Earlier this month, four of our Year 10 students and one staff member joined peers from other Association of Josephite Affiliated Secondary Schools (AJASS) on a four-day pilgrimage to New Zealand.
They followed in the footsteps of St Mary MacKillop, who began her mission there in 1894 when she opened the first Sisters of St Joseph school in Temuka. Despite facing health challenges, she continued travelling the country, founding schools and inspiring communities, a legacy that lives on today.
Our students returned with a deeper connection to St Mary MacKillop’s spirit and the Josephite charism, inspired to carry her mission of courage, hope, and service into their own lives.
The generosity and hospitality of the other Josephite schools in New Zealand, especially Marion and Roncalli College was amazing. Each school gave us a warm welcome, a tour of their campus and fed all 36 of us! Marion College explained to us how after an earthquake they relocated to a renovated storage warehouse (which looked incredible) and Roncalli College gifted us all some iconic New Zealand snacks including some honey that got us pulled up in security on the way home.
Veronica Byrne - Year 10
My favourite part of the trip was visiting Arrowtown and later, Queenstown. In Arrowtown we visited one of the convents that Mary Mackillop set up. It was interesting to see the development of the convent, as well as how Mary Mackillop and the sisters of St Joseph helped the citizens of Arrowtown by founding a school for them.
Bianca Gekas-Novella - Year 10
I really valued the cultural exchange we experienced on the New Zealand pilgrimage. On the second night the students from MSJ were split up into a room with people from different schools. This could have been awkward but it resulted in a late night discussing all the differences between life and school in Australia versus New Zealand. My favourite question was “So have you really ever seen a snake?!?!” This pilgrimage was an eye-opening experience I will never forget!
Eloise Burrett - Year 10
One of my favourite parts of the trip was going up the Gondola ride in Queenstown. The view was absolutely gorgeous and even though it was a bit overcast the horizon was still unbelievably stunning.
Isabella Prismall - Year 10
On 27 August 2025, our Year 10 Product Design students visited the Geelong Wool Museum for an engaging day exploring the connections between creativity, sustainability, and innovation.
As part of the excursion, students toured the We the Makers $10,000 Emerging Australian Designer Sustainable Fashion Prize, where they gained valuable insights into how designers are shaping the future of fashion through ethical and sustainable practices.
They also participated in a recycled accessories workshop, working with upcycled materials to create their own wearable pieces. It was an inspiring experience that brought classroom learning to life through real-world design thinking.
Laura Dalta-Viota - Technology Domain Leader
Our Year 7 Humanities students had the unique opportunity to step back in time and immerse themselves in the world of Ancient Egypt and Ancient China, without leaving the classroom, thanks to a Virtual Reality (VR) incursion.
The VR experience brought history to life in a way that textbooks and pictures simply cannot. Students marvelled at the scale of the pyramids, explored the designs of temples, and gained an appreciation of how people lived, worshipped, and ruled in these ancient civilisations. For many, it was a chance to connect classroom learning with a vivid and sensory experience.
This incursion was not only engaging and fun, but also deepened students’ understanding of the legacies of Ancient Egypt and China, reminding us that history is not just something to read about, but something we can step into and explore.
Kirsty Fealy - Humanities Domain Leader
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of young Catholics, established by the Australian Bishops more than ten years ago. This year, ACYF returns to Melbourne, and our students have already enjoyed two inspiring experiences in the lead-up.
On 25 July, four students from Year 9-11 travelled into the city for the ACYF Kick Off event at ACU. Joining more than 60 students from 18 Melbourne Archdiocese schools, they enjoyed a preview of what the three-day festival will offer, including concerts, workshops, prayer spaces, and games. The day featured activities, sessions, and new friendships. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on faith and build excitement for ACYF later this year.
On 4 September, five Year 11 students attended the ACYF Leadership Formation Day at the Catholic Leadership Centre. Through storytelling, reflection, and connection, they deepened their faith while developing leadership skills. A highlight was connecting with students from other Catholic schools across the Archdiocese, building a sense of community and shared purpose.
Both events offered valuable opportunities for our students to grow in faith, friendship, and leadership as they look forward to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival.
Laura Zarb - Ministry Leader
