Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

The Lord's Prayer for Peace

God of Peace

May Your name be honored in our actions.

May Your will for peace be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us the strength to share the resources of this world with compassion, so that all may thrive.

Forgive us our failures to live in harmony, as we strive to forgive those who harm us.

Help us to resist the temptation to divide and use power over, and guide us towards unity and understanding.

Deliver us from the violence and hatred that plague our world, and lead us to a future of lasting peace that we always help to create.

This day and as we go forward

We commit to being instruments of peace.

We commit to build bridges of understanding and to work for justice.

We choose hope over despair, love over hate, and unity over division.

May our actions and our words reflect the values of compassion and peace, so that all may experience Your love and peace.

Amen

World Teacher’s Day Friday 31st October

This week we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a special opportunity to recognise and thank the incredible teachers who make such a difference in the lives of our students every single day.

At St Joes, our teachers do far more than teach lessons — they nurture curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a love of learning that extends well beyond the classroom. Their dedication, creativity, and care shape not only the minds but also the hearts of our children.

We are deeply grateful for the countless ways our teachers go above and beyond — preparing engaging lessons, supporting wellbeing, guiding faith and values, and celebrating every success, big or small. Their impact lasts a lifetime, and our school community is richer because of their commitment and passion.

On behalf of our students, families, and the wider community, we say a heartfelt thank you to our teachers for the difference they make each and every day.

Happy World Teachers’ Day!

Playground

A big thanks to Brett Gladki who coordinated the removal of the old senior playground over the weekend. 

Also to Mick Edwards (grandpa of Hudson, Nellie and Lottie Foster) who donated his time and expertise on the bobcat and to Sarah Porter, Darren Welsh, Dylan Bowman, Brendan Foster and Matt Shields who added their labour to get the job done.

Installation of the new playground will commence on Monday November 10th.

School Interschool Equestrian Team

On Friday 24th October, the Warrnambool St. Joseph's interschool equestrian team went and competed at the Warrnambool Showgrounds, doing show jumping and dressage.

Bonnie King and Braxton Harrington both participated in the freshmen show jumping event (40 cm). Bonnie had an impressive performance, going clear in the first round on her horse, Bobbi (Salient Park Bobbi). However, in the second round, she and Bobbi, knocking down two rails in the jump-off round. Additionally, Bonnie also competed in the Aspiring Show Jumping (85 - 95 cm) category with her pony, Buddy (Kenda Park Warrior). Bonnie and Buddy had one rail in the two-phase (85cm) but still came 5th place!

In dressage, both Braxton and Bonnie showcased their talents in the Prep 1 and Prep 3 tests. Securing 3rd place and a percentage of 67% in the Prep 1 dressage and 4th place with a percentage of 58% in the Prep 3 dressage test on his horse, Prince Harrington. Overall, it was a fantastic day of competition for the team!

Bonnie did Prep dressage on her horse Bobbi, they both did two very good dressage test with 68% and 66%.

And Bonnie competed on Buddy too in the Novice dressage, coming first with 60% and 65%

Overall, the 2025 St. Joseph's interschool equestrian team had a great day competing!

The blanket that is on Braxton’s horse is the new St Joseph's equestrian blanket! Special thanks to Jacinta Harrington.

Bonnie King and Braxton Harrington
School Equestrian Team

Student congratulations

Congratulations to Aurora Suringa who won a Geelong FC jumper signed by the Geelong AFLW players. Aurora won the jumper through her participation in the All Girls Auskick run by the AFL last term.  Tristan from AFL was at school to present the jumper and to promote Auskick and Superkick sessions to be held at St Josephs in Term 1 next year.

Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday this week.

Islay Allison, Max Fitzgibbon, James Haberfield, Wilhelm Scholz-Hoy, Angus Smith, Leo Guiney, Matilda Houston and Harley Singh.

Thank you to all the grandparents who were able to come to our school, and spend time with their grandchildren in their classes. It was terrific to see so many here. There was certainly plenty of excitement amongst the students, and it was lovely to see them engaging with their grandparents about their work. This has become such a valued day on our school calendar.

A special thank you to our Year 6 families who donated items for a delicious morning tea. I'm sure our grandparents appreciated this too, as they spent time catching up with each other over a cuppa.

District Cricket Competition

Well done to our Year 6 cricket teams on their efforts last Thursday at the Reid oval for District cricket. The girls team won all of their games and will now compete at the Division competition in at Southcombe Park in Port Fairy on Friday 7th November. The boys also played brilliantly, winning 4 games out of 5 to only narrowly miss out on a spot at the next level.

Regional Basketball - Boys

Last Friday 24th October our boys basketball team travelled to Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat to compete in the Regional competition. Unfortunately the draw only allowed us to play two games. The boys put up a great fight in game one but ultimately went down by 9 points. They were victorious in a close battle in game two, taking out the win by just 2 points. Well done boys on a fantastic effort.

Upcoming - Girls Shot Shots Tennis

The girls Hot Shots tennis team will compete on Tuesday 11th November in Colac. We’re awaiting more details for this event so keep an eye out.

