Dear Parents,

What an amazing day we had in our school last Friday ! With the Mothers Day Mass led by 3/4 community, the Mothers Day stall and the Mothers Day lunch it was a very special day all round. The lunch was such a special event with so many mums, grandmothers, aunties, special people and other community members all gathering in the hall. It was such a wonderful day full of positivity, connection and celebration for our Mums and special people. A huge thanks to Kerry Colliver, Matt DeMarte, Sue Jackson, Trish Brennan and all staff who assisted on the day.

A super team effort!

We highlighted the significant role of Mothers and we recognised every person in the role of caring whether it be mum, grandparents, dads or special people and all they do for the children in their care.

Children need environments around them to grow and flourish in, to know and discover who they are and to build a sense of identity allowing them to achieve amazing things in life.

Mothers and carers can have such a positive and significant influence on the life of a precious child. Mothers are continuously giving, loving, sacrificing and providing much needed helping, nurturing hands to their loved ones.

Recent Government Bonus

This week the Allan Labor Government announced a $400 School Saving Bonus for all school students in government schools regardless of income, but only for Health Care Card holders in Catholic schools.

We feel this is deeply unfair.

We believe the payment should be means tested for all students or apply to all students.

It should not be based on which school you attend.

This policy punishes families for choosing to send their children to a Catholic school.

Our school and the peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy and we need your help.

We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable.

Please consider contacting your local Member of Parliament to express your concern.

Our school’s local MP is Paul Mercurio and they can be contacted by calling (03) 5977 5600, or by emailing Email: hastings@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Open Day

We have our Open day coming up on Friday 17th May from 9 am- 1pm. Please promote our wonderful school to any prospective parents and come along yourself to do a tour and hear from our school leaders on their perspective of learning and being in our school. Our kids are such positive ambassadors in our school and are so capable of articulating their learning and speaking about all aspects of our wonderful school and I am so proud of our senior leaders.

Whole school theme

Our whole school faith and wellbeing theme this week is centred around the theme of Being of Service to others and witnessing the Holy Spirit through actions and love and through stewardship and contribution. We also focus on the tool kit element of thinking possibilities. Real meaning in life comes when we give and be of service to others.

Please read the slide show in the faith and wellbeing sections of our newsletter.

Uniform

The school beanies are now available in the Somerville Beleeza store.

Family Mass this Sunday

We invite all of our community to come to the Parish family Mass this Sunday 19th May at 8am in Shoreham. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather as a community to thank our Parishioners at Shoreham who continually support our students and celebrate all we are doing as a wonderful St Joseph’s community. Morning tea will be served and staff will be in attendance.

Cross Country

Finally, congratulations to the students who ran in the District Cross Country last Thursday. Our students were wonderful, showing grit and determination in all races. All students from Foundation to Year 6 participated in our house cross country. We then provide students with further District opportunities to shine with many wide and varied learning opportunities where they can set goals and strive for excellence in the area of their strength. We congratulate all students who represented our school in the District event and congratulate Harper, Ollie, Alex, Summer, Harlow, Jacob, Sonny and Chelsea who will now go on to represent our school in the next level of competition.

Yours in partnership,

Gab

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