Campus Life

Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop

Feast Day was a special celebration; We began in true Josephite style with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr Joshua McDermid, Assistant Priest from Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. It was his first whole-school Mass with us, making the occasion even more meaningful. We were also pleased to welcome members of our College Board and the SOSJ Victoria and Tasmania Team, including Regional Leader Sr Margaret Malady. Through the hymns, prayers, symbols, and a short video of Mary’s resting place in Sydney, we were reminded of the spirit and legacy of St Mary MacKillop. With many students generously volunteering throughout the Mass, it was a fitting way to begin the day before heading to our Feast Day Carnival.

Blessed with a beautiful sunny winter’s day, the Feast Day Carnival brought fundraising, fun and feasting to life. The creativity and generosity of our student-led stalls were outstanding, making the day a wonderful success. We concluded the day with prize announcements, highlights from our talented Variety Night performers and a spirited rendition of our College Song!

We were also grateful for the involvement of Hobsons Bay Youth Services and Altona Police Station, whose presence created opportunities for positive connection and conversation. Who knows, we may even have a few future recruits ready to serve in the years ahead.

Mrs Anne Severi - Director of Catholic Identity

Mary MacKillop on Stage

In preparation for the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross, we welcomed Starr Productions to perform their play on Mary MacKillop for our Year 8 students. Led by just two actors, Glen Phillips and Amelia Millington, the performance was a wonderful blend of learning and entertainment. They moved effortlessly between the key characters in Mary's life, drawing on her letters to give us insight into her story, her relationships, and her deep faith.

What struck us most, in speaking with the actors afterwards, was their reflection that Mary was someone who refused to speak ill of others. Even through the many challenges she faced, she encouraged the Sisters to remain kind. When you learn about the crosses she carried as a woman of her time, challenges from others, from within her own community, from the Church, and through poor health, her strength, courage and humility shine even more brightly. Yes, Mary was assertive, but she was also firm, fair and deeply compassionate. Her example reminds us that true leadership is grounded in faith, kindness and perseverance. Go Mary!

Anne Severi - Director of Catholic Identity

Grandfriends Day 2026

On the 24th of July all of the year 7s were invited to bring their grandparents to a special afternoon tea at MSJ. It was a wonderful afternoon where we got to spend time with our grandparents and grandfriends, share some special moments together, and show them how much we appreciate them. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces around the school, and it made the day feel extra special.

We started the afternoon by enjoying a delicious afternoon tea of tea and scones. We then listened to some lovely speeches that our fellow Year 7 students wrote about our Grandfriends and the special connections we share with them. We also had the opportunity to listen to our school choir perform two beautiful songs. It was wonderful to see them share their talent and hear all their hard work come together in such a lovely performance.

After the choir performance, we had the opportunity to spend more time with our Grandfriends by taking them on a school tour showing them where we learn and our favourite spots to sit. There were lots of conversations, laughter and happy moments shared throughout the afternoon. It was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves and making memories together.

Overall, Grandfriends Day was a very special afternoon. It was filled with delicious food, wonderful performances, meaningful speeches and, most importantly, quality time with our Grandfriends. We are very thankful that we had the opportunity to celebrate them and make some special memories together!

Georgia Gilloway and Sienna Galea - 7 Providence

MSJ - Seirei Peace Exchange Program

In July, we were delighted to welcome 24 students from our sister school, Seirei Girls’ High School in Japan, for a nine-day Peace Exchange Program. During their visit, the students joined classes across Years 7–9, participated in a city excursion with our Year 10 and 11 Japanese students, and enjoyed a range of enriching workshops exploring Australian art, dance and Indigenous culture. The exchange provided wonderful opportunities for students to learn from one another, share their cultures and build lasting friendships. We are incredibly grateful to our wonderful host families, whose generosity and support made this memorable experience possible.

Jen Mahony - Japanese and English Teacher, 8D Learning Mentor

Hosting a Japanese exchange student was such a fun and memorable experience. Before she arrived, I was very nervous because I was worried about not being able to accommodate her well enough. However, as I got to know her, I found out that we had so much in common and were able to have a really enjoyable time together. It was a lovely experience and I’m sad that it’s over, but it helped me become more confident and committed to learning Japanese. Most importantly, it also showed me that friendships can develop across different cultures, and learning about each other's cultures can help us learn from one another and create stronger relationships. I am so grateful I got to experience this and I hope that I will be able to see my exchange student again!

Bernice Chu - Year 10 Student

When I first applied to be an exchange student I was really nervous! When the day came, and I finally met her, it was such an amazing experience, and I ended up having so much fun. We had lots of similar interests, and became friends really quickly; it honestly felt like we had known each other for many years. I'm so glad and thankful that I ended up completing this program as I was able to make once-in-a-lifetime memories that I will cherish forever!

