Our WAAMSS team has had a very busy start to the term. We began with the Semester 1 Awards Assembly on the first day back, followed by supporting the Grandfriends Afternoon Tea, where we were proud to assist in running the ceremonies. It was wonderful to welcome so many visitors to MSJ. We also played a key role in producing our Feast Day video, which will be shared across many AJASS schools throughout Australia.
Our Year 11 students are currently preparing their applications for the 2025/2026 Student Leadership Team. We are excited to see who will step into these roles, which officially begin in Term 4.
In Week 2, the Year 12 Dodgeball Competition began. Our Senior House Leaders had been planning the event throughout Term 2, and the opening matches were a great success. Due to some scheduling disruptions in the hall and a Year 12 excursion, the competition will resume in Week 4. McCormack House holds an early lead, having earned two bonus points from their opening matches.
Meanwhile, our Junior House Leaders have also been hard at work. This term, they have been involved in two major projects: organising the Year 7 Dodgeball event and planning for Bullying No Way Week in Week 4, with the support of our Year 12 Co-Curricular Leader, Indi Horsburgh.
Judah Dundon - Student Engagement Leader
Hoodie for Hope was a great fundraiser held to raise funds towards Joseph’s corner. This event allowed students and teachers to stay warm and be comfortable in their own hoodie while also helping the school to gain money to help those less fortunate. This campaign helped promote our school spirit while also creating an environment for students where they felt as though they could help someone in need.
During JJAMM week this year, a student and teacher dunking competition was held. This fundraiser helps to bring students together to see their favourite teachers getting dunked while also raising money for Joseph’s corner. It was a fun and enjoyable event that created a positive environment which helped students and teachers to bond and raise awareness for the particular charity.
Joanne Vivera - Year 12
On Friday, the 25th of July, Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College came together to celebrate the special connections between generations. Whether grandparents, godparents, or other important “grandfriends,” these meaningful relationships were honoured and cherished by our community.
Our Year 7 students warmly welcomed their grandfriends to the College for a memorable afternoon tea, filled with connection, laughter, and gratitude. Students presented heartfelt gifts, including sentimental bookmarks and MSJ stickers, as tokens of appreciation - a beautiful reminder that wisdom, stories, and love are best shared with open hearts.
The event began with an Acknowledgement of Country and a reflective opening prayer, setting a heartfelt tone for the afternoon. This was then followed by powerful performances from our gifted MSJ Choir, whose rendition of How Sweet the Sound resonated throughout the hall. Solo performances by Grace Coulson (Dream a Little Dream) and Taysha Farrugia (I’m Alive) added to the uplifting atmosphere, followed by touching reflections from students Edie, Mila, and Lucinda about their treasured generational friendships.
As guests enjoyed scones, biscuits, and tea, the room was filled with warm conversation and laughter. A photo booth captured joyful moments, while personalised student-led tours offered visitors an authentic glimpse into life at MSJ.
Adding to the special occasion, an alumnae from the 1960s joined us, bringing her original 1968 MSJ Year Book - a reminder of the College’s rich history and enduring spirit.
The celebration concluded with inspiring words from our Principal, Kate, leaving all with a deep sense of community, unity, and gratitude.
We were honoured to open our doors and hearts to those who help shape the lives of our students. Thank you for joining us, and we hope the afternoon was as meaningful for you as it was for us.
Caroline Russo - Marketing, Events & Communications Officer
As the Year 11 Japanese class we had the beautiful honour of guiding Year 9-10 Seirei Highschool students around Melbourne CBD. In small groups, we all explored around Queen Victoria Market, sampling iconic Australian souvenirs, hot jam donuts and pop-culture. This excursion allowed us to engage with the Seirei girls whilst we furthered our learning in our respective languages. We were then able to venture off around the city, visiting popular sites based on the students interests such as The Melbourne State Library, Melbourne Central, Botanical Gardens, Flinders Street Station and other curated destinations. It was an amazing experience being able to exchange cultures, memories and form new friendships with members from our sister school. Those of us travelling to Japan this coming summer can’t wait to meet them again to form new and long lasting friendships.
Imogen Kerr - Year 11
The Seirei peace exchange program was an amazing experience that I would strongly recommend for anyone who is able to participate. This was my family’s fifth time hosting a Seirei student and my second time hosting a Seirei student, yet the experience is still as wonderful as the first time. Getting to know the student you are hosting and forming deep friendships is an extremely fulfilling experience. At the farewell dinner the Seirei students performed three songs; their school song, a song about giving thanks and “It’s A Small World”. Additionally, some MSJ students performed songs themselves. After their performance the MSJ students were invited to the stage to sing our college song, alongside the Seirei students. As well as exchanging our songs, the Seirei students brought a variety of Japanese snacks for all to share. Music, food, culture and humour was shared and the room was filled with laughter and chatter. As the Seirei students departed, many people could be seen crying, hugging and saying farewell to the students they had become so close with. Hosting a Seirei student builds friendships that may not have otherwise formed... it is a wonderful experience that I personally loved. Lastly, thank you to all the teachers that make the peace exchange possible by contributing their free time and efforts.
Caileigh Pollard - Year 11
It was both a very exciting and sentimental night for both the Seirei girls and the host families as it would be the final evening they would spend together. After a few heartfelt messages from the staff and the students, The Seirei students, wearing their Yukata, sung their school song along with ’It’s a Small World’ and ‘Arigato’. The host sisters then joined their Seirei sisters on stage and sang the MSJ school song together. It was an exhilarating experience, being able to stand with everyone and celebrate the good times we had the past week. Though the time we spent together was short, it had been an incredible experience that we all will never forget. Afterward, we all came together for one last dinner and the Seirei students had brought along snacks from Japan for everyone to try. In return, each Seirei student received a small Koala toy to remember the wonderful time they had here in Melbourne. It had been an incredible night for all, full of laughter, tears and friendship. Though we were all sad that it had to eventually come to an end, we all shared the same sentiment that we would treasure this moment for the rest of our lives.
LilyAnne Swaris - Year 11
A heartfelt thank you to the 20 Seirei students and dedicated teachers, Masami Nagata, Ayumu Higashi and Minami Kaneta, for sharing this unforgettable cultural exchange with us.
