ANZAC DAY CEREMONIES

The college was invited to continue its association with the Mildura RSL by participating in the War Graves Service at the Nichols Point Cemetery on Anzac Day. I thank those students, staff, and families who participated and attended the service. It was a very moving experience.

I also would like to thank College Captains Willow Dimasi, Sosaia Ale, Demi Zanoni, Darcy Noonan, and Director of Students, Mrs Jodie Birnie, for joining me in representing the college at the service held at Henderson Park. I make a special mention of thanks to Lilliana Bertalli, who performed the Australian National Anthem at the Dawn Service, War Graves Service, and the Henderson Park morning service. The RSL and the college were very thankful.

The college's ANZAC assembly was held on the Cleadon Oval on Wednesday 24 April. Our guest speaker, Robert Birnie, addressed the students. Mr Birnie is a former infantry soldier and non-commissioned officer who served in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and completed tours of duty in Iraq and Timor Leste.

Also a parent at the college, Mr Birnie spoke about the significance of ANZAC Day and the Gallipoli landing and what ANZAC day means for those currently serving in the military, ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, and to all Australians. We were also grateful to welcome ex-servicemen and Mildura RSL representatives Mr John Searle, Mr Scott Richards, Mr Josh Fraser, and Mr Brad McGlashan. The ANZAC assembly is a very important ceremony for the college where we remember and acknowledge the members of our St Joseph’s community who died during wartime.

CROSS COUNTRY, FEAST DAY STALLS & CARPENTERS CLASSIC

Always a highlight on the college calendar, the college celebrated the Feast Day, Cross Country, and Carpenters Classic on Thursday 2 May. Congratulations to Mackillop House who were the Cross Country winners. The top place-getters at the Cross Country Carnival will now go on to represent the college on Thursday 9 May. Thank you to Mr John Fleming and his team for all their hard work in preparing and overseeing the cross country event.

A special thank you to the staff that competed against the students in the Cross Country: Father John Corrigan (Year 7 boys), Mrs Kristy McClaer (Year 7 girls), Mr Andrew Greville (Year 8 boys), Mrs Sophie Law (Year 8 girls), Mr Dion Collins (Year 9 boys), Mrs Kizzy Curran (Year 9 girls), Mr Ash Weir (Year 10 boys), Mrs Susan Quinn (Year 10 girls), Mr Michael Quin (Year 11 boys), Mrs Katrina Oldham (Year 11 girls), Mr Marcus Parker (Year 12 boys) and Mrs Jane Roberts (Year 12 girls). Students that finished before the staff in their year level received tokens to be redeemed on the feast day stalls.

Following the Cross Country, students took part in and enjoyed the variety of Homeroom food and activity stalls.

The final part of the day, the Carpenters Classic, gave students the opportunity to show off their vocal, dance, and theatre skills. As is tradition, the Year 12 students performed the final act together. I thank all the students who supported and cheered on all the performers that were brave enough to perform in front of their peers. While all the performers were outstanding, congratulations to Hazel Symonds who sang amazingly and won the Carpenters Classic.

Special thanks to Mrs Tracy Aston, Mrs Jacinta Jones, Mrs Jennifer Gibson, Mr Lewis White, and all the staff that worked to ensure the stalls and the concert were great experiences for the students.

COLLEGE UNIFORM

A reminder that students are required to wear the college blazer as the outer garment when they enter and exit the college during Terms 2 and 3, as well as to morning Homeroom, as per the College Uniform Policy. This also applies to Year 12 students when they are wearing their Year 12 rugby jumper on a Tuesday and Thursday.

Also, a reminder that ties need to be worn correctly at the top button as per the image below.

If you have any queries, please refer to the Uniform Policy on the college website.

DO IT FOR DOLLY DAY

The Student Representative Council (SRC) acknowledged and celebrated Do it for Dolly Day on Friday 10 May. Students were encouraged to wear a blue ribbon, made by the SRC, to support the cause and stand against bullying in all forms.

Dolly’s Dream is an organisation created by Kate and Tick Everett following the loss of their 14-year-old daughter Dolly to suicide after ongoing bullying. Kate and Tick’s goal is to prevent other families walking this road. They want to change the culture of bullying by addressing the mental health concerns and social pressures young people feel today through education and direct support to young people and families. Dolly’s Dream is supported by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. One of the ways that Dolly’s Dream aims to achieve a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities is by promoting Do it for Dolly Day. This day seeks to address the issues of bullying, depression, and youth suicide in Australia, and to promote kindness.

WELLIO

The students will continue to build their wellbeing skills through the Wellio program in Extended Pastoral Care during the term, focusing on topics that are specific to their stage of development.

To support parents, guardians, and families, Wellio also offers free parent webinars on issues impacting young people and how families can support them. The first one, Phones & Social Media, occurred on Tuesday 14 May at 6:30pm.

2024 Parent Webinar Schedule

Please see below for the dates for other free parent webinars running across the year:

Thursday 29 August 6:30pm – Building Healthy Relationships
Thursday 31 October 6:30pm – Resilience & Setbacks
Registration Link : https://www.wellioeducation.com/en_au/webinars

SPORT

Along with the Cross Country it has been a busy start to the term for Interschool Sport.

In the first week of Term, we had students representing the college at the SSV State Swimming Championships. All swimmers swam to the best of their ability and represented the college with pride. Congratulations to Joaquin Leal-Kaiser who won silver in the 50m Butterfly and won bronze in the 50m Backstroke – an amazing effort.

Our Senior Girls and Boys football teams played Mildura Senior College to progress to the next round of school sport. Our girls came away with the victory, while our boys lost a very close game by under a goal. Well done to both teams and their coaches Mr Sam Doering and Mr Michael Quin.

Junior Girls Volleyball – Won LMR and now progress to the State competition in November.

Junior Boys Tennis – Runners up LMR.

A busy term awaits with Netball and Soccer try-outs and competitions.

LOOKING AHEAD...

We look forward to another busy and exciting term. While many of our Year 12 students enjoyed their subject camps in the first week of term, this week our Year 8 students were at Halls Gap, while our Year 12s will have their retreat in Anglesea during the last week of the term. Other major forthcoming events include the College Ball and the Sunraysia VCE Ball.

Have a great Term 2.

Mr Heath McClaer

Deputy Principal Students

IN THE COMMUNITY