Kind Regards,

Kirsty Beavan

On Saturday 8th August we celebrate the feast day of Australia’s first saint – Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop).

Mary (born January 15 1842, Melbourne – died August 8, 1909) is remembered for starting the Sisters of St Joseph and opening schools that provided Catholic education to the poor. Known for her saying ‘Never see a need without being met’, Mary and her Josephites also worked within orphanages, with neglected children, girls in danger, the aged poor, a prison and with the incurably ill.

Mary was canonized on October 17th 2010.

Yesterday St Joseph’s held a Prayer Service to mark this special occasion. Congratulations to all the students in Years 5 & 6 who led the service and presented a wonderful powerpoint presentation of the life of Mary MacKillop. All the staff and students learned many new facts about Mary’s life, her commitment to social justice issues and her devotion to God.

- Liz Murray

Religious Education Co-ordinator

COVID-19 Update

The impact of Covid-19 continues to impact deeply on families. Fee relief is available to those who are suffering financial difficulties as a direct result of Covid - job loss or loss of income. Please contact Mrs Beavan if you wish to apply for fee relief.

Hygiene Practices

St Joseph’s continues to have increased cleaning of school toilets and high traffic areas. Remember if your child has any signs of illness, cold or flu like symptoms they should stay at home. Any child who feels unwell will have their temperature checked and you will be asked to come and pick them up.

Some things to remember:

· Students are to bring their own drink bottle and fill it from the cold tap – no drinking from the school bubbler.

· No assemblies or excursions this term.

· Physical distancing measures are not necessary amongst pupils but will be maintained by all staff and other adults in the school.

· Parents are discouraged from attending the school and office if possible.

· Parents are discouraged from congregating outside the school gate.

· Students are reminded to increase their hygiene and hand washing – each classroom has hand sanitizer.

Enrolment forms are available for children attending Kindergarten in 2021.  These forms are available online or at our school.  There is an option to fill enrolment forms out online and it will be sent through to the school.  Please follow the attached link.

If you would like an enrolment pack sent home, please contact the office. Dates for Open days, Orientation and Information sessions will be scheduled very soon.

An absence note is a legal requirement, any student who is absent from school is required to have their absence explained. 

At St Joseph's absence notes are available via the website, emailing the school office email, phoning the school and via our SZapp.  We ask that if you do choose to phone the school, please ask the staff member taking your call to fill out an absence note on your behalf.

It is very important that an absence is explained, if after 7 days a note has not been received by your classroom teacher, your child will be marked with an unexplained absence.  

Students who are unwell and absent for more than 3 days will require a doctors certificate or be tested for Covid-19.  

If you have a Working with Children Check number we ask that you check it's expiry date.  Please send in a copy of your Working with Children Check if you have recently aquired a number of have renewed it.  We thank you for your assistance in this matter.

How amazing is this artwork by the 5/6 class! 

Continuing our unit on Australian artists, Years 5 and 6 have been inspired by Pete Cromer and recreated some of his birds and animals using collage.

Yr 2/3/4 students have been working on multiplication and division problem solving.  They also enjoyed a 'brain break' after.

Keep up to date with events happening at St Joseph's via our electronic school calendar (please note dates can be subject to change).