Newsletter 15 2023
Principal's Report
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
Catholic Education Week 2023
This week we have celebrated Catholic Education as part of the Diocese of Ballarat. It has been a fitting time to reflect on the significance of a Catholic Education. I believe there are a number of aspects which make Catholic education special and I feel priviledged to be in the position of leadership at St Joseph's School. Catholic education aims to integrate learning with faith, providing an education which encompasses academic knowledge alongside the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. It also aims to instill in students a sense of personal integrity, compassion, social justice, respect and care for our environment. St Joseph's aims to foster a strong sense of belonging and community and works to develop the whole person - academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Students are encouraged to live their learning by serving the community and being involved in social justice actions; teaching them responsibility, empathy and the fact that they can make a difference in their world. Finally, students are invited to explore questions of faith, to engage in dialogue and develop their own understanding of the world in which they live and learn! I am grateful for the staff who teach, guide and nurture our students each day and thank them for their on-going dedication and committment to Catholic Education. I also, continue to be grateful for the support of all families within the St Joseph's school and wider community.
‘Let the words you speak always be full of grace’ – Colossians 4:6
Loving God, give us hearts that speak words of grace.
Let us imitate the Good Samaritan, who does not turn away from suffering.
Help us listen. May we listen to those who struggle daily for dignity.
Let us hear your voice in the stories of those on the margins.
Help us always see what binds us together as sisters and brothers.
Help us to heal. May we be willing to stand in the place of others.
Let us be open to difference that we may arrive at understanding.
Help us to seek reconciliation and justice.
Help us respond. May we be moved to action.
Let us work with others of good will, finding solutions together.
Help us seek the common good and dignity for all.
Give us the courage to respond like the Good Samaritan, setting aside divisions to attend to the needs of the other.
May we know and see your love present in and beyond our communities, made real in the ways we love one another, always ensuring the words we speak are full of grace.
Amen.
Adapted from The United States Catholic Bishops Conference
How we speak and how we are open to be changed through dialogue, has been subject to deep consideration in many different circles – political, social, ecological, theological. Dialogue opens us to the other, to learn and to change – it is an openness to be moved or influenced and allow for the spirit to be present – this is the invitation our theme offers.
On Wednesday 24th May, we journeyed to St Mary's in Donald to join our cluster group, which includes St Patrick's, St Arnaud. We celebrated Mass, enjoyed some entertainment and shared a meal. To conclude our week, we have a live puppet show visiting St Joseph's School on Friday, with a performance based around making and maintaining friendships!
Structured Literacy
As many of you would be aware, St Joseph's, Charlton has joined the Diocese of Ballarat's Structured Literacy Project. We have taken the first steps towards a renewed, evidence-based approach to Literacy instruction through participation in the award-winning SunLit Action Research.
The Sciences of Reading and Learning tell us that a systematic, explicit approach to the teaching of the alphabetic code and the grammatical rules that underpin written English offers our students the best chance at becoming confidently literate. The approach we are strategically adopting is called Structured Literacy, which is the approach endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association, the International Literacy Association and the Australian National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.
As a staff, we are working closely with Emma Rutherford and Breeana Wade, from the Catholic Education Office, to learn more about the principles, elements and characteristics of a Structured Literacy approach. We will shortly be implementing an evidence-based Phonics program, called 'No Nonsense Phonics'. Find more about the program here: https://
We will strive to keep you updated on the progress of this important project, but for now you may like to follow the following Facebook groups to find out more about the Sciences of Reading and Learning:
The SunLit Project
Reading Science in Schools
Read Ballarat
Lunch Orders
An increasing number of students are forgetting their lunch orders and/or money for lunch orders. Please ensure lunch orders are placed on Monday or Tuesday. We do not help to develop life-skills for the students if we ‘remember’ for them, especially for those in the upper end of the school. If lunch orders are forgotten students will remember for the next week I’m sure, so the school won’t intervene if orders are not placed. Thank you in anticipation of your understanding – at times, it is difficult to know if students have forgotten or parents have not wanted lunch orders.
Grade 5&6 Camp PGL Campaspe Downs
Thank you for getting all forms back to the Office in preparation for camp next week. If you have a permission or medical form outstanding, please return them immediately.
I have been working with the students to give them as much information as possible in readiness for camp, including location, facilities, activities, meals and packing requirements. If you have any questions or wonderings please don't hesitate to give me a call. Students DO NOT need sleeping bags or pillows. ALL BEDDING IS SUPPLIED.
The bus will pick students up at school around 9:30am and we will be back at school by dismissal time on Friday.
Keep your eyes out for a final information notice!
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.
Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice
6.1 Recruitment, including advertising, referee checks and staff and volunteer pre-employment screening, emphasise child safety and wellbeing.
