’ve had?

Which is your favourite team to play against?

What do you eat for breakfast?

Which is your least favourite team to play against?

What do you do when you’re not playing footy?

Where do you train?

What foods do you eat?

What is your favourite food to eat?

Where do you go for holidays?

How long have you been training for?

How far can you kick?

How much water do you drink each day?

What does it feel like to win?

How many grand finals have Collingwood won?

How do you become the captain of a club?

How many tattoos does Jamie Elliott have?

How long do the games go for?

How old are you?

How many times have you been injured?

How many people play at Collingwood?

Who can kick the furthest?

How many finals have you played in?

Can you do a front flip?

Parents and Friends- Welcome

On behalf of our wonderful Parents and Friends committee (P&F), we extend a warm welcome to the 2023 school year to all of our families- new and existing. We are looking forward to an exciting calendar of events this year and thank you in advance for your support.

The P&F aims to support our school through fundraising, providing enjoyable activities for the children and contributing to a sense of community across our school family.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our first event for the year, the Welcome BBQ. This will be held on Thursday 16 February from 6pm at the school oval. Please refer to the flyer attached to this newsletter for more information. RSVP at https://www.trybooking.com/CFVQW 

Second Hand Uniforms

We have racks of clean second-hand school uniforms. Sizes 4-16 available, all for a gold coin donation.

View these at assemblies or contact the P&F Committee on stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com or the school office.

P&F Meetings

P&F meetings are generally held on the first Friday of each month (except during school holidays) at 2.00pm at the school. The first meeting of the year was held today (Friday 10 February).  

If you would like to be involved, we would love to have you, please reach out to us via email stjosephswarragulpandf@gmail.com, send us a message through our Facebook page or just turn up.

Join P&F

Warragul Lions Club Book Fair

Warragul Blues Junior Football Club

Judo

Junior Badminton

For more information, find "West Gippsland Hockey Association" on Facebook or scan the QR code. HOOKIN2HOCKEY is held at Bellbird Park, Drouin.