St Joseph's
Community
Our Primary School is well-integrated into the local community and proudly participates and gets involved in the caring of local organisations in a number of important ways...
News &
Annual
Report
For the latest up-to-date news and important dates, please click here to view News & Events
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To view St Joseph's latest Annual Report please download here:
Parents & Friends
At St Joseph’s we value the partnership and friendship that exists between the school and the Parents and Friends group. We have an enthusiastic group of parents who work together in order to support the students and staff at the school. The Parents and Friends group is open to all parents and welcomes any level of commitment. No contribution is too small!
Parents play a vital role in the school home partnership, as well as a connection to the wider community. When children see their families take an active role in the school they see that the school setting is valued and a place with a strong sense of community.
The Parents and friends group organise and oversee a number of activities. These include but are not limited to;
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Organising Grade Representatives
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Welcoming Families
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Morning Teas
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Social Events for Families
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Mother’s Day Stall and Morning Tea
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Father’s Day Stall and Breakfast
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Oaks Day Function
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Athletics Day catering
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Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday)
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Special Lunches for the Students
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Bunnings Barbeque
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Sport’s Day Lunches
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Family Fun Night
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Fun / Colour Run
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Sorrento Primary and St Joseph’s Combined Biannual Fete
The funds raised by the parents are used for a variety of projects depending on the need at the time.
Historically the Parent’s and Friends group has contributed to;
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The Running Track
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Resurfacing the Netball/ basketball Courts
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The new Library
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The School Marquee
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The outdoor sensory garden
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School Advisory Council
The School Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent/guardian voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal and Parish Priest for the good of School and Parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount.
Serving on the School Advisory Council of a Catholic school is a form of Church lay ministry. It is a response to the call to support the local Catholic Parish and School communities in a particular way. It is also a means for members of our community to share their skills and talents for the common good. A well-functioning Council provides rich sources of wisdom and insight as well as a means of strengthening community links and potential for partnerships.
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St Joseph’s School Advisory Council is to be comprised of a minimum of approximately six Council members who value and share the educational mission and ethos of the Catholic Church comprising of at least:
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(a) the parish priest for primary
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(b) the school principal
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(c) the deputy principal or designated person
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(d) two (2) parents, guardians, carers of children attending the school
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(d) one (1) parishioner
The Council meets at 10am on a Wednesday (via zoom/google meet or face to face) approximately seven times a year including the Annual General meeting.
The process of new appointments to the SAC is one of discernment, where existing members are involved in a discernment process to assist potential new Council members to understand:
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the mission and vision of MACS, the Parish and School
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the roles, responsibilities and processes of the MACS Board and the St Joseph’s School Advisory Council
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how Council members, can support the Principal and Parish Priest.
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This discernment process commences when expressions of interest are sought for new Council members, for those interested in nominating for a Council position and /or a chance for potential nominees to discuss the role of the Council and the expectations of a Council member with the School Principal and Parish Priest.
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Community
Connections
At St Joseph’s we value and encourage connections with our Community. We are committed to being an outward facing community. The staff and students are committed to supporting those in our local, wider and global community. We have strong relationships with many community groups and always welcome new connections.
Some of the groups that we work closely with include but are not limited to;
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The Men’s Shed
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The Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
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The Nepean Historical Society
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The Sorrento Kinder
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The Sorrento Community School
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Sorrento Primary School
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Padua College
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The Sorrento Football/ Netball Club
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The Minister for Nepean Mr Chris Brayne
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The Moonraker
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Dolphin Research Institute
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Sorrento RSL
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Rye RSL
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Sorrento Rotary Club
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Rye Newsagency
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Sorrento Writers Group
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Resource Smart School
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CERES
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Bunnings Rosebud
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Little Joeys
The Little Joey’s Playgroup is run by St Joseph’s School and is held in the Parish Hall each Thursday morning from 9.15 – 10.45. During the term a variety of themes are explored, often coinciding with school, community or current events. Eg. Winter Fun, Gymnastics, the Olympics, Gardening Fun etc. The playgroup welcomes all ages of children from birth to before school age. The children are accompanied by parents, grandparents and other care givers.
St Joseph’s Playgroup is a gathering of similarly aged children and their parents, grandparents or caregivers. The playgroup allow parents to introduce their children to a range of activities they may not do at home. It’s also a safe way for parents to allow their children to engage socially with other people and try new things. Parents can broaden their social network, meeting other parents with children in the same age group.
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Parish Information
ST MARY'S STAR OF THE SEA PARISH
1 Constitution Hill Road, Sorrento
PO Box 116 Sorrento Vic, 3943
Phone: 5984 4374
Email: sorrento@cam.org.au
Parish Priest: Fr John McGinty OMI – Ph: 0404 635 156
Our Churches: St Mary’s Star of the Sea Sorrento, Holy Family Church Rye, St Thomas’ Church Portsea
MASS TIMES:
St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Sorrento
Saturday Vigil 6pm
Sunday 10.00am
Weekdays Tuesday – Friday 9.15am
Holy Family Church, Rye
Saturday Vigil 5pm
Sunday 8.30am
Thursday 11.00am
RECONCILIATION:
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St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Sorrento
Saturday 11.00 – 12.00 noon
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Holy Family Church, Rye
1st Saturday of the month 12.00 noon
SMJ Care
St Mary's & St Joseph's Care
St Joseph’s School, with St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish has a group of organised volunteers that assist people in within our school, parish and community.
By working together, schools, parents, parish and families can increase their combined capacity to positively influence other’s lives, make connections and develop a sense of community spirit.
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An Executive/Administration Team comprises of Parish and School Representatives; Catherine Cluning, Hope Milchman (School Representatives) and Monica O'Shannassy (School Principal).
Areas and recipients of Care
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Transport to and from appointments
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Meals and School lunches when members of a family are in need of support eg Chemo, hospitalization, caring for a seriously ill family member
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Meals and school lunches around the time of a new baby in the family.
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Welcome Baby bundles
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Flowers on the birth of a baby
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Mother’s Day flower for mothers at any of the weekend Parish Masses
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Father’s Day chocolate for fathers at any of the weekend Parish Masses
Volunteers
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Those interested in volunteering are asked to the fill out the volunteer form and send in to the office.
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Volunteers would be needed for transport, cooking, delivering meals to families, delivering lunches to the school office. Purchase and handing out of Holy Cards, Mother’s Day flowers at Masses, Father’ Day chocolates at Masses
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Volunteers that do the cooking don’t necessarily have to deliver meals.
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A data base of volunteers is used
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If you become aware of anyone needing support eg parent/family illness, arrival of a new baby please, ask the person or family would they like a bit of support and let Monica O'Shannassy, Catherine Cluning or Hope Milchman know. Information will be confidential.
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