Saint John Baptist de La Salle

Feast Day: April 7

Patron Saint of: Educators/ Teachers

Life:

Coming from a wealthy family, John had it all - money, status, good looks and an education, but he felt God had more in store for him. After becoming a Priest at 27, he became interested in starting schools for poor youth. John threw himself into the work and devoted his life to the poor. He came across a lot of resistance but never gave up in his goal to prepare teachers to promote the Christian message. He died in 1719 at the age of 68.

Prayer:

Most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we call on you today to bless all students at our school; bless their families, too. Help our homes be places of trust and hope, peace and love, just as your home must have been. We pray for families who are hurting right now because of loneliness, arguments, unemployment, addictions, divorce or death; Lord, send them the help they need. Send us the heavenly and earthly guardian angels that our families need to find healing and a return of happiness. St John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

Thank you for all your support to our College Production last year. This year, we will be doing again Celebration of Talents (A Variety Show). We know that we have lots of talents in the college that we can showcase and celebrate. Auditions will be on Term 2 Weeks 3 - 5 Thursdays (May 15, 22 and 29) from 3:30 - 4:30pm. It is open to all of college community members e.g. students, parents, family, staff. We would love to see you unleash your talents so start rehearsing now and see you on the auditions. Thank you in advance for all your support!

Mr Richard Habal, Ms Hiedi Rowe and Mr Mark Collins

Event Coordinators

Students in year 9 HASS have been learning about the history surrounding the First World War. Our specific focus this week has been investigating the legend of the ANZAC.

Year 9 students had the opportunity to interact with “WW1 Memorial Box” from the Australian War Museum. It included objects that explore the involvement of over 416,000 Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen, and nurses – as well as those on the home front – during a defining period of our nation's history.

Stories came to life as students unpacked real and replica First World War items in this box. Items included: photographs, letters, quotes, feature articles, a mess tin, a map, a helmet, uniform, water bottle, rising sun badge and a troop magazine.

Students were given thought provoking questions to help them deepen their understanding, empathy and honour the experience of those who served in WW1.

Reflection Questions included:

1. Personal Connection: How did holding these items make you feel? Did you feel connected to the past or the soldiers who used them?
2. Imagining the Past: What do you think a soldier might have felt when wearing the uniform or using the gas mask? Can you picture a specific moment in their life?
3. Symbolism and Meaning: What do these items symbolise to you? How do they represent the experiences of soldiers during WWI?

Congratulations to Lucas, Oliver, Amber and Isabella who are the first custodians of the Joseph Bears for 2025. Bear custodians are chosen by the principal from the house points that are awarded to students and are announced at Junior School assemblies. Custodians get to look after their house bear for a week or two. Students can earn house points for a variety of reasons, from keeping our college clean, to working well in class.

The selected Year Five and Year Six students have begun their weekly Mathematics Problem solving group to prepare for the nation-wide Mathematics Olympiad competition. The group is coordinated by the College Head of Mathematics teacher, Mrs Coutts. Approximately twenty students are in the group. All Year Six students returned from last year, and have been joined by a new batch of Year Five students. The students compete in four competitions over the course of the year, which consist of five challenging problems, which must be completed within the time limit. Weekly sessions involve learning new problem-solving strategies and working through past Olympiad questions.

Every Wednesday, our enthusiastic Year 3 students visit the three-year-old Kindy class to lend a helping hand with changing library books. However, with the library currently out of action, today’s visit took on a different focus—strengthening friendships through play and storytelling!

Instead of swapping books, our Year 3s spent quality time with their younger buddies, reading stories, engaging in fun activities, and getting to know them better. The Kindy students were delighted to have their ‘big kid’ friends join them, and the bonds between the two groups continue to grow stronger each week.

These special visits are not only a highlight for both year groups but also provide wonderful opportunities for leadership, empathy, and cooperation. We look forward to more heartwarming moments as our Year 3s and Kindy students share their love for stories, learning, and friendship!

This week marked the exciting start of Year 6 swimming lessons at the breathtaking Emu Point, and what a perfect way to begin! With warm sunshine beaming down, students eagerly embraced the opportunity to dive into the water.

From the very first splash, smiles were abundant as students honed their swimming skills and gained confidence in the ocean. The stunning natural surroundings will make each lesson even more enjoyable.