Taysha Farrugia - Year 9 Student

Variety Night - Not Such A Fairy Tale

In 1990, a young Trudi Camilleri stood on the school stage in a flannelette shirt, face smeared with dirt, playing a miner in Paint Your Wagon. She loved every minute of it. In that moment, she found her people — the ones who thought about performing the same way she did. Twenty-five years later, that same student would take her first lead role on London's West End. I share this not to tell my own story, but because it is your daughters' story too if they want it to be.

Being part of performing arts at MSJ changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me a place to find and develop skills I didn't yet know I had, and to discover where I truly belonged. This is exactly why our annual performance opportunities matter so deeply. Students get to develop new skills, strengthen the ones they already have, and — most importantly — find their tribe.

This year's Not Such a Fairy tale brought together an extraordinary cast of curricular and co-curricular students to present something genuinely bold: a new take on fairy tales, where the young women weren't waiting to be saved. They were smart, brave and kind — women who understood that taking a leap of faith could shape the life they wanted.

These remarkable performers played to a sold-out auditorium packed with proud families and friends. It was a night that reminded all of us why we do this.

Congratulations to every single student involved, on stage and behind.

Trudi Camilleri - Music and Performing Arts Coordinator

From Awareness to Action: Winter Sleep Out and Winter Appeal 2026

Throughout Term 3, the Mount St. Joseph Girls' College community came together in support of those experiencing hardship through our annual Winter Appeal and Winter Sleep Out, turning compassion into meaningful action.

As part of Homelessness Week 2026, which carried the theme Homelessness Action Now, staff and student volunteers participated in the College's Winter Sleep Out in support of St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies). The evening focused on education, advocacy, fundraising and service, encouraging students to deepen their understanding of homelessness and the challenges faced by vulnerable members of our community.

Our Social Justice Leaders delivered a powerful keynote address, while guest speaker Natasha Smith, President of the Hoppers Crossing North St Vincent de Paul Conference, shared valuable insights into the realities of homelessness and the important role volunteers play in supporting those in need. Students were reminded that homelessness is not always visible, with many individuals and families couch surfing or struggling to meet the rising costs of rent and mortgages.

A highlight of the evening was the liturgy, where students gathered in prayer, scripture and reflection. In the darkness, holding lights that symbolised hope, we reflected on our shared responsibility to care for those most in need. Although spending one night sleeping on a hard gym floor and cardboard could only provide a small glimpse into the reality of homelessness, it encouraged students to consider the challenges faced by those living without the security of a home, a bed, or regular access to food, particularly during the colder months.

The spirit of service continued through our Winter Appeal. On 25 June 2026, representatives from Big Group Hug visited MSJ to collect donations generously contributed by our College community. Multiple bags of clothing, blankets, toys and other essential items were packed and loaded into the donation van to support vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorian families.

Big Group Hug is a volunteer-driven organisation that provides much-needed essentials to children anywhere from new-borns, to 16 years of age. Through the redistribution of donated items, the organisation helps ease some of the pressures faced by families experiencing hardship, allowing them to focus on other important aspects of life such as education, employment, family wellbeing and stability.

Together, the Winter Sleep Out and Winter Appeal highlighted the importance of community, generosity and social justice. Through these initiatives, students gained a deeper appreciation of the impact that even small acts of kindness can have on the lives of others. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated items, contributed food, volunteered their time or supported our fundraising efforts.

Thanks to the generosity of the MSJ community, we collected five tubs of food donations, numerous bags of essential goods for Big Group Hug, and raised an outstanding $2,703 for Vinnies. These efforts have helped provide comfort, dignity and hope to those who need it most, demonstrating that when we come together as a community, we can make a meaningful difference.

Anne Severi - Director of Catholic Identity

Maddie Thomas - Sustainability Leader

Imogen Kerr - Social Justice Leader

R U OK? Day

Last Thursday, the 10th of September, our Year 11 Supportive Friends Leadership Team led a vibrant and meaningful R U OK? Day on campus, creating opportunities for students and staff to connect, check in, and support one another.

R U OK? Day reminds us that a simple conversation can make a world of difference. By taking the time to ask, listen, encourage action, and check in, we can help those around us feel seen, heard, and supported.

Students embraced the day through a range of interactive and engaging activities, including:

• Wearing a splash of yellow
• Temporary smiley-face tattoos for student and R U OK? Stickers for all staff members
• A kindness wall filled with positive messages that students could add to across recess and lunch time
• Live Student Performances
• Old-school games
• And a student-produced video featuring Supportive Friends members, teachers, and students sharing why R U OK? Day matters, and how meaningful conversations can support wellbeing.

