PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome to another fantastic issue of Community. Thank you for joining us one last time before the end of Term 3. 

Here at St Joseph’s College, our community has filled the past four weeks since our last newsletter with engaging projects, meaningful celebrations, and exciting experiences on camps. 

We hope you enjoy reading about all those highlights, along with special updates from our featured Learning Areas, Humanities and Health & Physical Education. – Plus, we announce our 2026 College Captains and Vice-Captains.

This year’s College Production, Alice in Wonderland, Jr, will open in three weeks, and you will not want to miss it. Check the specially dedicated page in this issue to learn more and book your tickets.

YEAR 11 SNOW CAMP

I was fortunate enough to chaperone the Year 11 cohort on their Snow Camp again at Perisher this year during Week 6, from Sunday 24 to Friday 29 August. 

As you can see in the photos below, the mountain really turned it on. We had ideal weather: two ‘bluebird’ days of full snow and sunny skies, and two days of snow with somewhat reduced visibility. We even woke up to a true ‘winter wonderland’ one morning. 

On this camp, students have fantastic opportunities for growth as they encounter challenges and learn new skills with their peers in an outdoor setting. Perhaps most importantly, everyone discovers the great rewards that come from adopting a more persistent attitude. Of course, there was quite a bit of fun to be had, too, whether skiing and snowboarding or relaxing in the evenings. 

St Joseph’s College proudly continues to offer this unique opportunity to our Year 11 students because it brings them closer together as a cohort. I am again thankful for the commitment of our staff who make this experience possible. You can read more about that brilliant week in my blog post from Week 6. 

YEAR 9 CENTRAL AUSTRALIA CAMP

As I write this, I am chaperoning the Year 9 Central Australia Camp. Our journey has taken us to Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, King’s Canyon, and the awe-inspiring Uluru. 

I know that the places we have visited, the experiences we have shared, and the knowledge we have gained about First Nations cultures has given both students and staff a renewed appreciation for our spectacular Great Southern Land. 

(You can read more about this camp in my Term 3, Week 9 blog post.)

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2025 – 2029

The College Executive recently updated the St Joseph’s College Mildura Strategic Direction 2025 to 2029. You can find a copy of the full document on the college’s website by clicking here.

Our Strategic Direction re-emphasises our Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Key Commitments. It also outlines our College Improvement Plan, focusing on three Key Priorities for the next five years:

1. Develop, implement and embed a St Joseph’s College Education Framework.
2. Develop a culture of shared leadership and team-based professional practice.
3. Further strengthen a contemporary understanding of our Catholic School Culture within the Mercy Tradition.

Achieving these priorities demands a strategic approach. We must align our efforts to ensure that every team consistently works towards identical meaningful outcomes for the benefit of both students and staff. 

Doing more is not necessarily the answer. Instead, we will narrow our focus and devote time and energy towards specific goals that deliver greater results and make more significant impacts.

Strategic thinking and collaboration will also foster a workplace culture that values accountability and productivity while remaining centred on student needs.  

GET INVOLVED

Would you like to get more involved and contribute to the future of St Joseph’s College? The College Advisory Council needs you. We are accepting expressions of interest for parent representative members of the Council. Turn to the next page for more information.

MR GEORGE PAOLUCCI

Our colleague, Mr George Paolucci, has recently suffered a stroke and will be spending the foreseeable future undertaking a rehabilitation program. We are deeply thankful that Mr Paolucci is receiving excellent medical care, and I am sure you will join me in wishing him all the very best on his road to recovery.

In Mr Paolucci’s absence, we have made arrangements to ensure continuity of learning for his classes. Mr Lachlan Murdoch, Mr Tim Press, Mr David Purcell, and Mr Andrew Greville will take on Unit 4 Physics and Unit 4 Systems Engineering for Year 12 students over the remainder of the year. Mr Paolucci’s Year 10 and 11 Systems classes will, where possible, be taught by various members of our Science and Technology Learning Areas.

I know you will keep Mr Paolucci and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time, and I thank you for your understanding and support as we work together to support both Mr Paolucci and our students. 

If students would like to talk to someone about this news, they can contact a member of the Wellbeing Team at any time.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Though the spring school holidays begin this weekend, we encourage our VCE students to take full advantage of the VCE Practice Exams on 22, 23 and 24 September. More details and a full schedule appear on the Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching page.

The second of our NASA Study Tours departs on Thursday 25 September. I know you will join me in wishing the staff and students safe travels and exciting STEM-inspired adventures in Cape Canaveral, USA. They will return in Week 1 of Term 4, on Wednesday 8 October.

Speaking of Term 4, most students will return to the college on Monday 6 October in their full summer uniform. Should your student need any summer uniform items, you will find the Uniform Shop’s holiday hours here.

I wish you and your family safe and happy school holidays, however you choose to spend them. We will be ready to welcome everyone back in just over a fortnight.

In the spirit of hope and faith,

Mr Greg Kluske

College Principal