For generations St Joseph’s has enjoyed a reputation for excellence. In recent years this has continued without impacting our strong focus on supporting students with specific learning needs. Despite being heavily oversubscribed for enrolments at times we have never succumbed to the temptation to selectively enrol highly capable students over those less capable. We have also deliberately chosen to fund bursaries to support of families in need rather than direct funds into scholarships for talented students.
Each year we have graduated young men with outstanding VCE results, work ready VCAL students, elite sportspeople and outstanding musicians. Annually over 250 young men leave St Joseph’s with the commitment and capacity to make a positive contribution to the world.
These things don’t just happen, they require commitment from the individual, support from families and an intentional focus on the part of the school. In the last few years we have been increasingly focused on creating and promoting opportunities to assist students pursue and achieve excellence. Some examples include the Westcourt sporting excellence program, an application based elective unit where students from a diverse range of sports, learn skills that will help their pathway to elite sporting success, our senior football and soccer players train together weekly and receive specialist coaching and of course the basis of our academic program is high quality classroom teaching augmented by additional support with tutoring available in the library after hours.
This week we were proud to announce our most recent initiative to support excellence in the College. We have entered a partnership with the Liverpool Football Club. (https://lfcacademy.com.au/vic/...) We will be offering a high-performance soccer school program delivered in partnership with LFC International Academy commencing this year. The importance of this announcement for the College and the region was emphasised by Cr Trent Sullivan, Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong who joined us for the launch.
We have many alumni who have had successful careers in the world game locally, nationally and internationally. Pre-eminent amongst these is Matthew Spiranovic (SJOC 2006) who played for Australia at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup We were delighted to welcome Matt back to the College for the launch where he spoke about the importance of the support that he received during his time at St Joseph’s school to balance his studies and football commitments.
The Liverpool Football Club program aligns with our values and the innovative curriculum and exceptional sporting opportunities we offer our students. I am really pleased that our students will have access to a world-class curriculum via this world-class soccer program and I am confident it will assist many more students in their ambitions to play at the highest level.
Our physical education staff and soccer coaches are currently receiving formal training from Liverpool football club International Academy coaches. This will ensure improved skill development and technical knowledge provided as part of the physical education curriculum. Our representative teams and elite players will now have coaches trained to deliver the same level of coaching experienced by young players on high-performance pathways elsewhere in the world. We also believe that the junior clinics held at St Joseph’s during the school holidays will expose more families to the high-quality facilities and programs available to St Joseph’s students.
Yesterday was International Women’s Day (IWD). Boys’ schools are sometimes criticised for a perceived lack of appreciation for, and recognition of, women. At St Joseph’s nothing could be further from the truth. On IWD I joined our year 9 student leaders for a breakfast function at Clonard College and a number of our staff attended a Deakin University IWD event.
The highlight of our celebration of IWD was our participation in the Respect cup at GMHBA stadium, with our first 18 playing St Patrick’s in the curtain raiser to the marquee game between Sacred Heart College and Loretto College Ballarat. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved and happy IWD to the women in the College community.
Following this article is the text of a speech given by first 18 football captain Michael Rudd at the after match function for the respect cup. It accurately encapsulated the way that our students have embraced gender equality and the values behind International women’s day and the Respect cup.
Next week the first of 10 college tours for prospective students and families commence. This is an opportunity for those families considering their options for secondary education to see St Joseph’s in operation. We often hear stories of families who say they would have loved to enrol their son at St Joseph’s but didn’t apply because they were either non-Catholic or not in a Catholic primary school.
We enrol students from all primary schools in the region. We encourage families seeking an inclusive secondary school with a culture of care, achievement and strong values to join us for a tour and consider St Joseph’s for their son’s secondary education.
There are currently a small number of places available on the College Advisory Council and the two supporting committees; the Governance and Risk committee and the Finance and Planning committee. If you would like to express an interest or find out more please email Adrienne Tuck [email protected] or call Adrienne on 5226 8119.
