I trust all the students, staff and families had an enjoyable Easter and school holiday period – and are now raring to go for an exciting Term 2.

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. We thank those students, staff and families who participated and attended the service, it was a very moving experience. I also thank our College Captains Maria Petrolo and Oliver Sharman and House Team Leader Mr Dion Collins for representing the college at the morning service held at Henderson Park.

The Anzac Ceremony was held in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday April 26. Mr Ken Barclay, a Vietnam Veteran and a Life member and Meritorious Service member of the RSL, addressed the students about the importance of ANZAC day and those who fought so we can live in peace. It is a significant ceremony for the college where we acknowledge and remember members of our community who died during wartime. A section of Ken’s speech – Why we must not forget:

WHY WE MUST REMEMBER

Why not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Australian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes, families, and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Australia. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument.

These wars touched the lives of Australians of all ages, all races, and all social classes. Fathers, sons, daughters, and sweethearts were killed in action, were wounded, and many of those who returned were forever changed. Those who stayed in Australia also served - in factories, in voluntary service organisations, wherever they were needed.

Yet, for many of us, war is a phenomenon viewed through the lens of a television camera, or a journalist's account of battles fought in distant parts of the world. Our closest physical and emotional experience may be the discovery of wartime memorabilia in a family attic. But even items such as photographs, uniform badges, medals, and diaries can seem vague and unconnected to the life of their owner. For those of us who were born during peacetime, all wars appear to be far removed from our daily activities.

As Australians, we often take for granted our current way of life, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms in our constitution ensures that all Australians enjoy protection under the law. The Australians who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that such rights and freedoms were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom, there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."

In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognise the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve. These men and women had faith in the future and, by their acts, gave us the will to preserve peace for all time. On Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and gallantry of those who served their country.

During times of war, individual acts of heroism occurred frequently; only a few were recorded and received official recognition. In remembering all who served, we recognise the many who willingly endured the hardships and the fear so that we could live in peace.

We should treasure that we live in a peaceful country, where next month we can go to the polls and elect a government to lead us over the next 3-4 years without fear or favour. Many people throughout the world are not able to do this or express their voice due to the many dictators that rule this world. The ones that really suffer during wars are the poor innocent elderly people, women & children. You only have to look at what is going on in Ukraine at the moment.

I am sure that all who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who remain, plus those that are still serving, would be very grateful that children like you would take the time to honour their service. I, for one, as a returned serviceman, am very grateful and honoured that I have been given the opportunity to speak to you all today.

Thank You.

LEST WE FORGET

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER FEAST DAY

CROSS COUNTRY, STALLS AND CARPENTERS CLASSIC

Always a highlight on the college calendar, we were blessed with lovely weather for the Cross Country Carnival, which was won by Xavier House. The students had the opportunity to participate in the Cross Country or go for a walk along the river – although perhaps not as leisurely as some may have expected. Following the Cross Country, students took part in and enjoyed the variety of Homeroom Stalls. This was followed by the Carpenters Classic, where several students had the opportunity to show off their vocal and musical skills. Mr Nick Mazza was a huge fan of all the performers – giving each act a perfect 10. As is tradition, the Year 12s performed the final act together. I thank all the students who supported and cheered on all of the performers that were brave enough to perform in front of their peers.

CROSS COUNTRY - SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA (SSV)

The top performers at the Cross-Country Carnival then went on to represent the college at the SSV level at Apex Park on Friday May 6. Some outstanding performances saw 28 students qualify and progress to the LMR level in St Arnaud. These outstanding performances also allowed the college to win the Junior Shield.

Congratulations to the following Age Group Champions on the day.

13G Sadie Woollard

13B Tanner Strong

14G Saffron Miller

15G Sienna Primarano

15B Hunter Strong

16G Meg Neagle

16B Frankie De Maria

16G Kaitlin Hards

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

A message shared by Mercy Regional College, Camperdown

When we talk about diversity, we are talking about a fact of life: we are all different. When we talk about inclusion, we are talking about a deliberate act or choice of words and actions that enrich and enhance our community.

As the St Joseph’s College community, we come from a variety of backgrounds made up of different ethnicities, including First Nations people, family structures, socio-economic backgrounds, as well as students, and families who identify with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTQI+) community.

No two people in our community are the same. We are as diverse in our backgrounds as we are in our interests, our tastes in music, our gifts and our talents. Some people are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex, or unsure how they want to identify. Our community would once have been majority Catholic; now, our community is made up of many different expressions of the world’s religions and, indeed, people of no faith. This diversity enriches our community.

Our Catholic identity within the tradition and spirit of the Sisters of Mercy and their foundress, Catherine McAuley, shapes our view of the world. For Catherine McAuley in 1830s Dublin, this meant providing support and education to the marginalised in that community - predominantly women and children. Our Mercy heritage and Gospel conviction compel us to inclusion through how we behave, the sorts of language we use, and the spaces we create. As educators, our teaching practice must also reflect on how we cater to diverse learning styles in the classroom and set up safe learning environments for our young people so that their learning and growth can be facilitated in the best and most inclusive way possible. Inclusion in our school community is achieved when a diversity of people feel they are:

Respected for who they are and able to be themselves;
Connected to their peers and colleagues and feel they belong;
Contributing their perspectives and talents to the community; and
Progressing in their education and career at work with equal access to opportunities and resources.

IDAHOBIT Day is celebrated on Tuesday May 17 - that is, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia as a tangible action to promote diversity and inclusion in our community. St Joseph’s College students will represent the college at an event organised by Mallee Pride in the Langtree riverfront area. As a community, we continue to strive to show our commitment to social, educational, and spiritual inclusion and diversity by encouraging our young people to reflect on difference, inclusion and diversity in our community and encouraging them to call out practices that intentionally exclude others.

LEGAL ISSUES CONCERNING TEENS

The college thanks Allie Collier from the Mallee Family Care Community Legal Centre for presenting to us on 9 May. Allie presented to our Year 7 students about cyberbullying and the sharing of intimate images and our Year 9 cohort about sharing intimate images and consent. Students were provided with a legal understanding of these topics, which we hope will support them in making good choices in the future. Allie also presented to the college staff on a range of legal issues relating to young people and to our wider community at the 'Navigating Tricky Teens' parent information session, including the important ways parents can guide and support their children concerning:

Sexual Harassment and sexual consent
Sharing of intimate images ("sexting")
Keeping your teens safe online - social media, cyberbullying, grooming etc
The importance of a positive digital reputation
Where to find resources and support

Mallee Family Care Community Legal Centre

122 Ninth Street, Mildura

PO Box 1870 Mildura Victoria 3502

Ph: 5023 5966

Free call: 1800 243 002

www.mfclegal.com.au

Mr Heath McClaer

Deputy Principal Students

IN THE COMMUNITY