Principal News

Dear St Joseph's Parents, Carers and Families,

Whilst it has been a short week this week with our Melbourne Cup long weekend, it is a amazing how much we can fit into three days at St Joseph's! 

Despite the short week, it’s business as usual at St Joseph’s, with students and teachers engaged in targeted, explicit, and meaningful learning. Every moment makes a difference, and our recent school review showed that we continue to demonstrate rigour, fidelity and excellence in teaching and learning. 

Here you can see our superstar Year 1s involved in Year 2 and Year 3 Mathematics! They were so proud to show what they are learning!

We have so much to celebrate at St Joseph's! It was incredibly pleasing to hear our reviewer share that we expertly and consistently perform in the top 5% of schools across the country, delivering educational excellence and sustained, high growth for our students. This is the St Joseph's difference!

Prayer - All Saints Day

Last Saturday we commemorated The Solemnity of All Saints. The Catholic Church remembers all the saints who followed Jesus in their own lives. There may be inspiring people in our own lives who we remember today and there are many of our own forebears who followed Jesus in a way that can inspire us. 

Litany of the Saints

The Litany of the Saints is taken from the sacrament of Baptism. A litany is a communal prayer in which we ask the saints to pray for us. Here is a link to the Litany of Saints: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-the-saints-250

Prayer - All Souls Day

Last Sunday, we also commemorated All Souls’ Day – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. This special day invites us to remember and pray for our loved ones and all members of the Christian community who have died. It is a time to give thanks for their lives, to reflect on the love and faith they shared, and to trust in the hope of eternal life. As a school community, we hold in our hearts all those who have gone before us and continue to inspire us with their example of faith, kindness, and love.

This week we saw Pope Leo XIV pray at the tomb of the late Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV asks us to pay for all those who have died.

Let us pray a very traditional prayer that Catholics pray for those who have died: 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 

And let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May they rest in peace.

Amen

MACSSIS Data

We are proud to share that our school has achieved excellent results in this year’s MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdioceses of Catholic Schools, School Improvement Survey) data, with our staff data reaching an all-time high. These outstanding results reflect the strong sense of commitment, collaboration, and professional excellence that define our school community. These results sit significantly higher than other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. We are grateful for the dedication of our staff, whose ongoing pursuit of improvement and care for our students continues to make St Joseph’s a place of excellence in teaching, learning, wellbeing and faith.

We will share more of our MACSSIS Data over coming weeks.

Principal Pilgrimage Presentation

It was my absolute honour and privilege to share the journey of my Principal Pilgrimage alongside Fr Gallacher, with our students, staff, and families, at our school assembly this morning.

It was an extraordinary blessing to have joined Fr Gallacher and sixteen other principals from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools on the Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope. I am so grateful to have had these rich faith experiences. 

It was wonderful to bring the spirit of this pilgrimage into the life of our community at St Joseph’s. I thank the families who came along to our assembly this morning to hear about this meaningful experience. During our special assembly, I shared photos and stories from the journey and presented our students with medals and prayer cards blessed by Pope Leo XIV. 

 Here are the slides from my presentation this morning if you wish to have a look:

School Assembly

Today at our school assembly we presented Confirmation Certificates to our Year 6 children who made their Sacrament of Confirmation last week at St Patrick's Cathedral. It was wonderful to have Fr Gallacher with us to present the certificates to our children.

We also had the pleasure of honouring Year 6 student and our School Captain, Callum, who proudly represented St Joseph’s at the Swimming Nationals last week. Callum competed in the 50m, 100m, and 200m individual freestyle events, as well as the relay, an outstanding achievement in itself. Adding to this accomplishment, Callum was selected as the Captain of the Victorian Swim Team, a remarkable privilege that reflects both his talent and his leadership qualities.

At today’s assembly, Callum was presented with a Principal’s Award, not only for his exceptional performance in the pool, but also for the team spirit, humility, and encouragement he showed towards his teammates throughout the competition. His dedication and positive attitude truly embody the St Joseph's school values.

Congratulations, Callum! We are incredibly proud of you.

