Recently Westcourt students spent a day in Melbourne city completing an ‘amazing race’. Students found it really enjoyable as well as highly educational as they competed to visit various landmarks, historic sites and places of interest. In speaking with students after their return a number commented on the number of homeless people on the streets of Melbourne.
Coincidentally, last week year 11 art students completed a collaborative installation in the Pat Bourke exhibition space adjacent to the College reception. The installation focuses on homelessness, includes visual art pieces, soundscape and an incredibly realistic ‘fire tin’. Many of our students will visit as part of their Religious Education class in coming weeks. Students and staff can donate a warm coat or jacket at the entrance, to go to Vinnies to support the homeless.
Tomorrow as part of our commitment to both sustainability and support for those in need many students will be taking part in ‘Eddy’s preloved thrift shop’ at lunchtime in the gym. Lots of stalls with lots of bargains!
St Joseph’s has (in my opinion!), one of the most impressive full winter uniforms of any school. Our year 12 boys look particularly impressive with their year 12 tie which really makes them stand out. We expect that every student will be in full and correct winter uniform, including the blazer, as they travel to and from school each day during terms two and three2 and 3. This makes a statement of pride in the school and themselves. Sloppy, incomplete or badly worn uniform sends the opposite message.
The commemorative year 12 hoody is usually only permitted to be worn as part of the change to summer uniform in term four. This year we have an outstanding group of year 12’s who have worked cooperatively with staff throughout the year. As a result, year 12’s may wear their commemorative hoody as part of uniform from Tuesday 22 August. Year 12 school photos will be taken on Monday 21August and require all students to be in full and correct winter uniform up to and including that day.
Later this year Australians 18 years and over will be voting in a referendum to change to the Australian Constitution. This change would see the creation of Federal advisory body of First Nations people to provide advice to the Parliament on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Many individuals and organisations feel strongly one way or another about this referendum. St Joseph’s College student leaders have indicated that they support a ‘yes’ vote and intend to engage in advocacy in our community prior to the referendum. The College supports this position and notes that it is in line with that of Edmund Rice Education Australia and the Archbishop of Melbourne. A ‘yes’ vote is also aligned with our Touchstones, particularly ‘Justice and Solidarity’.
We are also acutely aware of our obligation as an academic community to provide the information to support each individual making up their own mind on the referendum question based on fact rather than rumour or misinformation. Accordingly, we have arranged for prominent advocates of both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes to visit the College and speak to senior students.
Senator Sarah Henderson and indigenous advocate Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO are advocates for a ‘no’ vote. We were delighted to welcome them to speak to senior student leaders and interested staff and students earlier today. Arrangements for a ‘yes’ advocate to visit are still being confirmed.
The College Finance committee and Advisory Council are currently considering school fees for 2024. We are committed to keeping increases as low as possible while ensuring that we can continue to offer high quality education and provide state of the art facilities, low staff student ratios and a variety in learning experiences including camps and excursions.
A St Joseph’s College Education offers outstanding value. We have a single all-inclusive fee which includes a laptop and has very few additional levies. From 2024 year 7 and year 10 students will be issued a higher specification laptop with flip touchscreen capacity, increased battery life and greater processing power. We do not have a lower year seven fee which then increases as students progress through the school. The long-planned redevelopment of the arts precinct including expansion of the College Learning Centre to include a senior independent study centre will also commence in 2024.
Our average fee increase over the last three years has been significantly lower than CPI. While a fee has not been set for 2024 yet, early indications are that it will need to be greater than in recent years and we will advise families of the quantum of any increase as soon as possible. As always, we remain committed to providing support for any family whose financial circumstances require.
Finally, next week we look forward to the visit of Fr Emmanuel Kiwanauka, the parish priest of Mannya Uganda with whom we have worked to develop St Joseph’s Vocational Secondary School in Kensekka. It will be great to have Fr Emma at St Joseph’s and for students, staff and families to hear first hand about progress at Kensekka. The annual Fashion Dinner run by the Parents and Friends Association directs all proceeds to Kensekka. This event usually sells out and will be held on Friday October 20. Tickets go on sale this Sunday and can be accessed here.
God Bless
Tony Paatsch
Principal
TIME Project Update
The subject selection process for all students has now been completed, and our College Timetabling team are tasked with creating the subject blocks for our students. In the context of a secondary school timetable, a subject block refers to a designated time or period during the school day when a specific group of subjects are taught. These blocks are created on student choice, and the College Leadership team analyses this information to make decisions regarding which subjects have the support from the student cohort to warrant running in 2024 and those subjects that are not viable due to a lack of student interest.
