DEPUTY PRINCIPAL STUDENTS

A very warm welcome to all the students and families as we start the 2025 school year together. I extend a special welcome to our new students and families that have joined the St Joseph’s College community this year. 

We have had a positive start to the year for all students. The Year 7 students completed a two-day induction program to familiarise themselves with the college and support their successful transition into secondary school. The Year 7 cohort also attended a Community Day at the Sporting Precinct which allowed them to explore and build positive relationships with their peers and staff. I would like to thank Mrs Jodie Birnie and her team for leading this event, and the Year 9 Peer Support Leaders who assisted the Year 7 students. The beginning of secondary school can be an exciting time for many students, but it can also come with its challenges. We encourage students and families to keep in regular contact with the respective Homeroom or Pastoral Care Group Teacher as concerns arise.

Our students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12  have also hit the ground running this year. Students in Years 9, 11 and 12 participated in their respective Seminar Days, which are a component of the Religious Education program at the college. 

Mr Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries conducted the Seminar Days for the Year 9 and Year 11 cohorts, and these days were well-received. Chris has had a long association with the college and is always warmly welcomed back by staff and students. 

This year the college welcomed Carlo Cirillo to lead the first of the Year 12 Seminar Days. It was a great experience, with the vast majority of students (and a number of staff) participating in the ice bath challenge. I thank Ms Rebecca Garreffa and her team for creating these amazing opportunities for our students to enliven and deepen their faith. 

Our Year 10 students attended a presentation from the Pat Cronin Foundation, entitled ‘Violence is Never OK’  and focussed on real and relatable stories about social violence, exploring anger and aggression, choices, consequences, and strategies to defuse conflict. The presenter shared Pat’s story to illustrate the worst possible outcome of social violence and help students make wise choices. Students learnt to manage anger before it escalates, recognise the long-term impact of their choices, and develop strategies for handling conflicts effectively.  

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

The college will be hosting the ‘Elephant in the Room’ for the month of February. The Elephant is currently ‘living’ in the Library at the Enright Campus, but will also spend some time down at the Mercy Campus. The sculpture is on loan from Sunraysia Community Health Services.

Why an ‘Elephant in the Room’? 

Violence in the home and between loved ones has always existed and long been considered a private topic and an off-limits conversation, even when people are aware it is happening. This culture of secrecy, shame, and stigma means that abusive behaviour is supported and perpetuated by silence. Sometimes people are so used to abusive behaviour and language that they do not even recognise it as violence or abuse. The reality is that family violence impacts the whole community. To prevent it, we all need to understand better what it is, be able to name it, and talk about it. 

The Elephant has been to many different locations in the region: SCHS, the Mildura Visitor Information Centre, the Deakin Cinema Complex, the Powerhouse Precinct, Langtree Mall, the Mildura Base Public Hospital, and the Ouyen Bakery. The Elephant has never been hosted by a school – and we are the first to welcome her.

UNIFORM 

The College Uniform Policy is part of the Student Learning Agreement where students agree to ‘wear the uniform correctly at all times of the year, as per uniform guidelines and policy’.  I am pleased to report that the vast majority of students are wearing their uniform correctly and with pride. 

We thank you for your support in keeping our school uniform one of our most distinctive and proud symbols. If you have any queries in relation to the uniform policy, please refer to the Uniform Policy and Guidelines on the college website.

WELLBEING SUPPORT

Our Wellbeing Team are currently meeting individually with all Year 12 students and new students in Years 8 to 12. These meetings are designed to provide guidance and support in these potentially challenging and stressful periods. Our Year 11 students have all been contacted by Wellbeing to arrange appointments as they start their VCE/VCE VM pathways. All students are encouraged to seek wellbeing support via email wellbeing@sjcmda.vic.edu.au or by reaching out to First Aid or college staff.

The college ensures that we have members of the Wellbeing Team at both the Enright and Mercy campuses to meet the needs of our student community. We are fortunate to have such a passionate and experienced Wellbeing Team that strive to ensure every student’s wellbeing is supported and monitored.

SAFETY OF BELONGINGS

While we are fortunate to work and learn in a community where incidents of theft are extremely rare, in the past this had led to complacency among our students in relation to their personal belongings. All Year 7 students and new students to the college are provided with a combination lock which is required to be used on lockers. There has been a push across the college this year for students to use locks on their lockers to ensure their belongings are kept safe. 

A reminder that students are required to place their mobile phones in their lockers during the school day which again highlights the importance for students to use a lock on their lockers.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

At the college we have great opportunities for students to gain leadership skills and display their leadership qualities. Our Student Leaders were acknowledged at our first Mass of the year, and I wish all student leaders the best in their leadership journeys as we continue to promote active student voice and advocacy.

COLLEGE CAPTAINS

HOUSE CAPTAINS & VICE-CAPTAINS

CHISHOLM HOUSE

MACKILLOP HOUSE

McAULEY HOUSE

PADUA HOUSE

XAVIER HOUSE

SPECIALIST CAPTAINS

I wish all students and families a happy and successful 2025.

Mr Heath McClaer

Deputy Principal Students