Newsletter 31
Principal's Report
Hello to Families and all in the St Joseph's School Community,
This newsletter signals the end of the 2023 school year at St Joseph’s! I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my time shared with you this year and look forward to seeing what 2024 brings for each of us. Thank you to everyone in the school community for your warm welcome, support and passion for St Joseph’s School.
This Sunday marks the third week of Advent in the Catholic Church. The candle of Joy will be lit, to join the candle of Hope and the candle of Peace. The third candle is pink as this colour symbolises joy. Christians remember the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus.
My wish for the St Joseph’s School Community is that the joy of Christmas fills each heart and brings peace, love and blessings to you all.
I wish each of you a season of warmth, togetherness and the true spirit of giving.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all.
St Joseph’s Charlton – East Wimmera Parish
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve
Boort 5:00pm
Birchip 7:00pm
Charlton 7:00pm
St Arnaud 9:00pm
Donald 9:00pm
Christmas Day
Wycheproof 9:00am
Banyena 9:00am
RELIGION NEWS
Congratulations to Darcy, Charlie, Liam, Rosie, Henry and Clancy who made their First Reconciliation last week. They joined their families and some parishioners for an Advent Reconciliation Service based on the Gospel story of Zacchaeus. This was a nice time to receive this Sacrament of Healing as we journey through Advent in preparation for Christmas Time.
END OF YEAR MASS & GRADUATION
Thank you for your attendance at the end of year Mass of celebration on what was a very hot and humid evening. It was a fitting way to formally conclude the 2023 school year. Congratulations to all the award recipients on the night and many thanks to Naomi and all the parents who organised and contributed to the food for dinner following mass. Many thanks also, to Julie Bourke for making the fabulous Graduation Cake.
Congratulations to the Grade 6 students who are graduating from St Joseph’s School in 2023. 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!
2024 STAFFING
I am very pleased to welcome Miss Katie Brown to the staff of St Joseph’s School in 2024.
Katie holds a Bachelor of Education and is currently studying her Early Years Childhood Education.
We look forward to introducing Miss Brown to the school community…………..but for now she has shared a little about herself.
MENTAL HEALTH IN PRIMARY SCHOOL (MHiPS)
I am also excited to announce that Mrs Tammy Wright has accepted the role of Mental Health & Wellbeing leader for St Joseph’s School. Tammy will work two days a week to educate herself and then lead staff in ways of boosting the mental health and wellbeing of our students. This is not a counselling role but a role to empower staff and provide resources and programs which will benefit the students of St Joseph’s School!
PLEASE NOTE: All staff will be released for non-teaching preparation time (one day each) and Mrs Hogan for Office Time (two days hopefully).
We have applied for Miss Lara Thompson to have permission to teach again in 2024 and assist with releasing staff. Mrs Wright is also happy to assist with releasing staff. We are still working out the finer details and will inform parents when release staffing is finalised.
Foundation/One/Two Miss Katie Brown
Grade 3/4 Mrs Chloe Armstrong
Grade 5/6 Mrs Mary Hogan (3 days)
Grades 3-6 will join together from 12:30pm each day and may combine for a day or two!
Learning Support Officers Mrs Naomi Fitzpatrick and Mrs Emily Lanyon
Learning Diversity Leader Mrs Chloe Armstrong
Business Manager Mrs Cate Olive
I thank all staff for their willingness to take on these roles in 2024.
THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR CONCLUDES ON
FRIDAY 15TH DECEMBER AT THE USUAL TIME OF 3:15PM.
School reports will made available on Friday via our digital platform.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST DAY FOR STUDENTS IN TERM ONE 2024 IS
WEDNESDAY 31ST JANUARY.
PREP- GRADE 6 STUDENTS WILL COMMENCE ON THIS DAY.
SCHOOL PHOTOS ARE ON THURSDAY 29TH FEBRUARY.
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 2024
Monday 29 January Structured Literacy
Friday 22 March Mental Health and Wellbeing PD
Monday 20 May Religious Education Cluster
Monday 22 July Structured Literacy
Monday 4 November Assessment & Reporting
Tuesday 5 November Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Mary Hogan
Principal
Foundation/1/2 Class Report
As our school year draws to an end and the students have worked incredibly hard all year, I would like to thank all the children, staff and families for their efforts, support and collaboration in 2023. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching your children and I will always hold a piece of Charlton close to my heart. I wish you all a very relaxing and happy Christmas and I look forward to keeping in touch with the school and seeing the growth and development of the students for many years to come. Merry Christmas and God Bless!
- Jason Whatnall
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.
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.