Highlights of the week include the wonderful participation of students at the Anzac Day Parade on Thursday. Friday also had an Anzac focus with liturgies across the school and the Year Nines visiting the Anzac Centre on Mt Adelaide.

The Year Sixes thoroughly enjoyed their camp and I thank the staff for ensuring such a successful camp.

Traffic congestion at the home time is improving. Thank you to parents who have taken onboard our recommendations. Things have been a lot smoother (and safer).

A reminder to parents to not send your child to school if they are unwell and particularly contagious. We need to look after each other including the staff.

College photos are scheduled for 2-3 May. It is very important students are following the Uniform Guidelines and I will exclude a student from the photos if they are in breach of the guidelines. This is particularly important for Secondary students in relation to being clean-shaven and makeup-free (including foundation and eyelash extensions).

Details about the Mothers Day Breakfast on Friday 10 May will be sent out in the coming days. After 7.30 breakfast, I would encourage families to attend Mass at the Holy Family Church. It will be finished in time for class at 8.30.

St Joseph - Pray for us.

Thank you to the St Joseph's College community for the smooth start to a new term. The beautiful weather has indeed helped keep up our spirits!

Our whole school Parent-Teacher Interviews on Wednesday in its new format was very well attended. The teachers felt there was great collegiality and community spirit, and we hope parents found the discussions helpful and worthwhile. I will be seeking feedback through the School Advisory Council and Parents & Friends groups; however, please also feel free to message me if you prefer.

The College has been chosen to participate at the official Anzac Day ceremony on Thursday. Head Prefect, Lachlan Gorman, will read a soldier's reflection. I would like to request that as many St Joseph's students from Year One to Twelve march with the College if able. We will be gathering in front of the York St Post Office at 9.30am. A message has been sent home via Seqta with the details.

We already have strong enrolments and a wait list for next year. If current students have siblings wanting to come to St Joseph's, please send in an application form at your earliest convenience.

We have been observing the traffic flow in the carpark this week. The College Executive (myself and the Heads of School) will be out sending information in Week Two in order to mitigate congestion and increase safety.

College Photographs will be taken in Week Three by MSP. Details and order envelopes will be distributed shortly.

St Joseph - Pray for Us.

Kind regards

Rachael

Carpark and pick-up zone Congestion

With our school growing we are presently seeing the carpark and pick up zones becoming congested after school. Please read the information below carefully to minimise congestion and help our children get home safely.

After School

Please do not sit in the Pick-Up Zones at either the main carpark or the basketball courts and wait for your child of any age to arrive. This leads to congestion.

When is a good time to come?

Parents of Early Learning students only

Arrive before 3, park in the carpark and your child’s classroom doors will open at 3pm. Then try to leave as soon as you can to allow carpark space for parents of older students.

Parents of Junior School students

Junior School classes are dismissed at 3pm. If you are using the pick-up zones, please do not arrive until after 3.05pm.  By this time, you child should be at the pick-up zone and waiting for you. If you have arrived and your child is not there you may be asked to move on to avoid congestion building up.

Parents of Secondary School students.

Secondary School classes finish at 3.10pm. Please arrive after 3.15pm. By 3.15pm your child should be at the pick-up zone and waiting for you. If you have arrived and your child is not there you may be asked to move on to avoid congestion building up.

But I have Children in both Junior and Secondary School, when do I arrive?

Arrive after 3.15pm, your Junior School child will be supervised by duty teachers before then. When your Secondary School child arrives, you need to access the pick-up zone only once and reduce congestion.

Alternatively, you may park in the carpark with your Junior School child and wait for your Secondary School child to arrive.

I have arrived early, where do I park?

If you do find yourself arriving earlier than when your child will be dismissed, please park in the top church carpark where you can park without causing any congestion until your child is dismissed. You can then drive to the Pick-up Zone when your child is likely to be there.

Please time your run so we can minimise congestion each day. If you are asked to move on by a staff member, please understand that they are trying to reduce congestion and make the end of the day safe for everyone in our school community.

Kind Regards

St Joseph’s College Executive.

Saint Catherine of Siena

Feast Day: April 29

Patron Saint of: Europe

Life:

Born in 1347, Catherine grew up as an intelligent, cheerful and prayerful person. After years of study and discernment, Catherine gained a group of followers who were inspired by her contemplative life and commitment to Christ. Before her death in 1380, she wrote letters, encouraging unity in the Church and was canonised a Saint in 1461.

Prayer:

God of Wisdom you made our sister Catherine burn with divine love in contemplating the Lord’s passion and in serving your Church. With the help of her prayers may your people, united in the mystery of Christ, rejoice forever in the revelation of his glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. St Catherine of Siena, pray for us.

Each year during Lent, the staff, students and families of St Joseph's College generously support Caritas Australia and their appeal 'Project Compassion'.

Through the idea of almsgiving, we are called to act, bringing hope and support to the worlds poorest and most vulnerable communities.

Through our fundraising at the St Joseph's Day fair and our classroom box donations, the College has raised an enormous $5,789.35 in 2024, smashing our goal of $5,000.

