As the end of term fast approaches, I would like to wish all our families a safe and blessed term break and thank you for a smooth start to the 2024 academic year. Our Year Twelves are no doubt disappointed that their Retreat had to be postponed, but let me reassure you that the joy and excitement of the retreat will keep. If anything, it will provide a much needed break to the 11-week term!

Please note that school resumes on Monday 15 April. For the Secondary School, students are required to wear the winter uniform. I look forward to our new Year Tens sporting their blazers for the first time.

St Joseph’s College will be trialing a new format for the Term Two Parent-Teacher Interviews. In keeping with our proud tradition of being a K-12 school, we will be holding all meetings in the College gym. Particularly new for Junior School parents, specialist teachers will be available for bookings. In the past teachers have stayed back for two afternoons/evenings. It has been decided to have one day of interviews. The teaching day will be reduced for the interviews to take place during school operating and after hours. For students unable to be picked up at lunchtime (12.50pm) or use the bus service, supervision will be provided until the end of the school day.

Date: Wednesday 17 April 2024

Time: 1.15pm – 7pm (teacher breaktime 3.30pm-4pm)

Parent-Teacher Interview bookings will be available during the school holidays. A link will be sent via email.

Parents are encouraged to prepare for the interviews. I would recommend the following:

·      Prepare specific questions for the teacher based on your child’s demonstrated ability and engagement with the subject.

·      Secondary School parents to read through the Interim reports.

Please contact the relevant Head of school if you have any questions.

Finally, I wish you all happy and holy Easter.

St Joseph - Pray for us.

Amen

Saint Joseph

Feast Day: March 19

Patron Saint of: Families

Life:

Joseph was the husband of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. He was a good and patient man who always put himself before others. A carpenter by trade, Joseph was a man of action, someone who had complete trust in the Lord but above all, loved God and his family - a wonderful patron of our school and an example to us all of how an ordinary man can have an extra-ordinary love for others.

Prayer:

Saint Joseph, watch over me and care for me just as you cared for the child Jesus; and by your help, may I come to know your Son, and so grow in strength and wisdom and the favour of God. Amen. St Joseph, pray for us.

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

For Project Compassion this week we hear Memory's story.

In recent years, climate shock and low agricultural productivity mean that poverty levels remain high in Malawi. Nearly 70% of the population live on less than $2.15 a day - one of the highest rates worldwide. With the help of Caritas, Memory was able to attend a technical college to become a carpenter. You can find her story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTr5U4ns2oE

"Tapitas" continues this week, with students in all years writing a prayer for something or someone that they would like to pray for this Lent. The prayers will be added to our prayer wall near the canteen. Please donate where you can to the class/ homeroom boxes! The College thanks you for your ongoing and very generous support this Lenten season.

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

St Joseph's Day 2024 will take place on Friday, March 22nd. We look forward to seeing as many family members as possible.

Students in Year Six and Eight participated in the Synergy Solar Car challenge on March 7th, showcasing their building and teamwork skills. Once again St Joseph's College hosted this event for the Great Southern region, where we have a number of schools represented within Albany and beyond. The competition was fierce, culminating in St Joseph’s College’s Liam, Bryn, Kohan, and Harvey securing 3rd place in the Year 8 category. Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and dedication. 

We would like to thank Synergy and STAWA for sponsoring this competition.

Year Six teams:

Team 1:

1. Bryon Gladish-Littlefair
2. Noah Piercey
3. Aditya Reddy
4. Tanner Reynard

Team 2:

1. Kiarah Alegria
2. Sienna Dean
3. Nathan Nagac

Team 3:

1. Archer Adams
2. Isaiah Swann
3. Josh Kelley
4. Cruz Gylling

Year Eight teams

Team 1

1. Liam Swadkins
2. Bryn Rivers
3. Kohan Maslij
4. Harvey Robinson

Team 2

1. Grady Robb
2. Jolien Catbagan
3. Charlie House

Team 3:

1. Jove Hannagan Wood
2. Elizah Breitkreuz
3. Anima Opoku

St Joseph's College staff and students (K-12) are invited to wear their brightest and boldest socks to raise awareness of Down Syndrome on Thursday 21 March, World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).

WDSD is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. WDSD is celebrated with socks. Unique, crazy, odd socks because when chromosomes are viewed under a microscope they look like pairs of socks.

St Joseph's Day 2024 is coming up fast and the Year Four classes need your assistance. We are again running the very popular and much loved, Trash 'n Treasure Stall at St Joseph's Day and need some donations of pre-loved and unwanted/unused toys, books, games, kitchen and household items etc. to help us. If you can assist us we would be very appreciative. Donations can be brought into school at any time and handed in to either Year Four classroom. We look forward to seeing you all on St Joseph's Day.

Chris Palfrey and Jane Landells Year Four

At the recent Secondary school swimming carnival, McCormack took the win in both the Middle School and Senior school overall competitions. There was some close competition across the day in both competitive and novelty races.

