St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Newsletter: Monday 16th December, 2024 Edition 5, Volume 11

Acknowledgement of Country

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s spiritual and cultural connection to Country, we acknowledge the Wadawurrung people, as the traditional custodians of the land, on which we meet and educate our children.

We recognise the continued care of the waterways passed from generation to generation, wisdom that is shared, and life that is celebrated in harmony with the natural environment.

We honour the Elders, past and present who have laid the foundations, traditions, and culture for emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and we commit to working together for reconciliation and justice.

Principal's Reflection

Dear Families, 

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on an incredible year filled with achievements, adventures, and memorable moments. Our students have embraced countless opportunities for learning, growth, and fun, participating in an array of wonderful activities that have enriched their educational journeys. From exciting excursions to creative projects and community initiatives, the experiences shared have been truly inspiring. To relive some of these highlights, we encourage you to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages, where the joy and enthusiasm of our students shine through in every post. Thank you to our amazing school community for making 2024 such a special year!

Building Program 

We are excited to share that our Stage 3 Building Program has officially begun!  As you can see temporary fencing has been placed around the school. These safety measures are in place to protect our students throughout the construction process.

The Stage 3 development will include:

• Six new classrooms
• An open area for student use
• Staff offices
• Conversion of the old administration space into a new classroom
• Installation of an electric sliding door connecting the schoolyard to the administration building
• Extension of the staff car park
• Two full-sized basketball courts

To accommodate these improvements, the sandpit and one of the gaga pits, along with their shade sail, will be relocated.

The program is scheduled for completion by this time next year and will be completed in phases to minimize disruptions to daily school activities.

We thank you for your patience and support as we work together to enhance and expand our school facilities. This is an exciting milestone for our community, and we appreciate your understanding during this time of growth!

Grade 6 Graduation

We are incredibly proud of our Grade 6 students as they mark this important milestone in their lives. They enjoyed a fantastic celebration day at Adventure Park in Geelong, filled with fun and laughter. Their Graduation Mass and ceremony were both beautiful and reflective of their achievements and growth during their time at St Joseph’s. The way they have concluded their primary school journey is a testament to their character and hard work. As they move on to new adventures, we hope they carry with them fond memories of St Joseph's, a place that will always feel like home.

A Heartwarming Christmas Celebration

Our Christmas event was a truly special occasion, wonderfully attended by our school community. It may have been a simple gathering, but the spirit and joy shared were anything but ordinary. It was a fantastic celebration of togetherness, filled with laughter and festive cheer. Our students brought the house down with their beautiful singing, and a special congratulations goes to our Grade 5/6 students for their outstanding performance of "Joyful, Joyful." Their energy and enthusiasm were contagious! Our teaching staff also joined in the fun with a memorable dance performance that had everyone smiling. It was an afternoon of joy, fun, and celebration—truly a perfect way to wrap up the year!

A Heartfelt Thank You

As my first year as Principal of St Joseph’s comes to a close, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our incredible school community for the warm and generous welcome I have received. It has been an absolute joy to meet so many wonderful people and to experience firsthand the vibrant spirit of our school. I feel truly blessed to have this role and to work alongside such an extraordinary team. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff, whose tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to our students’ wellbeing and success are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we are building a community where every child can thrive, and I look forward to all that we will achieve in the years to come.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our community members a happy and holy Christmas.  May Christmas be a time of peace and joy for you all!

Have a great New Year and we will see you safe and well in 2025!Regards

Troy

Class of 2024

A Wellbeing Message

As we approach the end of another vibrant and eventful school year, there is so much to reflect on; the achievements we have celebrated and the challenges we have navigated together. This time of year provides a wonderful chance to pause, appreciate our journey, and focus on what matters most—our wellbeing and safety.

At our school, we are proud of the strong and supportive community we’ve built. From engaging classrooms to dynamic outdoor spaces, every space has been filled with learning, curiosity, laughter, and care. Together, we’ve worked to create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

As we prepare to enjoy the summer holidays, it’s important to remain mindful of staying safe and looking after ourselves and one another. This includes:

• Sun Safety: With our warm summers, remember to wear sunscreen, protective clothing, and hats when outdoors.
• Water Safety: Whether at the beach, pool, or a river, please ensure close supervision and follow safety rules.
• Online Safety: With extra time at home, remind children about the importance of responsible online behaviour and staying safe in digital spaces.
• Mental Wellbeing: Holidays are a time to relax, connect, and recharge. Encourage your children to balance screen time with outdoor activities, hobbies, and quality family time.