At Mt Sion, this is where the relationship between Sacred Heart College and St Josephs’ College is crucial, as the College leaders discuss subjects that are on the fringe of running or potentially where we are over-prescribed with student interest and we look at ways we can share classes to support student choice and support individual learning pathways. Both College's timetable teams then work on building our subject blocks, by allocating the subjects to a block to minimise the impact on student choice. This is guided by a timetabling program that works on an algorithm to try and build a pattern that provides the maximum opportunities for students to get the subjects they have allocated. Naturally, each year some students need to revise their program due to subjects clashing in blocks, or lack of numbers to warrant a class running, but the aim is to meet the greatest access for all.
Once this process is done our students are assigned to the blocks, and we begin to build their timetables. The College timetable team will continually inform senior students if there is an issue in their senior pathway and discuss alternative options. Early Term 4, before 2024 booklists are released, students in Westcourt and Waterford will also be informed of their elective choices and towards the end of Term 4 the College’s Headstart will be released.
For students in Year 12 next year, one of the major changes will be the opportunity to study from home on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, subject program dependent (e.g. some students will have VET or structured workplace learning). The College library will also be available for independent study, but students will need to ensure they are aware that school-based assessments (SAC’s) may occur on these afternoons, so they will be expected to ensure they manage their calendars effectively and be aware of when they are required to stay at school. Currently, our Year 12 students have this opportunity on a Wednesday only, but by restructuring our timetable, we have been able to create more time for independent study.
For students in Years 10 and 11, they will also be given a supervised self-regulated learning period once a week. This is not a study period as such, but there will be an opportunity to use this time to devote to learning new and prior learnings. Self-regulated learning (SRL) is an active, constructive process and one that requires support, scaffolding, and explicit teaching as our students' self-regulatory practices develop. The focus is on teaching students how to set goals, manage their time, choose effective study strategies, and monitor their progress. The goal is to equip them with skills that go beyond specific assignments and enable lifelong learning. The lessons will be led by our teachers who will incorporate specific strategies and techniques for independent learning. While guidance is provided, the emphasis is on students taking responsibility for their learning and developing skills that extend beyond a single study session, enabling students to become better learners over time and adapt their strategies to various subjects and situations.
Over the coming weeks, we will continue to update you with the changes to the 2024 timetable.
Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews and Mid-Semester Reports
A reminder that Parent Student Teacher Interviews have moved to Week 7 of our term, where they had previously been held at the end of term.
Key dates include:
- Mid-Semester 2 Reports will be released on Friday 18 August.
- Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews Open through PAM Friday 18 August and close Wednesday 23 August
- Parent Teacher Interviews
- Interviews on Thursday 24 August will be Face to Face in the College Gym
- Interviews on Friday 25 August will be online via Teams (link in PAM)
Note: Friday 25 August is a student-free day.
Lisa Pope
Deputy Principal - Learning
Homelessness Immersive Art Installation
Mrs Spark’s year 11 Art Creative Practice class has been working with the current Artist in Residence, Lauren Barton over the past five weeks to transform our Pat Bourke Gallery into an immersive art installation. The class selected the social issue of homelessness as their theme and have worked tirelessly to bring together an installation that has a huge visual impact due to the influence of American installation artist, Barbara Kruger. This stylistic influence can be seen in the black, white and red colour palette and the large text and imagery that covers the inside of the representational cardboard box of the gallery walls. Lauren has been a visionary artist to work with and the students learned a lot from the experience. The installation aims to raise awareness of homelessness in Australia and the whole school community is encouraged to quietly walk through the space, read the text and listen to the street soundscape. The exhibition will continue until 31 Aug.
Artist Statement by Lauren Barton
As an Artist in Residence, I was given the opportunity to lend my expertise to the Year 11 Studio Arts Class by working on a collaborative project. The class had decided to focus on the issue of homelessness as their social justice theme, and they hoped to transform their Gallery space accordingly. When I was informed that Barbara Kruger was their influential artist, I was immediately inspired to generate several ideas that would fit perfectly with the homeless theme, incorporating Kruger's signature minimalist colour palette of Red, Black, and White.
One idea that came to mind was to create an immersive installation that would allow the audience to experience the sensation of being inside a large box. To achieve this, we boxed up all the windows and allowed only crepuscular rays of light to enter. Drawing inspiration from Kruger, we came up with bold statements and thought-provoking questions that would encourage the audience to ponder their response to the issue of homelessness. Additionally, we used Red, Black & White tape to cover the entire gallery space, further emphasising Kruger's colour palette while highlighting the importance of found objects that can be used to conceal the changing environments of people living on the streets.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience that pushed the students beyond their comfort zones while creating an artistic experience that was heavily influenced by Kruger's work. Our goal was to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in Australia and provide viewers with a controlled experience that would enable them to empathise with the struggles of those who are affected by it.
