Principal's Video News
Dear Parents / Carers
At St Joseph’s we talk a great deal about our culture and of the most significant influencers of the culture of a school are the student leaders. We know that, while students will sometimes take notice and respond to what teachers say they will always take notice and respond to what their senior leaders say (and do!).
The annual appointment of student leaders is a comprehensive process during which applicants are asked to prepare a written application, present to their year level, the year 7 students and submit themselves to a vote by staff, year 7 and year 11 students. This is followed by a formal interview with a staff panel. It is a serious process for all involved, and one which annually ensures that St Joseph’s has outstanding student leaders.
Looking back we can see the enormous impact our student leaders have had on the culture of the school. These ‘badged’ leaders to help create an expectation that the values of the College will be upheld. This leads to positive behaviour by other students in the school and we see many examples.
Recently a junior student felt comfortable enough to contact senior staff with concerns about the risky and illegal behaviour of a friend. Our graduating year 12 cohort finished their schooling in a really positive way without dangerous and damaging behaviours reported in some other schools. This year we have had a record number of applications from students wishing to move into the College due to the external perception of our student culture.
Thank you to all those who submitted themselves for consideration once again in 2024 we have a group of outstanding young men charged with the honour and responsibility of leading the College.
College Captain Michael Ahearn
Deputy Captains Jude Payne and Kaine Shaw
Yr 12 Touchstone Prefects
Gospel and Spirituality Josef Paatsch & Kye Berends
Inclusive Community David Iosefo & Danu Lakey
Justice & Solidarity Benjamin Parish & Luke Di Lisio
Liberating Education Luke Stacey & Matthew Suhandi
Year 12 House Captains
Brophy Angus Morrison & Oscar Bullock
Butler Oliver Sanders & Oscar Hart
Foley Louis Van Ingen & Thomas Barker
Jordan Benjamin Harris & Nicholas Preiato
Yr11 Touchstone leaders
Gospel Spirituality Hugo Walsh, Thomas Slater, Jack Kayler-Thomson, Noah Marcus, Jonathon Punchard, Lincoln Brown
Inclusive Community Callum Wiggett, Hunter Dickson, Harris Henderson, Campbell Dickson, William Bradley, Noah McKenzie
Justice & Solidarity Kade Hyde, Orson Lloyd, Archer Westhorpe, Mitchell Pole, Eamonn O’Dowd, Oliver Vagg
Liberating Education Daniel Di Santo, Liam Hatch, Alexander Malouf, Adrian Costa, Hamish Vautier, Henry Martin
First Nations Captain Morris O’Neill-Wood
Congratulations to these students who will be exemplars for other students including students elected to leadership roles at other year levels in coming weeks.
Later in this newsletter you will find some important information from Lisa Pope on the implementation of the TIME project. The 2024 academic year commences on Thursday, November 30 when ‘Headstart’ commences. It is important that students and families understand and are prepared for these changes. Additional and more detailed information, including individual timetables, will be circulated to students and families prior to 30 November.
Congratulations to Mark Kennedy on his appointment as Principal of St Joseph’s special assistance school Geelong (formally St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre). Congratulations also to Cassie Gleeson who has been appointed acting Deputy Principal - Well-being for 2024. Other appointments made for 2024 include Nathanael Smith as Director of Westcourt, Peter Malone as Head of Waterford - Well-being and Michael McMahon and Brad Lynch as Year eight coordinators. These teachers will commence in their roles at the commencement of Headstart.
The way that our year 12 students have gone about their exam preparation has been really pleasing. For other year levels the formal period exam preparation commences with a student free day on Friday 24 November with exams commencing later the following week. The ability to perform well in exams remains enormously important for all students particularly those with tertiary ambitions. Please support us in emphasising to your sons the importance of spending significant time preparing for their end of year exams.
God Bless
Tony Paatsch
Principal
Deputy News
VCE Exams and Results
Our senior students have been working hard over the past few weeks to complete their VCE exams, with the last examinations being Chinese and Italian on Wednesday 15November.
We wish all of our Year 12 students all the best as they then wait for their VCE Results which is released through VTAC ATAR Service operating from 7.00 am Monday 11 December until 5.00 pm Friday 15 December 2023.
Students can access their results, by downloading the “Results and ATAR” app or online
https://resultsandatar.vic.edu.au/results/applicants.htm;?seexp
Students need to register for the service and will need their VCAA Number to do so.
End of Year Examinations
Last week we communicated via email to parents the End of Year Examination schedules for all students in Years 8 to 11. Students in Years 10 and 11 begin their examinations with English and Mathematics on Thursday 23 November.
The following week Monday 27 November through to Wednesday 29 November students need to carefully follow the examination schedule to ensure they are prepared for their exam. This schedule can also be downloaded from SIMON or PAM,
Please Note: Friday 24 November is a student-free day and we encourage all students to use this day to study from home.
