4 September 2023

A Message from the Principal

Celebrating 140 Years of life and ministry in the spirit of St Joseph 1883-2023

Welcome Speech

In recent times, we’ve all heard great news reports about the efforts of many countries and super rich individuals to conquer space and/or to win the space tourism race. Very recently, Indian scientists launched a rocket to probe the sun’s orbit, and this happened just a week after they successfully landed a space module on the dark side of the moon. India had already put a craft in orbit around Mars and plans an orbital mission to Venus within two years.  USA, Russia, China, Japan, and even Australia, are spending buckets of money to probe our galaxy. We’re very familiar with space stations, space modules and space junk, and we’re in awe about humans living on the moon or Mars. And perhaps, a little sceptical and yet intrigued as scientists continue to devise ways to explore the possibility of life on other planets besides our own.

I think it’s fair to say that the focus of exploration and adventure, and even excitement today is outer space.

140 years ago, in 1883, the focus of exploration and adventure, and yes, excitement, was education, teaching, learning, and schools; because the bulk of the population, especially in rural areas, was illiterate. Julian Tenison Woods realised that if people were to get ahead, make something of their lives and grow the young country of Australia, they needed to be able to read; to do simple maths and be able to write.

And, to give meaning and purpose to life, Julian wanted people to know something about a loving God, a God who is always with us, a God who holds us all in tender love.

And so, on Sunday afternoon, 2 September, 1883, Sisters Ambrose Joseph Dirkin, aged 23; Baptist Dugan, aged 36; Imelda Flood, aged 22 and Aloysius Cahill, aged 21, arrived to a warm welcome at St Patrick’s Church, Lochinvar from a large gathering of the local Catholic community and visitors from Maitland and the surrounding area. Three leading women from the parish, a Mrs. Keys, Miss Heagney and Miss Ryan, on behalf of the parish read a greeting of welcome to the Sisters and then presented them with a written copy. I have that copy here. It’s 140 years old! I’d like to read a couple of sections from the welcome address. Remember we’re hearing 140 year old language.

Now, the Sisters had come from Perthville, 10 kilometres outside Bathurst. They left on Wednesday, 28 August, 1883, and to get to Lochinvar, they travelled east by coach, then over the Blue Mountains via the Zig Zag railway to Sydney; boat to Morpeth, coach into Maitland, arriving on September 1^st. That took 5 days. Today, I can drive to Bathurst from Lochinvar in 4 and a half hours!

The Sisters spent the night of September 1 with the Dominican Nuns in Maitland and came by horse and sulky to Lochinvar the next morning. Three of them had probably been over the mountains previously. Imelda had not. Imagine what might have been in their hearts! This was so new, so strange, so much beyond their experience and, once in Lochinvar, they knew they were on their own. Come what may, they had to make a go of this new foundation. And make a go of it, they certainly did!

They arrived on September 2, 1883, 140 years ago almost to the day! enrolled the first students on Monday, September 3, 1883; lived for some months, on the veranda of a converted inn, where a couple of rooms were set aside for the school – just down there to the west of today’s College on Cantwell Rd.

In 1870, in the Book of Instructions, Julian Tenison Woods had written to the Sisters: “Give us children to educate and instruct and if we have to live in a shed and sleep on the ground …. such inconveniences should make our courage rise”.

And so began a long tradition of academic excellence which you are all part of today.

You, students and staff of our schools, continue to give life and enthusiasm and excitement to what those four Sisters began, and what Josephite Sisters down the years have taken up. I know that the same extraordinary courage, determination, dedication and, of course, the ‘Strength in Difficulties’ that always shone forth in the lives of Sisters of St Joseph, are burning brightly in your lives today.

By the way, four years later, in 1887, the Sisters opened a school in Cessnock. Many of you students, I know, come from Cessnock.

And so, today, we rejoice, give thanks and, if I might quote from our Josephite Constitutions, we get on with our lives, - “in a spirit of daring, strong in our commitment to love”…[confronting] the world of the future fearlessly and [bending] that future to the dynamic purpose of the Creator” , and, in doing so, we give fulsome praise to our good God, who holds us tenderly in love and makes all things possible.