Lauren Barton
Identity News
Faith in Action Connecting to Community - Year 10 Renewal Days 2023
To compliment the Year 10 Religious Education project about social justice, we were able to provide our students with a well-rounded immersion into homelessness. The Year 10 Renewals occurred last week on August 1 and 2, and began with a guest presenter Mike, from ‘The Intersection’. The students participated in a creative workshop facilitating social ‘intersections’, where students personally engage with ‘the other’. ‘At The Intersection, we challenge you to meet the other, because diverse connection and empathy are vital to creating a liveable city. Homelessness, addiction and racism are symptoms of a deeper problem of disconnection. Most of us are unaware of our tendency to categorise humanity and our addiction to stereotypes.’ With a focus on empathy and compassion, the presentation allowed the students to reflect on those on the margins and understand the complexities around the causes that perpetuate homelessness and ways to breaks through stereotyping and categorising. Instead, explore ways to invite human connection and empathy. Harrison Brown (Foley E) commented that the message included, “Knowledge that just giving people money, does not solve their problem,” whilst Rindho Dunlop (Foley E) came to realise that people with housing insecurity should, “not be judged the same way and to ask questions and be respectful.”
A liturgy in our chapel helped connect the reasons behind the need to assist others, particularly reflecting on Matthew’s Gospel about the parable of the sheep and the goats, where Jesus imparts that helping the poor is in fact helping Him.
The afternoon was spent visiting and volunteering at one of six non for profit organisations including, Vinnies, The Salvation Army Thrift Shop, Geelong Mums, Feed Me Bellarine, Feed Me Geelong and Feed Me Surf Coast. Taking-action in our community, and being of service to others, ‘doing’ rather than just learning, has made for a powerful experience for the Year 10s with many commenting that it felt good to contribute to helping others in or community doing it tough. Many were particularly overwhelmed about the regular weekly volunteers they met and the admired their generosity. Orsen Lloyd (Brophy F) explained that he, “Really enjoyed working with the people there and [he] was very appreciative of the time they all take out of their days to help those in need.”
Thank you to all the families that contributed to the ‘Geelong Mums’ drive. They were so delighted and appreciative of the items we had collected, particularly nappies as they had run out. We are so lucky to have supportive families get behind our students and our community for such an important issue.
This experience complements an amazing art installation that has been created by our Year 11 Art Creative Practice students taught by Rebecca Spark, alongside our current resident artist, Lauren Barton. The installation raises awareness of homelessness in Australia and the students have turned the whole art gallery into a giant cardboard box with lots of interesting facts and stats to read. There is also a bonfire and a street soundscape that makes it feel quite real. The class was influenced by an American artist named Barbara Kruger, who creates large installations with the same colour scheme of red, black and white. Classes have been invited to respectfully go and engage in the installation and ponder the questions posed.
Pope Francis has shown time and again how the Church can and should care for and love homeless people and those living on the margins and to see in them the same dignity and worth we see in those lucky enough not to be marginalised.
And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Luke 3:10-11
Belinda Milverton
Faith Development Coordinator
Celebrating the connections between our Year 7 Students and their Mothers and Mentors at the Time & Space Event
On Tuesday 8 August, we welcomed back Bill Jennings to lead our Time & Space Mother/Mentor and Son Event. It was wonderful to see so many of our Mums, mentors and Year 7 students reflecting on their transition into secondary school. After a set of warm up ice breaker activities, a welcome, Acknowledgement of Country and Prayer, Bill lead a series of interactive interactions. Thanks to a group of student helpers who attended a pre-training session, they gained leadership and organisational skills. Along with some volunteer mums, they led 16 groups who met in K Block classrooms for a guided conversation circle. The student leaders and helpers gained Service Learning hours and House points for their efforts and were praised, ‘I was really impressed with the boys from older levels who were helping. They were polite and really enthusiastic which was lovely to see. They were obviously prepared and briefed well on their role.’
Some reflections from Year 7 students:
The ice breaker was nice because not only did I meet someone new in an older generation, but I also met a potential new friend of mine.
It was great having a conversation with not just my mum but other mother figures about how life’s going at the moment.
It was fun to talk to my mum and to answer questions and get to know her.