As we look forward to the new year, let’s continue to nurture the values that make our school community so special: Kindness, Respect, Responsibility and Courage. 

To our students, as you step away from the routines of school life, embrace the break as a time to let your imagination fly and your curiosity lead the way. Whether it is reading a favourite book, exploring nature, or simply spending time with family and friends, every moment offers an opportunity to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Stay curious about the world around you, keep exploring new ideas and interests, and cherish the adventures—both big and small—that this holiday season will bring. Remember, learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom.

To our families, we deeply appreciate the unwavering support and partnership you have shown throughout the year. Your encouragement and involvement play an essential role in fostering a positive school experience for every child. Whether you’ve supported learning at home, participated in school events, or simply shared words of kindness, your dedication has been integral to our collective success. Together, we’ve created a safe, nurturing environment where our students can thrive. Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s growth and wellbeing, and for working alongside us to help them reach their full potential.

Wishing you all a joyful and safe holiday season. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year, refreshed and ready for another year of growth and discovery.

Advent

St Andrew's Take Away Sheet

STEM: Fighting Extinction Showcase

Pope Francis’ rally us in Laudato Si, by highlighting ‘The Spirit of life dwells in every living creature and call us to enter into relationship with him.’ 

As part of the STEM program a select group of Year 5/6 students participated in the Fighting Extinction showcase this term, they researched the plight of an endangered species based on Zoos Victoria set criteria and created educational picture story books and a guess who game. Feedback from Zoo staff praised the awesome job the students did with presenting and speaking with passion about their projects. Congratulations Mikeala, Violet, Boafowaah, Mandela, Josh, Sriram, Calista, Riya, Johanna and Snehal.

Congratulations! Cheerleading Nationals

On the 28th November, 2 of our students travelled up to New South Wales to compete in the 2024 Cheercon Nationals. Competing on Friday, STRENGTH (an all star youth cheer team) from Cheer Geelong competed at the ICC, Sydney against several other teams and came 2nd. 

Kayla from year ¾ and Billie from year 1 both did an amazing job along with their teammates to secure their medals. Billie also competed in a Lyrical dance team also coming 2nd the same weekend in Sydney. 

Well done to both girls from St Joseph’s and we can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for you both. 

Administration Update

2026 Foundation Enrolments are now open!

Our process is as follows:

1. Complete the enquiry for enrolment on our website by clicking ‘Request for Enrolment’.
2. Once completed you will receive an email acknowledging your enquiry.
3. The school will then be in contact with further steps or requests.
4. 2026 Foundation applications must be submitted by 20th April 2025.
5. Enrolment interviews for 2026 Foundation placements will take place in May and June 2025.
6. Offers of placement will be sent to families in July 2025 and enrolment acceptances must be returned by the specified due date, along with the $200 enrolment deposit fee.
7. All places are offered at the principal’s discretion.
8. Applications of all other year levels (Years 1-6) will be processed in August and September 2025.
9. For any other enrolment enquiries please contact the school on 8742 3381 or email enrolments@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au

We look forward to hearing from our new prospective families.

2025 First Aid Requirements

An email has been sent to all families with the First Aid processes for 2025. This includes updated information and forms that are required to be completed if your child requires support with their health care needs and/or requires medication to be administered at school.

Please take note of the following reminders:

• All Medication and/or signed forms are to be handed into the school office on the first day of the new school year – Friday 31st January 2025.
• All Medication given to the school is required to be in its original packaging with the child's name on it. 
• Thank you for your cooperation and support.

If you have any questions please email firstaid@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au

School Term Dates 2025

Our school day operates from 8:45am – 3:10pm and gates will be open for arrival at 8:30am and for pick up at 3:00pm.

2025 School Closure Days

STUDENT FREE DAYS: TeamKids available

Important Upcoming Dates

TeamKids: Summer Holiday Program Information for Families