FriYay! Attached is a photo of my Year One (Blue) Chinese class this week. They have been learning the names of farm animals and we made masks to practice the new words.

Please take note of the following as we enter Week Ten next week:

From Monday 17 June, there will be Ulster Road closures and detours. Please plan your journeys and be patient at drop off and pick up times. I would strongly recommend Secondary School students get picked up a little later than normal so the traffic can ease a bit.

Cybersafety expert and regular College guest speaker, Paul Litherland, will be presenting a Parent Session on Tuesday, 18 June 6pm. Students from Year 5-12 will be listening to sessions with Paul throughout the day.

Zero2Hero Day on Friday 21 June. Everyone at the College is encouraged to dress up as their hero.

Transforming Lives Strategy (Aboriginal Education). The College will be working on our framework and goals with key Catholic Education consultants next week and I look forward to our formal launch this year.

Week Eleven is shaping up to be a busy but enjoyable final week of Term Two.

1. We will be starting our NAIDOC Week with a special whole school assembly on Monday at 9am. The Aboriginal Education Team have organised activities for our students on Tuesday and Thursday. We will bookend our celebration with a NAIDOC liturgy on Friday.
2. Also on Monday, the Aquinas College choir will be visiting our school and will perform to Year 4-12 students period 3.
3. Wednesday will be our Harmony Day and students and staff are encouraged to wear their national dress.

Parents are requested to go to the office if you are dropping off lunch to students during school hours. We will see that it is passed on. Please do not take it to the classroom as it may interrupt the learning programme.

Parents and students are asked to download of reports from SEQTA. Requests to have reports printed after a student leaves the College (e.g. moves school or after Year 12), costs $25.

My sincere thanks to members of the school community who have contacted me about concerning social media accounts and posts. It is a breach to use the College crest without my approval, and any social media activity which puts the school in a negative light will be dealt with; this may include contacting the relevant authorities. Any student involved in this sort of activity may put their enrolment at the school at risk.

From 17 June lane closures will commence along Ulster Road while Water Corporation’s authorised contractor DM Civil undertakes essential work replacing a pipeline under Ulster Road.

Detours will be in place during this work.

The work will begin at Lower King Road and progressively make its way to North Road. The first stage will see stop-start traffic control for a few hundred metres along Lower King Road (from the Ulster Road intersection) and a lane closure from Lower King Road / Ulster Road intersection to Hardie Road.

Traffic travelling from Lower King / Bayonet Head towards North Road will need to detour along Collingwood and Angove Roads. The northbound lane for traffic travelling from North Road towards Lower King / Bayonet Head will remain open.

Signage will be in place for the nearest Hospital / Health Campus access.

For the safety of the workers and community please follow all traffic signs and reduced speed limits.

Please see the attached map for more detail of the Stage 1 detour. The Project webpage Ulster Road Pipeline Replacement has a map showing the stages and the associated timings. This will be kept updated throughout the Project. You can also sign up for email updates of each stage via the webpage.

Water Corporation appreciates your patience and understanding while this critical work is completed.

This week the Year Seven students had the fun of unpacking and building things from the new 6in1 packs purchased this year. The Bricks Pack contains 360-degree servos, LED strips and almost 200 brick pieces. Together with the well-designed assembly instructions and courses, it helps the students learn coding in a fun and easy way, as well as how to build blocks in many different and interesting ways.

Creativity Is Not Limited to These Six Building Designs. It is only Limited by Their Imagination.

I am very excited to see their imaginations soar to new heights and watch their delight when the code works exactly how they imagined it would.

Mrs Cav

2022 WA Australian of the Year Paul Litherland returns to St Joseph’s College next week to connect with the students and parents, giving his annual insight into the world of cyber safety for children and teens. On Tuesday, June 18^th, Years Five to Twelve will see an hour-long presentation, equipping them with the most up to date information on how to safely navigate the online world. 

