Newsletter August 29, 2025
Newsletter August 29, 2025
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Paul Dwyer, Principal
pdwyer@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Dear Parents,
The Australian Catholic Education Conference, held last week, was a great opportunity for Catholic school and system leaders across Australia to come together and learn from each other. International speakers also provided high quality professional learning on topics as diverse as formative assessment, family engagement, religious education, vision for instruction and the use of artificial intelligence in the education sector, to name a few. I look forward to sharing this learning with staff over the coming term so we can continue to strengthen our ongoing school improvement efforts.
Our School closure day on Monday this week was very productive. Staff worked on professional learning modules on MACS Vision for Instruction, (including explicit instruction) in order to continue to enhance their skills in this important pedagogy. We also looked at the newly launched MACS Vision for Engagement, which focuses on strengthening student engagement through the lenses of • Teaching respectful behaviour e • Fostering belonging • Focusing on attendance • Promoting mental health and wellbeing • Enabling motivation • Targeting individual learning needs.
What a magnificent Art show we had yesterday afternoon and evening! The fabulous creative talents of our students were on full display and the hall looked amazing! A huge thank you to our Visual Arts teacher, Mel Wharton, for her vision, hard work in planning and preparing, and her oversight of this special whole school event. Thank you also to our staff who supported our Art show in a variety of roles, before, during and after the event.
The MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools School Improvement Surveys) will be available for families to complete from next Monday – 1st September. A letter giving parents information about the surveys, and providing a unique log in code for each family, was sent out this week. I strongly encourage all families to complete these surveys, to provide our school with valuable feedback to inform our ongoing school improvement process. Thank you in anticipation of a strong response rate!
Best wishes to the 53 students from Year 4, 5 and 6 who will represent St. Joachim’s at the District Athletics next Wednesday (3rd September). The venue is Ballam Park Athletics track in Frankston. Thank you to Reagon Haines and Year 5 / 6 staff who will look after our athletes on the day. Parents are very welcome to attend in support.
Thank you to our Parents and Friends group who are making final preparations for our annual Fathers’ Day breakfast. This great event will be held on Friday 5th September from 7:15 a.m. in the hall. I look forward to seeing lots of our wonderful dads there!
A reminder that school will finish for Term 3 on Friday 19th September at 1:00 p.m.
Paul Dwyer,
Principal
Car Park
Parents may open the gate and drive their cars into the school grounds at 2:30pm as long as there are no classes playing / working on the asphalt. The car park is a part of the play ground and includes basketball court and volleyball court which needs to be available should a teacher wish to use this with her / his class.Car Park
The following families were the winners of the silent auction prizes. All winners have been contacted and can claim their prize from the office from 8:30am Monday morning.
FRZ - Fingerprint Stool - Chauhan Family
FRF - Birds on a Wire - Plavljanic Family
JSE - Bee Kind - Gartlin Family
JMR - Bee Playful - Hovington Family
JDB - Woof! - Chauhan Family
JTA - Friendship - Hayes Family
MSM - Denim dress - Keogh Family
MNG - Vase of flowers - Connor Family
MYK - Full of Hearts - Holland Family
MLR - Birds of a Feather - Tran Family
SLN - Donut Worry..Be Happy - Tran Family
SWD - Dadirri - Eagleton Family
STC - Once Upon a Time - Ware Family
SHJ - Plant Pot - Sone Family
Communication
@ St Joachim's
Communication
@ St Joachim's
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
Office News
Office News
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
Communication @ St Joachim's
Communication @ St Joachim's
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.
Parents - please ensure that your child's Subway order has been submitted before the cut off time. The Subway lunches are organised by Canteen Hub, not the school.
Religious Education
Religious Education
Zeeta Andrew, Religious Education Leader
zandrew@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
JTA celebrated their Liturgy of the Word
JTA celebrated their Liturgy of the Word
(22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME )
(22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME )
The following is their reflection and prayers:
The following is their reflection and prayers:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks about a special chair. A long time ago, only important people were allowed to sit in special chairs. Sometimes, people sat in those chairs when they weren’t meant to, and they felt a little bit embarrassed when they were asked to move.
Jesus teaches us that we do not need to worry about trying to get the best of everything for ourselves and to think about others.
As a class we reflected on different ways we can be humble and kind, bringing joy and peace to those around us.
We reflected on ways we can follow in the footsteps of Jesus living in humility.
Prayers of the Faithful:
Prayers of the Faithful:
For the Church:
That all members of the Church may show love and humility in the way they treat others, just as Jesus taught us. Lord, hear us.
For our school community:
That we may be kind, respectful, and humble in our words and actions, and always include others in friendship and love. Lord, hear us.
For those who are lonely or feel left out:
That they may experience God’s love through the care and kindness of others, especially from us. Lord, hear us.
For ourselves:
That we may grow to be more like Jesus—loving without expecting anything in return, and always choosing kindness over selfishness. Lord, hear us.
First Holy Communion - 2025
First Holy Communion - 2025
Heartfelt congratulations to Dante, and Brandon as they take this significant step in their faith journey, embracing a deeper connection with the Church through the sacred Sacrament of First Eucharist.
