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School Vision and Mission At St Joseph's School the Catholic faith is central to all we do. Therefore, we support the faith journey of each individual member of the community, we build relationships that are mutually respectful, honest and open and we make learning meaningful and engaging. |
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Strategic Intent We will see purposeful collaboration and consistent expert practices for all students to learn in a safe environment.
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Dear Families
On Tuesday we celebrated the beginning of the school year in our church with a prayer service organised by Taryn. This was followed by a Welcome Sausage Sizzle after school. It was great to gather firstly in our church and then to welcome our new families to our community. 'Their Care' (our after school care providers) supplied free coffee to enable parents to gather and mingle.
Mini Vinnies 2025
The St Vincent de Paul Society aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society. Our Mini Vinnies team at school work as part of the Parish's St Vincent de Paul group. We work as a caring Catholic charity offering 'a hand up' to people in need. This year twenty-four students in Gr 5 & 6 have volunteered to work as part of our Mini Vinnies team. We will work in smaller groups to plan and implement fundraising activities for our school. We congratulate and acknowledge our Mini Vinnies Team for 2025:
Ash Wednesday and Lent
On Wednesday March 5th is Ash Wednesday and it starts the church season of LENT. During Lent we reflect on our lives and try to change the things we need to change in order to lead more meaningful and purposeful lives. This prayer is taken from The Australian Children's Prayer Book and it is simple and meaningful. You might like to share it with your family. I find reading a simple, short prayer before a special meal can be really positive.
LENT PRAYER
Loving God, as we begin this season of Lent
we pray that over these 40 days,
we will open our minds and hearts
to recognise and respond to the needs of others.
Help us to be kind to those around us,
especially friends and family.
Through prayer, fasting and giving to those in need,
may we be ready to enter more fully
into the days of Holy Week. Amen
Suggested New School Times
Presently the staff are workshopping a proposed change to our school daily timetable. Staff are wanting to promote the best structure to support student learning and are thinking about behavioural issues on the yard particularly at lunch times. The following bell time structure is proposed to start in term 2:
8.50am music starts 8.55am bell
10.55 bell to start eating time
11am bell to start recess
11.25 music 11.30 bell to finish recess
1.30pm bell to start eating time 1.40 bell to start lunchtime
2.15 music 2.20pm bell to finish lunchtime
3.20 bell to finish school.
The advantage of this structure is that students have two longer learning blocks, followed by a shorter learning block in the afternoon when they are tired. We believe the shorter lunch break will have a positive effect on the behavioural pattern of issues that often happen in the last 10 minutes of lunchtime. School will finish at 3.20pm rather than 3.30pm. We are interested in your thinking about this change. You can let your class teacher know what your thoughts are or you could email me principal@trafalgar.catholic.edu.au
Athletics Carnival
On Thursday March 20th we will be running an annual Athletics Carnival at the Geoff Watt track in Warragul. In Physical Education lessons in class we will be revising the athletic skills for the track and field events. Taryn will be organising the Athletics Carnival for us and will be asking for volunteers to help run the day soon. It really is a great day for everyone, so look out for further information to come.
A Few Reminders
Icypoles are sold in terms 1 & 4 for $1 each
Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025. The Theme is – Pilgrims of Hope.
The logo shows four stylized figures, representing all of humanity, coming from the four corners of the earth. They embrace each other to indicate the solidarity which should unite all peoples.
The figure at the front is holding onto the cross which is the sign of the faith which this lead figure embraces, but also of hope, because we are always in need of hope, especially in our moments of greatest need.
There are the rough waves under the figures, symbolising the fact that life’s pilgrimage does not always go smoothly in calm waters. Often the circumstances of daily life and events in the wider world require a greater call to hope. That’s why we should pay special attention to the lower part of the cross which has been elongated and turned into the shape of an anchor which is let down into the waves. The anchor is well known as a symbol of hope.