Under the guidance of skilled instructors, students practiced essential water safety techniques, improved their strokes, and challenged themselves with new water skills. Whether floating on their backs, perfecting their freestyle, or simply enjoying the refreshing water, everyone was making the most of this fantastic learning experience.

Teachers and instructors were thrilled to see such enthusiasm and determination from all participants. The combination of beautiful weather, a stunning location, and eager students made for an unforgettable start to the swimming program.

As the lessons continue, we look forward to seeing each student grow in confidence and ability. With more sunny days ahead, Year 6 is set to make a splash all week long at Emu Point!

Keep up the great work, Year 6!

South Coast NRM have just launched a Threatened Species Artwork Competition to raise awareness for threatened species in the region! There are two categories for entry (colouring in and original artwork) and prizes will be awarded for the winner and runner up in several age groups. We are hoping to engage a wide range of audiences, including children and the competition suits under 6s all the way up to adults! The competition is open to anyone from the South Coast Region (Walpole all the way to Esperance and as far north as Kojonup).

More information on the art competition (including downloadable colouring in pages) is available on our website: https://southcoastnrm.com.au/publications/

We will have a number of great prizes for this event and are keen to get as many entrants as possible! Submissions are due 23 May 2025! We will exhibit the submitted artworks at an event in June and announce winners then!

Below is some information about the courses available for Years 7 - 12.

Years 11 and 12 ATAR Holiday Revision Courses

Academic Task Force is proud to present our premium April Holiday Revision Courses, scheduled during the upcoming April school holidays to prepare your students for Semester 1 exams. These courses are designed to build your students' confidence and understanding and empower them to maximize their ATAR scores.

Online and in-class options are available, ensuring flexibility to cater to diverse learning preferences. Your students can expect the following benefits from our April Holiday Revision Courses:

1. Access to some of WA's top ATAR teachers.
2. Interactive course revision and exam preparation.
3. In-depth review of the syllabus.
4. Exam question review and preparation strategies.
5. Quality course notes to support in-class learning and aid revision.

This year, we are pleased to offer courses at multiple sites/platforms, including All Saints’College , Churchlands SHS, Perth Modern & Online platform.

April Holidays – Skills Development Courses for Years 7-10

Courses available in English, Maths, Science, Essay Writing, Learning Skills and Creative Writing. Each course is 6-hours (3 hours per day, over 2 days) and is taught by a specialist, qualified teacher who will help build your confidence and develop the skills needed to succeed in high school.

The Vancouver Arts Centre has programmed some interesting learning opportunities over the Easter break.

More information is available on the Arts and Culture webpage https://artsandculture.albany.wa.gov.au/workshops/workshops.aspx

The Power of Play workshop  is focused on children 3-10 years.

P&F Easter Raffle tickets are now available here: https://www.raffletix.com.au/sjcpandfeaster2025

BLANK WALLS YOUTH ART EXHIBITION

headspace Albany is excited to invite you to their Blank Walls Youth Art Exhibition as part of Youth Week!

WHEN – Monday 31st March to Thursday 17th April (extended to Saturday 19th April)

WHEN – 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday

WHERE - Vancouver Arts Centre, 85 Vancouver St, Albany

Come along to see the original artworks and photographs by talented young Great Southern artists on the themes of “Hope” & “Connection”. You will also have the opportunity to vote in the “Community’s Choice” award until 17th April.

This Youth Art Exhibition has been organised by headspace Albany, with support from Youth Focus and the City of Albany Arts & Culture Team.

Albany Roller Derby is excited to welcome new and returning skaters to our 2025 season, and we'd love your help in spreading the word.

Registration opens on April 1st, with the season kicking off on May 1st.

Registration Link: www.albanyrollerderby.com.au/joinus

Information Session for Volunteers

The City of Albany is hosting an action packed all-abilities Laserscape session at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre! This inclusive session is open to all skill levels, ensuring a fun and accessible experience for everyone. Details below:

Date: Wednesday 23 April

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Where: Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre

Cost: $10

Carers, parents, and guardians with a Companion Card can participate for free to support their child or client - Companion Card will need to be shown on arrival (no booking required for card holders). Additionally, children under 16 years will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Registrations are now open so please register here, or see the attached flyer.

You can visit this link and teams can register there: https://bit.ly/4iLDWoG

Summary of P&F Meeting held 18th March 2025.

