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- St Joseph's School Vision
- Principal's Message
- Prayer
- 1/2 Neighbourhood
- 5/6 Neighborhood
- Religious Education News
- Award Winners
- Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour
- Safety and Respect Online
- PAM
- Easter Raffle
- Hats - SunSmart
- Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey 2022 - Parent Survey
- School Photos
- Diary Dates
- Prep Tours / Application for Enrolment 2023
- Winter Pinafore Orders
- School Fees - Term 1
- Conveyance Allowance Term 1 2022
- Parish News
- Bass Coast Health
- Wonthaggi & District Netball Association
- Mini Roos Soccer
- Dalyston Football Club
- Wonthaggi Table Tennis
- Ritchies Community Benefits
- Inverloch - Kongwak Football Club
- Wonthaggi Power Junior Football
Every Child, Every Day,
Learning and Achieving in a Faith - Filled Environment
Dear Parents, Students, Staff and all associated with St Joseph’s Community
Which type of person are you, a risk-taker or a security-seeker? Some people really love taking risks, as is instanced in the emergence of extreme sports; these participants love the rush of adrenaline and the feeling of escaping the ordinary. However, most of us are not risk-takers, but security-seekers committed to a lifestyle of playing it safe. Playing life too cautiously could have us fall into the following description:
“There was a very cautious man who never laughed or played; he never risked, he never tried, he never sang or prayed. And when he, one day, passed away his insurance was denied; For since he never really lived, They claimed he never died.” Author unknown.
Strange as it may seem, Jesus told a story that seemed to encourage risk-taking. The Parable of the Talents tells the story of a wealthy man who was about to go on a long trip. He called his servants and according to their ability, gave one 5000 gold coins, another 2000 gold coins and the other 1000 gold coins. He told each to take care of what had been given to them.
The first two servants invested the money and made an equal amount, but the third servant buried his money and made nothing. When the wealthy man returned, he applauded the enterprise of the two servants who had made the successful investments and promoted them to positions of greater responsibility. The third servant he deemed to be useless and threw him out of the household. Paraphrased from Matthew 25: 14 – 30.
Risk-taking is actually part of everyday life and is taken for granted in matters from food consumption to travelling by car. The great motivational speaker and author, Zig Ziglar, put it neatly when he said, “It’s risky when a plane leaves the runway, but that’s what planes are for. It’s riskier for the plane to sit there and accumulate rust.” There are shades of the Parable of the Talents in that statement.
As the Season of Lent is upon us, it is a time for us to focus intentionally on what helps or hinders our commitment to Christ. It may be better not to give up something, but to take on something, to build up our spiritual muscles. How about this for taking on something:
“There was a woman in Swaziland, Orma Mavimbela, who had a well-paid job in the civil service. She felt called to do something for the AIDS orphans whom she saw daily around her. So, she gave up her job and paid for three feeding centres where children could get a meal, receive some loving care and play games. Pretty risky; what happens when her money runs out?”
Of course, few of us are in a position to do as Orma did, but what can each of us do? We are all made in the image of God, but we may not be so Christ-like in our behaviour. Maybe this Lent we could take part in some minor risk-taking. One more quote from Zig Ziglar:
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough people to get what they need.”
“Father in heaven, May Your love be the foundation and motivating force for my life. Help me to step out of my sheltered life and take Your love to other people in a way that is personal to me. Amen.”
COVID-19 Updated Operational Guidance
Thank you to everyone for their patience and continued support during these challenging times. With the recent changes in operational guidance for schools it is now possible to welcome parents back onsite while abiding by the following expectations:
Parents, guardians, carers and other adult visitors who enter school buildings must be fully vaccinated or hold a valid medical exemption. The following limited exceptions also apply:
- when attending to administer medical treatment to their own child when the treatment cannot be administered by the school
- when attending to collect their child who is unwell and cannot leave the school building unaccompanied by their parent/carer
- when attending for a momentary period that does not involve any sustained contact with staff or students, for example, to collect a completed art project, collecting a packet of rapid antigen test or similar.
Parents, guardians and carers attending our school site for drop off and pick up, who do not enter school buildings do not need to comply with vaccination requirements. All volunteers working with children must be fully vaccinated.
Though these easing of restrictions are a very welcomed sign of fully opening up, we will continue with our current morning and afternoon routines and procedures. These have had the added benefit of a much calmer student entry and exit from buildings. The safety and wellbeing of our students and wider community is paramount, and therefore we ask that the below guidelines are followed:
Morning car-line will run as usual for drop off. Parents who wish to park in the parish car park and walk their children to the entrance may do so, walking down the footpath and crossing safely at the pedestrian crossing.
