St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Newsletter: Thursday 13th February, 2025 Edition 6, Volume 1

Acknowledgement of Country

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s spiritual and cultural connection to Country, we acknowledge the Wadawurrung people, as the traditional custodians of the land, on which we meet and educate our children.

We recognise the continued care of the waterways passed from generation to generation, wisdom that is shared, and life that is celebrated in harmony with the natural environment.

We honour the Elders, past and present who have laid the foundations, traditions, and culture for emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and we commit to working together for reconciliation and justice.

Principal's Reflection

Dear Families, 

Welcome Back to a New School Year!

It has been a wonderfully smooth and positive start to the year for our students. In particular, those new to St Joseph’s have settled in well, forming connections with their peers and teachers as they become part of our school community. We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead, filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities. Our building program is progressing rapidly, and with all going according to plan, by the end of the year, we will have many new and exciting resources that will enhance the way we teach and learn.

Enhancing Communication Between Home and School

Strong communication between home and school is essential for supporting our students and keeping families informed. This year, we are streamlining our communication to make it easier and more accessible for everyone. Wherever possible, all school communications will be shared via SIMON. To ensure you receive important updates, we ask all parents and carers to download two essential apps: SIMON - PAM (Parent Access Module) and SIMON Everywhere. These tools will help you stay informed about school events, access your child's reports, and stay connected with all aspects of school life. Email links for setting up these apps were sent to new families during the holidays. If you are a new or existing family and need assistance with these apps, please visit our Administration Office, where our team will be happy to help.

Planning Ahead – Important Dates for 2025

We understand that families need to plan around work and other commitments, and we have received several requests for key dates for 2025. To assist with this, we have populated the SIMON calendar with all the important dates we currently have. As events approach, additional details will be added to the calendar to keep you informed. At this stage, no excursions have been scheduled, but these will be included as soon as they are confirmed. We encourage you to check the SIMON calendar regularly for updates. Additionally, a list of upcoming important dates can always be found at the bottom of this newsletter.

Parents in Partnership – Get Involved!

Launched in mid-2024, the Parents in Partnership Program is an exciting initiative aimed at strengthening our school community. While its progress was initially limited due to school resources, we are thrilled to announce that, in 2025, the program will gain momentum with the appointment of Nicole Ryan as our Community Engagement Leader. With Nicole’s leadership, we hope to see this program flourish, creating meaningful opportunities for parents and carers to connect, contribute, and support our school.

Nicole is currently organising an information session to share more about this wonderful opportunity. This program is a great way to build relationships, meet other families, and play an active role in school life. We are seeking volunteers to join one of the following teams, all of which Nicole will coordinate and support:

• Catholic Spirit Team – Promote our school’s Catholic mission and values by helping plan community masses, events, and social justice initiatives.
• Fundraising Team – Assist with one fundraising project per term to support school initiatives.
• Community & Hospitality Team – Organise social activities such as coffee catch-ups and school events to foster connection among families.
• Gardening & Maintenance Team – Help with school gardening and maintenance projects alongside staff.
• Creative Arts Team – Support school arts and craft projects when needed.
• Grants Application Writing Team – Assist in securing funding for the school by researching and writing grant applications.

If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned and keep an eye on  SIMON for details on the upcoming information session.

Understanding Your Child’s Progress at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to providing a clear and comprehensive picture of your child’s learning journey. Our five-pronged approach to reporting ensures that you receive meaningful insights into their progress through various formal and informal strategies. These include Welcome Conversations, ongoing SeeSaw Learning Tasks, End of Semester Reports, Learning Conversations, and PSG (Progress Support Group) Meetings for students requiring additional support. Each element plays a vital role in keeping you informed and engaged in your child’s education.

One of the most immediate ways to stay connected with your child’s learning is through the SeeSaw app, where teachers regularly upload work samples with feedback. However, our data shows that many parents are not accessing these valuable insights. We strongly encourage all families to download the SeeSaw app and check it regularly to celebrate their child’s achievements and understand their areas for growth. By actively engaging with all aspects of our reporting process, you gain a deeper understanding of your child’s progress and can better understand and support their learning journey.

Exciting Developments in Learning and Teaching

In 2025, we are committed to enhancing our Learning and Teaching Programs across the school. To support this, our staff participated in professional development on January 29 and 30, focusing on a new literacy program for our Foundation to Year 2 students. This program, InitiaLit, will be introduced in the coming weeks and aligns closely with the MACS Flourishing Learners initiative.