God Bless
Tony Paatsch
Principal
RESPECT CUP SPEECH - Michael Rudd
Good afternoon to all players, students, parents and staff. Standing in front of you today, as a representative of our school, I believe it is first important to highlight the importance of this day, and the fact that it is not just another game of footy. Today, as many would already know, is International Women’s Day. This day is significant as we not only advocate for the equality of men and women, but it is also a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In our case today, we acknowledge the sporting advancements, especially in football, that women have made over the past few years. Today’s event purposefully placed the boys game before the girls as well as all four schools wearing purple on their jerseys, representing the importance of women and our pledge to strive for equity and respect. St Pats and St Joeys, being both all boys schools, take pride in playing today and it means a lot to us that we are able to be a part of something so special. We can all take something out of this day, as we all have powerful women in our lives, and I believe we should all continue to strive for gender equality and respectful relationships.
On behalf of St Joseph’s College I would like to extend our thank yous to those who help set up this day. Firstly, thank you to the umpires for officiating both games. To the St Patrick’s boys, thank you for giving us such a great contest today, you are a great team and we look forward to meeting you later in the season. To Sacred Heart and Loreto, thank you for playing such an entertaining game of footy, you guys are the most important part of today and it was great to see you both battle it out, and of course congrats to St Joseph’s and Sacred Heart for taking home the cup. To the staff of both teams and coaches, this day wouldn’t run without your commitment and support and for that we are all thankful. And then just a few special mentions…
Leah Irving – You are the innovation behind this day, and each year you work so hard to have it on this stadium as well as for everything to go as planned. On behalf of everyone here, thank you for giving us this experience and your ongoing support.
Mark Kennedy – Our deputy principal, who was integral in combining all four schools as he was an old St Pats boy. Thank you again for your support and consistent effort.
Michelle Abbot – From Sacred Heart, thank you for MC-ing today’s event and presenting the awards. And of course congrats to all award winners.
Kardinia park trust – Finally thank you to the Kardinia park trust team for allowing us to play on this great ground and use their amazing facilities.
Today was a great experience and something we should all be grateful for.
Thanks
Michael Rudd
First 18 Football Captain
THE SECRET IS OUT!
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with the Liverpool FC to become the First Victorian Regional LFC International Academy high-performance School.
We were joined by some sporting legends including former Socceroo, Matt Spiranovic, former Geelongs Cats Cameron Ling, Cameron Mooney and David Wojcinski as well as City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Trent Sullivan, for the launch yesterday.
Spiranovic spoke of his time as a student at St Joseph’s. “As a past student and football representative of St Joseph’s College it makes me very proud and excited to learn of the new football partnership with Liverpool FC. Throughout my college days St Joseph’s was able to provide me with great support and balance in both my curriculum activities and sporting endeavours. The new partnership will only improve and elevate this already fantastic College to greater heights. I look forward to what the future holds and can’t wait to see more future Socceroos come through the College.”
City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Trent Sullivan, welcomed the arrival of Liverpool Football Club’s International Academy to the region. “The Liverpool Football Club is one of the most well-known and highly regarded sporting clubs in the world,” Mayor Sullivan said. “It is synonymous with high performance, the development of talent and the pursuit of success, and I applaud St Joseph’s College for its work in securing this substantial partnership.”
GET A TASTE OF LEARNING 'THE LIVERPOOL WAY' ON THURSDAY 20TH APRIL AT ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE, GEELONG
On Thursday 20 April at our Edmund Rice Campus there will be a FREE taster clinic where participants can train under LFC Academy Coaches. All genders and abilities are welcome.
KEY INFORMATION:
- Thursday 20th April
- Duration: 30 Minutes
- St Joseph's College, Geelong
- Youth Development Phase (U12-U16) Round 1: 11:30-12:00 Round 2: 2:30-3:00
- All Genders, All Abilities
- FREE
For more information and FAQ, click here
Parents and Friends Open Night
Parents & Friends Open Night on Tuesday 14 March. Not just for current members and their friends, but for our whole St Joseph's community. Come along for refreshments, meet our committee members and have the opportunity to hear from our College Principal. It is a great social night to meet fellow parents and see firsthand what the P&F is all about. If you have any questions please give Jodie Warrick a call 5226 8122 or email [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you in the staffroom on Tuesday 14 March at 7:00pm
Wine & Cheese Night
From 5:30pm the staffroom will be transformed into the place you all want to be at the end of your working week. Enjoy some local Mt Duneed wine, local breweries beer and a selection of meats, cheeses and nibbles whilst you catch up with friends and meet new parents as you ease into the weekend.
Andrew from Mt Duneed Estate will be joining us for a brief wine talk at 6pm.
$25 per person includes all drinks and grazing board throughout the night.
