“Love your enemies.”

This week’s reading reminds us to meet evil with goodness, with love, with forgiveness, with hope, with patience and with humility. All very difficult to do when we are challenged but that's what makes love the most powerful gift.

Week Three was a week when the College simply settled down to “normal” business. Two full cycles of the timetable allowed the learning and teaching programme to really gain traction. The 2023 Parents and Friends met on Tuesday, and it was lovely to have some new parents attend. Many staff wore red and pink on Valentine’s Day and were also treated to “Book Lovers Day” by the Staff Association and Library staff – specially selected and gift-wrapped books in our pigeonholes. The Secondary School Parent Information Sessions were pleasingly attended, and I thank Mr Andrew Landells, Head of Secondary, and all the Heads of Departments for organising and presenting on Wednesday. What an absolute delight to see the Year One to Three students at the Emu Point Beach Fun Day coordinated by Mr Zak Mola and the newly appointment Junior School Leaders. We could not have asked for better weather.

Our students will be back at Emu Point this week for the Year Five and Six Swimming lessons. Tuesday is Shrove/Pancake Tuesday followed by Ash Wednesday Mass. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was to use up foods given up during Lent such as flour, eggs and fat (oils). Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lent. Abstaining from eating meat is one of the oldest Catholic traditions because meat in ancient times was a delicacy and “celebratory”. The canteen will not be serving meat on Ash Wednesday and Friday in the lead up to Easter. This Wednesday we will have two Masses at Holy Family Church – 9am for Junior School and 11am for Secondary School. All parents and friends are welcome.

The College Ball will take place on Saturday the 25^th of February for our Year Eleven and Twelve students at the Retravision Stadium. We wish our students and attending staff well; it is sure to be a wonderful evening. Thank you to Mr Nick Callaghan, Mr Andrew Landells, the Ball Committee and parent helpers.

I wish you all good week.

St Joseph – Pray for Us.

Ms Rachael Keenan

“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

Saint Giles Mary

Feast Day: February 7

Patron Saint of: The ill and outcast, people looking for work

Prayer:

Saint Giles, we pray for all the politicians leading our country that they may work for the betterment of the state and assist those most in need. Saint Giles, pray for us. Amen

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

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.

Albany Junior Indoor Volleyball Clinic, Tuesday 21st February 4.00pm - 5.30pm.

This clinic offers juniors (13-18 years) the opportunity to learn some new indoor volleyball skills or improve on existing skills with a Volleyball WA Coach. It will also be an opportunity for talented athletes to receive 2023 Regional Pathway Information.

Limited spots available

Sign Up via the following link - Volleyball WA

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) offers world-class degrees in Business, Engineering, Computing, Arts and Science.

Based in Canberra, students who join ADFA have a unique opportunity to receive advanced military and leadership training whilst studying a range of degrees from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). ADFA also offers students a salary while they study, allowing them to focus throughout their degrees and enjoy a range of sporting and extra-curricular activities without the need to get a part-time job.

Upon graduation students are guaranteed a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force and will have their degree fully funded, graduating HELP-debt free. Students who graduate from ADFA move into a range of exciting and varied jobs as Officers, these range from Pilots, Civil Engineers, Logistics and Finance Officers, Mission Controllers and much more.

For more information, visit Defence Jobs Australia - Australian Defence Force Academy

Register for this 8-week program if you are in year 11/12 or on your gap year and gain exclusive access to the below sessions:

• 3 May 2023 - Resumes & Interviews (Lincolns Beyond Numb3rs)

• 10 May 2023 - Tax & Budgeting (Lincolns Beyond Numb3rs)

• 17 May 2023 - Rentals 101 (Merrifield Real Estate)

• 24 May 2023 - Healthy Relationships: How to live away from home (Relationships Australia)

• 31 May 2023 - Meal Planning 101 (Ocean and Paddock)

• 7 June 2023 - All things WASTE (City of Albany)

• 14 June 2023 - Sustainable Living (City of Albany)

• 21 June 2023 - Responsible Pet Ownership (RSPCA & City of Albany Rangers)

When registering you will be asked which session(s) you would like to attend (you can select all of them or only those that interest you).

All sessions will be delivered at the Albany Public Library from 4pm - 5pm.

GRAZING PLATTERS ARE AVAILABLE AT EACH SESSION!

REGISTER HERE: https://stuff-you-need-to-know.eventbrite.com.au