2025 Week 10 Term 2
Principal
Dear Parents & Families
As Term 2 wraps up, I would like to extend a huge thank you for your incredible support of our students and staff. These past ten weeks have been filled with special moments, from celebrating Reconciliation and Eucharist to enjoying Rewards Day, Mother's Day, and many other school events. I have also had the pleasure of meeting our 2026 Kindergarten families.
I wish all our students and their families a safe and restful break! We cannot wait to welcome everyone back for Term 3 on Tuesday 22 July 2025. (Please note: Monday 21 July 2025 is a Pupil Free day).
The strength of our school truly comes from the partnership between home and school. Thank you for consistently supporting your child's learning – whether it is ensuring they are ready for school, emphasising attendance, speaking positively about their teachers, or backing the school when behaviours need further support. Your assistance for our teachers and staff is invaluable and makes the biggest difference in your child's learning journey and our school's overall effectiveness.
Have a fantastic break, and here's hoping for some lovely weather!
Nigel Toole
Acting Principal
School Attendance - It is Now More Important Than Ever!
Regular school attendance is crucial for a child's educational development and overall well-being. It helps students develop a sense of belonging and attachment to the school community, fostering meaningful relationships with peers, teachers, and staff. This supportive environment nurtures their learning and holistic development.
For clarity, regular school attendance is classified as being above 95%.
Please note that full-day absences, frequent late arrivals, and/or early departures all contribute to a student’s overall attendance profile. Government regulations require schools to implement specific processes to address student absences. These measures are designed to reduce unnecessary absenteeism in schools.
Some tips to help with student attendance
1. Send your child to school every day unless they are sick.
2. Developing good sleep and morning routines is critical to learning opportunities.
3. Schedule appointments outside of school hours.
4. Avoid taking holidays during the school Term.
Afternoon Routines
I would like to extend a huge thank you to all our families for adopting the new afternoon routine changes so smoothly. Your use of digital technology to inform the school of any changes to your child's regular routine has been incredibly helpful and efficient. We'll be continuing with this process in Term 3.
For some great news regarding Avondale Street. The Drop-off and pick-up area will be returning to normal from the beginning of the term, as indicated in the picture below.
For everyone's safety – both staff and students – we ask that you please remain in your car if you are picking up your child on the Avondale Street side of the school. The only exception is if you are meeting your child in Bain Park after a staff member has walked them across the road.
If you prefer to walk to the school to collect your child, please do so on the King Street side of the campus. The Avondale Street "kiss and drop" area has become very congested with parents coming to the gate, which is designated for car pick-up only.
SEMESTER 1 - REPORTS
Next Friday, 27 June all parents from Kindergarten - Year 6 will receive student reports via Compass displaying academic achievement across the first Semester of 2025. These will be published on COMPASS after 3.00 pm.
This is how to access reports from your mobile:
1. Go into your Compass app
2. Tap on your child's face
has been developed for schools to share with parents.
The document can be located below.
To discuss your chid's report, please contact their classroom teacher.
Pyjama Day - end of Term 2
Stage 1 - Drama
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Year 6 GLOW Retreat
New courts - Andrew's Park
Class Representative Council – Term 3 & 4 - 2025
We are excited to share that our school is launching a Class Representative Council as a trial program for Term 3 and Term 4 - 2025.
This initiative aims to nurture student leadership and ensure that every student from Kindergarten to Year 6 has the chance to be heard and involved in shaping our school community.
Each class will elect a representative once per term. Students can nominate themselves or a classmate, and voting will take place privately. The class teacher will collect and tally the votes, and the student with the most votes will be named the Class Representative for the Term.
The elected student’s family will be invited to attend a badge presentation ceremony, where the representative will receive a special badge to be worn proudly each day with their uniform for the term. Badges will be handed back at the end of each term for the next class representative.
Responsibilities of a Class Representative:
-
Collect and record ideas from their class on school improvements.
-
Attend occasional SRC meetings during Lunch 2.
-
Share class suggestions with the Year 6 Student Representative Council.
-
Help with school initiatives and represent their peers.
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Be a positive role model in the classroom and playground.
At the end of Term 4, we will collect feedback from students, staff, and families to evaluate the program. We look forward to seeing our students grow in confidence and leadership through this exciting opportunity.
ICAS - ACADEMIC COMPETITION
(Optional extra-curricular activity Year 3 - Year 6)
ICAS is an online academic competition which gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing and Digital Technologies. ICAS evaluates student performance against other competition entrants across the state and nation.
Learn more about: ICAS - School Competitions
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year and they are in Year 3 - Year 6, please go to the Parent Portal to register for the chosen subjects. Please refer to the timetable of assessments for enrolment conditions.
- Log in using the Parent Payment System Code
Visit the shop and use the Parent Payment System code to log in using Code: MZT285
Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.
Registration for all subject areas closes on
Monday 28 July 2025 at 11:59 pm
This year, our students can elect to sit the following assessments:
|
Subject |
Eligible Year Group |
Sitting Window |
Cost |
Enrolment Conditions |
|
Digital Technologies |
Year 3 - Year 6 |
4 – 8 August 2025 |
$20.95 |
Choose either Digital Technologies OR Writing. These assessments will be conducted at the same time. |
|
Writing |
Year 3 - Year 6 |
4 – 8 August 2025 |
$24.95 |
|
|
English |
Year 3 - Year 6 |
11 – 15 August 2025 |
$20.95 |
n/a |
|
Science |
Year 3 - Year 6 |
18 – 22 August 2025 |
$20.95 |
n/a |
|
Mathematics |
Year 3 - Year 6 |
25 – 29 August 2025 |
$20.95 |
n/a |
Please note, we cannot facilitate refunds or make alterations as all money is paid directly to ICAS Assessments. After the closing date Monday 28 July 2025, further communication will be provided to registered families.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Gemma Leonard
Leader of Learning
Vote for St Joseph's Wauchope
Between 1 July to 20 July 2025 - at Port Central.
TURTLE TROUBLE
WHALE IN THE WORLD OF WASTE
Book Week 2025
We are excited to give you an early heads-up that Book Week 2025 is just around the corner! This year's celebrations will take place on Thursday 21 August at 9.00 am (Term 3), and we will be marking the occasion with a Book Parade, where students are invited to dress up as their favourite book characters.
The 2025 theme is Book an Adventure!
More information will be shared in the coming weeks, including costume inspiration and ways families can support the fun. We’re looking forward to another magical celebration of books and storytelling!
Added - Book Week Parade - Thursday 21 August 2025
Mental health support during the school holidays:
For parents seeking support during the school holidays – Help is available
- Visit your local GP
- headspace Counselling: Parents or students can call or walk in to their local headspace centre.
- eheadspace, online and phone counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace
- Kids Helpline, online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25: 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
- Parentline, counselling and support for parents and carers: 13 22 89 https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/parentline
- National Medicare Mental Health Support make a free call to 1800 595 212 between 8:30am – 5pm weekdays (except public holidays)
- Lifeline, crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue, online and phone support service for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety and their families: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au (including translated resources to help parents and families support young people’s mental health).
- Head to Help, digital mental health resources from Australian organisations: 1800 595 212 www.headtohelp.org.au/
- Suicide Call Back Service, online, phone and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- contacting 000 if you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others
Kind Regards
Kristen Douglas
Head of Schools & Communities Division
headspace National
