Principal's News   

Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

At St Joseph's we talk a lot about our school values of strength and kindliness and it was proudly on display in our local community this week:

Whilst it remains a mystery as to who these beautiful students are it is always so lovely to receive an email from a member of our local community which affirms the values our teachers and leaders consistently promote and talk about in classrooms and throughout the school, and those which are introduced and nurtured at home. We are so proud of our St Joseph's students!

Dear Mrs Marinelli,

I felt compelled to write to you this evening after witnessing something truly beautiful involving a group of your students.

At the corner of Glenferrie Road and High Street, I saw a number of St Joseph’s girls waiting for the lights to change. When the light turned green, rather than simply hurrying across as most teenagers might, two of the girls stayed beside an elderly gentleman who appeared unsteady. They ensured he crossed safely, walking at his pace, and only once he was fully across did they run ahead to rejoin their friends.

It was such a simple act — but profoundly moving.

In a world where we often hear discouraging stories about young people, this was a reminder that kindness, respect and awareness of others are alive and well. These girls demonstrated empathy, patience and genuine care without any fanfare.

Whatever you and your staff are doing at St Joseph’s, it is clearly shaping not only capable students but thoughtful and compassionate young women. As a member of the community, I wanted you to know that it does not go unnoticed.

Please pass on my appreciation to the students and your staff.

Warm regards...

Reconciliation Commitment Mass

We had a lovely celebration on Sunday morning for the children making the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a few weeks. It was very nice to see so many families supporting the candidates at the Reconciliation Commitment Mass this morning. It was so lovely to have our Parish priest Fr Gallacher and our two seminarians Patrick and Anthony celebrating this Mass with our families. As a school community we will continue to pray for the children as they prepare for this sacrament. Thank you to our Religious Education Leader Ms DeVisser for your preparation of the children and supporting them at Mass this morning.

Baptism for our St Joseph's students- Harry and Winnie

Last Sunday, Harry in Year 3 and Winnie in Year 1 were baptised at St Joseph’s Church in a beautiful and joyful celebration. Fr Gallacher, led the ceremony and guided the families through this very special Sacrament of Baptism. Through Baptism, Harry and Winnie were welcomed into the Catholic Church, becoming members of our faith community. This sacrament marks the beginning of their faith journey, where they are called to grow in their relationship with God and to live out the values of Jesus in their daily lives.

On this special day, their parents and godparents made promises on their behalf to nurture their faith, to guide them in prayer, and to support them as they grow in understanding and love of God. 

We were also blessed to have seminarians Patricia and Anthony join the celebration, sharing in the joy of the occasion with the families and parish community. It was a truly meaningful moment for Harry and Winnie, and we pray that their lives continue to be filled with faith, love and many blessings as they walk this journey together.

Family Welcome Picnic

Our St Joseph’s Welcome Picnic on Thursday afternoon was a truly heartwarming celebration of community and connection. It was a joy to see families gathered together in the warm afternoon sunshine, reconnecting with friends and warmly welcoming our new families into the beautiful St Joseph’s community. We hope our newest members felt the genuine spirit of friendship and belonging that makes our school so special. With fingers crossed for continued beautiful weather at future gatherings, we look forward to many more opportunities to come together and strengthen these wonderful connections.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing P&F for their incredible organisation and hard work in creating such a fun and relaxed event for everyone. The sausage sizzle, icy poles, drinks and fruit cups were a big hit and added to the festive atmosphere. We are also sincerely grateful to all the parents and carers who generously gave their time to help both in the lead-up and on the day - your support made the afternoon such a success. It was truly a lovely way to begin the year together, and we are so excited to continue welcoming and getting to know the newest members of our school community.

And from the P&F -

Thank you to everyone who attended to the Welcome Picnic and helped us kick off the year in such a positive way. We had a wonderful afternoon and are pleased to share that we raised in excess of $90 from the event!

On behalf our our school we are so very grateful for the parents, carers and friends who work tirelessly to make events like this such a success!

St Joseph's HOLT Swim Team

The St Joseph’s Swim Team has been announced for the HOLT District Swimming Carnival. Congratulations to the following students on making the team:

Harry M, Gus D, Jack L, Frankie R, Frankie N, Piper H, Violet P, Bennett M L, Clements K, Alina U, Lucy N, Penelope W, Chelsea R, Matilda L, Harry W, Fabien C, William B, Wolf D, Daniel M, Xavier L, Spencer M L, Nicholas P and Danciel M.

We are so proud of your efforts, your willingness to challenge yourselves, and the dedication you have shown. For some of you, this will be your very first time competing at this level - what an exciting achievement!

The team were presented with their swimming caps today at assembly. 