For our Year 3 to 6 students, we are implementing OCHRE units, which provide a structured and evidence-based approach to literacy. OCHRE is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving student outcomes and closing the disadvantage gap by supporting teachers with a high-quality, expertly sequenced curriculum. Their online library offers free, curriculum-linked teaching resources that teachers can adapt to meet the needs of all students. The OCHRE units used at St Joseph’s are closely aligned with InitiaLit and  designed to be developmentally appropriate for older students. These units are built around high-quality literature, forming the foundation for reading, writing, and comprehension activities.

We are excited about these new approaches and look forward to seeing our students thrive in their literacy learning this year!

What is InitiaLit?

InitiaLit is a structured literacy program designed to help young children (Foundation to Year 2) develop strong reading and writing skills. It follows an evidence-based approach and provides all students with essential knowledge to become confident readers and writers.

Who is it for?

• Children in Foundation to Year 2
• Schools looking for a consistent reading and spelling program
• Teachers wanting a proven, structured approach to literacy

How does InitiaLit work?

The program is taught from Foundation to Grade 2 and focuses on:
✅ Phonics – Learning letter sounds and how they form words
✅ Vocabulary & Comprehension – Using stories to build understanding and oral language
✅ Spelling & Grammar (Year 2) – Learning spelling patterns, grammar, and writing skills
✅ Reading Fluency – Practicing different reading strategies to improve confidence

Extended Leave from School

We understand that, from time to time, students may need to take extended leave from school. If your child will be absent for less than two weeks, please notify us through the SIMON portal. However, if the absence will be longer than two weeks, we ask that you visit our Administration Office to complete an Extended Leave Form. This process helps secure your child’s place at St Joseph’s while they are away and provides important documentation if we are audited. We appreciate your support in keeping our records up to date.

Exciting Progress on Our Building Program!

We are thrilled to share the latest updates on our school’s building program! Construction is well underway to enhance our facilities and create better learning spaces for our students. Work has already commenced on a new building that will house six classrooms, open learning areas, and staff offices. The foundations have been poured, and the lift shaft for the building’s elevator is currently in progress, with the slab expected to be poured very soon.

In addition, the staff car park on the Coorong Walk side is being extended to accommodate our growing team. You may have also noticed early construction work for two new basketball courts. These courts will be covered with a COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area), providing a versatile space for school gatherings, events, and activities—rain or shine! This addition will ensure that students and families can enjoy outdoor events without the discomfort of the hot sun or the inconvenience of wet weather.

We look forward to sharing more updates as these exciting projects take shape!

Traffic Management around the School

Building Works and Traffic Safety

We are fortunate to have an excellent team of builders working on our new school building. They are highly safety-conscious and are taking great care to keep the building site secure. To minimise disruption, they are keeping construction traffic—including trucks and material deliveries—to an absolute minimum. Additionally, no trucks will enter the site during drop-off and pick-up times to ensure student safety. However, we still ask everyone to take extra care, particularly near site entrances.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Safety

When dropping off or collecting your child, please ensure your car comes to a complete stop and is parked in an appropriate space. Do not double park, (stop on the road in traffic) and ask your child to jump out, as this endangers their safety and the safety of other drivers. Please always follow our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure a safe and smooth process for everyone.

Use of the morning Drive Through - Ensuring a Safe and Efficient Drop-Off & Pick-Up

The safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. To keep our drop-off and pick-up process smooth, safe, and efficient, it is essential that everyone follows the established procedures. The drop-off zone can only accommodate a few cars at a time, so we ask all drivers to strictly follow these rules:

🚗 Entry: Enter through the Entry Gate, turning left between 8:30 – 8:45 AM.
🚗 Drop-Off Zone: Drive to the furthest available space (closest to the staff car park and wait in line for traffic to move out of the drop off zone.)
🚗 Stay in Your Car: do not get out to assist children, staff can support with this

🚗Do not overtake other vehicles. Cones are placed in the driveway to stop overtaking.
🚗 Be Ready: Ensure children exit quickly and safely when a space opens.
🚗 Exit Safely: Leave via the Exit Gate, turning left when safe.

Bike Safety and Helmets

A reminder that it is illegal in Australia to ride a bike without wearing a helmet, even if a child is under adult supervision. For the safety of all students and to model expected behaviours, we ask that all bike riders dismount when entering the school grounds. We also encourage any parents or carers accompanying their child by bike to do the same once they reach the school gates. It is important that adults set the right example, as children are more likely to follow the rules when they see them being followed by grown-ups.

If you need to speak with a teacher, please park in the designated spaces at the front of the school. Thank you for your cooperation in making this process safe for everyone!