Bookings via link
https://events.humanitix.com/sjc-parents-and-friends-wine-and-cheese-night
RSVP by 17 March
UPCOMING EVENTS TERM 1
Every day CUT THE WRAP
Wednesday 15 March Enviroservice (3:30pm – 5:30pm)
Friday 24 March National Ride to School Day
Saturday 25 March Earth Hour 8:30pm-9:30pm (Global event)
Tuesday 28 March SJC “Switch Off” hour – Time TBC
“30 for 30” CHALLENGE – NATIONAL SCHOOLS CLEAN UP DAY
On Friday 3 March, 30 students volunteered 30 minutes of their lunchtime to clean the grounds in support of National Schools Clean Up Day. Participants registered with great enthusiasm and worked industriously to pick up any litter they could find. Several student reflections of their experience are below.
After spending 30 minutes cleaning up the school grounds, I was reminded of the importance of taking care of our environment. It's easy to forget how much impact we have on the world around us, but seeing the amount of litter and debris scattered across even just a small section of land made me realize how crucial it is that we all do our part in keeping our surroundings clean.
Not only does having a clean environment create a more pleasant atmosphere for everybody, it makes you feel good after contributing to help clean our community. A clean environment also promotes good health.
Sam O (Year 7A)
I enjoyed participating in the “30 for 30” Challenge. It was fun walking around the school picking up rubbish with my friends. It was a great feeling knowing that we were doing good for the school. I was also very happy afterwards because we got rewarded with a $5 canteen voucher. Thank you Ms Jenkins for giving me the chance to participate.
George G (Year 7K)
The experience was to help clean up the school to make it look like a nicer place by using plastic claws or tongs to pick rubbish up and put it in a bag. The reason I did it was to help the school become a nicer and better place for everyone in it and I had fun while doing it.
George M (Year 7I)
So, what we did is that we got a claw and some bags to put the rubbish in. Then we waked around the school picking up rubbish for half an hour. Then after half an hour we walked back to the PAC and put the bags of rubbish in a trolley. Then we got rewarded with an Eddie Coin and 30 minutes of Service Learning.
Lachlan V ( Year 7C)
NATIONAL CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
On Sunday 5 March, thousands of volunteers from various posts across Australia, set aside a few hours to remove rubbish from public areas. Once again, St Joseph’s and Sacred Hart students and families, joined the “Friends” of Waurn Ponds Creek to help "Clean Up" the embankments surrounding the Waurn Ponds Creek, extending from the shopping centre to the baseball oval, swimming complex, skatepark and surrounding areas. These efforts are twofold, as it not only creates an improved aesthetic, it also serves a greater purpose to help improve the habitat for the threatened and vulnerable endemic native Yarra Pigmy Perch, only found in the Waurn Ponds and Thompson Creeks. I would like to thank and acknowledge the following SJC and SHC families; Conroy, Ficca, Kustera, Habibi, Mendoza, Roth and Salmon for their efforts on the day.
If you are interested in joining the community group, they gather on a fortnightly basis and new volunteers are always welcome. For more information, use the link below to view their website; https://www.friendsofwaurnpondscreek.org.au/
Deputy School Captain review:
Finally, for the first time in several weeks I had a brief moment of peace after a full week of SAC work, though I soon figured that I get quite bored and it was time for a challenge, that’s when my homeroom teacher Mr. Darley mentioned the Cleanup Australia day at the Waurn Ponds Creek which was close by to where I live and ticked off a good three hours of service learning. Being someone that is passionate and fond of the local landscape, I jumped at the opportunity.
The day started at nine in the morning when I rocked up and met the lovely members of the local “Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek”, a passionate group of people cleaning the local waterways all year long. I got to cleaning straight away at the creek surprised by how lovely the environment was. You’d never expect for a mall and skate park to be just down the road. Here I met James Kustera, a Year 8 student who is a legend and we pulled out a shopping trolley, scooter and bike from the creek. I was thrilled to see a meter-long eel in the notably clear water as well as a few of the threatened Yara Pigmy Perch that are exclusive to the Waurn Ponds area. After stopping to enjoy the wildlife, I headed back for a tea break with everyone. Through another hour of cleaning and falling in mud we were finished and had collected a full skip of rubbish and about 10 shopping trolleys. I had a great time meeting the others and cleaning the beautiful local creek. Thanks to Ms Jenkins for the opportunity; I hope to be back next year.
