Principal's News   

Dear Parents and Carers,

Term 3 - Welcome Back!

Welcome back to all of our children and families! We hope you had a wonderful, relaxing break and enjoyed some special time together over the holidays. It has been such a joy to see so many smiling faces at the gate as everyone returns, ready for another exciting term of learning, growth, and fun. We have loved hearing all about the children's holiday adventures, special memories, and the excitement they have brought back with them. Term 3 promises to be filled with engaging learning experiences, new opportunities for friendships, and many moments to celebrate the excellence of St Joseph's and the wonderful spirit of our school community. We look forward to another fantastic term of learning and fun together.

In true St Joseph's spirit, it should come as no surprise that we have started the term with excitement! We have a number of key events this term that will offer valuable opportunities for our students families and staff to grow, connect and flourish. One of the highlights this term is our annual Book Week Celebration, 100 Days of Prep Celebration, our Footy Colours Day and much more! Please have a look at our 'Important Dates' page in this week's newsletter. 

It goes without saying, that all of this, is in addition to the excellence in teaching and learning, with our structured and explicit literacy and numeracy instruction, that takes place in classrooms each day. We continue to lead the way in delivering exceptional teaching practice, ensuring that our classrooms are calm and supportive places that meet every child's learning needs. It is with great pride, forward planning, and hard work that we continue to offer our students such an enriching program. As always, we thank our dedicated teachers for going above and beyond to provide these experiences for our students. 

The teaching excellence has been a highlight again this year in the 2026 NAPLAN results that we received this week! More information about our wonderful NAPLAN results in today's newsletter.

We look forward to an exciting Term 3 together!

Welcome to St Joseph's

This week, we warmly welcomed a new family to our St Joseph's community. Mariah, who has joined Prep, and her older brother Dimitri, in Year 2, have settled beautifully into their classes. We are so pleased to have them as part of our school family and thank our wonderful students, staff and families for making them feel so welcome. The kindness, friendship and sense of belonging shown by our St Joseph's community continue to make our school a special place for all.

In Loving Memory of Anna Avramopoulos

During the school holidays, the family of Anna Avramopoulos, her loved ones, dear freinds, and staff and parents from our our St Joseph's community sadly gathered to celebrate the life of Anna - a much-loved wife, mother and friend. We continue to hold George, Ari (Year 2), Nicholas (Prep), and their extended family in our thoughts and prayers at this time of profound loss. George and his family are deeply grateful for the many messages of support, kindness and prayers offered by our families, which have been a great source of comfort and have reflected the compassion and strength of our St Joseph's community. We thank everyone who has kept the Avramopoulos family in their prayers and ask that you continue to surround them with love and care in the weeks and months ahead. May Anna rest in the peace and love of God.

Eternal rest grant unto Anne-Marie, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

NAIDOC Week

This week, we are proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week and recognise the rich histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Throughout the week, our students have taken part in a range of exciting learning experiences and activities that celebrate Australia's First Nations culture within our school community.

NAIDOC Week - A Prayer for Wisdom and Unity

Loving Creator,

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, we give thanks for the rich cultures, histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Help us to listen with open hearts, and to learn from the wisdom that has been shared across countless generations. May we honour the deep connection to Country, family, community and culture that continues to enrich our nation.

May we always strive to care for one another and for the land You have entrusted to us, recognising the gifts and contributions of Australia's First Peoples.

We ask this in Your holy name.

Amen.

Smoking Ceremony

We were honoured to welcome Ian Hunter, a Traditional Elder of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung (Wurundjeri Wilam) people, to our school to lead a Smoking Ceremony on Monday for the beginning of NAIDOC Week. This significant cultural practice is a traditional way of paying respect to Country and the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land. Ian generously shared his knowledge, stories and culture with our students and staff, providing a meaningful opportunity to deepen our understanding of First Nations traditions. Our Fire Carrier Leaders Spencer and Nicholas represented our school so wonderfully and supported Ian throughout this ceremony.

