“ACTION MAY NOT ALWAYS BRING HAPPINESS, BUT THERE IS NO HAPPINESS WITHOUT ACTION”.
Dear Parents/Guardians;
Welcome to the new term and I hope you had a thoroughly enjoyable time with your sons over the Easter break and that you too, had an opportunity for some down time, rather than being run off your feet for three weeks. The boys have returned looking refreshed and with some great stories from their adventures throughout the break. It is a short term, seven and a half weeks before commencing Ministry Week, so Darren, David and myself have been stressing the importance of getting straight into their routines and starting well, not waiting for a few days to pass before thinking about doing something. I spoke to the boys about this at our Division Meeting this week, and whilst this group, I believe, is tremendously talented, if there is one area quite a few could be better, it would be in making the most of the opportunity immediately before them. Next week you will receive your son’s first report of the year, and we asked all the boys to take time out to discuss with you, the areas he is performing well in, and be very mindful of this, as well as the areas he could be better in, and what steps he was going to take to bring about these improvements.We reflected on the following quote, and in doing so stressed the importance of making the most of the opportunities immediately before them.
“I WANT TO BE THOROUGHLY USED UP WHEN I DIE, FOR THE HARDER I WORK, THE MORE I LOVE. LIFE IS NO BRIEF CANDLE TO ME; IT IS A SORT OF SPLENDID TORCH WHICH I’VE GOT A HOLD OF FOR THE MOMENT AND I WANT TO MAKE IT BURN AS BRIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE HANDING IT ONTO FUTURE GENERATIONS”.
George Bernard Shaw.
Just because there are no exams this term, is no excuse to take it easy; just because it is a short term, is no excuse to not start quickly and get back into their routines and turn up with a purpose each day. I relayed a conversation with one of the boy’s fathers last term, and he was pointing out to his son how quickly opportunities come and pass, and how it was imperative that they make the most of each and every one. After this term, these boys have 5 terms left before their H.S.C examinations, and I have asked the boys to challenge themselves to grow as young men and improve themselves each term. An important part of this is for them to honestly appraise their report and to identify areas where to improve and how they are going to do so and to then be proactive in doing this. Some will do this more easily than others, but this is a critical skill which will serve them well here and in their future years.
Last term, our Director of Mission, Ms Helen Smith, spoke to our boys about Ministry Week, where the boys go out and undertake voluntary work, to serve people in need in their community, purely on a voluntary basis. This has been a most rewarding experience for our Year 11 students over a number of years, and will take place from Monday 20th June – Thursday 23rd of June this term. The boys were asked to organise this during their holidays and I have been greatly impressed with the large number of boys who have already done so, and have returned their forms with your, and the organisations authorisation. Could I ask your assistance in ensuring your son has done this and that you have verified his choice of placement during this time by next Friday, 13th May. All country boys will travel home to complete their placement. I have attached some forms for you, which Helen distributed to the boys last term.
HOLIDAY ADVENTURES
As mentioned before, we had some terrific tales from the boys of where they travelled to in the holidays. Alex Bellato, Max Hall, Harry Maher, James Quinn and Tim Palmer went to St Joseph’s College, Mabiri. James Quinn gives the following account:
Our Bougainville Experience
“In the holidays Harry Mayer, Alex Bellato, Max Hall, Tim Palmer and myself, along with three year 12 boys, and Helen Smith and Ralis Van – Tempest, embarked on the journey of a life time to the small island of Bougainville, one of the North Eastern provinces of Papua New Guinea. We were headed for St Joseph’s College in Mabiri, a small boarding school for boys in years 9 and 10 that is run by the local Marist Brothers. For many years, the island was the centre of much conflict and turbulence due to the operation of the Australian Copper Mine that thrived in the late 1980’s. After it was deserted in 1989 due to an increase of aggression towards its operation, many years of civil unrest between many different groups on the island followed. 
We began our trip in Port Moresby and after two packed days of sightseeing and meeting with both Joeys families and Marist Brothers who live in the area as well as visiting local markets, it was time to fly to Bougainville where the main extent of our trip would be take place. When we stepped off the plane and headed with our bags to the awaiting banana boat, we were immediately hit with a strong sense of warmth and friendly smiles from everyone who saw us. It took us four hours in the back of a 4X4 to travel from our boat at the northern tip of the island to the school in Mabiri, which is in central Bougainville. For the 11 days that we were “special guests” at the school we were constantly immersed in the amazing positivity, hard work and amazing voices of the Joeys boys in Mabiri. From the minute we arrived, through the amazing traditional welcome ceremony and the general nature of the students, we felt as though were part of their school.
The boys at Mabiri would go out of their way to do anything for us, whether it was helping us across one of their 
many high log bridges where balance was essential (a skill none of us seemed to have) or climbing up coconut trees so that we could experience one of their many amazing natural foods. Their skills in the environment were incredible and no matter what it was we seemed to always be awed by them.
