A week of lasts...but still our beautiful group of Year 12s are making lasting memories. This week's highlights - a week of dress ups, when I was little, what I want to be when I grow up and... Teacher Dress Up at the final Secondary School assembly, the return of Lapathon (for Wheelchair for Kids), and create a cake for History (Berlin Wall and Russian Revolution). Wishing all our ATAR students the best for their exams during the holidays. Can't wait to see all our Twelves and their loved ones at Graduation Mass and Presentation Night in October.

Thank you to our amazing St Joseph's College community for a wonderful term.

St Joseph - Pray for Us.

Amen.

Rachael Keenan

The College sent 4 teams along to the annual Year 9/10 Basketball competition held at ALAC on Wednesday the 24th of September competing across the two divisions.

Students competed hard throughout the day and although we did not register as many wins as we may have liked it was great to see the students giving their best efforts and enjoying the experience.

The Division one boys were out to create College history by registering a three - peat, however it was not to be as they went down fighting in the Grand Final vs ASHS. It was a massive effort by the boys given a scheduling issue meant they played six games across the day and three in a row, including the grand final, in unusual Albany September heat.

Thanks to all of our Senior School students for umpiring and scoring and a special mention to Mr Probert and Mr Picard for coaching the teams.

The Junior School Choir recently performed at the Primary Schools’ Music Festival. The choir spent the day at the Entertainment Centre rehearsing and watching other schools practicing their songs. In the evening, the choir entertained the capacity audience with beautiful harmonies and tight choreography. The thunderous applause was certainly well-deserved. The choir’s performance was exceptional, and Mrs Findlay was beaming from ear to ear.

Last week the Year 7s had an excursion to the ancient Oyster Harbour Fish Traps. The students met Menang Elder Aunty Vernice Gillies and learnt about the Fish Traps and surrounding area. Oyster Harbour is in the traditional lands (boodjar) of the Menang Noongar people and is known as Miaritch – which refers to the meeting place of the Warrecoolyup (King) and Kalganup (Kalgan) rivers, and also a meeting place of the Menang people. It is also known as the ‘home of all the fishing traps’, or mungas, with the land area adjacent to the traps known as Tamungup. Today there remains eight fish traps on the northern shoreline of the harbour which are under the protection of local Menang people.

The next generation of budding baristas and hospitality heroes attended SRTAFE on Monday of week nine to complete a range of activities within the hospitality sphere under the guidance of Mrs Lexy Adamson and Mrs Andrea Gallagher.

Students completed a variety of tasks including baking biscuits, cooking home-made sausage rolls, setting tables, carrying drinks and learning the art of milk frothing. It was a great experience with many students now understanding which fork goes where, the difference between a soup spoon and a dessert spoon and how many shots go in a long macchiato.

It was also great to welcome Mrs Nerida Williams (Coordinator Senior Secondary Pathways) and Mrs Christine Spangnuolo (Career Development Consultant) from the Catholic Education Office who overcame a few flight difficulties to attend the event and tour the College.

Thanks also to Mrs Rawat for accompanying the students.

The Year 7-12 athletics team travelled last Sunday to compete on Monday at the ACC G Division athletics carnival in Perth. The team stayed the night at Trinity College, East Perth, enjoying an evening of games, basketball, volleyball and a pizza dinner.

On Monday after an early start, they arrived at the WA athletics stadium in Mt Claremont ready for a great day of running, jumping and throwing. The team put up a fantastic effort in the carnival despite being unable to field our strongest team and finished a creditable 7th overall out of the eight schools. Many team members enjoyed excellent individual event results, and the following students did great in the individual overall placings.

Ella Tasila 5th U/19 girls

Jack Heslop 2nd U/15 boys

Andre De Giambattista 5th U/15 boys

Josh Mack 3rd U/14 boys

Richard Opuni 5th U/14 boys

Thank you to Mr Ruck, Miss Markham, Mr Blom and Miss Gill for joining us on the trip and to the team captains, Peter and Abbey, and Team manager, Charlotte, for seating an excellent example for the younger athletes and assisting with student marshaling for events.

Paul O'Donnell

Congratulations to the following students from St Joseph’s who celebrated their First Reconciliation on Thursday evening: Xeno, Patrick, Finn, Imogen, Theo, Leroy, Gianna, Donovan, Paige, Tanzi, Lillian, and Henry.

