From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Schools are such busy places in this 'new normal' that we are experiencing.  We have been back to full-time on-site learning now for nearly a year and a half and it is fantastic that we can offer our children the full range of on-site activities along with our sport activities, camps, incursions, excursions and other engaging activities.  

Camp

Our Year Five/Six Students have had an absolutely fantastic time away at Phillip Island Adventure Resort.  Check out the 5/6 Link in the side bar for details.

Working Bee

This afternoon we held a Working Bee to prepare the veggie patch for planting Winter Vegetables.  Thanks to the Kennedy, Lawrie, Darwell and Lucas families for helping Anthony Willemsen, Jacqui Tarquinio and Rebecca Beveridge with this mammoth task.  In just two energetic hours the area was transformed from a bit of a jungle into a lovely garden setting.  The team can't wait to get cracking with the kids, planting out the garden beds with their Winter Veggies.

Parents &Friends Annual General Meeting

The Parents and Friends (P&F) AGM will be taking place in the Conference Room at St Joseph’s on Tuesday 6 June at 2:00pm. All current and prospective P&F Committee members are invited to attend, along with any other parents who would like to find out more about this group.

I would strongly encourage parents and carers who are new to the St Joseph’s School Community to consider joining this committee. This is a brilliant way of getting to know other St Joseph’s parents and carers while helping with the planning and running of fund raising and social events.

Long Service Leave

After 34 years of service in Catholic Education and nearly four years of Principalship at St Joseph’s, I am taking a seven-week break.....and boy am I looking forward to it! My last day will be Friday 16 June and I will return on Monday 7 August. My wife and I are very grateful to be spending this time in England, France and Italy.

Katie Vranken (Deputy Principal) will be in the Acting Principal role throughout this time. Katie is a well-regarded and capable leader who enjoys the respect and admiration of students, parents and staff. She has led the school very effectively in my absence in the past, and I will leave with peace of mind, knowing the school is in her expert hands.

Katie can be contacted at the school during office hours on 59671183 and via email kvranken@sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au

My email inbox will not be monitored at this time, so please direct any correspondence directly to Katie.  She will be acting with full authority as principal.

Rest assured, Katie will be able to contact me at any time in the event of an emergency and she will have the support of Mr John Corkill (Regional Leadership Consultant) at Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools.

Parish Mass and Pancake Breakfast

Fr Michel has asked me to draw your attention to the following note which was published in the Parish Newsletter shared with you by Alison Waldron on Thursday:

Pancake Breakfast — Save the Date

Sunday 18th June we will celebrate our parish feast day, the Solemnityof the Sacred Heart, with a pancake breakfast after the 8:30am Massat Yarra Junction. All parishioners are welcome to enjoy deliciouspancakes and fellowship!

We had a fantastic turn out last time we were invited to hospitality after mass in April.  It was such a thrill for Father Michel and the parishioners to have school families at the parish mass.  Katie Vranken and Terry Foley will be representing the staff at this mass as I will be on leave at this time.

Best wishes for a restful weekend and a highly unlikely victory for North Melbourne over Collingwood.

Nick.