This is what we celebrate today!

Speech presented by

Sr Lauretta Baker
Congregational leader

Principal’s Jottings

Staffing 2024

Mrs Lisa Peel has been appointed to the position of Education Officer at the Catholic Schools Office. This is a secondment for two years with Mrs Peel expected to return to St Joseph’s College in 2025. We congratulate Mrs Peel on this appointment.

Mrs Kylie Peattie has been appointed to the position of Education Officer Industry & Partnerships at the Catholic Schools Office. This is a newly created position and will commence in 2024. We congratulate Mrs Peattie on this appointment and will farewell her next term. Recruitment for this position has commenced and will hopefully be settled in the coming weeks.

Both Lisa and Kylie have been wonderful leaders at St Joseph’s and will be greatly missed.

Commencement Dates 2024

The NSW Government has confirmed that staff will return on Tuesday 30^th January 2024. This day and the following day (Wednesday 31^st January) have been designated by the Catholic Schools Office as Pupil Free days for Staff Development related to Governance and Curriculum. Therefore students will return in 2024 as follows:

Thursday 1^st & Friday 2^nd February – Years 7, 11 & 12.

Monday 5^th February – all students Years 7-12 in attendance.

Pupil Free Dates 2023

Term 4 – Friday 15^th December – Parent/Teacher Interviews – students attend interviews with parents – no scheduled classes.
Term 4 – Monday 18^th & Tuesday 19^th December

IMPORTANT - 2023 Calendar Dates 

Ministry Musings

What a fantastic week it has been at our college! I am excited to share with you the heartwarming highlights of Sunnyside Up Week, a celebration that radiated positivity, unity, and service across our campus. During Week 6, our college transformed into a hub of excitement with activities, events, and performances that aimed to uplift spirits and strengthen the bonds within our St. Joseph's community.

One of the standout highlights of Sunnyside Up Week was the bake sale enthusiastically organized by the MacKillop Team and SRC Team. This initiative perfectly embodied the Josephite value of Service, through their commitment to sacrificing their own time to raise money for a great cause. Both staff and students worked together, generously contributing their time and baking talents to create an array of delicious treats. These delectable goodies were then sold during the bake sale, and the proceeds were designated to a cause close to our hearts. The beneficiary of our bake sale's proceeds is the remarkable organization, Mum’s Cottage. This wonderful initiative provides invaluable support to mothers and young families during challenging times. Our college's dedication to service truly shone as we united to contribute to this meaningful event.

The bake sale was an overwhelming success! The combined efforts of our students, staff, MacKillop Team, and SRC Team led to a substantial sum of money being raised. This achievement is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and collective effort. A heartfelt thank you is extended to everyone who played a role in making our bake sale and Sunnyside Up Week a resounding success. To the MacKillop Team, SRC Team, staff, and every individual who generously contributed, your dedication to service has created a positive impact that will be felt far beyond our college walls.

Furthermore, during Sunnyside Up Week, we embarked on an artistic journey that beautifully embodies the rich tapestry of our history, the vibrant present, and the limitless potential of our future. This journey led us to the creation of a whole school artwork, a visual representation of who we are as a community and the values that bind us together.

Our artwork tells a story that goes beyond colors and shapes. Nestled among the rolling hills of Lochinvar, the backdrop of our daily lives, stands a figure – Mary MacKillop herself. She stands as a reminder of the enduring Josephite legacy that continues to shape our college. This symbolic representation highlights the inseparable bond between our home at Lochinvar and the transformative work of the Josephite Sisters.

Filling these hills are the thumbprints of every single staff member and student at our College. Each thumbprint is more than a mark; it is a testament to your presence during this historic moment in the College’s time. It speaks of your commitment to upholding the Josephite tradition and your vital role in continuing their legacy.

A project of this magnitude could not have come to life without the dedication and passion of our community members. We extend our deepest appreciation to Mrs. Hawke and her team for their tireless efforts in bringing this artwork to fruition. We also wish to recognize Blair Quaine for her original concept that evolved into a work of art that resonates so deeply with our community's spirit.

