We have finished Term 2 celebrating NAIDOC Week at St Joseph’s College. The theme for 2025 is The Next Generation, vision, strength and legacy. There were many activities and learning experiences for students across the college to learn about Aboriginal culture.

The week commenced with a whole college Assembly, including a welcome to Country by Aunty Averil Dean and Uncle Lester Coyne, and concluded with a Liturgy. Both events included many contributions from students as they shared their cultural learning experiences from the classroom.

Students have enjoyed making damper with Aunty Averil, bush walking with Larry Blight, storytelling with Ms Hill, making a mandala with Mrs Colmer, spear/javelin throwing, and engaging in a variety of other activities. Some classes visited Little Joeys, our Aboriginal Playgroup, as part of this week’s activities.

A special thank you to Mrs Colmer and Ms Hill who share their cultural knowledge with our community and have led the activities that we have enjoyed this week. Thank you also to the secondary students who have supported and assisted in the running of events.

This week wouldn’t have been possible without the NAIDOC committee, whose time, effort and planning ensured a wonderful week of celebrations. 

Congratulations to Mrs Rachael Colmer who has been nominated for the upcoming 2025 SAC NAIDOC Awards, for her outstanding contribution to the Great Southern community. This honour is in recognition of her significant achievements within our community, and we are so grateful for what she contributes both within our college and to our region. Her dedication and passion are clearly reflected through her work in building bridges within the community and in the creation and support of events, collaborations and experiences that foster understanding and connectedness. Thank you, Rachael, for the wonderful work you do at St Joseph's College and within the wider community.

During weeks eight and nine selected Year 11 and 12 students attending Workplace learning at various workplaces across the state learning employability skills and gaining real life experiences that will assist them gaining employment in the future. Thank you to the following businesses for providing our students with fantastic opportunities and going above and beyond.

The St Joseph's Gym has had a recent upgrade thanks to the generosity of Mrs Kareena Smart and the legends on the P&F committee. We thank them for their continued support of the H&PE area.

Students have been attending Gym Club on Tuesday / Thursday mornings during the first Semester, culminating in 1RM testings during week 10. The Certificate classes have also been utilising the facilities throughout the Semester.

We are on the lookout for any dumbbells or leg press machines should you have or know of anyone who has one they no longer need.

The year 10 Sports Coaching students have spent the term improving there coaching skills during Friday afternoon sessions with the Junior School. They have received many positive comments from supervising teachers about their ability to co-ordinate and inspire the next generation of St Joseph Superstars. They have also attended the Year 8/9 AFL carnival and J/S Cross Country in a variety of coaching, umpiring and co-ordinating roles to gain practical experiences to complete the course.

Recently students completed some team building activities including the 'Spider Web' challenge and although they didn't complete the challenge in its entirety, they learnt the importance of team dynamics including effective communication and developing roles within a team.

Students are looking forward to upcoming golf lessons in Term Three and completing the swim test :-)

The Certificate students have been busy during Term Two with a number of practical activities including Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Golf and a camp to Denmark.

With the year 11's away on camp during week Nine the year 12's (after lessons during Term One) hit the fairways of the Albany Golf Course for nine holes. It was the girls (plus Mr Ruck) who got the chocolates over the boys (including Prac teacher Mr Magowan) in the Ambrose competition with the students finding out the range is very different to the course. Thanks to Mr Michael Draper for organising the round and teaching our students. A great resource to have. Thanks also to Mr Magowan for all of his help throughout the Term and we hope he enjoyed his practicum at the College.

Camp Review 2025

The year 11/12 Recreation Camp to Denmark was conducted in week 5. On our first day, we headed for Greens Pool where students enjoyed some snorkelling, in the chilli water with many fish out and about. We stopped for lunch and afternoon tea by Elephant rocks in which we discovered crabs and the very good rock for jumping off of. Later, we set up camp and had a gourmet meal of burgers which we prepared ourselves, took a scenic walk, and stayed up late played games of mafia in the dark. On Thursday after packing up our camp and making a large breakfast we made our way to the Denmark river for our next adventure; we spent many hours making our way down the river and back, with Mrs Bouzinekis pointing out all wildlife we saw. After a big and adventure filled few days, with sore arms and tired eyes we made our way back to school, closer as a group.

A quick few things we learned on camp:

-         Choose JP as your golf partner and Mr Magowan as your tennis teammate and not Khenneth or Charlotte for either.

-         AJ is very keen on putting his hands a little too close to live crab claws.

