Dear Families,

With September and Spring beginning next week, we acknowledge the World Day of Prayer for Creation on the 1st September.

God of all seasons,

We thank you for the diversity of life.

We thank you for Spring,

And for new life rising in our world.

We pray for all people who nurture the soil for planting.

We thank you for Summer,

And long days of quiet thought.

We pray for all who contend with fire, storms and drought.

We thank you for Autumn,

And the harvesting of the fruit of another year.

We pray for those who seek a just return for their work.

We thank you for Winter,

A time of inwardness and hope.

We pray for all who lack warmth and shelter.

May all creation

Draw us towards our creator.

Amen.

Congratulations to Jane and students on being named finalists in this year's Tidy Towns Awards for the Moonah Woodlands Project. We live in a unique environment here on the Mornington Peninsula, in a UNESCO Biosphere - one of five in Australia and seven hundred and ninety seven reserves worldwide. We have a responsibility to conserve and protect our beautiful natural environment.

Book Week

It was a wonderful day on Friday as we celebrated Book Week, children's literature and spark a love of lifelong love of reading. We hope that students see reading as an exciting adventure rather than just a chore, expand their vocabulary, enhance communication and comprehension skills and let creativity grow. Thank you to Mel McFayden for organising the Book Week activities including the dress up parade and local author Toni D'Alia's visit.

Underwater Mural

The mural that artist Sue Osborn created with our Year Three - Six students has been installed today. It is a beautiful piece of artwork that you can look at many times and find something new each viewing. It includes numerous indigenous animals only found in the Mornington Peninsula region.

2026 Archies Art Competition

Congratulations to Aleesha who won the overall Primary School prize for her artwork and Kirra for winning the Community Award in the Primary School section. Thank you to Marg McInness and the Sorrento Portsea RSL for organising the event.

Behaviour Support Flowchart

Shared behaviour expectations, a common language, consistent boundaries and reliable support work together to create a safe, positive and predictable environment where everyone feels valued and all students can learn and grow successfully. The creation of the St Joseph's Behaviour Support Flow Chart has seen an improvement in school-wide behaviour. Thank you to the students, staff and parents who contributed to its creation. A larger, clearer version can be found on the Student Wellbeing page.

Piano and Violin Instrumental Lessons

Paula has some availability on Tuesdays for piano and/or violin lesson. Please contact her on 0481 374 746 if your child is interested.

$1 Cheese Toasties

Year Sixes students and families are selling $1 cheese toasties every Monday.

Parent/Guardian Webinar: Balancing Life & Technology (Screen Time)

Please find a link to the webinar recording -

link

Aboriginal Literacy Day

Our FIRE Carrier student leaders are organising a Book Swap on Wednesday 2nd September to raise money for the Aboriginal charity "Opening the Doors Foundation" which provides Aboriginal children with essentials for their education. Students are invited to look through their bookshelves and bring any books they are willing to donate. On Wednesday 2nd, students are invited to bring some money to school to purchase some pre-loved books.

Verandah Repairs

Thank you for your patience with valet as the verandah outside the library was repaired. Broken tiles, damaged eaves and rotten wood was making it unsafe. It was repaired and handed over to us this morning.

MACS Care

Please note the parent/carer newsletter for Child Safety Standard Eight in the attachment below.

School Closure Day

Today staff participated in professional learning on Writing, which is our whole school focus again this year. Thank you to Megan Barber for facilitating the productive day.

The next two weeks...

Mon 24 School Closure Day

Tues 25 - Fri 28 Snow Camp

Mon 31. $1 Cheese Toasties

Assembly

Wed 2. Aboriginal Literacy Day Book Swap

Thurs 3. Year Six run canteen

Fri 4. Fathers Day & Special Friend Breakfast 8:00am

Sun 6. Father's Day

I will be on Snow Camp at Mt Buller this week with thirty one of our students. Please contact Megan Barber in my absence. We wish all staff and students attending the Snow Camp a wonderful adventure.

Many thanks,

Monica

moshannassy@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au