Paul Dwyer, Principal
pdwyer@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Dear Parents,
Congratulations to our beautiful Foundation students who are celebrating 100 days of being at school this year! This time has gone so fast, and it has been amazing to see the growth in learning and confidence exhibited by our youngest students in such a short time. To celebrate, our Foundation students and staff came dressed as “100 year old” people today, and they look fabulous!
Congratulations to all students who represented St. Joachim’s School in the Divisional Football competition at Mt. Martha on Wednesday this week. Our team played strongly, and represented our school proudly, against some strong opposition from Woodlands Primary and St. Brendan’s School, Somerville. We are very proud of our footballers for making it to this elite level of competition.
Our Confirmation candidates completed their final preparation for Confirmation at their Retreat Day at John Paul College today. My prayerful best wishes to all students from St. Anne’s parish who will be confirmed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at the 1:00 p.m. Mass tomorrow. (Saturday August 2nd)
Good luck to our Year 5 / 6 students as they commence their swimming program next Monday (4th August). I hope the weather is slowly starting to warm up!
Thank you to our wonderful Parents and Friends group who have organized a fabulous Music Trivia and Bingo night for our school community on the evening of Saturday 9th August. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. start, and tickets are still available. (see the flyer further on in this newsletter). Please come along and enjoy a great social evening if you can, as this is also a major fundraising opportunity for the school.
Best wishes to all students who will celebrate their First Eucharist during the month of August. Thank you to teachers, parents, Fr. Martin and St. Anne’s parish who have all been a part of the preparation of our children for this important sacrament of initiation.
Our next school closure day will be held on Monday 25th August. Our out of school hours care program will be available if minimum Camp Australia quotas are met. Please book directly with Camp Australia if you require this service.
Please note: The correct date for our student disco, organized by the P & F, is Thursday 18th September (not 14th August as previously advertised). Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.
A reminder to Year 3 and Year 5 parents that a number of individual student NAPLAN reports are still available to pick up from the office.
Paul Dwyer, Principal
At St Joachim’s we believe in the importance of communication between home and school and we have a number of platforms that we use.
Read more.
Maire Macphie, Administration
CSEF applications close on Friday 4th July. If you have not already contacted me and you are a concession card holder please email me on mmacphie@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
At St Joachim’s we believe in the importance of communication between home and school and we have a number of platforms that we use. Read more.
Please do not hesitate to email the office team on office@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au for any questions or to share information.
Zeeta Andrew, Religious Education Leader
zandrew@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
This year holds special significance as it is a Jubilee Year, making the celebration all the more meaningful for our candidates, their families, and the wider faith community. The Holy Mass will be celebrated by Rev Thinn Nguyen - Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne
As part of their spiritual preparation, the students participated in a retreat day at St. John Paul College on Friday, October 11th. This retreat provided a rich opportunity for them to deepen their understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, reflect on their faith journey, and grow in fellowship with one another. Through prayer, discussion, quiet reflection, and creative activities, the candidates were invited to open their hearts to the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Amen.
(Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C)
Today’s readings help us think about what really makes us happy. Things we own, like toys, money, or even things we collect, don’t last forever. They aren’t as important as having a close relationship with God and caring for others. Jesus told a story about a rich man whose farm grew a huge crop. Instead of sharing what he had with those in need, the man decided to keep it all for himself and just enjoy it alone.
In class, we talked about the special things and blessings we have in our own lives—like family, friends, talents, and the things we enjoy. We thought about how true happiness comes when we are kind and generous, sharing our gifts, talents, and time to help and support others. We also reflected on ways we can be more giving in our daily lives and why sharing can make our community stronger and happier.
Lord, help us understand what it is you want us to do, the ways you want us to help others and love one another. Give us your eyes to see others as you do, give us your hands to serve others, give us your heart to love others. Amen.
August 9/10, 16/17, 23/24, 30/31,
SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST @ 1pm at the Cathedral
Irene Stewart, Deputy Principal - Student Wellbeing
istewart@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Today we were inundated with “oldies” — yes, even older than me!
Our Foundation students, teachers, and support staff looked incredible as they arrived dressed as 100-year-olds to celebrate 100 Days of Foundation. From first-day jitters to now, our Preps have come so far! This special milestone has been marked with a day full of laughter, creativity, and fun activities. We’re so proud of everything our Preppies have achieved — and we’re sure the next 100 days will be just as exciting at St Joachim’s!
Thanks to Renee, Sandra and Donna for organising this wonderful day - looks like they had just as much fun as the Preps!