Looking Ahead to a Fantastic Year

It is my hope that 2025 will be another fabulous year for all our students, staff, and families. We are truly fortunate to be part of such a wonderful and caring community, where everyone works together to support and uplift one another. As Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop reminded us in 1874, "So great is the strength we possess in our unity." May we continue to grow, learn, and thrive together throughout the year ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing support—I look forward to a fantastic 2025 at St Joseph’s!

Regards

Troy (Principal)

Student Voice: Foundation Community

In Foundation, we have been working on building relationships with the students and adjusting to the school environment and routines. Each class has introduced our PBL routines of lining up, eating and unpacking and packing their bags independently. 

We look forward to meeting the Foundation families on Friday 14th February for the Foundation Community Gathering. Make sure to bring your picnic blankets and snacks to enjoy the afternoon on the Tiger Turf, a prayer service will then follow. 

It has been great to see students on Wednesdays for both Literacy and Numeracy assessments, this will be continuing over the next few Wednesdays during their rest day. This will assist in planning future lessons and so we can begin our new Literacy program, InitiaLit. This is a structured approach to Literacy that St Joseph’s has adopted for Foundation to Year 2. 

Student Voice 

F Hannah: Luella - I like being with my teacher and my friends.

F Georgia: Airini - I love school, it is so much fun!

F Michael: Everlee - I love coming to school and making new friends!

A Wellbeing Message

2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope

In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee Year is a special year of grace and spiritual renewal. It is a time when Catholics focus on deepening their faith, seeking reconciliation, and receiving God’s mercy. Traditionally, a Jubilee Year occurs every 25 years, but extraordinary Jubilee Years can be called by the Pope for specific occasions or purposes. The 2025 Jubilee officially opened on 24 December 2024 at 7pm, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father.

The concept of the Jubilee is rooted in the Bible, where it was a time for forgiveness of debts, the return of land, and a reset in relationships. In the Catholic tradition, it has evolved to become a year for spiritual renewal. During a Jubilee Year, pilgrims can visit certain holy sites and gain a plenary indulgence—a remission of temporal punishment for sins that have already been forgiven.

Jubilee Years are marked by special events and celebrations, including pilgrimages, prayer, and acts of charity. The most recent example was the Year of Mercy (2015-2016), called by Pope Francis to encourage forgiveness, compassion, and care for those in need. Each Jubilee Year is a reminder of God's mercy and love, offering Catholics an opportunity to renew their relationship with God and the Church.

Logo

The logo shows four figures, representing all of humanity, coming together from the four corners of the earth. They embrace each other, symbolising the unity that should connect all people. The front figure holds a cross, representing both faith and hope—hope that is always needed, especially in times of hardship. Below the figures are rough waves, showing that life’s journey isn’t always easy, and sometimes we need extra hope to face challenges. The cross extends into an anchor, a well-known symbol of hope, especially in tough times like storms at sea.

The logo illustrates the pilgrim’s journey as a shared experience, not a solo one, moving toward the cross. The cross is not stationary but reaches down to humanity, offering hope and security. At the bottom of the logo is the motto for the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, in green letters, reflecting the spirit of the journey.

St Andrew's Take Away Sheet

School Fees, Direct Debits, CSEF Applications

This is just a courtesy message to let our families know that fee statements were emailed out last week. Please check your inbox & junk mail. We have printed a copy and also sent these home with the eldest from each family. 

You can find the school's Bank Details on the bottom of each statement for easy reference. 

2025 FEE AGREEMENTS - UPFRONT PAYMENTS

If you have selected to pay upfront on your fee agreement, this is a gentle reminder that all upfront fee payments were due by no later than 14th February. We thank those families who have honoured their commitment and made these payments already. If you are yet to make a payment and selected the UPFRONT option and can no longer commit to this please contact the office for a direct debit form. 

2025 FEE AGREEMENTS - DIRECT DEBITS

We are busy processing all those families who opted for Direct Debit Plans in 2025. Please remember all changes need to be emailed through to accounts@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au as soon as practicable. If you are yet to complete a direct debit form for the 2025 school year please contact the office ASAP.

IMPORTANT DATES:

16th February - Mid-Monthly Direct Debits commence.

17th February - Weekly Direct Debits commence.

28th February - Tri - Annually Direct Debits commence.

1st March - Monthly Direct Debits commence.

3rd March - Fortnightly Direct Debits commence.

These dates are now also available in the SIMON school calendar as a reminder for all those on the direct debit plans. 