Jesse C (Year 12)
YR 10 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
In recent weeks, each of the three Year 10 Environmental Science classes have visited the Barwon River to complete a River Health Report, as part of their studies in their Current Ecosystems unit, learning about local ecosystems. Blessed with good weather, each class was successful in conducting a Riparian Habitat Survey, Macroinvertebrate study and Physical and Chemical Testing of the water. Over the past week, their efforts have been concentrated on learning more about a particular indigenous flora species growing in the College grounds and are working toward the completion of a short video to be incorporated into an interactive naming plaque for their species. It is anticipated that the plaques will be distributed around the gardens next term. I would like to thank the Laboratory technicians; Stephanie Ardiri and Jack Hockley Samon for their assistance with collection of macroinvertebrates and water testing.
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP
We are now calling on new students with a passion for the environment and motivation to drive change, to join the Sustainability Team.
We are seeking representatives from each Year 7 Homeroom and new members from other year levels are also welcome! Interested students are encouraged to complete the online application via the link below. The Term 1 Sustainability Meeting schedule is outlined in the student bulletin on a weekly basis and new members are welcome to participate. Attendance at each meeting will count for 30 minutes of Service Learning.
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP APPLICATION LINK:
https://www.sjc.vic.edu.au/future-families/learning-at-sjc/sustainability
Scheduled meetings will alternate between campuses. Further details pertaining to each Sustainability events will be published in the school bulletin.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
EASTERN BEACH CLEAN UP – SATURDAY 25 MARCH - SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
The 3220 Beach Patrol Geelong group have scheduled a one-hour beach “Clean-up”, commencing at 9am on Saturday 25 March.
Volunteers are to meet at the east end of the lawn adjacent to the playground. The clean-up will extend east to Limeburner’s Point, west to the Ferris Wheel and south to the Hearne Sreet Car Park. Reusable bags and claws will be supplied. Participants are to bring their own gloves.
For more information and to register your interest, visit the 3220 Beach Patrol Group on Facebook.
Article by Kelly Jenkins - Sustainability Coordinator
Chess at St Joseph’s College
We’re very fortunate to have a proud and active chess culture here at St Joseph’s College. Lunchtime Chess is available on Wednesdays, with additional opportunities to play in the library throughout the week.
The goal this year is to once again qualify for the State finals, and be competitive with ACC rival Mazenod College. Our first tournament will take place on Friday 31st March at St Michael’s Grammar in Melbourne. We will be fielding 3 teams of 10 students, including a number of students making their debut for the College. Students wishing to represent the College are reminded to participate regularly at lunchtimes. In Term 2, St Joseph’s College will be hosting a regional tournament, hopefully well attended by Secondary and Primary schools in the area.
Additionally, and in-house tournament has commenced, with participants vying for the title of SJC’s best player. After two rounds, and a pool of 28 competitors, only six students remain undefeated: Muhammet Jawish, Ruairi Brennan O’Shea, Gabriel Egan, Samuel Mansfield, Noah Blake and Conner Sullivan.
Andrew Branchflower
Chinese Teacher & Chess Coach
As we are now halfway through the first term, it is an appropriate time for both students and parents to check in on their learning. For students, it is around this time that their first assessments have or are soon to be completed, and given most students have between five to ten subjects depending on their year level, they must begin to establish regular patterns in their study routines.
Students can review their learning progress through the class planners in SIMON, as well as check the data analytics in their student profiles. Similarly, parents can log into PAM and explore their child’s Learning Tasks to identify when assessments are occurring and the results of any previous assessment. Parents can also email their child’s teacher through the PAM portal or book a Parent Student Teacher Interview for the end of the term.
As the students become older and progress through St Joseph’s, it can become easy for parents to take a back seat in their child's learning. However, we encourage parents to stay engaged and involved for many reasons.
- Better academic performance
Research has shown that when parents are actively involved in their child's education, their academic performance is improved. By showing an interest in their child's schoolwork and progress, parents can motivate their child to work harder and achieve better grades. Additionally, parents who are involved in their child's education are more likely to be aware of any struggles their child may be facing and can work with teachers to find solutions.
- Improved communication skills
Involvement in their child's education can also help parents improve their communication skills. When parents regularly communicate with teachers and school staff, they learn how to effectively express their concerns and ask questions respectfully and productively. These skills can then be applied in other areas of their lives, such as in the workplace or personal relationships.