Congratulations to all of our STAR Award recipients this week! We are so proud of the way you have shown our school values through your learning, your kindness, and your efforts.

We also wish a very happy birthday to all the children celebrating this week. We hope your special day is filled with joy, laughter, and lots of wonderful memories!

House Names

Our Year 6 student leaders have been working throughout the year with their teachers to bring deeper meaning to our sports house teams. In consultation and collaboration with Gallacher, our Religious Education Leader, our Leadership Team, the School Advisory Council, and our senior teachers and year 6 house leaders, we have engaged in extensive conversations about naming our sports houses and giving each one a meaningful identity. 

Over the past few years, many creative ideas have been proposed. This year, our Year 6 students have dedicated significant time to researching and reflecting on what would hold true meaning for our school community. Their efforts have resulted in selecting names that hold special significance to our patron saint, St Joseph. These names will be shared widely for consultation with our wider school community.

We look forward to sharing a range of options for house names that will be up for consideration with you in the coming weeks.

Year 4 and 5 Transition to Senior School at St Joseph's

There’s a wonderful buzz among our Year 4 and 5 students as conversations turn toward their upcoming senior years. Next week, they will be introduced to our transition program carefully designed to help them feel confident, prepared, and excited for life in the senior grades.

This program includes a five-week program for students moving into Year 5 and 6, featuring team-building experiences, opportunities to meet and connect with their Prep buddies, and time to reflect on our school values. Students will reflect on what it means to be an inspirational leader at St Joseph's and they will craft their leadership speeches for 2026, an inspiring milestone in their journey as emerging leaders.

While we will certainly miss the students moving on to new schools, we are delighted that they will enjoy their own transition experiences, and we will make sure they are well supported as they prepare for their next chapter. At the same time, we are excited to walk alongside the students continuing into St Joseph’s senior school. Their transition program will culminate in a special day of celebration, connection, and team-building.

We look forward to sharing more information with you next week!

Information Session regarding 2026 Structures and Timetables

On Wednesday evening, we held an information session for all parents and carers to share some upcoming changes to our 2026 structures and timetables. While these adjustments are not major, they are necessary to align with the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) and teachers’ entitlements regarding face-to-face teaching time.

These decisions were made in consultation with our School Leadership Team, Consultative Committee, and School Advisory Council. They ensure we meet the agreement and honour teacher entitlements while continuing to prioritise excellence in learning for our students.

We are genuinely excited that these changes also create an opportunity to strengthen our learning schedule and ensure it is well-structured, purposeful, and aligned with the EBA.

We were delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response from our families and truly appreciate your ongoing support.

For anyone who was unable to attend the session, Mr Butler has provided further details on his Deputy Principal’s Page in this week’s newsletter.

Slides from the meeting: 

Staffing for 2026

We are very close to finalising our staffing for 2026 and are excited about the year ahead. As part of this process, we carefully consider many factors to ensure we have the best teachers and support staff to meet the needs of students at every stage of their learning.

At St Joseph’s, we take great pride in the quality, dedication, and professionalism of our staff. Our 2026 team represents a wonderful blend of experience, enthusiasm, and expertise - educators who are deeply committed to nurturing every child’s growth, wellbeing, and love of learning.

We are confident that this outstanding group of teachers and support staff will continue to create a warm, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every student is encouraged to flourish, both as a learner and as a young person. 

At this stage we proudly announce our Prep Teachers and Senior Teachers for 2026.

We look forward to sharing the full 2026 team with the school community next week.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re filled with excitement and gratitude for our amazing St Joseph’s staff. Their hard work and commitment continue to inspire our students and strengthen our school community. Here’s to a bright and rewarding year ahead!

Sad farewell to some of our valued staff members

At the end of this year, we will sadly farewell several of our much-loved and valued staff members – Ms Stacey Farrell, Ms Clare Smith, Ms Fiona Hansford, and Mr Grace Harrick. Each of these wonderful educators have contributed immensely to the life of our school community through their dedication, care, and commitment to our students. Their hard work, generosity, and positive spirit have made a lasting impact on St Joseph’s, and they will be greatly missed by students, staff, and families alike. We thank them sincerely for all they have given to our school and wish them every blessing and happiness in the next chapter of their journey.

