Dear Parents & Carers, 

Thank you to parents and family members who have been able to attend our recent events, Father's Day Breakfast, Parent Teacher interviews and Book Week Parade & Book Fair. It was wonderful to see so many of our Fathers and Grandfathers attend Father's Day Breakfast. Thank you to all of our staff who organised and helped. Thanks to parents who touched base with teachers for parent teacher interviews last week. Communication is always open to teachers, whether it be through SeeSaw, phone calls or making an appointment to see your child's teacher. Book Week and Book Fair were another highlight this year, with the theme, 'Reading is Magic'. We celebrated with a production of the one of the award winning Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) book Timeless, Library activites and our Parade and Book Fair. Thanks to Mrs Webeck and Mrs Shultz and families for their organisation and support of this fair and parade. Book week celebrations are always a highlight in our school calendar. 

This week, 1-7 September is National Child Protection Week. National Child Protection Week (NCPW) invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. This year, the theme is ‘Every conversation matters’. We can all play a part by creating stronger, safer neighbourhoods. This can be achieved by talking to your neighbours, checking in with friends, being a good role model, supporting and being kind to parents rather than judging or being competitive, offering to assist where possible, and speaking up if you see something that is unsafe. It is important that we listen to, and value, what children have to say. Where possible, include their voices in decision-making and be advocates for their best interest. By speaking regularly with children about their personal safety and how they can protect themselves, as well as “tuning in” to their worries, children are more likely to trust us and feel comfortable to talk with us when something big is going on. 

Congratulations to Mrs Clare and her husband Anthony, who welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Alexander Anthony on Tuesday. Mrs Clare and Alexander are doing well. We wish them all the very best at this exciting time.

As we draw closer to the end of Term 3, the Mini Vinnies are preparing for their next big event. Clarry, Lola and Mattea are working hard in planning their great "Bake Sale" and "Rhino Rock" dance activity. We are asking that you please bring along some money to support their fundraising event. The group has chosen to donate all funds raised to the "Save the Black Rhino" charity. (Black Rhinos are a critically endangered species). Please save the date: Thursday 19th September (second last week of term).

The weekly "GJ's" activities continue to be popular with students enjoying a range of activities where their practical skills are developed and they learn valuable skills of sharing together and working with others. Some of the recent activities have included bead threading for necklaces, creating a Fathers Day sign, Fruit decorating and Calm Colouring.

Advance notice: During the last month of Term 4 we will be running our annual "Christmas Appeal" for needy families and individuals within our local community. We will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items. Please consider adding an extra item to your grocery shop over the next few months. Thank You.

Our Term 3 Family and Community Engagment (Parent Engagment Meeting) will be held on Tuesday 10th September at 10-11am in the School Library. Everyone is welcome. Please come along, listen to Larissa and stay for a cuppa afterward if you are free.

Larissa Collins, our School Counsellor will be giving a talk on Resilience. Below is a link to a webinar featuring Maggie Dent that focuses on resilience and overall child wellbeing and positive mental health, recommended by Larissa. 

Dear Parents & Carers,

Please note in your diaries, Friday 13th September as a Pupil Free Day. Staff will be engaging in professional learning on this day. 

Wigs 4 Kids is an Australian charity that make wigs for sick children that require one, from the result of having cancer or leukaemia. Wigs 4 Kids help change childrens lives by making them feel more confident and special as they undergo treatment for disease. Students who have 20cm of hair or longer can cut or shave their hair and this can be donated to Wigs 4 Kids, along with funds to support children in need. 

One of our own families at St. Joseph's, the Sheely family, are supporting this charity with Lillian having her hair cut at school on in Week 9, Tuesay 17th September at 2pm by Pagen, from the The Hairy Dairy. Any other students/families are invited to participate and raise money for Wigs 4 Kids.

For more information and to support Lillian please see the links below; or alternatively see/contact Deb Sheely, 0412 122 691.

https://fundraise.kidswithcancer.org.au/event/wigs-4-kids/home

https://fundraise.kidswithcancer.org.au/fundraisers/lilliansheely