COLLEGE NEWS

IMPORTANT DATES

Read upcoming important dates here. 

END OF TERM AFTERNOON BUSES

On the last day of the school term, Thursday April 1 ALL SCHOOL BUS afternoon runs will commence one hour earlier than a regular school day.

Please note that all public service routes will continue to run at their normal times as per the current timetable.

Any student who would normally catch connecting buses will be required to make their own arrangements. Wherever possible, CDC Mildura staff will be happy to advise and assist.

Please be aware that students must be at their regular bus stops one hour earlier than general to ensure they do not miss the bus.

The staff at CDC Mildura would like to wish all families a safe school holiday and look forward to the transition return of students in Term 2.  Services will commence on Monday April 19, 2021.

Mr Michael Wade

Acting Service Delivery Manager

CDC Mildura

A MESSAGE FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP

The Uniform Shop is eager to accept second hand blazers for sale for the coming winter. Please note, the blazer will need to be dry cleaned with the dry cleaning tag attached. 

The uniform shop will be open next week at the following times:

Monday March 29 - 3.00pm to 4.00pm

Wednesday March 31 - 1.00pm to 4.30pm

Thursday April 1 - 8.30am to 9.30am

The shop will be open on Saturday March 27 from 9.30am until 11.30am for your convenience, as the following Saturday April 3 it will be closed due to the Easter weekend.

Mrs Leanne Reimers

Uniform Shop

OPENING MASS

McAuley House hosted the Opening Eucharist for the staff and students of St Joseph’s College for 2021 at the Sacred Heart Parish Church.  The Mass was a time to gather as one community to celebrate the start of the new year for each of us. 

In the Mass, we celebrated that it has been 115 years since the Sisters of Mercy commenced Catholic Education in Mildura and the many years of continuous service from the Sisters throughout the Sunraysia district schools in Mildura, Red Cliffs, Wentworth and Merbein. 

Our college value for 2021 is Service and this invites us all to use our God-given gifts in the best way that we can to be of service to others and ensure everyone is welcomed, treated fairly and shares in the fruits of our community. 

Our Year 7 students and student college leaders were welcomed and blessed by Fr Matthew Thomas and the congregation. This year we are challenged to act in a compassionate way that will welcome everyone, promote peace and be of service to those around us. As a result of COVID restrictions, this Mass was the first Eucharist that our whole school has been able to celebrate in person for 12 months. It was a wonderful spiritual experience enabling the ongoing development of our staff and students’ individual faith journeys. 

Miss Paula Cox

Director of Catholic Identity

YEARS 7 AND 9 NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2021 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be held on Tuesday May 11, Wednesday May 12 and Thursday May 13, 2021. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy.

The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. During text week, catch-up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days. These students may undertake catch-up tests on the days in the test week after the scheduled test, up to and including Friday May 14, 2021.

Support can be arranged for students with disabilities if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks.

Exemptions may be granted to students with significant intellectual disabilities and to students who have been learning English for less than one year.

If your child is eligible for support due to disability or an exemption, you should discuss this with Ms Melanie Saleta prior to the tests. Parental consent is required before any support due to disability or exemption is granted.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the Principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a Student Withdrawal Form. These forms are available by contacting me via email.

Later in the year you will receive your child's personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child's particular skills in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The report will also show how your child performed in relation to national minimum standards. These describe the minimum acceptable standards for students across Australia.

I am confident that the information you receive as a result of your child's participation in the NAPLAN tests will be valuable in helping you to assess your child's progress in literacy and numeracy.

For more information about the tests, please visit the VCAA website at or the NAP website.

Mr Emmet Brown

Director of Learning and Teaching

MERCY ACTION GROUP ANNUAL PROJECT COMPASSION EASTER EGG RAFFLE 

The Mercy Action Group are seeking donations of Easter eggs and baskets to make the Project Compassion Easter Egg Raffle prizes. Staff and students are asked to donate chocolates and basket items to create a number of baskets. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday April 1 at recess. Easter egg donations can be made up to and including Tuesday March 30.