Middle School overall

McCormack 628

DeVialar 605

Cunningham 556

Ozanam 490

Senior School overall

McCormack 423

Ozanam 355

DeVialar 334

Cunningham 319

Congratulations to the following students who were champions or runners-up in their respective year groups.

Year 7 Girls Champion Neha Reddy 54 points

Year 7 Girls Runner Up Abigail Molenda 44 points

Year 7 Boys Champion Tarkyn Hack 51 points

Year 7 Boys Runner Up Patrick House 49 points

Year 8 Girls Champion Hope Vbasso 49 points

Year 8 Girls Runner Up Ellie-May Stables 39 points

Year 8 Boys Champion Jack Heslop 60 points

Year 8 Boys Runner Up Connor Gorman 45 points

Year 9 Girls Champion Lillian Molenda 60 points

Year 9 Girls Runner Up Eva Hack 38 points

Year 9 Boys Champion Peri Wood 54 points

Year 9 Boys Runner Up Kalgan Simmons 35 points

Year 9 Boys Runner Up Ambrose Clayton 35 points

Year 10 Girls Champion Imogen Ireland 33 points

Year 10 Girls Runner Up Ruby Sprigg 30 points

Year 10 Boys Champion Storm Pietropaolo 54 points

Year 10 Boys Runner Up Gary Wun 43 points

Year 11/12 Girls Champion Jess Williams 55 points

Year 11/12 Girls Runner Up Alicia Coutts 46 points

Year 11/12 Boys Champion Max Vrbasso 60 points

Year 11/12 Boys Runner Up Hoa Nguyen 41 points

Congratulations to the following students who broke College records at the carnival.

Neha Reddy Year 7 Girls 25m Butterfly 18.75 seconds.

Max Vrbasso Year 11/12 Boys 25m Butterfly 12.78 seconds.

We wish the team for the Inter-School carnival on Tuesday 19th March all the best for their endeavours.

smART Club is back for 2024

There are many benefits to being involved in our St Joe’s Art Club: it gives students from Years Seven to Twelve the opportunity to make connections with like minded art lovers; it enhances artistic and social skills; it helps create a vibrant visual environment for the College; and it offers our children a safe and worthwhile space in which to give their time in Christian Service.

We have already been commissioned to create the scenery and large props for the College Production of “16 in Ten” by the end of Term Two, and the painting of themed artworks on some donated surfboards to liven up some walls in the College, with many more jobs in the pipeline.

In 2024, Art Club will run on Monday afternoons from 3:15 until 4:30 in the Senior Art Room. Students are under no pressure to attend every single session, or every week. 

I look forward to a friendly, creative and productive year of art making with our enthusiastic crew.

For any queries, please contact Mrs Julia Goodlad. 

This year, both Year Five classes attend their Library borrowing sessions with the Kindy Gold and Kindy Blue classes. In this half hour, the Year Five students assist the Kindy students to select books and then they read with them. This not only makes book borrowing much smoother for the Kindy students, but helps foster a positive relationship with students outside the safety of the ELC, making the transition into the ‘big school’ much easier for our younger students as there will be many familiar faces when they reach Year One.

The Year Five students are also benefited by practising their oral reading skills and are learning the value of patience when working with our younger students. Both the Kindy and Year Five students look forward to Library Buddies each week!

In a dazzling display of athleticism and camaraderie, Saint Joseph's Junior School recently hosted its annual IH Swimming Carnival. Excitement filled the air as students from Year 4-6 dove into the pool, showcasing their swimming prowess and team spirit.

After a fierce competition, Ozanam House emerged victorious, clinching the coveted title with an impressive total of 461 points. Their stellar performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

Adding to the excitement, Luke M of Year 4 made waves by breaking records in all five boys' events for his year group. His remarkable achievement left spectators in awe and inspired his fellow classmates to aim for greatness.

Beyond the thrill of competition, the carnival was a celebration of fun and involvement, with students enthusiastically participating in races and novelty games. Laughter and cheers echoed throughout ALAC, creating cherished memories for all in attendance.

We would like to congratulate all participants for their outstanding sportsmanship and teamwork, making this year's IH Swimming Carnival a great day. A big congratulations goes to all our champions and runner up's from each year group photographed above.

Thanks to all the staff across the Junior School which made this day possible.

Zak Mola

Currently, headspace Albany is recruiting new members for our youth reference group.

We are looking for young people aged between 15 and 25 to be a part of a group of young people that help us decide on how best to support the young people of Albany.

This includes co-designing programs, connecting with others and contributing to the Albany community.

Please see link below for more information.

https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/albany/hac2024/

Easter Raffle tickets on sale now!

See link below or scan the QR code.

https://www.raffletix.com.au/stjosephscollege

Vikings Hockey Club registration for 2024 season is now open.

