Newsletter 22, 19th December 2024
Principal's Report
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
This newsletter brings us to the end of the 2024 school year at St Joseph’s! Last night we enjoyed a wonderful celebration of the year with our final school Mass, graduation and a shared dinner in the school grounds. Thank you to each family for you on-going support of St Joseph’s School.
I extend gratitude for the contributions made by families, staff and community members to ensure our students thrive.
School reports were made available yesterday via our digital platform. Please take time to read of your child's progress, if you haven't done so already.
This Sunday marks the final week of Advent in the Catholic Church. The Fourth Sunday of Advent symbolizes Love. All four candles will be lit on our Advent wreath, culminating in a full circle of light.
A Christmas Wish for Our School Community
May the joy of Christ’s birth fill our hearts and our homes with love, peace, and hope this Christmas season.
May the light of the manger guide our students, teachers, and families to grow in kindness, faith, and friendship.
As we celebrate together, may we share the gift of God’s love with one another and carry it into the New Year ahead.
Wishing all our students, staff, and families a blessed and joyful Christmas and a New Year filled with grace and happiness!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all,
Mary
End of 2024 School Year
Thank you for your attendance at the end of year Mass of celebration and recognition of our Grade 6 graduating class. It was a fitting way to formally conclude the 2024 school year. Congratulations to all the award recipients and many thanks to Naomi and all the parents who organised and contributed to the food for dinner following Mass.
Congratulations to the Grade 6 students who graduated from St Joseph’s School in 2024. The school community wishes you well as you embark on your journey to secondary school.
May you remember that each step forward is a chance to learn, grow, and make a positive impact! Best wishes for a bright and happy future!
Christmas Mass Times
St Joseph's Charlton
East Wimmera Parish
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve:
Boort 5.00pm;
Birchip 7.00pm;
St Arnaud 7.00pm;
Donald 9.00pm;
Charlton 9.00pm
Christmas Day:
Wycheproof 9.00am;
Banyena 9.00am
The Christmas Eve Mass at 7.00pm from Birchip will be livestreamed out from St Marys Catholic Church, Birchip
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMqUdLT0T7CPqfGWhllSJ7g
Staffing 2025
Foundation & Grade 1 Ms Katie Brown
Grade 2&3 Miss Lara Thompson
Grade 4/5&6 Mrs Chloe Armstrong & Mrs Mary Hogan
Foundation - Grade 2 & Grades 3-6 will join together from 12:30pm each day.
Learning Support Officers Mrs Naomi Fitzpatrick, Mrs Emily Lanyon & Miss Claudia Lee
Learning Diversity Leader Mrs Chloe Armstrong
MHiPs Leader Mrs Tammy Wright
Religious Education Leader Mrs Mary Hogan
Business Manager Mrs Cate Olive
I thank all staff for their willingness to take on these roles in 2025. We are still advertising for another staff member for the upper room - please help to spread the word!
DATES FOR 2025
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST DAY FOR STUDENTS IN TERM ONE 2025 is:
Grades 1-6 Wednesday 29th January
Prep Students Thursday 30th January
SCHOOL PHOTOS ARE ON WEDNESDAY 19TH MARCH
DOBCEL Student-free guidelines and procedures
Student-free days are days where students do not attend school within the gazetted attendance period but are designated for staff professional development, school professional development activities, planning and/or report-writing. Each year, the first day of term one and the last day of term four will be a student-free day in all schools. At St Joseph's we are committed to ensuring we are up to date with contemporary, evidence-based practices and value the on-going professional development of all staff members. Please note the days below on your 2025 calendar.
PLEASE NOTE THE STUDENT-FREE DATES FOR 2025
Friday 28 February -Staff professional learning - Auslan Language
Friday 7 March - Staff professional learning - Catholic Identity
Tuesday 22 April - Staff professional learning - Structured Literacy
Tuesday 27 May - Northern Zone Cluster - Strategic Planning towards 2035 for all staff
Friday 6 June - Staff professional learning - Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Perspectives
Friday 19 September - Staff professional learning - Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Perspectives
Monday 27 October - Staff professional learning - Structured Literacy
Mary Hogan
Principal
St Joseph's School TV
As we commence our longest holiday break, our last School TV instalment is all about managing screen time.
Many parents have reported excessive screen time as the number one health concern affecting kids, especially now in the hyperconnected world we live in. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that there should be no screen time at all for children under two, less than an hour a day for children aged from two to five, and less than two hours for five to 17 year olds. However, these guidelines have been disputed by experts and often ignored by families. Parents must play an important role in modelling a positive approach to using screens, and assisting children to navigate the content they access.
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.
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.