The final artwork will be unveiled soon, once fully completed. An image below shows the first stage of the artwork.

God Bless,
Mr Taylor Zahra
Leader of College Ministry

From the Assistant Principals....

Year 12

Year 12 are nearing the end of their educational experience at St Joseph’s. This is both a very exciting and overwhelming time for students. Attached below is an outline of the activities occurring for Year 12 in the coming weeks. Individuals emails have been sent to families and year 12 students in relation to these activities to assist with planning.

An interesting article was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday 3^rd September in relation to early entry to Universities. It is certainly a time of great change and many students will receive their offers in September, prior to sitting HSC exams (indeed some have already received offers in July). The article captured the conflicting nature of the debate in regard to the emphasis on the HSC and the need to achieve particular results.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/universities-early-entry-offers-to-year-12-students-spark-new-debate-20230831-p5e14j.html

It is an important time to focus on future goals and being your best version of self. Whilst trials returning can deliver some difficult truths, it is a time to buckle in with determination with the finish line in sight.  What you are waiting for is just over the horizon and it is wonderful.

Mr Paul Dart  & Mrs Elizabeth Stokes
Assistant Principals

From the Counsellor’s Desk

Ms Caitlin French & Ms Julia Preistley
St Joseph’s Professional Officers

Wellbeing

Sunnyside Up Week

Last week 21^st of August to the 25^th of August, St Joseph’s Lochinvar students celebrated Sunnyside Up Week.

This was an amazing week filled with good spirits, fun activities, kindness and gratitude.

Each day there was a different coloured theme and the Friday was an out of uniform day. All the themes were based off the values of our school such as ‘hospitality, service, presence and humility’ and all students really embraced this.

Some activities included student vs staff sport, bake sales, cold rock ice cream, live music, scarecrow making, bbq’s and art.

It truly was an amazing week which was enjoyed by all.

We Are What We Speak

This term during LMG we have been focussing on ‘We are what we speak’.

In high school, "we are what we speak" underscores language's role in shaping identities and fostering a positive learning environment. Words impact how we perceive ourselves and others, influencing academic performance and personal growth.

Positive, respectful communication cultivates empathy and inclusivity among students and teachers, promoting critical thinking and effective expression. Conversely, negative language perpetuates stereotypes and hampers learning. The way we treat each other, and our selves speaks volumes about the people we want to be.

Each week during LMG there will be a lesson regarding this topic so students feel empowered to be continue to be positive role models to each other..

Curriculum News (KLA’s)

Mathematics News

Solutions Puzzle 11

1.



2.  Forty

3.  420

Puzzle 12

1.  A and B can do a piece of work in ten days; A and C can do it in twelve days: B  and C can do it in twenty days. How long will C take to do the work alone?

2 A retired teacher lived a quarter of her life as a child, one-fifth as a young woman, one-third as a teacher, and thirteen years retired. How old was she when she retired?

3.  ABCD is a square with sides of length 10 cm. What is the area of the square WXYZ?

New Technology Classes - Practical Safety Requirements

Most of our Year 7 & 8 students have recently moved into their final rotation of Technology classes for the year. An essential part of this learning involves participation in the practical components of the course, and so it is a good time to remind everyone of the uniform requirements. To ensure all students are able to participate safely, the College has developed expectations around uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required when students are participating in practical activities.

Students participating in any practical work in the industrial technology workshops, food technology kitchens or textiles technology classrooms will be required to wear the school approved footwear that is worn with the formal school uniform. This specifically means the school shoes must be hard leather, firm sole and be fully enclosed to cover the foot. Any form of joggers, soft leather or canvas footwear or open shoes will not be permitted.

There will also be specific PPE required dependent upon the activity. Students in industrial technology workshops will be required to wear full-length cloth aprons and safety glasses, at all times, when participating in practical work. Hearing protection may also be required for some activities. Students participating in food practical lessons will be required to wear a full-length cloth apron.

It is always pleasing to see students participating in practical classes and this is often the part they enjoy most. It would be great to see all students coming fully prepared for their practical experiences.