Year 5/6 Excursion to the NGV

On Tuesday, our Year 5 and 6 students had the special opportunity to participate in a guided tour of the Future Country exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). This rich learning experience deepened students' understanding of First Nations art, culture, history and perspectives through a diverse collection of contemporary Indigenous artworks.

Our senior students were outstanding throughout the excursion. They represented St Joseph's with pride, demonstrating exemplary behaviour, genuine curiosity and respectful engagement. They asked thoughtful and culturally appropriate questions, listened attentively to our guides, and reflected deeply on the stories, histories and perspectives shared throughout the exhibition.

Please take some time to read the senior students' reflections in this week's newsletter.

Wanyara Indigenous Art Incursion P-6

Over the past few days, all students from Prep to Year 6 had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a Wanyara Indigenous Art Workshop. This engaging incursion provided students with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal art, culture and storytelling through the exploration of traditional Indigenous symbols and artistic practices. Throughout the workshop, students learnt about the meaning behind a range of traditional Aboriginal symbols used to represent animals, people, waterways and Country. They discovered how these symbols have been used for thousands of years to tell stories, share knowledge and express a deep connection to the land.

Guided by the visiting artist, each student created their own individual artwork using these traditional symbols while also contributing to a collaborative whole-school artwork. It was wonderful to see the creativity, thoughtfulness and pride students brought to their work as they reflected on the stories they wished to tell through their art.

We are incredibly proud of the beautiful pieces our students have created and look forward to showcasing both the individual and collaborative artworks at our School Art Show later this year. We know they will be a highlight of the exhibition and a wonderful celebration of our students' learning and creativity.

Sport during NAIDOC Week

Throughout NAIDOC Week, students enthusiastically participated in a range of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games, celebrating the rich cultures of Australia's First Nations peoples through movement and play. Students enjoyed Kai and Kai Wed, cooperative volley games where teams worked together to keep the ball in the air, developing communication and teamwork. They also played Wana Wana, where students used a cricket bat to strike an underarm-thrown ball around a circle, practising striking skills and coordination, and Wuli-jin-i, a partner volley game similar to tennis that encouraged cooperation and quick reactions. These activities helped students build movement skills while learning about the important role traditional games have played in strengthening community, sharing knowledge and connecting people to Country.  We thanks our wonderful Sport Teacher Ms Zoe D'Intini for organising these exciting games for the students.

Semester 1 Reports and Parent Teacher Meetings

At the end of last term, you would have received your child's Semester 1 School Report.

It has been wonderful to celebrate the learning, growth, achievements and progress made by every child throughout the first half of the year. These reports reflect the hard work, persistence and dedication shown by our students, together with the ongoing support and encouragement provided by our dedicated staff and families. It has been particularly heartening to receive such positive feedback from parents, who have acknowledged not only their children's academic growth but also their increasing confidence, resilience and engagement in learning.

We would also like to sincerely thank all of our parents and carers for attending this week's Parent Teacher Meetings to discuss your child's achievements and future learning goals. These conversations are an invaluable opportunity to work together in partnership to support every child's learning, wellbeing and continued success.

We are especially grateful for the kind words shared by many families about the care, commitment and dedication of our teachers. Thank you for recognising the genuine relationships they build with your children and their unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child at St Joseph's is known, supported, challenged and given every opportunity to grow and achieve to the very best of their ability. Together, through this strong partnership between home and school, we can continue to nurture each child's learning journey and celebrate their successes.

Learning Overviews for Term 3

Today, each class teacher shared the Term 3 Learning Overview for your child's year level.

These overviews provide an outline of the curriculum and key learning experiences that students will engage in throughout the term. They also include important dates, events and reminders to help families plan ahead and stay connected with school life.

Our Learning Overviews are designed to keep you informed about your child's learning journey and provide opportunities for you to engage in conversations about what they are learning at school. We encourage you to take some time to read through the overview together with your child and use it as a way to celebrate their learning and support them throughout the term.

If you have any questions about the curriculum, learning experiences or any aspect of your child's learning this term, please don't hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher. We value the strong partnership between home and school and look forward to working together to support your child's continued growth and success throughout Term 3.

