Year 12 Graduation

This week, our community gathered to celebrate the Graduation of the Year 12 Class of 2025. Graduation is always a significant milestone, a time to look back with gratitude and pride, and also to look forward with confidence and expectation.

This year, I spoke about the theme of hope. Hope is not simply wishful thinking; it is active. It requires courage, perseverance, and faith that the future holds promise. As Pope Francis reminded us: “The future does have a name, and its name is hope.”

Our graduating class has embodied this spirit. They have grown into fine young men and women, marked by generosity, leadership, and resilience. Their resilience was tested early, with much of their time in Years 7 and 8 disrupted by COVID lockdowns and remote learning. Instead of the typical early high school experience, they learned to adapt, persevere, and find new ways of connecting. Those lessons have shaped them into a cohort with grit and determination.

This group also rose to a challenge I gave them in their senior years: to help enhance the culture of St Joseph’s. Culture is not written in documents or displayed on walls; it is lived out daily in the way people treat each other. This Year 12 group has helped to create a culture of respect, connection, and high standards. St Joseph’s is a better place because of their contribution, and their impact will be felt for years to come.

On behalf of the school, I extend my thanks to those who have supported our Year 12 students on their journey:

• To their PALS, Mr Hetherington and Mrs Rasmussen, for guiding the cohort with wisdom, patience, and humour.
  
  
• To the classroom teachers, for countless hours of preparation, encouragement, and persistence.
  
  

To the parents and carers, for the trust you place in our school and your constant support.

While Graduation marks the end of one chapter, the journey is not yet complete. The HSC examinations are fast approaching, and this talented year group has the potential to achieve outstanding results. My challenge to them is simple:

• Approach the coming weeks with diligence and discipline.
  
  
• Recognise that early entry offers are only one pathway; success in the HSC will open even more doors.
  
  
• Lean on the wisdom of teachers, and look after each other.
  
  
• And above all, hold onto hope, the conviction that effort, perseverance, and faith will bear fruit.

To the Year 12 Class of 2025: Congratulations on reaching this milestone. Step forward with confidence. Stay grounded in your faith. Trust that you are well prepared, and believe that you have what it takes to make a difference in the world. Your families, your teachers, and the St Joseph’s community are behind you, cheering you on.

We are proud of you. We believe in you. And we entrust you to a future filled with hope.

HSC Major Work Success - Raising the bar!

Each year, NESA appoints teams of markers who travel across NSW to assess submissions for HSC courses that include Major Works and Performances. Part of this process is the recognition of projects and performances that stand out as being of the highest standard.

I am very pleased to share that St Joseph’s has once again achieved outstanding results, with a large number of our students being nominated for possible inclusion in prestigious HSC showcases.

HSC Major Work Success - Raising the bar!

Each year, NESA appoints teams of markers who travel across NSW to assess submissions for HSC courses that include Major Works and Performances. Part of this process is the recognition of projects and performances that stand out as being of the highest standard.

I am very pleased to share that St Joseph’s has once again achieved outstanding results, with a large number of our students being nominated for possible inclusion in prestigious HSC showcases.

Drama

• 6 of our 9 students were nominated for their Individual Performance.
  
  
• 2 of our 3 groups were nominated for their Group Performance.
  
  

Individual Performance nominations (for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE):

• Rebecca Falconer
  
  
• Sienna Losciuto
  
  
• Kelsey May
  
  
• Isabella Micovski
  
  
• Hayden Smith
  
  
• William Stoneham
  
  

Group Performance nominations (for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE):

• Sienna Losciuto, Zarah Wall, Kelsey May, Rebecca McGlashan, Isabella Micovski
  
  
• Bowen Mundt, Hayden Smith, William Stoneham, Noah Jewiss
  
  

OnSTAGE is the annual showcase of exemplary HSC Drama performances and projects, to be held at the Seymour Centre from Saturday 7 February to Friday 13 February 2026.

Industrial Technology – Timber

• 4 of our 7 students were nominated for their Major Project.

The following students have had their Major Projects nominated for possible inclusion in SHAPE:

• Billie Elliott
  
  
• Jordan Miller
  
  
• William Parreira
  
  
• Matthew Shepherd
  
  

SHAPE highlights outstanding projects from Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, and Textiles and Design, and will be held at the University of Technology, Sydney from Monday 16 March to Saturday 11 April 2026.

These nominations are a testament to the incredible talent, effort, and perseverance of our students, as well as the dedication and guidance of their teachers. Congratulations to all students on this remarkable achievement. You have certainly raised the bar for excellence at St Joseph’s!

Staffing Changes Term 4

As we begin Term 4, there are a few updates to our staffing and leadership teams:

• Year 7 & 8 PALS: Mrs Elise Burns and Mr Todd Gilbert
  
  
• Year 9 PALS: Mrs Dakotah Acevedo
  
  
• Year 10 & 11 PALS: Mr Brian Hetherington and Mrs Vicki Rasmussen
  
  

With Mrs Power commencing maternity leave, Mrs Natalie Behl will step into the role of Acting Sport Coordinator.

We are also pleased to welcome back Mrs Holly Madaschi as Diverse Learning Needs Coordinator. She will share this role with Mrs Renee Logan during Term 4.

Mr Aiden Colquhoun will be joining us in Mathematics replacing Mr Miller. Miss Tahlia Burke will be replacing Mrs Power in PDHPE. Mrs Jo Lyddiard will be replacing Mrs Lewry who is on Maternity Leave in HSIE.

We are incredibly fortunate to have these highly capable teachers stepping into these roles and I have every confidence our students will continue to be well supported.

Farewell and Best Wishes

We extend our warmest wishes to Mrs Stephanie Power and Mrs Lucille Lillyman as they begin maternity leave. Congratulations, Steph and Lucy, we look forward to welcoming you back in the future and can’t wait to hear your happy news.

Term 4 Key Dates

Please put the following Term 4 dates in your calendar.

October

• 13th - Term 4 begins
• 15th - Year 10 Geography Fieldwork Excursion
• 16th - HSC Examinations commence
• 16th - Year 7-11 2026 Student Leader Induction
• 21st - Pupil Free Day
• 30th - Year 11 Reports Released

November

• 3rd & 4th - Year 7 Camp
• 3rd - 7th - Year 9 and 10 Exam Week
• 10th - 14th - Year 7 and 8 Exam Week
• 10th - Year 12 2025 Sign Out Day
• 10th - Year 11 Presentation of Awards
• 13th - Year 12 Formal
• 14th - CDF Sports Awards
• 17th - 21st - Year 7-10 PAT Testing Week
• 18th - Year 7 2026 Orientation Day
• 24th - 28th - Year 11 VET Work Placement Week (Double up students the following week)

December

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd - Australian Catholic Youth Festival
• 1st - Elite Athlete Program Day
• 12th - Christmas Liturgy
• 12th - HSC Result Released
• 15th - Year 7-10 Reports Released
• 16th - Year 7-10 Presentation Day
• 17th - Last Day of Term 4
• 18th & 19th - Pupil Free Days
• 2026 Return to School Dates
• Year 7, 11, 12 and New Students return on Thursday 29 January
• Years 8, 9, 10 return to school on Friday 30 January