DEPUTY PRINCIPAL STUDENTS

As the academic school year draws to a close, we take the opportunity to reflect on the year that has been. We often speak to students about developing their resilience and being flexible and adapting to change. This year which has been heavily impacted by Covid-19. Our students, staff and community have been forced to develop and practise these skills this year. We hope that we are now in a position to reflect on these challenges and how we were able to come through them positively.

While the year is coming to an end, the last few weeks of Term 4 have been incredibly action-packed. Our Year 12 students have continued to display great dedication, motivation and effort through their exam period. We have been immensely proud of their efforts throughout the year, and they will be celebrated at their Year 12 Graduation on Thursday December 10. For those students completing a scored ATAR, they will look forward to receiving their results in late December. We wish them every success, and hope that the education they received sets them up for their chosen pathway.

Our 2021 Year 12 cohort completed their introduction to Year 12 classes through the HeadStart program. It was a real positive to see these students make a great first impression with their Year 12 teachers and peers in their classes. In recognition of their efforts this year, the students also participated in a Wellbeing Day. This day was designed to build positive relationships and bring the cohort together. The students enjoyed an Amazing Race activity around the Mildura City area and riverfront, completing challenges and working as teams. While the weather was on the warmer side, all the students that participated enjoyed the experience. The students then enjoyed an afternoon of tenpin bowling and activities.

Our Year 10 students are about to head into their Novus experience. While it was planned that these students would be heading to Melbourne, we have had to be flexible and adaptable and the Novus experience will take on a local flavour this year. The students have started their final week by gaining their First Aid certificates and participating in a Roadsmart session.

The Year 9 students had their Discovery Days in mid-November. The boys and girls were separated for two days and participated in an engaging program aimed at bringing the students together, develop their social thinking skills and improving their general wellbeing. Students participated in sessions relating to teambuilding, canoeing, wellbeing, job skills, sexual health, music, rope tying, basic bike maintenance, and tenpin bowling.

Our Year 8 students enjoyed the alternative camp program where they participated in a wide range of activities including zorb balls, canoeing, bike riding, rock-climbing, tenpin bowling and team building activities from the camp program. The Year 7 students had the opportunity to learn, develop and display their cricket skills at the Year 7 Cricket day. In a year where school sport has been very limited, it was great for the students to play some competitive sport, even if it was designed to be fun rather than competitive.

Finally, I wish all the students, staff and families a joyful Christmas. To the students that are returning in 2021, we look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year and trust that you will return both safe and well-rested. We look forward to a year with fewer disruptions. To the students that will leave us at the end of the year, we wish you the best in your chosen paths, and hope that you will reflect on your time at St Joseph’s College positively.

Mr Heath McClaer

Deputy Principal Students

2021 HOUSE CAPTAINS

The college is pleased to announce next year’s House Captains and Vice Captains. We know that these exceptional young people will lead their Houses and the greater college community with honour, pride, and enthusiasm during the Year of Service.

Taking the first steps towards becoming a leader requires courage and determination. The added responsibility of leading one’s peers can be both thrilling and daunting. Emerging leaders must rely on persistence and dedication as they cultivate the many skills they need to support, inspire, and encourage those they represent.

I applaud these young men and women in their quest to become the leaders of the future. Though they will meet with many different challenges, the knowledge and experience they gain over the next year will allow them to reap great reward when they leave St Joseph’s College and enter the workforce as young adults.

Please join me in congratulating the 2021 House Captains and Vice Captains. We are so excited to be with you as you begin your walk on the path of leadership.

CHISHOLM HOUSE

Captains - Ella Higgins and Cody Morrish

Vice Captains - Claudia Argiro and Harper Young

MACKILLOP HOUSE

Captains - Holly Thompson and Thomas Hermans

Vice Captains - Bailey Lanyon and Mark Armstrong

MCAULEY HOUSE

Captains - Monique Carrazza and Matthew Garreffa

Vice Captains - Holly Harmer and Harrison Phillips

PADUA HOUSE

Captains - Zara Copley and Harrison Thurman

Vice Captains - Sydney Lock and Ethan Prescott

XAVIER HOUSE

Captains - Chloe Christensen and Isaac Hallam

Vice Captains - Olivia Knights and Lara Telfer

2021 SPECIALIST CAPTAINS AND VICE CAPTAINS

The college is pleased to announce next year’s Specialist Captains and Vice Captains.

The college has great confidence that these outstanding young men and women will lead their respective specialist areas with passion, dedication and enthusiasm. We trust they will be great role models for the community and live out the college core values of Spirituality, Excellence, Compassion, Justice, Hospitality, Community and Service.

We congratulate them and wish them all the best in their future leadership journey.