I enjoyed the conversation and treasure sharing because I learnt about the challenges and positives my mum had with me.
I love this and I think it was an amazing opportunity for everyone to see and get to know each other and to hear what they have to say about their journey in their life.
That everyone was open and it was good to hear other people’s opinions.
Every one gave the small group a go and we had a very good chat.
All of my generation had very mature answers and the older generation really noticed that.
Some reflections from the mothers and mentors:
A great, positive experience for both of us.
It was great hearing from students and parents about their experiences. Very honest answers from all. Made you feel not alone in the journey we are on!
Great questions, I learnt things about my son I didn’t know.
Thank you for organising this very special Mother and Son evening, my son and I enjoyed it very much.
Been a fantastic evening, thank you so much for the opportunity to bring us together. Highly recommend.
It was beautiful, it was lovely to have a in depth conversation just the two of us.
It is encouraging open communication with my son.
It was delightful, listening to other students and was really interesting.
Mary Malone
Director of Identity
The call to be a disciple – World Youth Day reflections.
In Pope Francis’ opening remarks, he reminded young people of how much they are loved by God. ‘The Lord does not point his finger but opens his arms, embraces us all, as we see with Jesus on the cross, who opened his arms so wide to be crucified and die for us,’ he said. ‘Jesus never closes the door, never, but invites you to enter; Jesus receives, Jesus welcomes.’
When Jesus calls us, he went on, he calls us ‘as we are’. ‘We are called as we are—with the problems we have, with the limitations we have, with our overflowing joy, with our desire to be better, with our desire to succeed …
“Think about this. Jesus calls me as I am, not as I would like to be. We are a community of brothers and sisters of Jesus, sons and daughters of the same Father.” – Pope Francis.
On the 24th of July I embarked on a pilgrimage for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, via Rome and Assisi, Italy. I did not know what to expect, part of pilgrimage is to be open to the unknown, to be open to the spiritual plan that God had for me, and for the group of 85 other emerging leaders whom I travelled with.
Over this time, we had the privilege of meeting with and listening to a range of influential Catholic leaders including; Fr Stephen Wang PhD, Rector of the English College, Sr Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of Synod of Bishops, Chiarra Porro, Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and unexpectedly, the Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Each of these people spoke independently of knowing what the others had shared with us. What became apparent to me were the similarities in the messages, and the thread that was revealed. To understand the call to discipleship is to understand God’s love. The community and communion that God has with us. I was privileged to be in a small group of Melbourne pilgrims who were able to meet with the Holy Father for a forty-minute Q&A. A surreal experience. In this, Pope Francis spoke of the need to accompany the young people whom we work with and to meet them where they are at, just as Jesus did with St Peter. This is a profound, yet simple notion, as teachers and as a school it is important to always remember our purpose. What we are called to do and who are we called to be? How do we as a broader St Joseph’s College community strive to push our young people to be themselves, to deeply engage/reengage in their Catholic faith and to be people who live a life in service of others?
These are the questions that keep coming back to me as I have left the sunshine of Lisbon to return home to Geelong. Our faith tells us that to be a disciple is to, at least in part, find the quiet, listen and discern deeply and to walk the path of life, knowing that Jesus will find you on the journey.
Charlie Purdy
Religious Education Curriculum Area Leader
A video from @melbournecatholicschools Instagram of Charlie Purdy reflecting on his time in the Emerging Leaders Program.
Foley Falcons Soar to Victory in Year 7 House Football
The Year 7 House Football competition held throughout July and August proved to be a thrilling spectacle, with fierce battles on the field and outstanding displays of teamwork and skill. The competition complemented the four friendly matches scheduled for Year 7 students this term, competing against Iona, St Ignatius and two games against Emmanuel College Warrnambool.
These collective events highlighted the exceptional sporting abilities of the Year 7 students. With an impressive turnout of more than half the year level (156 students) participating in this term's matches, those who took part in the House Football matches not only gained valuable experience but also relished the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of senior students.
Throughout the regular season, Jordan dominated with three impressive victories. However, wins were evenly distributed among Foley, Brophy and Butler, leading to Foley earning a spot in the Grand Final based on percentage. The stage was set for an intense showdown as the Foley Falcons, deemed underdogs, clashed with the undefeated Jordan Redbacks.
In a jaw-dropping display of determination and skill, the Foley Falcons soared to victory, emerging as 28-point victors in the Grand Final. Led by an outstanding group of players including Harry Lyons, Harrison Nuske, Harry Clark, Jackson Gurrie and Harrison Hester, the Foley team left no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory. Harry Lyons's remarkable performance earned him the best-on-ground medal in the Grand Final, a fitting recognition of his contribution to the team's success.
