First Sunday of Lent – “One does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

We celebrated our first Mass in Holy Family Church this year as a College, albeit separately as sub-schools so that we could fit. Fr Joel, however, took the opportunity to beautifully lead the Ash Wednesday Mass to the Junior School students through his homily, and then at the Secondary School Mass, he altered it to connect with the older students. Thank you to Mrs Palfrey for coordinating both Masses.

The College Ball took place on Saturday for our Year Eleven and Twelve students at the Retravision Stadium. The function room was transformed into The Secret Garden with fairy lights, bowers and carpets of greenery and floral arrangements. The food was plentiful and beautifully presented. But the standout of the night were our Senior students. Their dazzling appearance was only matched by their splendid conduct, which includes their moves on the dance floor. Thank you to Mr Callaghan, Mr Landells, the Ball Committee, parents and staff.  

The cancellation of the Inter-House Swimming Carnivals last year, means we are ready to make a splash this week. Tuesday is the Secondary Carnival and on Wednesday the Year Four to Six. Thank you to Mr O’Donnell and Mr Mola, respectively, for organising. We are aiming for maximum participation and fun at ALAC.

I wish you all a good week.

St Joseph – Pray for Us.

Ms Rachael Keenan

“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

Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent which is a time of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Taking place 40 days before Easter Sunday, Ash Wednesday is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar and signals a season of prayer, reflection, penance and fasting.

Coming from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting, Ash Wednesday involves applying ashes, made from blessed palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday Mass, to a person’s forehead. The ashes applied to the forehead symbolise the dust from which God made us. When doing this, the priest will either say "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

The ashes we receive are a symbol of penance, trying to do better in our lives. The Lenten season is a good opportunity for us to reset by sending time in prayer, giving to or helping others in need and to ‘fast’ or ‘give up’ something as a commitment to becoming a better person, meaning that no meat will be available at the canteen this Wednesday and all Friday's during Lent. 

May we strive this Lenten season to be examples of compassion, humility and charity in our families, school and world!

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

The Beginning of Lent marks the launch of Caritas' Project Compassion and the idea of 'almsgiving'.

Caritas meaning 'Love and compassion' in Latin, began in Australia in 1962 working at the grassroots to create lasting change in the community. The first ever Lenten appeal raised $90,000 with that number reaching over $11 million in more recent years. Today Caritas Australia serves in 18 countries, working through 67 partnerships in communities to bring hope, support and compassion to the worlds most vulnerable people. Project Compassion is their main appeal with contributions from nearly every diocese, parish and Catholic school across the country. In 2022, St Joseph's College raised over $1,200.

Yesterday on Shrove Tuesday, St Joseph's College took part in the Project Compassion online launch for 2023 with the theme for this year being "For all future generations." During the launch, our College leaders participated in a Liturgy, Q & A with the CEO of Caritas and formed an action plan for the College and brainstormed about how we can raise awareness and funds this Lent:

1. As always, the Project Compassion boxes can be found in each classroom/ homeroom throughout the school and ask that you donate to support this worthy appeal, if possible.
2. Wednesdays will also be 'Tapitas' Day where students can come to the stairwell next to the canteen and donate any spare change that they may have. In return they will receive a "water droplet" which they can write their name on and pin it on the board to showcase their commitment and generosity to Project Compassion.
3. Each week the students will also watch a short video about the story of someone whose life has changed thanks to your generous support.

Please donate what you can this Lent to change the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable people. We thank the College Community for your tremendous support and generosity as we can continue to work towards a more just world, ensuring that the dignity of each person is upheld.

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

It’s that time again! This Monday we will begin collecting Easter donations for our Annual Raffle. So we would be very grateful if you could pop a bunny, egg or Easter item in your trolley next time you’re shopping. Junior school classrooms have donation boxes and Senior school students can drop their donations to the canteen or office. We are looking forward to all the excitement from the students again this year! Thanks everyone!

For Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter, the Canteen will have a different menu.

See the menu above, or linked below, for some yummy fish and vegetarian options.

FRIDAY LENT MENU.pdf (sjc.wa.edu.au)

Saint Peter Damian

Feast Day: February 21

Patron Saint of: Discerning a vocation

Life:

Born in 988AD, Peter escaped poverty and became a professor, spending many hours in study and prayer. After leaving teaching, Peter became a monk and eventually a Bishop. He wrote many letters, sermons and biographies encouraging prayer and love. He died in 1072 and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1828.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to follow the teachings and example of Saint Peter Damian. By making Christ the first love of our lives, may we come to the joys of eternal light. Amen. St Peter Damian, Pray for us.

