Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Term 1 has been a very productive and rewarding term at St. Joseph’s. With less Covid-19 restrictions, it has been wonderful to see students now able to participate in the co-curricular dimension of school life.  Throughout this term there have been many excursions to support and enrich students’ learning. Many students have also enjoyed participating in the production of the School Musical and/or competing in a variety of Diocesan sporting events.

On Tuesday 30th March, School Principals and School Captains from other systemic Catholic Secondary Schools attended the Bishop’s Chrism Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong. This was a very special occasion with School Captains, Paris Abela and Noah Lepre and I very proudly representing St Joseph’s.

Holy Week is a time for renewal, hope and love. Yesterday, as a Catholic school community, students and staff gathered for our Holy Week Liturgy to commemorate the Passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank the students for their reverent, prayerful and reflective participation in this important liturgy. The Stations of the Cross were made relevant and meaningful with a reflection upon a parallel contemporary scenario in our own lives. For example, for the sixth station in which Veronica helps Jesus, the school community was asked “When do you stop to help another who is in need? Who is someone you know who needs comfort and understanding?”

This week, a concert was held in the school grounds at lunchtime, with the Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYMW) Team proclaiming and celebrating God’s love. Students from all Years attended and thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting and inspiring event. A number of students also attended the CYMW LIVE afternoon in the Hall. Thank you to our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Mr Fenech for organising this event for the students. 

Students return to school on Tuesday, 20th April with the school’s Cross Country Carnival being held at Kembla Joggers. This day is a compulsory school day for all students and will be an excellent community event, with many sporting and novelty activities organised for the students to enjoy. Students will then resume classes on Wednesday, 21st April when students are required to wear the winter uniform.

May everyone enjoy a blessed and happy Easter and a very relaxing and safe holiday!

May the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey towards the light of Easter ( Pope Francis, 2021) .

Mrs Jenny Bell 
Acting Principal