PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

It may seem too soon to welcome you to the seventh, and penultimate, Community newsletter for the 2025 school year. However, six weeks have passed since our last newsletter, so it is certainly time for an update.

TURNING THE PAGE

A fortnight ago we held our Term 4 Assembly to both recognise achievement and to allow everyone to farewell the Year 12 cohort before their final days at the college after six years of study.

Witnessing young adults on the verge of beginning a new chapter in their lives is always quite moving. I’m sure we can all remember how we felt when we completed our  secondary school education: excited to be finishing school yet nervous about the future – and perhaps even a bit sad. 

I and everyone at the college feel very proud of our Class of 2025. Back in 2020, they were new Year 7 students. Since then, they have faced all kinds of challenges, not least of which were the pandemic lockdowns. 

Over the years, they adapted, built friendships, and learned lessons that hold value even beyond the classroom. Each success, each setback, each early morning and late-night study session has played a role in shaping the remarkable young people they are today. The strength and resilience they have forged here at St Joseph’s College will continue to serve them well into the future, whether their next adventure is university, work, travel, or something completely different.

I urge our Year 12 students to keep striving, taking risks, celebrating their achievements, and learning from their mistakes. After all, our failures do not define us; rather it is our response to failure that reveals our true character.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025. I, along with everyone at the college, wish them all the best for the future and pray that God will grant them courage and confidence as they write their next chapter.

(You can see more from the Term 4 Assembly here, the Year 12 Liturgy here, and the Class of 2025’s final days at the college here.)

PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS – TERM 4

I announced the final group of 2025 Principal’s Awards recipients at the Term 4 Assembly on Thursday 16 October. Congratulations to these exemplary young people for representing the college with integrity and demonstrating that virtue does indeed conquer.

Year 12 – Luca Burford

Year 11 – Indi Avery

Year 10 – Riley Cox

Year 9 – Montanna Zappia

Year 8 – Ellie Faulkhead

Year 7 – Coby Beaton (unpictured)

The college also revealed our final Unsung Hero for the year. I congratulate Riley Freeth, whose compassion and understanding make him a genuine hero.

IN THIS ISSUE

We have some great things to share with you:

• Alice in Wonderland Jr. delighted audiences with music, song, and plenty of whimsy. Make sure you read about this year’s production on the College News page. 

• On that same page, you will also find a recap of our Human Powered Vehicle squad’s most recent wins at the Murray Bridge 24-hour race. 

• The college's second mission to NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, was a resounding success. See all the fun students had as they explored the practical applications of STEM in everything from space exploration to theme park and video game design here.

• The Arts is a featured Learning Area in this issue. On its page, discover the latest captivating creative projects from students studying Fine Art, Music, Visual Communication, and Dance.

Those and many more updates await. I hope you enjoy seeing our students excelling at what inspires them.

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

Friday 31 October is not just Halloween this year – it’s also World Teachers’ Day, at least in Australia. Normally held on 5 October (a date that fell within the spring school holidays), communities all over the country will tomorrow salute the fantastic teachers who inspire, nurture, and empower their students every day of the year. 

Please join me in wishing all St Joseph’s College teachers a very happy World Teachers’ Day. ’Hats off’ to them all! 

In the spirit of hope and faith,

Mr Greg Kluske

College Principal