Week 1 Term 2 Newsletter

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Members of our St Joseph’s Community,
He is Risen! Alleluia!
I hope the Easter season has brought peace, joy, and renewal to you and your families. As we begin Term Two, we carry with us the hope and promise of the Resurrection – a reminder that, even during challenging times, God continues to bring new life and light.
The break provided a much-needed opportunity for rest and reflection, and I’m thrilled to welcome back our students and staff. The positive energy, helped by the beautiful weather, has been truly uplifting across the school grounds this week. It’s wonderful to see our students returning with enthusiasm, ready to learn, grow, and share in friendship.
Reflection on the Death of Pope Francis
As we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, we, as a Catholic school community, reflect on the profound impact he had on the world, the Church, and each one of us. His Holiness led with deep humility, embracing the poor and marginalised, advocating for the environment, and inspiring all of us to lead lives filled with compassion and service. Pope Francis was not only the leader of the global Church, but also a father and teacher to us all, constantly reminding us of the importance of love, mercy, and justice.
For many of us in Catholic education, Pope Francis served as a model for living out our faith, especially in our classrooms. He taught us that education is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about nurturing hearts—shaping them to be compassionate, open, and dedicated to serving others. We carry these teachings into the work we do at St. Joseph’s, watching these qualities grow in our beautiful young people.
Term Two is shaping up to be both rich and fulfilling, and we’re excited for all that’s to come.
We look forward to:

• Continued excellence and engagement in learning across all year levels.
• Sporting events, excursions, and opportunities that support the holistic development of each child.
• The chance to begin using our new multi-purpose building, which will feature performing arts, drama, music, and design/technology.
• Big celebrations that will unite us as a St. Joseph’s community.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting your children’s academic, spiritual, and social growth.
God’s blessings for the term ahead,

Joe Hicks
Principal

Congratulations to Hugh, Lara, Alice and Hayley who recently attended their graduation ceremonies. 
Hugh, Lara & Hayley graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Honors) at UNI SA and Hayley a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at Flinders University.
We are very fortunate to have them all as a member of our staff.

Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus

Easter means different things for people – for some, it’s an opportunity to spend time with loved ones. For Catholics and other Christian faiths, spending time with family is important, but Easter also means much more. Easter is the epitome of the Christian faith, representing rebirth and renewal as we remember the death and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The Easter season goes for 50 days, ending at Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church. The colour white (or Gold), a joyful colour, is used during the Christmas and Easter Seasons.
It was great to hear of staff, students and their families involved in services over the Easter Tridium and coming together to recreate and celebrate such an important time in the Church with their family and friends.

Pope Francis

Like many people around the world, I was deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Pope Francis. I’m sure people have read and watched coverage of the events taking place.
I have reflected a lot on the type of leader Pope Francis was, not just for Catholics like myself, but for people worldwide. Pope Francis didn’t lead the Church from a fancy throne — he led from the streets.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, December 17 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his parents were Italian migrants. He was ordained a priest on December 131969. Like Fr Kieran and the other priests in our parish, he was a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He was elected Pope in 2013.
He showed up in places most people would overlook: refugee camps, prisons, slums, and soup kitchens. He washed the feet of female prisoners on Holy Thursday, ate with the poor, walked their streets. He sat beside people who were hurting and really listened to the voices of the young. I have been blown away by the conversations that have taken place this week, not just in my Year 7 and 9 Religion lessons, but across all classes.
Pope Francis reminded us that the Church is like a hospital for the broken.
Faith is about being real. Being kind. Having the courage to care, even when it’s hard.
He once said, “Go make a mess.” Not the kind where you trash your room — but the kind that happens when you stand up for what’s right.
When you stir things up to fight injustice.
When you use your voice for people no one else hears.
When you live not just for yourself, but for something bigger.
Pope Francis didn’t just talk about love — he showed it- for all creation, for people who feel forgotten, for every human being.
Although he is now gone, his legacy of how we should treat others lives on in the actions that we demonstrate.
Prayer in Memory of Pope Francis

Loving God,
Today we remember with sorrow and gratitude
your servant Pope Francis,
who returned to You after a life poured out in love and service.