Collins Booksellers Kids Club

Introducing - NEW Collins Booksellers ‘Kids’ Club’ Book Ordering Forms.

When I am given the opportunity to shop locally - I always jump at the chance!  I am so excited to support our local booksellers Collins, in their new venture ‘Kids’ Club!’ This term we are handing out their ordering magazines to the eldest child in the family, in place of our usual Scholastic Book Club Magazines! Do start ordering from Collins Booksellers, just follow the step-by-step instructions below to order some great books in time for Christmas, and we will receive a 10% kick back to our School Library!

If you have any outstanding rewards or points with Scholastic Book Club then we can continue to honour these while you still make your order via the LOOP App.

Book Week Dress Up and Parade

Friday 7th November - will be an optional ‘Book Week’ Dress-Up Parade and short Assembly prepared by our Year 6 Library Leaders.  We will use this occasion to celebrate the conclusion of the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge and present awards to those who finished the Challenge and to announce the Class Winners who read the most books during the Challenge! You are more than welcome to join us in the School Hall from 9am, for a 9:15am start.

Please email me with any questions you might have about these two events to: elloyd@sjwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Foundation students are excited to welcome  picture story book author Sarah Lane in tomorrow, Wednesday 29th October. She will be introducing her book Surprise Shark.

If you would  like to order a copy of the book prior, Sarah has kindly offered to sign any books purchased.

Wear Orange on Friday

We will be having a WOOF - Wear Orange On Friday 31st October when students will be able to wear a touch or ALL orange for Story Dogs. We will be raising funds for Story Dogs and you can donate via CDFPAY, now open.

We are very excited to have Story Dogs as part of our school Community.  St. Joseph’s has joined Story Dogs as part of a National Story Dogs program that reaches over 390 schools nationally. 

Story dogs involves a reading session of 20 minutes each, for 4, year 2 students, each week with our Volunteer Deb, and her dog Sadie. Susie Alexander is the coordinator for our school program.

Please see the Story Dogs website at www.storydogs.org.au for more information and read about the success of the program. 

The PSA is excited to invite our school community to a special movie screening of the new release film ‘Zootopia 2’ at Capitol Cinema Warrnambool, 2pm, Sunday 30th November.

This is a community social event organised by the PSA and is not a school-supervised activity. All children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult for the duration of the event.

This is NOT a drop-off event. Responsible parents/guardians must remain with their children throughout the movie.

Zootopia 2
2pm, Sunday 30th November, 2025
Capitol Cinema Warrnambool

Ticket Cost (includes popcorn & drink combo)
$25 adult tickets
$20 child tickets
Tickets available on CDF Pay.

Tickets are limited, so get in quick! This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy quality time with your children at a new release film and connect with other families from our school community.

Pizza Day: Tuesday 18th November, 2025

Orders Close: 3pm Friday 14th November, 2025

Once per term the PSA run a Pizza Day as a "special occasion" lunch option and to raise money for the PSA.

Children can choose from either Garlic or Hawaiian pizza (Gluten Free options available) which are provided by Pepper's Pizza (formerly Pinkies Pizza) who are one of our school sponsors.

Orders are now open via CDFPay (Canteen ordering system)

There are no canteen orders on Pizza Days and children not wanting to order pizza should bring their lunch from home.

Sorry, no late orders can be accepted.

A message to families re notification of some confirmed cases of Impetigo (commonly known as School Sores). Please read the information below.

Impetigo (school sores) is a highly contagious type of skin infection caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria.

Common symptoms of Impetigo are:

• the skin itches and reddens
• a collection of blisters forms, commonly around the nose and mouth
• the blisters pop and weep a yellow, sticky fluid
• the area develops a raised and wet-looking crust
• the scab dries and falls off
• the skin completely heals after a few days.

Treatment options include antibiotic cream, ointment, antibiotic syrup or tablets.

A child with impetigo must be kept home from school until appropriate treatment has begun and the sores on exposed areas are covered with a waterproof dressing and where necessary a crepe bandage.

Practice good personal hygiene.

Due to the changes to Child Safety the Passtab sign in procedures have been updated to collect more information from all visitors when entering a school.  You WILL need to bring with you your Working With Children Card, your VIT card and Driver's Licence when  you sign in.  Once you have completed all sections of the updates you will be cleared to continue with volunteering or visiting the school.

• If you currently hold a Working with Children Check please bring your card into the School Office so details can be recorded.
• If you are a teacher and not employed at St. Joseph’s School and will be doing volunteer work at school please bring in your VIT card and Drivers Licence so details can be recorded. 
• If you do not have a Working with Children Check card, you will need to apply for one please.

 If you have any queries please contact the school office.

If your child/ren are not returning to St Joseph's Primary School in 2026 could you please notify the school office ASAP as we have many children on waiting lists in various year levels. Many thanks.

Right now, foster carers are urgently needed in Warrnambool and surrounds.  Foster carers come from many different backgrounds and family types. If you care about children and can provide a safe and supportive environment, you could be a foster carer. Find out more at www.macKillop.org.au/fostercare.