On Wednesday, 25 March, six Year 9-11 students attended the inaugural Student Voice Forum hosted by Bishop George and the Bunbury Diocese. Melina (Y9), Richard (Y9), Jove (Y10), Rueben (Y10), Amelia (Y11) and Rebecca (Y11) were accompanied by Mr Honter and I. Bishop George is very keen to hear the thoughts and concerns of our youth in the area of social justice so it was a real privilege and opportunity for our students to gather with other secondary students in our diocese. Special thanks to Mr Bogoni for organising the experience and I know our student leaders will be incorporating things that they learnt at the forum into our College.

To the St Joseph's Community, thank you for such a wonderful day last Friday. Our school was overflowing with joy and goodwill - from your participation on the day, and in the lead up with the planning, practice and preparation by all those involved with the Mass and Fete. It is the greatest feeling as a principal to witness students from all year levels so warmly connected and enjoying each other's company. I hope the Year 12s enjoyed the first of several "lasts" - our final lap of the Mike Biddulph oval sealed the day!

St Joseph - Pray for us

Amen.

Ms Rachael Keenan

Monster Cookie Fun in 3 Gold!

A big thank you to our amazing parents and grandparents who joined us for today’s monster‑themed cookie cooking. The students had a blast mixing, stirring and shaping their chocolate‑chip dough into all sorts of googly‑eyed creations to match our class theme.

Once the trays went into the oven, the real entertainment began. The students lined up in front of the glass like it was the IMAX theatre, watching eagerly as their cookie monsters puffed, spread, wobbled, and slowly transformed into tasty baked masterpieces. There was cheering. There was intense commentary. There was even one student claiming their cookie winked at them.

Thank you to everyone who offered to help — I could only fit so many chefs into the Home Economics room, but don’t worry, you’re all on my speed dial for next term. A big thank you to Mrs Trahair for letting us use the space.

What a fun, flour‑filled morning!

Thank you

Mrs Cavanagh and Mrs Dallimore

To commemorate Harmony Day, please have your student wear a splash of orange with their regular school uniform on Thursday March 26th, to show support of diversity and inclusion, and to be a school where everyone feels they belong.

Thank you from The Peer Support Team.

This year, St Joseph’s College will once again be partnering with UWA to deliver the Children’s University program to interested students in Years Four to Six.  This program fosters curiosity, a love of learning and encourages young people to voluntarily participate in fun learning experiences outside the classroom. Children keep track of their activities in a Passport to Learning, earning stamps and hours towards graduation goals. Children who complete at least 30 hours of eligible annual activities are then invited to an end-of-year graduation celebration with their families and school staff.

Mrs McGlade and Mrs Piercey will be coordinating Children’s University this year at the College. A representative from UWA will also be visiting the College in period 6, this Thursday to provide information to students in Year Four, Five and Six who may be interested in joining Children’s University. 

Saint Oscar Romero

Feast Day: March 24

Patron Saint of: El Salvador & persecuted Christians

Life:

Oscar Romero was the Archbishop of San Salvador from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1980. In a time of civil war, he became outspoken about the the human rights violations in El Salvador. He became a voice for the poor with his weekly radio broadcasts and denounced the violence. After urging soldiers and police not to kill the innocent, he was shot dead the next day while offering Mass. The world today needs more figures like Romero - leaders with the courage, faith and love to stand up for the poor against injustice.

Prayer:

Loving God, Give us the strength, to be humble, to be faithful, to stand with our sisters and brothers. Give us the strength, to be like our brother Oscar, completely committed to Christ. Amen. St Oscar Romero, pray for us.

This Lent, our school community has been supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, walking alongside our global family to ensure that when people face disaster or emergency, they don’t do so alone.

Families in Gaza have endured catastrophic conditions. Frontline staff at Caritas Jerusalem – many of whom have been displaced themselves – have been standing alongside and serving families whose lives have been disrupted by this devastating war.

Despite these challenges, including displacement, destruction and danger, the dedicated team continues to deliver critical emergency support. They remain committed to serving families in need in the hope that Gaza can rebuild.

Watch the story of Ahmad, one Caritas Jerusalem staff member, HERE to learn more and thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

During the Lenten season we are challenged to embrace the three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. This year we asked every student in the College to write down someone or something that they would like to pray for.

Whether our students prayers be for family members, pets, good health, world peace and more, we know that the power of prayer is transformative and although we may not always get what we want, by faith we can be confident that we will always get what we need.

