From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Here we find ourselves approaching the mid-point of the term.  It is amazing how the year is flying by. It has been another busy fortnight with lots of events and excitement.

Mothers' Day Celebrations

What a lovely morning we had with our Mothers' Day Assembly and Prayer Service, Classroom Activities and Devonshire Tea!  We were thrilled to welcome about sixty mums and other special people to St Joseph's to celebrate Mothers' Day. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the day and it has been lovely reading the positive comments about the morning from the mums who attended.

Special thanks to the members of the Parents and Friends Committee who ran the Mothers Day Stall on Thursday.  The children thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to choose a gift for their mum. As all the items were purchased in 2020, all money raised will reflect as a profit in 2021 for the Parents and Friends Committee.   

Lunch Orders Available from Friday 14 May

Thanks to the great work of our Parents & Friends Committee, Launch Bakery has been engaged to deliver lunch orders for our students on Fridays, commencing this week. Launch Bakery is owned and run by the Tran family from St Joseph's School.  I am so pleased we have been able to engage a local business from our community to provide this service. Please see below with the ordering instructions and the price list:

School Advisory Board

The School Advisory Board will be meeting this coming Wednesday 12 May. The focus for the meeting will be:

1. Changed Governance Structure for Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
2. New School Advisory Board Constitution
3. Recruitment of new Advisory Board members

In the coming weeks, the school community will receive an update on the recent governance changes, a copy of the School Advisory Board Constitution and application forms for those wishing to apply for a position on the Advisory Board.

Counselling Service

We are fortunate to have recently engaged a new counsellor to provide support to our students. Her name is Fiona Sedgman and she will be working at St Joseph's School on Friday afternoons.  She is a Social Worker and Senior Child & Family Counsellor.  

Following the long period of Remote Learning we noticed a number of issues of concern for some of our students.  While the students have been well supported by their families, friends and teachers, we feel that input from a professional of Fiona's capacity may be very helpful.

We are mindful that the demand for places may outstrip the counselling spots available. However, we will attempt to arrange for all children in need to be seen as soon as possible.  If you feel that your child could benefit from counselling, please make contact with me or our Student Wellbeing Leader, Liz O'Brien by Tuesday afternoon.  

 lobrien@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au

The forms below will need to be completed prior to a child engaging with Fiona:

Usually Fiona starts with a short first meeting so it’s not too overwhelming for the children.  Fiona will make contact with a parent following this initial meeting.

Enrolment Information Night

We are looking forward to welcoming new and prospective families to our Enrolment Information Night this Monday 10 May.  This will provide a great opportunity for parents to meet the staff and each other and to hear about all of the fantastic learning opportunities children experience at St Joseph's School.

Enrolments are coming in thick and fast and we are confident we will have a Foundation class in the high teens to low 20s.  If you know of any families with children who will be school age next year, please encourage them to come along.  

Mount Lilydale Mercy College (MLMC) Enrolment Information

Cyber Safety for Children

This Monday 10 May the children in Years Two to Six will be participating in a Cyber Safety learning session facilitated by Victoria Police Community Liaison Officers.  We are hopeful that this will assist children by developing their capacity to keep themselves safe when working online.

Best wishes to all the mums for a very Happy Mothers Day!  

Kind regards,

Nicholas Boyhan