Welcome back to our final term of the school year. We have another busy term planned so we would like to ask you to please keep an eye on the school calendar and make sure that you are connected to the school via the AUDIRI APP.

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome back after my 2-week pilgrimage to Rome. Undertaking a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi was a journey not only through beautiful landscapes but into the very heart of simplicity, humility, and respect for creation. St. Francis, known as the patron saint of ecology, lived a life in harmony with nature, embracing poverty and seeing all creatures as his brothers and sisters. In this spirit, walking in his footsteps offered a profound opportunity to reflect on sustainability in our modern world.

As we walked the winding paths of Assisi and beyond, the rich history of St. Francis echoed in every corner—the places where he preached, the hermitages where he prayed, and the forests where he found solace. His life was one of radical simplicity, a deliberate choice to renounce wealth and materialism in favour of living closer to the earth, relying only on what was essential.

St. Francis’ reverence for all living things calls us to adopt a lifestyle that respects the planet and its resources, recognising that sustainability is not just an environmental issue but a spiritual one as well.

STAFFING NEWS

I am thrilled to share the news that Myanna Goetze and her husband Ryan are expecting their first child! This wonderful news has brought much joy to our school community. Myanna will continue teaching throughout this term and is excited to remain a part of Prep G's learning journey before she embarks on this exciting new chapter of parenthood. We extend our warmest congratulations to Myanna and Ryan and wish them all the best as they prepare for their new arrival.

SCHOOL CONCERT - ONLY 8 DAYS TO GO!!!

It's almost time to raise the curtain on this year's school concert...

Ticket sales will open up tomorrow morning - if you haven't purchased your tickets yet please do so ASAP!

Our incredible students have kicked off Term 4 by dancing, singing and acting up a storm! Rehearsals are well underway and if the children's performances are anything to go by the audience members are in for a treat!

FETE PREPARATIONS

Excitement is building as preparations for our St Joseph's School Fete on November 16 are well underway! The WhatsApp Group has been abuzz with ideas and it's wonderful to see everyone working together to make this year's Fete a fantastic day for everyone.

It's not too late to join the WhatsApp group and there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved! Whether it’s helping with a stall, donating items, or simply spreading the word, your support is greatly appreciated. To see how you can volunteer or contribute, please visit the following link:

ST JOSEPH'S FETE VOLUNTEER LIST

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you in advance for your contributions toward making this event a huge success!

REGIONAL ATHLETICS

Tomorrow, Saskia Thomas and Amelia Brown will represent St Joseph's in the Victorian Primary Schools Sports Association's REGIONAL FINALS. This competition is the preliminary to the STATE FINALS, and we are so very proud to have Saskia represent us in the 1500m, and Amelia represent us in the 80m hurdles. Saskia came second, and Amelia first in their respective events at the previous Divisional Finals.

GOOD LUCK AMELIA AND SASKIA!!!

RETURNING TO ST JOSEPH'S

As we begin planning for the 2025 school year, it’s important for us to have an accurate understanding of our student numbers. If your family is not planning to return to St Joseph's in 2025, we kindly ask that you inform the school office as soon as possible.

Your timely notification helps us with class planning and ensuring a smooth transition for all students.

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS

Just a reminder that our school closure days this term are on the following days:

Monday Nov 4 (Melbourne Cup Eve)
Friday Nov 29

SWIMMING PROGRAMME

Last week our senior students participated in the swimming programme at Collingwood Leisure Centre. The students were given the chance to participate in the programme based on their skill level, and they all eagerly embraced the opportunity to improve their confidence in the water. Thank you to the senior teachers who ensured the students' safety whilst travelling to and from the Leisure Centre and whilst participating in the programme.

EDUCATION IN FAITH