The Jordan Redbacks, led by tournament MVP Benjamin O'Brien, displayed incredible skill throughout the competition. Unfortunately, O'Brien's absence in the Grand Final due to injury posed a challenge for the Redbacks. Nevertheless, Ewan Millard, Arthur Wynn and Adam Abboud demonstrated their unwavering dedication and skill on the field.
The battle for third place saw the Butler Sharks triumph over the Brophy Bees in a close contest. Angus May, Willem Van Uijtert, Flynn McCoy and Levi Roberts stood out as integral members of the Butler team, consistently leading their side to victory.
The Brophy Bees had their shining moments as well, with a standout second-half performance of five goals to nil against Foley, securing a triumphant victory in the final match of the regular season. Elliot Farrelly, Romeo Nishimwe, Lincoln King and Malachy Jones demonstrated their exceptional abilities and contributed to the team in each match.
Our gratitude extends to the coaches of each house, who played an instrumental role in organising the boys and instilling values of sportsmanship. Brophy's coaches were Thomas Burke (1st XVIII Vice-Captain & Geelong Falcons player) and Jack O'Brien; Butler's coaches were Hamish Poole and Miller McKeegan; Foley's coaches were Ethan Borys (1st XVIII & Geelong Falcons player) and Mark Tomasovic; whilst Jordan's coaches were Archer Jones and Blake McMahon.
The success of the house football competition aligned perfectly with the College's football program objectives, providing an enjoyable sporting experience that facilitated connections, developed athletic abilities, and honed character and leadership skills. The Year 7 students have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the field, embodying the spirit of teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship that the College values so high.
Chris Lynch
Timetabler
Our 2023 Inaugural Humanities Great Amazing Race
In Humanities, we have been learning different units including History, Civics, Commerce and Geography. In week four of term three, our whole year level had the amazing opportunity to be a part of The Great Amazing Race. The purpose of the event was to consolidate what we are learning in Humanities and to build our team collaboration and problem-solving skills. We were allocated class time in Humanities to complete a range of preparation tasks which equipped us with key navigational skills, knowledge about locations and strategies to work as a team. The Great Melbourne Race was a thrilling experience of going to various parts of Melbourne’s CBD whilst solving clues, taking photos, videos and collecting treasures. We visited iconic landmarks of Melbourne, including the Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament House, MCG, Sandridge Bridge and the National Gallery of Victoria. We were given responsibility to work in teams and design our own route based on a point-based system. The race rule was that teams had to use trams or foot racing together. This was challenging but very rewarding. Students felt a real sense of achievement when their race strategy was a success! Our 2023 Amazing Race champions will be announced and presented with prizes and medals at our next Westcourt Gathering.
Firstly, we started at The Shrine of Remembrance and had to take photos at different commemorative stations around the parameter of the Shrine including the post WW2 fountain and the Driver statue. One of the bonus points at the Shrine was to locate a significant plague and Memorial Tree which opened in April this year. The significance of this station was that it highlighted the changing nature of commemoration. It acknowledged the lasting impact of warfare on soldiers particularly Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. From there, we walked along St Kilda Road. We passed the Police Memorial which we learnt gives recognition to all of the Victoria Police who have died while on duty. We were surprised by the names and ages of those who have died. We also discovered the impressive green spaces in the city, including the Queen Victoria Gardens and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
We reached our check-in base of Federation Square and were given the task to untangle each other in a circle. Before we knew it, the race begun, our team ‘Trojan Horse’, consisting of Harry, Ryan and myself rushed to the Royal Arcade and saw ‘Gog and Magog’, two large statues that strike a bell every half hour. Once we accomplished the certain set challenges, we went to Chinatown. We learnt that Melbourne has a rich multi-cultural heritage and celebrates the traditions, cuisines and cultures that have settled in the city. Our team completed a team jumping photo in front of one of the five arches located between Swanston and Exhibition Street! Ours was judged by the SJC Staff as one of the best so we each received a fortune cookie. We were also challenged to pick up as many additional bonus points throughout the race. We discovered inspiring art everywhere in Melbourne, hidden in nooks and crannies, over, under and around street corners. Students needed effective time-management skills to be back at Federation Square for a puzzle challenge which was to work out the meaning of the Aboriginal word for Melbourne, Naarm. Free donuts were given to the teams who solved the puzzle!