6.2 Relevant staff and volunteers have current working with children checks or equivalent background checks.
6.3 All staff and volunteers receive an appropriate induction and are aware of their responsibilities to children and young people, including record keeping, information sharing and reporting obligations.
6.4 Ongoing supervision and people management is focused on child safety and wellbeing,
Important Dates
Friday 26th May – Arts Performance “Making Friends” in the multi-purpose room
Wednesday 31st May – Friday 2nd June Gr 5&6 Camp
Monday 12th June – Public Holiday – King’s Birthday
Thursday 22nd June – Children’s Yoga sessions with Averyll Loft
Friday 23rd June – Reports uploaded – FINAL DAY OF TERM TWO at 2:30pm
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
Principal Awards
Congratulations to Sally, Vinny and Ivy for your wonderful writing.
Students of the Week
Walk To School Day
Friday the 19th of May was Walk to School Day. Walk to School day is about getting active and building healthy habits for life. As we have so many students who catch buses to school, we decided to head off on a walk before recess. We walked down High Street, over the main bridge, down the hill towards the pool, along the walking track, over the low water bridge, past the bike track, through the Travellers Rest and back up High Street to school. When we returned to school, the children coloured in a walk to school picture and were given some walk to school tattoos.
Foundation/1/2 Class Report
Yesterday we went to St Mary's Donald to celebrate Catholic Education Week. Here are some thoughts of the students who attended:
I played with a big bouncy ball and l did a flip on the equipment and I saw Mrs Drum.
By Megg.
I got to see my old friends.
By Vinny.
Today I went to Donald and played with my friend Bonnie. I went to church too.
By Mia.
On the bus on our way to St Mary’s Donald, I saw some trees, some farms and a lake.
By Madelyn.
I made new friends today.
By Ivy.
I played with a girl.
By Sally.
Grade 3/4 Class Report
Catholic Education Week 2023
On Wednesday St Josephs and St Patrick’s Both went to St Mary’s in Donald. We had a great time in Donald. Some of us played footy, netball and basketball. We had sausages for lunch and went to church in the morning. It was a very fun day.
By Ruby.
I met an old friend and I saw a performance.
By Patrick.
We played footy with people who we do not know . We had sausages and a prima for lunch. We went to church and we bounced on a big ball and we listened to a music play.
By Toby.
Today we went to Donald and saw all my old friends and had heaps of fun. I played netball with some other schools and Rosie, Lila and Aria. We had food sausages and a Prima. I played in the sandpit. I went to church. I had heaps of fun on the bus as well.
By Sophie.
I had a sausage. I had a prima. I saw my cousins. I met new friends. I played basketball.
By Flynn.
I made new friends then played soccer with Toby. Got chased by a year six with a ball and played down ball with Brody then played with Flynn on some bouncy balls.
By Finn.
Grade 5/6 Class Report
This week we have taken the opportunity to reflect on Catholic Education and being at St Joseph's School.
Being at a Catholic school means everyone is kind, caring and loving to one another. The education Is great, the resources are good and we get a great education. St Joe’s is a great school!
Lila
I like going to St Joseph’s School in Charlton because there are nice teachers and students. At St Joseph’s I feel safe because it is small and doesn’t have heaps of people.
Harry
At my Catholic school I learn all about the example Jesus gave us about how we should treat each other. St Joseph’s is a great school because the teachers make a great effort showing us how to treat others with respect.
Darcy
I like being at a Catholic school because people are nice to each other. I like St Joseph’s School because the teachers always get to me a lot quicker because we have smaller classes.
Brody
St Joseph’s is a great school because I like learning about God, Jesus, the bible, Mary, sport, literacy, writing and maths. St Joseph’s has thirty-two students which means it’s not over-crowded.
Isaac
Being at a Catholic school means I learn about things I wouldn’t know otherwise. At St Joseph’s School I feel challenged with what I am learning which me makes think. St Joseph’s School teaches me about creation and what Jesus did during his life.
Cooper
The things I like about St Joseph’s School are that they make me feel safe, you learn more and people are nice.
Aria
St Joseph’s School teaches me how to be a better person and all the basics of learning. My principal, Mrs Hogan, gives us great learning opportunities, and opportunities in general. I think I am very privileged to go to a Catholic school in Charlton with amazing, caring staff.
Rosie
At St Joseph’s School we have just celebrated Catholic Education Week. We went to Donald to celebrate Mass and watched a performance called ‘Happiness Habits”. It’s fun to join up with the other schools and meet new people.
Liam
At a Catholic School, I learn about God and what he did for us. A good thing about St Joseph's is that we don't have a lot of kids so we get a lot of help.
Charlie
Community News
Acknowledgement to 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.