For afternoon pick-up, we will continue to run two car lines, and as such parents wishing to park must accompany their child/ren at all times from the concourse, over the pedestrian crossing and up the footpath. Please be mindful that with two carlines running, there will be more traffic moving through the parish car park, and it may be safer to continue with carline pick-ups than navigate moving vehicles with your child/ren.
Over the coming weeks we will closely monitor how things are going within the school and slowly begin to organise events and activities. It is important that we take a slow and careful approach to ensure the health and safety of all involved. Please keep a close eye on the calendar in PAM, the newsletter and other communication channels for when these activities take place.
Yours in Catholic Education
Ronan O’Mahony
Principal
Lord, please show me what I should give up for Lent
And when I've given it up
Remind me to pray to You instead
To thank You
To love You
To hear from You
Each and every day in Lent
Amen
In Maths we have been learning to read a calendar. We have each made a calendar for the month of March and will be counting down the days and the important events. We have continued learning about place value and have enjoyed the place value games in maths groups. A particular favourite was Place Value Basketball. Here is the QR code you can scan on your tablet if your child wants to continue playing at home.
We enjoyed the Shrove Tuesday celebration of eating a pancake and learning about this important event on the liturgical calendar. We participated in an online Ash Wednesday liturgy and made a Lenten promise- something that we will do or give up during the 40 days of Lent. We have enjoyed seeing Father Darren online for these liturgies and look forward to the time when we can celebrate as a whole school again.
In Integrated studies we have been learning about how our brain works. Our brain is like a muscle- we have to keep building this muscle by learning new things and persevering with tasks we find challenging. This is how we grow our brain muscle.
1/2 Team
The Grade 5/6 students have been working on understanding place value, including with decimals, and we are now moving onto using addition strategies and finding unknown values in addition questions. Our reading focus is summarising the most important details and using evidence from the text to support our ideas. Thank you to all those who are reading at least four times a week and recording it in their reading diaries, and bringing the diary into school each Thursday to be checked.
Last week we enjoyed sharing pancakes with our Grade Prep buddies, before participating in the online Ash Wednesday liturgy, and we are learning about where our Caritas donations go to help others who need it. Thanks to all who have started saving their coins to donate to Caritas.
Our Integrated Studies topic this term is democracy and we have been investigating how governments are formed and pass laws. We ran a mock parliamentary session focused on passing a bill to ban violent video games. It was fun giving speeches to parliament and being allowed to argue for our opinions!
5/6 Team
Shrove Tuesday - Ash Wednesday
Last Tuesday we celebrated Shrove Tuesday, the pancakes were well received and enjoyed by all. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and traditionally was the day when households used up their fine foods in readiness for more simple fare during Lent. Lent commenced at St Joseph’s with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy and a homily delivered by Father Darren.
As we make our forty-day journey through Lent, we prepare for Easter. Our focus during Lent is our relationship with God and others. Lent is a journey of self-discovery, a time to reflect on the direction our life is taking. There are many ways we can prepare ourselves during Lent to demonstrate our intentions to God. Prayer and fasting are the traditional ways we prepare. Living simply, remembering those in need and being kind to others are other ways we can focus our mind on what is important during this time.
Bel O’Brien
Religious Education Leader
First Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 7th March)
We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Anatercia, a 12-year-old girl living in a small village in southern Mozambique. She began to take on more and more adult responsibilities as her mother has chronic health issues. She did most of the household chores and had to travel up to five hours every day to collect clean water. Water scarcity also meant that harvests were poor and there was never enough to eat.
With your support, Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, was able to help Anatercia’s family to irrigate their farm to improve their food security. They also improved water access for households in the village, delivered sustainable farming training, and provided Anatercia with essential school supplies.
Anatercia’s health, education and quality of life have improved, along with the outlook of her whole community for all future generations.
Watch a short film about Anatercia’s story here.
Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au
Second Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 14th March)
This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.
Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.
Watch a short film about Biru’s story here.
Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au
Well done to all our Award Winners and our 2021 ICAS participants who were presented with their certificates at our last Assembly. A great effort!
Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour
At St Joseph’s School we use a common language to support a whole school approach to positive behaviour. This common language is - ‘Be Respectful, Be a Learner, and Be Safe’.
