Newsletter 10 2023
Principal's Report
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
What a busy, but wonderful way, to immerse myself in the St Joseph’s School community during Term One. It has been a term of growth, learning and discovery! We have conducted assessments, completed our swimming program and had our swimming carnival, ate pancakes, received ashes, had our photos taken, began our Structured Literacy journey, sat NAPLAN assessments, hammered and sawed on our school feast day, celebrated Harmony Week, worked on child safety, had a real author visit, volleyed at Hot Shots Tennis, ran cross country, saw an amazing Science show in Swan Hill, had a mini fete…… and prayed together in preparation for the Easter season! Wow – well done everybody! And now it is time for a rest except for Charlie Zagame, Liam Monaghan, Isaac & Sophie Roberts who all need to keep on the move in preparation for the zone cross country event early in Term 2. I wish everyone a joyous and safe Easter Time and best wishes for a relaxing holiday. Thank you to all families for their support of our school throughout Term One.
Today is Holy Thursday, a day when Christians remember Jesus’ Last Supper, when he shared bread and wine with his friends, initiating the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Tomorrow, Good Friday, remembers Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross.
Easter Sunday celebrates the joy of Jesus Risen.
The liturgical season of Easter is symbolised by the colours of white and gold, as these are considered representative of joy and celebration.
We remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a humble donkey
May we follow his example of love and service.
We reflect on Jesus washing his disciple’s feet
May we follow his example of love and service.
We think of Jesus on the cross, forgiving others
May we follow his example of love and service.
We rejoice in Jesus risen from the dead
May we follow his example of love and service.
St Joseph's Charlton - East Wimmera Parish
Mass Times for Holy Week & Easter
Holy Thursday - 7:00pm Live streamed out from St Mary's Church, Donald
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7KMG-nnvsfjpGqN39qKnw
Good Friday - 10:30am Lay Led assembly
Easter Sunday - 8:30am
Junior Room Staffing
As the term concludes we wish Mr Whatnall all the best as he commences a well-earned long service leave break. We also farewelled Mrs Johnston who commences parental leave. We are grateful for all Jason and Karina have contributed to St Joseph’s this term and in times past and wish them both safe and happy times ahead.
As Term Two begins we will welcome Mrs Anne Anderson as the F-2 class teacher. She spent some valuable time this week doing handover with Mr Whatnall. To allow Mrs Anderson planning time, I am working towards securing a staff person for each Friday. I have applied for ‘Permission To Teach’ for Miss Lara Thompson, who worked as a pre-service teacher at St Joseph’s in 2022. Many of you may know Lara as she is from the Charlton community. Lara is attending the Australian Catholic University in Ballarat and is working to fast track the remainder of her degree. I see the combination of Anne’s experience and Lara’s enthusiasm, as a beginning teacher, to be the perfect fit for the Junior space.
Hot Shots Tennis
Grade 5&6 students travelled to Boort last Friday to participate in the Hot Shots Tennis Sports Day. Students joined with Charlton College students to make three teams. All reports indicated students participated fully and represented St Joseph’s School ethos as expected. In a fantastic result our three teams were placed first, second and third! Well done to all students and to Mrs Wright and Mrs Fitzpatrick who accompanied them.
Swan Hill Excursion
On Monday staff and students enjoyed an end of term treat in the form of an excursion to Swan Hill. The sun shone beautifully and provided the perfect setting for a fun day. We attended a science performance at the Swan Hill Town Hall called “The Alphabet of Awesome Science”, which was fast paced and filled with facts and experiments! After the show students enjoyed lunch and a play at the Riverside Playground.
Looking Ahead – Term 2
Term Two for students will commence on WEDNESDAY 26TH APRIL.
ANZAC Day Public Holiday is on Tuesday 25th April and as Charlton College is closed and buses are not running, staff will undertake professional learning on Monday 24th April.
All students are invited to represent St Joseph’s School at the ANZAC Day Service in Charlton on April 25th. The service begins at 8:40am and concludes by 10:30am. The Term Two school leaders, Charlie and Liam, will lay a wreath on the school’s behalf. Students to wear full Winter uniform if in attendance, please. Assemble at the Cenotaph in High Street at 8:30am.
Bus Travel & Dismissal
From the beginning of Term Two, students who catch the bus will be marked on the bus roll as they board the bus each afternoon. Parents/carers MUST notify the school if their child/ren will not be catching the bus, otherwise staff will assume students are to go home on the bus. Notification may be given for a period of time (eg X will not be on the bus each Wednesday of Term 2). You may send a written note, phone the Office, send a text message or be present to collect your child/ren at the end of the school day.
To ensure the safety of students being collected from the school car park, they will be asked to wait with staff until their ride home arrives.
I know this will be a change, but this is very important if the school is to ensure the safety of each student every day. Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.
School Uniform
As Term Two begins students will transition to full Winter uniform. Please continue to ensure students are in full uniform each day. I thank you for your support in this area.
| Boys | Girls |
Navy School Pants | St Joseph's school dress |
PLEASE NOTE – I am happy for students to wear navy shorts during the Winter terms if that is their preference.
Important Dates
Please note the following dates which are on the Term Calendar.