NAPLAN - Individual Student Reports

This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students at St Joseph's, and across the country, have received their 2026 NAPLAN individual reports. These reports were sent home this week.

NAPLAN, or the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a national test that all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 take, assessing essential skills in English and Mathematics linked to the Australian Curriculum. It is the only national assessment that all Australian children undertake. Literacy and numeracy skills are the critical foundation for all learning and for the ability to participate effectively in society. NAPLAN questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum in English and Mathematics.

While NAPLAN results provide valuable insights into each student’s performance, it’s important to remember NAPLAN tests are only one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process. As they are held once every 2 years for each student, they cannot replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance. The NAPLAN individual student reports, along with other assessments, serve as useful tools for parents and teachers to discuss each student’s progress and identify areas for future growth. Your child’s teacher will have the best insight into your child’s educational progress. 

As a school we have once again excelled in literacy and numeracy. Our school is extremely pleased with the fantastic results achieved by our students, and we commend the hard work and dedication shown by each child.  We are proud of all our students’ efforts and look forward to continuing to support them in their educational journey. We thank our dedicated teaching staff and school leaders for their ongoing commitment to teaching and learning excellence at St Joseph's. We look forward to sharing our school's exceptional 2026 data with you once the state and national data has been released.

Here is a link to the VCAA Website with information for parents and carers about the NAPLAN individual student reports:

If you would like to discuss your child's NAPLAN report please do not hesitate to make a time to see your child's class teacher, or one of our Learning Leaders - Amanda Jackson (Literacy Leader) or Dean Butler (Numeracy Leader).

Junior Joey's Playgroup

On Monday, our St Joseph's Junior Joeys program recommenced after the school holidays. It was wonderful to once again hear the joyful sounds of our youngest community members as they explored, played and learned together in our school environment.

Junior Joeys is a special opportunity for children and their families to begin building connections with our school, and it is always a delight to see new friendships forming and confidence growing each week.

A heartfelt thank you to Ms Liolios for creating such a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment for our youngest learners and their families. Her care, enthusiasm and dedication ensure that every child feels safe, valued and excited to be part of the St Joseph's community. We look forward to another wonderful term of learning and fun together every Monday.

St Joseph's Pre Prep Program

It was so so lovely to warmly welcome this morning, many of our 2027 Prep children and their families for the very first sessions of our Pre Prep program, for all children enrolled in Prep for 2026. This will continue each Friday until the end of the year run by our very loved and very wonderful Prep Teacher, Junior Transition leader and early childhood educator Ms Niki Liolios. We look forward to welcoming our new 2027 Preps and their new families to our school each Friday and we hope that you enjoy your special time with us every Friday morning.

NAIDOC Week Assembly

At today's assembly, our beautiful Year 3BD students led our school community in a meaningful prayer liturgy to mark NAIDOC Week. Through prayer, reflection and song, they invited us to honour and celebrate the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

During the assembly, our Year 5 students were also commissioned as our new FIRE Carriers. As they begin this important leadership role, they will work alongside our current Year 6 FIRE Carriers for the remainder of this year before continuing this ministry as Year 6 leaders in 2027. We congratulate our newly commissioned FIRE Carriers and thank them for their willingness to lead by example, promoting faith and respect within our school community.

School Assembly

It was lovely to have so many families join us for our school assembly this morning.

At our assembly today, we once again, we warmly congratulated the students who received STAR Awards and for displaying the values of S- Stay Safe, T- Try Your Best, A- Act Responsibly and R- Respect Yourself and Others.

We also wish all of our birthday children a very happy birthday! Celebrating birthdays together is always such a joyful part of our week, and it is especially lovely hearing our students sing “Tanti Auguri” to the birthday children at our school assembly.  This week Ms O'Grady and myself also joined the children in the birthday celebrations - what a lovely surprise to be part of the birthday fun!

Mr Butler also announced the winners of this week's line points- congratulations once again to our champions Year 3DB!

Student Representative Council for Semester 2

Today at our assembly,  I had the very special honour of presenting the newly elected SRC students with their SRC badges for Semester 2. We are so proud of the students who were chosen by their classmates and teachers as responsible and respectful candidates, demonstrating the leadership values we uphold at St Joseph’s of strength and kindliness.