A huge congratulations to our Supportive Friends leaders for their passion, creativity, and commitment to fostering a culture of kindness and connection within our MSJ community.

Helen Simcic - Student Engagement Associate

Tia Mell - Marketing, Events & Communications Manager

Instrumental Music and Arts Night 

Lights, Camera, Music! Celebrating Collaboration Through Performance:

Australian First Nations music spans over 65,000 years, forming one of the oldest continuous living music traditions in the world. Our students are a continuation of that same spirit — music made together, in community. Our recent instrumental concert put that spirit into practice, focusing on collaboration: musicians playing the same instrument, those within the same instrument family, and those crossing instrument families altogether — strings and guitars with woodwinds, keyboards and strings with voices. It's an opportunity to celebrate new techniques and skills, built through great music and performed alongside peers.

This year's theme was a celebration of all things film and television. The program ranged from animated classics like The Little Mermaid to the recent streaming hit "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters, alongside Bond, Mission: Impossible, Interstellar and The Pink Panther. Television got its due too, with beloved themes from Friends, Hawaii Five-0, and a medley from Stranger Things.

It's always rewarding to watch students share their love of music with friends and family in the audience, they are all part of what makes these nights special. Beyond the music itself, the instrumental program builds skills that transfer well beyond the stage: teamwork, kindness, and generosity toward the people around you — lessons for life.

Trudi Camilleri - Music and Performing Arts Coordinator

Junior Arts Exhibition Celebrates the Creativity of Our Students:

A wonderful celebration of student creativity took place at our annual Junior Arts and Music Night, with the Junior Arts Exhibition showcasing an inspiring collection of work from our Year 7–10 students across Digital Art Photography, Media, Textiles, Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design and Product Design. 

The Visual Arts Faculty is incredibly proud of the creativity, commitment and achievement demonstrated by our students. The exhibition provided students with the opportunity to see their work professionally displayed and, importantly, to share their creative achievements with their families, friends and the wider school community.

For our younger students in particular, opportunities such as this are an important part of their creative learning. Having their work exhibited gives students a genuine audience for their ideas and encourages them to take pride in their creative processes and achievements. It also allows students to experience what it means to contribute to a professional exhibition and to see themselves as artists, designers and creative practitioners within our school community.

It was wonderful to see so many proud students sharing their work with family and friends throughout the evening. The exhibition complemented the outstanding music performances beautifully, creating a vibrant evening that celebrated the many ways our students express themselves through the Arts.

The exhibition was also enjoyed by students and families at the Male Mentors Breakfast, providing another opportunity for our young artists and designers to share their work with the school community.

A special thank you to the Visual Arts Team for their tremendous work installing the exhibition, in particular Ms Idgie Kagan and Mrs Denise Spiteri and to the Maintenance team for their assistance. Thanks to our amazing Design Technology and Visual Art Teachers for their dedication and passion - Susan Brandt, Laura Dalta-Viota, Sara Givins, Nadia Graziotto, Alex Kowal and David Meilak. Thank you also to leadership for their ongoing support of the arts! We greatly appreciate the time, care and support that went into bringing the exhibition together so we can celebrate the year long work of our students. 

Most importantly, congratulations to all of our Year 7–10 students whose work was exhibited. The Visual Arts Faculty is very proud of you and your achievements.

Sally Frith - Visual Arts Domain Leader

Male Mentor's Breakfast 2026

On Friday the 11th of September, Mount St. Joseph Girls' College proudly hosted our annual Male Mentors' Breakfast, celebrating the invaluable influence that male role models have in the lives of our students. Fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and other significant mentors gathered for a morning of connection, gratitude, and inspiration.

We were delighted to welcome more than 500 guests, who enjoyed a delicious breakfast featuring freshly baked scrolls generously supplied by local businesses The Sixth Child Café and Bakers Delight Altona.

A highlight of the morning was hearing from our inspiring guest speaker, Tim Rizzoli, a talented local musician who won The Voice alongside his daughter, Caitlin, in 2022. Tim shared heartfelt reflections on fatherhood, describing it as an amazing, complex, rewarding, and ever-evolving journey. His message encouraged all present to consider the profound impact that guidance, support, and mentorship can have in shaping the lives of young women.

Guests also enjoyed a photobooth and the opportunity to take home personalised thank-you cards, handwritten by students as a special keepsake for their male mentors.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful community for making this event such a success! Your presence and ongoing support are a testament to the lasting impact of strong, positive role models who help inspire, guide, and empower the young women of MSJ.

Tia Mell - Marketing, Events & Communications Manager