-         Brynn is not a very good when it comes to catching lollies.

-         Christian will always appear when snacks are brought out

-         You can only try to separate Ella and Andrea from one another.

-         Gary and Tom will convince you they have solved the riddle when they really have no idea, and Nina cannot convince others she is innocent when playing mafia.

-         Josh is extremely competitive in a canoe and will always overtake you to take lead.

-         And you cannot trust Mr Ruck to buy your ingredients for dessert.

Kaya St Joseph's Moort,

Every year, on the first Sunday of July, Catholics come together across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, achievements and gifts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In our Catholic Tradition, there are also many faith connections that can be made with Aboriginal spirituality, celebration and ritual with many symbols associated with Aboriginal ceremonies being similar to those used in the sacramental life and religious rituals of the Church.

For Aboriginal peoples, the pain and trauma of their experiences and marginalisation remains today, some of which often involved the Church. In the gospels, we find a Christ who identifies himself with those who are rejected and marginalised and find him in their midst. It is an essential part of our Christian mission to infuse society with the love which Jesus offers. This is a love which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a love which seeks them out where they are, listens to them and learns from their great wisdom, characterised by a commitment to encounter and dialogue with one another.

As a College, let us commit ourselves to fostering a civilisation of love in Australia. Let's come together in friendship to show all that love can not only change individual lives, but that it can change society for the better.

An Aboriginal Prayer for Truth and Hope (Written by Wakka Wakka woman, Brooke Prentis)

May the God of all wonder who set the stars in the sky, bless you with relentless unsettledness - that drive you to seek truth.

May the God of all justice who gave motion to the rivers, bless you with righteous anger - that drives you to seek freedom for all.

May the God of all love who placed laughter in the kookaburra, bless you with friendship - that looks like the love where one lays down their life for another.

May the God of all comfort who determined the height of the mountains, bless you with tears from shared pain and mourning - that shows you hope.

Now with wonder, righteous anger, sacrifice, and lament - go in truth, justice, love, and hope to change the heart of Australia.

Artwork Acknowledgements:

Madonna and Child - Richard Campbell

The Black Madonna - Julie Dowling

#### SAVE THE DATE #####

Start planning for the BOOK WEEK Costume Parade 2025

THEME : Book An Adventure

WHEN :               Wednesday 20^th August

WHERE :             The Gym

TIME :                   9–10am

An amazing amount of creativity by our students (and their parents/ grandparents) went into last year’s costumes of BOOK characters and we eagerly await even more participants this year.

Students - You may want to start thinking about the BOOK character you want to come as.

Please choose a character from any BOOK.

The judges will be instructed to choose the most original costume from a BOOK and the student who gets into character in their behavior and manner in the parade.

Happy Planning!

The Library Staff

St Joseph’s College is very excited to be participating in the Children’s University, with the help of UWA, Albany. This year we have 25 students from Years Four, Five and Six that have committed to this exciting learning adventure. 

Children’s University is all about helping young people discover their passions, explore new ideas and celebrate learning in its many forms.

Over the next few months these students will be completing diverse activities around Albany and beyond, working towards their goal of 30 hours of new learning opportunities. In Term Four, students will then participate in their very own Children’s University Graduation Ceremony, complete with academic regalia. 

We wish them luck on their learning adventure!

This year marks 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. This year's theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors. This year, the National NAIDOC Committee takes an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation. With every story shared, every act of resilience remembered, and every cultural practice celebrated, we honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while everyday ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.

Each year the College community generously supports the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) in their annual winter appeal. Vinnies wish to thank students, parents, guardians and staff of St Joseph’s College for your kind and generous assistance this winter.

Your donated goods will continue offering a hand up to people in need, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society. 

We appreciate your ongoing support. 

SVDP Albany Conference

On Monday, we celebrated a special class reward in Year 3 Gold - Pyjama Day! The class worked together to show outstanding behaviour, teamwork, and kindness, earning this fun and relaxing treat. The class came to school in their comfiest pyjamas (even the teachers!), and we enjoyed a delicious fruit platter kindly provided by Mrs Dallimore. After recess, we warmed up with a cup of Milo. It was a wonderful way to celebrate all the effort we’ve put in. Well done, Year 3 Gold!

The Year Nine Outdoor Education elective class recently returned from their two-day, two-night excursion to Walpole where they were able to apply many of the skills they had learnt during their class lessons.