It was a special and reverent celebration. We extend our gratitude to Father Vince, Father Joel, Mrs Palfrey, Miss Lewis, and Miss Naylor for preparing the students, and to the families for their ongoing support in their child’s faith journey.

The Secondary School Choir recently entertained students at Australian Christian College and Mt Manypeaks Primary School as part of their one-day concert tour. In the afternoon, the choir sang for senior citizens at a special event at Juniper Community Centre, hosted by the City of Albany. The choir was in top form and delighted their audiences with their wonderful harmonies, choreography and acting. Every audience was enthusiastic in its praise. Comment of the day (from a staff member at Mt Manypeaks school) "That was the best live choir performance I've ever been to."

Please be advised that the date set for Confirmation and all activities have been changed from Term Three to Term Four.

Confirmation Commitment Masses: Term Four, week two, Saturday 25th October, 6.00pm Holy Family Church AND Sunday 26th October, 9.30am Holy Family Church

Parent/child workshop: Term Four, week three, Thursday 31st October 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Retreat afternoon for students and to meet the Bishop: Term Four, week five, 12th November 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Sacrament of Confirmation: Term Four, week five, Sunday 16th November 9.30am Holy Family Church.

Thank you to the families who have sent in their sacramental initiation forms. For other families, if you wish your child to make the Sacrament of Confirmation and have forgotten to complete a form, please let me know and I will forward one to you.

Chris Palfrey - Liturgy and Sacramental Co-ordinator

Year 5 students have teamed up with our Kindergarten classes as part of the Reading Buddies program in the library. Each week, the older students pair up with their younger buddies to help them explore the library and enjoy reading books together.

The program is a wonderful way for students to connect, build confidence, and grow important skills.

It’s heart-warming to see the smiles and friendships growing each week!

“I like making friends” – Albie KB

 “I like to get a book with my reading buddy” - Myles KB

 “I read with my buddy” – Ryan KB

“(I like) reading books with the big kids” – Oakley KB

“My buddy is really friendly” – Craig, 5G

“It helps you practice taking care of buddies and helps you to build your responsibility” – George 5G

“I get to make friends with the kindy kids” – Lucas 5G

“You get to see what each other likes and explore new things through reading books” – Sophie 5G

Expression of interest for a 6-week Junior Girls Football Competition throughout term 4.

Thank you to all!

The season kicks off with a Come and Try Day on Saturday, 18 October 2025, which also marks our first competition day. The season will run through to March 2026, concluding with the State Championships for interested athletes. We’re also holding a Registration Day on 11 October 2025 to answer any questions and help families prepare for the season.

A highlight this year is Albany hosting the Country Championships in January, where around 350 athletes from across regional WA will compete — a fantastic opportunity to be part of a vibrant and competitive event.

This season, we’re running a two-week rotating program featuring a variety of running, throwing, and jumping events. The program is inclusive and tailored to suit all age groups and abilities, from our youngest members up to Under 18s.

Registrations are now open!

Willow and Romeo are off to Sydney Nationals.

With their success and achievements competing for St Joseph's College in April in Perth, they have been selected to represent Equestrian Western Australia at Interschool National Championships in Sydney this coming week.

Willow and Romeo will compete in Novice Dressage, Combined Training and Working Hunter against other states.

They have also been selected to represent Pony Club Western Australia in Werribee in the sub junior teams at Pony Club Australia Nationals in Showjumping, Tetrathlon and Quiz the following week whilst over East.

We run the female cricket programs here in Albany & surrounds & have a free girl's cricket program coming up.

Kadadjiny Cup

For more info please contact: thealbanyitalianclub@gmail.com or 0437205774

We have two events coming up in November and December as part of our programs for the 16 Days in WA period. 

Visit this link for more info: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/web/albanyresidentialcollege/

All Abilities Cricket here in Albany.

Amity Health’s Communities for Children project funded by the Department of Social Services, provides funding and support to local organisations to deliver programs for families and children in the community.

For the October school holidays, Communities for Children has engaged Adam from Armed for Life, a mental health, resilience, and wellbeing mentoring organisation, to deliver two days of free workshop aimed at parents, carers, and service providers (school staff are welcome). We would greatly appreciate your school’s support in promoting these free workshops to ensure maximum engagement.

Adam is also highly experienced in presenting workshops for children and young people, with a strong history of facilitating these through schools. He would welcome the opportunity to connect with your school to offer his services throughout the region, complementing the workshops we are providing.

