Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we commenced the Lenten Season with the solemn service of the Ash Wednesday Mass. This 40 day period is traditionally marked by adult Catholics through prayer, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living, and self-denial. As a school, we encourage children to use this time to grow closer to God and those around them in the lead up to Easter.

For those of you wanting to develop a deeper understanding of Ash Wednesday and Lent, you may wish to watch This YouTube Clip by Dr. Brant James Pitre from the Augustine Institute in Colorado to gain insight into the Biblical foundation of this season.

St Joseph's School Welcomes You

Hoping to see as many of you as possible here on the night.

Supporting our Family Businesses

Thriving small businesses are a cornerstone of functional communities. Not only do they provide goods, services and employment. They also bring money into the community. As a school, we are keen to support our local businesses, especially those owned by St Joseph's families. If you are a small business owner and would like to advertise in our newsletter, please send your advertisement to principal@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au and I will include it for you, free of charge.

We also offer advertising for other businesses at very reasonable rates. If you know any other business owners you think may like to advertise in our newsletter, please send them our way.

Click here to view advertisements from our local businesses.

School Uniform

School uniforms provide a single standard of dress, making the school environment less competitive, allowing students to focus more on their learning than the latest fashions. Uniforms also promote school spirit with a shared identity for the children. They help avoid difficult decision-making for fashion-conscious children, speeding the process of getting ready for school.

See below an extract from our Parent Handbook which outlines uniform requirements:

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School uniform is compulsory for all students. If students are out of uniform, a note needs to be sent to the class teachers advising them of the reason. If a student is out of school uniform without reason a note/email will be sent home to parents informing them of this.

Summer Uniform

Navy blue broad-brimmed hat (TERM 1 & 4)
Navy blue polo top with school logo worn with navy knee-length school shorts/skorts or navy school pants
Knee length School checked dress
White or Navy socks (no logos)
Black school shoes (leather or all black school runners)

Winter Uniform

Navy blue polar fleece beanie, scarf and vest with school logo – optional wear
Navy blue windcheater with school logo
Navy polo top with school logo (long or short sleeved), worn with navy knee-length school pinafore/winter skirt or navy school pants - no leggings
Navy tights (no leggings) with winter skirt or pinafore (optional) .
White or navy socks (no logos)
Black school shoes (leather or all black school runners)
Year 6 Jacket may be worn by Year 6 students in place of windcheater.

(*Year 6 students have the opportunity of wearing a Year 6 jacket to promote pride, leadership and responsibility. This is seen as a privilege. The jackets are presented to the students at the commencement of the school year*)

Sports Uniform

Navy tracksuit pants or navy sport shorts
Navy blue sport top with school logo
Runners only worn on Sport Days
White or navy socks

Hair Styles

Navy or white hair ties and ribbons
Hair colours - Natural colours only
No “radical” styles or cuts
Shoulder length hair to be tied back

If your child requires uniform in larger sizes than the stock on the website, please make contact with the supplier. They are willing to accommodate requests for larger sizes and are upgrading the website to include these.

Jewelery / makeup

- No jewellery is permitted in the form of rings, bangles, bracelets, anklets or chains. The only jewellery permissible is that of a religious nature which is not visible, or an SOS medical notification.

- Plain Studs are permitted in each ear with a maximum of one in the lower lobe of each ear. Sleeper earrings are only to be worn if they are small enough for the students little finger not to fit in the ring. This mitigates the risk of them being caught during play.

Make-up

- No make-up or nail polish permitted

School bag - There is a St Joseph’s school bag available (preferred but not compulsory).

Art smock - Students also require a suitable art smock.

Library bag - Students require a library bag (cloth/plastic/reuseable bag) to protect the school’s library books.

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Non-Uniform Items

During COVID we allowed a little more flexibility, understanding that families were under added pressure and that uniform availability was disrupted. Now that we have returned to our regular routines, students should only wear the above items. One item, in particular has crept in, which has never been part of our school uniform: netball or cotton stretchy skorts style skirts. These are not and have never been part of our Summer, Winter or Sports Uniform. Socks with logos and writing are also being worn by a few students. This is a cause of great frustration for parents when they ensure their children comply and other parents let their children make their own choices.

As a school we have a commitment to students wearing their correct uniform on a daily basis. That being said, we are also understanding that items of clothing can be lost, outgrown or worn out. Sometimes they don't quite make it through the washing cycle. In the event of the children being unable to wear their correct uniform, parents are simply required to write a note/email explaining this to the child's teacher.

Parents who are interested in suggesting changes to our uniform are invited to write to the School Advisory Council with their suggestions.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times

Before School supervision commences at 8:30am. It is not possible for staff to supervise children at this time because they are busy preparing for the day or in meetings. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children until this time. Between 8:30am and 8:45am students are welcome to drop their bags to their classroom and play on the oval-side of the playground until 8:45am when they assemble under the shade sails.

In the afternoon, students are supervised under the shade sails by the staff between 3:00pm and 3:20pm while they are waiting to be collected by their parents. They are asked not to play on the playground at this time as this slows down the flow of traffic. Children need to be collected by their parents by 3:20pm as staff have planning, corrections and other duties to perform after school.

Out of School Hours Care

If parents require supervision of their children outside of these times, Out of School Hours Care is available at Cire up in Little Yarra Rd. A mini-bus shuttles the children to and from there each morning and afternoon. Click here to find out more.

Best wishes for a great weekend.

Nick.

Nicholas Boyhan

Principal.

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