"Let us pray well and never grow weary." Catherine McAuley

COLLEGE NEWS

IMPORTANT DATES

Read upcoming important dates here. 

COLLEGE OPENING MASS

The College Opening Mass will occur on Monday March 1 between 11.30am and 1.10pm. Students are expected to be in full summer uniform and if they are involved in the mass they should also wear their college blazer.

 

Please be advised that both the Enright Campus and Mercy Campus offices will be closed between 11.30am and 1.10pm.

COLLEGE AWARDS ASSEMBLY - CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF YEAR 12 2020

On Monday February 8, the Years 10, 11 and 12 students and staff gathered in the Sacred Heart Church with members of the community for the first assembly of 2021. This is a rich tradition at St Joseph’s College, where we take the time to celebrate our Year 12 students and their achievements from the previous year.

 

DUX - Sascha Leslie

Proxime Accessit - Georgia Newell and William Rodgers

 

ATAR Above 90 - Sascha Leslie, Georgia Newell, William Rodgers, Jorja Arthur, Alexandra Marwood, Grace Phillips and Jackson Costa

 

Academic Excellence 40+

Biology - Venkatesh Ramasubramanian, Sascha Leslie, William Rodgers, Georgia Newell

English - Sascha Leslie, Georgia Newell, Alexandra Marwood

Legal Studies - Sascha Leslie

Health & Human Development - William Rodgers, Jorja Arthur

Maths: Further Mathematics - William Rodgers

Psychology - Georgia Newell

Physical Education - Alexandra Marwood, Grace Phillips

Visual Communication & Design - Melisa Sivlim

 

VCAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE  

Each year the college awards one Year 12 VCAL student the VCAL Award for Excellence Scholarship. To be eligible for this scholarship, each interested student must submit an application to the scholarship committee. The application addresses criteria based on VCAL achievement, personal conduct, college community participation and a confidential reference by a college VCAL teacher. The year the VCAL Award for Excellence Scholarship is awarded to Natalie Sapuppo. Natalie demonstrated comprehensive excellence in both her area of study as well as her involvement in the college community. 

 

YEAR 12 SPIRIT AWARD

In 2019, the college introduced the Year 12 Spirit Award. The award is given to a student in Year 12 who…

  • Has faced challenges and worked consistently all year.
  • Has contributed to the college community through various roles, e.g. music, Seeds of Justice, leadership and volunteering.
  • Has worked through hardships during the year but has persisted with their schooling.

We are very pleased to announce Maria Vagelatos as the winner of the 2020 St Joseph’s College Year 12 Spirit Award. 

 

Maria was nominated for the outstanding resilience she displayed in her final year. In addition to the challenges faced by all students with a global pandemic, Maria overcame a significant injury which greatly impacted her ability to continue with and complete her Year 12 studies. Maria with the support of her family and subject teachers was determined to succeed, and worked tirelessly to catch up on any work missed to achieve positive results. Her efforts were inspiring for the St Joseph’s College community. Maria was known to always display kindness and respect to all, and was a great role model for other students.

MERCY ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

Six students of the college were awarded the Mercy Academic Scholarship based on their high levels of academic achievement.  The following students were awarded the Mercy Academic Scholarship:

  • Caterina De Maria
  • Emily Burns
  • Ethan Prescott
  • Mary Sunna
  • Olivia Nichols
  • Skye Kempton

ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

In 2017, the college introduced a scholarship program to encourage and support the continued education of a deserving group of dedicated, hard-working students, who have demonstrated a proven ability to strive for and achieve excellence in their education to date. 

 

Again, in 2021 we are pleased to recognise and reward students who were successful in the application process. It brings a sense of great pride knowing the high quality of students we have here at St Joseph’s College and we are very pleased to be able to acknowledge so many worthy recipients. The successful applicants embody all that we ask of our students:

  • They work hard
  • They strive for excellence
  • They are committed to their studies at St Joseph’s College.

The Year 11 Founding Sisters of Mercy Scholarships will assist the recipients as they move into their senior years of study at St Joseph’s College.

 

The 2021 Year 11 Founding Sisters of Mercy Scholarship recipients are:

Teika Collins - Ursula Frayne Scholarship 

Isaac Burns - Mary Vincent Whitty Scholarship

Tess Matheson-  Elizabeth Harley Scholarship

Anna Joseph - Anna Maria Doyle Scholarship

Alannah Morello - Catherine McAuley Scholarship

Joshua Zudetich - Juliana Hardman Scholarship

Kate Moonpen Euvrard - Elizabeth Moore Scholarship

Maria Petrolo - Clare Augustine Moore Scholarship

Oliver Sharman - Frances Ward Scholarship 

YEAR 7 INDUCTION

Year 7 students are well into their first term as part of our St Joseph’s College community. The students were full of excitement and nerves as they attended their first assembly, where they met Mrs Marg Blythman, Principal, Mr Greg Kluske, Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching and Mr Heath McClaer, Deputy Principal Students. 

 

The students were given a challenge and a project to start off the year: to find out what it means to be a St Joseph’s College student and to create a three-minute presentation. The Year 7 students spent the next two days learning about the history of the college, meeting our key staff, finding out about school events and our wellbeing team, how to use email, Learning Areas and their new laptops as well as finding their way around a large school for the first time. 