Throughout the day we raced and planned every move that we were going to make to give us the best fighting chance of winning. The set time to make it back to Federation Square to go on the bus was 1:30pm, at 1:22pm our team was stuck at the National Gallery, we hadn’t planned for this. Once we collected the pamphlets we crossed the road and rushed back to Federation Square. At 1:26pm we were halfway on the bridge we collectively picked up the pace to a jog. 1:28pm we picked up the pace to a run, the sun was beating down and time was becoming a burden. Before we knew it, we were there, at 1:29pm. We handed in all we needed to and finally finished the Amazing Race. The day was fun and an experience to remember. It taught us skills of planning, collaboration, communication and responsibility. We also learnt how to navigate around the city of Melbourne.
Congratulations to all students who participated in the event with great enthusiasm. Special thanks to our Humanities teachers, Ms Ashlee Tanner, Mr David McNeel, Mr Peter O’Connor, Ms Adele Watt, Mr Luke Parsons, Ms Kerry Drever, Mr Nathanael Smith and Mrs Annalee McKew who all helped prepare us for a memorable day.
Alexander Mihicinac, Ryan Bilston and Harry Windmeyer.
Year 9 Humanities Students
VCE Study Options
A VCAA presentation outlining the available pathway options.
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/administration/schooladministration/notices/2023/Pages/114.aspx
SJC Music Live 2023
Not since 2019 have we been able to celebrate the musical talent of our students at the SJC Music Live Event on Thursday 14 September.
This year we are rolling out the red carpet to showcase our students spectacular talent as they take us through the different genres of musical geniuses of not only international stars but celebrating our very own St Joseph’s Alumni with their Arts Achievements.
Tickets will go on sale on Thursday 17 August and can be purchased here.
Tickets $20 per adult, children under 15 free. Table of up to 10 guests available, BYO food and drinks.
Fashion Dinner
TICKETS ON SALE THIS SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST at 5pm.
Individual tickets and tables of up to 10 available, fill a table or organise a few friends to join another table, it is a fantastic night to catch up, see some amazing Spring Fashion and support a worthy cause.
$120pp includes 3 course meal, SipSip cocktail on arrival, a donation to the SJC Vocational School in Kensekka and a $100 voucher for Eyewear on Pako.
Gartland, The Ponds and SipSip by 63degrees continue to support the Fashion Dinner along with the 12 Fashion Houses that are already lined up to bring the Fashion to the Eyewear on Pako Runway. There are eight amazing Live Auction items, alongside a huge silent auction and fantastic raffle prizes up for grabs on the night.
Any questions regarding, donations, table sponsorships, ticketing or being involved in the Fashion Dinner Committee, please contact Jodie Warrick [email protected]
Jodie Warrick
Events and Community Engagement Coordinator
Nauiyu Daly River Immersion Reflections
We have recently returned from sharing in an unforgettable experience that 12 students had the privilege of being a part of – The Daly River immersion. This trip was not just an opportunity for us to explore the Northern Territory, but it was also a journey of growth, learning, and building of lasting memories.
We would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to our school administration, teachers, and parents for their unwavering support in making this immersion possible. Without their efforts, we would not have had this remarkable experience.
During our eight day journey, we engaged in various educational activities. On the first night we visited Nungalinya College, where we had the opportunity to learn about the importance of culture in kinship, land, ceremonies, and values. This lesson challenged our perspectives and enriched our knowledge regarding life before settlement.
Our next destination was carefully chosen. We set out to the remote First Nations community of Nauiyu, Daly River on the traditional lands of the Malak Malak people. The community has over 450 residents with 10 different language groups. There we discovered a place rich in culture and history.
We spent four days helping out at the school where we connected with the kids and we learnt a lot from them. With most of us never being exposed to their lifestyle it was really eye-opening and rewarding being able to partake in their life for a short time.
We were also fortunate enough to go on an excursion with the students. We spent the day on country on the banks of the Daly in a traditional fishing spot. We made damper, learnt to cook kangaroo tails on coals and got shown up by the locals who were pulling fish out of the water at a rapid rate under the watchful eye of a sunbathing crocodile just down the river.
Immersing ourselves in a new culture was an enlightening aspect of the trip. We had the chance to interact with local community of Nauiyu, taste traditional cuisine in kangaroos, and appreciate the rich heritage of the region.
We were also privileged enough to meet with Miriam Rose twice, a Nauiyu elder and inspiring woman with plenty of stories to tell.
This cross-cultural exchange broadened our perspectives and instilled a sense of empathy and respect for diversity.
