COLLEGE NEWS

SISTERS OF MERCY LEGACY ENDURES

Following the departure of our last resident Mercy Sister, St Joseph’s College alumnus Sr Patricia Fitzgibbon RSM, the college community was entrusted with a rich tradition of compassion, respect, and dignity that stretches back over 119 years in Sunraysia and 200 years worldwide. 

On Saturday 15 March 2025, the college contributed an article to that day’s edition of Sunraysia Daily. Read the article here and discover the Sisters’ history and the future of Mercy in Mildura.

COLLEGE TOUR AND TEACUP TUESDAY

Families interested in enrolment or a college tour are warmly invited to visit the Enright Campus on Tuesday 20 May at 9.30am. Following the tour, you are welcome to join the Principal, Mr Greg Kluske, and the College Executive Team for morning tea. Bookings are essential, so please reserve your spot at the link below.

INTRODUCING OUR CLASSROOM NORMS

At St Joseph’s College, we are committed to creating a positive and respectful learning environment for all students. To support this, we have introduced a set of six classroom norms that will help ensure consistency, focus, and mutual respect in every lesson.

Our overarching statement – 'Respect means treating everyone with kindness and dignity.' – guides these norms, reminding students that their actions contribute to a safe and welcoming space where everyone can learn and grow.

The six classroom norms are:

1. I will arrive on time, wait quietly, and enter the classroom calmly.
2. I will keep my laptop closed until instructed to use it.
3. I will listen when others speak and follow instructions.
4. I will raise my hand to ask questions or make comment.
5. I will bring all necessary equipment to each lesson.
6. I will tidy my workspace and wait quietly to be dismissed.

To reinforce these expectations, the classroom norms will be visible in every classroom across the college. This ensures that all students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, no matter where they are learning.

By following these norms, students develop valuable habits that support both their learning and the learning of others. We encourage parents to discuss these norms at home and reinforce their importance. Together, we can foster a respectful and productive classroom environment for all.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to us.

Thank you for your support.

Mrs Maree Jones, Mrs Jodie Noblet and Mr David Purcell

Learning Pedagogy Leaders

SECONDARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

A group of our young leaders attended the Youth Leadership Academy Australia Secondary Youth Leadership Conference in Adelaide on 4 March. 

They enjoyed a full day of empowering leadership development, including keynote speeches, interactive activities, and sessions designed to help them grow as community leaders. We are excited to see how they apply what they learned in the months and years ahead.

GIRLS IN PHYSICS BREAKFAST

A total of 14 aspiring physicists from St Joseph's College in Years 10, 11 & 12 attended the Girls in Physics Breakfast held at SuniTAFE Mildura on Tuesday 25 March.

They, along with female students from other local schools, heard from guest speaker Damaris Getanda, a Project Engineer working at RayGen's solar power plant in Carwarp.

Ms Getanda presented a summary of new and innovative solar power technology used to generate and store solar energy and heat energy for use after the sun sets at night, functioning similarly to a battery. This groundbreaking technology promises to be a game-changer in the future of solar power.

All students were encouraged to network with other students and the professional female scientists present to find out more about future career pathways. 

Thanks to the Vicphysics Teachers' Network for organising and planning this popular annual event.

SAVE THE DATE!

2025 ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE BALL 

All students in Years 9 to 12 are invited to attend the 65th Annual St Joseph’s College Ball.

The evening of Friday 30 May at Club Da Vinci!  

This year's theme is ‘Moonlit Magenta’. –Imagine spending an evening in a sparkling moonlit universe... 

Entry to Club Da Vinci will be from the service road off Deakin Avenue just past the Fifteenth Street roundabout. Doors will open at 7.15pm. The Ball commences at 7.30pm and concludes at 10.30pm. Doors will close at 8.00pm sharp, and there will be no late entry granted to students after that time. 

We ask that parents make arrangements to pick up students from 10.15pm and not earlier. For safety reasons, students will not be permitted to leave the venue during the course of the evening. Furthermore, in the interest of safety and traffic management, entry to Club Da Vinci for drop-off and pick-up will be closely monitored by Mildura Traffic Management Pty Ltd and St Joseph's College staff. One-way traffic movement will be managed as per road rules. 

To avoid traffic congestion at the end of the evening, we ask that parents wait in the Aldi or Centro carparks until your child rings you to let you know that they are ready to be collected. Not all students can be collected at the same time, nor can all exit the venue at once. If your child is not at the collection point for pick-up, staff will ask you to exit the traffic flow and do another lap until your student is ready. No students will be allowed to walk to Aldi or Centro for collection. It is our duty of care that all children are safe and in our care until parents collect them from the venue. Your patience will be greatly appreciated on the evening. 

The College Ball is a formal style dance. As such, certain standards of formal dress and appropriate behaviour apply. This is an alcohol- and drug-free event. Any students suspected of being under the influence will be set aside and parents will be contacted as required. Security personnel will be employed on the night to assist staff with supervision.

Students, please take particular note of the following:

• Formal Attire will be strictly enforced. Boys – smart pants, shirt with collar, tie & jacket (optional); Girls – modest evening wear.
• Behaviour and conduct should reflect the college's values as they would on any given school day.
• Wearing casual/sport footwear is not acceptable.
• Supper will be provided on the night as part of the ticket cost.
• Bottled water and cans of soft drinks will be sold on the night. There will also be free iced-water available.

Tickets will go on sale at the start of May and will be available from the Student Office at recess and lunchtime as well as before and after school until 3.45pm. The cost will be $25.00 for single student tickets and $40.00 for family tickets (two or more students who are siblings). The exact date tickets will go on sale will be advised in the morning bulletin and via SIMON Everywhere. The information will also be directly sent to students via email.

We encourage all students to attend with a positive attitude and to expect the unexpected. Get ready for a memorable, magical night of dancing and fun!

Miss Andy Higgins

Community Engagement Officer

IMPORTANT DATES

Read about upcoming important dates here.