Whilst their time at the College is now behind them, I must acknowledge the outstanding results of last year's Year 12s. Our ATAR students did incredibly well, as reported by the media. Even against over 40 Catholic schools in WA, St Joseph's was a high achiever. In a nutshell, 84% of our ATAR students achieved ATAR scores above 70, 31% over 90, and 15% over 95. Our students have been offered university places in the areas of Medicine, Law, Agriculture, Business, Computer Science, Information Systems, Education, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Environmental Science, Pharmacy, Dental Studies and Studies in Human Society. Such a diverse range, which truly reflects our community.

St Joseph's College was one of only 9 regional schools in our state to be recognised as a top performing school in the two courses - Religion & Life and English.

Well done to the class of 2025. I am so proud of you.

St Joseph - Pray for Us.

Amen.

Ms Rachael Keenan

Principal

Our Year One students have made a wonderful start to the school year! From day one, they arrived proudly wearing their uniforms, full of confidence and big smiles. The classrooms have been buzzing with curiosity and enthusiasm as students eagerly engage in learning, make new friends, and settle into school routines.

This story was shared at the Secondary School assembly today by Deputy Principal, Mr Landells, and I loved it so much, I wanted to share it with you. It captures the hopes I have for all our students as we begin a new year.

A tourist once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making a statue of God.

Suddenly he saw a similar statue lying nearby.

Surprised, he asked the sculptor, “Do you need two statues of the same thing?”

“No” said the sculptor without looking up, “We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage”.

The tourist examined the statue but did not find any apparent damage.

“Where is the damage?” they asked.

“There is a scratch on the nose”, said the sculptor still busy with his work.

“Where are you going to place the statue?”

The sculptor replied that it would be placed on a pillar 5 metres high.

“If the statue is that far up who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?” the tourist asked.

The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the tourist, smiled and said, “I will know it!".

The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone appreciates it or not.

Excellence is a drive from the inside not outside. It is not for someone else to notice but for your own satisfaction and efficiency.

Don't climb a mountain with an intention that the world should see you, climb the mountain with an intention to see the world.

A very warm welcome to our new families and staff to the College. Next Thursday after school will be our Parent Information Night, and we will have a sausage sizzle sundowner on the go where you can meet members of the P&F and our College Prefects. I hope to see you there.

I thought you might like to see the giant crane that was onsite today - our building project continues but it is on track for completion. Thank you for your understanding with regard to disruptions.

St Joseph - Pray for Us

Amen.

Do you have a child or young person who:

1. needs urgent mental health advice?
2. is in crisis and needs urgent mental health support?
3. needs to go to an Emergency Department to get help?

CAMHS Crisis Connect provides phone and online videocall support for children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as support and advice to families, carers and professionals in the community.

CAMHS Crisis Connect aims to provide expert help to children and young people quickly, when they need it most.

This includes:

1. Specialist urgent tele-mental health support
2. Crisis management
3. Telehealth mental health and risk assessment
4. Follow up within 24 hours of receiving an assessment or discharge from local emergency department
5. Linkage to local Emergency Departments and mental health services, including Child Adolescent Mental Health in Albany

Who can access the service?

The service is available to:

1. children and young people
2. ages 17 years and under via telehealth,

Support, advice and guidance for referral for:

1. families and carers
2. general practitioners
3. school psychologists
4. teachers
5. community nurses
6. health professionals

For 18 years or over

If you are aged 18 years or over, please call the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) on 1300 555 788. 

How does the CAMHS Crisis Connect service work?

This is a free service, available by calling 1800 048 636, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In term Swimming lessons will be held in Weeks 2 & 3 for Year Five and Six students. Please be aware of the following details

1. Year Six will attend Lessons in Week 2 only.
2. Year Five will attend lessons in Week 3 only.
3. Lessons will be held at Emu Point and will be 80 minutes in duration.
4. Further details will be available via consent to go including parent consent.

Please find attached some info for the students and parents regarding TransAlbany Bus Travel for 2026.

Calling all creative young people of Albany!

Breaksea is thrilled to announce that Breaksea Youth Ensemble will return in 2026 with two dynamic performance streams: Vocal and Dance.

Meeting weekly during term time, this vibrant ensemble will be fully integrated into Breaksea’s upcoming productions, giving participants the chance to build skills, confidence and friendships while creating bold, professional work. Supported by Healthway, young performers will develop singing, dance and performance skills through inspiring workshops and real performance opportunities.

Across Terms 1, 2 and 3, the ensemble will collaborate with local and visiting professional artists to rehearse and perform in a music video for a brand-new commission by electro/pop duo Flood The Moon. In the second half of Term 3 and throughout Term 4, participants will take the stage in Breaksea & West Australian Opera’s The Song Catchers, premiering at Albany Entertainment Centre on 23 & 24 October 2026 — an unforgettable performance experience. At its heart, this program nurtures self-love, connection, bravery and empowerment, grounded in evidence-based research through the Sew-Arts Framework. It’s about young people finding their voice, their confidence, and their place in a creative community.

Early bird registrations close 31 January — places are limited, so book your spot today!

REGISTRATION FORM

PAYMENT FORM

Weekly sessions on Sunday mornings from 9am or 10am for 8 weeks during the school term. Focused on games-based learning and on course play. (Feb 8th start)

Click here for more info Golf.com.au

I’m getting in touch on behalf of the organising team for Walk for Jacob 2026, a community event raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charity. This family-friendly event is being held in honour of Albany local Jacob Wills who lost his battle with High-Risk Neuroblastoma in June 2023. Jacob would have been part of the current 2026 Year 9 cohort, and I believe that there are students at all of your schools that went to Albany Primary School with Jacob.

We would be very grateful if your school could help promote this event to your families through your newsletter, communication apps, or social media.

The Walk for Jacob brings together families, students, and local community groups in a colourful, positive event that aims to celebrate Jacob’s memory while supporting other families in need.

Event Details:

Walk for Jacob 2026

When: Saturday 21st February 2026 from 10am

Where: Middleton Beach to Emu Point (return) – 8km, but participants are encouraged to choose their own distance

Other details: Wear bright colours, then enjoy a sausage sizzle on the grass at the finish line to celebrate your achievement.

Registration: TryBooking – https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1517879

More information: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SFeWcbhVr/

We have just received word that Bayview Dr will remain closed for at least another two or three weeks.

Please see below and linked information about Academic Group Term 1 – Tuition for Years 7 - 12 and Master Classes for Years 10, 11 and 12.

Term 1 - Academic Task Force - Tuition for Years 7 - 12

Term 1 - Academic Associates - Master Class for Years 10 - 12

Enrol online: www.academicgroup.com.au | Phone: 08 9314 9500