All learning spaces within our school have a bright visual representation of this common language (as seen in the puzzle pieces above).
The aim of this approach is to ensure each child has the opportunity to fully participate, engage in the process of schooling and become a successful learner. The characteristics of a whole school positive behaviour approach include prevention, instruction, use of evidence-based practices, and utilising data for informed decision making. A positive behaviour approach supports teaching and learning environments so that the academic outcomes of students are maximised. The WSAPB provides a structure and process for school communities to establish and maintain a positive social culture.
Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour Coordinators
Patricia Martin and Travis Newton
The eSafety Commissioner provides opportunities for parents to be more engaged in their children's safety online through information and a series of webinars on specific topics that are challenging for parents to monitor and manage. You can always find good tools and resources at the esafety commissioner website.
Parents would have been receiving correspondence this year through PAM as we have made the transition from Operoo.
Parents can use a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone to enter details including:
- Student absence - entered via ‘Parent Notified Absences’ these can be entered until 9:30am in the day of the absence.
- Emergency contacts
- Medical contacts
- Medical checklist, including asthma, allergies, seizures, diabetes
- Book Parent teacher interviews (when avaliable)
- View Student reports
Please note that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their child’s medical and contact details are up to date and complete. In the event of an emergency the school staff will rely on the information provided via PAM, please check that you have emergency contact information entered for your child/ren.
Please contact the office if you require your login details to PAM, call the office on 5672 1052 or email info@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
The annual Easter Raffle has always been an excellent fundraiser for the school community, it has contributed to the purchasing of books, sports equipment and much more while benefiting our children.
All families have received a book of raffle tickets to sell if you would like an additional book please contact the office. Could raffle tickets and Easter egg donations all please be sent into the office by Thursday March 31. Payment for tickets can be made via CDFpay or cash. Thank you for all donations already received.
We have had lots of students at school without hats. Please ensure your child/ren have their hats labeled and in their school bags.
Students without hats will need to find a shaded area to sit as the no hat no play policy will be enforced in accordance with our SunSmart Policy.
Hats are able to be purchased from our uniform supplier Totally Workwear Wonthaggi
Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey 2022 - Parent Survey
Just a reminder that the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey 2022 is available to complete for all families. This survey assists us in better understanding how our Catholic Identity is expressed in work and practice here at St Joseph’s Wonthaggi. If you have not already completed the survey we would appreciate you taking the time to do so. Your responses to this survey are guaranteed to be kept anonymous.
This survey is only available through the project website and you are asked to complete the survey online. Please refer to the attached “Instructions for Survey Completion for Parents” which provides instructions and login details.
School Photos will take place Monday March 28. Photo envelopes have been distributed to students these will need to be completed and returned with your child on Monday March 28 when photos are taken.
Envelopes for sibling photos are inside the envelope of the eldest sibling.
Friday March 11 will be a school closure day for staff proffessional development.
Monday March 14 is the Labour Day Public Holiday.
Prep Tours / Application for Enrolment 2023
We are now taking bookings for Prep tours and accepting Applications for student enrolments for 2023. Please contact the office on 5672 1052 to make a time. Current families with students attending in 2023 should book a tour and return an application to ensure all details are current and up to date. The application form can be found below. Email completed forms to jblair@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
Transition to the winter uniform will begin at the beginning of Term 2
Totally Work Wear has some supply on hand but is currently taking orders for additional sizes if needed.
Please call 5672 5878 or visit instore if you wish to place an order.
Pinafores will take approximately 4-6 weeks to arrive, Pinafore sizes can be measured by current summer uniform sizes.
Statements for Term 1 have been emailed. Concession paperwork and CSEF Applications can be forwarded along with a copy of your current concession card to the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
If you have any queries or have not received your statement please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
Conveyance Allowance Term 1 2022
What is Conveyance Allowance ?
The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus. The conveyance allowance is available to eligible students travelling by public transport, private car and private bus. The conveyance allowance is also available to eligible students whose nearest school is not serviced by a free school bus.
Students attending a government or non-government school must:
• attend their nearest government or non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible
• be enrolled at a school/campus outside Melbourne’s metropolitan conveyance boundary
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended
• be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria.
Forms are available at the school office or download below. If you have any questions please contact the office or email kcarew@stjwonthaggi.catholic.edu.au
Applications are to be submitted to the school office by Wednesday March 16 for processing.
