Principal’s Blog – Term Three, Week Six

This past week was certainly a busy one for us at the College. Along with annual events for National Science Week and Mercy Week, we also commemorated a very significant anniversary.

On Thursday 20 August, St Joseph’s College celebrated 120 years of educating the young people of Sunraysia in the Mercy tradition. Fr Mark Freeman, the Bishop of Ballarat, led a special Mass in the Sacred Heart Church where we welcomed Sisters of Mercy, former College Principals and Deputy Principals, guests from Mercy Education, and more.

Return to the blog next week for more on this exceptional milestone, as well as a recap of exciting National Science Week demonstrations and activities.

Mercy Works

The Executive Director of Mercy Works, Sr Sally Bradley, RSM, visited the College on Wednesday 19 August. She spoke with students in Years 8 and 9, as well as to both the Mercy Action Group and staff about her organisation and how it partners with communities all over Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Timor-Leste ‘to create opportunities for a more just and hopeful future’.

Sr Sally also discussed ways that everyone can bring about ‘Mercy in action’ in their own communities. We thank her for her time and joining us for our 120 year anniversary.

Athletics Carnival

Students took to the field at the Aerodrome Ovals on Thursday 13 August for this year’s Athletics Carnival. In exhilarating displays of skill and talent, they ran, jumped, and threw to win points for their Houses and challenge themselves.

The perfect weather meant that everyone had fun and enjoyed time away from the classroom. As is our custom, the Class of 2026 dressed up in humorous costumes to create a festive atmosphere.

Congratulations to Xavier House on their Athletics Carnival win.

Final House Scores:

🔴 Xavier – 4017

🔵 MacKillop – 3593

🟢 McAuley – 3332

🟡 Chisholm – 3125

🟣 Padua – 3062

Please give our Year Level Champions a generous round of applause:

Year 7

• Niamh McClaer
• Noah Bates

Year 8

• Samuella Allieu
• Aidan Silcox

Year 9

• Mia Aranas & Remi McClelland
• Mali Holmes

Year 10

• Mackenzie Smith
• Paddy O’Bryan

Year 11

• Heidi Gibson
• Jett Johnson

Year 12

• Tayvia Wilkie-Eggmolesse
• Lochie McLaughlan

Regardless of whether a student placed highly or did their best by participating, showing House spirit and cheering on their classmates, the point of Athletics Carnival is to get involved and have a go. I congratulate all our students for achieving that meaningful personal best.

Year Level Camps

Three year levels will depart on camps before Term 3 ends. The Year 11 cohort will depart on their Snow Camp in Week 7. In Week 9, both the Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts will commence their camps in Victor Harbor and travelling through Central Australia, respectively.

Parents of Year 8 students should have received communication about Week 9 arrangements last week. Because staff will accompany the aforementioned camps, the Year 8 cohort will move to the Enright Campus from Monday 7 September to and including Thursday 10 September. They will return to the Mercy Campus on Friday 11 September. If you did not receive the letter with all the relevant details, you will find it here.

In the spirit of hope and faith,

Mr Greg Kluske
College Principal