Please support the Mercy Action Group to continue this long tradition of raising funds for Caritas through their Project Compassion Campaign, by donating goods and buying the raffle tickets from the college’s Library, Mercy Campus Reception, Enright Campus Reception and at the Sacred Heart Parish Office.

The 2021 Project Compassion Theme is ‘BE MORE’, so please be more by supporting our Mercy Action Group's endeavours to help others. 

SENIOR MERCY WORKS

The Walk Off the War Within event took place on Saturday March 13, with the Mildura community being invited to help fight the stigma of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder by completing a 20km walking trail. Members of the public, defence force and emergency service personnel walked in memory of PTSD activist Nathan Shanahan, who sadly lost his battle with mental health in December 2016, and other fallen servicemen and women. 

A group of St Joseph’s College students volunteered for the day and took turns handling a water station. We handed out food, water and sunscreen to the people walking down at Nowingi Place and offered encouragement to those who were struggling. Merchandise such as shirts and hoodies were available to us for purchase, giving us the opportunity to support the not-for-profit cause of raising mental health awareness. The event began in the early morning and ran until 3.00pm and gave those who attended the chance to be part of an important and relevant cause that affects so many in the community. 

Miss Catherine Brown - Year 12

HARMONY DAY

Harmony Day is celebrated on March 21 each year and it is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants into our community. Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

St Joseph’s College celebrated Harmony Day on Thursday March 18 following the whole college assembly. A number of music students performed in the flagpole area, while others signed the Harmony Day Banner. All students were able to purchase some BBQ foods and drinks while trying some indigenous traditional sauces and food. 

Staff and students enjoyed their lunch and entertainment in the sunshine. All money raised on the day going towards Project Compassion Fundraising. Thank you to Miss Higgins and her RE Art class for creating the Harmony Day Banner and the Music Department for the beautiful music.

Miss Paula Cox

Director of Catholic Identity

ST PATRICK'S DAY

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

St Patrick’s day is an old celebration of St Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland and bringing Christianity to its shores. The amazing thing about the story is how the Celts accepted Christianity so quickly. I think the main reason for this was that the pagan religion in Ireland was so close to some of the Catholic teachings, for example three was a special number that appears in a lot of ancient stonework and is present in much Celtic imagery, along with the ideas of infinity and everlasting love. Some of the spirituality seemed so touched by the ideas of Christianity that one wonders if the Celts had formed a connection with God before the arrival of the Christian Church as an institution. 

Modern St Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world. Ireland has a long history of emigration and its emigrants brought their celebrations with them. It can be a time when the Irish living abroad think fondly or their homeland and can even ease the feeling of disconnection from their land, family, culture and traditions. It is great to be able to celebrate this feast day as part of a community, hundreds of years after St Patrick walked the Emerald Isle and thousands of miles on the other side of the globe.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Mr Emmet Brown

Director of Learning and Teaching

TERM 1 AWARD WINNERS

PRINCIPAL'S AWARDS

Congratulations Logan King. 

Logan is a Year 7 student and a member of MacKillop house. He is a member of Miss Dakis’ homeroom and has been nominated by his House Leader Mrs Birnie.

Logan has made an outstanding start to secondary school at St Joseph’s College. He is a friendly and kind natured young man who is a role model to other students.  Logan wears his uniform with pride and completes all his work from each of his subject areas to the best of his ability.  At the Swimming Carnival he showed excellent House spirit and he was willing to participate in events when the House Captains needed him to step up. Well done on a successful start to your learning journey at St Joseph’s College.

WE CONGRATULATE LOGAN ON HIS STUDENT OF THE TERM AWARD.

Congratulations Peter Argiro.

Peter is a Year 8 student and a member of Chisholm house.  He is a member of Miss Willcock’s homeroom and has been nominated by Mrs Dixon. 

From the very first day of term, Peter has consistently arrived to class ready to learn, keen to participate and happy to lend a helping hand to fellow classmates. Peter’s warm and friendly disposition is a pleasure to be around. Nothing is ever too much trouble for him and he is generous with his time and energy to whomever crosses his path.

