Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

God of Love and Mercy,

We thank You for the life of Pope Francis.

We are grateful for his example of service, compassion, and leadership.

As we remember him, help us to live out his message of love in our own lives. Strengthen us as we continue his work of building a more just and loving world.

May his soul rest in peace, and may we carry his legacy forward.

We ask this through Jesus.

Amen. 

Federal Election

As we approach the Federal Election on 3 May 2025, Catholic school communities have an important role in engaging with key issues that affect our sector. The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has developed a range of resources to support school leaders and families in understanding and advocating for Catholic education priorities.

These key priorities are:

1. Ensure affordability and choice – every family should have the option of a Catholic education
2. Address hardship, wellbeing, and disadvantage – every student deserves access to quality education and the right support, no matter their background
3. Build and innovate for the future – investing in school infrastructure and support for early childhood education.

It is crucial that staff and parents understand where their local candidates stand on these key issues.

The major political parties, the Greens and Independent candidates have been asked to provide their commitment to the Catholic education priorities. Further to this, the NCEC has released a Federal Election Scorecard to highlight where political parties and key independent candidates stand on issues of importance for Catholic Schools.

Federal Election Scorecard

Federal Election Scorecard 183.94 KB

I have also attached communication from Tom Sexton, Executive Director of DOBCEL with information specific to the Wannon Electorate.

Communication to families re Federal Election Wannon Electorate

Communication to families re Federal Election Wannon Electorate 92.69 KB

St Joseph’s Equestrian Team

Bonnie and her pony Buddy competed at the Equestrian Victoria Interschool State Championships during the school holidays representing St Joseph’s.

Bonnie managed to twice qualify for the Inter School National Championships which will be held in Sydney this year in September.

She was 2nd overall in the Primary 80cm Show Jumping - making her reserve champion (national qualification). She placed 4th in the Primary 80cm Combined Training (national qualification). Impressively they placed 9th overall for all Primary aged riders on points - out of 130.

Bonnie will now go on to Nationals in Sydney to represent Team Victoria.

Great effort Bonnie (and Buddy).

Bonnie writes:

During the first week of the holidays, I went off to the Mornington Peninsula - Rosebud to compete at Petstock Interschool State Champs. There were many schools from all over Victoria. I competed in the combined training, dressage, and show jumping. And out of a very competitive field I made it into the national finals for two out of the three disciplines! Nationals are in September in NSW - Sydney. I am very excited to be on the Vic team! Watch out, NSW!

Building Works Over the Holidays

The interior corridors through the office and main passage were given a facelift through painting and the replacement of the old pinboards. There will be further painting during the next break and an upgrade of the carpets. A big thanks to Matt and Chris from Precise Painting who compromised their Easter break to get the job done before the children returned to school. Also to Matt Dalton from CarpetOz who added the final touch with the pinboards late into Thursday evening.

A big shout out to Cathy who coordinated the work and Sharyn and Andrew who coordinated the removal of furniture and artwork. Check out the results in the gallery.

Precise Painting and Decorating https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bscs6PCeS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week and over the holidays.

Aadinath Renjith, Will Molan, Daniel Jiang, Harper Collins, Harriet Dennis, Sophie Thornton, Tapiwa Meme, Archie Stewart, Sophie Werner, Tess Werner, Archer Hopcroft, Maximus Smedts, William Pearson, Lucas Sarra, Sophie Parker, Sophie Price, Fred Boyd, Autumn Hapuku, Jaxson Byron, Olivia Bowman, Jago Darcy, Safia Dwyer, Mason Murrell, Posie Wright, Ted Zanos, Olivia Finnigan, Peyton Gadeke, Ned Swan, Frank Farley, Lucy Beaumont, Layla Kane, Harper Pimblett, Talon Sicely, William Farley, Edie Goldson, Patrick O'Connor, Ethan Watson, Alexis Hernan, Audrey Nevill, Molly McCann, Jet Struth, George Evans, Isabelle Densley, Leo Oakley, Hudson Crowley, Quinn Place, Parker Scott, Bethany Suringa, Jed Lilley, Lily Price and Lyric Ratu.

Last Friday St. Joseph’s represented our school at the midday Anzac Day service.

Thank you to Louis Welsh and Audrey Wolff who were present for the march and to lay a wreath at the war memorial on behalf of their school.

Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to the following ten students who have were the first in the school to successfully complete the 2025 Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge:

• Georgie Milroy
• Archie Edis
• Poppy Main
• Harrison Leach
• Isla Priebbenow
• Olivia Cerdena
• Sophie Parker
• Braxton Harrington
• Darcy Morrison
• Turner McCaskill

These students will receive an official badge and a certificate of completion. All students who participate will receive a free Bookmark and for those who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate from the Victorian Premier. There will also be a prize for the class that has the most books read by September! Be sure to see how the classes are tracking by looking at the display in the School Library.

If you need any further assistance with this Reading Challenge then please contact me;

elloyd@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

LRC Coordinator
Mrs Emily Lloyd

District Hockey

Late last term, our two Hockey teams competed in the District Hockey competition at the Warrnambool Hockey courts.

Our students had a fantastic day and showed some very impressive hockey skills, with many of the team members not having played much hockey before the competition. The boys had a great day being very competitive in all matches, while our girls played well enough to finish second on the ladder. Well done everyone.

District Athletics

Last week, 48 of our students proudly represented our school at the District Athletics at Brauerander Park. It was fantastic to see so many of our students giving their best effort across a range of events, showing great sportsmanship, determination, and representing the school well.

A special congratulations to those students who achieved outstanding results and have qualified for the Division Athletics, which will be held on Friday 2nd May, at Brauerander Park. We wish them all the best.

Thank you to all the staff, families, and volunteers who helped make the day a success!

Registration

Payment

Payment for the program materials etc can be completed via CDFpay.

Key Dates

To provide opportunities for social meetings between parents, and promote a spirit of union and good fellowship. The PSA runs and supports several events throughout the year to raise money for the school and to support our school community.

What do we do? Mother’s Day Stall, Hot Cross Bun Drive, Father’s Day Breakfast, Mother's Day Stall, Pizza Days, Art Activities and Canteen support

Next Meeting Date: Tuesday 6th May 2025 at 7:00 pm.

How can I help? Come along to the meetings, contribute to the discussion, share ideas, support events that enrich the school community.

Enrolments for Foundation students for 2026 are now OPEN.

All applications are to be submitted by 4:00pm on Wednesday 11th June, 2025. 

Enrolments

All of our enrolments are completed online, via the Enrolment/Online Enrolment Form page on the schools website.

You will need to make sure you have your child's documentation loaded onto your device, either by taking a photo or scanning and uploading.  

• Birth certificate
• Immunisation Statement
• baptism certificates
• any specialist reports

Discovery Tours and Information Sessions

Our Discovery Tours and Information session dates have also been set and can be booked via the Enrolment/Tour Registration page on the school website.

• 11:30pm, Tuesday 13th May
• 7:00pm, Tuesday 13th May
• 11:30am, Friday 23rd May
• 11:30am, Wednesday 28th May

We have opened up the online shop (via CDFpay) for children and fathers to start placing orders for their Mothers Day gift. 

Each gift is $5 and students will get to personally select their own gift from the Mother's Day Shop at school.

Orders close at 9am on Monday 5th May.

Choosing Gifts from the Mother's Day Shop

Foundation - Year 6 - Monday 5th May

Additional Gifts/Late Orders - Tuesday 6th or Wednesday 7th May

Mother's Day gift purchase is optional for each family, if an order has not been placed, students do not select a gift.

Leftover gifts will be available for purchase if children would like to purchase a second gift for another important person in their life.

Our PSA are holding a Mother's Day Breakfast for our school Mums (or special person). 

Children arrive at school early with their mum and enjoy a breakfast with a choice of BLT roll, Pancakes or Yoghurt, Granola and Berries.

The PSA will provide some muffins and pastries, fruit, juice and hot drinks. After breakfast mums can walk their child/ren to the classroom for a visit.

Orders made via CDFpay

Orders are now open and close at 3pm, Tuesday 6th May, 2025.

Dairy Free, Vegetarian and Gluten Free options are available.

Sorry no late orders.

Volunteers

We rely on the assistance for volunteers on this day and the afternoon prior.

Please complete the volunteer form if you are able to assist with setup on Thursday after school or on the Friday morning for cooking, serving or cleanup.

Election Day BBQ

We are looking for volunteers to work on the Saturday 3rd May - cooking and selling split over three shifts

Shift 1 -  8:00am to 10:00am (set up, cook and sell)

Shift 2  - 10:00am to 12:00pm (cook and sell)

Shift 3  - 12:00pm to 2:00pm (cook, sell and pack up)

Election Day Cake Stall 

We are looking for people to cook cakes/muffins/slice etc to sell on Election day.  Items can be dropped off at school on Friday 2nd May or on the morning of Saturday 3rd May. 

Please complete the form to indicate how many cake boxes your require. 

Cake boxes will be sent home early this week.

Term 2 Roster

School Canteen Support