PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the first issue of Community for the 2026 school year.

Over the first five weeks of Term 1, our students have settled into their new routines, participated in Seminar Days that strengthened bonds within their cohorts, and made waves as they chased glory in the pool at the Swimming Carnival. You will see all that and more in the pages that follow.

If this is your child’s first year with us, thank you for choosing St Joseph’s College. We publish this newsletter twice per term. To stay up-to-date on all college news and events, you can follow our Instagram account, bookmark the ‘News’ section of our website, and download the Simon Everywhere app.

THE YEAR OF HOSPITALITY

Some of you may recall that our community selects one of our Core Values each year to guide and inspire us. This year, we will focus on Hospitality.

While we certainly make sure to extend a warm welcome to everyone who visits our college, hospitality holds an even greater meaning for us. It encompasses acceptance, inclusion, and, perhaps most importantly, a generosity of spirit that encourages a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

We have begun to explore this greater concept of hospitality by reinforcing the need for mutual respect. How we treat others should reflect how we ourselves wish to be treated. Our words and actions matter. It makes sense, then, that the hospitality extended should match (or exceed) that which is expected in return.

I and other members of College Leadership will touch on mutual respect regularly throughout the year to ensure that everyone who spends time at St Joseph's College enjoys Mercy hospitality and looks forward to subsequent visits.

STELLAR ACHIEVEMENTS

When they feel passionately about something, our young people reach for the stars. Although we are barely five weeks into Term 1, we have exceptional student achievements to share in local leadership, dance, sport, community engagement, and STEM. Discover their inspiring stories on this specially dedicated page.

CELEBRATING 120 YEARS

Much has changed since five Sisters of Mercy crossed the Murray at Wentworth and travelled to Mildura to found a school in 1905.

Housed in a weatherboard cottage on Pine Avenue, the Sisters taught classes to twenty-two pupils in early 1906. Over the decades that followed, that humble school grew into the three modern campuses, attended by more than 900 students, that make up St Joseph’s College today.

Despite many outward changes, the ethos of Mercy at the heart of our learning community remains strong and constant. More than ever, we believe that it is vital to educate the whole person so that our students possess the tools they need to face challenges, succeed and thrive.

St Joseph’s College is proud to call Mildura home. We invite you to join us as we celebrate 120 years – and counting – of Mercy education in Sunraysia.

In the spirit of hope and faith,

Mr Greg Kluske

College Principal

STAFFING UPDATE

A warm welcome to our new and returning staff as well as those staff who have been appointed into new leadership roles.

NEW STAFF

Mr Muhammad Anas – Teacher

Muhammad joins the college as a VET teacher and is currently delivering Systems Engineering and the Certificate II in Electrotechnology. He brings over ten years of experience in delivering vocational education courses and has strong expertise in electronics hardware, circuit design, and programming languages. Muhammad holds a Bachelor of Electronics with distinction, having been awarded a Gold Medal and Campus Merit Certificate, followed by a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He is currently undertaking a PhD at Swinburne University of Technology, where his research focuses on classifying heart disease using artificial intelligence on quantum computing platforms.

Mrs Karlie Brigante – Teacher

Karlie Brigante brings over 19 years of teaching experience, having taught in Robinvale and Swan Hill, and more recently at Trinity Lutheran College. This year, Karlie is teaching Mathematics, Science, and Humanities. She has a strong passion for delivering Maths Pathways, supporting students to build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Karlie is particularly committed to helping students who may feel that school isn’t for them, empowering them to recognise their strengths, take pride in who they are, and develop the fundamental skills needed to thrive beyond school.

Mr Douw Grobler – Teacher

Douw Grobler previously served as a Deputy Principal in South Africa, where he developed a strong foundation in educational leadership, curriculum management, and student development. That experience shaped his belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities. Douw is someone who believes in doing things with purpose and integrity. Now based in Mildura, he continues to pursue that passion through his work as an English teacher at the college.

Ms Katherine Mackintosh – Teacher

Katherine has returned to Australia after teaching in the UK for 23 years. She is a passionate teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience in education. She is excited to be teaching Dance and RE at St Joseph's College.

Ms Pravania Moodley – Teacher

Pravania has recently arrived in Mildura from South Africa and is delighted to join our community. She is joining our English team. She graduated in 2013 and brings with her valuable teaching experience from South Africa and the Middle East. She is excited to be with St Joseph's College and looks forward to the year ahead.

Ms Elizabeth Rowe – Teacher

Elizabeth joins our college as a Food Technology and Physical Education teacher. With two and a half years teaching experience coming across from Trinity Lutheran College, Elizabeth is excited to be teaching across both the Enright and Mercy Campuses.

Ms Judah Tolosa – Teacher

Judah recently joined our Science Department, bringing with her 16 years of experience teaching, including the Cambridge and Pearson curricula (IGCSE and A Level) internationally. While she has a particular love for chemistry, her primary goal is to inspire students to look beyond classroom requirements and find a genuine, lifelong appreciation for the sciences. She is looking forward to supporting our students’ academic journeys and becoming an active part of our school community.

Mrs Amber Peters – Learning Support Officer

Amber has recently moved back to the Sunraysia region after spending several years in Melbourne working in an Education Support role.

Mr Jarrod Sheehy – Learning Support Officer

Jarrod has joined St Joseph’s College as a Learning Support Officer while studying the Bachelor of Education (Secondary). Majoring in Humanities with a minor in Inclusive Education, Jarrod also holds a passion for technologies with 19 years experience in the trade industry.

RETURNING STAFF

We also welcome the following staff members who are returning from leave:

Mrs Lisa Valerio

NEW LEADERSHIP ROLES

Congratulations to the following staff on their newly appointed leadership role:

Mrs Andrea Chamberlain – Humanities Learning Area Facilitator

We acknowledge the following staff for their years of service and those leaving us for the next chapter of their lives.

10 YEARS SERVICE

Casey Cadmore
Haydn Collins
Robert Hayes
David Lim
Danielle McGlashan
Amanda Morrison
Tim Press

20 YEARS SERVICE

Andrea Chamberlain
Dion Collins
Mel Ficarra
Kim Kelly
Troy Rivett

30 YEARS SERVICE

Paula Cox
Andrea Higgins

DEPARTED

Mr Michael Quin
Ms Libby Fethers