A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends,
It is hard to believe we are already in Week Five of Term One. It has been wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm around the school as students continue to settle into routines, build friendships, and engage positively with their learning. Our classrooms and playgrounds are full of happy faces, and it has been a joy to see students growing in confidence each day.
This week’s newsletter shares a number of important updates and celebrations from across our school community. As always, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to nurture the learning, wellbeing and faith of every child at St Joseph the Worker.
Opening of the School Year Mass
Last Wednesday, we celebrated our Ash Wednesday and our Opening of the School Year Mass. Father Pritchard blessed our students, staff and school community at this mass.
Special thanks to Kate for preparing such a beautiful and prayerful celebration. Congratulations to our students for their reverent participation during the Mass, and to our readers who read so confidently. Fr Pritchard thanked all our students for their good participation at mass.
Volunteer and Child Safety Workshops – a temporary pause
Cherrie is currently on leave and as a result, our Volunteers and Child Safety Workshops will be temporarily paused. Updated session dates and opportunities to participate will be shared with our community in early Term 2
Student Leadership Team
A special congratulations to our Year Six Student Leaders who were proudly presented with their leadership badges today at assembly. We congratulate each of our school leaders and encourage them to look to the example of St Joseph the Worker as they carry out their responsibilities and serve our school and parish community this year.
Child Safety
This year, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is placing a strong emphasis on working together to uphold and promote child safety across all Catholic schools. As part of this initiative, every MACS school will share information with their communities about the Child Safe Standards, focusing on one standard each month.
In this edition, we highlight Child Safe Standard 1: Creating a Culturally Safe Community. This standard emphasises the importance of ensuring that “organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.”
We are committed to fostering a school environment where all children feel safe, supported, and respected, and where the cultural identities of Aboriginal students are honoured and celebrated.
Parent Teacher Conversations
Special thanks to parents for attending our Parent–Teacher Conversations in week 3. It is so important that you know your child’s teacher and that they know you! When parents work in partnership with the school, student learning is enhanced. The information and insights you provide assist teachers in meeting your child’s needs and supporting them both as learners and as individuals.
At St Joseph the Worker, we value parents and families as the first, important and continuing educators of their children. It is a privilege to work alongside you to provide a positive learning environment and the best opportunities in both knowledge and faith, supporting each child’s learning journey.
School Photos
A reminder that school photos will be taken Wednesday 11th March. Children are to wear their full summer school uniform. School jumpers and hats are not required for photos. Girls may have their hair out for the photo, but it should be tied back afterwards.
Curriculum Overviews
Last week, families received a curriculum overview from their child’s teacher via the Audiri app. We believe it is important that you are informed about what your child is learning across all curriculum areas so you can support their learning at home. Our wonderful teachers and staff do an outstanding job providing engaging and meaningful learning experiences for our students.
School Hours
Our school routines are working well, particularly during the morning drop-off period. To ensure a calm and successful start to the day, it is important that students arrive at school on time.
- Gates open and supervision begins at 8:30 a.m.
- Students walk into their classrooms and get ready to begin learning.
All gates are locked at 8:45 a.m. as formal learning commences immediately.
While we understand that exceptional circumstances may occasionally cause lateness, arriving on time each day is essential for a smooth transition into learning and helps children settle confidently into their day.
We have noticed that some students are arriving at school before 8:30 a.m. Please be reminded that gates and classrooms do not open, and supervision does not begin, until 8:30 a.m. For families who need to drop their child off earlier, our Before School Care program, MACSEYE is available. We kindly ask that children are not dropped off at school before 8:30 a.m. unless they are attending Before School Care.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and well-organised start to each school day.
Working Together to Minimise Disruptions
We kindly ask families to avoid picking up students early unless it’s for an emergency or an unavoidable appointment. Early pickups interrupt learning and can be disruptive for both students and staff.
Often there are many interruptions during the day, including lunch drop-offs and unscheduled pickups. While we understand that things come up from time to time, frequent disruptions impact student learning and interrupt teachers during valuable classroom time. Learning time is precious, it’s when students are most engaged, focused and building important skills. We want to protect that time as much as possible.
Road Safety
Please continue to follow road rules around the school. Council has received complaints from residents regarding illegal parking and double parking.
For the safety of all, please do not park illegally, near school crossings, or double park. Your cooperation helps ensure a safe environment for everyone in our community.
2027 Prep Enrolments
We have already received strong interest for Prep 2027 enrolments. Families with a child eligible for Prep next year are encouraged to submit an enrolment application as soon as possible.
Existing families are guaranteed a place; however, an enrolment form must still be submitted. Forms can be downloaded from our website or collected from the school office.
Working together during Lent
This Lent, Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to “disarm our language” resonates with me. It reminds us that working together means choosing our words with care - avoiding language that hurts, judges, or dismisses others, especially when they can’t speak for themselves. This is a practical way for us to live out our values of respect and responsibility: respect, by honouring the dignity of every person in the way we speak, and responsibility, by recognising that our words carry weight even when their impact isn’t visible. Lent invites us to slow down, think before we speak, and let kindness guide our conversations at home, at school, at work, online, and everywhere our lives connect. When we choose gentleness and understanding, we help create a community shaped by hope and peace, one thoughtful, respectful word at a time.
A special thanks to our Parents and Friends who have organised our wonderful event this evening. Looking forward to seeing everybody.
We ask St Joseph the Worker to continue to bless our wonderful Parish and School Community.
Kind regards,
Maria Barnes
Principal
Prayer for the new school year
As we begin a new school year, we all have many hopes for the year ahead. Let us invite God to be with us now and in the coming months, giving thanks for the blessings we received during our summer holidays and to ask the Lord’s continuing blessing on this new school year. With open hearts we pray.
For the Church, that the Leaders continue to spread the good news and encourage us all to praise the words of Christ.
That our school will always be a place of welcome, where all students, staff and parents feel valued and included.
For all students, that they will fulfil their potential and become a witness to the message of Jesus.
For our families, and the friends of St Carlo’s community, that we are strengthened through your love and work together.
For those who are less fortunate than ourselves may they find peace, love and support.
For all those who are sick. We also remember their family and friends, and we ask God to give them strength and comfort at this time of need.
For all those in our school community who have lost loved ones. We pray that the Lord will comfort them in their loss.