“The spirit of the law…”

This week’s reading reminds us that rules (laws) exist to uplift and protect people; therefore, laws must be implemented with charity.

A couple of encounters with students last week illustrated this message to me. Yes, we have many school rules and often, our students follow them. I was pleasantly surprised to have students approach me and ask “why?” we had certain rules. Like Jesus teaches us in this week’s reading, I attempted to explain that we want to create a community that truly respects each other. Whether it be the uniform guidelines that promote equality, pride and professionalism, or not running down the banks (as tempting as it is) so the grass can grow and to mitigate injury (looking after creation on all fronts), we must all try to follow rules with charity in mind. Our rules help us do good to others.

Thank you to the Junior School teachers for running Parent Information Sessions last week and to the many parents who attended. The Secondary School will have their sessions this Wednesday from 5.30pm in the JS Undercover.

Last Friday’s College Sundowner was a lovely casual event with families and staff. Thank you to the College Prefects for cooking and serving, and to Ms Nurick and Ms Crosby for the preparation and running of the community event.

Glad we are making the most of the glorious Albany weather with the Year One to Three Beach Fun Day on Friday. More splashing to occur at Emu Point with Year Five and Six swimming lessons the following week.

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

St Joseph – Pray for Us.

Ms Rachael Keenan

St Jerome Emiliani

Feast Day: February 8

Patron Saint of: Orphans and abandoned children

Prayer:

Saint Jerome, watch over all children who are abandoned or unloved. Give us the courage to show them God's love through our care. Help us to lose the chains that keep us from living the life God intended for us. Saint Jerome, pray for us!

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

“You are the salt and the light of the world…”

This week’s readings remind us that each of us are called to a mission of being for others. To be the salt and light of the world means sharing ourselves with others.

Welcome to the 2023 academic year. I am writing the principal’s article on Sunday morning having just returned home from mass. The spiritual nourishment has enabled me to reflect on the first week of school and contemplate the week ahead.

New beginnings – such a powerful thought brings hope and optimism to all involved. Especially to the new families and staff to St Joseph’s College. Our New Staff Induction and Staff Professional Days before the students returned on Wednesday set the wheels in motion for what I would describe as a very successful start of the school year.

We also had an excellent end to 2022. The Year Twelve graduating class achieved outstanding results in the WACE examinations. St Joseph’s College:

·      Achieved a median ATAR of 90.4. Half the ATAR students achieved a ranking of above 90.

·      Performed above state mean in Religion & Life, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Environmental Science, Health Studies, Human Biology, Mathematics Specialist and Physics.

·      Amongst Catholic Education WA schools achieved the highest mean in Biology and Health Studies.

Whilst dedication to their studies contributed greatly to their results, I would add family support and the care shown by St Joseph’s College as major contributors to their success. But one thing for certain was very special about last year’s Year Twelves. Their connectedness with each other. They never left anyone behind in the social and academic spheres. They are living proof of being the salt and light of the world.

We celebrated our inaugural Opening College Mass in the gymnasium on Thursday. This was a first for St Joseph’s College. Pleasing increased enrolments is coupled with “growing pains” and one of the challenges is outgrowing the Holy Family Church. Students gathered as one school in our gymnasium, which was transformed into a sacred space not just due to the incredible handiwork of the staff, but more-so from the beautiful reverence and silence displayed by the students from Pre-Primary to Year Twelve. There was ample room for families and community members to join us in celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist. This was followed by Fr Joel, College Chaplain, blessing and commissioning the 2023 Prefects, Head Councillors, Year Twelves and Year Sixes.

Fr Joel will be celebrating Community Mass on Wednesdays at the Ave Maria Chapel at 8.00 am to 8.25 am this week (8 February). All are welcome.

Finally, it was wonderful to receive many RSVPs to the Sundowner this Friday 10 February. It has become a lovely tradition at St Joseph’s College to welcome new families and staff into our community. I look forward to seeing you there.

St Joseph – Pray for Us.

Ms Rachael Keenan

PS Yes, that was me on my first day of school - Year One St Joseph's College.

Thank you for all your support to our College Production in the past few years. This year, we will be doing Celebration of Talents (A Variety Show). We know that we have lots of talents in the college that we can showcase and celebrate. Auditions will be on Term 2 Weeks 3 - 5 Thursdays (May 11, 18 and 25) from 3:30 - 4:30pm. It is open to all of college community members e.g. student, parents, family, staff. We would love to see you unleash your talents so start rehearsing now and see you on the auditions. Thank you in advance for all your support!

Mr Richard Habal, Ms Hiedi Rowe and Mr Mark Collins

Event Coordinators

The College offers a swimming club, Saints Swim club, that trains on Monday and Friday afternoons from 3.30-4.30pm through all school terms. The club are trained by the PE staff Mr Paul O'Donnell, Mr Zak Mola and parent coach Mr Ben Kagi.

The club is offered for students in Years 4-12 (with year 3's able to join in Term 2) and all swimmers must be able to swim 25m of breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke and pass a swimming proficiency test at their first training session to ensure they are of a suitable standard for training.

Training commences on Monday 6th February and parents/guardians must complete the enrollment form located on the College website or available from the College office to participate.

The Saints Swim club offers a bus from the College to ALAC for Monday and Friday training sessions. The bus departs promptly at 3.15pm from alongside the College tennis courts.

To get the most out of each training session, swimmers are advised to bring swimming fins (flippers), goggles, kickboard, pull buoy and a water bottle. Swimmers may purchase a Swim club kit bag containing a mesh swim bag, kickboard and pull buoy for $25 through the swim club. Once payment is made to the College office, please see the College PE staff to collect the kit bag.

Should you have any further queries about the swim club please speak or send a SEQTA message to Mr Paul O'Donnell or Mr Zak Mola.

As per the College calendar, Parent Information Sessions will be held across the Junior School this week.