The students paddled on the Deep River, Walpole, as well as doing several short walks including visiting the Giant Tingle tree. The students planned, prepared and cooked their own meals on compact cooking stoves (Trangias). They maintained their enthusiasm despite some cold and wet conditions on day two! Thanks to Mr Magowan and Miss Markham for joining us for the camp.

Throughout Term 2, the Pre-Primary students have been visiting the elderly residents at Clarence Estate. They have played games together, coloured together and shared many stories and smiles. It was a lovely experience for both the young and elderly, and the Pre-Primary students did a wonderful job of introducing themselves and asking their new friends questions.

The Year Five/Six Mathematics Enrichment team did the College proud on Thursday, 26 June at the annual Have Sum Fun Mathematics competition, which was hosted by Mt Lockyer Primary School. Most of the local schools participated in the event. The St Joseph's team came second in the team-based competition, which involved participating in 4 rounds of challenging mathematical questions. In the event of a tie, the teams complete a fifth tie-breaker round. St Joseph's equalled the score of eventual winners, Mt Barker College, but lost on a count back as they were the slowest of the two teams to hand in their final scores, resulting in their admirable second place finish. The behaviour and teamwork of Benji, Imogen, Harry, Reyon, Craig and Hezekiah was excellent. The team can be very thankful of the support given by College Head of Mathematics, Mrs Coutts, in helping prepare them for the competition.

On Friday the 20th of June, 39 students from the Junior School competed in the inaugural Great Southern Primary Schools Interschool Cross Country Carnival at Centennial Park. Students from Years 3 to 6 represented the College in Cross Country races between 1.5km to 2km long. With 13 primary schools in attendance, each race saw up to 65 competitors taking off around the course. The St Joseph's runners were excellent all day, running with grit and determination. Out of 13 schools, St Joseph's finished in a very respectable 5th place; well done to the students who made it possible!

A huge congratulations to Mason Banham (6 Blue) who took out 1st place in the Year 6 boys' race. A massive achievement; congratulations, Mason. Well done also to Luke Molenda (5 Blue) and Benji Dryhurst (6 Gold) who both finished 8th place in their respective races.

The block buster event of the year is nearly here!

“The Antipodean Manifesto: Works from the state art collection” is opening 25 July at the Albany Town Hall.

The exhibition, drawn from The State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia explores the formation and aspirations of the group, situating their work within the social and political context of late 1950s Australia.

What's on in July at the Museum of the Great Southern

The City of Albany’s Live @ the Town Hall returns for a special All Ages edition, bringing an evening of original WA music to the stage on Saturday 5 July 2025.

Book now at https://bit.ly/3FdIPsr

Saturday 5 July 2025

Albany Town Hall

This is an all-ages alcohol-free event.

*Age 13 and under MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

This all-ages edition of Live @ the Town Hall is presented by the City of Albany and supported by Rio Tinto

Keep the kids busy these upcoming July School Holidays with the City of Albany's school holidays program with events such as:

Tennis Day - for ages 10–17yrs

When: Tuesday 8 July 2025

Session 1: 10am-11:30am | Session 2: 1pm-2:30pm

Location: Albany Agricultural Sheds, Western Pavilion, On Court Tennis

Description: Come along with friends, learn some new moves, and enjoy a day of active fun and friendly competition. Please bring your own tennis racquet (a limited number of spares will be available if needed).

Cooking Classes - for ages 10–17yrs

When: Wednesday 9 July 2025

Session 1: 9am-10:30am | Session 2: 11:30am-1pm | Session 3: 2pm-3:30pm

Location: Albany Cricket & Soccer Pavilion (Kitchen)

Description: Get hands-on in the kitchen and learn how to cook simple, tasty, and healthy meals! These fun and interactive classes teach young people the basics of nutrition, kitchen skills, and how to create delicious dishes from scratch. Will also include a brief nutrition education component too.

Learn to Surf Sessions - for ages 10–17yrs

When: Monday 14 July 2025

Session 1: 9am-11am | Session 2: 11:30am-1:30pm

Location: Binalup / Middleton Beach

Description: These surfing sessions are the ultimate polar plunge — a bold dive into the cold, salty thrill of the ocean. Whether you’re a complete beginner or building on your skills, you’ll learn to surf in a safe, fun, and seriously invigorating environment.

Register here: https://albany-events.bookable.net.au/#!/

Full school holidays program coming soon!

For more information, contact Dylan Moir on 6820 3130 or commdevel@albany.wa.gov.au