Ms Stacey Farrell, who has been part of the St Joseph’s community for many years – both as a parent, educator, and school leader – will be taking some well-deserved time to spend with her family. Stacey’s warmth, leadership, and deep care for every child and family have been a cornerstone of our community. She will be dearly missed, but we take comfort in knowing she has promised to stay in touch and visit us next year.

Ms Clare Smith, who has served St Joseph’s with dedication as both a classroom teacher and a senior leader, will also be farewelled at the end of this year. Clare has accepted a teaching position closer to her home, where she will continue to share her passion for teaching and learning with a new school community. Her professionalism, kindness, and commitment to her students have enriched our school, and we wish her every success and joy in her new role.

While Ms Grace Harrick and Ms Fiona Hansford have only been part of St Joseph’s for a short time, their contributions have been greatly valued and appreciated. Both have brought enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a genuine love for teaching. They both have an exciting years ahead in 2026 as they join new school communities, and we know they will continue to make a wonderful impact wherever they go.

As we say goodbye, we do so with gratitude, love, and every best wish for these outstanding educators who have shared their gifts so generously with us all.

Exciting Staff News

Next year, Ms Lauren O’Grady, Mr David Prowse, and Ms Niki Liolios will each be taking on new positions of leadership and responsibility within our school. We are delighted to see these talented educators continue to grow in their professional journeys, and we know they will bring great enthusiasm, skill, and care to their new roles. Each of them brings unique strengths, deep commitment, and a genuine passion for supporting our students’ learning and wellbeing. Their leadership will continue to enrich our classrooms and strengthen the vibrant, caring culture that makes St Joseph’s such a special place to learn and grow. 

Lauren will be taking on the role of Learning Diversity Leader, David will be our Senior Leader and Niki will be our Junior Transition Leader.  We are so blessed to have such strong and wonderful educators and leaders at St Joseph's and I am thrilled that they will be taking on these roles in 2026. Please join me in congratulating them and offering your support as they take on these opportunities next year.

We are also pleased to share that we will be welcoming a few new Learning Support Staff at St Joseph’s this term, and in 2026. These wonderful additions to our team will help us continue to provide the best possible learning and wellbeing support for all our students. I know our school community will join me warmly welcoming Mia Watkins next Monday 11th, and other new staff when they begin with us next year.

Congratulations to Fabien and Frederica!

This morning, two of our very talented St. Joseph's musicians headed off proudly to perform their piano exam at AMEB in Hawthorn.

This was excitedly Frederica's first examination for her preliminary piano exam, whilst Fabien was sitting his Grade 3 exam.

After much practice they showcased their skills for the examiner and were proud to be able to play to their heart’s content! Good luck with your results Fabien and Frederica! The entire St Joseph’s community is cheering you on and wishing you both the very best with your results!

Skipping Club with Ms Freeman

Rain, hail or shine, Skipping Club is a hit on a Friday morning before school! What a great way to enjoy a Friday at school! We thank Ms Freeman for her expertise and enthusiasm in running skipping club for our children. Thank you also to the parents who have been helping out and joining in the fun!

Remembrance Day - Next Tuesday 11th November

Next week, on Tuesday, 11th November, our school will gather for a special Remembrance Day liturgy. This is a time for us to come together to remember and give thanks for the brave men and women who have helped keep our country safe. We will pray for peace and reflect on how we can show kindness and care for others in our everyday lives. Families are warmly invited to join us for this special service as we remember together.

🇮🇹 Italian Day Celebration – Friday 14th November 

We are delighted to announce that Italian Day will be celebrated on Friday, 14th November, a vibrant occasion honouring Italian language, culture, and community.

Students are encouraged to dress in Italian-themed costumes or in the colours of the Italian flag (red, green, and white) to help create a festive atmosphere. 