Even in his final days, he brought hope to the world—
blessing us on Easter Sunday,
speaking words of peace, freedom, and compassion.

We thank You for his courage, humility,
and tireless work for justice, unity, and care for the poor.
May his example guide our hearts,
and may his spirit of mercy live on in our words and actions.

Welcome him into the light of Your presence,
and comfort Your Church as we journey forward in faith.

Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let Your perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
rest in peace.

Amen.

Caritas Project Compassion
Thank you to families for your generous support of Project Compassion during Lent. Please return any Project Compassion boxes to your class by Tuesday May 6, so we can tally our fundraising total.

Sacramental Program 2025
The Sacramental Program in the Sevenhill Parish is through both St Joseph’s School and the Parish.

The first parent-child session will be held on Wednesday May 7 at 6:30pm in the St Joseph School Library.

It is not too late to register. An enrolment form for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Year 3 up)
and Confirmation and Communion (Yr 4 up) can be accessed at the link below.

The celebration for Confirmation and First Holy Communion will be held on Sunday July 27 at 10am in St Aloysius Church, Sevenhill. Reconciliation will be celebrated mid-week in late Term 3 in St Michael’s Church, Clare.

https://forms.office.com/r/gMzSXz8TWh

God Bless
Helen Hay
Assistant Principal- Religious Identity and Mission

Welcome back to Term 2. It is a rich and full term, particularly for our Year 7 students who will participate in their first Pedal Prix and are also heavily involved with the Community Dinner which will be held on Saturday 21 June. It is also a term of opportunity for all Middle School students, with two Pedal Prix races and numerous leadership roles throughout the term.
Damien Coulthard returns to deliver our Indigenous Cultures and Languages Program. This term, it will take on a different format with one full-day intensive session in Weeks 4 and 8. It is important that students are present on these days to ensure they are able to learn and engage in this content. More information and details of these days will be coming in the week leading up.
 Link to Timetable
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Year 8 camp late in Term 1 and was lucky enough to join them in their day of surfing. Students were unsure of how successful they would be, but all were excited to give it a go. I was so proud to see every student catch a wave and feel the push of the ocean. Some students were able to stand up and ride their wave all the way to shore. The pride and joy spread across their faces was priceless.
At the end of the term, it was brilliant to see many of our students receiving the new Effort Awards for excelling in their learner behaviours. It is a new initiative this year, and we hope that it encourages and celebrates the effort that our students are putting into their work.
With winter sports ramping up, and many of our students excelling in sports outside of school, I would love to hear about it. Please keep us updated here at school with the efforts and achievements of your children outside of school so that we can celebrate them as a community.

We have approximately 10 loads of firewood left for our 2025 fundraiser so get in quickly and beat the cool change when it comes.

I look forward to seeing you in the yard and out in the community.

Tom Gilligan
Assistant Principal & Leader of Middle Years (7-9)

This week Hugo and Edwina talk to students about their favourite Harmony Day activities, athletics and much more, enjoy.
PODCAST LINK

Our Year 8s adventure camp to Willow Creek tested out our students grit, perseverance and resilience. A slight change in our program on the second day saw our students experience Kayaking at Onkaparinga and Surfing at Moana Beach which was a class highlight. The second half of the camp was our hiking trip which came with many challenges, including sleeping on a thin mattress, cooking on at trangia and carrying all their luggage up and down many hills. We were very proud of how our students represented our school, embracing all the experiences and finding gratitude in nature and the simpler things in life, like a warm shower at the end of the day.
We are so thankful to Matt Butler for being our parent helper on camp and to Chris Slattery for driving the bus.

