Dear Families,

At this busy time of year, I am pleased to have the Church's season of Advent to assist me in slowing down, preparing to celebrate Jesus' birth and reminding me of what is important in life.

It is hard to believe that there are less than two weeks of the school year left. A lot has been achieved in developing learning communities, enhancing student engagement and professional practice this year. I enjoy listening to the students' highlights from their year and no doubt you have created your own treasured memories. Thank you to the many families who have volunteered and assisted this year in our school community.

School will finish at 12:30pm on Tuesday 17th December. The school bus will be operating on this day. If you are experiencing difficulties in finding care for your child/children, please contact me so that I can assist you.

We still have some positive events to look forward to including our Carols Evening tonight, End of Year Mass next Tuesday at 9:15am and Transition and End of Year Picnic on Tuesday 16th December.

Year Six 2024

We congratulate the following Year Six students for completing their primary schooling: Kye, Jack, Billie, Ella, Eric, Xavier, Harry, Charlotte, Lochlan, Anneke, Finn, Corbin, Shataya, Matilda, Tahlia, Joseph, Taki, Raine, Lachlan, Sunny and Sebastian. We wish them every success as they embark on their secondary schooling.

Thank you to the students and families finishing at St Joseph's at the end of the year. Ward, Jewell, Nichols, Finn, Kollarics, Lever, Lesniowski, Thornton, Pattison, Moore, Black, Cluning and Fikiris. We thank you for your contributions to St Joseph's School Community over the years and wish your families every success for your future.

Welcome

Congratulations to Nikki, Andrew, Tommy and Max on the safe arrival of Grace.

Ryan Robinson Update

Ryan is scheduled to have more surgery and treatment for a health condition over the next few months. He is looking forward to joining us again in hopefully Term Two. 2025.

St Joseph's Award

Congratulations to Maggie Power and Indie Galbraith on receiving the St Joseph's award last week at assembly.

Sorrento Carols

We look forward to the Sorrento Carols by Candlelight this Friday evening at 5:30pm. There will be a Christmas market, food and drink vendors and fun activities for all ages. Our school choir will be performing and if your child would like to join them. please contact Sarah at sconnolly@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au

Boomerang Bags

We still have a few Boomerang Bags left over from last Friday. Student Sustainability Leaders will be selling these at recess tomorrow and Friday.

Parish Mass during Advent

It was lovely to see children attending the 5:00pm parish mass last Saturday. If you are planning on attending next Saturday's mass, 7th December and would like your child to read or have another small part, please email me. We are looking for a parent to assist in the organising of the Parish Children's Christmas Eve Mass. If you are keen, please let me know.

Letters To Santa

There is a letter box in the office areas for letters addressed to Santa. These will be collected tomorrow afternoon for those students who would like to write a letter to Santa.

Piano News

Congratulations to St Joe’s piano students, Annika, Bella, Eric, Indie and Tong Tong who joined other piano and violin students playing at an end of year celebration concert on a beautiful grand piano to a packed Frankston church hall. All St Josephs students presented and played beautifully, as well as being a respectful audience. They all said they had fun. Congratulations also to Tong Tong who completed a 100 day continuous practice challenge. Apart from the days she was overseas, she hasn’t missed a day in 100 days, and that is tough to do. She was presented with an engraved trophy at our last whole school assembly. Parents who are interested in their child commencing piano or violin lessons at school in 2025, please contact Paula, our classically and Suzuki trained teacher on 0481 374 746.

School Advisory Council

The School Advisory Council held its AGM last Wednesday. Thank you to the members of the 2024 SAC for their thoughtful contributions, attendance at regular meetings and their commitment to improving our school community. Thank you Adriana, Assunta, Fr Angelo, Jessie, Nicole, Jessie and Megan.

Thank You

Thank you to Jess Cameron for all the dedication, commitment and care she has shown to the students this year. Jess and her husband James are expecting a baby in February. We wish them every happiness and look forward to meeting the new addition early in the new year. Jess will be taking family leave for the next twelve months but we know we will see her around St Joseph's throughout the year.

Thank you to Emma Burton, who has been employed this term in our Intervention Program. Students responded well to her warm, patient, caring approach. We wish her every success with her teaching career.

Transition Morning & End of Year Picnic

Students will have their final transition morning on Monday 16th December before walking to Sorrento Park at 12:00pm - 2:00pm for a picnic to celebrate the end of year. Parents are most welcome to join us. Next year's Preps are welcome to join us also. Please let teaching staff if you are collecting your child/children from the park.

Reports

Reports will be live on the nForma Parent Portal on Wednesday afternoon. Megan has written more about how to access the reports on the Learning and Teaching page.

Reporting Survey

We are asking for your opinion on how we can report more effectively on student progress to families. Please click on the link on the Learning and Teaching page.

2025

Staff have been busily evaluating 2024 school year and preparing for 2025. Here is some information we feel you may like to know well in advance.

Staffing 2025

Prep: Lisa Inglese

1/2 Team: Julie Finn, Laura Dimogerondas & Ellen Mazurek

3/4 Team: Vicki Stirling/Prue Birch & Jess Lumsden

5/6 Team: Phillip Whelan, Sarah Connolly & Nick Krstic

Physical Education: Jenny Todd

Italian: Maria Scandizzo

Visual Arts: Jane Byrne

Performing Arts: Jasmine Gregory

Sustainability: Jane Byrne

Science: Jacqui Hayes & Ryan Robinson

Intervention: Jasmine Gregory

Learning Support Officers: Emma, Kim (new) Nicole (new), Mel, Donna, Sarah and Jenni.

Positions of Leadership:

Religious Education Leader: Jacqui Hayes

Learning & Teaching Leader: Megan Barber

Learning Diversity Leader: Jacqui Hayes

Literacy Leader: Vicki Stirling

Mathematics Leader: Megan Barber

eLearning Leader: Ryan Robinson

Community Engagement Leader: Jess Lumsden

Student Wellbeing Leader: Jenny Todd

2025 Dates

Some of next year's dates can be found on the following page.

2025 School Closure Days

Please note the following dates will be school closure days:

Friday 4th April

Monday 19th May

Friday 6th June

Monday 25th August

Monday 3rd November

Assemblies and Newsletters in 2025

Next year our assemblies will be held and newsletters published on Monday afternoons.

Devices

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, we will no longer be facilitating the Bring Your Own Device for student Chrome Books for 2025 unless they have been purchased in 2023 or 2024.

2025 Sorrento Community Fete

Proceeds from the biennial Sorrento Community Fete funds the pool for both schools. Please note the date, Friday 14 March, on your calendars. If you are interested in having a stall, please contact Caili on caili.hickey@education.vic.gov.au

If you have any concerns or questions during the extended summer break, please email office@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au as this will be checked regularly.

Thank you to each and everyone of you this year for your partnership and support. It has been another huge year of learning for us all.

So much to look forward to next year but a well deserved holiday for everyone beforehand. I wish you all a Christmas Season full of joy, peace, hope and love. May the new year bring you all you hope for.

Monica

moshannassy@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au