Dear Families,

I hope all families enjoyed the long weekend and managed to find some time to relax. There has been quite a few viruses and bugs about, so I hope the extra days allowed many to recover.

Staff Leave

There are a few staff members taking leave next term. Mrs Vicki Stirling will enjoy six weeks of Long Service Leave as she enjoys celebrating her daughter's wedding in the United Kingdom and visiting some European countries with her family. Mr Philip Whelan will be replacing her. Mrs Jane Byrne will be on leave for eight weeks and enjoying time in Shetland with her husband. Mrs Maria Scandizzo will be taking Visual Arts while Jane is away.

I will be travelling to Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Bathurst Island for the last week of this term with other principals from the Peninsula region. We will be learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. Mrs Megan Barber will be Acting Principal in my absence.

We will welcome Mr Ryan Robinson back to school next term, with his surgery and recovery being most successful.

Open Door Afternoon

Families are welcome to join us at our second Open Door Afternoon at 2:40pm on Tuesday 25 June.

Reports & Learning Conferences

Semester One student reports will be live on the Parent Portal next Monday afternoon 17 June. Instructions on how to access the nForma Parent Portal will be sent out to the email addresses that have been previously supplied to the school.

It is very important that you have updated your email addresses with the school, as an automated email containing instructions and login details will come from no-reply@nforma.com.au and not the school. Please ensure that you check your junk/spam folder for an email from that address.

It is highly recommended that you use a computer to access your child’s reports for the first time. Subsequent logins can be made on a mobile device if preferred.

Once you have followed the instructions, you will be able to view your child’s report online.

Learning Conferences will take place on Wednesday 24 and Wednesday 31 July between 3:30 - 6:00pm. An Operoo will be sent home early next term for parents to select a time. Although students will be not leading the conference, they are invited to attend.

The Fathering Project -STEM & Snags Night

It was wonderful to see so many families at the STEM and Snags Night. The variety of solutions to the engineering task was impressive.

Child Safety Week

This week is Child Safety Week. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.”

At St Joseph's we aim to create a community where children can thrive, explore, and grow with confidence, knowing that their safety is a top priority. We prioritise Child Safety by including it as an agenda item at every meeting.

Musical Enrichment Program

Sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Sorrento for enabling over 100 students from schools on the Peninsula to view the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform a musical composition for The Peasant Prince, a story based on the life of Li Cunxin (Mao's Last Dancer). There will be more opportunities in the future for more students to enjoy similar performances.

The Wall Update

The boundary wall has been signed off by a building inspector and practical completion announced. We are just waiting on the Shire to remove the safety order so that we can access the area.

Grandparent/Special Friend Day

Please mark Friday 26 July in your calendars for Grandparents and Special Friends Day. An invitation will be sent home first week of Term Three.

School Closure Day

Staff participated in a worthwhile day of learning. Please read all about it in the Religious Dimension page of the newsletter.

Vinnie Winter Appeal

Student will be attending mass on Thursday 27 June at 9:15am to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart. This is a feast day where we celebrate not only God's love for us but our love for others. The actual feast day was last Friday but as we were not at school, we will celebrate it on Thursday 27 June. Students are invited to bring in non-perishable food, blankets and/or coats to support the less fortunate this Winter.

Taste Sorrento

There are many family events on as a part of the Taste Sorrento Festival. Please note the dates below:

Small Town Tourism Awards

Sorrento have been announced as a finalist for the Small Town Tourism Awards 2024. The winner is picked in part by popular vote. Wouldn't it be fantastic for the area if it won?

To vote people need to go to: https://www.vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/2024finalists/sorrento/

Anyone who votes also goes into a draw for 2 nights’ accommodation in Melbourne thanks to Sofitel.

Canteen

Canteen is on this Friday.

ITEM SELLING PRICE

Slinky apples $ 1.00

Banana Bread $ 2.50

Popcorn $ 1.50

Sausage rolls $ 3.50

3 Wafer biscuits $ 0.50

Enjoy the week ahead and please let me know if I can assist you and your family in any way,

Monica

moshannassy@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au

Community News