We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we are meeting – the Algnith people. We also acknowledge the contributions of First Nations peoples to the education of all children and people in our country Australia, in which we all live and share together.

The Journey from Advent to Christmas  

We are about to embark on a journey through Advent, a time when we prepare and get ready for the coming of Christ on Christmas Day. During this time, you might prepare in many different ways, decorating the house, spending time with family, baking and cooking and buying gifts but we are also called to look deeper during this season and reflect on the most precious gift of all...Jesus. 

Three of our school values Humility, Justice and Compassion are wonderful ways of connecting and bringing us closer to Jesus, they are reminders of the true meaning of Christmas and challenge us to look beyond gifts and presents during this season.  

(The following is adapted from Discover Grace- humility-a-study-in-advent)  

HOW DOES HUMILITY BRING US CLOSER TO JESUS? 

Humility isn’t a word you see often on Christmas décor. Peace? Check out the throw pillows. Joy? All over the home decor. Flipping through a gift catalog I received earlier this year, I saw a Christmas decoration sign that read: Everyone is an innkeeper deciding whether or not there’s room for Christ.  

It takes an act of humility to let Christ in. 

Maybe that’s why it’s hard for some people to truly accept Jesus. It’s a mental, physical, and heart posture of worship where we kneel down like the shepherds and foreign kings to adore Him and acknowledge that He is in fact Lord. The good news is, Jesus makes this easy because He lived a life of humility first. 

Before Jesus was ever born, the prophets recognized his humility: “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey”  (Zechariah 9:9). Again, not the kind of entrance you expect to see from the King of Kings. 

Jesus showed His humility again and again through His baptism and servant leadership. He let John wash Him in the Jordan. Later, He washed His disciples’ feet to cleanse them before His crucifixion, as if preparing for the act that cleansed all humanity (if only we allow Jesus to do the humble work of wiping our dirty souls clean). 

When you frame Christmas from the perspective of how God chose such a humble introduction for His only son, you find peace in knowing an approachable savior who “didn’t count equality with God something to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6). 

Wishing you all a blessed and joyful Advent and Christmas. May you all keep safe, and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 1, 2024.  

As we come to the end of the year, we have the joy of looking forward to the Christmas break, the apprehension of what next year will bring and the sadness of saying farewell to some of our families, Year 6 students and some of our staff. So many mixed emotions in a short period of time. Christmas is the season of joy and giving, spending time with our families and having a well-deserved rest. From our families to your families, have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you all back for the start of school on the 23^rd of January, 2024.

Thank you to the P&F for their amazing support this year. You were able to bring together the parents and school community together for many events. Thank you to the committee members Chris Emerick, Amanda O’Day, Gemma Sugden and Rachael Steele for your commitment and ideas.  

A big thank you to the P&F for purchasing the Year 6 Graduation cake and paying for the Year 6 children’s meals, your generosity is appreciated. Also thank you to Hannah Hope for making the delicious cake and Suzy Taske for making the gifts.  

Today we also say farewell to Kim Woods who has stepped in as Tuckshop Convenor in Term 4. Kim has provided an outstanding service to the community, serving delicious food every day. We are grateful that she was able to join us once again and wish her all the best in 2024. 

School resumes on Tuesday 23rd of January 2024.  Please be aware this is a short week as Friday is Australia Day and the school will be closed.

Tuckshop will be closed for the first week and will be up and running on Monday the 29th of January. 

If you are requiring uniforms for the start of the year, Kathy will be in the front office the week before school starts (15/01 - 19/01)  Please call ahead to organise a time to pop in.

Book packs next year are included in the school fees, however headphones are not and will be available to purchase on flexischools.

2024 Staffing

Classroom Teachers

Prep – Mrs Kate Backhouse

Year 1 – Ms Stacey Edmonds

Year 2 – Mrs Tash Tapper

Year 3A – Ms Deb Hamilton

Year 3B – Miss Maddison Lehmann

Year 4 – Miss Rhiannon Bell

Year 5 – Miss Emily Ridgley

Year 6 – Mrs Libby Lange

Support Staff

Diversity Inclusion Teacher (Term 1) – Miss Kristen McLeish

MTSS-E Wellbeing & Engagement Teacher – Miss Stacey Edmonds (1 day)

Front Office – Mrs Kathy Mitton

Prep School Officer - Mrs Rachel Steele

Year 1 School Officer – Mrs Kim Wallace

Groundsman – Mr Jason McNamee

Tuckshop Convenor – Mr Jamie Thomas

Leadership Team

Principal – Ms Kath Porter

Acting APRE – Mrs Julie Dore

Leader of Learning and Teaching – Mrs Tiffany Barber

Leader of Diversity – Mrs Melanie Turner

Leader of Learning and Teaching – Mrs Tiffany Barber

Learning and Teaching – Week 8

Report cards were sent home with students this week, there will also be a copy available on the parent portal. 

What are reporting requirements?

The Australian Government requires all schools to provide parents with feedback on their child’s academic progress and achievement twice per year using a five-point scale.

What is current practice?

St Joseph’s Parish School provides end of semester reports, using a five-point scale, subject comments and a general comment.

We are committed to enhancing the overall reporting experience and providing you with clear and meaningful insights into your child’s academic journey. We appreciate working with you in partnership in your child’s education and will continue to keep you updated on these important developments. Please direct any questions to Tiffany Barber – Acting Leader of Learning and Teaching on tbarber1@cns.catholic.edu.au.

Reminder – Parent information session – Susan McLean

What is Cyber Safety?

Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technology. It is about keeping information safe and secure, but also about being responsible with that information, being respectful to other people online, and using good Internet etiquette. 

St Joseph’s Parish School is fortunately enough to be hosting Susan McLean from Cyber Solutions on Thursday the 18^th of January 2024. Susan McLean is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and a member of the Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as the ‘cyber cop’ she was the first Victorian Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people. 

Susan McLean will be joining teachers during the day for professional development and upskilling staff in ways to teacher and implement cyber safety. Susan will be staying on for a twilight parent session, so parents can learn best practices to keep students safe while using the internet at home. St Joseph’s welcome everyone in the community to come along and learn more about cyber safety. Stay tuned to Facebook and email for updates. 

Thank you for the for all your support with Learning and Teaching this year and I look forward to continuing on the journey next year.

Dear Parents and Guardians,
 

Welcome to Week 8. What a busy and exciting couple of weeks it has been with Assessment, Starry Starry Night, end of Year Mass, farewelling Mrs Megan Pearce, Awards Night, Year 6 Graduation and Year 6 Final Assembly and Guard of Honour.

I would like to congratulate the Year 6 students who celebrated last night with their families graduating from Primary School. It was a very special night reminiscing with past and present pictures and of your Primary school journey.

I would like to take this opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ for all your support over the year and congratulate all the students on all their hard work and resilience that they have displayed throughout the year. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and safe and happy holiday and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2024.

If you have any questions, please feel free to make contact with myself at a convenient time that suits. My email address is   mturner@cns.catholic.edu.au   

Kind regards,

Melanie Turner.