It is worth noting that the image illustrates the pilgrim’s journey not as an individual undertaking, but rather as something communal.
The cross in the logo is by no means static, but it is also dynamic. It bends down towards humanity, not leaving human beings alone, but stretching out to them to offer the certainty of its presence and the security of hope.
At the bottom of the logo is the motto of the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims in Hope, represented in green letters.
At school we are learning songs about the Jubilee Year and talking about the signs of hope we see.
Live Your Best Life in Love...
A Marriage Encounter weekend is for you…
Every married couple deserves this very special weekend.
Time-out to nurture your most precious relationship away from daily distractions.
The two of you will come away from your weekend feeling more deeply connected
and with tools to help keep the passion alive.
No group sharing required.
The weekend is based around Catholic values. Couples of all faiths are welcome.
Please check our website for more details and to book your special weekend:
Our next weekend is: 25-27 April 2025 at St Paul's Retreat Centre, Wantirna South.
Starts Friday evening at 7pm and finishes Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm
Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or
Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au Website: wwme.org.au
Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.
This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.
SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer - 2025
The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.
Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.
The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://trafalgar.catholic.
EUCHARIST
Commitment Mass Saturday 3rd May 6pm St John’s Church Trafalgar
Teaching Mass Thursday 8th May 10am St John’s Church Trafalgar
Parent/Child Workshop Thursday 8th May 4pm or 7pm Marian Room St Joseph’s Warragul
2ndRite Reconciliation (celebrated in school time) Thursday 22nd May 12:30pm St John’s Church Trafalgar
First Holy Communion Mass Saturday 31st May 6pm St John’s Church Trafalgar
CONFIRMATION
Parent/Child Workshop Tuesday April 29th 7pm at school
2nd Rite Reconciliation Thursday 1st May (in school time) 12:30pm St John’s Church Trafalgar
Sacrament of Confirmation Saturday 10th May 6pm St John’s Church Trafalgar
The sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in Grade 3, First Communion in Grade 4 and Confirmation in Grade 5 or 6 (celebrated biannually). If you would like your child to participate in the Sacraments but they are not yet baptised, it is a good idea that they complete their baptism this year. For more information please email Julianne from St John's Parish Trafalgar at trafalgar@cdsale.org.au.
Parents please make sure that you model best practice in using the Children's Crossing on Waterloo Road, it is there for our safety and we need to teach our children to use it. Please don't cross Waterloo Road at any other point, only use the Children's Crossing.
April
Fri 4 Midday Gr 5/6 Easter Presentation in church
Easter Raffle 12.45pm in Mary Mac room
1pm Dismissal last day of term
Mon 21 Easter Monday public holiday
Tues 22 First day of term 2
Fri 25 ANZAC DAY public holiday and Trafalgar Parade 11am
May
Wed 7 Mother's Day Stall (gifts $10 & $15)
Thurs 8 Gr 4/5 Teaching Mass
Eucharist Workshop (parent & child) Warragul 4pm or 7pm
Fri 9 Mother's Day celebration at school starting at 2pm
Sat 10 Sacrament of CONFIRMATION 6pm church
Wed 14 School Advisory Committee 5pm
Fri 16 3pm Assembly Catholic Education Week
Mon 19 OPEN DAY 2pm to 5pm
Mon 19 to Fri 23 CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
Wed 21 Diocesan Mass Beaconsfield SRC leaders
Fri 23 Special Pasta Lunch
Sat 31 Sacrament FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 6pm church
June
Tues 10 Student free day (teachers professional day)
Wed 18 School Advisory Committee
Fri 20 3pm Assembly Gr 3/4 presenting
Wed 25 Whole school dress rehearsal at school
Thurs 26 School Concert Lowanna 6pm
Fri 4 last day of term 1pm dismissal
July
August
September
October
Mon 13 Gr 3/4 Allambee Day Excursion
November
Wed 26 Gr 3/4 Mill Valley Day Excursion
December