Macca
Highlight - mountain biking on the first day
Hurdle - sleeping in the tent on the first night and my knee
Hero - the instructor Kieran, for lending me his hiking stick on the last day 
Lachie
Highlight - surfing and being able to stand up for the first time
Hurdle - sleeping because our little foam mattresses were tiny and thin making it uncomfortable
Hero - the instructors who supplied meals and our bags and of course our activities

Angus
Highlight - learning to be able to surf
Hurdle - I fell headfirst into a rock and then when we were going up the stairs
Hero - the people at the back who would have helped me when I had hurt myself

Archie
Highlight - the tree
Hurdle - the hike
Hero -the Tree

Millie
Highlight - Sleeping in warm tents and listening to the rain drop onto the tent
Hurdle - hiking in the heat and upstairs
Hero - Lucy, for making the hikes entertaining

Lucy
Highlight- setting up our tents when we got to our camp site
Hurdle - hiking up the hill with no water
Hero – Millie, because she goes to bed early and was good at setting up the tent

Hugo
Highlight - the nights where we played games
Hurdle - when Eddie stole my pillow while I was asleep
Hero - Kieran, the camp instructor for giving me his walking stick

Dale
Highlight - the Tree at Trig Campground
Hurdle - leaving the tree at Trig Campground
Hero - the Tree at Trig Campground

Eddie
Highlight - surfing, because it was fun
Hurdle -trying to sleep, because it was very uncomfortable
Hero - Lucas and Kieran, for their fantastic motivation

Riley
Hurdle - the food on the first night (gnocchi) was disgusting and it was hard because I knew that I needed the energy, but I hated the food
Highlight - the food on the second night (honey soy chicken and rice) was amazing and I slept so well
Hero - one of our instructors (Kieran), was nice and was good to talk to on the hike

Matilda
Highlight - surfing was my favourite part because I enjoy the beach and the surfing
Hurdle - walking behind Angus because he kept falling over and stopping randomly which made it hard for me to have to stop with no warning
Hero - my friends for entertaining me and keeping me distracted on the walk rather than me focussing on just the hike

Edwina
Highlight - socialising with people that I usually wouldn't and having nice conversations with people. Something else that I enjoyed was working as a team
Hurdle - not having enough food, I should've brought more lollies!
Hero - the people that I walked on the trail with because they kept me sane and entertained me

Evie
Highlight – the views from the mountains, some of the views were incredible and it was good to take a break from walking and take it all in
Hurdle – having to re-pack my pack every morning because some things I needed were at the bottom. This was annoying to try and make sure it was still well balanced and fitted on my back
Hero – almonds, cause they're good and provided a lot of energy

Summer
Highlight- surfing, I enjoyed being in the ocean and hanging out with friends while learning a new skill
Hurdle- the first hike, I found it tiring, long and exhausting, I did not enjoy it
Hero- My friends, they helped me on the camp and on the hike

Vedanshi
Highlight - Surfing because it was a new experience for me, and it was fun to be able to ride the waves
Hurdle - Hiking because the heavy rucksack weighed me down and it was tiring
Hero - My friends because they made the camp enjoyable and more fun

Charlii
Highlight - the surfing was so fun but then we all got ran over by a BIGGG wave, but I was able to stand up on my board
Hurdle - the spiders in my tent.
Hero - Matilda because she saved me from me the spider 

Jessica
Highlight- seeing the finish line/ bus after the hike and feeling happy that it was over
Hurdle- finishing hiking up one hill then looking out and seeing the next hill and trying to be happy to hike up the hill
Hero- my friends and the instructors because they helped me and encouraged me through the hike

Kieran
Highlight - when Lucas and Eddie found a little mud crab in a bottle while kayaking and Lucas gave it to me, and it crawled around in my kayak the whole time
Hurdle - Surfing because I nosedived a million times and drank at least fifty litres of salt water and got smacked in the back of my head by the board about twenty-five times
Hero - all the camp instructors because they gave us food and showed us how to do everything like making tents, cooking on the Trangia’s and telling us riddles on the walk

Harry
Highlight - surfing, and my dad helping me
Hurdle - the stairs when doing the hikes, there were a lot of stairs going up the mountains and they killed my legs
Hero - Mr Crabs because while kayaking, I saw him, and he was very amazing, he brightened my day 

Lucas
Highlight - surfing because it was fun and refreshing
Hurdle - having to let my pet crab back into the ocean
Hero - Eddie and Kieran for helping me throughout the hikes giving David Goggins quotes to help me finish

