2022 | Issue 5 | SJC Newsletter

Throughout this term the achievement of our community in maintaining ‘business as usual’ has been remarkable. We have been able to maintain face-to-face schooling for all classes and continue to provide learning for all students despite many of us being offsite due to COVID-19. I would like to thank and congratulate all staff, students and families on this achievement.

At the end of term, we farewell a number of staff. Shannon Ebeling (Music) and Tom Elliot (VCAL) are finishing their time with us. We wish both Shannon and Tom well in their new endeavours. Di Makings (Education Support), Joy Whiteside (Library) Heather Stapleton (Library) and Melissa Wills (Library) also conclude their time at St Joseph’s. We thank Di, Joy and Melissa and wish them well in their new roles. We also thank Heather and wish her a fulfilling retirement.

Dave Shalders will be on leave for all of term two and Mark Turner on leave for the first four weeks. Natasha Solczaniuk commences parental leave from the start of term. We wish Dave, Mark and Tash well for their time away from St Joseph’s.

I will be taking renewal leave (originally scheduled during 2020) for the duration of Term 2. I’m looking forward to a silent retreat, some study to learn more of our only Australian Saint; Sr Mary of the Cross McKillop, and indigenous immersion experiences in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. During my absence, Mark Kennedy will be College Principal with Lisa Pope as College Deputy Principal with Heads of school taking on additional responsibilities.

Camps and excursions are often the highlight of the year for students. Our Year 7 students have enjoyed their camps, the last of which was held in recent weeks. I am grateful to the staff who made this experience possible for our youngest students.

Next term our Year 12’s have their annual renewals which are conducted in house groups off-site from 4 – 6 May. (Week 2 of Term). Staffing these necessitate some adjustments for other Mt Sion students as follows:

Wednesday 4/5 – Year 10 and 11 at school all day.

Thursday 5/5 –Year 10s attend classes on site. Year 11s have remote learning.

Friday 6/5 –Year 11s attend classes onsite with an English SAC period 1&2. Year 10s have remote learning.

Please note that Westcourt and Waterford students will have classes on-site as normal on these three days.

Next weekend is Easter, the holiest of Christian commemorations. In considering an appropriate Easter reflection, I was thinking of the contrast between Jesus’ treatment during his triumphal entry to Jerusalem commemorated last Sunday (Palm Sunday) when he was hailed as a king and venerated, and his treatment five days later (Good Friday). Spat on, tortured, denied by his friend and executed on a cross in the most undignified way imaginable.

Students are sometimes bemused by the pre-eminence of the cross as our Christian symbol because it is a symbol of death and torture. But if there is no cross there is no resurrection which is at the very core of our faith. The resurrection reminds us of the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, life over death, and hope over despair. As we watch the daily struggles of so many, including those in Ukraine, it is good to have such a reminder.

I wish you and your family every joy for the celebration of Easter.