Fifth Sunday of Easter – “I am the way, the truth and the life”.

One of my favourite bible verses, this reminds us of God’s goodness. We can be strengthened by His truths.

On Tuesday at 6pm the Holy Family Parish will be meeting with students receiving First Holy Eucharist/Communion and their parents this year. There will also be a Commitment Mass on Sunday 9.30am at HFC for all students receiving Sacraments this year.

Thank you to all parents, students and teachers in the Secondary School for attending the Parent Interviews on Monday and Tuesday. There is nothing like a face-to-face meeting to discuss ways to support students.

We saw glimpses of Marie Antoinette, the Plague Doctor, Cleopatra, Lenin, PM Harold Holt, a Suffragette and Filipino revolutionary on Friday as a bookend to Humanities and Social Sciences Week. Thank you to Mrs Trichilo and the HASS department for teaching us more about significant people, places and events of our world.

The Year 9 and 10 students attended the Regional STEM Festival with members of the Science department at ALAC on Wednesday. I hope you have been inspired to know more about the world of science and potentially investigate careers in the field as your journey continues through Senior School.

I am looking forward to learning the results of the Regional Netball Competition which the College sent Year 7 – 12 students to last Thursday. Whatever the outcome, I know you represented the school with pride.

Not only is St Joseph’s College part of a system with 163 Catholic schools in Western Australia, but we are part of a regional group schools, the Great Southern Network. Staff in Kindy to Year 2 visited St Patrick’s School on Friday with other schools in our system to collaborate and share teaching practices. Thank you to St Pat’s for hosting.

I look forward to seeing students and mothers at our Mother’s Day Breakfast this Friday. A letter has been sent home to parents of Junior and Middle School. Please rsvp for catering purposes.

And to all mothers, grandmothers and mother figures of our students and staff, I wish you all a happy and blessed Mother’s Day on Sunday. We also think of those who are no longer with us - days such as these give us the time and occasion to remember the beauty and joy they brought to our lives.

The month of May is devoted to Jesus’ Mother Mary so I again I finish this article with the Hail Mary -

“Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

St Joseph – Pray for Us.

Ms Rachael Keenan

Fourth Sunday of Easter – “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want”.

By thinking about this verse, it can help us remember God’s goodness, and be strengthened by His truths.

Week One, Term Two was punctuated by some very important events. Firstly, Anzac Day on Tuesday was well-attended by members of our College, particularly our students. Logan and Keira, College Head Prefects, participated at the Dawn Service where they laid a wreath at the Desert Mounted Corp Memorial on Mt Clarence on behalf of the school. Later that morning over thirty students and several staff marched down York Street to the official service. It was also very pleasing to see several students represent a variety of cadet groups - Air Force, Army, Police Rangers, Girl Guides and Scouts. The weather held and it turned out to be an excellent event – a great return to “normal” after two years of restrictions for the national commemoration event.

The North Road fields were very busy on Saturday for the start of the soccer season. St Joseph’s College was well-represented with a significant number of teams donning the bright blue and gold. Congratulations to our Year Ones who made their kicking debut.

A very important workshop will be starting this week for our Year 7s – Teen Mental Health. As a College priority, this is one of several ongoing Mental Health initiatives.

College photos take place this week. We are trialling a new provider, MSP Photography. Please ensure your child wears the correct school uniform as this photo will be used for SEQTA (report), student ID cards and the College Annual.

The month of May is devoted to Mary so I finish this article with the Hail Mary -

“Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

St Joseph – Pray for Us.

Ms Rachael Keenan

Last week the Humanities and Social Sciences Department was busy coordinating HASS activities for the College. Lunchtime activities were held in the JS Undercover Area, with a different focus each day. On Monday, students enjoyed a hands-on experience with Ancient Rome and Viking handling kits. Both Junior School and Senior School students dressed up and examined artefacts, predicting their purpose and function. Tuesday’s activity focused on Geography. Students used maps to learn where some of the most destructive natural disasters occurred and where famous foods originate. Economics was under the spotlight on Wednesday, with students introduced to the Ration Challenge, where they were able to see how little refugees are able to consume each day. Thursday saw students engage with a democratic vote of their favourite lolly and matching the political leader with the country. The culmination of HASS week was the staff dress-up as a significant Historical figure and an energetic ‘Just-Dance’ session to the likes of Rasputin and Walk like an Egyptian.

Thank you to the HASS Department and the Year 11 and 12 Modern History students for your enthusiasm and energy all week and to the students for participating in the activities each day!

Mrs Samantha Trichilo

Head of Learning – Humanities and Social Sciences

Thank you to Ms Fiona Leake for letting the Year 9 Drama students support HASS Week by making short films using still images of historical events from Ides of March, Women's Equality, Filipinos' First Battle Against Spanish Colonisation to French Revolution. Year 9 Drama students really enjoyed dressing up and becoming the different characters from our history. Well done Ms Leake for writing the script. The Year 9 Drama students learned a lot about the history from the script through to the creation of the tableaux that represent these parts of the history. Drama is truly a learning by doing subject or elective.

Mr Richard Habal

Drama Teacher

Last week, on Tuesday 25 April, we had the privilege of attending the ANZAC Dawn Service as the representatives of St Joseph’s College. An early start saw us meet Mrs Trichilo and Mrs Keenan at the City of Albany at 4:00am and arrive at the top of Mount Clarence around 4:15am. The service began at 5:30am, and we were treated to a spectacular sunrise during the Last Ode and the Minute of Silence. While the weather was quite chilly, we layered up and managed to stay warm.

