Retravision Stadium sparkled on Saturday as students arrived for the Shimmering Tides Ball. The ocean‑inspired theme, complete with glowing lights and elegant décor, set the scene for an unforgettable evening.

The dance floor was packed from the first song, with students dancing, laughing, and capturing memories at every turn. Dressed in their finest, they embraced the spirit of the night—celebrating friendships, celebrating achievements, and simply enjoying being together.

As the final song played and the lights dimmed, students left with tired feet and glowing smiles. Shimmering Tides proved to be a truly magical night and one that will be remembered fondly for years to come.

Zero2Hero will be thrilled with the heroic spirit of St Josephs students, with many of them dressing up as their heroes. Everyday heroes seemed to be the theme again this year, with many students dressing up as the people the admired most in their personal lives or take inspiration from. We saw more than one Travis Head, many nurses and police officers, and workers from all walks of life, showing us who our kids really look up to. 

Winners for best hero costumes went to Harry, Year 3 – Fireman, Jordan, Year 5 – Western Power Linesman, and Freya, Year 7 – Artist Frida Kahlo. Honorable mention to Super Heros Staff Sharleen Cavanah and Peter Findlay!

Thank you for supporting Hero Day 2026 and raising over $280 for Zero2hero.

We are pleased to announce the 2026 SS Student Leaders in Years 7-11. These students have been chosen for their positive example, service to others and commitment to the values of St Joseph’s College. They will also be working closely with our Year 12 Prefects throughout the year to support a strong and vibrant student leadership culture.

Year 7: Allegra Xhindole and Benji Dryhurst

Year 8: Amelia McLeish and Henrik Heslop

Year 9: Richard Opuni and Maddie Kay

Year 10: Jove Hannagan-Wood and Jack Heslop

Year 11: Bridie Fisher and Rebecca Guenther

We congratulate all students on their appointments and look forward to the enthusiasm and responsibility they will bring to their roles this year.

Student Leader badges will be presented at the St Joseph’s Day Mass on Friday, 20 March.

Hello parents and caregivers at home

As in previous years, preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation will be undertaken throughout the year primarily for students in Years Three, Four and Seven. If you wish your child from another year level to participate in one of the Sacraments please contact myself and I will assist you. In 2025 we had a number of Secondary Students being welcomed into the Catholic Faith and this was very uplifting. The only prerequisite is that your child has been Baptised. If you wish to have yourself or your child/children Baptised, please contact the Parish Office (April) on 98 41 1129 between the hours of 9.00am and 12.30pm Tuesday to Fridays and ask for a Baptism Initiation Form. Once this form has been completed and returned, Father Marvin will liaise with you further.

Any queries please do not hesitate to contact me via Direct Message.

Chris Palfrey

Liturgy and Sacramental Coordinator

The Maestro and the Golden Leaf

Word of the Week is brought to you by Mrs Goodlad's Year Eight English.

Each week our class will be introducing you to new & interesting words that will boost your word library. Vocabulary is crucial because it acts as the foundation for language, enabling effective communication, reading comprehension, and academic success. A strong vocabulary allows for clearer self-expression & better understanding of complex information.

We challenge you to use these words in your day to day life... perhaps your wattle birds are brazen bullies who pick on little honey eaters, or maybe there was a brazen theft of the last piece of sushi from the fridge.

“As vocabulary is reduced, so are the number of feelings you can express, the number of events you can describe, the number of the things you can identify! Not only understanding is limited, but also experience. Man grows by language. Whenever he limits language, he retrogresses!”              Sheri S. Tepper (author of A Plague of Angels)

You have to be in it to win it!

St Joseph's College students have twice been winners since the competition opened to youth in 2022.

There are both 2D and 3D categories for ages 5–12 and 12–18, with $250 prizes on offer. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase your talent and recognise your creativity.

Mrs. Goodlad can help with mounting your artwork so it looks its amazing best. Entries close on March 6, so there’s still plenty of time to get involved! Just click on the link below.

https://artsandculture.albany.wa.gov.au/exhibitions-events/great-southern-art-award/great-southern-art-award-2026.aspx

The St Joseph’s College Year Twelve Prefects participated in the 2026 GRIP Leadership Conference held last Tuesday at the Albany Entertainment Centre. The event brought together emerging student leaders from across the region, creating a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and shared purpose. Our prefects represented the College with pride as they engaged in a variety of workshops and interactive sessions designed to strengthen their leadership confidence and capabilities.

