Acting Principal's Message

Bishop Installation 

 St. Joseph's School was honoured to be represented at the Installation Mass of the Ninth Bishop of Sandhurst, Bishop René Ramirez RCJ, held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.

It was a joyful occasion as people from across the Diocese gathered to welcome Bishop René and pray for his ministry. In his opening message, Bishop René invited us all to lead with Zeal and Mercy—a powerful reminder to serve others with passion, compassion and a heart centred on Christ.

This message resonates deeply with our Mercy tradition at St. Joseph's as we continue to nurture a community where faith, service and learning flourish together. We look forward to embracing Bishop René's vision as we journey together as one diocesan family.

St Kilian's Church Fire Bendigo

Mini fundraiser

Many of you would be aware that St Kilian's Church in Bendigo was damaged by a fire on Friday morning last week. The fire, caused by an electrical fault, affected the sacristy. While insurance will cover the repair works, the parish is now facing other significant costs. As the cradle of our Diocese, St Kilian's holds a special place in our shared Catholic story.

Fun Fact: ⛪ St Kilian's is the oldest wooden church in the Southern Hemisphere!

This coming week, we will have a donation jar in the office. Anyone who is in a position to contribute is warmly encouraged to bring along any spare change. Every donation, no matter how small, will help support the restoration and protection of this treasured place of worship.

Thank you for your generosity and for living the Mercy spirit of compassion, service and community.

3 Way Chats

Thank you to all of our families and students who attended last week's 3 Way Chats. Your engagement and commitment to your child's learning are greatly valued. In the Mercy tradition, we believe every child flourishes when school and families work together in partnership. Thank you for the trust you place in us.

I also extend my sincere thanks to our staff, whose professionalism, care and deep knowledge of each student were evident throughout the interviews. Their dedication to building strong partnerships with families ensures every child is supported, challenged and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Attendance is a Team Effort

Working Together for Student Success

Great attendance isn't about perfection, it's about partnership.

We understand that families sometimes face illness, appointments or unexpected challenges. When these arise, open communication helps us support your child.

If your child is unable to attend school:

• Notify the school as early as possible.
• Stay connected with your child's teacher if extended absences are required.
• Let us know if your family needs additional support.

When schools and families work together, children feel supported and are more likely to attend regularly and succeed.

Attendance Tip: Whenever possible, schedule routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours or during holidays.