The wide smiles at the carpark crosswalk last Wednesday morning, start of the 2024 academic year, was heartwarming! The joy of the parents and guardians were matched by the College staff who had four days to prepare for the happy return of students. At both the Junior and Secondary assemblies, there was a genuine feeling of positivity and readiness to make this a great year.

Our key priority this year is "Belonging". With the help of our WESTIE values across the College, I would like the members of the St Joseph's community to feel they belong as their unique and authentic self. One way in which we will gather as one community will be at our Opening Mass - Tuesday 6 February, 9am in the College gym. Parents and guardians are very welcome to celebrate Mass with us. The Junior School will host Parent Information sessions this week. On Friday will be our annual College Sundowner for all our families. These Week 2 events are a means to develop our spirit of community and sense of belonging, and I hope you will be able to attend one or more of them.

I wish all our students a very successful year ahead; in particular, the Year 12s who are in their final year. I know you will make yourself, family and school proud. Deo duce.

St Joseph - Pray for Us

Amen.

Ms Rachael Keenan

College Principal

Congratulations to our 2024 Year 6 House Captains, MJR Councillors and Sustainability Councillors who were presented with their badges at assembly today. We wish you well in your leadership positions and look forward to seeing the positive impact you have within our college community.

At the beginning of each school year, the whole College comes together to celebrate Mass and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout 2024. This is a wonderful occasion in which our students, staff and parents have an opportunity for prayer and reflection amongst the busyness of our lives.

Elements of College life were incorporated at different times of the Mass including our House flags, subject books and maps, serving as a reminder that everything we do here at St Joseph's is inspired by Christ.

Following the Mass, our College prefects were presented with their individual portfolio badges as well as our Year Six and Twelve graduating classes receiving their College badges for this academic year.

A big thank you to Fr Joel for presiding over the Mass and blessing of the College community, as well as Mrs Palfrey, Mr Morcom, Mr Landells, Mrs Findlay and anyone else who was involved in our celebration. The students are also to be commended on their reverence, respect and participation throughout.

Just as the Apostles were inspired by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we too, hope that our St Joseph's College community will be inspired by the Holy Spirit this year and beyond.

Mr Luke Bogoni

Religious Education Coordinator

The Saints Swimming Club is a College run swimming club developing swimming technique and fitness. The Junior Squad is made up of students from Years Four-Six (and Year Three in Term Two onwards of each year).  The Senior Squad comprises students from Year Seven-Twelve. Students in both squads must be able to swim 25m of breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke.

Both squads train during term on Monday and Friday from 3.30 – 4.30pm with training commencing on the first Friday of each term and finishing on the last Monday of each term. The club is coached by College PE staff Mr Paul O’Donnell and Mr Zak Mola, and parent, Mr Ben Kagi.

The Saints Swim club welcomes swimmers from Years 4-12 to try the swim club during Term One but the official swim season will commence in Term Two.

Swimmers joining or returning for 2024 will need to complete the swim club permission form available on the College website. Should you have any further queries about the club please speak to Mr Paul O'Donnell (Secondary) or Mr Zak Mola (Junior).

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!



The College is seeking suitable applicants. Please contact Ms Rachael Keenan if you are interested. Additional details are on the College website under Employment.

Week 2 in the Junior School has been full of new friends, fun and learning! It's been wonderful watching students demonstrate the WESTIE values by being Welcoming and Inclusive towards their new classmates!

If you would like to find out more about volunteering opportunities near you, sign up to the South Coast Enviro-Experiences volunteer web platform and register your interests.

https://bttr.im/2qcsk

Two free parenting workshops coming up in Albany in February.

BEST Program

Headspace Albany’s Behaviour Exchange and System Therapy (BEST) program is now taking bookings for Term 1.

This free 6 week program runs from Terms 1-3 for parents or family members of young people aged between 12 to 25 years old. The weekly sessions are held at headspace Albany every Wednesday evening from 5pm to 6.30pm, starting on the 14^th of February (Week 3).

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 family member.

Please call headspace Albany on 9842 9871 for more information or to register for the program. 

Rovers Open Day 2024

Many families are experiencing cost of living challenges as well as increased education costs.

Saver Plus supports eligible families to take some control of their finances by offering a matched savings incentive and financial education workshops.

If parents commit to saving up to $50 a month for 10 months, ANZ will match their savings up to $500 for families to put towards school uniforms, stationary, camps, laptops, sports fees and music lessons.

If families join in February 2024, they can claim their matched savings in December 2024 in time for 2025 school costs.

Please find attached some flyers for services affected by the closure of North Rd from 29 Jan to 22 April for the Sandford Rd Roundabout construction.

We expect the buses to arrive 5 minutes later in the AM than usual due to the deviation, but we cannot be sure until school resumes.

Justin Goldsmith

Operations Supervisor Great Southern

The College is seeking suitable applicants for a Science Lab Technician. Details of this part-time position is available on the Catholic Education WA and College website.