Booklists
Last week we emailed all parents regarding 2024 Booklists. The booklists are available for Years 8-12 through Campion Education. These booklists and instructions for ordering through Campion are available on the College website or using the link: https://www.sjc.vic.edu.au/current-families/my-sjc/2024-booklist-information.
Toward the end of term 3, senior students were notified of their 2024 subjects and recently students in Years 7 and 8 were emailed their electives. You are only required to purchase resources for those subjects. For students undertaking a VCE subject, Year 11 subjects are listed as Units 1 and 2, and Year 12 subjects are listed as Units 3 and 4.
Please note that all orders through Campion need to be made by Wednesday 13 December to be ready for the 2024 school year.
Headstart
In preparation for 2024, all students in Years 7 -11 will participate in a Headstart program using the new timetable structure. Students will have a presentation from a member of the leadership team over the coming weeks on how the new timetable will operate. As each year level will have different changes to their structure and curriculum, we will be speaking to Year Levels individually.
The Headstart program aims to prepare students adequately for the following school year, by enabling them to experience a week of their classes and familiarise themselves with their class teachers and classmates.
Headstart begins on Thursday 30 November through to Thursday 7 December. For students who have classes at Sacred Heart College, our crossover between schools starts on Friday 1 December, due to our College end-of-year Mass and transition activities.
2024 Timetable
The Staff Operations team are in the last stages of finalising our staffing and timetables for 2024. The TIME project which was a collaboration with Sacred Heart College to enable both schools to have a more flexible timetable and prepare students beyond school, whilst broadening our subject offerings through a shared timetable, has been a big undertaking and we believe we have been able to design a timetable that enables us to deliver a broad curriculum for all students across all year levels at the College.
The timetable will look very different, with varied lesson lengths, different number of periods on each day, as well as changes in where Homeroom and Wellbeing lessons are placed. A greater focus on self-regulated learning at Mt Sion, more study periods for our Year 12 Students, and a focus on depth not breadth as students transition up the College. Our students from Years 7 to 10 will also have an increased learning time allocation of 90 minutes per week, mostly taken up by increased time to English and Mathematics.
We aim to send more information to parents before Headstart on the College’s new timetable, however, one important note is that most days classes will start at 9.00 am, this will no longer be Homeroom, so students will need to be at school and ready to learn before class.
Lisa Pope
Deputy Principal - Learning
Identity News
New Artwork Celebrated
We have been really excited to reveal a very special collaborative artwork with our community that was recently delivered thanks to the vision of the Identity Team and the Sustainability team. Thank you to Kelly Jenkins - Sustainability Coordinator, the ICUP Team including Ginette Everest and Ian Grant and student voice for all having the passion to bring this to life.
As recipients of an Inter Cultural Understanding Partnership grant, thanks to ‘Together for Humanity’ and the ‘JMCA’, Year 9 students last year, together with Sustainability Leaders were treated to a guest presentation by visiting UK Artist Jane Perkins. Jane specialises in a collage form of artwork, Jane utilises plastic pieces accumulated along her life journey to create inspired masterpieces. Jane was commissioned to create an artwork specifically for our community, utilising sentimental plastic items donated by students to create an artwork that encapsulates the essence of our faith and identity, celebrating our touchstones and our ICUP theme to ‘Live the Golden Rule’, which is to treat others and our earth as we would like to be treated. The Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"(Matt 7:12), is a simple but effective guide for relating with people of different religions, cultures, ethnicity and backgrounds. A common rule that many faiths believe in.
Throughout Term 3 last year, Year 9 students; Harris Henderson, Kade Hyde, Jhayferson Jimenez and Calan Palamara collaborated over lunchtimes at Westcourt to design the template for Jane’s creation and many students donated small found and plastic items including buttons and animal figurines, to be incorporated into the masterpiece.
We have shared it with our staff and students at various gatherings. We had a special opening ceremony with our Advisory Board Seminar and it was featured at our Year 7 Renewals and Graduation Mass. It will have a temporary home in reception for all to access until our new building is finalised where we will find a special home in our Identity space for all to share its importance for our community’s commitment to celebrating being an inclusive, welcoming community.
Jane Perkins the artist shared:
This work was unlike any previous piece I’ve made and was a challenge!
Using the brief, I was given, to capture ‘a celebration of our Touchstones, embodying the essence of Edmund Rice alive in our St Joseph’s College Community Geelong’, I incorporated the following elements with reference to the student’s sketches and notes:
A portrait of the school’s founder Edmund Rice (wearing school uniform)
A Bunjil Eagle in the sky above
Corio Bay to the right with the You Yangs (hills) in the background
Some buildings at Mt Sion, Ireland
Part of the Barwon River
The red, orange and yellow rings represent the college ‘touchstones’ and have writing around them. Gospel Spirituality, Justice and Solidarity, Inclusive Community, Liberating Education.