Thursday 6th April – END OF TERM ONE 2:30pm dismissal
Monday 24th April – Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 25th April – ANZAC Day
Wednesday 26th April - Term Two commences
Wednesday 3rd May - Flying Bookworm Show at the Kinder for F-2
- Zone Cross Country in Bendigo
Thursday 11th May – Winter Sports in Boort Gr 3-6
Sunday 21st May – Catholic Education week commences
Wednesday 31st May – Friday 2nd June Gr 5&6 Camp
Please keep on the dates as they continue to populate in each weekly newsletter and aim to avoid appointments on these days so all students can participate.
Mary Hogan
Principal
Foundation/1/2 Class Report
It's been a great week to finish off our learning in the junior classroom. I'm very proud of the students this term and what they have been able to achieve with their learning goals. We’ve been able to create a positive and productive classroom environment in which the students have felt comfortable to be themselves, learn at their own pace and reach their own personal milestones and achievements in a facet of different learning areas. Well done everyone! Thank-you also to Mrs Lanyon for enriching our classroom this term and being so kind, caring and considerate with the children. You're a wonderful asset to the junior classroom and we've loved having you on board. I wish Mrs Johnston every success and happiness with her new baby which is coming very soon! We can't wait to meet the little one.
We’ve had lots going on at St Joseph's this week with an excursion to Swan hill for the production of the ‘ABC's of Science’ which was well enjoyed by all. The students were lucky enough to join Charlton College for their annual ‘Cross Country’ event. It was really good to see all the students run as fast as they could and try their very best. Special mention to Mia Wright who won 1st place for her age group overall! Congratulations! We've also been exploring Easter by learning about the Catholic tradition and delving into the Easter story in the Bible as well. The students have also had a go at writing imaginative narratives exploring Easter themes and characters and had some fun with this. In a creative sense, the class has enjoyed creating an Easter wreath, Easter baskets and colourful Easter bonnets which are going to be paraded around Charlton on Thursday.
On Tuesday the class was able to meet their new teacher, Mrs Anderson who popped in to say hello and work with Mr Whatnall and Mrs Lanyon to pass on as much information about the student's development and set Mrs Anderson up to continue running our positive classroom environment in Term 2 as smoothly as possible. I would like to personally thank all of the families, my wonderful students and my fellow staff for all the support and encouragement that they've given me as a teacher during my time at St. Joseph's. I wish all of the students all the best for the remainder of the year and I know that they're in good hands and that they will do well under the guidance and nurturing approach of Anne Anderson and Emily Lanyon. I look forward to video chats and returning to bigger and smarter students in Term 4 :) St. Joseph's is a fantastic school and it's been a privilege to teach in such a wonderful environment. Thank you! Peace, happiness and blessings to you all. Have an enjoyable and safe Easter break. Mr. Jason Whatnall
Class Happenings
Grade 3/4 Class Report
What a busy term we have had! Thank you to all of the students for a great start to our year.
We have had a great start to the week with an excursion to Swan Hill for a performance by A-Z Science. What a wonderful show! Students had an engaging experience with words/lexicography, science and the alphabet. Our day ended with lunch and a play at the Riverside Park before a bus trip home. Students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were wonderfully behaved.
Tuesday saw us participate in Cross Country with the Charlton College students. Everyone tried their very best to walk, jog or run the track outlined. It was a great chance to intermingle with students from Charlton College. Excellent sportsmanship was shown in the 3/4 class. Congratulations to Sophie Roberts for winning her age group.
Wednesday was our in-school Fete to raise money for Caritas. An enjoyable experience for all and the Year 5/6 conducted themselves wonderfully.
In Literacy this week we have been revising our understanding of reading accurately, fluently and with expression. We have continued to read daily individually, in small groups and as a whole class. We have revised what persuasive writing is, language features of these texts and practiced writing our own. The topic Who works harder, Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny? Produced some interesting writing pieces.
We have finished off our units on addition and subtraction with carrying over and borrowing. Students have a good understanding of these and are able to show their understanding verbally and demonstrate it written down. Students have continued to practice their mental strategies through daily revision of mental Maths strategies.
There is no homework or spelling due this week. Please enjoy your break and remember to do some reading over the holidays.
We hope that you all have a lovely break.
Grade 5/6 Class Report
Well, we have made it to the end of Term One 2023……and we have experienced and achieved a lot during the past eleven weeks! It has been a pleasure getting to know each of the students in the Senior Classroom and I continue to learn more about each individual as the weeks progress.
Our learning has been less structured this past week as we prepared for the end of term. Last Friday students attended the HOT SHOTS TENNIS Tournament in Boort. Students joined with Charlton College students and the feedback I received was that their behaviour was exemplary! We were also successful in placing first, second and third! So, well done to all involved. On Monday we enjoyed a day trip to Swan Hill for a science show and some quality time together. Again, the students behaved admirably and the day was a positive experience for all. Tuesday saw us visit Charlton College to participate in Cross Country. This was something new for students and I applaud all efforts. On Wednesday the Senior Class ran a mini fete as their Lenten action for others. They did a fabulous job and it was a great way to end the term - the glorious sunshine helped, too!
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday break and prepare to come back ready and refreshed for new learning and discovery in Term Two! Happy Easter to all Senior students and their families!
Hot Shots Tennis
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