Newsletter 1, 30th January 2025
Principal's Report
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
Welcome to a brand-new school year at St Joseph’s School! I hope you and your families had a restful and enjoyable break. On behalf of the staff group, I am thrilled to welcome both new and returning students to our school community, and we look forward to an exciting year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences.
We extend a warm welcome to Ethena, Tessa, Wyatt, William & Sophia (Little Joeys), Franklin, Yazmin & Daniel who have joined our school community. May they, and their families, feel a sense of belonging and purpose as they join out community at St Joseph's School.
Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare for the year ahead, ensuring that students are engaged, challenged, and supported in their learning journey. We continue our professional learning journey with Structured Literacy, will formally implement the new Victorian Mathematics Curriculum and prepare to embrace AUSLAN as our languages component.
Knowing that strong partnerships between school and home are vital for student success we value your involvement. Whether through completing home tasks, attending school events, or simply staying informed, your support makes a huge difference. We encourage open communication, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. I can be contacted via the school phone or on mobile number 0419137966 from 8:00am -5:00pm and after hours as required. Please note Cate’s Office hours are 8:00am – 3:00pm Monday – Thursday.
Please stay connected by following our newsletters, school website, and social media for updates and important information.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We are truly blessed to have your children as part of our school family, and we are excited for the opportunities ahead to learn, grow, and walk in faith together.
We look forward to sharing a fantastic 2025 with you all!
In faith & learning,
Mary
Important Dates
Monday 3rd February - we commence our annual Swimming Program where we aim to familiarise students with water activity, teach water safety and begin some stroke development. A reminder that all students must swim wearing a sun-smart top (rashie/old T-shirt). Buses have been organised to transport students to and from the pool as the forecast is for hot weather.
Friday 7th February - Mass at 10:15am to celebrate the beginning of the new school year with the theme of Belonging. All members of the school community are warmly invited to attend – families, grandparents, parishioners and friends. There will be morning tea provided at the school after Mass for those able to join us.
Friday 14th February - Swimming Carnival 12pm-2:30pm
Monday 24th - Dental Van visiting this week
Friday 28th February - SCHOOL CLOSED - staff professional learning AUSLAN
Wednesday March 5th - Ash Wednesday -Lent begins
Friday 7th March - SCHOOL CLOSED - staff professional learning RELIGION
Monday 10th March - Labour Day Public Holiday
Wednesday 19th March - School Photos & School Feast Day
Friday 21st March - Harmony day
Thursday 27th March - HOT SHOTS Tennis in Boort (Gr 4-6)
Friday 4th April - END TERM ONE
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. 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
School Uniform
All uniform is available through the office. We are currently waiting on some stock in sizes 8 and 10. Shorts should be here any day, shirts will be a week or so away.
School Attendance
All children are expected to be at school ready to begin at 9:00am. Arriving on time for school is important. The first 10 minutes of school is a vital time of the day when the day's routine and structure is established. It is a time for ‘tuning in’ and focusing on the learning intentions for the day. It is very difficult for children arriving late to ‘catch up' on this missed information. Parents are required to phone through to the office the child’s absence on the day, or enter it through our school Parent Access Module (PAM). If there has been no contact from the family before 9:30am on the morning of the absence, you will receive a call or SMS from the office to confirm the child’s absence from school. This is a legislated requirement.
School Fees
Fee Statements will be sent home next week. Fees can be paid in a lump sum, quarterly, fortnightly or weekly or however suits your situation best. You can also set up a direct debit so fees are debited directly into the school account. Please see Cate at the office if you would like more information.
SCHOOL FEES
The 2025 fee structure for St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlton is as follows:
Family Fees:
- Family Fee $890
- Maintenance Levy $120
- Capital Levy $120
Individual Student Fees:
- Curriculum Levy $210
- Technology Levy $100
- Excursion Levy $100 (Prep/1/2), $125 (3,4,5,6)
Total for 1 child (Prep, 1, 2) $1540
Total for 1 child (3, 4, 5, 6) $1565
Each subsequent child will add student fees only to the above total.
This equates to $30 a week or $6 a day. (for 1 child)
Tuckshop
Term Dates 2025
Foundation/1 Class Report
Welcome to 2025!
We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas break and are excited to get back into routine.
Our Grade 1s started on Wednesday this week and we can’t wait to see all our “Little Joeys” begin their schooling journey with us on Thursday.
We will begin our structured literacy sessions next week.
Our swimming program also begins next week and it looks like it will be a hot few days so please be mindful of packing a cold drink each day for your child.
Please contact the school if you have any worries or concerns about your child starting school so we can assist where needed.
Ms Brown - F/1
Grade 2/3 Class Report
Welcome Grade 2/3 students and families! I hope everyone had a restful break and has settled well into the year of 2025.
We’ve hit the ground running in our new classroom, getting to know each other and our day-to-day routines. A special welcome to Franklin who is joining us in Grade 2 this year! I would also like to welcome Mrs Fitzpatrick who will be working with us in the morning each day!
The students have been introduced to the Seesaw Learning app and are excited to share their learning with their families! Families are encouraged to join as soon as possible to receive snapshots of their children’s learning and to receive class messages. QR codes were sent home with the children on Wednesday.
I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year!
Lara Thompson
Grade 4/5/6 Class Report
Welcome back everyone! It has been lovely to see all of the students coming through the doors and sharing their amazing experiences from their holidays.
In our first day the Year 4-6 students delved into setting up their learning resources, learning expectations and routines in the classroom and getting to know each other after a break away through a variety of activities.
This year we welcome two new students into our room, Yazmin and Daniel Johnstone. All students have been incredibly welcoming and inclusive and we hope that Yazmin and Daniel have an amazing time at St Joseph's.
It has been a lovely start to the year and we look forward to the year ahead.
St Joseph's School TV
This week we have a special report about the importance of sleep!
Children these days seem to be going to bed later and later. Distractions such as TV, computer games, internet, texting friends and social media are all having a negative impact on a child’s sleep time. Sleep is vital to a child’s wellbeing. When children sleep well, they are more settled, happier and ready for school the next day. Sleep also strengthens their immune systems, supports overall development and their ability to function properly on a daily basis. Children who do not get enough sleep show increased levels of aggressive behaviour, are less attentive and are much less active. Trying to catch up on sleep on weekends is not the answer and can still lead to severe sleep deprivation. Recent studies have shown than many children, especially teenagers, are missing out on vital REM sleep, which is particularly important for memory and learning.
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.
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.