For more information, visit https://www.revolutionise.com.au/vikingshc

We at Outdoors Great Southern are offering a great opportunity for those in Year 9 and 10 to get out and about this April holiday by participating in a 3 day 2 night expedition hike in the Walpole area.

Please see the link below:

https://events.humanitix.com/yr-9-10-expedition-hike-april-10-11-12

DENTAL THERAPY CENTRE NEWS

Spencer Park Dental Therapy Centre offers free dental examinations, oral care advice, preventative, restorative and emergency treatment for children from pre-primary to Year 11.

Enrolment forms will soon be issued to your child if they have recently changed schools or enrolled in Pre-Primary, please return the forms to your school by Friday 19th April if you wish to use our service.

Parents of enrolled students are reminded to contact the centre to update your details if you have moved in the last few years. All appointments are posted home, many are returned due to incorrect addresses, this means that your child misses out on their dental visit. If you no longer intend to use our service and attend a private dental clinic, please let us know as soon as possible as your valuable appointment could be taken up by someone else. You can call us on 9841 3967 or send us an email to spencerparkdtc@health.wa.gov.au.

Unfortunately, our clinics do not have reception staff, your child will be enrolled as soon as possible. They may not receive an exam appointment for up to 12months. Please call us if your child is in pain.

Our awesome skate programs are back!

Junior Learn to Skate ages 8-17

Junior Roller Derby ages 10-17

We start the first week of term 2.

Head to the website albanyrollerderby.com.au to register now! Places are limited

WE WILL ROCK YOU

Musical by

QUEEN and Ben Elton

‘Guaranteed to blow you mind!’

Tickets on sale NOW! Row Seating only!

12 performances over 4 weekends May/June

Book: https://paperbark.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/129832

Since 2002 over 16 million theatregoers in 28 countries have been thrilled by this awe-inspiring production which is based on the songs of Queen with a book by Ben Elton (The Young Ones, Blackadder, Popcorn).

Elton fashioned this hilarious futurist comedy around more than 24 of Queen’s biggest hit songs including 'We Are the Champions', 'Radio Ga Ga', 'I Want To Break Free', 'Somebody To Love', 'Killer Queen', 'Don’t Stop Me Now', 'Under Pressure', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Another One Bites The Dust' and of course, 'We Will Rock You'.

The musical takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation...rock music is unheard, and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance-an alliance of rebel Bohemians.

Directed - Donna Markovic

Musical Director - Jen Graham-Taylor

Choreography - Andrea Le Page and Carmen Fasolo

Join us at the Town Hall for a FREE Youth Week event on Friday 5 April 2024

Get dressed up for an evening of live music, dancing, food and a great time with your friends in an immersive “Winter Wonderland”.

There will be free winter themed face painting, games, a snow zone and a “chill” out zone. Ensure you line up at the photobooth created by talented local high school students to have your picture taken so you have a memento to remember the night!

Register here: https://albany-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_007c478f25c643409a005e52ac3fa91c

Event duration: 5:30pm - 8:30pm

What to wear? Formal attire

Ages: 12 - 15 years

Cost: FREE

For more information contact Laura Saunder at the City of Albany on 6820 3130 or via email commdevel@albany.wa.gov.au

U17’s winter indoor cricket competition commencing the beginning of term 2.

The competition will run through to the end of term 3, with a break for school holidays.

All enquiries can be directed to adca.indoor@outlook.com or contact 0468 420 184.

Interested in playing hockey? Join the club now!

We are excited to announce that our 2024 MSWA Albany Swim will be making a splash this April at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on Saturday, 20 April.

This unique 8-hour swimming relay challenge aims to raise awareness and funds for people in the Great Southern region living with neurological conditions.

Teams of up to 10 challenge themselves in the swim - they must always have one swimmer in the water for the duration of the event. There are no rules on how the competitors swim the event (freestyle, backstroke, doggy paddle!) and we allow the use of swimming aids or devices (including flippers!).

Take your marks, get set… GO! Are you looking for your next challenge? Gather your classmates, teachers, friends, and family and register a team for the 2024 MSWA Albany Swim, Saturday, 20 April at the Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre.

For more details, and how to register visit www.mswaswim.org.au

All Ability activities and information sessions coming up in Feb/March.

1. Lets Go Surfing' - Disabled Surfers - Albany | HumanitixTo Register: Lets Go Surfing' - Disabled Surfers - Albany | Humanitix

1. Following on from the very successful 'Puzzle Project' in 2023, we are launching our very own Danceable class. This class for all abilities will learn varying dance genres in a safe environment where expression and creativity are encouraged and diversity and individuality are championed. Suited for all ages with a disability.

We will start this class on Friday February 23rd and run it for 5 weeks. Link to Register: Danceable | Humanitix

1. PWdWA's NDIS Reviews and Appeals Information Session - Albany Registration, Tue 20/02/2024 at 1:00 pm | Eventbrite

The Kids Club running this term along with our first hike this weekend.

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