Throughout the day, our prefects explored a range of leadership principles that they can apply both within the College community and in their future endeavours beyond school. The conference emphasised practical skills, integrity, teamwork, and the importance of leading through service—key themes that align strongly with the College’s own values. The experience provided our Year Twelve Prefects with new ideas, strategies, and inspiration, ensuring they are well‑equipped to contribute positively to student life in 2026.

Saint Gabriel

Feast Day: February 27

Patron Saint of: Students and young people

Life:

Born in 1838 to a large Italian family, Gabriel was a popular and cheerful young man whose spirit of prayer, love for the poor and consideration for others made a deep impression on everyone he met. He was an example for young and old and was made a Saint in 1920.



Prayer:

O Saint Gabriel, we wish, like you, to grow in love for God. Remember us in our trials, especially those who are young. Support us by your prayers all our days. And when this life is done may we join you in heaven in the company of Jesus and Mary. Amen. St Gabriel, Pray for us.

This Lent, we’re invited to Unite Against Poverty with Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. This year, we'll be sharing four inspiring stories of resilience and strength that show the kind of transformative change that we can play a part in achieving:

1. We will first be introduced to Sisilia, a young student from Tanzania, who often missed classes at school because she had to walk long distances to collect water every day.
2. We’ll also get to know Monoranjon from Bangladesh, who is using climate-smart farming to feed his family and build a safer, more sustainable future for his children.
3. We’ll meet Manaini, a mother of six and a grandmother of two from remote Fiji, who is learning food processing skills to create new income opportunities.
4. And we’ll shine a light on Caritas Jerusalem staff in Gaza, who have endured displacement, personal loss and danger, yet remain committed to providing life-saving support to those in need.

Watch Caritas Australia’s Introduction to Project Compassion film HERE to be inspired by these stories and learn about the impact your support can have on vulnerable communities around the world.

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Hero Day is back! On Feb 25th, for a gold coin donation, students can come to school dressed as their favourite hero, real or imaginary, and raise money for Zero2Hero - A WA based organisation championing mental health skills for youth across WA. We've had many students become mental health champions, through Camp Hero, which runs in the School Holidays. Past graduates who attended this program continue to use their skills in their chosen life pathways. Zero2Hero will also be working with our Year 7 and 9 students, later in the year. To learn more about Zero2Hero camps, programs and the In Your Head Youth Conference, go to www.zero2hero.com.au

If your child does not want to dress up for Hero Day, please have them wear their normal school uniform. Students will need proper footwear for phys ed and trade training, so please bring clothes/footwear for those classes, if you student chooses to dress up.

Be a hero this Hero Day and dress up for a worthy cause! Thank you for supporting Zero2Hero.

Best wishes,

Peer Support Team & Mrs. Dechief

The Saints Swimming Club is a college run swimming club developing swimming technique and fitness. The Junior Squad is made up of students from Years Four-Six (and Year Three in Term Two onwards of each year).  The Senior Squad comprises students from Year Seven-Twelve. Students in both squads must be able to swim 25m of breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke. Training commences for 2026 on Friday 13 February.

Both squads train during term on Monday and Friday from 3.30 – 4.30pm with training commencing on the first Friday of each term and finishing on the last Monday of each term. The club is coached by College PE staff Mr Paul O’Donnell and Mr Andreas Bouzinekis, Mr Andrew Ruck, Miss Kelley Grove, and parent, Mr Ben Kagi.

The Saints Swim club welcomes swimmers from Years 4-12 to try the swim club during Term One but the official swim season will commence in Term Two. All swimmers need to have completed Stage 7 swimming.

Swimmers joining or returning for 2026 will need to complete the swim club permission form available on the College website. Should you have any further queries about the club please speak to Mr Paul O'Donnell (Secondary) or Mr Andreas Bouzinekis (Junior).

To raise awareness for Project Compassion, Mr Bogoni is running a colouring competition for the Junior School.

There will be three competitions, with a winning and runner up prize for each year grouping:

1. Year 1 and 2
2. Year 3 and 4
3. Year 5 and 6

There are two colouring options for students to choose from which they can get from their teacher or from Mrs Nash in the Library. When finished, students can hand it in at the Library so it can be part of our Lenten display. Sheets are due by Monday 23 March, with the winners to be announced at a later date.