Principal Who Am I?

Each week one child is chosen from a 'Wheel of Names' in my office as the nominated person for the 'Who Am I?' This week Evie and Andre spun the 'Who am I' wheel for this week's 'Who am I?' after guessing our last student. 

This week I had the pleasure of introducing Jaxsen to our school community.

We learnt many new things about Jaxsen and it was so lovely to involve our parents in guessing Jaxsen from all the clues! Congratulations to Cooper's Mum Laura, you will now have to come and spin the wheel!

Parents & Friends Meeting -Tuesday July 22 at 6pm

Next Tuesday evening, we look forward to gathering for our next Parents & Friends (P&F) Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday 21 July at 6pm in the Staff Room. Everyone is warmly welcome, and we would love to see both familiar and new faces join us. The P&F plays a wonderful role in strengthening our school community, supporting our students and creating opportunities for families to connect.

At this meeting, we will be planning a number of exciting community events and fundraising initiatives for the remainder of the year. Whether you are a regular attendee or are considering coming along for the first time, we would be delighted to have you join us. Your ideas, enthusiasm and support are always greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there!

And from our P&F...

❄️ SAVE THE DATE ❄️

St Joseph’s parents, it’s time for one of our favourite nights of the year!

Join us for our Annual Winter Drinks at Mt Erica Hotel for a relaxed evening of great company, laughs, and the chance to catch up with fellow parents away from the school rush. Whether you’re new to the school community or have been part of it for years, everyone is welcome. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect, meet new faces, and enjoy a fun night together.

🗓️ Save the Date: 20/08/2026

📍 Mt Erica Hotel

🕖 From: 7pm

School Advisory Council Meeting - Thursday July 30 at 7pm

Our next School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting will be held on Thursday 30 July at 7pm.

It is always a pleasure to work alongside our SAC members, consulting with them and seeking their wisdom and advice on matters that are important to our school community. Their ongoing support, expertise and commitment to St Joseph's are greatly valued.

At next week's meeting, we will discuss the impact of the new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) across MACS schools and consider what this may mean for St Joseph's. We will also begin our forward planning for 2027 by commencing discussions around the school's budget and seeking the Council's advice on a number of important considerations as we plan for the future. We look forward to another productive and collaborative meeting.

Sustainable Uniform Shop

The Sustainable Uniform Shop will run next Friday July at 8:30am. We thank Angela Nicolai (Eliott's Mum) Simon Dabbs (Mum of Xavier and Pip) and Brony Ross (Edmund's Mum) for all their work in providing this for our families.

Working Bee -  Saturday July 25

Our next School Working Bee is scheduled for Saturday 25 July from 1pm to 3pm. We encourage all families to join us for an afternoon of community spirit and teamwork as we work together to maintain and enhance our school buildings and grounds.

Working Bees are a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our school community, meet other families and help keep our learning environment safe, welcoming and beautiful for all students. There will be a range of jobs available, and any assistance, whether for the full afternoon or part of it, will be greatly appreciated. Further details and a Sign Up Genius has been posted on our School Dojo. We look forward to seeing many families, and thank you in advance for your support of our school.

Spanish Classes After School at St Joseph's

This is a message from Kika Languages- a language group running fun and engaging after-school Spanish language classes for students. Running each Wednesday at 3.30 pm for 45 minutes in or school classrooms, the sessions are interactive, game-based and designed to make learning enjoyable while building children's confidence and skills.

Please see the flyer below for further information, including registration details. We encourage families who may be interested to take a look at this opportunity.

Staying Connected...

At any time, if you have questions or concerns regarding the wellbeing, care, or learning of your child, please do not hesitate to reach out. We encourage you to contact your child's class teacher in the first instance, or alternatively, one of our school leaders, Dean Butler (Deputy Principal), or myself, Annabelle Marinelli (Principal). Working in partnership with our families is incredibly important to us, and we are always happy to listen, support, and work together to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.

With warmest regards,

Annabelle Marinelli

Principal 

annabelle.marinelli@sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au