Easter is coming & we are now collecting Easter donations for our Annual Easter Raffle. We would be very grateful if you could pop a bunny, egg, craft, book or any other Easter item in your trolley next time you're shopping.

Junior school classrooms will have donation boxes and Senior school students can drop their donations to the canteen or office. We are looking forward to all the excitement from the students again this year!

Come and Try Golf Girls Clinic- Sunday 27th April 10-11am

https://www.golf.org.au/mygolf/programdetails/?programId=44845

Albany Golf Club are delighted to offer a free come and try day to hit real golf balls at our club as part of MyGolf Girls Month! All golf clubs, balls and equipment are provided.

This clinic is for girls only and is a great introduction for children 6 years old and above who have never played golf before / are thinking of starting out!

Ensure you have closed footwear (runners) but also don't forget to slip on a hat and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated!

Free 4 week taster Clinics for Girls- 11th May to 1st June 12-1pm

https://www.golf.org.au/mygolf/programdetails/?programId=44846

Albany Golf Club are delighted to offer a free 4 week taster program as part of MyGolf Girls Month! All golf clubs, balls and equipment are provided. This program will go through hitting, chipping and putting to give you the confidence and skills to consider playing more in the future!

This clinic is for girls only and is a great introduction for children 6 years old and above who have never played golf before / are thinking of starting out!

Ensure you have closed footwear (runners) but also don't forget to slip on a hat and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated!

Let’s Empower Families with Financial Literacy and Savings!

Saver Plus is a program designed to help eligible families develop essential financial skills and build savings for education costs.

If parents commit to saving up to $50 a month for 10 months, ANZ will match their savings up to $500 for education costs, such as school uniforms, stationary, textbooks, computers.

For more details, please visit www.saverplus.org.au or join an information session.

The MSWA Albany Swim, now in its 13th year, is a family-friendly event that brings our vibrant regional community together for an unforgettable day at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre. Teams compete in an eight-hour marathon swim, pushing their limits to cover the longest distance in support of West Aussies living with neurological conditions. By getting a team together and participating in our swim, you are helping to make a lasting impact and help our Clients focus on life, not limits.

This fundraising event is for all ages and abilities, and we would love to welcome a team from your school to take part.

How it works:

1. Get a team together:

Form your dream team with family, friends, or colleagues and take on the ultimate swim challenge. Nominate a team captain who will coordinate the swimming roster on the day! (Swimmers do not need to be there for the full 8 hours; they are welcome to come and go.)

Register here: https://mswaswim.org.au/

1. Keep the water alive:

Teams must always have one swimmer in the water for the duration of the event. All swimming styles (including doggy paddle!) and swimming aids are allowed.

1. Count your laps:

On the day, each team will be given a tally sheet to record how many laps you're making over the eight hours. At the end of the day, the team that recorded the longest distance wins!

1. HAVE FUN!

It's also more than just a day of swimming! We’ve got exciting competitions and activities lined up to keep everyone engaged— including a thrilling inflatable race, which is simply for fun!

Prizes are awarded to the Highest Individual Fundraiser, the Highest Team Fundraisers, and Team Most Laps Swum.

We also supply refreshments on the hour to keep everyone energised.

If you have any questions about our event, please feel free to reach out, and I would be happy to chat about all things MSWA Albany Swim.

Registration is now open for St Joseph's Soccer Club

Please click on the link below.

https://www.playfootball.com.au/

The City of Albany is excited to let you know that our April School Holiday Program has officially gone live!

St Joseph’s College P&F are SO EXCITED to announce that MAGGIE DENT is coming to St Joseph’s College on Saturday 24th May from 10am-12pm to present her “Mothering our Boys” seminar!!

Tickets are on sale NOW via https://www.maggiedent.com/events/mothering-our-boys-albany-wa-may-2025/

Get your tickets early as this event will no doubt, sell out!

Our P&F will also run a raffle leading up to this fabulous event - with Free Tickets!!

We warmly invite you to join us for the Stations of the Cross, which will begin this Friday, 7th March, and continue every Friday throughout Lent at 5.30 pm in St. Joseph’s Church.

This special time of reflection and prayer offers us a chance to walk with Christ through His Passion, deepening our faith and preparing our hearts for Easter.

We hope to see you there as we come together in prayer and unity during this Lenten season. God bless!