Jackson
Highlight - surfing, because I felt confident and had so much fun doing something I was good at and watching others get up who weren't as confident
Hurdle - the first big hike with the rucksack, because it was tiring and tested my endurance
Hero - my friends and teammates who helped each other along the way

Madison
Highlight - the second morning when I woke up to go for a walk, I saw a pretty sunrise. Also, the second day activities were a lot of fun, surfing was my personal favourite
Hurdle - the last day when we were climbing up the steep hill and I started to have an asthma attack that led to a panic attack, overthinking it. Taylee helped and got my asthma puffer for me
Hero - the instructor Laylia, because when I started to feel really dizzy, she stayed back with me and made sure I got back and helped me along the way

Milton
Highlight - the bus ride home. It was the best camp ever and I was absolutely bamboozled because of all the walking it was very chaotic on the bus, but it was fun (I was brutally attacked by a water bottle for no reason)
Hurdle - THE STAIRS OF DOOM, it is so unbelievably crazy how some people think to put stairs on a hike?! Not just any stairs, these stairs were steeper than Mount Fuji, I would rather walk across the Sahara Desert than do those evil steps again…
Hero - the teachers because they kept encouraging us until the end, also, Mr Harding for helping me with my puffer (I could have died on the last hike if I was at the very back) so I think it’s fair to say the teachers were the heroes of camp

Taylee
Highlight - being able to get closer to Madison Wood. She is a great person, and I loved one on one time with her
Hurdle - the hike on the last day was torture! It was all steep and because it was the last day everyone was tired and ready to go home
Hero – Edwina, she was my tent and cooking partner! It was great getting to spend one on one time with her and figuring out how to set up the tent. She made it really fun for the whole camp

Georgia
Highlight - the second morning sunrise with Grace, we got up early and went to the road and took photos in front of the cliff and over the toilet there was a morning rainbow
Hurdle - the second day was the peak climb, there were some tricky bits, but we survived. Trying to find Jess's thongs after she lost them kayaking
Hero - Matilda for supporting me on the trail and helping me get my water out of my bag, also Millie for having someone to talk to about everything 

Charlie
Highlight - watching the sunrise on the morning of the second day with Matthew Butler. I also loved hiking even if it is tiring at points
Hurdle - having to keep going during the surfing no matter how much water I swallowed while trying to do it
Hero - Eddie for inspiring us throughout the hike by yelling exhilarating quotes

Amalie
Highlight - when we looked back over the hills to see the amazing view and see how far we had come
Hurdle - the big steps on the trail which were very difficult to climb up, they were basically half the height of me!
Hero - the instructors because they helped us with setting up the tents and packing our rucksacks, I also had fun conversations with them

Max
Highlight -the walk that we did on the second night which had good breeze, and you could hear the waves crashing. We saw Kangaroo Island, and seeing the ocean made me feel really relaxed
Hurdle – hiking uphill on the first day because it was really steep, and you could easily lose balance. It was step after step, which really took energy out of you and I got really puffed, the bad thing was the steps were tall and big which made it harder
Hero -my friends, but one that really helped me was Lenny who would always be walking with me and kept me entertained, I did not bring food so on the hike Lenny would share some with me to keep me going

Lenny
Highlight - getting up on my surfboard. It was hard to get up the first time but after that it was so fun and easy to get up and the funniest part was nose diving and having to get up and try again
Hurdle - the big steps on the first day hiking. This was very exhausting, and it also took a lot of effort to get to the top, but it was a good experience in the end
Hero - Riley Koch for trading me a whole zip lock bag for only a couple M&Ms. This was really helpful over camp because I had no protein until I made this trade, causing Riley's beef jerky to keep giving me protein which gives me energy

Mitchell
Highlight - surfing with my friends and trying to get a party wave
Hurdle - some parts of the trail when I was very tired, but I had to keep pushing
Hero – Charlie, because he was so nice and caring the whole time. He was always willing to listen to your stories and respected your opinions. My other hero was Eddie, because he had great attitude the whole time and made up great inspirational quotes along the way which kept me going

