Principal’s Blog – Term Three, Week Ten

Milestone anniversary celebrations, camps, concerts, sporting victories… Term 3 provided the College community with so much to be thankful for, including several opportunities for growth, and plenty of memories to cherish. Read on to meet our 2027 College Captains and Vice-Captains, then take look back at Week 10 and the Year 9 cohort’s travels through the Red Centre, as well as two flashbacks from earlier in September.

2027 College Captains

I and other members of the College Leadership Team are regularly impressed by the calibre of the students who choose to apply for student leadership positions. With that in mind, I thank the 19 students who applied for 2027 College Captain roles. They all did an amazing job and should be very proud of the way they presented themselves. It was a privilege to meet and speak with each of them.

Please join me in congratulating our 2027 College Captains, Lilliana Bertalli and Arnold McCoy, and our 2027 College Vice-Captains, Anastasia Mercieca and Asher Brigante.

These fine young men and women understand that to be a leader, one should create positive and substantial change in small, everyday ways. In 2027, they have the opportunity to prove that the concept of authentic leadership is inspired by integrity of heart and faith and accountable, responsible stewardship.

Congratulations and well done, Lilliana and Arnold, Anastasia and Asher. We are very proud of you. Thank you to all those who have assisted and inspired you on your journey up to this point in time.

You can read more about these young leaders in a specially dedicated sections at the end of this post.

VCE Music

Our VCE Music performance students held a special concert in the College Chapel on Wednesday 2 September. Year 12 student Cynthia Chan led an evening of performances by Lilliana Bertalli, Savannah Curtin, Cindy Le, and Oliver Capp. Everyone who attended enjoyed a wonderful evening of music and song. Congratulations to these young performers.

Save the date. Our 2026 Performing Arts Showcase will take place on Thursday 22 October from 6:30pm at the Mercy Theatre. Come along and support our exceptional performing artists. A gold coin donation would be appreciated, and all proceeds will go towards future performing arts endeavours at the College.

R U OK? Day

By now, most of us know that the second Thursday in September is R U OK? Day, an outstanding Australian mental health initiative that reminds us to check in with our friends and loved ones. Seventeen years since its founding, the organisation wants us all to know that every day could be the right day to ask this simple question and help someone who may be struggling.

At the College, the Wellbeing Team and Wellbeing Captains organised a celebration on Thursday 10 September that included a free BBQ lunch, complete with donuts covered in yellow icing.

Year 9 Camp

It was an early start for the Year 9 students when they departed Mildura on Thursday 10 September. Their first stop: Port Augusta. The group set up their tents for the first time and slept under the stars. The next day, the camp visited the Woomera Heritage Museum to view displays on local history. They also saw plenty of artefacts, including rockets from the now-closed Joint Defence Facility at Nurrungar.

Coober Pedy was next on the agenda. After a tour of this one-of-a-kind Australian town and an opal cutting display, everyone stayed in the town’s distinctive underground accommodation.

The following day the camp arrived in Alice Springs, where everyone enjoyed a fascinating reptile show before turning in for the night. In the morning, they learned more about the wildlife of Central Australia at Alice Springs Desert Park. To close out their time in Alice Springs/Mparntwe, everyone enjoyed views from Anzac Hill.

On Monday 14 September, the camp departed Alice Springs for King’s Canyon. On their way, they stopped in at the School of the Air Visitor Centre. Students learned about the organisation’s history and everything it does to support our country’s most isolated students. They then bought several books to donate to the school’s library.

The camp arrived at Kings Canyon on Tuesday 15 September. After a good night’s rest, they completed the challenging three-hour (6km) King’s Canyon Rim Walk before descending and trekking through Watarrka National Park, a pristine ‘Garden of Eden’.

Our intrepid travellers reached majestic, breathtaking Uluru on Wednesday 16 September and set up camp for two nights. The next day, they met their guide and walked on Anangu Country. The Anangu are one of the oldest human societies still in existence and have cared for the land around Uluru for tens of thousands of years.

When we publish this post in the afternoon of Friday 18 September, everyone will be on their way back to Mildura by coach after first flying to Melbourne. I sincerely hope this once in a lifetime experience has provided the Year 9 students with a deeper knowledge of First Nations cultures and a renewed appreciation for the captivating beauty of Australia.

School Holidays

The spring school holidays began this afternoon. Even so, there are still things happening at St Joseph’s College over the next fortnight. For some of these, you will find updates on the College’s Instagram account.

• Our Human Powered Vehicle squad travelled to Murray Bridge today for a true test of skill over the weekend: a gruelling 24-hour race. I wish them great racing and Godspeed.
• Students studying VCE Units 3 and 4 have the opportunity to sit practice exams on 21, 22, and 23 September. These will be conducted in accordance with VCAA regulations to accurately replicate the exam environment, and invigilators will be present. Participating students must also wear their full College uniform to these exam sessions.
• Our Italian Cultural Tour will depart for Rome on Thursday 24 September. Students and staff chaperones will spend a total of seventeen days away. Along with Rome, we will visit Sorrento, Pompeii, Siena, Florence, Venice, Verona, and Milan. Everyone will return to the College on Monday 12 October.
• Term 4 will begin on Monday 5 October. All students must wear their summer uniform.

I hope you and your family are able to relax and recharge over the holidays. Thank you for supporting St Joseph’s College and catching up with us each week here on the blog.

In the spirit of hope and faith,

Mr Greg Kluske
College Principal

School Holiday Office Hours

The offices at both the Enright and Mercy Campuses will close for the end of Term 3 on Friday 18 September at 3:30pm.

During the school holidays, the Enright Campus office will be open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm. It will return to standard operating hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm) from Monday 5 October.

The Mercy Campus will be closed for the duration of the school holidays.

2027 College Captains