- Understanding the curriculum
The secondary school curriculum can be complex and challenging, even for students. Parents who engage in their child's learning can gain a better understanding of what their child is studying and what is expected of them. This knowledge can help parents better support their child's education at home and provide assistance when needed. St Joseph's College has asked staff to provide an outline of their lessons in PAM for parents to gain this insight.
- Building a relationship with their child
By staying involved in their child's education, parents can build a stronger relationship with their child. Regular communication about schoolwork and progress can help parents better understand their child's interests and strengths, as well as any areas where they may need extra support.
- Preparing for the future
Engaging in your child's education in secondary school can also help parents prepare their child for their future. By staying involved, parents can help their child to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths. Additionally, parents can help their child to develop important skills such as time management, organization, and study skills, which will be valuable throughout their lives.
By staying engaged in their child’s learning, parents can help improve their academic performance, build stronger relationships, and prepare them for their future. Parents need to remember that their involvement doesn't need to be overwhelming or time-consuming; even small efforts such as checking PAM, attending parent-teacher conferences or regularly checking in with their child can make a big difference.
The following are key assessment and reporting dates this term:
- Mid Semester Reports will be available in PAM on Tuesday 28 March
- Parent Teacher Interview Bookings Open online through PAM Wednesday 29 March
- Parent Teacher Interview Bookings Close on Tuesday 4 April
- Parent Teacher Interviews onsite in the Edmund Rice Gym Wednesday 5 April 5 (4:00-7:00 pm)
- Parent Teacher Interviews online via TEAMS Thursday 6 April (9:00-12:00 pm)
Youth Leadership Academy Australia – 2023 Secondary Youth Leadership Conference
Our Year 9 and Year 10 Student Leaders were invited to attend a special leadership conference on Monday 27 February 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
We would like to thank all of the leaders who attended as they were excellent ambassadors for SJC, with over 60 Victorian schools present. The response from the leaders was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you very much to Mr McMahon, our Year 9 Student Leadership Coordinator, for his organisation of this event for our student leaders.
Mr McMahon & Mrs Coogan, Student Leadership Coordinators
For me the message that stood out the most was, rejection only means redirection, from Mohammed the guest speaker. I find this message powerful because you are always going to get rejected, such as if you are applying for a job and by being rejected, whilst it may not be what you want to happen, you will gain new opportunities on a different pathway. Lincoln Brown Year 10
A group of Year 9 and 10 student leaders went on an excursion to the Youth Leadership Academy Australia at the Melbourne Convention Centre. We heard from a range of guest speakers about their experiences, and their advice on how to be a good leader. The event was a great day, and I would highly recommend it for future year levels. Daniel Di Santo, Year 10
My peers and myself embarked on a leadership journey to the Melbourne Convention Centre, ready to embrace the new skills and strategies on leadership. As a St Joseph’s student I walked into the venue and I was flabbergasted by the variety of different schools from around Victoria. The whole experience from riding the train to Melbourne and listening to the guest speakers, overall was a thrilling experience. Jack Kayler-Thomson Year 10
I really enjoyed the 2023 State Youth leadership conference as it was a super fun day, very informative and interesting too. We heard from many guest speakers, who had all done and achieved amazing things, and my key takeaway from these spectacular leaders was to ‘Change Your Environment’. If something isn’t working, try changing something, even something small, like the way your desk is set up, your habits, or your mindset. All in all, it was a really valuable experience that I hope our future leaders can attend. Callum Wiggett Year 10
MYKI Student Cards
Please forward all receipts for the 12 or 6 month MYKI cards to Lisa McDine ([email protected]).
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.
Please note you need to live 4.8 kilometres from the school, and remember 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.
Our 2023 House Captains conducted research into the history of their houses and this is what they found.
Brophy House
The Brophy house is named after Brother John Benignus Brophy who was born in 1875 and died in September 1941. Br Brophy was a highly skilled sportsperson, taking part in football, swimming and diving throughout his schooling before commencing his religious vocation. Br Brophy became a teacher at St. Josephs in 1935 and also coached the school football team who were known as the Brophy Boys. The Brophy house is associated with the bees as this animal represents our colour yellow and emphasizing our teamwork-like environment. #TheHive
Thomas Burke and Jack O’Brien Brophy House Captains
Butler House
Butler house named after brother Richard Xavier Butler who was the first principle of St joseph’s college Geelong in 1935. He was born in Hollyford county, Tipperary in Ireland, 1875. He has done significant work in reconstructing and improving the infrastructure of the school. He has turned a site of an orphanage into a first-class boarding school for young men. The shark was chosen for our animal as the blue colour represents the shark’s kingdom, the blue ocean.