 

Feedback from students about the two days was overwhelmingly positive with the biggest complaint being about the rain. However, the rain did not dampen the enthusiasm and excitement of the students who slowly but surely gained confidence in finding their way around. We have collected student and teacher feedback, and we are now asking that if there is any feedback from parents please email it to me ebrown@sjcmda.vic.edu.au As is common practice at our college, we will take on any feedback with a view to continually improving our programs. 

 

Mr Emmet Brown

Director of Learning and Teaching

YEARS 9, 10, 11 AND 12 SEMINAR DAYS

The year level seminar days were a great way to start 2021, especially after our 2020 Remote Learning and Covid 19 restrictions. Students in Years 10 and 12 had the privilege of working with Ms Gen Bryant while the Years 9 and 11 students learned from Mr Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries. The seminar days were an excellent opportunity for our students to commence 2021 as a group, building a sense of community and support that will be of enormous value throughout the year. The days also provided students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic vision for social justice, as well as the challenges this brings to us as a community and as individuals in the 21st Century. Student feedback illustrated the days were full of engaging and interactive activities to allow the groups to bond and learn more about themselves and their faith journeys.

 

Miss Paula Cox

Director of Catholic Identity

 

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

Year 12 - Ms Gen Bryant

The program was good, it allowed us to talk about those deep and meaningful life lessons. For example, when they talked about the glass of water and when we were in our small groups discussing important life situations. It focused on that we are all different, like when some of the students were holding the chairs and they spoke to us about a glass of water and how something can stay the same weight, but if you hold on it for a long time - it gets tiring and hurts. Like how if you bottle things up inside and not let them out, you can be stressed and not cope well. That we need to talk to people. I enjoyed the Gratitude Wall Activity -  where we wrote on the post it notes answering questions; like what we were grateful for. Anon

 

Year 11 - Mr Chris Doyle

On the February 3 and 4 the Year 11 cohort participated in two seminar days lead by Chris Doyle. Over the two days, we worked as a team to free ourselves and allow ourselves to grow stronger as a community. We participated in various activities including singing, dancing and many fun activities in small groups. Chris allowed us to see truths and taught us many important life lessons about gratitude and kindness. Overall, this experience has allowed our community to grow closer together and will have a lasting, positive impact to the relationships we share and will continue to create. Caterina De Maria

 

Year 10 - Ms Gen Bryant

Gen Bryant involved us in singing, dancing and communication games that were all fun and I enjoyed the day. Gen gave us some very good advice and allowed us to interact with her throughout the day. She was good, she really made us get up and get out of our comfort zones, being in front of everyone and participating. Anon

 

Year 9 - Mr Chris Doyle

Chris Doyle asked us to love each other and wish each other the best in life.  He focused on being grateful for what one has and live life to the fullest. Chris asked us to:

  • Be respectful, because everyone wants to be respected.
  • Work hard for our goals.
  • Live a happy and joyful life.
  • Be understanding, by listening to others.
  • Don't hold back from doing something you want to do because you feel like you will be judged for it.

SHROVE TUESDAY - COVID 19 LOCKDOWN STYLE

Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent - a period of forty days whereby Christians traditionally fast or give up certain foods. The forty days represent the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert where he resisted the temptation of Satan.

 

On Shrove Tuesday, Catholics traditionally empty their homes of rich and luxurious foods such as eggs, milk and flour – everything that makes a good pancake. The foods were eaten to avoid wastage and in anticipation of the fasting period of Lent. The word shrove comes from shrive, meaning to present oneself for confession, penance, and absolution.

 

St Joseph’s College Mildura despite being in ‘Lockdown’ and ‘Remote Learning’ continued the tradition with a small number of students and staff that were working at school.  Miss Paula Cox and Mr David Eddie made wonderful pancakes for all to enjoy at Recess on Shrove Tuesday. Although not our normal large BBQ pancake bake to cater for 1000 people, those who consumed the pancakes remembered its significance and made sure the tradition lives on at the college. 

ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY 

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God. Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus died and was resurrected. Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God and marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season. It is commonly observed with the distribution of ashes and fasting.

 

St Joseph’s College has always celebrated Ash Wednesday with a whole school liturgy in the Sacred Heart Church. In 2021, Ash Wednesday fell during lockdown; so this was not possible. However, the college rose to the occasion and with the assistance of Fr Matthew Thomas, Mr Robert Klarich, staff and students an Ash Wednesday Liturgy was filmed to ensure that all could still mark this holy day of prayer, fasting and repentance.

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 over the next few weeks to create a number of baskets. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday April 1 at recess.

 

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. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY - WALK OFF THE WAR EVENT

St Joseph’s College Mildura will be maintaining a water station at the Mildura Walking Off the War Event on Saturday March 13. The college is seeking students and staff to volunteer at the water station from 8:00am to 3:00pm on the day.

 

Students and staff can volunteer for all or part of the day. We require students to wear their PE uniform, closed-toe footwear and school hat, bring a water bottle and light refreshments. You may purchase a variety of food and drinks from stall vendors on the day. 

 

Students and staff volunteering from 8.00am must meet at 7.45am at the WOTWW Marquee near the Nowingi stage for volunteer briefing and attendance marking. Those who are volunteering later in the day will have their attendance marked at the water station.

 

For information about the event go to:

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/walkoffthewarwithin

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/walkingoffthewarwithin

WEBSITE https://walkoffww.com/

 

Admittance to this community event for volunteers is free however, you will be required to register once the roster has been finalised. Food and drinks can be purchased on the day at the event or BYO.

 

Miss Paula Cox

Director of Catholic Identity