.

On behalf of St Joseph's College, I would like to thank all staff, students and families for your overwhelming generosity during the Lenten season and we look forward to doing it all again in 2025 in the pursuit of love and justice.

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator K-12

Starting on the 10th May, Mass will be held at Holy Family Parish Church every Friday at 8.00am. The 12.00 noon Mass at St Joseph's Church (Aberdeen St) will remain unchanged. All are welcome to join.

Holy Family Parish

3G were very lucky to have Father Joel come to the library this morning during their library class time.

Father Joel read, The Last ANZAC, by Gordon Winch & Illustrated by Harriet Bailey.

3G enjoyed listening to the story about Alec Campbell, the last living ANZAC.

Alec Campbell enlisted in 1915 at the age of 16 and fought side by side with fellow Australian and New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli.

Alec was noted to be a humble and remarkable man who lived until the age of 103yrs old.

Reading and learning about ANZAC's and ANZAC day helps us to remember the service and sacrifice of Australia's and New Zealand's defence forces,

along with all the ex-service men and women who have served the nation in wars and conflict.

To celebrate the beginning of our URSTRONG journey the Junior School students were invited to join in a series of lunch time activities on our first 'Friendship Friday.' Students made friendship bracelets, compliment chatterboxes, bookmarks, read friendship stories, played footy and decorated the walkway with friendship facts.

Saver Plus is a FREE 10-month matched savings and financial education program funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services and delivered by The Smith Family. The program aims to help participants to learn how to better manage their money and develop long-term savings habits.

Saver Plus is available to anyone who is eligible across Australia.

Eligible participants learn money skills and receive up to $500 to help with their school expenses.

* 10 month program (commence at any time)

* Save $50 a month for 10 months and receive $500 towards educational costs

* Complete up to 10hrs of Virtual workshops called MoneyMinded (support provided)

More information at www.saverplus.org.au

After a couple of months of uncertainty, it is with great pleasure that I am writing to let you know that the foundation finds itself sailing again. Although Minderoo Foundation are now providing financial assistance for the next few years, this does not cover sponsored voyage places. This funding is only for maintaining the ship.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation provides a range of tailored programs suitable for various ages, backgrounds and abilities. Our voyages aim to

1. Foster Leadership: Develop leadership skills through hands-on experiences and challenges aboard our iconic tall ship, STS Leeuwin II.
2. Promote Teamwork: Encourage teamwork and collaboration in a dynamic and engaging maritime environment.
3. Enhance Personal Development: Unlock hidden potential, boost self-confidence, and instil a sense of responsibility and accountability.
4. Inspire Environmental Awareness: Connect students with the marine environment, fostering a deep appreciation for our oceans and promoting sustainable practices.

On May the 4th, the Albany City Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr Findlay are holding a Cushion Concert for Kids.

Join the Ringmaster and the Albany City Wind Ensemble in the Big Top for a chance to get up close and personal with classical instruments in a fast-paced, highly interactive concert especially designed for 3-8-year-olds. The question is, “How does a concert band cope with a 5-year-old conductor?”

This is a fantastic course for free and online.

Albany Senior High School and headspace Albany are working together to present to Parents/Carers/Guardians of teenagers on Body Image and Healthy Eating.

We are privileged to have Andrew Wenzel from headspace Albany leading this presentation. Andrew will deliver valuable insights and be available to address any questions.

Here are the details:

Date: Tuesday, 30th April

Time: 5:30 pm

Location: Albany SHS Performing Arts Centre (APAC), cnr Campbell and Middleton Road, Albany

This presentation is free and open to all Parents/Carers/Guardians within the Albany SHS community, as well as Parents/Carers/Guardians from other schools and our general public community.

Registration is required to secure a spot. Please click here.

WISE MINDS GROUP

Wise Minds is an emotional regulation skills-based group for 12-15 year olds. Young people practise different mindfulness activities each week, and learn different techniques to manage emotions in a healthy way. The group runs at Headspace Albany from weeks 3-8 of each school term, on Tuesday afternoons 3.45-4.30pm. In Term 2, the 6-week program will start on April 30th (Week 3).

For enquiries, please call headspace Albany on 9842 9871 or email info@headspacealbany.com.au.

This is a free workshop, on offer in Albany, for all parent’s/carer’s of teenagers.

Bookings essential: https://bit.ly/TINTAlbany

Albany City Wind Ensemble is very excited to be holding two Cushion Concerts for Kids on 4th May at Albany Primary School. These concerts are aimed at young people with the aim of encouraging them to get involved with music.

MyTime is a facilitated peer support program for parents and carers of children with disability, developmental delay or chronic medical conditions.

Parents/Carers are welcome to attend even if they are yet to receive a diagnosis and would like to meet parents/Carers who may be in a similar situation to theirs.

MyTime groups are for all parents and family carers of children under the age of 18 who need a higher level of care than other children.

We meet weekly on a Tuesday afternoon from 12:30-2:30 during the school term.

MyTime now meets at the Child and Parent Centre near Mt Lockyer Primary School. Click link here.

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/

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