Hamish Poole & Miller McKeegan Butler House Captains
Foley House
Foley house is named after brother Cornelius Placidus Foley who was born in Ireland and travelled over to Australia in 1920. Br Foley was the principal of St Josephs in 1942 where he spent three years until unfortunately he developed a kidney condition which meant he had to retire and eventually he died in Ireland in 1953. Br Foley is represented through the mortar board and scroll on our house crest as he was “a man of wide learning” who always emphasized how important academic achievement was.
Ethan Borys & Mark Tomasovic Foley House Captains
Jordan House
Jordan House was named after Brother Francis Bertrand Jordan. He was a teacher at St Joseph's for a number of years before taking on the role as Principal in 1941.
He played a big part in the reconstruction of the St Joseph’s Boarding school, he was never able to finish though due to ill health. Jordan House was soon named in his honour. He was a proud Irish man which is why, there is a 4-leaf clover on the Jordan Badge.
Blake McMahon & Archer Jones Jordan House Captains
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
To help us support your son’s recovery should he sustains a concussion outside of school please let us know as soon as possible
There has been growing concern in Australia and internationally about the incidence of sport-related concussion and the potential health ramifications, including potential long-term consequences of multiple concussions.
Research has shown a slower rate of recovery in children and adolescents aged 18 and under.
To enable us to support your son following a concussion in his safe return to study and sport, it is important that you notify the school should your son sustain a concussion outside of school.
You can do this when you notify the school of your son’s absence. Should he be away due to a concussion, the best way to notify the school is via PAM or, if he does not require time off for the concussion he sustained outside of school could you please email the information to [email protected]
This will then be followed up with a phone call to you to get a better understanding of the incident and any doctor’s recommendations.
This information will be communicated with your son’s teachers to notify them of the concussion and any doctor’s recommendations and request that they keep an eye out for any concussion symptoms on your son’s return to school. Thereby helping to minimise the risk of any aggravation to his condition.
Please familiarize yourself with the SJC Concussion Policy and discuss the information in this policy with your son(s). The Concussion Management policy can be found on the St Joseph’s website on the College Policies, Codes & Principles page, under Health Policies.
(URL link - https://www.sjc.vic.edu.au/current-families/wellbeing/college-policies-codes-principles )
A reminder that our SJC Associated Cold Tread Tyres Golf day is coming up on Friday 17 March at Lonsdale Links. Don't miss your opportunity to secure a spot! Book via the link below
http://www.trybooking.com/CEIY...
The St Joseph's College Geelong Athletics carnival was a tremendous success, with students displaying exceptional positive behaviour throughout the day. From the moment the students arrived, it was clear that they were excited and ready to participate in the day's events.
The students displayed a high level of sportsmanship and camaraderie, cheering on their fellow classmates and showing respect for their opponents. The overall positive atmosphere of the day was a testament to the school's strong culture of inclusivity and community spirit.
One of the highlights of the day was the outstanding performance of Foley House, who emerged as the overall winners of the carnival, just edging out Brophy house. The Foley House students showed incredible determination and teamwork, contributing to their victory in many of the events.
However, it was not just Foley House who had a great day. Every student who participated, whether they won an event or not, showed enthusiasm and enjoyment for the day. The carnival provided an opportunity for students to demonstrate their athletic abilities and also to come together as a school community.
The following students excelled all day winning their age group champion. Ben O’Brien U13. Oska Rose U14. Tobias Servin U15. Hugo Walsh U16. Charlie Nicholls U17 and Ace Pitt Seniors.
Our most prestigious race, The College Classic was won by Bailey Wilson, closely followed by Otis Jones in second and Giuseppe Posterino in third.
Overall, the St Joseph's College, Geelong Athletics carnival was a resounding success, thanks to the positive behaviour of the students. The day could not have ran so smoothly without the help and set up by the Maintenance team, as well as the guidance and leadership of the St Joseph’s College Staff.
