Acting Principal's Message

As we conclude another wonderful term, I thank our students, families and staff for their support and commitment.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and restful winter holiday break. May this time be filled with family, friendship and moments of renewal. As a Catholic community, we pray that God watches over you, keeps you safe, and blesses you with peace and joy.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back next term refreshed and ready for learning.

Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships Curriculum Topic 7

As part of our Respectful Relationships curriculum, students from Foundation to Year 6 will soon be participating in Topic 7: Gender Norms and Stereotypes.

This learning has been carefully designed to support students in developing respect for themselves and others by exploring how stereotypes can influence the way people think, behave and treat one another. Lessons are age-appropriate and tailored to the developmental needs of each year level.

Throughout this topic, students will:

recognise that interests, abilities and aspirations are not limited by gender;
identify and challenge common gender stereotypes;
appreciate and celebrate individual strengths, talents and differences;
develop empathy, inclusion and respect for others; and
strengthen their understanding of fairness and equality in everyday life.

At St. Joseph's, this learning aligns with our Catholic values of dignity, respect and inclusion. We are committed to nurturing a school community where every child feels valued, safe and encouraged to reach their full potential.

We encourage families to continue these conversations at home by discussing the importance of respecting others, embracing differences and recognising that everyone has unique gifts and talents.

If you have any questions about this learning or would like further information about the curriculum, please don't hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher or the school.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting the wellbeing and development of our students.

Lions Club Public Speaking Final

Congratulations to our amazing students Esme, Ariah Nimmo-Decicco, Liam Mustica and Sophia Nicosia on representing St. Joseph's with such pride at the Lions Club Public Speaking Final held at the Cobram Senior Citizens Club this evening.

Your exceptional public speaking skills, confidence, careful preparation and courage to speak in front of an audience were outstanding. You represented our school with integrity, respect and confidence, making the entire St. Joseph's community incredibly proud.

Your willingness to use your voices to share ideas reflects the values of our Sisters of Mercy tradition; showing courage, leadership, compassion and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

Congratulations once again on this wonderful achievement. Furthermore, we congratulate Sophia Nicosia for winning her category and advancing to the next stage.

Toys Stay at Home

You may have noticed our new "Toys Are Not to Be Brought to School" posters displayed around the school. This expectation is in place to help ensure that St. Joseph's remains a safe, respectful and positive learning environment for every student.

Unless a teacher has specifically requested an item for a learning activity or an individual student has an approved support plan, toys, squishies, fidget toys, trading items and other personal belongings should remain at home.

While we understand that children are often excited to share their favourite toys with friends, bringing them to school can create unnecessary challenges. Unfortunately, toys can:

Become damaged or broken through everyday play.
Be lost or misplaced, causing worry for students and families.
Lead to confusion about ownership, particularly when several students have similar items.
Cause upset, disappointment or conflict if items are not returned or become damaged.
Be expensive or of significant sentimental value, making their loss or damage even more distressing.

These situations can quickly become a distraction from learning and often require valuable staff time to investigate and resolve. Our goal is to ensure every child can focus on learning, building friendships and enjoying the many play opportunities and equipment already provided by the school.

In line with our St. Joseph's Expectations of Always Safe, Always Respectful and Always Learning, any toys or sensory items brought from home without prior approval will be held by staff and returned to parents at the end of the school day.

We greatly appreciate the support of our families in reinforcing this expectation with your child before they leave for school each morning. Working together helps us create a positive, inclusive and distraction-free environment where every student can thrive.

Mega School Presentation - Trikki Kidz Cobram & Barooga

St. Joseph’s School, Cobram is delighted to be part of the Trikki Kidz Mega School Presentation, a wonderful event designed to support families as they prepare for their child’s transition to primary school.

This special information evening provides families from Cobram and Barooga with the opportunity to meet representatives from local schools, learn about different educational settings, and ask questions about starting school. It is a valuable chance for parents and carers to explore the many opportunities available for their child’s educational journey.

We are proud to showcase what makes St. Joseph’s such a special place to learn and grow, including our strong Catholic identity, commitment to student wellbeing, contemporary learning programs, and nurturing community spirit.

If you know families with children preparing to start school, please encourage them to attend this informative and welcoming event. We look forward to seeing them there!