HOLT Swim Team Training

It is so wonderful to see the commitment from our St Joseph’s swim team, arriving at the pool bright and early to train for the upcoming HOLT Swimming Carnival. Their willingness to give up their time and put in the extra effort speaks volumes about their dedication to both personal improvement and team spirit. Training before the school day begins requires focus, perseverance and a positive mindset, and our students continue to demonstrate all of these qualities.

Being part of a team takes commitment, courage and passion. Each early morning session is an opportunity to build skills, strengthen friendships and grow in confidence. We are incredibly proud of our students for the determination and enthusiasm they are showing as they prepare for this event. Their hard work and dedication truly reflect the spirit of St Joseph’s, and we look forward to cheering them on at the HOLT Swimming Carnival.

Piper H – I enjoyed swimming in the races and filling in for the team. I swam freestyle and other strokes, and it was lots of fun.

Violet P – I like swimming because we get to practise lots of different strokes. It was tiring, but it was really fun. We practised the strokes we will be using for the competition.

Frankie R – I liked swimming with my friends and learning a new stroke - breaststroke. I love doing freestyle and backstroke and racing against the others.

Harry M – I enjoyed competing against the other swimmers and practising all of my strokes.

Penelope W– I really liked freestyle and breaststroke. They were both lots of fun.

Jack L– It was really fun racing against the other children.

Alina U – I liked that everyone had to swim a stroke, and we learned even more through practising.

Clements K– I loved that I could swim freely in the pool.

Lucy N– I enjoy swimming in the pool and practising lots of different swimming strokes.

Swimming Lessons

This week, our students from Prep to Year 6 commenced their intensive swimming program with Maccabi Aquatics at Bialik College. Their energy and enthusiasm was evident from the moment the students arrived poolside, ready to challenge themselves and build their skills in the water.

Throughout the week, students have been developing their confidence, refining their technique, and strengthening essential water safety skills under the guidance of the experienced Maccabi Aquatics instructors. From our youngest learners to our senior students it has been wonderful to see every child embracing the opportunity to learn and grow.

The program not only supports physical development but also fosters resilience, perseverance, and teamwork. Students have been encouraging one another, celebrating achievements, and showing great determination as they work towards their personal goals.

It has been so great to see the smiles, the progress, and the pride on our students’ faces as they dive into this valuable learning experience. We look forward to seeing their continued improvement next week over the remainder of the program.

Tennis Clinics

This week, students from Prep to Year 6 enthusiastically participated in tennis clinics as part of their Physical Education program. Throughout the sessions, students developed their fundamental tennis skills, including hand–eye coordination, footwork and serving and rallying.

The clinics provided a fantastic opportunity for students of all ability levels to build confidence, improve their teamwork, and learn the importance of perseverance and sportsmanship. It was wonderful to see so many students actively engaged, challenging themselves, and enjoying the experience of learning new skills in a fun and supportive environment.

We thank our Sport Teacher Ms Zoe D'Intini for organising these experiences for our students.

Staff First Aid and CPR

This week, our staff engaged in their annual CPR training, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining a safe school environment. The session provided valuable hands-on practice in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the use of a defibrillator and responding effectively in emergency situations.

Regular training ensures that staff remain confident and up to date with current first aid guidelines and procedures. By refreshing these vital lifesaving skills each year, we strengthen our ability to respond quickly and calmly should an emergency arise, helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students and members of our school community.

Enrolments for 2027

Enrolments for current (and new) families for 2027 are now open. We encourage all current and new families to submit an application to ensure a place in our Prep intake for 2027. The enrolment application form can be found on our website. Please contact our school office if you have any queries. Current families please get your applications in asap as we we like to prioritise our offers for families already in our school. 

Open Days at St Joseph's

On Monday we held our first Open Day for 2026. We were delighted to welcome many prospective families through our gates, warmly greeted by the students, staff, and current parents of our St Joseph’s community. It is always such a joy to share our school and showcase what makes our community so special.

I would like to sincerely thank our school leaders and school captains, our wonderfully welcoming parents - Angela L, Evelyn, Jill and Annie, and our teachers and students who opened their classrooms so beautifully. Your pride in our school, our calm and engaging learning spaces, and our commitment to excellence in learning truly shone through.

It was a wonderful reflection of the welcoming and connected community we are so proud to be part of.

Our official Open Days for 2026 are being held across the following dates:

We have our second Open Day on Tuesday 10th March from 9am to 11am. We look forward to welcoming prospective families to our school.

If you have family or friends who are exploring school options for 2027, our Open Days are a great opportunity to see our beautiful school in action, meet our staff, and learn more about what makes our community at St Joseph's so special.

We have already received a number of applicants for 2027 and we have many registrations for our Open Days. Once we receive applications, first round interviews will take place for new families from Monday 2nd March and first round letters of offer will be sent on Tuesday 10th March.

Please spread the word to any prospective families who may be looking for a school for 2027. Our families are our greatest advocates, so please share your thoughts with your friends and family about our beautiful school . 