Adam’s contact details are included below.

adam@armedforlife.com.au

0438 938 049

Tuesday 30th September 2025 Armed for Life - Workshops for Parents, Carers and Service Providers Tickets, Tue, Sep 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

1. Healthy Men: Being a Role Model - 9:30am-10:30am
2. Managing and improving Kids Mental Health – 11:00am-12:00pm
3. Keeping Your Child Safe online – 1:00pm 2:00pm

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Wednesday 1st October 2025 Armed for Life - Workshops for Parents, Carers and Service Providers Tickets, Wed, Oct 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

1. Teaching children to make healthy decisions- 9:30am – 10:30 am
2. Bullying – 11:00am – 12:00pm
3. How to engage with children effectively- 1:00pm -2:00pm

Morning tea and lunch provided.

Join Us For The Launch of WA Mental Health Week!

The Mad Hatter Tea Party is a free community event held during the school holidays on Friday 3rd October from 10am-1pm at the Albany Town Square. Everyone is welcome to attend. For the 12th year running, the Mad Hatter event has been a valuable opportunity to unite in celebrating mental health awareness, connecting families and community members with the local mental health organisations available, and breaking down the stigma around mental health – while having some fun with the colourful Best Hat Parade and Competition. At the Town Square you can expect to see more than 20 mental health organisation stalls with free activities, live performances by local performers, interactive games, face painting, and free food including sausage sizzle and cupcakes.

Registrations are open for the upcoming season.

Below is the direct registration link:

https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/64ed0c

September/October School Holiday Events!

To book visit https://www.albany.wa.gov.au/october

Saver Plus is a free, matched savings and financial education program that helps families on lower incomes build their money skills through budgeting workshops and receive up to $500 for education-related expenses.

Participants can put that money towards items such as laptops, books, uniforms, camps & excursions.

Program Highlights:

1. Save just $50 a month for 10 months and receive $500 matched savings
2. Complete up to 10 hours of online workshops (support provided)
3. Flexible start dates – join anytime
4. Must hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
5. Income from Carer Payment or Child Support is considered as income.

Beyond financial support, Saver Plus fosters dignity, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

BOOK NOW before all SOLD-OUT!

Albany Light Opera and Theatre Co. (ALOTCo) is hosting some cool theatre workshops during the October school holidays based at the Albany Port Theatre.

‘Capture the Audience’ - Singing Workshop

One of the highlights is a workshop led by Donna Markovic, a vocal and performance coach. The workshops will focus on vocal exercises, characterization techniques, and song performance, encouraging the desire to perform

1. For school aged students 12yrs plus
2. Wednesday, Oct 8th,10:00am to 3:30pm
3. Only $50

https://events.humanitix.com/capture-the-audience-singing-workshop

'Brush Up' Theatre Makeup and Wig Care

Demonstrated by Bonnie Henderson, with a Diploma of Screen and Media with a Specialist in Hair and Makeup, at The Australian Academy of Cinemagraphic Makeup RTO: 31527. A workshop on learning how to apply special aging effects makeup for stage and professionally install wigs for theatre productions.

1. Minimum age 10yrs old
2. Sunday, Oct 5th, 1:00pm to 3:15pm
3. Only $20 plus booking fee

https://events.humanitix.com/brush-up-theatre-makeup-and-wig-care

'Set The Stage' Basics of Stage Management

Presented by Peter Cook who first learnt about Stage Management in a unit at university and then many years ‘hands on’ at ALOTCo and Spectrum Theatres.

Workshop is intended to teach the basics of Stage Management including details of responsibilities of stage managers, assistant stage managers, and stagehands; stage construction and nomenclature; communications between production crews; responsibilities towards actors and performers.

1. Intended for all ages
2. Saturday, Oct 4th, 2 sessions - 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm or 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
3. Only $10/session plus booking fee

https://events.humanitix.com/set-the-stage-basics-of-stage-management

‘Local Film Industry’ Q & A

FREE- Locally written and directed last May 2025 in Albany

Come meet local Writer, Director and producers Adam Morris and Talarah Pedrocchi, and some of the local Crew of 'Low Lie the Fields' and ask questions about the film industry.

Here’s your chance to get firsthand answers on the film industry

1. Intended for all ages
2. Thursday, 9 Oct, 7pm - 8pm

https://events.humanitix.com/local-film-industry-q-and-a

https://www.facebook.com/LowLietheFields