"Remember that you are never alone, Christ is with you everyday of your lives" - Saint Pope John Paul II

There is to be a General Sacramental Mass and Meeting for families of students who wish to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation during 2026 on Thursday the 26th March. The Mass will be held at Holy family Church and will commence at 6.00pm. The evening is not expected to last beyond 7.30pm. The expectation is that families need to attend. If you are unable to attend, please contact myself via Direct Message, or contact Fr Vince or Fr Marvin on 98 41 1129 so that alternate arrangements can be made. Thank you.

Sacramental Initiation forms will be available for completion if you have not forwarded your form to me already.

Chris Palfrey

Liturgy and Sacramental Co-Ordinator

Last Tuesday the Year 7-12 students assembled at ALAC for the annual Inter-House swimming carnivals. It was a great day of competitive swimming and exciting team-based novelty events with both contributing points to the overall house shields.

After a tough day of racing the final results were:

Middle School

1st Cunningham 660pts

2nd Ozanam 464 pts

3rd DeVialar 457pts

4th McCormack 358pts

Senior School

1st McCormack 490pts

2nd DeVialar 428pts

3rd Cunningham 409pts

4th Ozanam 344pts

Congratulations to the following students who were the champions and runners up in their year groups.

Year 7 girls runner up Indi V

Year 7 girls champion Indi B

Year 7 boys runner up Mason B

Year 7 boys champion Benji

Year 8 girls runner up Sadie B

Year 8 girls champion Nicolette T

Year 8 boys runner up Isaiah S

Year 8 boys champion Mackenzie S

Year 9 girls runner up Abi M

Year 9 girls champion Mahayla S

Year 9 boys runner up Heath W

Year 9 boys champion Josh M

Year 10 girls runner up Hope V

Year 10 girls champion Ellie-May S

Year 10 boys runner up Connor G

Year 10 boys champion Jack H

Year 11/12 girls runner up Hien N

Year 11/12 girls champion Lillian M

Year 11/12 boys runner up Daniel C

Year 11/12 boys champion Reef P

The students selected in the team for the upcoming Inter-School carnival have been notified and will be competing on Wednesday 25 March.

Students from Years 4-6 participated in the Junior School Interhouse Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 17th March. It was a great day of swimming with excellent participation and sportsmanship being shown. DeVialar house once again were the winners of the carnival; well done, DiVialar swimmers!

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Runner-Up and Champion medals.

Year 4 Girls: Henley Kinsella (Runner Up), Harlow Bootsma (Champion)

Year 4 Boys: Max Curnow (Runner Up), Charlie Probert (Champion)

Year 5 Girls: Nina De Giambattista (Runner Up), Emilia Hobbs (Champion)

Year 5 Boys: Arlen Joynes (Runner Up), Jed O'Donnell (Champion)

Year 6 Girls: Daisy Tyson (Runner Up), Georgia Montgomery (Champion)

Year 6 Boys: Fintan Kinsella (Runner Up), Luke Molenda (Champion)

On Monday 23rd March, students selected for the Interschool Team competed in the ADPSSA Carnival at ALAC against swimmers from Great Southern Grammar, Bethel Christian and ACC. It was a day of fierce competition, and some very close races were swum. St Joe's finished in second place on the day. Well done to Harlow Bootsma (Year 4 Champion Girl), Charlie Probert (Year 4 Runner Up Champion Boy), Emelia Hobbs (Year 5 Runner Up Champion Girl) and Luke Molenda (Year 6 Runner Up Champion Boy).

Congratulations to Harlow Bootsma who was the recipient of the Dowie Medal for Outstanding Effort in Swimming. Harlow was her year level champion for both carnivals, always competes with fairness and great spirit and is a positive role model for her peers.

This April, we’re celebrating Youth Week with an exciting Mario Kart World Tournament on the brand-new Switch 2!

Students are invited to test their racing skills, compete with friends, and enjoy a fun, high-energy gaming experience.

Whether they’re seasoned pros or just love a friendly race, this event is a great way to connect, compete, and celebrate Youth Week together.

Registration Info on the Library Events Website

On Tuesday St Joseph’s College P&F hosted the launch of local Albany Author Gleni Bailey’s latest book “Angel Bunny’s Sleep Muffin”.

The kids had a great time listening to Gleni’s stories and doing some bunny activities afterwards. Thank you to Gleni Bailey and best wishes to her for the release of this book and for her many stories still to come. You will find Gleni’s books’ Chooky’s Salon, Magpies Four and Angel Bunny’s Sleep Muffin at Paperbark Merchants.

A big Thankyou to Louise D’Addario for all of her organising, to Sarah Nash for supporting the P&F, to Dallys Ralph from The Muffin Queen for the lovely Muffins and fruit and especially to the children & parents who came along to support the event.

City of Albany WA Tree Festival program

The WA Tree Festival is an annual celebration of trees that enhance our suburbs, support our wildlife and enrich our daily lives.

