Dear Parents and Guardians,

Students, staff and families enjoyed a wonderful Athletics carnival on Wednesday, 6th November. A very big thank you to everyone for their support at this event. It was fabulous to have so many parents join us at Meadowglen Athletics Stadium to assist and encourage our students on the day. Special thanks to Cara her great work planning, organising, and leading our Athletics Day. Thank you also to our staff for their support in ensuring a successful day for our students.

Fun Run

Thank you to all our families for their wonderful support of our annual fun run. Students will be participating in this run tomorrow morning and l am sure the students will enjoy this. Please note that students must wear old clothing to school tomorrow.

Celebrating Our Future Leaders

Today we had the pleasure of conducting 25 interviews for our School Captain and Vice-Captain positions. It was inspiring to see so many students step forward and present themselves with confidence, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to lead.

Each candidate demonstrated qualities that reflect our school values, and their thoughtful responses showed how committed they are to making a positive difference in our community.

We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated in this process. Their willingness to take on responsibility and share their ideas is a wonderful sign of leadership in action.

Thank you to families for supporting your children in preparing for these interviews—we look forward to announcing our 2026 student leaders soon!

School Advisory Council Update

Our School Advisory Council will be welcoming two new members next year. Welcome to Kelly McDermott and Lisa Moscatiello, who will be joining our Council.

I am pleased to also announce that Jed Nalder and David O’Brien have agreed to continuing, and l look forward to continuing our work together.

On behalf of our community, I would like to thank Jess Mazzone and Mel Bagnato for their valuable contribution to our School Advisory Council. Both Jess and Mel have been integral to our work as Council members supporting our school community. I look forward to thanking them, on your behalf, at our Carols Evening.

Social Media Age Restrictions

From 10th December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.

The restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts. These come from design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.

It is eSafety's view that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit are age-restricted platforms. This list will continue to be updated prior to 10th December. Find the latest details about which platforms are age-restricted.

More generally, age restrictions will apply to social media platforms that meet three specific conditions, unless they are excluded based on criteria set in out in legislative rules made by the Minister for Communications in July 2025.

The conditions for age restriction are:

the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users
the service allows end-users to link to, or interact with, some or all of the other end-users
the service allows end-users to post material on the service.

Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among a number of types of services that have been excluded under the legislative rules. However, messaging services that have social-media style features which allow users to interact in other ways apart from messaging may be included in the age restrictions, as well as messaging features accessed through age-restricted social media accounts.

Jane has provided further information regarding this further on in the newsletter and l encourage all parents to read this information in preparation for this important change.

Please remember that the social media age restrictions are part of the Australian Government’s wider strategy to protect Australians online and our children deserve this protection.

Respect and Responsibility in Our School Toilets

Over recent weeks, staff have been called repeatedly to address issues in the toilets, including paper, cardboard stuffed into toilet bowls, water all over the floors, urine spills, and liquid soap and foam purposely split all over the benches and floor. This behaviour is both disappointing and concerning, as it shows a lack of respect and responsibility from some students.

Two staff members have already slipped and been injured while cleaning up these messes caused by poor choices. As you would understand, it is not the role of our staff to clean toilets, and this creates unnecessary risk and disruption.

I ask all families to please discuss expectations around using the toilets appropriately. My greatest concern is that someone may be seriously injured due to the actions of others.

All students attending school should be fully aware of how to use the toilets correctly and leave them in a safe, clean condition. This is essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our school community.

Thank you for your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.

Illness

Unfortunately, in the past few weeks many families have been impacted by gastroenteritis or COVID-19. As gastroenteritis is a common and highly infectious conditions, students should not return to school until 48 hours after their last episode of diarrhea and/or vomiting.

If you are concerned that your child may have COVID, the following protocols are still in place for all schools:

Parents/carers should inform the school by phone or written notification if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test).

Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved.

Medical Management Policy

St Joseph the Worker Primary School operates with the consent of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and is owned, operated, and governed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). MACS have updated their Medical Management Policy for all schools, with a significant change regarding the administration of medication at school.

In all cases except emergency situations, medication must not be administered to a child being educated and cared for unless the administration is authorised by a treating medical / health practitioner.

Medication can only be administered when a Medication Authority Form that reflects details of medication to be administered at school has been completed and signed by a Health Practitioner and parents.

A copy of the Medical Management Policy and Medication Authority form is available from the office. If you are taking your child to a doctor and expect that they may prescribed medication that will need to be taken at school, we recommend that you take a copy of this form with you for the Medical Practitioner to sign.

Welcoming Our 2026 Prep Students

We recently held our second Prep Orientation and were delighted to welcome our 2026 Prep students and their families to our school. During the session, students worked in classrooms alongside teachers and school leaders, engaging in activities designed to introduce them to learning at our school.

It was wonderful to see how confidently and happily our future Preps settled in, interacting with staff and each other as part of their induction. These sessions provide an excellent foundation for a smooth transition into school life next year, and we are excited to continue supporting our newest learners as they begin their journey with us.

School Fees Reminder

Thank you to the many families who have already finalised this year’s school fees—we truly appreciate your prompt attention and support. There are just a few accounts still outstanding, and we kindly ask that these be settled this week.

School fees are essential to ensuring we can continue to operate successfully and provide the high-quality learning environment and resources that benefit all students.

If you would like to discuss your account, please contact Marisa in the office.

School Uniform

The wearing of the correct school uniform is compulsory for all students. It is now time for all students to wear the correct summer school uniform. Students are required to wear their school hats in Term 4 while at school and are strongly encouraged to wear them when walking to and from school. Students without a school hat will be required to sit in a shaded area during breaks. With the UV index much higher this term, parents are encouraged to ensure that your child wears sunscreen.

Many children are wearing sneakers to the school at the current time and whilst l know we are getting towards the end of the year, the correct school uniform is mandated for all families. Please ensure that your child/children attend school in the correct uniform every day.

Dogs at School

A reminder that under no circumstances should dogs be brought into the school grounds. This is for the safety and wellbeing of both families and the pets themselves! We have students with allergies to dogs and some students who are very scared of them. I ask for your support with this matter and to leave the dog at home or wait away from the school grounds with your dog.

Travel Safe

It is wonderful to see students riding to school now that the weather is improving. A reminder to all students who walk or ride to school to always follow the road rules and be very careful when walking or riding past the school driveway entrances.

May St Joseph the Worker bless you and watch over you and your family at this time.

Kind regards,

Maria Barnes

Principal

God of wisdom and justice,

Through Jesus, your son, you gave us the example of how to be good leaders for our friends, families, and world.

Help us listen to your voice and follow your example of love and kindness.

Give us hearts that understand others, share their joys and sorrows, and treat everyone fairly.

Teach us to lead with wisdom, patience, and peace, so we can build a better place where no one feels left out.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit to be brave witnesses of your truth, hope, and goodness every day.

We ask this through Mary, our Mother, and in your holy name.

St Joseph the Worker, Pray for us

Amen.