ENRIGHT CAMPUS

Whilst the name Enright Campus was new in 2015, Catholic education has been a constant in Mildura since 1906 and at the present site of the Enright Campus since 1929. In 2015 we named the school at 154 Twelfth Street, after our first Principal, Sr Gertrude Enright, to help make the distinction between our 2 campuses.

What is now called the Enright Campus has historically been the site for educating all our secondary students, but from 2015 was the venue for educating our Year 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 students; with Year 8 students attending the Mercy Campus. The Enright Campus has a student population of approximately 758 students in 2016 (there are an additional 175 Year 8 students at the Mercy Campus).

MERCY CAMPUS

The primary objective behind the development of the Year 8 School at the Mercy Campus is to improve student learning outcomes for students in Year 8. We see the development of the Year 8 School at the Mercy Campus site as an opportunity to provide Year 8 students with a curriculum, which is engaging, more interactive and more integrated. In many respects we see it as a natural development of the Year 8 Active Learning Days that occurred in past years.

The environment and curriculum of the Year 8 School will address fundamental realities about Late-Middle Years learners. As students reach the end of the Middle Years, their needs change; when these needs are not met, the risk of disengagement from school is significant. Young people in middle-adolescence are transitioning from a parent dependent childhood to an increasingly independent, and peer-dependent, young adulthood.

The belief is that teaching and learning which embraces this transition period and which connects meaningfully with their lives in the classroom and beyond, engages and energises students. The Year 8 program offers our students a strong and rich pastoral environment, where the development of the whole person is of pre-eminent importance.

LANGTREE CAMPUS

The Langtree Campus on the old St Andrew’s site at Langtree Parade was formally established with the building of specific vocational facilities for the 2015 school year. A core group of staff, specifically skilled in the requirements of Vocational Education and Training, provide varied practical and theory knowledge for students undertaking the VM pathway to their futures. Students of St Joseph’s College are encouraged to consider many alternative pathways when deciding upon their careers.

VM/ VET offers experience in trades, apprenticeships, traineeships and potential avenues students may not have considered. The Langtree Campus has four learning areas. Three classrooms utilised for the provision of Work Related Skills, Literacy and Numeracy and ‘The Shed’ which facilitates the practical element of Personal Development Skills. This infrastructure accommodates a variety of fields of study.

MERCY THEATRE

The Mercy Theatre is located on the Corner of Riverside Avenue and Eleventh Street, Mildura at the Mercy Campus. The Theatre can be located to the side of building facing the golf course. The Theatre is primarily used for the College Productions, Music, Dance and Drama Performances, subject based movie presentations and College Information Sessions and also by the general public.

The Theatre has a maximum of 348 seats available. There is also a 10m x 8m stage, male and female change rooms, a large backstage area, a comprehensive bio box for lighting and sound technicians and foyer which includes a snack bar. The College is also fortunate to have a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano which is housed at the Mercy Theatre.

THE CONVENT

The Sisters of Mercy originally moved to a cottage called ‘the Palms’ in 1922. Following this in 1939, The Convent for the Sisters of Mercy was built on Twelfth Street. Currently, the Heritage Centre is located in one of the original parlours in the front of the Convent of Mercy. In 2014, the College began to focus on capturing the history of the education provided by the Sisters of Mercy in Mildura.

The Heritage Centre will also showcase the Sisters of Mercy themselves, the student’s work, uniforms and changes; particularly in technology. The Grandfather clock originally stood proudly on the first level of the centre staircase and the piano was used for private playing by the Sisters as well as for teaching students. The old Blackboard and wooden desk are original treasures used over many decades of education. Part of the Convent, was the Chapel, which was built in 1933.

The Chapel was used for over 70 years by the Sisters for worship. In 2006, for the College Centenary, Sr Gael O’Leary, a New Zealand Sister of Mercy and sculptor, was commissioned to tell the Mercy Story in Bronze. She amazingly captured something of the rich history of the Sisters of Mercy in Mildura and the contribution they have made to Catholic Education in the local area and outlying districts.

Over a hundred years ago a group of courageous pioneering Sisters of Mercy came to Mildura to minister to the spiritual, physical and educational needs of the many families who had settled here. The Mildura Mercy story is one of triumph over adversity, courageous initiatives and remarkable confidence in the providence of God. As Mildura is so reliant on the Murray River, it seems fitting that this icon of the area should also be symbolised in the Centennial Bronze Sculpture.

WELLBEING CENTRE

At St Joseph’s College, the wellbeing of the students in our care is our highest priority. Our school is an environment where all children feel safe and supported.

Qualified teams of staff are dedicated to looking after the wellbeing of our students and supporting those with disabilities and learning difficulties. All campuses offer careers counselling and a school nurse.

The College has also implemented the Redcat hearing support system in four classrooms to support the needs of hearing- impaired students.

To make an appointment with the St Joseph’s College Wellbeing team, please email wellbeing@sjcmda.vic.edu.au