Austin
Highlight - I loved finishing the walk, even though it was really hard the reward of finishing it was high. Another big highlight was walking past Kangaroo Island
Hurdle - walking on the last day, the last 2km of the walk was the hardest, it was so steep and hard to walk up. On the first day of walking the steps were really hard, they were really spaced apart and hard to get up
Hero - Lachie and Jackson, these guys helped me out the whole camp by helping me get food and stuff out my rucksack and helping me whenever I needed it

Grace
Highlight - finishing the whole camp
Hurdle - on the third day, trying to hike up the steps
Hero - all my friends helping me

There are many services which offer 24/7 advice and mental health support for students and families. These services can provide information, advice and support for yourself, someone in your family, or another person you may be concerned about. Help provided via phone and webchat may also be available. Personal information is kept confidential and there is no referral required to access these services." 

A our lunch time craft this week we made beaded necklaces/bracelets - photos below.

Wellbeing
Maddie Maynard

Hub Football

On Thursday 30 April, 20 St Joseph’s boys played in the annual Winter Footy Hub at Blyth. The weather was perfect for footy and our boys either played in the Clare 1 team, coached by Mr Walker or the Clare 2 team, coached by Mr Slattery.
Both Clare teams got to play a game against Balaklava, Burra & each other in a round robin competition. Probably the most anticipated game was when the Clare teams played off in the  “Clare Derby”, the St Joes coaches were keen to have bragging rights and come out victorious.
It was a nail biter and at the halfway point Mr Walker's team had a 3 point lead. Mr Slattery revved his team up at the break and his team responded kicking the next 2 goals and taking out the game.
Thank you to all volunteers who helped out on the day 

Knockout Cricket

Our Yr 5/6 St Joseph’s Boys cricket team played their second round knockout game against Maitland Lutheran School at Balaklava Primary Oval, Tuesday 29 April.
Maitland batted first, and Luka, for the second game in a row had a wicket in the first over. Jobe bowled the third over and again the stumps were rattled. The wickets continued to fall regularly throughout the innings and after their 20 overs Maitland had scored 9/50.
In reply, our  boys started really well with the bat, Jobe and Eli setting a cracking pace which set the tone for the innings. Elroy batted with great tempo scoring 12 not out and Jobe top scored with 18 not out. Our lads ended up making 5/101 and have now secured a third round game early in Term 4 against an Adelaide-based school.
Special thanks to parents Loi Zannette and Amy O'Shea-Coulter who helped out on the day.

Chris Slattery

Girls softball

On Wednesday 26, 27 & 28 March, Sophia, Ruby K, Ruby M and Violet participated in the Softball Sapsasa state carnival at West Beach as part of the Mid North Team.Over the three days we played 9 games, winning 7 of them.The first 2 games didn’t count but were invaluable as they taught us a lot about the game. On the last day we only had one loss to Port Pirie and were then very surprised to beat the undefeated Barossa team. The medal decider game was between Barossa and Port Pirie, they drew which meant they came equal first, no second and we came equal third with Southern Fleurieu.
It was a fun week and we enjoyed the warm weather for team swims & Yo-Chi at Henley.
Thank you so much to Chloe Cook for coaching us.

Sophia, Ruby K & Ruby M & Violet

Congratulations to Elouise Nordhausen who has been selected in the 17/U National Netball Squad. This is a key step in the pathway toward future National and International success.
Elouise was also a part of the U17 National Team who were recently crowned back to back champions in the National Championships.
Well done Elouise, we are all very proud of you.
 

There’s nothing like the buzz of excitement when a class gets to christen a new learning space. St Michael’s Performing Arts Centre was opened this week by our St Joseph's Drama Club which runs after school on Wednesdays, then followed up by Year 7 Drama group who explored every inch of the space.
The Arts section of the hall redevelopment features 3 sound-proofed tutoring studios (tested by James Manhood shouting as loud as he could in one), programable lights and drama blocks that can be positioned as needed by the class teacher. The space oozes professionalism and is a “black box” where blackout curtains are lowered to create complete darkness for stage productions. We look forward to seeing how teachers and outside professionals (Fringe artists!) use this space in the future.