We were also privileged to lead the College in the Anzac Day Parade down York Street. A healthy contingent of students and staff represented the College and attended the Anzac Service at the Anzac Peace Park where we laid a wreath, along with the JS Leaders. Both services were deeply moving and paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of our country.

Keira and Logan, College Head Prefects

Saint Rose Venerini

Feast Day: May 7

Patron Saint of: Immigrants

Life:

Rose was born in 1656 in Viterbo, Italy. After her fiance' passed away she invited the women of the neighbourhood to pray with her in her home. After feeling called to become a teacher, she opened the first public school for girls in Italy. While she faced opposition, she persisted and started many schools and trained many teachers. She died in 1728 and was canonised a Saint in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Reflection:

Whatever state of life God calls us to, we bring with us an assortment of experiences, interests and gifts - however small they seem to us. Rose's life stands as a reminder that all we are is meant to be put to service of others, wherever we find ourselves. St Rose, pray for us.

We are hearing lots of people in our College Community planning to audition for the Celebration of Talents (A Variety Show) so make sure you BOOK your audition now by filling in the audition form and hand them in to Mr Habal, Ms Rowe or Mr Collins. Here is the link of the audition form. Celebration of Talents (A Variety Show) 2023 Audition Form.docx See you all next term in Weeks 3, 4 or 5 for the audition from 3:20 - 4:20pm.

Mr Richard Habal, Ms Hiedi Rowe and Mr Mark Collins

Event Coordinators

On Thursday morning, year 9 and other selected senior school students were invited to meet with Kelton Pell a stage, TV and film actor, best known for his role as the court liaison officer, Sam Wallan, in the SBS legal drama The Circuit set in north-western Australia. He has been a stage presence in the theatre since 1985, performing for the Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, the Black Swan Theatre Company and the Sydney Theatre Company. Many of these performances were of plays which grew from Indigenous themes.

Students viewed a show reel of the work Mr Pell has been involved in, open question time and he also discussed some of his acting techniques.

Mr Pell is in Albany as part of the Cinefest Oz Film Festival.

The first meeting for parents and children for children making their First Holy Communion is fast approaching. The meeting will be held on Tuesday the 9th May, 2023 at 6.00pm in Holy Family Church. The meeting is expected to take between an hour and an hour 15 minutes. The following Sunday, the 14th May 2023, there is an enrolment Mass where your child will be enrolled to receive their First Communion. This will be at the 9.30am Mass at Holy Family Church. All parents and children are expected to attend these events. If for any reason you are unable to attend either one or both, please contact Fr Vince or Fr Joel at the Parish Office on 98 41 1129 or Chris Palfrey at chris.palfrey@cewa.edu.au We will need to make further arrangements with you.

Thanking you.

Chris Palfrey - Liturgy and Sacramental Co-ordinator

Our local St Vinnies store is seeking an assistant retail manager. Part-time or full-time available. Experience in retail required. Cover letter and resume can be emailed to Sue.Wilson@vdpwa.org.au

After a successful summer season in our southern waters, STS Leeuwin II has now entered a period of refit, in preparation for our northern rotation. During the winter months we head North, where trainees will get to have a very special experience in an extraordinary location.

Attached is flyer detailing the opportunities for your Duke of Edinburgh students to potentially achieve their Award levels before the year is over.

We have a range of generous sponsorships available. Information on each, and application forms will be available on our website. Please feel free to call me for more information on these. 

This voyage is open to any student aged 14+ wishing to have an adventure and develop leadership skills. 

For more information, please visit www.sailleeuwin.com or feel free to contact me on 9430 4105 or education@sailleeuwin.com.

Sally Jonasson

Education Manager

The City of Albany is exploring opportunities to assist students during exam periods.



If you are in year 11 or 12, please take a moment to complete our Exam Tutoring Support survey which can be accessed through the following link:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/ExamTutoringSupportSurvey

The survey will help us understand the needs of exam students and will only take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

There are three fabulous school shows that are visiting our Albany Entertainment Centre in May and are offering school matinees. May is jam packed with fantastic shows and we hope you can make it into the centre to enjoy some of them.

1. Alphabet of Awesome Science | May 1^st, 11.00am & 4.30pm - A thrilling voyage through the alphabet – where great big chewy sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises! 

1. Cicada | May 24^th, 6.30pm | May 25^th, 10.00am– Barking Gecko are bringing Cicada to the AEC- winner of the Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book in 2019! An adaption of master story-teller Shaun Tan’s much-loved Cicada, onstage with live puppetry and exquisite visual storytelling

1. Are We There Yet | May 30^th, 4.30pm | May 31^st, 11.00am- Join 8-year-old Grace and her family on an adventurous (and often funny) expedition across the country, visiting iconic Australian landmarks along the way

Contact:

ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE 

2 Toll Place, Albany WA 6330 

PO Box 5743, Albany WA 6332 

T   +61 8 9844 5000

email: kelly.fregon@artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au

Headspace Albany’s Behaviour Exchange and System Therapy (BEST) program is now taking bookings for Term 2.

The free 8 week program runs every term for family/parents of young people aged between 12 to 25 years old. The weekly sessions are held every Wednesday evening from 5pm to 6.30pm.

The BEST program suits families who are worried about the mental health or hard times experienced by their young person and are looking for ways to help as a parent.

Call headspace Albany on 9842 9871 for more information or to register. 

FREE Fathering 101 course sponsored by WANSLEA WA available to all fathers and father figures.

Link to our Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/JnTaCGVe

When: Thursday 11 May

6:00-8:00pm

Where: Royals Football Club

Lockyer Ave, Albany

Register here >> http://bit.ly/3K0Jwoz