Peter thrives when given a challenge and approaches each opportunity with humour.  Aware of his goals, he has an outstanding positive growth mindset.  Peter is an excellent role model with strong leadership qualities.  Well done for always being a fair and courteous member of our Campus.

WE CONGRATULATE PETER ON HIS STUDENT OF THE TERM AWARD.

Congratulations Jayla Nisnoni.

Jayla is a Year 9 student and a member of Xavier house. She is a member of Mrs Chamberlain’s Homeroom and has been nominated by Mrs Chamberlain.

Jayla has been a member of the Mercy Action group for two years. She has participated in most fundraisers and activities and is a valued member of this group.  She is also a member of the choir and happily gives her time to both of these groups. Jayla wears her college uniform with pride and in homeroom her happy personality helps to brighten our day.

WE CONGRATULATE JAYLA ON HER STUDENT OF THE TERM AWARD.

Congratulations Billy Hunt. 

Billy is a Year 10 student and a member of Chisholm house.  He is in Mrs Manfield’s homeroom and has been nominated by Mr McClaer.

Billy attended the Swimming Carnival and volunteered in the canteen all day.  He was happy to give up his time to support the college and involve himself in the day.  He wears his uniform correctly at all times and is always trying his best.

WE CONGRATULATE BILLY ON HIS STUDENT OF THE TERM AWARD.

Congratulations Teika Collins.

Teika is a Year 11 student and a member of MacKillop house. She is in Mr Press’ homeroom and has been nominated by Mrs Birnie.

Teika is a quiet achiever of the St Joseph’s College community who shows excellence in all areas of her schooling. She is a polite, well-mannered and respected student who involves herself in all school events. Teika wears her uniform with pride and is an exemplary student who is the epitome of our college values. Well done Teika for striving for excellence in all that you do.

WE CONGRATULATE TEIKA ON HER STUDENT OF THE TERM AWARD.

Congratulations Laaina Suli.

Laaina is a Year 12 student and a member of McAuley house. She is in Ms Oberoi’s homeroom and has been nominated by Mr Murdoch and Mr McClaer. 

Laaina is a new student to the college this year and has embraced the year with a positive attitude from the beginning. While making a confident start in her classes, Laaina has shown great initiative and leadership in creating a proposal for a Polynesian group. She is striving to build student engagement and belonging at the college, and has been working to inspire her peers to become involved.  She participated in the opening mass in a reading role, demonstrating her willingness to be involved in our college community. Laaina is a great role model for junior Polynesian students and all students at the college. 

WE CONGRATULATE LAAINA ON HER STUDENT OF THE TERM AWARD.

VIRTUE CONQUER BRONZE AWARDEES

VIRTUE CONQUERS SILVER AWARDEES

UNSUNG HEROS

COLLEGE TOUR AND TEACUP TUESDAY

Families either interested in enrolment or a walk around our facilities are warmly invited to attend a college tour on Tuesday April 20 at 9.30am (bookings are essential). Following the tour, you are welcome to join the Principal, Mrs Marg Blythman, and the college Executive team for morning tea. 

ROTARY LONGEST LUNCH

On Friday March 19, 11 students from Year 11 completed community service by supporting the Rotary Club of Mildura Deakin. The students waited on tables outside the Mildura Grand on Feast Street. They served food to about 200 guests sitting at five long tables under the vines. Food was collected from the Pizza Café and Spanish Bar and Grill and then taken to tables. Plates were then removed and tables set for the next course. The students worked very hard for three hours. 

Tobias, from the Spanish Bar and Grill, was very impressed with the students and their team leader Kate Moonpen-Euvrard. Kate was assisted by Julia Copley, Jessica Lam, Claire Follett, Joshua De Maria, Max Cirigliano, Kiarah Thornton, Saffron Virgona, Bodey Burnham, Massimo Cirillo and Daniel Fangatua.

The students involved were praised by the Rotary Club for their efforts on the day.

Mr Dion Collins

House Team Leader, Chisholm House Leader