A parent presentation will take place in the Gymnasium at 6:00 pm. We consider this evening imperative for families and strongly encourage attendance to help keep your children safe online. A number of door prizes will be given away to those in attendance, with Paul donating five Qustodio Parental Control App one-year subscriptions (valued at $150 each) and three copies of his recently published autobiography, while the College is giving away a $100 Retravision voucher. 

We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday evening.

On Friday June 21 2024, our school is taking part in zero2hero Day, a mental health awareness day. This annual event encourages students to dress up, stand up and speak up for youth mental health - dress up as their favourite superhero or somebody that inspires them, stand up for their own mental health and encourage their peers to do the same in a safe environment, and speak up when support is needed.

WHAT: ZERO2HERO DAY

WHEN: FRIDAY JUNE 21

TO DO: Encourage your child to dress up, stand up and speak up by coming to school as a superhero. Remember a superhero can be ANYBODY who inspires them.

Here are some dress up ideas;

A nurse, firefighter, soldier or police person.

A cape and a mask n

Their fave socks that make them feel super n

Their favourite sports team

Superhero face paint

Their favourite movie character

Dress as someone influential in their life (a grandparent, for example) 

A crazy, colourful hair-do

We recognise mental health as being an important conversation to have with our youth. With stigma often suppressing open discussion of mental health issues for young people, we want to take part in zero2hero Day to encourage the discussion of these issues in an open and safe environment.

zero2hero is a WA based youth mental health charity that is dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people and preventing suicide in Australia. Each year they educate, engage and empower more thousands of young people, to unleash the heroes of today, to become the leaders of tomorrow. 

Beautiful singing can be heard coming from the Undercover Area every Thursday afternoon as the Junior School Choir rehearses. With seventy-five students from Years Four - Six choosing to sing in the choir, it is not surprising that St Joseph's is gaining the reputation of being Albany's singing school. We are learning a song by JS Bach and another beautiful song called 'Stars'. We have recently begun a clever arrangement of 'Polly Wolly Doodle' complete with boom-whackers and kazoos! We can't wait to perform it for the Junior School when we've perfected it.

On Wednesday the Year 11 and 12 Volleyball teams took a break from their exams to contest, for some of them, their final ever Inter-School tournament. Some of the Year 12 students involved have been training and playing for five years and have dedicated themselves to the quest for Volleyball perfection.

The boys team had a great day, finishing third, with some impressive games and play along the way. Their first match against eventual winners, ASHS boys, went into overtime after being drawn at the end of play. Congratulations to these boys for their impressive performance.

The girls team went in as favourites after having won the previous two years in a row, but were going to have to overcome the other teams who were keen to topple them from the mantel. The girls built steadily throughout the day playing some excellent Volleyball and working hard to reduce their own errors. The team progressed through to the final against ASHS, whom they had defeated in the final in the previous two years. St Joseph's took the first set in a close fought battle before ASHS steadied to take the second set to force a sudden death third set. The game was tense but played at a very high level and when the final siren blew, St Joseph's were up by one point to be crowned champions three years in a row!

Congratulations to all of the students for their commitment and passion to Volleyball throughout their Secondary schooling. I hope it is only the beginning of the Volleyball journeys.

The Year 7 and 8 girls and boys AFL football teams competed at the recent Great Southern Inter-School carnival. The teams had completed several lunchtime training sessions and practice matches in preparation for the carnival under the watchful eyes of the Senior School student coaches.

The boys' team had a great start to the day but tapered in the afternoon matches, finishing third overall on the day. The girls' team were fantastic from the first match and won all of their round robin games. They lined up against Denmark again for the Grand final and played excellent football to win the Championship. The coaches, Charlotte C and Leilani W, had a difficult time choosing a player for the team player award with so many quality options. Congratulations to Anima O for taking the award.

Thank you to the numerous student assistants who helped on the day and with the training sessions.

