DEPUTY PRINCIPAL STUDENTS
WELCOME BACK 2024
A very warm welcome to all students and families as we start the 2024 school year together. A special welcome to our new students and families who have joined the St Joseph’s College community this year. We have had a positive start to the year with students in Years 7, 8, 11, and 12 starting on Wednesday 31 January and students in Years 9 and 10 he returning on Thursday 1 February. The Year 7 students completed a two-day induction program to support their successful transition into secondary school by familiarising themselves with the college.
I would like to congratulate the Year 7 students on their ability to quickly adapt to their new secondary school environment. I would also thank to thank the senior buddies who have had the role of mentoring and guiding 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.
In the second week of term, our Year 9, 10, 11, and 12 students 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 Year 9 and 11 Seminar Days, which were well received. Chris has had a long association with the college and is always warmly welcomed back by staff and students. Your Choicez conducted the Year 10 Seminar Day with a focus for the boys on healthy masculinity, pornography, consent, and healthy relationships, while the focus for the girls was on qualities that matter, the 'helpers', consent, and healthy relationships. The Year 12 Seminar Days involved the students working with Gen Bryant and her team for the first day, with the second day focused on Indigenous culture and experiences. Gen Bryant and her team also worked with our Choir and Specialist Music students. I thank Ms Rebecca Garreffa and her team for creating opportunities for our students to enliven and deepen their faith.
The Year 8 students had the opportunity to meet with Josh Gibcus, Liam Baker, Palatavake Kuma, and Mykelti Lefau from the Richmond Institute. The students were involved in a Q&A where the AFL guests spoke about their journey, background, how they achieved their goals, and nutrition. I thank Mr David Kennedy, AFL House Participation Coordinator, for helping to provide this opportunity for our students. Our new Year 7 students, with the support of the Year 9 Peer Support Leaders, enjoyed their Community Day at the Mildura Football Netball Club and Mildura Waves. The purpose of this day was to build a sense of community among the Year 7 cohort, assist them with their transition to high school, and help them make friends. I thank Mrs Jodie Birnie and the Wellbeing Team for overseeing this day.
WELLIO – EXTENDED PASTORAL CARE (EPC) PROGRAM
In 2024, EPC has moved to a single period each week (Thursday period 4). This will ensure that most assemblies and Masses will occur during this time. (However, not all assemblies and liturgical celebrations can occur on a Thursday, e.g. Ash Wednesday, Anzac Day, and Remembrance Day.) This also ensures that disruptions to learning and teaching time are minimised. Except for assemblies and Masses, EPC will involve a mix of Homeroom activities and Wellio.
Wellio is a new wellbeing platform that will be tailored to suit both year level and House. I encourage all parents and carers to have a look at the Wellio website. We are excited to see how this program will benefit the overall wellbeing of our students. We anticipate that the program will equip the students to understand more about their personal wellbeing, allow the college and wellbeing team to be more proactive with concerns, and engage both students and staff.
While the staff have received training in the Wellio platform, there will also be an opportunity for parents and carers to participate in online sessions to enhance your knowledge about wellbeing areas that will help you and your children.
STUDENT LEARNING AGREEMENTS
All students complete a Student Learning Agreement during Extended Pastoral Care. These agreements demonstrate the students’ commitments to accepting the high expectations that come with being a St Joseph’s College student with respect to the following areas: Attendance, Work Ethic, Administration, Pastoral Care, Ethos, Uniform, and Conduct. The college places a high regard on the development of positive, respectful relationships between members of our college community. To assist in building these relationships, we acknowledge the need for agreement from all involved to a set of expectations that enhance the behaviours, attitudes, and values that underpin interactions within the college.
UNIFORM
The college Uniform Policy is part of the Student Learning Agreement. 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 most students are generally wearing their uniform correctly and with pride.
While the uniform guidelines have not changed in relation to earrings, students are reminded that earrings are limited to small plain spherical gold/silver studs or sleepers for pierced ears (ear lobe only). No plastic, gemstones, or pearls. Students are also not permitted to wear rings or have coloured nail polish/nail extensions. 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 to the college 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 the team to arrange appointments as they start their VCE/VCE VM pathways. All students are encouraged to seek wellbeing support via email to wellbeing@sjcmda.vic.edu.au or by reaching out to any member of 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 team that strive to ensure every student’s wellbeing is supported and monitored.
SAFETY OF BELONGINGS
While we are fortunate to work and study 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 they are required to use on lockers. If students do not have a lock or it has been misplaced, they need purchase a lock as soon as possible. Please be aware that items have previously not been covered by insurance when they were stolen or damaged by intruders outside of school hours after being left in a locker which did not have a lock affixed.
Students are required to place their mobile phones in their lockers during the school day, which again highlights how important it is for students to lock their lockers.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
At the college we have great opportunities for students to gain leadership skills and display their leadership qualities. I wish all our student leaders the best in their leadership journeys this year as we continue to promote active student voice and advocacy in the college.
I wish all students and families a happy and successful 2024.
Mr Heath McClaer
Deputy Principal Students