Happy Colouring!

We are excited to deliver our April Holiday Program at Albany Entertainment Centre.

The program embeds The Kids Research Institute’s framework for social-emotional wellness using drama activities. All levels of experience invited to attend.

We are excited to invite teachers and student teachers to an upcoming Generative AI (Gen AI) Workshop designed specifically for educators.

Delivered by Curtin University Library, this hands-on session will explore practical ways to use Gen AI tools to enhance lesson planning, differentiate instruction, support assessment, and save valuable time—while addressing ethical and responsible use in schools.

Workshop Highlights:

1. What Gen AI is
2. Practical classroom applications of Gen AI
3. Prompt-writing strategies for educators/teaching and study
4. Safe and appropriate use for education
5. Bias, ethics and copyright
6. Interactive demonstrations and guided practice

This workshop is suitable for teachers across all subject areas and year levels, as well as pre-service teachers preparing to enter the profession.

The Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre in conjunction with KIDSPORT are offering all eligible children aged 5-18 a FREE 3 month pool pass.

To be eligible, children need to be listed on a current Concession or Healthcare Card. Applications will be accepted up until 19th April 2026.

Ocean Heroes is coming back.

The Albany Rovers Football Club is calling for any interested junior players to join the Rovers Club for the following divisions:

1. U13s
2. U14s
3. U16s
4. U18s

For enquiries, please contact: rovers@outlook.com.au

St. Joseph's Shrine Invitation

Headspace Albany in Term 1

1. B.E.S.T. (for families with young people)
2. Wise Minds (for young people 12-15 years)
3. Delving into Neurodivergence (for neurodivergent young people 12-25 years - diagnosed or not)
4. Common Ground (for young men 16-25 years)

Grandparents raising their Grand children group we run monthly in Albany. We meet for morning tea at the local CWA branch. The group is to provide connection, support and share information. This month we have guest speaker from Anglicare Financial Counselling.

WA Museum Great Southerns 200 Years ... 200 Words Writing Competition.

Awesome prizes including your work being published, have it aired on local radio and be included in an anthology plus prizes from sponsors Paperbark Merchants.

SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE, IT’S TIME TO ENROL!

Southern Edge Arts has now released our Term 1 workshops for Albany and Denmark. We also have a special program running for students to enrol in our Kaarla Wirren workshops and be a part of our Kaarla Wirren performance. 

Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company

presents SCHOOL OF ROCK

Albany Port Theatre

“Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme, you better get me to school on time!'

Featuring a cast of over 30 talented local performers and musicians, Albany Light Opera Theatre Company (ALOTCo) presents School of Rock - a high-energy, feel-good production for audiences of all ages. (Contains mild adult themes.)

Based on the hit 2003 Paramount film, School of Rock is a two-act musical (with intermission) that follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There, he discovers a classroom of straight-A students with serious musical talent - and transforms them into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can they make it to the Battle of the Bands without being caught by their parents or the school’s uptight headmistress?

With new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book by Julian Fellowes, and lyrics by Glenn Slater, the musical features 14 original songs by Webber alongside iconic tracks from the film. Show-stopping numbers like ‘You’re in the Band’ and ‘Stick It to the Man’ have become modern rock-musical favourites, while the electrifying finale, ‘Teacher’s Pet’, has audiences on their feet.

Complete with a sensational live kids’ rock band, School of Rock is a joyful celebration of music, confidence, and the power of teamwork.

Director & Choreographer: Lachy McLean

Musical Director: Kathryn MacNeil

Starring a talented local cast and musicians in every live performance!

Don’t miss the ‘next generation’ as ALOTCo rocks the stage!

Follow our pages for updates: www.facebook.com/AlbanyLightOperaTheatreCompany/ or www.alotco.com.au

Tickets: Child / Concession / Student: $35

General Admission: $40

Companion Card holders welcome.

Row Seating - 4 weekends only

May 2026

Friday 1st 7:00pm, Saturday 2nd 7:00pm, Sunday 3rd 2:00pm

Friday 8th 7:00pm, Saturday 9th 7:00pm, Sunday 10th 2:00pm

Friday 15th 7:00pm, Saturday 16th 7:00pm, Sunday 17th 2:00pm

Friday 22nd 7:00pm, Saturday 23rd 7:00pm, Sunday 24th 2:00pm