Over the course of this term, all Junior School classes have been working through URSTRONG's Friendology 101 curriculum. So that you can best support your child at home, you are invited to take advantage of a FREE Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources – including an 8 session video series. This will allow you to learn the same language & strategies being taught in the classroom through the Friendology 101 curriculum. All Junior School parents and guardians have been sent a Direqt message with further information. We hope that, as a URSTRONG family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, & kindness at home.

Michelle Lister & Jim Morcom

Heads of Junior School

The application deadline for parents, guardians and carers to apply for the Student Assistance Payment is Friday 28 June 2024. There is a significant number of families in Albany who are yet to claim the payment and I am keen to support them to make their claims.

Claims can be made via the ServiceWA app or via this form, which can be printed and made available to families: WA Student Assistance Payment - claim form (education.wa.edu.au)

I encourage every family to submit their application as soon as possible to ensure they receive the payment.

My office is happy to assist families with their applications. The Albany Public Library also hosts Digital Drop-In Sessions every Wednesday morning from 10am to 12noon and is assisting families with their applications at no cost. Visit: Events » City of Albany Library

Best Regards,

Rebecca Stephens

Member for Albany

We are thrilled to announce that the YAL Connect Scholarships open this Saturday, the 15th of June!

YAL offers scholarships to students aged 14-25, covering up to two years.

Our scholarship program empowers young Australians to overcome barriers and continue their educational journey with holistic support and financial aid.

Key Details:

Applications Open: June 15

Applications Close: July 31

Eligibility: Students aged 14-25

We invite you to help us spread the word about this incredible opportunity! By sharing this information with your networks, you can help us reach more students who could benefit from our support.

Click here to apply online.

Ahoy, adventure seekers!

Set sail for a month of excitement at the Maritime Festival! From 28 June to 31 July, the City of Albany transforms into a hub of nautical fun.

Dive into our treasure trove of events now listed on our website: https://bit.ly/4c3qM3O

Featuring an exciting lineup of events, from live music to art exhibitions, film screenings, markets, wine tastings, sailing opportunities, author talks, and activities for children like hunting for treasure – the Maritime Festival promises something for everyone.

Autism and Anxiety : practical strategies for supporting teens Webinar.

Online webinar is happening on Wednesday June 19.

The MACC is an ADF Careers Centre on wheels, bringing the opportunity of a career in Defence to regional and remote areas of Australia. Visiting MACC is a valuable way to learn how the Navy, Army and Air Force can offer much more than just a career.

This month CLA is offering an amazing Mindful Mandalas workshop in partnership with Parenting Connection and Denmark Art Club. This workshop is free and open to support staff and parents of children with disability. NON CLA Support Staff and parents of Non CLA participants are also welcome to attend. Morning tea and all art materials will be provided.

Spaces are limited so please book your spot today by contacting reception as soon as possible.

For any further enquiries please contact Claudia on 9843 3855 or email reception@mycla.org.au

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Pride Lands as Albany Children’s Theatre brings to life this beloved Disney classic.

Based on the 1994 film and the iconic Broadway musical, this enchanting show brings the timeless tale of Simba, the lion cub destined to be king, to life on stage like never before. Witness over 80 talented young local performers as they sing, dance, and roar their way through this heartwarming story of friendship, courage, and the circle of life.

From the stirring opening number 'Circle of Life' to the Academy Award-winning ballad 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight', every moment of this production is infused with the unforgettable music of Elton John and Tim Rice. Get ready to groove along to the lively 'I Just Can't Wait to be King' and join in the carefree spirit of 'Hakuna Matata'.

Join Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, and an unforgettable cast of characters on an epic journey of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. With stunning costumes, dazzling performances, and timeless music, Disney's The Lion King Jr promises an experience that will leave audiences of all ages spellbound.

Tickets are available from the Albany Entertainment Cente box office 9844 5005 or online at:

https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/venues/albany-entertainment-centre/whats-on/disneys-the-lion-king-jr/

Please find information about Academic Task Force – July Holiday Skills Development for Yr 7-10 and July ATAR Revision Courses for Yr 11-12.