AS OF FRIDAY 25TH FEBRUARY,2022 AT MIDNIGHT, THE WEARING OF MASKS AT MASS BECOMES OPTIONAL, YOU NO LONGER NEED TO QR OR SIGN IN.
PLEASE NOTE: THAT ALL HELPING TO CONDUCT THESE MASSES HAVE BEEN DOUBLE VACCINATED, HAVING ALSO RECEIVED THE 3RD BOOSTER, INCLUDING FATHER, THE SACRISTANS, CLEANING STAFF AND PARISH SECRETARY.
IMPORTANT LETTER: AT THE END OF THIS BULLETIN PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE LETTER FROM BISHOP GREG BENNET, BISHOP OF SALE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FATHER DARREN HOWIE WILL BE AWAY NEXT WEEK, FOR ANY URGENT MATTERS PLEASE CONTACT FR. MANNY LOMAGNO ON 59 525 418.
WEEKDAY MASSES WILL BE REPLACED BY LITURGIES FOR THIS WEEK ONLY.
A list of live streams across the Diocese is on www.cdsale.org.au/coronavirus page. This page has listed the Mass times which occur regularly, ie. Don’t change from week to week. JUST A REMINDER THAT MASS FOR YOU AT HOME IS AN OPTION FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR MASS ON TELEVISION (6am on Channel 10, 10am on Foxtel Aurora Channel 173) or online at www.massforyou.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/massforyouathome anytime from 7a.m. AEST
Please pray for Kehran Hartmann, who passed away recently and the anniversary of Roberta Baskerville and our own loved ones. For the people of the Ukraine and all those impacted by the floods in New South Wales and Queensland. May God’s merciful love shine on them and on their loved ones left behind.
PROJECT COMPASSION BOXES AND ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE FOYER OF BOTH CHURCHES THIS WEEKEND. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY.
THE DIOCESAN CATECHIST ASSOCIATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESES OF SALE: Invites all Catechists and those involved in Children’s Liturgy to attend the ANNUAL GATHERING AND EUCHARIST Date: Tuesday, 22nd March, 2022 Commencing at 9a.m. and concluding with Prayer at 3:00pm Venue: Sion Room, Sion House, 6 Witton Street, Warragul (Please bring a plate of morning tea to share. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 16th 2022 to Barbara Durand at bdurand@sale.catholic.org.au
MARY MACKILLOP HERITAGE CENTRE (MMHC) -‘Cuppa with Mary’ When visiting Melbourne, please include a visit to the Mary MacKillop Museum that tells Mary and the SOSJ’s story. Entry is free. Do a walking tour of the Mary MacKillop Heritage trails and Mary’s place of birth. Consider organising a Parish group and have a ‘Cuppa with Mary’. Group bookings which includes a presentation, tour and prayer reflection in the Chapel where Mary prayed, cost $20 per person. Contact Kate on 03 9926 9300 for a group booking.
Learn about the Mary MacKillop’s story and ministry through participation in a two-day program at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre. Titled Mary MacKillop “Daughter of Melbourne” in this program, you have opportunity to explore the Life and Spirit of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop as well as have a guided tour of places in Melbourne that were connected with Mary and the Sisters of Saint Joseph Victorian Story and time for personal reflection. While this is an opportunity to learn about and be touched by the life and spirit of Mary MacKillop, it is also an opportunity for you to explore and share the challenges and stirrings in your own heart as you respond with others to action today. You can access more information, obtain a brochure and register for this two-day event.
Mary MacKillop Gift shop- With Easter coming up, please consider supporting the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph by purchasing a present from the Museum Gift Shop (communion and confirmation gifts, devotional items, Vatican Library collection, rosary beads, holding crosses, candles, cards, statues, crucifixes, books and Peruvian handmade items).
Accommodation Specials- With Melbourne opening up again, book a stay at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre Accommodation in the heart of Melbourne. Contact Kate on 03 9926 9300.
EMMAUS LENT 2022: Please find attached information about Emmaus Spirituality Centres-Online series for Lent and also their Walking retreats. There is a flyer at the end of this Bulletin. For further details please do email Geraldine at Emmaus-salespirituality1@gmail.com (GO TO THE END OF THE BULLETIN TO READ THE FLYERS.
