Mary MacKillop

Today, we would like to take a moment to reflect upon the remarkable life of a truly inspirational figure in the Catholic faith, Mary MacKillop, and explore her significance especially to our school community as Mary is one of our three school patrons.

Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross, was an extraordinary woman whose tireless dedication to education and social justice continues to inspire generations. Born in 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Mary lived in a time of great social and economic challenges. Despite the obstacles she faced, she possessed an unwavering commitment to her faith and a deep desire to serve those in need.

Mary MacKillop's connection to Josephite schools is deeply rooted in her collaboration with Father Julian Tenison Woods. Together, they founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, a religious congregation devoted to the education of children, particularly those in rural and disadvantaged areas. The Josephite tradition, therefore, holds a special place in the hearts of educators and students alike, as it embodies the spirit of Mary MacKillop's transformative work.

One of the core principles of Mary MacKillop's teachings was to make education accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances. She believed that every child deserved an opportunity to learn and grow, and she dedicated her life to ensuring this became a reality. In Josephite schools, we strive to emulate her vision by providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where each student is valued and supported to reach their full potential.

Furthermore, Mary MacKillop's commitment to social justice serves as a guiding light for Josephite schools. She believed that education was not just about academics but also about fostering empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards others. Through her example, she taught us the importance of standing up for those who are marginalized, advocating for justice, and promoting equality. These values continue to permeate our school community and form the foundation of our educational philosophy.

As we celebrate the legacy of Mary MacKillop, let us also remember that her teachings are not confined to the past. They are a living, breathing presence in our daily lives, guiding our actions, and shaping our future. By embracing the Josephite traditions, we strive to create a community where the spirit of Mary MacKillop flourishes and inspires all members to be the best versions of themselves.

In the spirit of gratitude and reflection, we invite you to take a moment to ponder on the significance of Mary MacKillop and the Josephite traditions in our lives. May her unwavering dedication to education and social justice continue to guide and inspire us as we journey together.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our St. Joseph's School community.

Problem Solving

The answer to last week’s problem was:

John’s is on Monday, George’s on Tuesday, Abe’s on Wednesday, Millard’s on Thursday, and William’s on Friday.

The 1% Question

(not really sure if 1% of the population can answer this question but the name is catchy.)

Five friends (Allegra, Ben, Clara, Flora, and Zach) are each allergic to something different: pollen, shellfish, bee stings, cats, or nuts.
• Allegra has a food allergy
• Ben can play with his kitten for hours without issue (or medicine).
• Clara’s allergy is not related to animals.
• Flora has seasonal allergies.
Can you figure out who is allergic to what?

Emma Fowler

SAPSASA Knockout Soccer

The SAPSASA Boys Knockout Soccer team competed in two soccer matches on Friday 9^th June against both Annesley College and Scott Park Primary. The match was played on a first class pitch at Birkalla Soccer Ground on their main artificial pitch.

The team unfortunately lost their first game 0-2 against Annesley college but had a convincing 8-0 win against Ascot Park Primary. Special thanks to Mrs Jackie Sewell, Mrs Melissa Porcaro and Mrs Juliet Mihaly for their assistance transporting students to and from the venue.

SAPSASA City South District Netball team 

A huge congratulations to the following students from Year 5/6:

Claire Daunt

Sienna Elder

Eden Lange

Maggie Cobb

Darcey Heynen

These five talented girls have made the SAPSASA City South District Netball team. Only twenty girls across the district are picked to join this team! We are so proud of them for their hard work and perseverence.

Mr De Giovanniello

In History we have been learning about Technology and how it has changed over time. As part this learning we wanted view some old relics from years ago. So in Week 6 the Year 2 classes went to the museum in the city. We went especially for the Lego Relics exhibition. There was lots of technology there and it was very exciting to see all the different types from the Olden Days. In the different technology there were scenes that were made out of Lego. They created different places, for example in the Piano there was Olden Day Town that was very busy and there was a robber who stole bread from the bakery. There was also a fridge that had penguins in it. The arcade game had been turned into a space station and had a robot teddy and lots of spaceships. While were observing the different scene we were challenged to find different items hidden within each scene. It was amazingly fun to find each thing. We really enjoyed our time at the Museum.

On the 29^th of May the Year 4 students from Ms Steciuk’s, Mrs Perrone’s and Miss Khammash’s class went on a one night camp to Mylor. The highlights were the giant swing, building our own rafts with plants, ropes and rubber tyres. Overall, it was a fun time that we had with our friends, and it was a time to remember.

- Joshua Phillips

All the Year 4 students went on a bus to Mylor Adventure Camp for one night. Some of the activities we did were: Raft building, giant swing, scavenger hunt and low ropes. I liked the low ropes the most because it was a challenge. Camp was fun because we spent time with our friends.

- Archie Higham

On the 23^rd of May the Year 6 students were invited to join on a journey with some remarkable people who continue to inspire us today: St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods, cofounders of the sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. We learnt about the pioneering Josephites who were captivated by their dream to provide a Catholic Education and pastoral care to children and others in need. We also explored others who have followed them, responding to the needs of their time. We were given a booklet to fill out through the day and we filled them in with all the information from each exhibit at the museum. We also saw many connections between our school values of Excellence, Connection, and Gratitude in the way that Mary Mackillop and the Josephite Sisters lived. They demonstrated many of our learner dispositions including bravery, resilience, and persistence that continue to inspire us today.

- Eden Lange

On the 23rd of May our schools Year 6's went to the Mary Mackillop Museum for an excursion. We learnt all sorts of things like Mary starting up her first school with Julian Tennison Woods and how she founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Some things also surprised us like finding out Mary MacKillop had orange hair. We also got to see some interesting things there like Mary Mackillop’s hair follicle and seeing her torn up sleeve from her gown. I found the trip very interesting, and I would like to visit again.

- Oliver Milne