First weekend of winter sports trials, also Friday night is the GPS Swimming Championships and we wish Joe Anderson, Henry Ledingham, Jarrah Ronan, Liam Stuart and Ryan Waugh all the best as they are our Year 10 representatives swimming on the night.

Marist Canberra have dropped out of the SJC 16D v Marist 16B game, so there is a change here.
Also, the 8th XV vs 10th XV vs 12th XV game will now start at 8.30am
These changes are in RED on version 2 attached.

A wonderful effort by our boys on and off the water at last Saturday’s Head of the River. Enjoy the photos of our Yr.10 boys in action courtesy of John Flitcroft.

SJC Second-hand Clothing Pool is urgently in need of new stock, particularly in larger sizes. Winter sports gear and equipment is also keenly sought. The Clothing Pool will happily buy pre-loved blazers from you as well. Opening hours are Fridays during term from 3-5pm. This is an invaluable service run by the P&F for parents.
Enquiries to Kirsten Castorina E: kcastorina555@gmail.com

Short & Sweet Festival Invitation-2hsn09c

An exciting week this week as we build up to the Head of the River, with many of our boys, approximately 42 in all from Yr.10 competing, and as they should, they are very much looking forward to the day after many hours of training and racing. As Dr.Hayes said at our Assembly yesterday, whilst presenting our 1st V111 with their Rowing suits, the boys have showed great commitment, dedication and perseverance in preparing for tomorrow and they all have absolute support from the College community. As you can see from the photos below, the Yr.12 boys have been working hard and this morning’s posters are, as usual, very well done. I would like to wish all our boys every success on the day and we will be proud of all their efforts as each one of them will represent the College tremendously.

Just a quick run-down on the requirements of the day –

• Rising 6.20am
• Breakfast 7.00am
• Dress-Blues. Only navy SJC caps and bucket hats to be worn. Plus SUNSCREEN.
• Dayboy “check in” at Mark Street at 7.30am
• Bus leaves Gladesville Rd at 7.45am. All boys are to be on the Bus.
• Return at 12.30 arrive SJC 1.30pm approximately.
• Lunch 2.00pm in Yr.10 Dining Hall.
• Free time in the dorms.
• Rally at 4.30pm. Dress College Blues. Rally will conclude at approximately 5.15pm.

All boys leaving check off with me after Rally. Boys with correct permissions are free to leave after the Rally.

HOR 23 March Sport Order-28qzf15

Faith in Action: The School of St Jude, Tanzania
with support from the Joeys community

St Joseph’s College once again warmly welcomed Gemma Sisia for a “Talking Books” breakfast event in the Resources Centre. Gemma is the inspirational founder of The School of St Jude in Tanzania; no-one could hear her speak and not be inspired by her passion and commitment to improving the lives of Tanzanian children through education. She enjoys a close connection with Joeys as her seven brothers all attended the College, and over the term break, a group of students and staff will witness the remarkable work of St Jude’s when they travel there for Immersion.

After completing university, Gemma set off to volunteer teach in Africa — a trip that would not only change the direction of her life, but one that would have a significant positive impact on thousands of Tanzanians for years to come. Struck by the barrier to education caused by poverty, Gemma resolved to build a school for the poorest students and offer them the opportunity to achieve a full education, and ultimately contribute to Tanzania’s future. This ambitious goal became reality in 2002 with the opening of The School of St Jude, supported by many generous donors across Australia and the world. Since then, many graduates have entered university to study teaching, medicine, engineering and economics. These students would have had little chance of completing primary school, let alone tertiary education, without St Jude’s. What Gemma has achieved is truly remarkable and testament to the difference one person can make.

Faith has always played a crucial role in Gemma’s life and she has recently overseen construction of chapels at both the Primary and Secondary campuses. However, while the buildings are complete, she does not have the funds to fit them out with the many items required to run church services such as bibles, missals, lectionaries, a monstrance, censer and altar bells. The College has provided a number of items — several Year 7 students were very happy to help clean and polish two silver ciboriums to present to Gemma at assembly — but the St Jude’s students and Gemma would be very grateful for any help from the Joeys community.

Tax deductible donations to help purchase chapel items for The School of St Jude can be made via the Joeys portal and selecting The School of St Jude in the drop down menu. We are hoping to raise $4,000 to cover the cost of purchasing items.

The Immersion group will be taking stationery items and sporting goods to donate to St Jude’s and a local Tanzanian orphanage. We will be encouraging all Joe boys to donate items from the list below.

Stationery items
• red, blue and black pens, permanent markers, chalk, white board markers
• coloured textas and coloured pencils
• post-it notes, sharpeners, erasers, safety scissors, rulers, bulldog clips
• USB memory sticks (4 Gb+)
• 1 TB external HD
• Calculators – CASIO dual display fx-991MS (urgent)

1. Sporting items
• football (soccer) boots (used, good condition most welcome, to fit from 6 -16 years of age) – the kids at St Jude’s LOVE football.
• other sporting goods, especially footballs, basketballs or volleyballs (deflated please)
• black or blue school socks (mid-calf length or longer)

Gemma and the St Jude’s community thank you for your generosity, and invite you to follow their challenges and successes on their website, Facebook and Instagram, or come and visit!

Year 7 students helping to restore two ciboriums

Chapel at The School of St Jude, Tanzania

Restored ciboriums

Gemma Sisia speaking at Assembly

The boys finally got the opportunity to complete some of the practical tests for their Bronze Medallion last Wednesday. Plenty of enthusiasm and a good effort was turned in by all involved.

Despite the grumblings, the boys always enjoy the opportunity to have a set dance with Loreto.