One of the most significant highlights for all the boys was our days spent in both the town of Arawa as well as the day spent visiting the schools inside the Panguna Mine blockade as well as seeing the extent of the mine itself. Arawa was a town built for Australians involved in the mine and when built was like an Australian suburb dropped into the middle of the jungle in Bougainville. During the crisis, this was all changed. As we saw it, Arawa was completely destroyed with the remnants of the town still remaining, from a smashed up Shell Service Station to the many blown up electricity power lines and devastated roads that used to service the city. Just to think what it used to look like was an incredible thought. The visit inside the mine blockade was also an incredible experience. Seeing the extent of the damage that has come from the mine is pretty confronting with much of the mine “tailings” area, contaminated with copper sulphate, being the home to large numbers of people. We visited some of the poorest schools in Bougainville who although were already doing it tough, always managed to do something incredible for us through their welcomes and gifts. As we drove along in our 4X4 the sight of adults and kids alike panning for gold as their skin is eaten away by the contaminated water was probably the thing that hit me the hardest and realising that these people had no other option in order to feed their families emphasised to me the impact that the mine has had on the Bougainvillian people.
In all honesty, what we experienced in Bougainville is something that cannot really be conveyed in words or written on a piece of paper, it is an experience unlike you would realise anywhere else. I loved every minute of my time with these incredible people and encourage anyone who can to take part because it truly has changed our lives”.
James Quinn
SJC FOOTBALL TOUR 2011 – UK & ITALY
Jesse Fenech, Ted Dwyer, Tom Booth, Vincent Salinos, Julian Paul, Jason Ren and Matt Alessi went to the United Kingdom and Italy on the Football tour. Jesse Fenech and Ted Dwyer give the following account:
“In the Easter holidays 38 Joeys footballers along with 3 staff spent 17 days absorbing the incredible football culture that Europe has to offer. First stop was London, England, where an extremely busy schedule saw training sessions with top flight football club Fulham FC and League One side Charlton Athletic, and hard fought matches for the two junior sides and the senior side against Pro Touch Academy. 
At Fulham FC’s high quality training facility, Motspur Park, the boys were treated to a visit from Fulham and Australia’s #1 Mark Schwarzer, one of the Premier League’s finest goalkeepers. The squad also received high quality training from the club’s youth team coaches. This was also the case at Charlton Athletic, where the players had the chance to meet first team manager and former player Chris Powell, and Australian Nick Ward who is currently on trial at the club. Many of the boys found training at Charlton the most technically rewarding training session even though it was not the highest profile club that we visited. In the matches against the high quality sides from Pro Touch Academy, both the junior sides went down while the seniors had an extremely tight game in which they lost 1-0 after a late goal, having matched the opposition in terms of skill. A close ranger header from Jason Ren almost saw Joeys take the lead in the first half but unfortunately it went just over the cross bar.
A long bus ride took the boys to Manchester and Liverpool in the north-west. Training at Everton FC’s Finch Farm training ground saw the squad meet Australian star Tim Cahill, and be treated to coaching from one of the Premier League’s best producers of young footballers. The boys also trained at Manchester City, a session that many of the boys found the most enjoyable session of the trip. A second game against Tottington High School saw the juniors gain one draw and a loss, while the seniors had a hard fought draw. If the boys hadn’t arrived ten minutes before kick-off due to a mix up in times, the result would maybe have gone the other way and seen the team come out with a win. Matt Alessi scored a much needed equaliser with his left foot to bring the final score to 1-1.
After another long bus ride back to London and an early morning plane ride took the teams to Milan, where they spent 3 sessions with one of the best clubs in the world, AC Milan. These sessions were closely followed by games 
against the AC Milan junior academy, with all three teams going down, even after Vincent Salinos put the senior team up 1-0 before eventually losing 3-1. This disappointed the boys as many believed we should have won the game. Another short plane ride took us to Rome, where we trained with top flight club AS Roma and spent the last few days of our trip sightseeing and taking in the amazing city. The boys were lucky enough to experience a mass in the Vatican on Holy Thursday with the Pope Himself. Congratulations must go to Julian Paul who received the award for most improved player of the tour on the last night before returning.
Not only did the boys play football but they also got to experience the incredible football culture of England and Italy, watching several matches including Tottenham vs Stoke City (3-2),
Aston Villa vs Newcastle (1-0), AC Milan vs Sampdoria (3-0), AS Roma vs Chievo (1-0) and also Manchester Utd reserves vs Everton reserves (2-0). The atmosphere at the games, especially the Tottenham and AC Milan games, was something that the boys had never seen and was a highlight for many, especially the wild AC Milan fans with their flares and fireworks”.
Ted Dwyer and Jesse Fenech
QUEENS BIRTHDAY LONG WEEKEND: Boys will finish on Thursday 9th June at 5.00pm and boarders return the following Monday night, with dayboys resuming on the Tuesday morning. Countrylink buses will be available on the Friday morning for those boys who need them. All boys are to leave the College this weekend.
SCHOOL PHOTOS: These will take place on Friday, 27th May so please keep this in mind if you are making any appointments for your son around this time. You would have received details last week about ordering these photos. Please remember, if you are ordering these photos, the envelope needs to be returned to Advance Life Photography or to me by next Wednesday, 11th May.
We had a dance last night, where we hosted the Year 10 girls from Mt Saint Benedict’s College and the boys were outstanding. Not only did they present themselves impeccably in their uniforms, they ensured their guests were treated respectfully and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I have attached some photos for you to enjoy.
Tomorrow is our first official winter sports trial against Scots and I have attached for your assistance the fixtures.
Finally, to all the Mums, have a wonderful day on Sunday, and enjoy the day with your families. Just a reminder that Sunday night return, for this week only, due to Mother’s Day, is 9.00pm. For the rest of the term it is 8.00pm on Sunday night, with Mass commencing at 8.15pm.
Regards
Jeremy
