PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
NEWSLETTER 21July 2026
Miss Jaclyn is always busy keeping abreast of our socials and sharing the terrific things happening at our school.
Welcome to Term 3!
Welcome back to all our families for Term 3. I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break and had the opportunity to spend some quality time together.
It has been wonderful to see our students return looking refreshed, happy and ready for another busy and exciting term of learning. Term 3 is always a big one, with plenty happening across the school, and we are looking forward to all that lies ahead.
Our students have returned with great energy and enthusiasm, ready to reconnect with friends, settle back into classroom routines and embrace the many learning opportunities that Term 3 will bring. There is certainly plenty to look forward to, and I look forward to a happy, productive and rewarding term for our entire school community.
Term 3 Special Events (dates also on 2026 School Calendar page)
- July 22 - Book Fair (more info below)
- July 31 - 100 Days of Prep!!
- August 14 - School Closure Day
- August 17 & 18 School Concert - Soundtrack Spectacular! (more info below)
- August 24 - Book Week
- August 26 - District Athletics
- August 28 - Book Week Parade
- August 31 - Parent-Teacher Interviews
- September 02 - Father's Day Breakfast
- September 03 - Father's Day Stall
- September 11 - Friday Market
- September 18 - Footy Day. Last day of Term.
Uniform Update
I've noticed that blue leggings are beginning to make their way into our school uniform. While they may be warm and comfortable, leggings are not part of the St Joseph's school uniform.
During the winter months, girls may wear:
- the winter tunic with navy tights, or
the school navy pants.
We appreciate your support in ensuring children come to school wearing the correct uniform.
A gentle reminder also about hair. Any hair that falls below shoulder length must be tied back. This is an important health and safety requirement, helping to reduce the spread of head lice, ensuring clear vision during learning and play, and supporting safe participation in activities such as PE and sport.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students take pride in their appearance and represent St Joseph's so well.
Change of Date – Grandparents’ and Special Friends' Day
Please note that the date for our Grandparents’ and Special Friends' Day has changed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but the event will now be held on Tuesday, 27 October.
This year, we are bringing together our Grandparents’ Day Mass, classroom visits and morning tea into one special event. In previous years, we have celebrated Mass on a Sunday and had classroom visits and morning tea the Friday before. We have received feedback that attending Mass on a Sunday can be difficult for some grandparents and family members, so we hope this new format will make it easier for more members of our community to join us.
Grandparents’ Day is always such a wonderful and special day at St Joseph’s, and we are looking forward to welcoming our grandparents and special people into the school. We hope that bringing the celebrations together in this new format will enhance the experience for our families and allow us to share an even more memorable day together.
Staffing News
We are delighted to welcome Kate Stapleton to our staff this term. Kate will be teaching Middle R on Thursdays and Fridays, sharing the class with Rosie O’Neil.
Kate has been doing a great deal of casual relief teaching at St Joseph’s and is already very well known to our students. This familiarity will ensure a smooth transition for the students and the class.
Rosie and Kate will work closely with Renee Booth, and will undoubtedly form a wonderfully enthusiastic, dedicated and collaborative team. We are very fortunate to have such a strong team supporting our grade 3/4 students, and we look forward to the positive contribution Kate will make to our team.
School Concert - Soundtrack Spectacular!
A message from Ms Jaclyn...
We are thrilled to share that TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE for our 2026 School Concert, ‘SOUNDTRACK SPECTACULAR!’ After months of hard work, we invite you to join us for a celebration of Hollywood's most iconic movie soundtracks, brought to life through drama, music, dance and visual arts.
‘SOUNDTRACK SPECTACULAR!’
Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th August 2026 - 7.30pm
Magis Performing Arts Centre
Loyola College - 325 Grimshaw Street, Watsonia 3087
IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION
Cost: $22 (+ booking fee)
Ticket Limit: 7 tickets per family (see note below).
- Students performing in the concert do not require a ticket.
- Children under the age of 3 do not require a ticket, provided they can sit on the lap of an adult/guardian.
- To ensure audiences see the same show, students will perform both nights.
TICKET LIMITS
To ensure every family has the opportunity to attend, there is an initial limit of 7 tickets per family. Families may allocate these tickets however they wish across the two performances.
From Monday, 3rd August (Week 4), all remaining tickets will be released for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. As seats are allocated at the time of booking, we encourage families to purchase their tickets as soon as possible to secure their preferred performance.
PURCHASE YOUR CONCERT TICKETS NOW: https://events.humanitix.com/sjn-2026
Thank you for your ongoing support of our Arts program. Opportunities like this allow our students to build confidence and skills while creating lasting memories together. I am incredibly proud of the commitment, enthusiasm and talent of our St Joseph's superstars, and I can't wait to share all of their hard work with you on stage.
Ms Jaclyn.
Book Fair
Our Book Fair will be held this week, commencing tomorrow in the Mandarin room (next to the multi-purpose room). This is a wonderful opportunity for students to browse a wide selection of books and perhaps find a new favourite to enjoy at home.
We encourage families to take the opportunity to support their children’s love of reading by purchasing a book or two, or perhaps a range of fun reading accessories, such as bookmarks, stationery, pens, pencils, and other book-related items.
There is nothing quite like the excitement of choosing a new book and bringing it home to read! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to assist with the Book Fair, and we hope our students enjoy exploring the wonderful range of books available.
Divisional Soccer Championships
Congratulations to the following children who have qualified to represent St Joseph's at the Divisional Soccer Championships! ⚽️
They will be competing tomorrow, and we wish them the very best of luck. We are incredibly proud of their achievement and wish them all the best. Go team! 🙌
🎉🎡 SAVE THE DATE! 🎡🎉
📅 Saturday 17 October 2026
Mark your calendars and get ready for one of the highlights of the year as we celebrate the St Joseph's School Fete 2026! 🎈🎠🌭🍰
We're excited to be planning a fantastic afternoon and twilight event for our school community, with games, food, entertainment, bar and plenty of fun for all ages.
There will be something for everyone to enjoy, with plenty of fun, laughter and community spirit. From exciting games 🎢🎯 to delicious food and treats 🍔🌭🍦, live entertainment 🎶 and lots of activities for children and families, it promises to be a fantastic afternoon/evening for our whole school community.
With the school holidays approaching, many families may be doing a clean-out at home. If so, we'd love you to keep the fete in mind and consider donating items that could be used for prizes, activities and fundraising.
We are currently seeking donations for:
- Silent Auction prizes
- Treasure Hunt prizes
- Sporting activity prizes
- Chocolate Toss prizes
Items that would be greatly appreciated include:
- Toys (new or near-new)
- Children's books
- Small prizes such as squishies, stickers and novelty toys
- Gift hampers
- Restaurant vouchers
- Holiday accommodation
- Sporting memorabilia
- Professional services
- Local business products or vouchers
- Alcohol