A quieter week has meant students can focus on their learning!

Some highlights:

On our Catholic calendar, the Month of Mary has begun. We keep in mind all our mums and mother figures. Details of our College Mother's Day Breakfast and Mass will be sent out early next week. Please reply for catering purposes.

The Year 7-12 Netball Cup took place in Katanning and the Junior School AFL Eagles Cup both took place on Thursday. Thank you to the wonderful students and staff for their competitive spirit and great participation.

Our students embraced the opportunity to look their best for Photo Day this week. We look forward to the final proofs.

The College Annual (2023 Zephyrus) has unfortunately been delayed in its printing. My apologies but we are working closely with the external company to have these delivered to you.

I look forward to seeing students at the Holy Communion Commitment Masses at the weekend. With our Parish alongside them, it will be the start of the special sacramental journey.

We hope for fine weather next week for the Secondary Inter-School Cross-Country competition. The Year 7s also embark on their camp to the Stirling Ranges. We wish them a wonderful time.

St Joseph's - Pray for us.

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.

The Enrolment and Commitment Masses for students making their First Holy Communion are on this weekend, the 4th and 5th May, 2024. Students and families are expected to attend one of the masses over the weekend. Saturday 6.00pm Holy Family Church, Sunday 7.30am St Joseph's Church, 9.30am Holy Family Church or 5.00pm St Joseph's Church. Please bring along with you the booklet that you received at the General Sacramental meeting. It contains the responses you need to make.

If you are unable to attend one of these masses, please contact Fr Joel on 98 41 1129 or Chris Palfrey, chris.palfrey@cewa.edu.au and we will work towards your child making their commitment at another mass.

Chris Palfrey Sacramental and Liturgy Coordinator

St Joseph's College proudly participates in community Anzac Day events every year. Luckily the rain held off and Head Prefects Smriti and Lachlan braved the cold, early morning to attend the Dawn Service at the Desert Mounted Corps and lay a wreath on behalf of the College. They then led a contingency of approximately sixty SJC students and staff down York Street as part of the Anzac Day Parade. Lachlan read an extract from a letter by Alf Ewen, who served in the Middle East from 1941, as part of the Commemorative Service, while Smriti and the Junior School Head Councilors, Noah and Tessa laid a wreath at the Anzac Peace Park.

For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May, dedicated in a special way to honouring and seeking the intercession of Mary as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.

"She is a woman who rejoiced in the presence of God, who treasured in her heart, and who let herself be pierced by the sword. Mary is the saint among the saints, blessed above all others. She teaches us the way of holiness and she walks ever at our side. She does not let us remain fallen and at times she takes us into her arms without judging us." - Pope Francis

May is also dedicated to recognising Mums, grandmothers, stepmoms, mothers-to-be and all men and women who in and through their lives encompass the qualities of motherhood. It's also important to realise that Mother's Day can be difficult and painful for women longing to be mothers, those who struggle with the loss of a child and those who may be estranged from their mothers.

Mary is our spiritual mother and she cares for all of us day-in-day-out, interceding for us even in the tiniest of matters. May we be inspired and as trusting in the Lord as she was.

Holy Mary, mother of God... Pray for us.

Mr Luke Bogoni - Religious Education Coordinator

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.

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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

The National Anzac Centre is a world-class facility that showcases the experiences of those who served in World War One. Last Friday, the Year 9 students visited the Centre and were able to interact with the visual and audible displays, to build on their knowledge of the Anzac Legend and appreciate that we live in what is known as 'Anzac Albany'. Students were also able to explore the nearby armoury and Fortress grounds. It was a worthwhile experience and consolidated student understanding of real-life experiences of service men and women in the Great War.

Our Kindy and Pre-Primary families are invited to STAY & PLAY on the dates listed! This is a great opportunity to spend some special time with your child and socialise with other families in your child's class. Don't forget to bring your keep cup if you would like a cup of tea or coffee.

It is that time of year again when we are getting the kids out and about! Please see our Term 2 kids club.

Come along and be mesmerised by the City of Albany Band as they present "A Musical Tour Around the World"!

This year the Go for 2 &5 Albany Kite Fiesta will be held at Anzac Peace Park, Albany from 10am to 4pm Sunday 2 June 2024 (Long weekend).

This free, popular event includes the spectacle of giant kites being flown as well as kite making workshops where families can make their own kites.

This annual, public event, supported by Healthway and the City of Albany, is attended by many hundreds of families each year, and provides a fun, educational outing during the September long weekend for young people, their parents and grandparents who live or are visiting Albany.

Please contact Basil Schur on 0429481019 or email bschur@greenskills.org.au if you require further information.

As winter approaches, we anticipate these classes becoming an excellent complement or substitute for winter sports. They will offer a safe space for children to connect with peers who share their interests and provide an avenue for creative expression within our community.

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