Principal's Silver Awards

At Monday's assembly this week, we congratulated the following students in Years 7-11 for their fine achievements in achieving Principal's Silver Awards:

Ryan Cazalet-Smith, Sommer Sacco, Lucas Davison, Cooper McIntyre, Andre Oliveira, Kooper Edwards, Sierra-Jade Martos, Harrison Edwards, Isabelle Sweet, Cohen Smith, Helena Yates, Cooper Thomas, Alyssa Hughes, Jackson Cottam, Matilda Gibson, Oliver Gana, Ben Maloney, Cadence Hardy, Elliot Klein, Holly Welland, Jaxon Davitt-Stonham, Liam De Gabriele, Amy Jedrzejczak, Ebony McCloy, Isaiah Infante, Nikita Toseski, Sienna Kaschubs, Zachary Tobin, Alexandar Sipka, Alyssa Shepherd, Flynn Whalan, Jae Narciso, Nissa Robin, Katelyn Blissett, Kayleigh Alaban, Kobi Shaw, Amelia Morris, Cameron White, Kiana Rieck, Lachlan Whitfield, and Jordan Tasevski.

Two Interstate Trips - WIPCE, Adelaide and Northern Territory Immersion

During the recent school holidays, the World Indigenous Peoples Conference for Education (WIPCE) was attended by Mrs Ball, Miss Acevedo, myself and five St. Joseph's students. The conference was held on 26-30 September at the Adelaide Convention Centre at Tarndanya, the place of the red kangaroo. Sienna Bourke, Shae Rhoden, Madeleine Varga, Preston Wall and Miah Williams proudly represented St. Joseph's by attending the conference with students and staff from St. John the Evangelist and John Therry Catholic High Schools. 

The students had a wonderful time. They participated in a rich cultural program which included an Aboriginal smoking ceremony in which various native plants were burnt to cleanse bad spirits, as well as the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations on Monday 26 September. In custom dress, the students processed into the main auditorium performing Aboriginal dance and playing the didgeridoos. The Conference also featured seven Indigenous keynote speakers who addressed the WIPCE themes of Sovereignty, Voice, Youth and Futures, along with 300 workshops from First Nations across the world. The students attended a number of workshops to learn about Indigenous Education in Australia and abroad.

Mrs Karan Taylor from the Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong presented a very informative workshop at the Conference. One of the many highlights of this presentation was an engaging, vibrant and captivating traditional Aboriginal dance and didgeridoo performance by the students from the three selected schools. This was thoroughly enjoyed by participating delegates. The students then confidently led smaller group discussion forums as a part of this workshop. The students were proud ambassadors for their schools and the Diocese. 

At the same time, 14 students and a number of parents and staff participated in a very successful immersion trip to the Northern Territory. Students and staff attended this life-changing experience travelling to and around the regions of Darwin on Larrakia Land, of the Larrakia People. Talking to a number of students, they enjoyed being surrounded by nature and highlights included spending time exploring waterholes, hiking trails, learning local traditional Aboriginal stories and cultural practices and sleeping under the stars. This trip would not have been possible without the preliminary vision and excellent planning and organisation of Miss Corradini. We would also like to thank Mrs Burns, Mrs Behl, Mr Burns, Miss Sneddon, Miss Fohrman and Miss Jensen for attending this trip and once again making the trip possible for the school community members who attended.

Thank you to parents and carers for your support in ensuring that your child is presenting themselves in full school uniform each day. A reminder that the regulation length for the school skirt is to the knee and to please keep a check on your daughter's skirt so that it complies with this requirement. We have had a number of students return to school wearing excess jewellery items. School policy is that these be confiscated and kept securely at the front office till the end of the week. Parents may come to the office to collect it sooner if preferred. Students have also been reminded that white undergarments are not permitted in the Summer terms, Terms 1 and 4. Every student is expected to demonstrate that they belong to the St. Joseph's community by wearing their school uniform with pride both at school and when in the broader community.

Mrs Jenny Bell

Assistant Principal