May this special occasion mark the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, and may His abiding presence continue to guide, strengthen, and nourish them on their spiritual path.
Special Prayer
Special Prayer
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the most precious gift of the Holy Eucharist. We ask You to bless all those who are preparing to receive Your Body and Blood for the first time.
You have provided for us richly through the gift of Your Body and Blood. Receiving the Holy Eucharist is a tremendous blessing, and we ask You to help all who are preparing to make their First Holy Communion. Help them to grow in love for You each day of our lives. Help them to always appreciate the great gifts You have given us for our salvation.
Lord, hear our prayer, especially for Dante, and Brandon.
Amen.
Upcoming Class Mass times (Yr 3 - 6)/ Liturgy of the Word (Yr F-2) for Term 3.
Upcoming Class Mass times (Yr 3 - 6)/ Liturgy of the Word (Yr F-2) for Term 3.
We invite our school community to join in for these special celebrations.
We invite our school community to join in for these special celebrations.
From Mrs Stewart
From Mrs Stewart
Irene Stewart, Deputy Principal - Student Wellbeing
istewart@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Journey through Art Exhibition
Journey through Art Exhibition
The turnout at yesterday’s Art Show was extraordinary!
The turnout at yesterday’s Art Show was extraordinary!
It was wonderful to see our students working alongside their parents to answer questions about different cultures and continents as part of their Passport Around the World. Mrs Wharton and all the staff are so proud of the students for their hard work and creativity – we truly have so many talented children at St Joachim’s. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a spectacular success!
Visual Art
Visual Art
Mel Wharton
mwharton@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Learning Innovations
Learning Innovations
Rebecca Todisco, Curriculum & Educational Leader
rtodisco@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Inform & Empower
Inform & Empower
Some Conversation Starter for the Home ...
Some Conversation Starter for the Home ...
From Foundation to Seniors!
Foundation Maths
Foundation Maths
Foundation children have been using the pan scales when learning about measurement. The students have been comparing the mass of two objects by hefting. Hefting is holding two objects one in each hand. After the hefting the students predicted which object was heavy & which was light. With a partner they then tested their prediction using the balance scales. There were lots of discussions and testing. It was lots of fun!
Stickies in SWD
Stickies in SWD
Introducing 'Lebron,' 'Professor Stickington' and 'Sticky' SWD's 3 Spiny Leaf Stick insects. They are laying eggs and we are finding around 10 a week! We are enjoying watching, learning about and gently holding the, affectionately named, 'stickies'.
Jessica Lloyd Welsh
Classroom Teacher
Please start collecting washed bottle top lids in a variety of sizes and colours.
Please start collecting washed bottle top lids in a variety of sizes and colours.
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 !
As part of the Visual Arts program the students are required to wear an ART SMOCK for all the messy and painting activities. An art smock can be an old shirt, apron or old tshirt.No art smock= No painting.Please ensure your child has a labelled art smock at school.Many thanks for your support and assistance with this.
English
English
Carolyn Yass, English Leader
cyass@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Book Week Photos
Book Week Photos
Over the next week we may add photos as they are sent by classroom teachers.
Book Fair
Book Fair
St Joachim’s is having a ‘Lamont Books’ Book Fair
St Joachim’s is having a ‘Lamont Books’ Book Fair
Monday September 8 - Wednesday September 10
Monday September 8 - Wednesday September 10
This is an event at which books will be for sale.
This is an event at which books will be for sale.
During this week the library will be open for book sales after school so parents can attend and assist their child with his/her purchase of books (unfortunately we cannot facilitate library borrowing after school on these days).
All Book Fair purchases benefit our school and help fund more books for our school library.
All Book Fair purchases benefit our school and help fund more books for our school library.
Book Fair Hours
Mon 2:45 - 3:45
Tues 2:45 - 3:45
Wed 2:45 - 3:45
Thurs Closed
Fri Closed
Please note that the book fair is only open on 3 occasions
We hope to see you at the book fair!
More details will be available closer to the dates.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts
Tanya Antolos
tantolos@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Vice President,
Sarah Cruise
Secretary,
Elizabeth Bonner
Treasurer,
Lauren O'Toole
Everyone Welcome!
Everyone Welcome!
All parents and friends of the school are encouraged to come to the P & F meetings and all are welcome.
All parents and friends of the school are encouraged to come to the P & F meetings and all are welcome.
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.
Student DISCO
Student DISCO
September 18
September 18
Foundation and Junior School Disco 4:45pm - 5:46pm
Foundation and Junior School Disco 4:45pm - 5:46pm
Middle and Senior School Disco 6:00pm -7:15pm
Middle and Senior School Disco 6:00pm -7:15pm
Tickets for sale on the CDF Pay App.
Before & After School Care
Before & After School Care
Camp Australia
Camp Australia
The Camp Australia Outside school hours care program provides a safe environment ain which all can explore and play.
Safety is one of our top priorities here at St Joachim's.
Safety is one of our top priorities here at St Joachim's.
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.
Operoo
Operoo
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.
Uniform
Uniform
St Joachim's Uniform is available from Peninsula Uniforms online shop or by visiting their shop in Carrum Downs.
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