I have really enjoyed making this work and hope students and staff enjoy looking at it.
Jane Perkins 2023
Thank you and ‘kun.gadji’ Aunty Sue Collins
Kun.gadi is a Wadawurrung word for goodbye (Wadawurrung Language app). Wadawurrung words have been spoken in this area where St Joseph’s College stands for thousands of years.
Over the past few weeks we have made time to thank and acknowledge the gift that Sue Collins, our Koorie Education Worker has been to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and for all of our community over the past 10 years.
An afternoon tea was held on the 24 October for those who Sue worked closely with across the Geelong Catholic Colleges. We gathered in gratitude to thank and bless Sue, known as Aunty Sue to many, for the 10 years she been a vital connection between our Geelong Catholic Colleges and who has given so much of her time to ensure our colleges are places of cultural safety, wellbeing and protection of all of our First Nations students in our care. In her role, she has provided educational and cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and engaged their families, teachers and school staff in the importance of this support for First Nations students.
Sue started at St Joseph’s spending time in the classroom as a Learning Support staff member, then as Koorie Education Officer and has been integral in the completion of many initiatives across the three Colleges of St Joseph’s, Clonard and Sacred Heart. Also supportive of St Ignatius and Iona College connections. Through her work with our students and staff and the foundation goals of our Reconciliation Action Plan, we now have a dedicated Monday ‘Koling Wada-Ngal’ homeroom group with Ben McDowall – First Nations Coordinator, our ongoing proud Possum Skin cloak project, and our Reconciliation Garden, featuring our Bunjil sculpture, to name a few.
In 2021 Sue was Awarded the NATSICC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council) Community Service Elder Award for 2021 for her work with our Geelong Catholic Colleges.
We wish Sue and her husband Wayne all the best as they take to the road for an adventure in their caravan to head to Western Australia to reconnect with family and friends.
Kun.gadji Sue and Wayne!
This is the prayer we share with staff who are leaving at our end of year Mass. This prayer, attributed to St Brendan, is one of profound trust in God. As we pray this prayer, we are mindful of all those who are ‘letting go’ of what is familiar, and moving into the new or unknown.
The Prayer of St. Brendan
Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Mary Malone
Director of Identity
Remembrance Mass and Reunion
On Friday 3 November, Alumni, families, staff and students gathered together to remember those in the St Joseph’s community who are now in God’s care, in a Remembrance Mass held in the College Chapel. Student leaders participated in the ceremony and Fr Joseph Panackal delivered a poignant service as our community reflected and remembered loved ones now passed.Following the Mass, Alumni from as far as Queensland gathered together for the annual Boarders and Pre-80’s alumni reunion. After a tour of the College that took in the developments that have taken place around campus since their school days, our alumni gathered in the Heritage Centre to hear about the College now and its plans for the future in an address from Principal, Tony Paatsch. Our 2024 student leadership team also joined the lunch to provide an insight into student life today. It was a wonderful afternoon, shared by old friends and new, surrounded by the memory evoking memorabilia that lives within our Heritage Centre.
Zoe Povoas
Manager, Alumni & Philanthropy
LGBTQ+ and allies excursion run by the Victoria Police.
On Tuesday 31 October students attended an LGBTQ+ and allies excursion run by the Victoria Police. It was an opportunity for young people to connect with likeminded peers from various Geelong schools, discuss the impact the Victorian Police have on LGBTQ+ young people, to enhance support and child safety for LGBTQ+ youth and to foster a greater sense of community. In addition, students also met the Geelong Cats AFLW pride ambassadors: Mikayla Bowen and Kate Anderson. Mikayla and Kate led the students through an AFL skills session and then engaged in an open discussion regarding the importance of having a community that celebrates individuality and embraces everyone’s authentic self. Mikayla expressed how grateful she was to be loved by her family, friends, Kate and the rest of her team for exactly who she is and she emphasised the importance of vocalising this to loved ones who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Mikayla mentioned the power of a support network and how this can significantly help with a young person’s sense of identity and mental health. Joey’s students asked insightful questions including how they could increase LGBTQ+ active allyship in their own local community but also how to encourage this within the Men’s AFL sphere. Students left feeling connected, valued and celebrated- we hope Vic Police put this on again next year!
Isabel McGann
Head of Student Services
Music Junior Solo Night
The SJC Junior Band took their music to the people on Wednesday 2 November. We started the tour at St Francis Xavier, followed by St Patricks and finishing with St Roberts, where the school students were introduced to the wonders of the wind band through the performances from our full band and each section. Classics such as Billy Jean and Barbie girl were among the favourite section performances, with the Bass guitars initiating some friendly rivalry between the rest of the band. It was exciting to hear how far the junior band has come since the beginning of the year and for our students to see how their music impacted the audience. Mr Cassidy led the team with enthusiasm and kept the primary school students completely engaged throughout each performance. A huge thanks goes to all the music staff who worked tirelessly throughout the day, and in the leadup to the event, to ensure the day ran smoothly. A big thanks to all the students involved, who were excellent ambassadors for SJC music. It was wonderful to see such fine leadership skills emerging from many of our young musicians.