Of course, it wasn't all about education and learning. We had our fair share of thrilling adventures and fun activities, such as visiting Litchfield National Park, going to the local markets, and visiting the art gallery and museum. These moments allowed us to unwind, enjoy the beauty of nature, and create memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
This immersion was not a holiday; it was a transformative experience that has left a lasting impact on each one of us. We return with cherished memories, and newfound knowledge. Once more I would like to thank Ms Zanos, Ms Adams and Mr Smith for taking good care of us up north, and Ms Carthew and Ms Malone for organising the whole trip for us. It was a great experience and I couldn’t recommend it any higher. If an opportunity like this emerges again I insist that all students consider it.
Anthony Serra and Sam Zygmunt
Year 11 Daly River Immersion Participants
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS TERM 3
August 18 Eddy’s Preloved (Lunchtime Clothes & Accessories Sale)
August 20-24 World Water Week
September 7 National Threatened Species Day
EDDY’S PRELOVED – CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES SALE
A reminder that our greatly anticipated Eddy’s Preloved thrift shop sale will be conducted during lunchtime on Friday 18 August in the Edmund Rice Gymnasium. Led by student leader Benjamin Starinskis, the clothing sale will provide an opportunity for students wanting to sell items, to develop their entrepreneurial skills and for others to secure some unique items to wear. Shoes and accessories will also be sold and no item will exceed $50.
CAREY EMBANKMENT REVEGETATION PROJECT
Over the past fortnight, watering has been the key focus, helping to establish our new indigenous flora species, planted by various groups on Tuesday 1 August, to celebrate National Schools Tree Planting Day. In total, 586 plants were planted on the Carey Oval south embankments. Species planted include; Minnie daisy (Minuria leptophylla), Climbing saltbush (Einadia nutans), Austral indigo (Indigofera australis), Hop goodenia (Goodenia ovata), Lemon beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus), Kidney weed (Dichondra repens), Corkscrew (Austrostipa scabra), Small fruit fan-flower (Scaevola albida), Common raspwort (Gonocarpus tetragynus), Tufted bluebell (Wahlenbergia communis). Yellowish bluebell (Wahlenbergia luteola), Running postman (Kennedia prostrata), Austral storksbill (Pelargonium austral), Soft tussock- grass (Poa morrisii (sub A strictum)), Blue pincushion (Brunonia australis (sub A strictum)), Rock correa (Correa glabra).
30 FOR 30 CHALLENGE
In acknowledgement of Keep Australia Beautiful Week, on Friday 11 August, 30 volunteers set aside 30 minutes of their lunchtime to clean up various areas of the school grounds. Students set to task with great enthusiasm and collectively, the filled a 240L bin with a variety of collected items. As litter in the yard has been an area of concern, we are concentrating efforts with various strategies to minimise waste and streamline the collection of recyclables. House leaders and Year level Coordinators are facilitating regular “Clean Ups” in the yard with students and our CUT THE WRAP initiative has been promoted and introduced to the new Year 7 cohort, with weekly inspections.
In addition, over the past fortnight, GDP Industries have visited the Edmund Rice Campus to collect two bales of polystyrene and a 240L wheelie bin of E Waste.
CUT THE WRAP
We encourage all families to support our CUT THE WRAP initiative by adopting a plastic wrap free approach to making lunches to reduce waste at the school. In doing so, it promotes a wider conversation at home regarding purchasing items in bulk rather than individually wrapped items, which ultimately saves money as well. There is also an opportunity to purchase baked goods at the VCAL Café on Wednesday. A reminder that lunchbox inspections occur on a weekly basis for Year 7 students during their Wellbeing period on Mondays (with the exclusion of the last week of each term).
CUT THE WRAP PROCEDURES & REWARDS
Students presenting a “plastic wrap free” lunch will be rewarded with a credit stamp.
Classes with 100% participation (on any given week) will be awarded a second credit stamp (each student).
Note: A canteen order or money for the canteen, does NOT qualify as a wrap free lunch.
DRINK STATION GARDEN BED
During lunchtime on Friday 11 August, volunteer students upgraded the decommissioned drink station outside the Drama studio, providing a touch of colour, with the introduction of some Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) and Cyclamen (Cycamen persicum).
COMMUNITY NOTICES
ST HELENS CLEAN UP – SATURDAY 26 AUGUST - SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
The 3220 Beach Patrol Geelong group have scheduled a one-hour beach “Clean-up”, commencing at 9am at St Helens on Saturday 26 August. Reusable bags and claws will be supplied. Participants are to bring their own gloves, hat, water bottle and “can-do” attitude.
