Principal’s News

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we look ahead to the end of next week, we have some very exciting events to look forward to.  On Wednesday, we have our Mother's Day Stall, where children will be able to purchase a gift for their mum or other special person.  Gifts range between $1.00 and $10.00 and children will have an opportunity to purchase up to three gifts, depending on how the sales go.  The Mother's Day Stall is a cash-only event.

On Friday the staff will be hosting the Annual Mother's Day Breakfast.  This is one of the highlights of the St Joseph's Calendar and we have been inundated with RSVPs.  Please click the link on the Mother's Day Events page to RSVP.  A reminder that children are invited to bring another special person in their life if their mum is unable to be present.

As the parents or other guests attending are simply here for a celebration, a valid Working with Children Check (WWC) is not required. They will not be engaging in child-related work. However, we strongly advise all adults wishing to attend St Joseph's to apply for a WWC. We hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school.

CIRE Out of School Hours Care

Today the following information was communicated to our families:

This came as a surprise to everyone, the school and parents alike.  I appreciate that this will be the cause of significant disruption in the lives of many of our families as they have come to depend on this quality service. It has resulted from State Schools receiving $75,000.00 grants from the state government to run their own programs.  Unfortunately this has not been forthcoming from the Federal Government who is responsible for the funding of Catholic and Independent schools.  I have notified Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools of our predicament and will inform the community of any help or alternate arrangements that can be made for our families as soon as this information comes to hand.

Engaging in Child Related Work

At St Joseph's we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people 

as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school.  All MACS schools have in place policies and procedures to ensure all children feel safe and are safe.  This is crucial to ensure our children do not become victims of abuse, as has happened in schools and other institutions in the past.  One of our most important safeguards is ensuring that all people engaging in any form of child-related work hold a Working with Children Check (WWCC).  The only people who are exempt from holding one of these cards are teachers with Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration.

Not all events at St Joseph's require parents and carers to have a WWCC, only those where they are actually working with children.  When attending assemblies, school celebrations, sports days and performances they are simply spectators.  However, when working in classrooms as helpers or presenters, this is a different story.  This is considered to be child-related work. 

In order to remain registered as a school, we are obliged to adhere steadfastly to this protocol and do everything we can to ensure our children are kept safe and free from any threat of abuse. It is important for parents and carers to be aware that this is not personal and that they are required to support the school with these measures.

Best wishes for the week ahead,

Nick.

Nicholas Boyhan

Principal

St Joseph's Yarra Junction