As the 2022 school year comes to an end, we take the opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and the new learnings that have taken place. We reflect positively on a year less impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, where college events and celebrations could run as planned. I thank the parent community for the continued support of both your children and the college. We share an understanding that students achieve their best results when we work together.

While the year is coming to a close, the last few weeks of Term 4 have been incredibly action-packed.

Our Year 12 students continued to display great dedication, motivation and effort through their examination period, and we hope their hard work is positively reflected in their results. The Year 12s and their families celebrated their achievements at the End of Year Mass and the Year 12 Graduation on Thursday November 24. We wish the Class of 2022 every success and hope their education at St Joseph’s College sets them up for their chosen pathway.

Our 2023 Year 12 cohort completed their examinations and were introduced to Year 12 classes through the Headstart program. It was very positive to see these students make a great first impression with their Year 12 teachers and peers in their classes.

At the time of writing, our Year 10 students returning to the college in 2023 attend the Year 11 Novus experience in Melbourne. This urban camp is intended to develop the student’s sense of belonging and connectedness while having an academic focus. I am also sure the students will enjoy seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at IMAX, among many other highlights.

Our Year 9 students completed their exams on Tuesday November 29 and can look forward to a well-earned summer break. We hope the Year 9 students enjoyed the year highlighted by the inaugural Year 9 Camp to Central Australia.

The Year 8 students’ residence at the Mercy Campus is almost over. I spoke to the Year 8s about their transition back to the Enright Campus in 2023 and the Peer Support leadership opportunities available to them. I am pleased to announce that we have 25 outstanding students who will be Year 9 Peer Support Leaders in 2023. In this role, we hope to develop their leadership skills while they assist in developing a sense of community and belonging, particularly with the incoming Year 7 students. The Year 9 Peer Support Leaders and the Student Representative Council act as the student voice for the Year 9 cohort. I congratulate the following students:

Abby Blundell
Amelia Petrolo
Ananthu Dinkar
Aryah Hughes
Bianca De Maria
Braith McKenzie
Charlise Hassall Schelfhout
Elice Kuzu
Elsie Jenkins
Emmelia Mazza
Indi Avery
Julia O’Bryan
Justin Sun
Lachlan Prescott
Lila Senior
Lila Shanahan
Logan King
Matilda Bresnehan
Mia Campbell
Natasha Allieu
Niamh Doody
Riley Freeth
Sophie O’Brien
Tayvia Wilkie-Eggmolesse
Toilose Vave

We hope the Year 7 students have enjoyed their first year at the college, highlighted by the inaugural Year 7 Camp to Victor Harbor. They will complete their transition to the Mercy Campus beginning with Extended Pastoral Care on Thursday December 1, and then on the transition days the following Monday and Tuesday. We have a large number of students applying for Leadership positions, and I wish them all the best.

Students in Years 7 and 8 who have participated in the Social Skills groups through Wellbeing also celebrated the end of the year and their time in the program. Students and staff participated in a Trapeze/Circus Skills session with the Listo Trapeze Company.

The Years 7 and 8 final day of school, Wednesday December 7, will be a pool day at the Irymple pool.

Finally, I wish all the students, staff and families a joyful Christmas. To the students returning in 2023, we look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year and trust that you will return both safe and well-rested. To the students leaving us at the end of the year, we wish you all the best in your chosen paths and hope you will reflect positively on your time at St Joseph’s College.

Mr Heath McClaer

Deputy Principal Students

A SAFETY MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE TO COUNTER CHILD EXPLOITATION

The Australian Federal Police through the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is seeing a concerning global trend of teenage males being targeted to send explicit images of themselves and then blackmailed. This is called sexual extortion, or sextortion.

The AFP is urging families to have important safety conversations ahead of the school holidays to prevent young people from becoming victim. This crime can have serious wellbeing and psychological impacts.

How does sextortion start?

Unsolicited friend and follow requests on social media
Direct messages on one app and then being asked to keep chatting on a secondary app
Conversations suddenly and quickly becoming sexualised
Requests for sexualised images or content.

What can families do?

Have open and regular conversations about your child’s online activities and interactions
Know what platforms, apps and games they are using and who they are interacting with
Remain open and approachable, victims will be reluctant to come forward if they feel they will be punished or blamed
Ensure your child knows that it is okay to leave conversations if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe
Support your child and know how to respond. The Online blackmail and sexual extortion response kit has been created to recognise sextortion and get help.

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is here to keep young people safe from online sexual exploitation and abuse.

You can make a report via accce.gov.au/report

For further information, resources and advice visit thinkuknow.org.au

LANGUAGES

YEAR 12 ITALIAN