Newsletter 21, 5th December 2024
- Principal's Report
- Transition Programs
- End of Year Mass and Graduation
- Thank You, Rosie!
- Kris Kringle
- $400 School Saving Bonus
- School Fees
- Important Dates
- Students of the Week
- Foundation/1/2 Class Report
- Grade 3/4 Class Report
- Grade 5/6 Class Report
- St Joseph's School TV
- Child Safety
- Child Safety - digital images
- Community News
- Acknowledgement of Country
Principal's Report
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
We are immersing ourselves in the Church season of Advent! Wandering through the rooms, it is wonderful to see the students engaged in art and craft activities as we come to the less formal time of our school year. Students from F-6 have made meaningful Advent calendars and are busy with the count-down to Christmas time! As one of our younger students commented – “Advent is the time to look for God’s love in your heart and share it with people everywhere!”
This Sunday welcomes the second Sunday of Advent and the candle of PEACE is lit.
The second candle on the Advent wreath represents Peace. Like the first candle, it is also purple. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds Christians of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus.
May we be in this world a ray of that light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing joy and peace to the hearts of all men and women.” – Pope Francis
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALL THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW, IN THIS, OUR SECOND LAST EDITION OF OUR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER.
The students are fully rehearsed and ready to join in the town Christmas Carols on Sunday evening - December 6th. Please arrive at the Rex Theatre by 7:15pm. Students are invited to dress in Christmas colours (red, green, white) or just wear any bright, festive clothing!
Students are to sit with their parents to watch the performances.
A reminder that the students last day of school for 2024 is Wednesday 18th of December, finishing at 3:10pm.
In the spirit of the Advent Season,
Mary
Transition Programs
Tomorrow we welcome our Little Joeys for their final transition session. They will experience a full day of life at St Joseph's School. They are all settling in beautifully and look very comfortable in the classroom and the playground. I wonder what Alpha, the class elf, will get up to tomorrow!
The Grade 6 students have their final transition day at Charlton College next Wednesday. This is a full day, with students arriving at, and being dismissed from Charlton College. Students are asked to meet in the canteen for a 9:00am start. Students are to wear their sports uniform and bring a packed lunch and snacks, a water bottle, a hat and a pen. Students may bring money to access the school canteen if they wish (optional).
End of Year Mass and Graduation
St Joseph’s Graduation & End of Year Mass is on Tuesday 17th December at 6:00pm It is hoped that all our families will attend this special celebration to give thanks for our school year and farewell our Grade 6 students. Families, friends and parishioners are warmly invited to this special celebration. Students are not required to wear school uniform and can just wear neat casual clothes. There will be a shared tea in the Multi-Purpose Room following Mass. If for some reason your family is unable to attend, please notify Mary as roles and readings will be allocated prior.
Thank You, Rosie!
You may recall Rosie Fitzpatrick won the GWM Water National Water Week competition. Part of her prize was a $400 cheque for the school. In consultation with Rosie, the students are in for a treat!
On Thursday 12th December we will see ‘Paddington in Peru’ at The Rex Theatre and on Tuesday 17th December we have booked the swimming pool for an afternoon of swimming. Thank you, Rosie!
Kris Kringle
Staff and students have asked if they can run a Kris Kringle gift-giving in their classrooms.
This involves each child drawing out a random classmate to buy a gift for. The secret is kept, and students have a fun time trying to guess who their secret Santa has been.
All students will have received the name of someone to buy for. Please note, the maximum spend for buying gifts is $10.
Wrapped gifts can be brought to school from Monday 16th December and will be shared on the last day, Wednesday 18th December.
$400 School Saving Bonus
The Allan Labor Government’s $400 School Saving Bonus is rolling out this week for 2025. Catholic school students who will be in Prep through to Year 12 in 2025, and who are receiving the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF), are eligible for the School Saving Bonus.
Catholic school students receiving the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2025 are eligible for additional support through the School Saving Bonus (SSB). The $400 bonus will be provided directly to each school and the school will apply it directly to your fee account. The $400 School Saving Bonus is available for each child. That means an eligible family with three school-aged children will receive a total reduction of $1,200 to school fees.
Families who have had their circumstances change (including new healthcare and concession card holders) and who may be eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursion are encouraged to discuss this with the school. These are real cost-of-living supports.
For more information please contact Mrs Olive at the School Office.