Our “Meet and Greets” for current families and siblings will be taking place soon. Isabelle in the office will be in touch shortly via email to arrange a mutually convenient time for you to come in and meet with me. I am truly looking forward to getting to know some very familiar faces - the younger siblings who will be joining our community next year. It’s always so special to welcome the next generation of families into our school, and I can’t wait to connect with you all.

Junior Joey's Playgroup

It is so lovely to see our Junior Joey's Playgroup. back in full swing! We had a full house on Monday -l ed by our wonderful Prep and Junior Transition Leader, Ms Liolios. The room was filled with joyful play, laughter, connection and a beautiful sense of community. We are truly grateful to share this special time together and look forward to many more happy and welcoming mornings throughout the term.

St Joseph's Family Fun Day - Save the Date: Saturday 28th March, 10am -3pm

There is a great deal of planning happening behind the scenes as we prepare for what promises to be a truly exciting and fun day for our school community - our St Joseph’s Family Fun Day.

Please save the date in your calendar! We are so grateful for the wonderful support and involvement of our community. Your enthusiasm and generosity make such a difference.

If you would like to help in any way, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Fleur D’Altera (mum of Andre in Year 3), who is leading this major event on behalf of the P&F for our school.

This is a significant undertaking, and as the saying goes, many hands make light work. Thank you in advance for being part of what will be a fantastic day for our St Joseph’s family.

Working Bee - Thank you!

We had some beautiful sunshine and a great show of families for our first working bee of the year on Saturday. We are so grateful to the families who gave up their time on the weekend to help with jobs around our school, 

A very warm and heartfelt thank you is extended to: 

Rob Bell, Evelyn and John Fitzgerald, Stef Brunetti, Nick Alston, Adam Cecil, Andrea Da Como, Lukas Konieczyny, Kate Tehan, Angela and Scott Nicolai, Simone Dabbs, Matt Stanney, Louise Ellis and Andrew Kendall, Jerome and Jess Purcell, Jill and Adam Charles, Adrian and Vanessa Wills, and Hayley Bowman and Stephen Lister.

There was a lot of hard work but also some great community spirit and fun that is always prsesnt in our St Joseph's community. Thank you also to the families who made donations which contributed to our working bee. We also had some of our gorgeous children set up a lemonade stand for the passers by on Stanhope St and for our working bee helpers- all funds raised going directly to Caritas. And a huge thank you Jess Purcell for all your work in organising such a productive afternoon!

New BBQ - Thank you!

We extend the warmest thank you to Caz and Luke McBride (parents of Harry and Winnie) who kindly picked up the new P&F BBQ from Mitre 10 and Luke kindly put the BBQ together over the weekend just in time for the Welcome BBQ. This is another example of the quiet acts of service that underpin our great community.

Flourishing Learners Improvement Network

This week, members of our School Leadership Team - Dean, Amanda and myself attended the Flourishing Learners Improvement Network as part of the Southern Region of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, alongside almost 250 other school leaders.

We had the valuable opportunity to learn from highly regarded education consultant Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, who presented on strengthening teaching practice through responsive teaching. Her insights, grounded in the latest research, provided practical strategies to further enhance our classroom practice and student engagement.

Dean and Amanda are excited to share this new learning with our teachers, who we know will be eager to embed these evidence-based approaches into their classrooms. This ongoing professional learning continues to strengthen our collective practice, ensuring we engage every student in meaningful learning and strive for excellence in student outcomes.

St Joseph's School Assembly

This morning we gathered as a school community to celebrate our STAR Award recipients and our recent birthdays, joyfully singing Tanti Auguri together once again. It was such a lovely way to finish our week. A big thank you to our Year 4 students who stood in for our Year 5 and 6 school leaders who were swimming at this time. It was also lovely too see out swim team for HOLT presented with their swim caps.

Census Collection

The Australian Government Department of Education has requested that all schools provide updated residential address and related information for students in accordance with the Australian Education Regulations. The information collected includes parent/guardian names and addresses, student residential addresses and education level.

This data is securely provided to the Department using unique, de-identified student reference numbers and is used to inform government funding calculations for non-government schools. All personal information is protected under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and will not be shared with schools at an individual income level. Families are not required to take any action; however, you may contact the school if your details need updating. You can access this link for further information:

Important Dates for Term 1

I encourage you to take a moment to review the Term 1 dates page in this week’s newsletter so you are up to date with all the important activities and events happening this term. We encourage you to be involved in the life of our St Joseph’s community.

What's On Next Week..

At any time, if you have any questions or concerns about the wellbeing, care or learning of your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's class teacher, one of the school leaders, or Dean Butler, Deputy Principal or myself, Annabelle Marinelli, Principal.

I wish you all a lovely weekend with your beautiful families.

With the warmest regards,

Annabelle Marinelli

Principal 

annabelle.marinelli@sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au