Junior Solo night was held on Wednesday 8 November, with the students from the junior band academy, along with other year 7 instrumental students, performing solos and small group works for their peers and families. Special guest judges Colby McCallum and Ethan Powe (outgoing music captains) were impressed with the standard of the students and encouraged them to keep aiming high with their music studies. This was a great afternoon to showcase the student’s talents as individual musicians. Honorable mentions went to Eric Heazlewood on Piano, Harrison Milne on French Horn and Drums, and Aaron Muk on Piano. 3rd place Kai Dyer on Saxophone, 2nd Kaelin Patching on guitar, and first place to Heston Leggett on Piano. Congratulations to all students who participated in the evening, you should be very proud of your efforts!
The music faculty has 2 remaining events for 2023. Wednesday 15 November is our Class Acts concert, featuring all year 7-11 music classes. Wednesday 29 November is the Sunset Soiree, end of year celebration, featuring all current SJC bands and ensembles. Bring a camp chair and some drinks and snacks to enjoy whilst being entertained by our talented young musicians! All welcome.
Amy Young
Director of Music
Deakin Young Influencer Award 2023
We would like to congratulate Luke Stacey on being chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Deakin Young Influencer Award. This award is open to all Year 11 students and Luke was selected as StJoseph's College's winner, which is an incredible achievement.
The Deakin Young Influencer Award recognises excellence and celebrates students who are truly motivated to make a positive difference in the world - now and into the future. Deakin believes strongly in acknowledging outstanding students, who stand for the same values that we do. The University has rewarded Luke’s efforts and achievements with a $5000 scholarship to support his first year of study at Deakin in 2025.
Luke has been awarded the Deakin Young Influencer Award for his contribution to his school and the wider community through participating in events like the Geelong Hospital Appeal and being an ambassador for the ‘i sea, i care’ program to protect our bays and waterways. Luke has been involved in the Year 8 mentor program and has created innovative strategies to encourage sustainability across the school. These values of community leadership, change advocacy and progressive thinking are ones that Deakin seeks to uphold, and we commend Luke for his commitment to them.
Congratulations Luke, we wish you all the best and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.
Term 4 Week 5 Careers News
DownloadVictorian Country U/17Cricket Squad
Congratulations to Fletch Grimsey-Cook (Year 10) who is Captain of the SJC T20 Cricket team, for being selected in the Victorian Country U/17Cricket Squad. Fletch will represent the team in Ballarat at the National Carnival in January 2024 and we wish him all the best 🏏
https://www.cricketvictoria.co...
Christmas Drive
In 2022 SJC staff partnered with Bellarine Kinship Carers to bring Christmas cheer to local families in need. This year we invite College families to join us. Please consider adopting a family by purchasing gifts or making a monetary donation and Santa's elves will buy gifts on your behalf. Gifts can be dropped off at Reception at ER & Westcourt campuses. Please click the links above to be involved. All donations to be received by Friday 8 December. Please ensure gifts are unwrapped & labelled with family number. With thanks, Ms Irving
MYKI
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 in 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.
Bogong Moth found on property
The Grounds and Maintenance Team have found a population of Bogong Moths residing on campus. Rent free, as it seems.
Zoo's Victoria are tracking the migration of this particular moth species as they are a main, post hibernation, food source for the once, near extinct, Mountain Pygmy-Possum.
You can see pictures of St Joseph's Bogong Moth population on Zoo's Victoria moth tracker map, here;
https://mothtracker.swifft.net.au/
And read more about the Mountain Pygmy-Possum here;
https://www.zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/local-threatened-species/mountain-pygmy-possum/
SYMPATHY
Terence John Bourke (79 years) passed away peacefully on 26 October 2023. Father of Adrian (Old Collegian, 1993).
May he rest in peace.
Ivan Petar Jurica (91 years) passed away peacefully on 30 October 2023. Father of Jack (former staff member).
Now in God’s care.
Levi Watson (21 years) passed away on 1 November 2023. Brother of Archie (current Year 12 student).
Please keep Nicole, Tim, Archie and their family in your prayers.
James “Jim” Sheedy (68 years) passed away on 3 November 2023. Jim was an Old Collegian (1973) who held principalships in Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, and most recently in Caroline Springs.
Rest in peace.
Gerry Willis passed away on 7 November 2023. Gerry was a long serving teacher of St Patrick’s College Ballarat.
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.”
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Jackson Langhorne and his wife Lucy on the birth of their daughter, Sophie, on 8 November 2023.