The day will begin with an Italian Assembly, featuring class performances of songs, poems, and presentations celebrating all things Italian. Students will then participate in a range of engaging cultural activities, including bocce, marionette (Pinocchio) making, and tombola (Italian Bingo). 

A delicious Italian food tasting table will showcase treats such as arancini, pizza, cheeses, cakes, and biscuits, with families invited to contribute (please refer to the DOJO message for details). The canteen will also offer a special Italian-themed menu for the day.

To conclude the celebrations, a lively teachers vs. students soccer match will take place- accompanied by a Gelato Truck serving authentic Italian gelato. 

It promises to be a joyful and memorable day. We extend our sincere thanks to Signora Bennett for organising this wonderful celebration of Italian culture. Viva l’Italia!

2026 Orientation Session

We are excited to welcome our 2026 Prep families and students and students to St Joseph's once again for their final session of their Orientation program on Thursday 20th November. Our Pre-Prep program has helped to ease the transition from a small kinder setting to a larger school setting. For our 2026 Prep parents and carers, we look forward to welcoming you for our Parent Information Evening on Tuesday 18th November at 6pm. This information evening is a wonderful opportunity to meet new families, teachers and other school staff who will work with your child next year. 

We continue to welcome our 2026 families each week, for our Pre Prep Program. It is truly wonderful to see new friendships being established and the children becoming more familiar with our school environment.

Parents & Friends Members for 2026

Having sought requests for our Parents and Friends for 2026 I would like to sincerely thank parents from our school community who have generously expressed interest in leadership roles on our Parents and Friends (P&F) Committee for 2026.

I would like to invite our current Parents & Friends members - as well as any other interested members of our school community - to let me know if you would like to continue in a P&F role for 2026, or join the team as a new member. We warmly welcome both returning members and new faces!

Our next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th November, and all members of our school community are warmly invited to attend. On this evening we will warmly thank our existing P&F team for their unbelievable work  this year- not only in raising significant funds for our school, but in bringing our community together. I welcome all parents to attend this meeting as the more ideas, support, and involvement we have, helps to make our school the wonderful place it is. We are an inclusive community and welcome all members of our school community on our P&F.

Save the Date - Christmas Picnic Supported by our P&F

Save the date for our final P&F event for the year - The School Christmas Picnic - Tuesday 9th December, proudly supported by our P&F!

Upcoming School Closure Day- Monday 1st December

Please note that Monday, 1st December will be a school closure day. On this day, our staff will be engaged in important professional planning and preparation for the beginning of the 2026 school year.

This dedicated time allows teachers and staff to collaborate, reflect on the year’s achievements, and ensure that our programs, learning environments, and resources are ready to provide the very best start for our students in 2026.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we take this valuable time to plan and prepare for another exciting year of learning and growth at St Joseph’s.

A Reminder about the Parish Car Park 

This is another reminder about using the Parish car park before and after school.

At today’s assembly, Fr Gallacher reminded all families that the parish carpark is strictly for parish use. While the parish generously allocates a small number of spaces for our school staff, the remaining bays are reserved for parish staff and affiliated organisations who pay for and rely on these designated spots.

We kindly ask parents and carers not to park in the parish carpark at any time. Your cooperation ensures we maintain a respectful partnership with the parish and avoid disruptions for those who need access during the day.

In addition, we remind families that using the side gate from our school into the parish carpark is a child safety concern. This gate is strictly for staff access only. Students and families should not exit through this area, as vehicles frequently move through the space and visibility is limited. Keeping this gate for staff use ensures a safer and more controlled environment for our children.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support in keeping our community safe.

What's On Next Week...

Staying in Touch

Together we work in partnership to support and nurture the children at St Joseph's.

If you have any concerns or worries about your child's wellbeing, learning, or friendships, please do not hesitate to have a chat with your child's teacher as your first point of contact, or a member of our school leadership team. For more serious concerns, I encourage you to reach out to me directly, either by making an appointment through the office or contacting me via my email. 

With blessings and warmest regards,

Annabelle Marinelli

Principal 

annabelle.marinelli@sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au