PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

Welcome everyone to term 4 at St Joseph's.

This term I would like to welcome two new families to our school community.  Oscar (yr 4) and Casper (yr 2) Matthews and Aurora Pickering (yr 3).  We're delighted to have you join us and look forward to continuing to make you feel welcome as the term progresses.  I would also like to welcome back Sienna (yr 4) and Kai (yr 1) Montell - it's lovely to have your smiling faces back in our school community!

Term four is always a very 'action-packed' term with a great deal happening.  I ask that, with each newsletter, you check the school calendar.  All upcoming events are detailed on the calendar and it's an important reference point to know what is happening around the school.  Can I also ask that all families ensure that they have downloaded the 'Audiri' app (formerly known as 'Skoolbag').  This app is our major form of communication with families, outside the school newsletter.  This term all notes, permission slips for excursions/incursions, and notifications around special school events, together with daily updates that may include notifications around uniform changes (e.g. sports uniform days) will be sent through Audiri.  

The following link will provide information on how to download the app 

https://help.audiri.com.au/en/articles/4221409-download-the-latest-version-of-audiri 

Please ensure that you have access to this app - it is a vital tool to ensure you know what is happening "day in and day out"!

Wellbeing / Counselling Services at St Joseph's

Body Confident Workshops

Next Tuesday, October 10, we have Gemma Urbini presenting 'Body Confident' sessions with our students in grades 3-6.  This presentation enables us to draw attention to the huge effect that negative comments around a person's appearance can have on their mental health and overall wellbeing.  We know that nurturing a positive body image is crucial to helping our children become healthy, well-rounded adults.  These presentations are age-appropriate and aim to encourage children to have a healthy body image, whilst also tackling the impact that negative comments around personal appearance can have on others' wellbeing and mental health.

As a follow-up to these workshops, we are inviting parents to attend an online session with Gemma on Thursday, October 12, at 7pm.  Please join this session as parents and teachers have a big influence on how children feel about their bodies.  Together we need to encourage your children to have a healthy and comfortable relationship with their bodies and with food. 

School Counsellor

We are delighted to announce that we have (finally!!) been able to secure the services of a school counsellor, Jo Lindelauf, who will work onsite one day a week on alternative Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Jo comes from us through CatholicCare Victoria  and will commence working at St Joey's next week.  I would like to thank Ashlyn for the time she has dedicated to researching our options and organising this service for our children.  If you have any questions or would like further information about this service please let me know.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Miles McCrohan who went through to the National Finals in the Prime Minister's Spelling Bee Competition.  Miles came in fifth place - such a huge achievement!!

CONGRATULATIONS and well done Miles!  We all applaud you for this super effort - what a Master Speller you are!!

Congratulations also to Stella Ryan, Charlie Jamieson, Zahra Lania and Vincent Dang who competed in the Divisional Athletics Competition last term.  Zahra achieved fourth place in 1500m. Stella and Vincent both achieved third place, Stella in the 1500m event and Vincent in Shot Put. Finally, Charlie came second in the 1500m 10/11 year old girls race. Charlie will be moving onto the Regional level next Thursday 12th of October. We wish Charlie good luck and congratulate our senior students on their efforts!! 

Blue Light Disco - Oct 13, 6:00pm-7:30pm

On Friday, October 13, we will be holding our inaugural Blue Light Disco.  This disco is open to our years 3-6 students and will be held in the multi-purpose room.  Blue Light Discos are run by community volunteers and local police members and provide a great opportunity for children to engage with their local police members in a fun and safe environment.

Tickets are $10 per head which includes drinks and a snack, and can be purchased via Try Bookings on the following link https://www.trybooking.com/CJPIE

This will be a great opportunity for our children to see police officers in a relaxed and friendly context and will be great fun as well!!

Swimming Programme

On Thursday this week, Life Saving Victoria will be running workshops with our children from grades prep to six.  The workshops will focus on water safety education leading into our summer months in preparation for visits to the local pool or the beach.  This year we are also excited to introduce a more hands-on experience for our senior students who will participate in a series of 6 swimming lessons held across two weeks - Nov 13,14 &15 and Nov 20, 21 & 22 at the Collingwood Leisure Centre.  More information about this programme will be communicated closer to the date.

Uniform

School Sun Hats are required to be worn every day in Term 4 when outdoors. Whilst we may continue to have cooler weather the UV rating is much higher in October, November and December. Therefore, Sun Hats are required for all outdoor activities.

Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct academic uniform, including school shoes - not runners.  The correct summer uniform is detailed in the 'School Uniform' section of this email.

SAVE THE DATE/S

• On November 17 the Bush Band - 'Bushwazee' will be working with the children teaching them a good old fashioned heel and toe bush dance, which they will then perform for families at an evening Bush Picnic in the school yard.  Please SAVE THE DATE for what I'm sure will be a super evening of boot scootin fun!!

• St Joseph's 130 years Anniversary Mass 

• St Joseph's Parish Dinner Dance     

Book via Try booking:https://www.trybooking.com/CLKCM