Synod Bishops: As you may be aware, the closing date for submissions to the Synod of Bishops online portal has been extended to Friday 13th March, 2022. It is important for people to have their say. Written or emailed submissions if you would prefer to do that are most welcome also. Find out more at: https://catholic.org.au/synodalchurch Synod 2023: Our Conversation: Genuine Conversation requires patience and perseverance but leads to understanding. How good are we at both listening and sharing? Do we collaborate well in our Catholic communities AND in our broader social communities? How can we do better? PLEASE NOTE A COPY OF THE PRAYER FOR THE SYNOD IS ATTACHED TO THIS BULLETIN.
PATHWAYS VICTORIA: Bishop Greg Bennet said: I join the Catholic Bishops of Victoria in our renewed and sincere apology to all victims of sexual abuse by clergy and Church personnel. We pledge ongoing commitment to ensure all those who have allegations of abuse have an appropriate independent process in order for them to tell their story in safety, and to have an appropriate pastoral response which respects their particular individual needs and circumstances. For further information about Pathways company and the new model is available in the Pathways website: www.pathwaysvictoria.com
ASSSEMBLY: PLENARY COUNCIL: Keep up with the latest Plenary news:
- On our Sale Diocesan website or Facebook page
- Via the Plenary Council Facebook, website or YouTube channel.
- Use the Mass booklets for your parish celebrations visit https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/ or the Plenary Council YouTube channel.
- Listen to daily podcasts from Plenary Council members at https://anchor.fm/plenarypodcast
Cry of the Earth the Social Justice Statement can be read on https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2021/06/24/social-justice-statement-2021-22/.
PALMS AUSTRALIA:Supporting Sustainable International Development Love, Getting involved in people centred Human Development as an invited guest means humbly putting your person and your skills at the disposal of your trusted hosts. You will be a stranger in the place and for six months a Pilgrim learning the wisdom of local ways. Palms Australia has 60 years of experience preparing and assisting Australians to learn and pass on their skills in another culture. Is one of our assignments your opportunity to Reach Beyond? Find Out More: phone 0422 742 567. Join our online forum at 5:30pm AEDT on Thursday 17th March, 2022, attend and engage with a panel of Palms most experienced Program Participants. (Please read the attached letter from Bishop Greg Bennet at the end of this Bulletin.
MISSAL ON LINE: ‘An App’ which Father Darren Howie finds very helpful is Universalis. This will allow you to follow the Daily Mass.
PRAYER SHAWLS: There is a good supply at both St. Joseph’s Parish Office and also now at the Church in Inverloch so please keep this in mind and simply contact anyone below if you see a need. Next Meeting will be in March 2022. Kristine McRae (Parish Office) 0356 721 111 Maureen Maartensz 0407 055 447 (Wonthaggi) Philippa Warby; 0408 331 340, Julie de Bondt; 0407 535 032.
CATHOLIC CARE: New self-help mental health service for parents, families and individuals.
The demand for mental health services is becoming more and more prominent across the State, and for many regions, waiting lists to access services are becoming overwhelmingly long.
As a response to the increased need for mental health support, we’ve recently commenced a new state-wide mental health service with minimal wait times, called the Psychological Wellbeing Service (PWS).
Using evidence based therapies, our PWS clinicians provide parenting support and mental health support focused on self-help skill learning to aid in recovery, such as problem-solving skills, progressive muscle relaxation, and traditional cognitive behavioural therapy as a more intensive support.
We’ve also launched a free Mental Health and Wellbeing Guide created by our PWS team.
Read more about our new service and download the guide from CatholicCare Victoria.
We have been emailing and sending out important communications from the Diocese and if you would like to be involved and receive this information then please contact the Parish Office on 56 721 111 or email your details to wonthaggi@cdsale.org.au.
We are a Child Safe Parish. Any children, young persons and vulnerable adults have a right to feel safe and be safe. If you are concerned about any form of abuse, or believe that someone is at significant risk, you should immediately raise your concerns with one of our Parish Safeguarding Officers. Contact Kristine McRae via the Parish Office: 03 56 721 111 or St. Joseph’s School Safeguarding Officer 03 56 721 052. Take care, we are here to help.
If you are in need of urgent assistance, please phone eithe Father Darren Howie 0356 722 923 or Kristine on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.
Bishops Message of prayer for Ukraine
Father Darren Howie Mrs. Kristine McRae
Parish Priest Parish Secretary
St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi
Support St Joseph's by nominating us in the Ritchies Card Community Benefit program. Ritchies IGA has an App for both IOS and Android smart devices. For those members who don’t have a smart phone, or would like a physical card, this option is also available and can be linked to the App. Ritchies Stores members also receive special offers and member only specials via the App.