College Captains Report

What a great first term it has been for the 2023 school year. With more Year 7 students onsite we have been pushed for space, but as a leader I feel very fortunate to be able to interact with them all before seeing them move to the new campus during Term 2. It has also been a pleasure to work with our senior leaders in promoting our school social justice campaigns in supporting poverty and Caritas along with International Women’s Day. Each meeting has its own twist where we all get a chance to pitch our ideas around each other and decide on the appropriate action to make the school a better place from our point of view.

Myself and many other Year 12 and 11 students will again feel fortunate enough to celebrate our school's 137th birthday for the first time since 2019 (when the COVID-19 pandemic began). I have been reflecting on tradition a lot and the part it plays in our school. Despite a lot of change and innovation it is also important to maintain the tradition of our school and its history. Tradition contributes to our school culture and it is something that every student can embrace throughout their time at St Joseph’s and beyond. This tradition offers us a sense of belonging to the people in our school and wider community. This foundation day we will be able to finally run our traditional foundation day stalls. This will be a new and exciting experience for everyone in Year 10 down and for all of the teachers who have joined us since 2019. There will be an extended lunchtime where we are able to interact with friends and be able to celebrate our school's history with joy and to continue on with a long lasting tradition that began well before I was in Year 7 - and a tradition that will hopefully continue on for years to come. 

I want to give a shout out to all of our swimmers who took part in the swimming sports, embracing this year's theme of courage and putting your hand up to have a go and swim for your House. For the Year 12s, our last swimming sports is behind us with some amazing costumes chosen from our decided theme of ‘Childhood Icons.’ (This is another tradition just for the year 12s that we, as a cohort, have been looking forward to since Year 7). Hopefully one day after we leave, the swimming sports will be held as a whole school once more, with all year levels back at the pool being able to cheer their House on whilst enjoying the day of no classes and a day of interaction between campuses. 

The Year 12 retreat was also a success. With many new interactions amongst our year level that brought us all closer together. It was also at a brand new site that had plenty of fun activities for everyone to enjoy, despite the rain. We all enjoyed being able to gather as a whole cohort and bond with our teachers as well as each other. Many students were able to confront fears, whether that be heights or talking about themselves. I think many students have learnt to respect each other more and ask for help when they need it. The most memorable moments for us were the flying fox, our Op Shop Formal and the bonding we experienced in our group sessions. Year 12 is a big year, not just with the workload, but emotionally and physically. It is important for us all to remember to ask for help and support one another. Year 12 is a big step towards our future and this retreat was an amazing opportunity for us to reflect and grow within ourselves and our community. We need to give a massive shout out to Mr Beck, Mrs Pethybridge, Ms Ryan and Mr Kemp for organising the event and all of the other staff who made this trip so amazing. We would also like to thank the staff at the Ovens Valley Homestead for their hard work and support throughout the activities and providing an amazing location for us.

Thank you to all students and staff for an amazing first term. Holidays are not far away so keep pushing until the break. Good luck to all of the Year 7s and the Yr 7 staff with their move to the new campus and to start a new chapter for not only themselves but for St Joseph’s as a school. Continue to embrace this year's theme of courage and ‘let the little things be the stepping stones for growth’ as we continue to move forward. 

When we are courageous enough to work together as a team, as a school, as a community, as one, the world is a brighter place for everybody.  

Jack Anderson 

College Captain 2023