CSEF (Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund)

If you hold a valid healthcare or pension card, you could be eligible for the Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund. Eligible recipients will receive $154, that is help in credit by the school. This money can then be used to place towards excursions, camps or sports activities that are run through the school.

If families have previously applied for this fund in previous years, this is a gentle reminder that forms do need to be applied for and completed each year. 

Please feel free to come to the office and collect your CSEF & Concessional Fee Forms. Please note: For Term 1 processing, these need to be returned by no later than Friday 21st February, 2025.

Concessional Applications are now available from the office. For any family who is currently suffering financial hardship please contact the school and complete an application form.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Matthewman (School Finance/Bursar) accounts@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au

School Saving Bonus (SSB) – What You Need to Know

We understand there has been some confusion about the School Saving Bonus (SSB). This bonus was originally not available for Catholic school students, but MACS worked hard to ensure that our families could also receive it. However, the way this support is provided in Catholic schools is different from how it works in government schools. Below is a simple guide to how the $400 School Saving Bonus will work for eligible families.

Who is eligible?
Students who receive the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2025 will also access to the $400 School Saving Bonus.

How can the $400 be used?

The bonus can be used for education-related costs such as:
✅ Camps, trips, excursions, and incursions
✅ Swimming and sports programs
✅ Outdoor education activities
✅ Graduation costs
✅ School uniforms

What can the $400 NOT be used for?

❌ Tuition fees
❌ Before and after-school care
❌ Faith-related costs (e.g., sacraments, confirmations)
❌ Social events (e.g., family gatherings, school picinics etc.)
❌ Classroom materials (e.g., stationery, locker hire)

Important things to know

�� Families will not receive the $400 as cash, but it will be applied to eligible school costs.
�� The school will ensure that families can see how the bonus is used (e.g., on a family statement).
�� If a student leaves the school, their SSB funds will be retained by the school for the use of a similarly effected family.
�� If a family has more than one eligible child, the SSB can be shared between them.

When will the SSB be applied?

The SSB can be used at any time during 2025, but schools/families are encouraged to use the full amount within the year.
What if we are already on a MACS Concessional Fee?
If a family receives a MACS Concessional Fee, the school will first apply that discount and then use the SSB for eligible costs.

We appreciate your patience as we follow MACS guidelines to roll this out fairly for all eligible families. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

At St Joseph’s approved CSEF families are able to claim the School Saving Bonus (SSB) for uniform items from November 2024 onwards provided tax invoices/receipts are shared with the school. The uniform purchase will need to be related to the 2025 school year.

Process for application
1. Eligible Health Care holders apply for CSEF
2. Once the Department of Education and Training approve this families will be notified
3. Email all relevant uniform receipts to accounts@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au In the meantime, find or request any relevant receipts from the uniform supplier.

Administration Update

2026 Foundation Enrolments are now open!

Our process is as follows:

1. 2026 Foundation applications must be submitted by 20th April 2025.
2. Enrolment interviews for 2026 Foundation placements will take place in May and June 2025.
3. Offers of placement will be sent to families in July 2025 and enrolment acceptances must be returned by the specified due date, along with the $200 enrolment deposit fee.
4. For enrolment enquiries please contact the school on 8742 3381 or email enrolments@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au

2025 First Aid Requirements

An email was sent to all families with the First Aid processes for 2025. This included updated information and forms that are required to be completed if your child requires support with their health care needs and/or requires medication to be administered at school.

Please take note of the following reminders:

• All Medication and/or signed forms are to be handed into the school office.
• All Medication given to the school is required to be in its original packaging with the child's name on it. 

If you have any questions please email firstaid@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au

School Attendance Procedure

School Attendance - SIMON Everywhere App

If your child is absent from school, please communicate this with the school office by 9:30am. Please search for 'Parent Notified Absences' on the SIMON Everywhere App and click to enter details.

Alternatively, please use the school phone number (8742 3381) and select the attendance line option. When leaving a message please ensure you clearly state your child’s full name, class and the reason for their absence. We must have a valid reason for marking your child/children absent.

If your child needs to arrive late or be collected early from school, please also communicate this via SIMON Everywhere App. Please click on  'Parent Notified Absences' and select the late arrival or early leave option.

For extended absences, please email the details to  admin@sjwerribee.catholic.edu.au and an Extended Leave Form will be sent for you to complete.

School Term Dates 2025

Our school day operates from 8:45am – 3:10pm and gates will be open for arrival at 8:30am and for pick up at 3:00pm.

2025 School Closure Days

STUDENT FREE DAYS: TeamKids available

Important Upcoming Dates

TeamKids News

Community News