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

Year 11 General RE students have spent time back where it all started in the Early Learning Centre during Thursday afternoons, giving back to the staff and students present. Students have spent time with the Kindy and 3 Year old students, reading, playing and helping pack up classrooms and play areas.

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to complete some Christian Service to develop empathy, compassion and a sense of justice through meaningful and active citizenship.

Plus, its fun for both the big and little kids!

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

On Tuesday 28th February the Year 7-12 students will depart school for the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre and the annual Inter-House swimming carnival. Students will be competing in a variety of traditional swimming and novelty events gaining points towards the overall house shields. Students have nominated for their events during PE lessons and house meetings. Parents and spectators are welcome to attend to support the swimmers. Racing begins at 9.30am and concludes by 2.30pm

Over the last three weeks, Year 8 English students have been learning about the power of language to persuade and motivate readers. To begin the year, we looked at the importance of understanding audience, and how our tone and language will always change depending on who we are speaking to. We wouldn’t use the same style of language talking to teachers, as we would our friends (well, we hope not!).

To help understand this, we have focused on charities, and how they use language in text messages, Facebook posts and posters to impact a specific target audience.

Year 8 students are now busy working on their first task – where they will create two different texts about the same issue, but targeted at different audiences.

We have been very impressed with the creativity of our students, and the ideas that have emerged so far. We look forward to showing you the finished products – so stay tuned!

Mr Shane Bransby

Head of English

Swimming lessons is an important part of the school year and this week the Year 5 & 6 students have participated in lessons at Emu Point. Apart from Thursday when conditions were windy, the conditions for lessons were ideal with fine weather and surprisingly warm water. Unfortunately, the Department of Education is desperately short of staff which has led to reduced time in the water for students and more land-based theory. Despite this, a large percentage of students made excellent progress during the week and either passed or made pleasing improvements. Thank you to the students for their efforts during the week and the Year 5/6 staff for the supervision and care of the students.

Mr Morcom

Head of Junior School Year 3-6

Congratulations and good luck to the following students who have been elected Student leaders for Semester One 2023. Well done to all students who nominated themselves for positions and presented a speech to their peers. This year we have named two councilors to serve in sustainability and Make Jesus Real (MJR) It is hoped that they will continue the development of these areas in the Junior School.

Junior School Leaders 2023 (Whole Year)

Head Councillors

Cleo Cooper, Felix Cassidy

Deputy Head Councillors (Whole Year)

Margaret Collard, Lewis Gilbert

Year Six Blue Councillors (Semester One)

Sustainability Patrick House

MJR    Teyha Gladish-Littlefair

Year Six Gold Councillors (Semester One)

Sustainability  Heath Ward

MJR     Abigail Molenda

House Leaders (Semester One)

Mc Cormack      Aaron Gorman, Alyssa Forgione

Devialar            Mila Orzel, Chloe Panizza

Cunningham          Harlow Coffey, Cooper Hudson

Ozanam         Amelia Beatie-McGeachy,  James Dollas

Our Wednesday 3 Year Old Kindy class enjoyed story time in the library today. Some good attempts of vehicle noises were made, as Mrs Davey read Night Light, by Nicholas Blechman.

"Pig the Pug" books by Aaron Blabey are a favourite in the Junior School library. This afternoon Ms Della Bosca read "Pig the Star" to Year 6B. It was enjoyed so much that 6B gave a round of applause when Ms D finished the story.

The annual beach fun day was held on the 17th of February at Emu Point. We were blessed to have a clear, hot and sunny weather for the fun filled day. Year 1-3 worked their way round a tabloid of activities including beach soccer, boogie board relays, flags, time in the water and everyone's favourite the giant slip and slide!

Each Year 1- 3 group was lead by our wonderful Year 6 student leaders who did an excellent job in looking after the younger students at each of the activities with the support of the teachers, EAs and parents.

The day concluded with a sand sculpture competition before getting the bus back to St Joseph's.

Well done to the Saint Joseph Junior School.

LGSHA are running two hockey skills sessions for young people to try the sport and see if they like it. These sessions are for Year 3 and up and are from 4-5pm on Monday 27 February and Wednesday 1 March. Equipment is provided and mouth guards are encouraged.

For more information email do@lgshockey.asn.au or call 0429 130 953

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