A warm welcome to you all. We are just a few weeks into the school year, yet we have already achieved so much as a community. From celebrating the outstanding achievements of our 2024 Duxes (VCE and VM) and students with ATARs above 90, to sending our Year 7 students to their Belonging Days at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, and having our Year 8 students celebrate parish Mass at Mary Help of Christians Parish, Altona, to preparing for the Lenten season with a Burning of Palms Ceremony alongside student leaders from Emmanuel College and Queen of Peace Primary School, this term has been filled with moments of faith, connection, and celebration.
A true highlight of the term was our Whole School Opening Mass on Friday, 21 February. This sacred and joyful gathering brought our community together in prayer, reflection, and gratitude for the year ahead.
As we continue journeying through Term 1, we look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead. We also hold Pope Francis in our prayers as he faces health challenges, asking for God’s strength and healing upon him.
‘Embracing the Year of Jubilee’
Our Opening Mass was a meaningful way to unite as a College community, embracing the invitation of the Year of Jubilee. This special year in the Church calls us to renewal, hope, and new beginnings, echoing the heart of our 2025 College Theme, “Be the Light that Ignites Hope.”
Every aspect of our liturgy reflected this message beautifully. Our hymns, readings, and prayers weave together the themes of hope and light, reminding us of our call to be Pilgrims of Hope. A highlight of the celebration was our magnificent choir, whose harmonies in the Jubilee Hymn lifted our spirits. The Mass was enriched by the many student and staff volunteers who took on their roles with grace and reverence, embodying the spirit of service at the heart of our Josephite tradition.
We were blessed to welcome special guests, including the Sisters of Saint Joseph, College Board members, and several parents, whose presence added to the sense of community and shared mission. Fr. Binh Le delivered a meaningful and relevant homily, encouraging us to embrace this Jubilee year with open hearts and a spirit of hope. His words resonated deeply with all present, and our students are to be commended for their outstanding behaviour and engagement throughout the Mass.
A particularly moving moment was the lighting of the Jubilee Candle and the symbolic opening of our own ‘door of possibilities,’ mirroring the tradition of the Holy Door at the Vatican City. Just as Pope Francis invites us to step forward as Pilgrims of Hope, we, too, opened our hearts embracing the opportunities this year holds.
A special gift from Fr. Binh Le and Fr. Trac Nguyen of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish deepened the significance of our celebration. Luce, our Jubilee mascot, was warmly received as a symbol of light and hope. The name "Luce," meaning "light" in Latin, serves as a reminder of our call to be bearers of light, just as St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop taught us to act when we see a need. Like a true pilgrim of hope, St. Mary Mackillop embraced challenges with courage and faith, always seeking to bring light to those in need. Her example inspires us to move forward in this Jubilee year with hearts open to grace and renewal.
Prepare the Way for the Lenten Season
Lent is truly underway within the MSJ community, marked by moments of faith, reflection, and service. We were blessed to attend the Project Compassion Launch at Emmaus College, Vermont South where Archbishop Peter led a beautiful liturgy. We extend our gratitude to him and to Emmaus College for hosting such an engaging and inspiring morning for our Junior Student Leadership Team.
Back on campus, we embraced the tradition of Shrove Tuesday with a Pancake Fundraiser, serving delicious pancakes and hot chocolate. All proceeds went towards Project Compassion, supporting vital projects that bring hope and dignity to those in need. The following day, Ash Wednesday was observed with a reverent prayer service, broadcast over the PA system by student volunteers. This service united our community in reflection as we embarked on this sacred season. At its conclusion, we officially launched Project Compassion 2025 by watching the Project Compassion 2025 School Film, sparking conversations about how our Learning Mentor Groups can contribute meaningfully to this important appeal.
For Ash Wednesday, our Café supported the observance by offering a no-meat menu, aligning with the Church’s call to fasting and abstinence. We were also proud to have our Year 7 student representatives attend the Ash Wednesday Mass at Mary Help of Christians Parish in Altona, where they joined students, staff, and parents from St Mary’s, along with local parishioners. This meaningful experience allowed our students to connect with the wider faith community and deepen their understanding of Lent as a season of prayer, sacrifice, and preparation for Easter.
