Dear Parents,

Our Italian Day today was absolutely fabulous! Thank you to parents who made a huge effort to support students’ costumes. They looked amazing as they paraded in the hall this morning, along with staff, also dressed for this special occasion. Through the day students attended a special Italian performance, “Luigi Zucchini ” and were involved in fun Italian themed activities in classrooms. Italian donuts and gelato really topped it off! (Please see photos further on in this newsletter). A huge thank you to our Italian teacher, Cathy Colaciello, for her fantastic organization and co-ordination of the day. Thank you also to the generous parents who assisted with cooking the delicious Italian donuts for students and staff. Molto apprezzato!

Next Monday afternoon (24th November) we will hold our last whole school assembly for the year. At this assembly we will celebrate the beginning of the season of Advent together as a school faith community. All parents are warmly invited to join us.

You may be aware that the Federal government has introduced a law this year banning children under 16 from accessing social media accounts. This will take effect from 10th December. Our school has been working for a number of years with Inform and Empower, a company that teaches students and staff about cybersafety and digital wellbeing. Please see the letter from Inform and Empower in this newsletter, which provides further information about this new law, and how parents can support their children through this change.

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, I draw your attention to the following important dates;

• Friday 28th November – School Colour Fun Run

• Monday 1st December - Year 6 Big Day Out

• Wednesday 3rd December – Juniors Excursion to the movies

• Thursday 4th December – Foundation excursion to the Enchanted Maze

• Friday 5th December – Christmas assembly 1(JSE, JMR, JTA, MSM, MLR, SLN, SWD)

• Tuesday 9th December – Year 6 Graduation Mass

• Thursday 11th December – End of school year Mass

• Friday 12th December – Christmas assembly 2 ((FRZ, FRF, JDB, MNG, MYK, SHJ, STC)

• Tuesday 16th December – End of Year Awards ceremony @ 2:00 p.m. (end of year dismissal @ 3:00 p.m.)

As the season of Advent commences this year, we offer this prayer; God of hope,

May we find hope in the seeds you have sown and the love you have planted in us all.

Give us hearts of hope to help us see as you do.

Lead us to be people of hope in our homes, in our school and in our world.

Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

 Paul Dwyer, Principal

Religious Education

Zeeta Andrew, Religious Education Leader
zandrew@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au

Advent –

The Extraordinary Season of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace

At St. Joachim’s, it is our tradition to begin the Advent season a little earlier so that our school community can fully celebrate all four themes — Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.

This week, each grade level held its own Advent liturgy to mark the beginning of this special time. The students have been reflecting on the theme of Hope, exploring how they can be signs of hope to others through their words, actions, and everyday interactions.

As we journey through Advent together, we look forward to continuing these meaningful celebrations and embracing the spirit of the season.

Second Week of Advent – Celebrating the Theme of Peace

Our school community will come together to celebrate the Second Week of Advent at our whole-school assembly on Monday, 24th November at 2:15 p.m.

Everyone is warmly invited to join us as we reflect on this week’s theme, Peace—a reminder of the calm, unity, and kindness we are called to bring into our world and into one another’s lives.

During the assembly, students will share prayers, reflections, and symbols that highlight how we can be peacemakers both at school and at home. We look forward to gathering as one community to continue our Advent journey

Be the Hands of Christ This Christmas – Join Our Vinnies Hamper Team!

The St Vincent de Paul team from St Anne’s Parish will be delivering Christmas gift hampers to families in need on Sunday, 21st December 2025, from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

We are currently seeking volunteers and drivers to help with deliveries and spread a little Christmas joy to those in our community who need it most.

If you’re able to assist, please contact Peter Vyverberg on 0432 120 704.

Your time and generosity will make a real difference this Christmas.

Many thanks,

St Anne’s Vinnies Hamper Team

Year 5 -3D Mask Creations

So why do people wear masks?

Masks can be worn for many reasons. 

Masks can embody a community's traditions, represent spirits or ancestors in rituals, or allow individuals to express themselves freely, even portraying characters in performances, movie characters or simply to hide one's identity or worn just for fun!

The Year 5 cohort have been busy designing and decorating their own three-dimensional paper-mâché masks — and what an incredible collection they’ve produced! 

From their planning to using a wide range of materials, from cardboard and recycled items, to feathers, sequins and wool, each student has created a unique mask that reflects their imagination and creativity.

Some masks are spooky, mysterious, funny and sweet, and some are absolutely stunning!

 I am so proud of the effort and artistic flair Year 5 students have shown in this project. 

Well done, everyone!

St Joachim's Library Borrowing

As we're quickly moving through Term 4, we'd like families to have a look around their homes for any St Joachim's Library books or Readers. 

There are a number of children with overdue books: in most instances the library continues to loan books as we like to encourage reading but we would appreciate the books back. Thanks for your support.

Parents & Friends News

Lauren Wilson- President

pandfpresident@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au

Uniform

St Joachim's Uniform is available from Peninsula Uniforms online shop or by visiting their shop in Carrum Downs.

St Joachim's Uniform Policy and Dress Code