School Fees
Families would have received a Fee Statement this week. If all fees could be finalised as soon as possible, this will allow Mrs Olive to balance the books before the end of the 2024 school year.
Any queries or difficulties can be discussed with Mrs Hogan. Many thanks.
2025 School Fees
At St Joseph's we have two categories of fees. Family Fees which are charged per family and consist of a Family Fee, a Maintenance Levy and a Capital Levy. The other category is student fees which consists of a curriculum levy, a technology levy and an excursion levy. The fees for 2024 will be as follows:
Family Fees (per family): Student Fees (per child):
Family Fee $880 Curriculum Levy $210
Maintenance Levy $10 Technology Levy $100
Capital Levy $130 Excursion Levy $100 (Prep/1/2) $125 (3/4/5/6)
Parents with a current Health Care Card or Pension card are eligible for Camps Sports and Excursion funding and Diocesan Fee Assistance. Please present your HCC or Pension Card to the office.
Important Dates
December 6th - Kinder transition session 9am – 3:10pm. Bring snacks and lunch.
December 8th - Town Christmas Carols at the Rex Theatre (arrive at 7:15pm)
December 11th - Grade 6 transition day at Charlton College. This is a full day at the College
December 12th - 'Paddington in Peru' at the Rex Theatre
December 13th - Singing at Probus luncheon
December 16th – singing at Nursing Home
December 17th - Pool afternoon
End of Year /Graduation Mass at 6:00pm
December 18th - Last day of school for students.
Students of the Week
Foundation/1/2 Class Report
We have had a very busy couple of weeks and have been busy organising our songs for the Christmas Carols, doing lots of Christmas activities and we have had a new visitor in our classrooms - Alpha the Elf!
We are winding down now as we come close to the end of term.
This Friday is our last transition day for our Kinder kids. We have enjoyed having them come and visit us to get ready for starting Foundation next year.
This week in P.E. the students have been playing Christmas themed games, focusing on teamwork and building positive relationships with their peers.
The students worked extremely well together, using strategies to solve problems and work as a team to complete each challenge.
Well done to everyone for being so positive in these activities.
Grade 3/4 Class Report
Week 9 already! The term is flying by.
This week we have started to slow down with our normal routines and workload and are introducing more Christmas themed activities. Students have really enjoyed making stained glass decorations, Elf Yourself window displays, Christmas snowflakes origami and woven Christmas stars.
We have continued to complete our reading daily, complete any unfinished work in all areas, complete Maths mentals, revise division, mapping, multiplication and students areas of need.
Students have been busy with song practice in preparation for Christmas Carols.
Homework and spelling are completed for the year.
Grade 5/6 Class Report
Mornings in the grade 5 & 6 Room have been a deal of sorts! Work hard for the first hour and then we transition to some hands on craft activities. This week students have designed and created their own Advent Calendars. Most are finished and they are looking fantastic.
I have been working with the Grade 6 students to write their speech for graduation, to prepare their photographic presentation and choose a special song!
Students have done an excellent job rehearsing the Christmas Carols!
It was great to read each individual student's report comments and see how much they have enjoyed Art with Mrs Armstrong & PE with Ms Brown throughout this year!
St Joseph's School TV
This week's content is all about school transition.
Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means that the children are growing up!
However, for many it may also be a very anxious and stressful time for both parents and children. Parents need to be aware of their child’s feelings during any school transition and minimise anxiety so the process is an enjoyable experience for all. It is important for children to attend transition or orientation programs offered by schools. Familiarisation is often key to reducing stress levels. It is also important for parents to talk to their children about their expectations and being more responsible for their own needs.
Start exploring SchoolTV today! https://sjcharlton.catholic.schooltv.me/
Child Safety
The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a central and fundamental responsibility of Catholic Education. St Joseph’s School is committed to strengthened practice for the protection of children in line with the Victorian Government child safety reforms.
Child Safety - digital images
Taking Photos/Video Footage
As we begin a new year a reminder to parents and family members to please ensure, when at school events, to take photos or video footage of your child/ren only. Please do NOT post photos of children, other than your own, at school events or wearing school uniform, on personal social media pages other than your own. Thank you for your cooperation in using social media respectfully helping to keep everyone in our school community safe online.
Community News
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We thank them for sharing their cultures, spiritualities and ways of living with the land, in this place we all now call home.