Principal's News 

Week 4 Newsletter

Dear Families, 

Every time I come to write the newsletter I am always amazed at all the events and experiences that happen in just two weeks. Over the last fortnight, we have had Shrove Tuesday, where our parents made pancakes for the whole school. 

Our sustainable uniform shop was run, we have had two new families join the school community; I would like to welcome the Nunez Villacorta & De Almeida Araujo Collier families to our wonderful community.

The annual P&F Welcome Picnic with Kaboom Sports.

Our 3-6 swim team competed in the Dendy District Swimming and brought home some silver for our cabinet for the third year in a row and Harriet, Nicholas, Max and Francis represented the school in the ‘District Tennis’. 

This is all in addition to the targeted learning opportunities taught by our committed class and specialist teachers.

I would like to thank everyone in the parent community who have attended events, signed up or given their time so far this year. 

Working Bee: 

The next working bee is scheduled for Saturday 2nd March. This is the weekend before our Open Morning where prospective 2025 parents will tour the school. We have already had a few of our open mornings and school tour dates hit capacity. Please look out for communication from the P&F about how to sign up for the working bee. 

Siblings For Prep 2025: 

Even at this early stage we are receiving a lot of applications for Prep next year, if you are a current family and have a younger sibling who’ll be starting St Joseph’s next year please email the office and let them know. 

Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent

Last week marked the start of Lent, and I thank all parents who attended the Ash Wednesday Mass last week. This is an important time of reflection and renewal, and we look forward to sharing this experience with our school community.

Before the start of Lent it is tradition to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, which is traditionally a day of feasting and pancake-making before the start of Lent. We would like to thank the parents who helped by providing ingredients, arranging the sign-ups or cooking the pancakes. The students and staff alike all enjoyed the pancakes, I was lucky enough to be presented a very large pancake which I enjoyed later at home with a savoury topping (it must have been all those trips to France as a kid).  

As we enter the season of Lent, it is important to reflect on the significance of this period in the Catholic calendar. Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and reflection, leading up to the celebration of Easter. During this time, we are called to focus on our faith and our relationship with God.

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which is traditionally a day of fasting and repentance. On this day, we receive ashes on our foreheads as a symbol of our mortality and our need for redemption. These ashes are made from the palms that were blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year, and remind us of the humility and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

Lent is a period of forty days, representing the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and praying before he began his public ministry. During this time, we are called to abstain from certain pleasures or practices as a form of self-discipline and sacrifice. This might involve giving up a favourite food or committing to additional prayer or service.

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a day of feasting and celebration, traditionally associated with using up rich foods such as butter, eggs, and sugar before the fasting period begins. This is why pancakes are such a popular food on this day. 

During Lent, we are also called to focus on the practice of almsgiving, or giving to those in need. This might involve donating money or goods to a charity, volunteering at a local shelter or food bank, or simply reaching out to someone who is in need of support or companionship.

The season of Lent culminates in the celebration of Easter, which is the most important feast day in the Catholic calendar. It is a time of great joy and celebration, as we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As we begin this season of Lent, we encourage all families to take the time to reflect on their faith and their relationship with God. Whether it involves giving up a favourite food or committing to additional prayer or service, or simply taking the time to reflect on what matters most in our lives, Lent is a time of renewal and transformation. Let us embrace this opportunity to deepen our faith and draw closer to God.

Code of Conduct:

As we find ourselves just four weeks into the new school year, it is crucial that we take the time to familiarise ourselves with the school procedures and policies that guide our community. Attached to this newsletter, you will find the ‘Parent Code of Conduct’, which outlines the standards we uphold to ensure a positive and safe environment for all members.

At St Joseph’s, we are unified in our efforts to cultivate a nurturing atmosphere where every member of our community feels valued and respected. This collective endeavour underscores the importance of ensuring that all interactions, whether between parents, students, or staff, are conducted with mutual respect.

It is an expectation that all interactions between parents are positive and constructive. Any tone or language that disparages another member of our community is not tolerated. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in the code of conduct, we contribute to the creation of a supportive environment where every individual can thrive. 

Whatsapp:

St. Joseph’s School understands the benefits of using social media; however, if misused, the school community can be negatively affected. The school’s reputation can be damaged and relationships between staff, students and parents can be impacted.

WhatsApp is not a MACS-endorsed communication platform and any WhatsApp groups that parents may be involved in (with other school parents) are not driven, monitored or verified by the school. To ensure inclusivity, all of our school events will be advertised and promoted via email, Class Dojo, Operoo and the school Newsletter.

We appreciate the simplicity and ease of instant messaging online; and that keeping in contact outside of school can benefit the school community by keeping the school community closer.

Some Reminders:

I know we are (generally) a school of dog lovers, but I ask that your dog is kept on a lead at all times, with an adult holding the lead. We do have children with a fear of dogs and I would hate to cause our students to feel unsafe entering school, for this reason, please ensure that dogs are not brought into the school playground. 

• Could I ask that parents are careful with school bags, as they enter the school or in the corridors. It is best if bags are worn by students, save parents wrestling to get around safely.
• To reduce the spread of lice any hair that is at the shoulders or below needs to be tied back with a hair tie or headband, this is irrespective of the student's gender. 
• Our school calendar is now live on our website: www.sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au and is linked to a google family calendar. When you click on an event you are able to sync it to your own calendar. The calendar is located at the bottom of the main page:

I hope you all have a pleasant weekend

Martin Earl 

(Acting Principal)