Dear Parents and Guardians,

It has been a busy couple of weeks as teachers are working on reports ensuring they can provide you with information about your child’s progress this semester. Students have demonstrated growth in their learning and should be congratulated on their efforts this semester. Reports will be sent home on Thursday, 23rd June.

Yesterday, seven of our students competed in the Zone Cross Country finals at Bundoora Park. Congratulations to the following students who were selected to compete: Olivia (MLA) Joseph (MLA) Levi, Hari, Emily, Lorenzo and Reuben. All students participated well and we congratulate the following students on their individual performances: Reuben placed second and Olivia placed fourth in their races They will now compete in the Regional competition next Wednesday.

Congratulations to all our students who received the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time on Saturday, 28th May. It was a very special occasion for the students and their families and l thank Jackie, Monique and Stephanie for their support of our students in their preparation for this important faith milestone. Thank you also to Pauline for organizing a beautiful mass to celebrate this important event. Thank you also to Fr Manny for his ongoing support of our students in their preparation and at this mass and special event.

On the last Friday of this term, students can wear casual clothes to school. We ask students to donate a gold coin on this day to support Vivian in her education in Tanzania. St Joseph the Worker has a proud history of supporting students at the school of St Jude so that they can attend school and gain an education. Further information about the wonderful work of the School of St Jude can be found at https://www.schoolofstjude.org

Child Safety

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards (CSS) to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse. The new CSS come into effect on Friday 1 July 2022.

From 1 July 2022, 11 new Victorian Child Safe Standards will replace Victoria’s seven current Child Safe Standards and principles in place since 2016.

The revised Victorian CSS support greater national consistency, reflecting the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, developed following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The CSS include new requirements, including:

the involvement of families and students in child safety efforts
focus on the safety of Aboriginal children and young people
management of the risk of child abuse in online environments
governance, systems and processes to keep students safe.

The Child Safe Standards are underpinned by Ministerial Order No. 1359 (MO 1359), which was released by the Victorian Government on 10 February 2022. MO 1359 defines the actions schools and school boarding premises must take to meet the requirements associated with the new CSS.

Catholic schools are well-placed to respond to the changes because the extensive strategies and policies already in place for the wellbeing and safety of every child will help them be compliant with the new Child Safe Standards. We are currently updating our policies and will be discussing these and their requirements at our school closure day next Tuesday.

Morning Drop Off

I am concerned about the safety of students and impacts on traffic flow during the morning pick up process. As a result of this there are some minor changes to the drop off process beginning next Wednesday, 15th June.

When driving through the drop off zone in the morning, please follow the protocols below to support the safety of our students, minimize traffic congestion and ensure a quick stop, drop and go procedure for all families.

Keep left while waiting for stop, drop and go
Stay in your car. If you need to support your child exiting the car, please park in the carpark and assist them safely.
Children should exit only on the school side of the car (ensures the safety of students from oncoming traffic)
Store your child’s bag inside the car; we request that no one opens boots at the drop zone. If your children need to get bags out of the boot, please park in the car park to do this.
Give way when exiting the drop off zone to any cars that may want to park in the car park.
When stopping to drop your child off, move forward towards the carpark as far as possible. This will enable many parents to drop students off simultaneously and limit traffic congestion on Wilson Blvd.

I realise that some of these changes may inconvenience some families, however, the changes are to ensure a quick and safe drop off process each morning.

Every Day Counts

Some students are missing many days of school and this is impacting on their learning. We know students have been unwell due to COVID and influenza however, there still seems to be a number of students regularly missing school.

If your child must miss school, please contact the school before 8.45am. If you are having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

Please note we also have students regularly being picked up early each day. We request that parents organize appointments outside of school hours so that they can attend for the full day. After two years of disrupted learning, it is important that students are at school every day and all day unless sick.

School Closure Day

Please remember that Monday 13th June is the Queen’s birthday public holiday and school will be closed. Next Tuesday, 14th June staff will be working together to understand the updated child safety standards and their requirements.

There will be no school for students on this day. Theircare will be operating on the day if families require support with supervision of their children.

Office Reminders

Please feel free to give Anna a call or email her at anna.amerena@sjwreservoirnth.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or if we can help in any way.

Please check Skoolbag regularly for all the latest information as well as the newsletter which is published regularly.

Contact Details and Medical Information

Please ensure that the school has up to date contact and medical information. Contact the office immediately if there are any changes that would affect the medical management of your child.

A reminder that all medication needs to be sent to the office with an authority completed for us to administer the required dosage (medication authority form available on Skoolbag app or at the office)

Working with Children Checks

The Working with Children Check (WWC) is a screening process for assessing or re-assessing people who work with or care for children in Victoria.

It is important that your WWC is current and up to date to be able to assist in our school when volunteering.

Visit https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ to update, renew or apply for a card. Once you have received a new card, please send a copy of your card to Anna.

Wishing everyone a happy long weekend

Maria Barnes

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A prayer for Reconciliation from the Australian Catholic Ministry

Lord open up our hearts so that we may head the message you teach

Of a world in which the wrongs of the past are recognised

A world in which a reconciled people walk and talk together sharing stories

A world in which all burn with the desire to have your peace and justice reign.

We ask this is Jesus’ name

Bunjil was created by the students of St Joseph the Worker Primary School.

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