Now in its fifth year, the City of Albany has put together a program of events including a native plant giveaway*, expert talks, art workshops, and school holiday activities.

To view the program of events, please visit https://www.cityofalbanyevents.com/wa-tree-festival

*Registration required – please see website for details.

If you are interested in learning the rules of Pickleball then Albany Pickleball Club are running a beginners session on 29th March at 930 – 1030am at Lawley Park (unless raining).

You just need to register: albanypickleball23@gmail.com

It’s free and aimed at ages 12+

Albany Pickleball Club are running it, City is sponsoring. Could be good PD. It’s being run by Jayne De Silva who is an ex Pickleball Champion & who has played at the highest level.

SCHOOL OF ROCK

May 2026 – 12 performances

https://bit.ly/school-of-rock-albany

“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.

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!

Supported by The City of Albany - Community Development Grant

https://www.facebook.com/AlbanyLightOperaTheatreCompany

#alotco #schoolofrockmusical #schoolofrockalbany

Dental Therapy Centre opening hours April School holidays

Spencer Park Dental Therapy Centre will be CLOSED during the April School holidays. We will reopen

Monday 20th April. If you have a dental emergency, please contact Yakamia Dental Therapy Centre

on 9841 3498.

All appointments are now sent to your home address. If you have moved recently, we may not have

your correct address and your child could miss out on their appointment. If you no longer intend to

use our service, please let us know as soon as possible as your valuable appointment could be given

to someone in need. Your child is eligible to attend a Dental Therapy Centre from ages 5 to 17.

Please contact us to update your details either by phone: 9841 3967 or e-mail: spencerparkdtc@ health.wa.gov.au

The staff at Spencer Park Dental Therapy Centre would like to wish all children and parents a happy and safe break.

Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre will be running a 2-day Bronze Medallion Course on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026 (the middle weekend of the school holidays), from 8:00am – 3:00pm each day.

We will also be able to facilitate Bronze Medallion requalification's on Saturday 11 April.

If you would like to register your interest for your child (or yourself), please email alacswimschool@albany.wa.gov.au.

Course Fees:

• Bronze Medallion Course: $215.00

• Bronze Medallion Requalification: $110.00

Fees will be payable upon enrolment.

Please note that a minimum of 6–8 participants is required for the course to run.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Swim School on 6820 3420 or email alacswimschool@albany.wa.gov.au

Year 7 Transition Information Packs

The Saver Plus flyer is ideal for sending to parents or including in your Year 7 transition information packs.

Starting high school is an exciting milestone for young people and their parents/carers, and Saver Plus is here to help families manage some of the education‑related costs that come with this transition.

Saver Plus is open year‑round to eligible parents and carers. However, we often see families seeking support when higher costs arise. Families with children currently in Year 5 can begin setting a savings goal now in preparation for Year 7 in 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants need to:

1. Have not completed Saver Plus before
2. Hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
3. Receive an eligible Centrelink payment*
4. Be studying themselves or have a child in school (including children starting next year)
5. Have regular income from work (themselves or their partner), including Carer Payment, Child Support, or cash‑in‑hand work
6. Be 18 years or older
7. Participate in free online MoneyMinded workshops

How families can enquire

If families would like to check their eligibility or request a callback, please share our enquiry link:

Saver Plus – Join Australia’s longest-running financial education and matched savings program

They can also call our national number, 1300 610 355, to speak directly with a Saver Plus Coordinator.

St Joseph’s Junior Soccer Club is looking for volunteer coaches and team managers for the upcoming season. No experience needed – just a willingness to get involved and support the kids!

👉 Training: Thursday afternoons (with plenty of support from other coaches)

👉 Games: Saturday mornings

The committee will provide guides, drills, and ongoing support – you won’t be doing it alone!

It’s a fantastic way to be part of the club, support your child, and help make the season possible for all our players 🙌

Under 7s, 8s & 9s (yr 1, 2 & 3) especially!

📩 Send the committee a message via Facebook or email!

Email: stjosephssoccerclub@gmail.com

April School Holiday Program + Youth Week 2026

Easter Raffle time is here!

This Raffle is open to our St Joseph's Community only and there's 100 prizes to be won!! 🤩

Tickets are $2 each so buy a few & hopefully your child wins!! All proceeds are going to our School Playground projects so please support us to be able to provide for our children. 🙏

Gotta be in it to win it so Good Luck everyone!

https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=ffwfn

Summary of our last P&F meeting.

We are aware that some junior soccer clubs across the U13–U18 age groups have experienced difficulty filling teams for the upcoming season. Albany Rovers Football Club is still seeking players for several of our junior teams, specifically U13 and U14/15, and we want to ensure that no young player misses out on the chance to participate this year.