PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

NEWSLETTER 28 April 2026

Miss Jaclyn is always busy keeping abreast of our socials and sharing the terrific things happening at our school.

ANZAC Day

Last week, our Seniors led us in an ANZAC Day service, beautifully prepared by Ms Lauren. It was a solemn and reflective occasion, where students and staff came together to honour the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The service included readings, a moment of silence, and the laying of a wreath. The ceremony was both meaningful and respectful. It was a great reminder of the importance of remembering and appreciating the freedoms we have today.

COLOUR RUN

Get ready for a burst of colour and fun at our Colour Run this Thursday afternoon!

This much-loved event is always a highlight, and the best part is, of course, the colour. To make the most of the experience, we encourage students to wear a white or light-coloured shirt on the day—this will come home covered in colour and make for a wonderful keepsake (and a great conversation starter at home!). Please note that the colour powder will not wash out, so be sure to choose a shirt that can remain colourful forever.

We also recommend that students wear old shoes and bring a towel to sit on for the journey home.

This should be a fabulously fun afternoon - thank you to Lauren Haddon for organising this event and thank you in advance to the parents who have volunteered to help

SCHOOL CONCERT

Our School Concert Extravaganza is set to be an absolutely dazzling highlight of this term—an event not to be missed! This year’s theme, Soundtrack Spectacular, is already igniting excitement and enthusiasm throughout the school. With roles now allocated, rehearsals are well underway. I'd like to acknowledge all the children who auditioned - we certainly have an extraordinary level of talent, energy and stage presence among our students.

The buzz is building as our students bring the magic of musical theatre to life. If Ms Jaclyn’s past production is anything to go by, we are in for a truly show-stopping, spectacular performance of the highest calibre.

Mark your calendars and save the date—this promises to be an unforgettable evening of entertainment and celebration!

"SOUNDTRACK SPECTACULAR!"

Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th August, 2026 @ 7.30PM

Staffing News...

This term, we welcome Ms Xana! Xana is a pre-service teacher who will be working in the Senior Community with Mr Joey.

We also welcome Monash University student Ishita Zurtshi to St Joseph's this term. Ishita is studying the Masters of Counselling and will be working with the Wellbeing Team. More information in the Wellbeing and Learning Diversity section of this newsletter.

Mother's/Special Friends Day Celebrations

This year, we have made some changes to our "Mother’s" Day celebrations to create a more inclusive and relaxed experience for families. On Friday May 08 Mother's/Special Friends are warmly invited to visit their child/children in the classroom, take part in a short activity together, and then enjoy some time mingling in the yard. Light refreshments, including tea and coffee, a fruit platter and pastries, will be provided, offering a lovely opportunity to connect as a community.

Mother's Day Mass

A Message from Lauren Haddon (R.E. Leader)

We warmly invite all mothers, grandmothers and special women in our students’ lives to join us for our Mother’s Day Mass on Sunday 3rd May at 11:00am.

This special celebration will be hosted by our Middle classes, who are looking forward to leading our community in prayer and helping us honour the wonderful women who nurture, guide and support us each day.

We would love to see many of our St Joseph’s families present as we celebrate this meaningful occasion together.

If you and your family will be attending Mass and would like to participate in the celebration (for example, through readings or other roles during the liturgy), email me lhaddon@sjnorthcote.catholic.edu.au

We look forward to sharing this beautiful celebration with you.

Kind regards,

Lauren Haddon

Mother's Day Cocktail Evening - Friday 8th May

The Social Club would like to invite all Mums, Grandmas and other special people to The St Joseph's Mother's Day Cocktail Evening. This event is part of our annual celebration for Mother's Day, and is a wonderful opportunity for the community, particularly new families at the school to get together and mingle.

6pm -10 pm Friday 8th May

The Terminus Hotel - Level 1

Queens Parade, Fitzroy North

Tickets are $70, available now in the Office (cash or eftpos)

This includes a house drink on arrival, a 6-piece canape package and a grazing table

Places are limited so please book your tickets asap.

Telephone Kathryn or Mandy on 9481 7166 or email kcoventry@sjnorthcote.catholic.edu.au

Ms Jaclyn’s Show: A Fabulous Night Out...

Our very own Ms Jaclyn has written and is performing in her very own show - PRIMA NONNA!

Enjoy a night out and book a ticket for what will undoubtedly be a very entertaining show!!

SHOW BLURB:

Passionate, creative, emotional and stubborn are just some of the words used to describe Jaclyn DeVincentis… and that’s just at a casual family dinner. But when it comes to dramatic flair and unsolicited advice, there’s another diva stealing the spotlight: her Nonna.

For 90 years, Nonna Sera has reigned over the Costanzo family. Now, Jaclyn lifts the lace curtain on what she’s learnt about life, love and receding hairlines from the Queen of the North… Fitzroy, that is.

Expect an hour of powerhouse vocals, laugh-out-loud anecdotes and a soundtrack that screams ’90s wedding reception. BYO confetti and dry ice! A must for anyone who’s ever loved a Nonna (or been force-fed second helpings).

'Ms Jaclyn says best to leave the kids at home for this one. There's mild course language, and the show is definitely written for an adult audience. So... get a babysitter, gather a group & enjoy an hour of songs, stories and nostalgia!'

PRIMA NONNA invites you to round up the cousins, step into the ‘good room’, and unpack a lifetime of tradition, theatrics and good ol' fashion Italian guilt.

BOOKING LINK: https://chapeloffchapel.com.au/show/prima-nonna/

🎸 PARENTS BATTLE of the BANDS 🎸

It's getting closer... don't forget to come along to the Croxton Hotel to support our School Band!!!

📅 Event Details:

Date: Thursday 21 May

Venue: The Croxton Hotel

This promises to be a wonderful evening of live music, community spirit, and great fun. A portion of ticket sales at the door will go directly to our school, making it a fantastic fundraising opportunity.

We are thrilled to have a St Joey’s parent band, “Sunday School,” representing us on the night! 🎶

Our band members are:

🎼Olivia Triandos

🎼Tim Hargreaves

🎼Jess Andrewartha

🎼Brendan Harding

🎼Adrian Hunt

🎼Jane Ward

🎼James McGuire

🎼Vernon Clarke

Important: When purchasing tickets, please ensure you select St Joseph’s so that your ticket is counted towards our school total.

We would love to see as many families and friends there as possible to support our band and enjoy what will no doubt be a brilliant night.