For more information and to register your interest, visit the 3220 Beach Patrol Group on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/3220beachpatrol/
TREE PLANTING WITH THE FRIENDS OF WAURN PONDS CREEK– SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER -SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
All families are invited to join the “Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek” on Sunday 3 September for tree planting activities. They will gather from 9.00am on the creek to plant grasses and shrubs at a site between Brearly Reserve bridge and Winter St. You may access the site via the walking track from Winter St. Morning tea will be provided at approximately 10.15. Volunteer may simply turn up and register on the day. Please take your own gardening gloves.
Service learning hours will be assigned in accordance with the number of hours of service.
For more information, visit the following website; https://friendsofwaurnpondscreek.org.au/aa%202023/07%20July%2030%20NTD.html
Kelly Jenkins
Sustainability Coordinator
Deakin Young Influencer Award
The Deakin Young Influencer Award is $5000 for a current Year 11 student who plans to pursue study at Deakin. Applications open next Monday 21st August.
VCE VM Year 12 Bake Sale
On Monday 7 August, Year 12 VCE VM students held their Numeracy bake sale. The students had spent four weeks planning for the event. This included researching appropriate recipes; seeking feedback on these recipes; collating shopping lists; designing packaging and labels; baking and preparing their items; and working together to sell their items. The students worked exceptionally well, with all products being sold. Students took immense pride in the preparation and presentation of their baked goods. We managed to raise $691, which will be donated to Kensekka. Well done team!
A group of brand new Year 7 and 8 footballers travelled to Drysdale to take on the GISSA winning St Ignatius Year 7 and 8 teams in two friendly matches on Wednesday 9 August. The Year 7 boys were selected from 7D, 7E and 7F whilst the Year 8 team was selected from 8D, 8E and 8F.
The matches – part of a series of four friendly games this term for both year levels – aimed to do more than just determine winners and losers. With a strong focus on fostering connections, developing athletic abilities, character and leadership skills, both Year 7 and Year 8 teams demonstrated a level of determination and camaraderie that truly embodied the core values of the school's football program.
In a closely contested match, the Year 7 boys demonstrated their potential in front of a hostile crowd on St Ignatius Main Oval. Despite a valiant effort the boys fell short, with the final score reading St Joseph's 5.9 (39) to St Ignatius' 11.8 (74). William Blake was outstanding throughout along with Harry Lindsay, Charlie Chandley, Zac Ashton and Finnegan Wallace who were some of the other strong performers.
The Year 8 team jumped out to an early 3-goal lead and kept on from there as they ran out 59-point victors. Banjo Savage kicked 3 goals whilst Charlie Montebello, Charlie Peake, Mac Darby and Noah Smith were the best players in the 14.10 (94) to 5.5 (35) victory.
As the College continues its series of friendly games this term, we can look forward to witnessing the growth and progress of these promising young athletes. Next up will be games versus Iona in Week 8.
Chris Lynch
Timetabler
End of Term 3
Term 3 will finish at 2:30pm on Thursday 15 September at both Edmund Rice and Westcourt Campuses.
The latest edition of Ad Alta, the SJC Old Collegians magazine, is available now and features SJC’s very own pro surfer, Xavier Huxtable, triple J guru, Chris Scaddan, and other news from our fantastic alumni community. Click on the image below to take a look!
MYKI Student Passes
If you have purchased a MYKI and live more than 4.8km from St Joseph’s College you are able to claim the cost of the yearly or half-yearly MYKI you have purchased. Please forward the receipt to Lisa McDine ([email protected]) or bring it into the College.
MYKI student passes can be purchased from the train stations or at the PTV stand in Westfield. You will need a student concession card, which your son’s student card with the PTV logo on it is acceptable.
Year 9 students may or may not be eligible depending on how far they live from the Westcourt Campus.
Any queries please contact Lisa McDine.
SYMPATHY
Bronwyn Sullivan (73 years) passed away peacefully on 30 July 2023 after a journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. Mother of Paul Sullivan and mother in law of current staff member, Coby Cunningham.
May she rest in peace.
Andrew Conte (52 years) passed away on 4 August 2023. Andrew was an Old Collegian (1988) and former member of the College Board. Father of Old Collegian, Lucas (2021).
Please keep Maria, Lucas, and their family in your prayers.
Thelma Cameron (89 years) passed away on 10 August 2023. Lover of the garden, family, dogs and the beach. Mother of current staff member, Michelle Cameron.
Deepest sympathies.
Our hearts go out to you all as we pray “That God will welcome these faithfully departed into His loving arms. And that precious memories will be of comfort to those left behind, knowing that their love will live on in their hearts forever.”