If you have any concerns or questions around these expectations, please contact Mrs Elliott – Leader Of Learning – Technology and Applied Studies.

Mrs Julie Elliott
Leader of Learning - Technology and Applied Studies

Careers – Opportunities & Notices

Seniors Newsletter

Mrs Kylie Peattie
Careers Advisor
kylie.peattie@mn.catholic.edu.au

Yalawa Yarnings

Anikanya (Hello)!

Deadly Achievements

A big shout out goes to Isabella Mahony who bravely (and superbly) presented the Acknowledgment of Country in both Japanese and English. Isabella spent much time practising both scripts in the weeks leading up to the welcome assembly which was held for the Japanese sister school visit. We are so proud of Isabella and hope she is equally proud of herself for setting this challenge for herself.

Dio Public Speaking

Well done to Scarlet Holmes and Brody Ingle who participated in the Dio Public Speaking Competition this week. The students presented a 4 minute speech that they prepared leading up to the day as well as an impromtu speech where they were only given a a short period of time on the day to prepare for. Brody and Scarlet showed a lot of courage presenting their speech to a large audience. We hope they are proud of achieving this goal.

Japanese Students Visit Yalawa

We were lucky to have our visiting Japanese students pop into Yalawa for an afternoon of sharing culture last week. During the visit to the Yalawa Centre, St Joseph’s students engaged and taught the Izumigaoka staff and students many Aboriginal practices such as art and weaving. The students also had a go of playing the didgeridoo and practised throwing boomerangs together. It was a very special afternoon for all which finished with the Izumigaoka students taking home some of the special gifts they had been working on during the afternoon.

Upcoming Event

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Numeracy/Rugby League Day

In week 10, there is an opportunity for twelve of our year 7 and 8 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to participate in a Numeracy Day which is based around Rugby League. The day is a chance for students to improve on their numeracy skills in an engaging way, and not to mention meet some new people who share their culture.

Student Support

If there are any issues that we can support students with or that you think that we need to be aware of please do not hesitate to contact one of us. The earlier that we can intervene with matters, the better the chance of a successful outcome. Below is a table of when our Aboriginal Education Teachers are on site and relevant contact details.

If your student is also doing amazing things in the community, please let us know so we can give them a shout out in the ‘Yalawa Yarnings.’

Ms Zara Francisco, Mrs Hannah Allen and Mr Frank Hales
Aboriginal Education Teachers

Message from the Finance Office

Thank you to families who are continuing to make regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments and to those families who have finalised their School Fees.

A friendly reminder fees are due by 30^th November 2023, please contact our Finance Office on 0249 307 291 or email finance@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au if you have any concerns in meeting this due date, please refer to payment guide below:

Statements are emailed for you to review at the beginning of every month please check your emails for September’s Fee Statement.

Bpay is our preferred method of payment, however payment can also be made via Credit Card, Cash, Cheque and Centrepay.

Health Care Card and Pension Card Holders

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle offer a lower tuition fee to ‘means tested’ low income families such as Health Care and Pension Card holders. This rate is 50% of the Diocesan Tuition Fee full rate for each child. 

If you are a current holder of an Australian Government Health Care Card or Pension card you may be intitled to a discount on your school fees.  Please complete the attached forms and email to finance@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au along with a copy of your current health care card or pension card.

Mrs Cathy Duff
Finance Officer

Canteen News

Lunch Orders

Lunch Orders are still available through the QKR app. Orders made via QKR need to be placed by 8.15am.

Canteen Menu

Qkr! – Getting Started

Mrs Tania Cullity
Food Operations Manager

Contact us (Email addresses)

In order to keep our records up to date:

FOR STUDENT SERVICES – Please email studentservices@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au 

FOR FINANCE – Please email finance@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au

ALL OTHER MATTERS (other than Finance) - please use the email admin@lochinvarsj.catholic.edu.au

Alinta Uniform Shop

Shop Opening Hours

Our opening hours have changed, please see new hours below:

Blazers

Due to the lead time associated with the delivery of blazers for our senior students we are asking if parents/carers could place their orders as soon as possible. This will alleviate any delays as the weather gets cooler.

Community Announcements