Sacramental Program
Sacramental programs are family based, parish coordinated and school supported. Each year the sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation are celebrated in the Parish. The Parish and School are charged with assisting parents to bring up their child/ren in the faith of the Catholic Church.
The Parish and School share this responsibility with the parents and so, together in partnership, the spiritual development of the child can be nurtured and grown. Sacraments are supported, but not restricted, to the following Year levels.
Year 3 - Confirmation (Term 2)
Year 4 - Eucharist (Term 3)
Year 6 - Reconciliation (Term 1)
Registration for Sacraments is done via our school newsletter with payment made via CDFPay (Online Ordering).
Latest News
Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 News
04 Feb 2021
Our Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 teams have put together some informative news for Term 1.
Foundation News
Year 1 News
Year 2 News
Important Principal Update
28 Jan 2021
Full classroom lessons commencing Monday 1st February, 2021
As an educational community of faith, friendship and high levels of learning for all it is important that we all understand this awesome responsibility. We achieve these outcomes because we work together to create safe environments and focus on helping our young people to think, grow and meet challenges with support and understanding.
As everyone is aware the Victorian government is working to support communities to ensure a Safe Covid environment, including schools. During this interview week we have controlled on-site visitors at school, this will continue this term for everyone's safety and wellbeing. With the above in mind St. Joseph’s 2021 arrangements are outlined below:
General COVID Safe arrangements at St. Joseph’s
- Health and hygiene protocols to continue, including hand washing, sanitiser, and social distancing in classrooms will also consider hygiene protocols as established in 2020. Drinking taps are again available for all students.
- If unwell or any flu like symptoms students are to stay home, consult with your doctor and get tested if advised to do so.
- Any visitor on-site for longer than 15 minutes will be required to register with Vic Health via our QR code system and must enter via school reception.
- The rule of no large group adult gatherings on school premise is to continue.
- Programs for students that can start up again include student only assemblies, choir, sport and camping/excursions programs. For any off-site locations we visit, Covid Safety plans will need to be in place.
Specific COVID Safe arrangements at St. Joseph’s
School Drop Off
As per our School Covid Safe Plan, large groups of adults gathering on school premise is to be avoided. Therefore, as per last year the following arrangements will be in place restricting parents from entering the school grounds.
- School gates open from 8:30 am; walking, scooting and riding are encouraged. If students arrive early they must enter the school from the office. Early arrival students will wait in the library resource centre until classrooms are unlocked from 8:30 am for student entry only.
- The School loop is a drop off zone and no parking is available.
- The School car park will be again closed from 8:40 am and opened at the end of the day from 3:40 pm.
- Parents/Guardians can only park in the school car park as approved to support student health needs (ie crutches etc).
- All Foundation Students for the week starting Monday 1st February to Friday 5th February, are required to enter the school via the school hall. Students will gather in their class group in the hall where they will be met by their teachers and learning support officers. All students will be supported and escorted to their classroom by staff. The Foundation students will also meet their Grade 5 Buddy over this week. Along with staff, the Buddy will help the new Foundation student settle into school life.
- Parking is available in the residential streets (Bromfield Street, Queens Road and the south side of Botanic Road). Aquazone carpark is also available. From parked cars students can enter school from the locations of Queens Road gate, Tennis Centre parking, the Loop and Aquazone. Adults are reminded to not gather, support social distancing and all pedestrians are to follow all road rules.
School Pick-up
- The distribution of students at the end of each day will continue as per last year. Surnames of families will be allocated collection points.
A to G Loop
H to M Queens Road
N to Z Tennis Courts.
Foundation students will be escorted by staff to their collection points. - Exemptions to the above arrangements may be required based on student health, safety and wellbeing. Please contact the office if you feel there is an issue to consider. Any changes will be confirmed at school leadership.
Start Up Session for Staff Wednesday
On Wednesday morning our staff gathered to prepare for the year of learning. In our preparation we discussed the privileged position educators hold supporting learning faith and friendship. We shared a community prayer and Acknowledgement of Country. Our adult acknowledgement statement is listed below.
Acknowledgement of Country
St. Joseph’s school community respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.
Conclusion
I appreciate and value everyone’s support of these arrangements. Our focus is safety and ensuring our school stays open for all students every day. Finally, our full school newsletter will again be published digitally on a Monday, starting next week.
Office Hours 2021
20 Jan 2021
Welcome back to the 2021 School year.
The Office is now open this week for the following hours:
Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st January 9.00am to 3.00pm
Friday 22nd January 9.00am to 1.00pm
Monday 25th January Office Closed
Tuesday 26th January Public Holiday
From Wednesday 27th January we will return to normal office hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm
Please make sure you remember to make your Literacy Interview for next week (Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th January).
Students will resume classes on Monday 1st February.
Lowes have also notified us to say the new sports tops have been delayed and will be in store by the end of February, all students are able to wear the normal blue polos as needed until they arrive. Both the school and Lowes apologise for this delay.
UPDATE: Christmas Mass Times & COVID Arrangements
23 Dec 2020
On behalf of Fr. John Fitzgerald and the St. Joseph's Parish Liturgy Team I share the following information regarding Christmas mass arrangements, especially considering a Covid Safe celebration for everyone.
1) Mass times are as listed below:
24th December (Thursday Evening, Christmas Eve)
5:00 pm and 8:00 pm
8:00 pm at Purnim
25th December (Friday Morning, Christmas Day)
9:30 am
2) Covid Safe Mass Arrangements:
* 200 attendees can be in the body of the church.
* 100 attendees can be in the 'Gathering Space' area.
* All adults will need to wear an appropriate face mask
* A QR Code & Pen sign-in system will operate and be located under the outside porch area.
* Access doors will be closed when available seats (300) are filled; no pre-booking available.
3) Other Christmas Mass Options:
Fr. John and the parish are very sensitive to not being able to have the normal numbers attending all masses but particularly the 5 pm celebration. Traditionally at our parish, the Christmas eve mass has the largest attendance and involves many families.
To help share attendance a reminder that there are other mass options with Thursday evening at 8 pm, or the Friday morning at 9:30 am. A Christmas mass will also be celebrated at St. Annes in Purnim at 8 pm on Thursday evening.
The above information is provided to support families over the Christmas celebrations.
Again I wish everyone associated with our school a Merry Christmas and I trust 2021 will be a great year for us all.