Notes from Liz 

Welcome Back! 

We are thrilled to share that our school year has gotten off to a fantastic start! Seeing our students walk through the doors, eager to learn and reconnect with friends, has been heartwarming. We extend our deepest gratitude to all of you for ensuring your children returned to school ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities. 

We greatly appreciate the efforts put in over the holidays. I was amazed and inspired by the dedication of so many families committed to creating an inviting and engaging space for our children to learn and play. 

Special thanks for the work done on: 

• Concrete projects 
• Campaspe Street Garden 
• The lawn in front of the corner wall 
• Installation of the playground 
• Working Bee 
• Vegetable garden and chooks 
• Various maintenance tasks 

Your contributions make a significant difference in our school community. 

As we start the new school year, we kindly remind all parents to update their children's information on PAM (Parent Access Module). Accurate and current information ensures that we can effectively communicate important updates and provide the best support for your child's educational needs. Additionally, please take a moment to check that you can access Seesaw, our digital portfolio platform. Ensuring you can log in will help you stay connected with your child's learning journey and be informed about their progress and classroom activities. 

We are delighted to announce that Gwen has been honoured with the Australia Day Appreciation Award! This award recognises her dedication and countless hours spent tending to our school garden and caring for the chooks, even during weekends and holidays. Gwen's hard work and love for the garden have ensured the chooks and garden are well cared for. 

Thank you to the children that came along to help celebrate Gwen! 

School Fees 

St Joseph’s School depends on fees to provide a wide range of opportunities for our students. We encourage families experiencing financial difficulty with school fees to reach out for support. 

Additionally, families with a HEALTH CARE CARD are requested to bring it to the office, as there are significant concessions available for Health Care Card holders. 

Fee statements will be sent home very shortly. 

School Uniform Guidelines 

Uniform items are available for purchase at Rochester Sportspower. 

A few reminders that we will be monitored more closely this year: 

• Socks – white, navy or black socks are acceptable school uniform. Footy socks and happy socks are not part of the school uniform. 
• Nail polish and artificial nails are not part of the school uniform.  

Students are expected to always wear the correct school uniform. Thank you for your cooperation. 

We are grateful to Rochester Sportspower for their support of our school and for being so easy to work with. 

Before and After School Care 

We can access Before and After School Care at Rochester Primary School. There is an application process, so please contact the office for our help. 

Mornings at St Joseph's

Opportunities for children in the mornings have been varied for 2025.

We are offering support for all children before school in the following ways:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Morning Meeting Space in the Library

Tuesday and Thursday: Breakfast

We ask that you let us know if we need to encourage your child/children to look for the different gathering spaces each morning.

At St Joseph’s, we believe in the power of education to MAGNIFY - every student, every teacher, every school, every day. Every day is an exciting opportunity for learning and growth. Our new learning routines have been embraced by students and teachers. Here's to another incredible year filled with curiosity, achievements, and shared joy! 

Thanks for your support. 

Liz