Assistant Principal - Mission
Holy Week and Easter Blessings
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
As this term draws to a close and we prepare for the holiday break, we also look ahead to the deeply significant period of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum, which will occur during our time away from school. For those less familiar with these central pillars of our Catholic faith, this time offers a powerful journey through the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, culminating in the glorious celebration of his resurrection.
Holy Week commences with Palm Sunday (13th April 2025), where we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The waving of palm branches symbolises the crowds’ joyful welcome, acknowledging him as the Messiah. This joyful beginning, however, foreshadows the suffering that is to come.
The week then leads us to the Easter Triduum, the three most sacred days in the Church’s liturgical year. It begins on the evening of Holy Thursday (17th April 2025), where we commemorate the Last Supper. This Mass recalls Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, the institution of the Eucharist (Holy Communion), and his humble act of washing their feet – a powerful symbol of service and love.
Good Friday (18th April 2025) is a day of solemn reflection on Jesus’ Passion and death on the cross. It is a day of fasting and penance, where we contemplate the immense sacrifice made for our salvation. The liturgy on this day is unique, focusing on the reading of the Passion narrative and veneration of the cross.
Finally, we arrive at the Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday (19th April 2025). This powerful and beautiful liturgy is the culmination of Holy Week. Beginning in darkness, the lighting of the Paschal Candle symbolises Christ’s victory over darkness and death, bringing the light of hope to the world. During this vigil, we hear readings that recount salvation history, culminating in the joyous proclamation of Christ’s resurrection.
Easter Sunday (20th April 2025) is the glorious celebration of Jesus’ triumph over death. It is a day of immense joy and hope, marking the central belief of our Christian faith – that Christ has risen and offers us the promise of eternal life.
As you spend time with family and friends during the holidays, we can be reminded of the words of the powerful words from 1 Peter 1:3:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy, he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
We encourage you to consider participating in these important liturgies within our local parishes. They offer a profound opportunity for reflection and spiritual growth.
Wishing you all a restful and blessed holiday break, filled with the hope and joy of the approaching Easter season. We look forward to welcoming you back next term.
Easter Egg Raffle
It was an EGGcellent and exciting way to finish off Term 1.
Congratulations to all raffle winners, and a very big THANK YOU to everyone who donated eggs and purchased tickets. All proceeds will be donated to the Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Stay tuned for a final fundraising total.















Easter Mass Times
Inaugural Mass
On Wednesday morning, the St Joseph’s Regional College community gathered for its first College Mass of 2025. The occasion marked a significant start to the academic year, with a particularly warm welcome extended to new students and their families, as well as new staff members and their families.
The College's theme for the year is ‘Compassionate Respect,’ building upon the existing foundation of ‘Respect’ supported by the belief that true respect is rooted in compassion, referencing Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.” The focus for the year will be on embodying this principle.
The year will involve exploring how to translate these values into tangible acts of compassionate respect, learning from exemplary figures. The aim is to extend this compassionate respect both within the College and to the wider community.
The Mass reinforces the commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who embodies both respect and compassion. His presence and guidance are acknowledged as the community walks this path together.
During the entrance procession, College leaders carried the College candle and House candles, symbols of unity and shared aspirations, representing the light of compassionate respect to be cultivated throughout the College. The hope is that the year will be marked by a deep understanding and practice of compassionate respect, enriching every aspect of the community.
The Inaugural Mass was celebrated by Fr Paul Gooley, who centred his Homily on the theme of Respect.
Building on the idea of ‘Compassionate Respect,’ Fr Paul invited the community to reflect more deeply on what respect truly means in today’s world. He began by asking students, “What is something that is harder and harder to find in the world?” His answer was respect — a value that can seem to be in short supply in our world.
Fr Paul reminded us that, as Christians, we are called to a higher standard — to recognise the dignity of every person, each made in the image and likeness of God. Every person deserves to be treated with respect, which is fundamental to living out our faith in a divided world.
He then posed a second question: “How can we show respect to others, especially when it’s difficult?” He offered practical, everyday examples of how to live this out:
- Listening to understand rather than judge
- Speaking with kindness
- Standing up for those being mistreated
- Respecting differences
- Showing courtesy in everyday actions
Fr Paul encouraged all present to ask God for the grace to see others through His eyes and to choose respect—even when it’s not easy. Respect is not just a feeling—it’s a conscious decision to treat others with dignity and love, reflecting the heart of Christ.









































Level-Up Leadership Day: A Resounding Success
This Tuesday saw the successful execution of the Level-Up Leadership Day, a valuable initiative aimed at fostering leadership skills and collaboration amongst 30 selected students. The day proved to be an engaging and inspiring experience, providing a platform for growth and connection.
A highlight of the day was the insightful Question and Answer sessions held with special guests. Mrs Tanya Daley shared her leadership journey and offered valuable advice to the aspiring student leaders. Following this, students had the unique opportunity to engage with two imported players from the Port Macquarie Dolphin basketball team, Jaylen and Sean. Their experiences and perspectives on teamwork and leadership within a sporting context were particularly well-received. As Christians, they also shared how faith and prayer plays a role in their leadership and lives.
Beyond these enriching Q&A sessions, a significant portion of the day was dedicated to practical application. Students actively collaborated in planning events to be implemented over the next two school terms. This hands-on experience allowed them to exercise initiative, problem-solve, and work collectively towards shared goals.
Throughout the day, the participating students demonstrated impressive leadership qualities and a commendable willingness to step outside their comfort zones. The positive interactions and collaborative spirit fostered a strong sense of camaraderie within the group. These students have shown themselves to be a wonderful voice for their peers and will undoubtedly serve as terrific role models within the school community.
The success of the Level-Up Leadership Day was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the facilitating staff. A sincere thank you is extended to Mrs Kellie Croft, Mrs Fiona Jensen, and Mrs Mahni Philpott for their invaluable assistance in creating such a positive and impactful experience for our student leaders.














St Agnes' Church Gospel Reflections
Fr Paul Gooley is continuing to provide Gospel readings and reflections via email and online Monday to Saturday for those interested in connecting with their faith in this way.
Click to watch Fr Paul's Gospel Readings and Reflections.
St Agnes' Parish News Bulletin
The Parish news bulletin will now be published monthly.
The latest edition is available via this link Parish News Bulletin
Mr Matthew Bushe
Assistant Principal - Mission