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on School Students who require adjustments to their learning is a yearly count of students by all Australian schools across the country. The NCCD aims to provide the Australian Government with information about the number of students who require support and adjustments in Australian schools and the type of adjustments they need in order to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students. If you are a parent, guardian or carer of a child who requires ongoing adjustments at school, a teacher or another school staff member will consult with you to understand your child’s needs. This collaborative approach ensures the most appropriate adjustments are chosen to support your child’s learning and participation at school. In some cases, a personal learning plan (PLP) may be developed to document specific educational goals and to review your child’s progress over time.
Irene Stewart
Rebecca Todisco, Curriculum & Educational Leader
rtodisco@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Looking forward this term some levels are going to learn how to make their own Google Website!
Mel Wharton
mwharton@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Join us for Journey through Art, a vibrant exhibition celebrating the creativity and talent of our students and teachers. This inspiring event will showcase a diverse range of artworks — each telling a unique story through colour, texture, and imagination.
Upon entry with a GOLD COIN DONATION - and dressed up as your favourite artist or favourite colour, there will be a “PASSPORT AROUND THE WORLD” booklet to collect as a family where you can immerse yourselves in the art and answer questions about different cultures and continents.
There will be interactive activities, where you can create your own masterpiece as well as immersing yourself in Kinetic art, which is art that incorporates motion or the illusion of motion, making it dynamic and engaging for the viewer.
As part of the exhibition, teachers and students are collaborating on a special piece of artwork that will be featured in a silent auction, along with other displayed pieces.
Here's how it works:
The auction opens at 4:00 PM in the Hall.
To place a bid, simply write your name and bid amount on the list provided next to each artwork.
Bidding closes at 7:00 PM, and winning bidders will be contacted the following day.
Don't miss this chance to support young artists and take home a one-of-a-kind creation! All are welcome to attend this AMAZING EVENT!
To parents and friends of St Joachim's, I am seeking the support of parents to help set up for our upcoming Art Expo – A Journey Through Art. If you are available, I would greatly appreciate your assistance for a couple of hours on either Tuesday 26th or Wednesday 27th of August in the school hall. Your help in arranging displays and preparing the space will ensure the event is a wonderful celebration of our students’ creativity. Whether you can lend a hand with lifting, organizing, or decorating, every bit of support makes a difference. Thank you in advance for being part of this exciting event!
Please contact mwharton@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au if you are able to help.
Mel Wharton, Visual Art Teacher
The lids can be from milk containers, laundry detergents, medicine lids... the more shapes, sizes and colour the better!
They can be dropped off at the ART HUB on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Thanks in advance for your help !
Carolyn Yass, English Leader
cyass@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
In Foundation we use our sight words and stretch out unknown words. We have been working very hard at starting a sentence with a capital letter, leaving a clear space between words and ending a sentence with a full stop. The children are now working towards using the sentence starters 'first', 'next' and 'then' to sequence their writing. I think you would agree they are doing an amazing job!
It must be on A4 paper and include the theme, your name and class.
A winner for each Year level - Foundation/ Juniors/ Middles/ Seniors, will be announced at our Assembly in week 5.
Judging will be by Mrs Yass and Visual Artleaders, Hailey and Luke.
Posters will be displayed in the windows of our staff room and office area.
It will be on Friday 22nd August 2:15 pm in the hall.
All parents are welcome.
Tanya Antolos
tantolos@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
All families are invited to come along to watch as well.
Vice President,
Sarah Cruise
Secretary,
Elizabeth Bonner
Treasurer,
Lauren O'Toole
If you are unable to attend meetings but would like to be involved please send an email to pandfpresident@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
If anyone is interested in supporting the P&F, meetings are held once a month on a Friday, some in person and some via zoom. New faces are always welcome.
The Camp Australia Outside school hours care program provides a safe environment ain which all can explore and play.
Please help us in keeping everyone safe by heading into the office if you are coming onto the school grounds. You will notice that all road facing internal gates and doors will be locked during learning times throughout the day.
Please enter through the office and inform office staff if you arrive during the learning time.
Thank you to families who keep their Operoo profiles up to date such as when they change their address, phone number, parents work contact details etc. If you could also email the office@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au and let us know, so that we can adjust on our system as well.
St Joachim's Uniform is available from Peninsula Uniforms online shop or by visiting their shop in Carrum Downs.
Thursday 7 August
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Online via Teams
Parents and carers only
This engaging and practical session will explore the challenges young people face online and offer clear strategies to help you support your child’s digital wellbeing. Topics include managing group chats, protecting personal data, respectful online behaviour, and navigating misinformation, scams, and gaming.
Attached is a digital flyer for your communication to families. I have also directly linked the webpage for families to register their attendance.