Since 2023, we have hosted a Burning of Palms Service in our College Chapel and Wellness Garden, a tradition that continues to grow in significance. Following the service, we move outdoors to cut and burn the palms, preparing the ashes for Ash Wednesday. This year, we were delighted to welcome student leaders from Emmanuel College and Queen of Peace Primary School, making the gathering even more meaningful. Students left with a deeper connection to the season of Lent, reflecting on their Lenten promises while also strengthening relationships with our local schools.
As we enter this Lenten season, may we do so with open hearts, embracing the spirit of the Jubilee Year and deepening our bonds with our Orthodox brothers and sisters on this shared journey of faith. As we observe Lent alongside Christian Orthodox traditions, we are also mindful of our Muslim community as they observe Ramadan, reminding us of the shared values of reflection, prayer, and renewal that unite us across faiths. May this season bring blessings to all.
2025 College Theme - “Be the Light that ignites Hope”
Our College Theme, "Be the Light that Ignites Hope," reflects our shared commitment to bringing hope to the world. Inspired by the Church’s celebration of the Year of Jubilee, the theme emerged through a collaborative process, beginning with our current Year 12 students, who explored ideas in their RE classes. Their insights were refined into a shortlist of six quotes, which were then opened to a community-wide vote, inviting students, staff, families, and the College Board to have their say. The chosen theme is now something we all own, a guiding message for the year ahead. To visually represent this theme, we called upon students to design a College banner, with Christina Ogrizek (Year 12) bringing the vision to life. Christina’s artwork of hands holding a candle, with the Earth in the background, beautifully encapsulates the idea of igniting hope within ourselves and for the world. The sunrise-inspired colours remind us that each new day brings the opportunity to be a light for others. As a community, we are called to live out this theme by showing kindness and mercy, growing in faith, working for fairness and peace, caring for our environment, and standing together in unity.
Joanne and I were so privileged to attend the Sydney 2025 JJAMM Conference. For those who may not know, the conference is all about learning about St Joseph, Fr Julian Tenison Woods, and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, exploring their journey within the Catholic Church and discovering how their stories can inspire our leadership. The event brought together schools from across Australia and New Zealand, making for a truly enriching experience.
Each day was packed with JJAMM activities.
Day one began with an introduction to Mary’s story and the journey of JJAMM. We later had the opportunity to explore the museum, deepening our understanding of these remarkable leaders. To conclude the day, we enjoyed a ferry cruise, taking in the stunning sights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House at night.
Day two started with morning prayer at Mary’s tomb, followed by a session on leadership in the Josephite tradition. We then shared the spirit of MSJ with other schools while also learning about their experiences. After lunch, we participated in a Eucharistic service in the chapel, reflecting on what leadership means to us. Later in the day, we traveled to Baulkham Hills, where the Sisters of Saint Joseph were once trained to become nuns. The night ended on a fun note with the JJAMM Jingle where groups took popular songs and rewrote the lyrics to reflect the life and legacy of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Day Three was filled with joy and excitement. We began with morning prayer and personal reflection, expressing gratitude for another day to be part of this wonderful experience. Later in the day, we explored how we are called to leadership together, how we can live out the JJAMM values, and participated in a protest about current issues. This interactive activity allowed us to advocate for the causes we believe are impacting our world while also building confidence in presenting ourselves.
In the evening, we enjoyed JJAMMers Got Talent, a beautiful way to conclude our final night in Sydney with all the schools. Students and teachers showcased their talents through songs, performances, and jokes, celebrating the gifts we have been given by God.
Although the last day was bittersweet as we prepared to leave, it was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the incredible experience of the past three days. We shared insights with students from other schools, exchanging ideas on events and initiatives that allow us to take action in our communities and bring the JJAMM values to life.
The conference was an unforgettable experience, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to be part of it!
Joanne Vivera and Bianca Anderson, 2025 College Captains
SEED
SEED is a College lunchtime club dedicated to exploring and taking action on Sustainability and Social Justice issues. But what does SEED stand for? Sustainability, Equality, Empowerment, and Dignity—values that guide our discussions and projects.
This term, SEED members have been hard at work, With two meetings already this term. We have have focused our efforts on preparing the school’s flower beds for planting.
SEED is always open to new members who are passionate about making a difference in our school community.
