Dear Families,

Welcome back to all our students, staff, and families! It has been wonderful to see the playground and learning spaces buzzing with energy again. We hope your Easter break was filled with rest, reflection, and perhaps a reasonable amount of chocolate.

The term is shaping up to be busy and productive with rich, targeted learning programs, community events and Stage One of our building project on track to be completed.

For the next few weeks as the weather changes. Students may wear either the school summer or winter uniform, but not to mix the two.

Welcome

A very warm welcome to Olga who will be working at St Joseph's as a Learning Support Officer. Olga replaces Ebony Hood in Year 1/2. Ebony is attending university in Melbourne this year.

Lunch orders

We are excited to commence lunch orders, in partnership with Peninsula Lunch Co and Baked In Portsea. Families are able to place lunch orders each week using the Flexischools app. All lunch orders will be delivered directly to students at the school.

How it works:

Orders are placed via the Flexi Schools app
Lunch orders are available every Wednesday
Order cut-off is 1.30pm each Tuesday.
Orders are delivered straight to students

The menu options look delicious. I have already ordered my lunch for this Wednesday!

The link below has the instruction on setting up your account once you have downloaded the Flexischools app.

Our+school+is+online+with+Flexischools.pdf

Sorrento Writers Festival

We are extremely fortunate that the Sorrento Writers Festival has a Schools Program which has eleven dynamic authors visiting our school to inspire our students. A family afternoon has been organised for Saturday 25 April at the Ellen Grant Hall. Festival organisers have arranged for families wanting to purchase books from the visiting authors. This can be done at the following link: https://avenuebookstore.com.au/c/sorrento-writers-festival-school-program

ANZAC Day

All students and families are invited to attend the ANZAC Day march and Midday Service at the Sorrento Foreshore Cenotaph. Please meet outside the newsagency at 11:30 wearing the St Joseph's school uniform.

Chook Lotto

Our chickens are laying plenty of delicious eggs. For families wanting a dozen eggs, we will ask them to buy a $2 raffle ticket and the six families drawn at each assembly will be given a dozen eggs. All money collected from the raffles will be spent on purchasing chicken food and supplies.

Crazy Hair Day

All our lives have been touched by cancer in some way. Last year Canteen ( a foundation who educates, dispels myths and raise for funds for families experiencing the impacts of cancer) visited us. On Monday we will be asking students to bring along a gold coin donation and a crazy hair style.

Parent Code of Conduct

Late last term I shared the Parent Code of Conduct with all families. This document is signed when each student is enrolled. It was brought to my attention that parents were approaching other parents and/or students to discuss school matters. Please always discuss any school matters with the appropriate school staff. An Action Plan has been created to assist families.

Building Project Update

Baxter Projects have been busy over the holidays with demolishing and the moving of services for Stage Two. The walls are beginning to be plastered in the student amenities and junior school areas. Stage One is on track to be completed by the end of this term. Valet will need to change again with the Year 1/2 students being dropped and collected at the hall and students in all other year levels to be collected from the Friendship Garden. Thank you for your flexibility as we navigate the building project.

Little Joey's Playgroup

Playgroup is starting back this Thursday with an Easter Egg Hunt at Sorrento Park at 9:30am. Playgroup is designed for pre-school aged children and is a wonderful place for both child development and for parents to form connections.

The Orange Door

The Orange Door can help families. They provide support for concerns with parenting, relationships, and family violence. The Orange Door is a free intake and assessment service for:

• families requiring support for their child or young person’s wellbeing or development

• families needing parenting support

• young, isolated, or unsupported families

• individuals and families experiencing family violence. If you contact The Orange Door, they can help by:

• working with you to identify the help and support you need

• supporting you with the wellbeing and development of your child or young person

• helping you make a safety plan if someone is making you feel unsafe

• connecting you to services that can help like counselling, accommodation, mental health and drug and alcohol services, parenting support groups, services for children, financial help, or legal assistance

• supporting you to access funding for basic living expenses and some other costs

• supporting you to change abusive or controlling behaviour.

Each Orange Door location across Victoria has their own phone number and email. Students and their families can also visit their local Orange Door in person for support, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm for support. No appointment is needed. To find your local service, see: The Orange Door – Support near you.

MACS Care

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

Student Health Ambassadors

This year at St Joseph’s we are placing a strong focus on engagement in learning and nurturing a sense of connection to school, ensuring every student feels valued, involved, and supported.

A highlight of this work has been our exciting partnership with Bayside Health Peninsula, who are working alongside our school to support a student‑led wellbeing and leadership initiative. Through this collaboration, our Student Health Ambassadors have taken on an active leadership role, designing a wonderful range of lunchtime activities focused on fun, friendship, and wellbeing.

These activities will create vibrant spaces for students to connect with one another, try new games, build positive relationships, and enjoy their time at school. The program will strengthen student voice and leadership and contribute to a positive and inclusive playground culture.

We are incredibly proud of our Student Health Ambassadors for their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to supporting wellbeing across our school community. Initiatives like this reflect our shared commitment to fostering happy, healthy learners who feel connected to their school and each other.

MACS Family Survey

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) invites current families to take part in a short online survey about school choice and their experience as a MACS family. The survey explores what influences families’ choice of Catholic education, what supports satisfaction and belonging and what matters most at different stages of schooling. The findings will help inform future planning across the MACS system. The survey takes 10–15 minutes, responses are confidential and everyone has a chance to win one of five $100 eGift Cards. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MACSFAMILY

Parent Portal

Just a reminder that we have a Parent Portal which can be accessed through our school website. Calendar dates, school newsletters and parent resources can be found in this portal. The password is: sjs3943.

The next two weeks...

Tues 21 Running Club (Year 3 -6)

2:00pm School Advisory Council

Wed 22 Summer Lightning Premiership Y5/6

Planting Excursion Yr 3

Thurs 23 Sorrento Writers Festival

Fri 24 Sorrento Writers Festival

Sat 25. ANZAC Day

Mon 27 Crazy Hair Day

Assembly

Tues 28 8:10am Running Club Yr 3 - 6

Thurs 29 Intergenerational Mosaic Project Y4

Fri 1 Flow Friday Activities Yr 5/6

Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

Many thanks,

Monica

moshannassy@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au

Parent Course -

Navigating the Digital Playground