Visit website below for more information.

https://academicgroup.com.au/july-holiday-courses/

UWA Albany is holding an Information Session for the Smart Start Enabling Course for students considering this entry pathway into university in the future.

Smart Start offers you:

1. A course delivered over 14 weeks or one semester gull-time study (or equivalent port-time);
2. The opportunity for entry into first-year degree studies delivered through Albany campus upon successful completion;
3. No fees are charged for this course;
4. A supportive study environment;
5. The opportunity to learn new skills and experience the rewards of university life; and
6. Contemporary coursework that provides an excellent foundation for university and lifelong learning.

Applying for Smart Start:

The application steps for the Smart Start course can be found here and are listed below.

1. Apply online

Fill in an application form here — uwa.edu.au/albany/Study-at-Albany

Be sure to attach a copy of your Australian Residency to your application.

2. Complete two literacy and numeracy tasks

Complete the English & Maths tasks either in person at the Information Session or online using the links below.

Written Task

Maths Task

These tasks are simply to gauge the support you may require in these areas.

3. Attend the Information Session

You should attend the Smart Start Information Session held prior to every semester.

(semester 1 entry — December & January; semester 2 entry — 19 June 2024 10am).

You can register for the next session via the link here or emailing uwa-albany@uwa.edu.au

4. Attend a short interview

Attend a short interview, either in person at the Information Session or online. This interview is an informal chat about your future study plans.

Today we launched our media campaign ‘Blanket Albany’ here at Triple M Albany!

Not everyone gets to go home tonight! Homelessness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life and here at Triple M, we want to help our community!

Across 4 weeks from Monday 20th May, we’ve partnered with Harvey Norman to run a blanket drive, asking everyone to donate any new or unused blankets to assist our efforts.

On Saturday 15th June, we will be hosting a live broadcast between 8am-10am where we will spread the donated blankets out over an area, seeing how much of that area we can cover. We will then take all the donated blankets and distribute them among local charities supporting the homeless population ahead of the cold winter months around Albany.

Main drop off locations from Monday 20th May – Friday 14th June:

Harvey Norman Albany

Triple M/Hit FM Albany

The Empty Bobbin

Get ready to enter a world of “Pure Imagination” and join ALOTCO as we present a mesmerising production of this much-loved story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. An amazing chance for theatre goers of ALL AGES to join this incredible production, an experience not to be missed!

Director – Lachy McLean

Assistant Director – Fiona Kuiper

Musical Director – Neville Talbot

Co-Assistant Musical Directors – Matthew Clarke & Will Elms

Choreographers – Kelly Seaton & Lachy McLean

Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) and a book by David Greig. The score also pays homage to the Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley score from the 1971 film with songs from the motion picture including "Candy Man", "I've Got a Golden Ticket", "Oompa Loompa Song" and "Pure Imagination".

The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory... but only to a lucky few. Charlie Bucket, an imaginative boy with a knack for making something out of nothing, dreams of acquiring a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's over-the-top chocolate factory and can't believe his luck when it actually happens. Fellow contest winners: the gluttonous German, Augustus Gloop; Daddy's spoiled rotten princess, Veruca Salt; chewing gum celebrity, Violet Beauregarde; and over-amped computer hacker, Mike Teevee, have no idea what they're getting themselves into as they each learn lessons about selfishness and greed from Wonka who is not only out of his mind but potentially dangerous. With Wonka's world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka's army of curious Oompa Loompas. You'll devour this family friendly adventure that's full of mouth-watering visuals that "Must be Believed to be Seen".

Information Night: Thursday 13th June 6pm

Auditions: Saturday 29th of June and Sunday 30th of June

Performance Dates: October 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th and 27th

Stay tuned for more information and the Audition Pack coming soon! https://www.alotco.com.au/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-australia

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

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.

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.