2023 | ISSUE 14 | SJC Newsletter

Dear Parents / Carers

The proverb ‘Art is long, and time is fleeting’ is attributed to Hippocrates in the 5^th Century BC and has been reused in similar form by poets including Longfellow and Chaucer. For the last ‘fleeting’ 85 years St Joseph’s has developed a significant enduring profile in the arts.

Thursday night we launched our ‘Arts Wall of Fame’ in the foyer of the Peter Cannon Performing Arts Centre to recognise College alumni who have made a significant contribution to the arts locally and nationally and internationally. The ‘Wall’ consists of a plaque recording the achievements of each inductee and celebrates our alumni artists in their well-deserved place alongside our McNeil cup winners, College duces and sporting stars.

Our inaugural inductees, a list which we hope will be regularly and significantly added to, are:

Tyrone Wright (1998) or Rone as he is more widely known as has had a wonderful visual arts career. His work has been the subject of major exhibitions and can be seen in many cities across the globe.

Adrian Bourke (1993) has had a stellar 20-year career producing major live events and ceremonies all over the world. These include the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Yirrmal (2013) is a celebrated Yolngu storyteller, performer and songwriter. Through his work he seeks to connect First Nations cultures to mainstream Australian audiences as a means to reconciliation.

Lyndon Watts (2011) is a performer who recently starred in a lead role in the Australian production of Hamilton the Musical, among other productions. Lyndon has also pursued music, fashion and modelling.

Nick Mangan (1997) has exhibited his works around the world. Through his drawing, sculpture, film and installations, Nick has addressed some of the big issues of our time.

Leigh Ratcliffe (1973) is an award-winning architect known for his design of some of Australia’s most impressive resorts including the $40 million redesign of the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas and the Angsana in Palm Cove.

Chris Scaddan (1993) has had a phenomenally successful radio career having held numerous senior executive positions including National Manager of triple j. He has made an enormous contribution to radio throughout his time with our national broadcaster, ABC.

Xavier Rudd (1995) is an internationally recognised singer, song-writer, musician and instrumentalist. Xavier is also recognized for creating music which creates awareness of environmental and other important social issues.

Thomas Lentini (2009) established his own studio in 2017 and has worked for clients including Louis Vuitton Australia. As a designer he participated in the National Gallery of Victoria’s, Melbourne Now 2023 exhibition

Roger Heagney (1959) has an international reputation as a pianist, harpsichordist and organist, giving recitals in the UK, Europe, and Asia, as well as in festivals, radio, and television in Australia. He was the Director of Music at St Francis’ Church in Melbourne for over 30 years.

We were delighted that Adrian, Lyndon, Chris, Roger and Thomas were able to join us for the opening and unveiling their own plaques. Thank you to Chris to responded generously on behalf of the inductees. I would like to acknowledge the leadership of our Old Collegians Association, and President Justin O’Brien for their commitment to this important initiative.

At the end of this week some of our year 12 students will finish their time at St Joseph’s, although they will still return for graduation ceremonies next month. We are enormously proud of the class of 2023 who have grown and developed in the face of many challenges. As a group they have looked out for one another, cooperated well with their teachers and been an excellent role model for younger students.

As they finish individuals will head in different directions with some pursuing tertiary study, some apprenticeships and some into jobs. We hope that they stay in touch and in their post Joey’s lives continue to model our values. We are proud of our open entry policy and proud of the many and varied successful career paths our students will take. We look forward to celebrating their achievement with them at the graduation ceremony and valedictory dinner early next term.

For those students sitting VCE exams, the September school holidays, which I prefer to call the ‘September noninstructional period’, is an extremely important 17 days. A few days ‘recharge’ and a comprehensive revision and study program should set up their exam success. Many students will be involved in revision lectures held at the College and elsewhere as part of their formal revision program.

Last week our Associated Catholic Colleges cross-country team finished a creditable and close second in the annual carnival. Captained by Ned Cooke, who finished in third place in the open division, the team were credit to the school. Perhaps the outstanding achievement of the day was Billy Blake who won under 13 event.

Another special mention goes to ‘GoodWood’, the 3 piece rock band consisting of three year 12 students, who this week went head to head with eight other bands in the ACC Battle of the Bands and finished in first position. Congratulations to Jesse, Ben and Jack.

We wish the following staff well as they commence periods of leave Samantha O’Keeffe (Parental Leave), Brendan Reed (Term 4), Rebecca Spark (5 weeks), Elley Heard and Kath Biggs (3 weeks).

Wish everyone a safe and happy break and look forward to seeing students back at school on Monday, October 2.

God Bless

Tony Paatsch
Principal