SJRC Term 4 Week 1: Special Edition-Senior Student Leadership Team & Refounding House Patrons - 17th October 2025

In Week 10 of Term 3, our College community came together to announce and inaugurate the Student Leadership Team from now and into the 2026 school year. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Senior Leaders of Student Wellbeing, Mrs Croft and Ms Flanagan, for their diligent efforts in preparing the students for these important roles.

Our College candle represents the light of Jesus and the life and faith of our College. It assists in lighting the way for our journey through our school years and into adult life. It also represents the collective leadership shown by our past Year 12 students.

As one group graduates and departs the College, another step up to fill the role, and as such, at the Ceremony of Light, our 2025 College Captains, Bonnie Clark and Jacob Hill, passed on this symbol to the newly elected College Captains for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, Paige Hudson and Harley Rayment.

2025/2026 Student Leadership Team

College Captains	Paige Hudson and Harley Rayment
College Vice Captains	Adam Jennings and Airlia Matthews
Student Leaders - Mission	Jack Duff Ava Garrett Sienna Weston Phoebe White
Student Leaders - Wellbeing	Elijah Koivu Zoe Little Taytum Moylan
Student Leaders - Stewardship	Samuel Duff Tahlia Van Den Boom
House Leaders - Aquinas	Jhed Monckton and Jaime Franklin
House Leaders - MacKillop	Ava Nowlan and Ruby Paynting
House Leaders - Nagle	Dane Bittu
House Leaders - Romero	Archie Taylor and Charlee Maher
House Leaders - Teresa	Olivia Holloway and Sophie Marchment
House Leaders - Vincent	Sophie Pynaert and Alliyra Bentley King

We look forward to working with these tremendous young adults in their leadership roles next year.

2025/2026 Student Leadership Team

College Captains and Vice Captains

Student Leaders - Mission, Wellbeing & Stewardship

House Captains

Mrs Tanya Daley - Principal
Mr Matthew Bushe - Assistant Principal, Mission
Mr Ian Lutton - Assistant Principal, Learning and Teaching
Mrs Jennifer Furney - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care

A New Chapter, A Renewed Purpose: College Launches New House Patrons

St Joseph's Regional College, Port Macquarie, is celebrating a significant moment in its history with the Refounding House Patrons Launch Ceremony. On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, marked the transition from houses named after local historical figures to those named after six inspirational Catholic patrons. The SJRC community took over the top carpark under the flagpoles to lower the old flags for one last special time and raise our new flags as a way to symbolise this new era.

The ceremony was grounded in the Gospel passage from John 8 - The Truth will set you Free. As this is our College motto. In the Gospel of John, chapter 8, Jesus says to the Jews who believed in him, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This passage isn't just about knowing facts; it's about a deeper, more profound kind of truth—the truth of who we are called to be. It's about living a life of integrity, purpose, and love.

With this landmark change in House names we are called to a new truth, to these six Christian role models who embody the very essence of selfless service, courage, and faith. This change is our school living its motto. It's a courageous step towards a deeper truth about our identity and our willingness to live out our values of Truth, Commitment, Excellence, Justice, Respect and Witness.

The ceremony began by acknowledging the deep history of the college. Speakers paid respect to the former houses—Flinders, Hastings, Innes, Macquarie, Oxley, and Wilson—whose names have been integral to the College's fabric for years, representing countless memories, competition, and camaraderie.

As each old house flag was lowered, our House Leaders of Student Welling shared something of their legacy:

• Flinders (now Aquinas, colour green) was celebrated for being the first house to win the "Triple Crown" (all three carnivals) in both 2024 and 2025.
• Hastings (now MacKillop, colour purple) as a relatively new house (2016) was honoured for a culture built on being "good humans," embodying the quiet spirit of service, humility, and compassion.
• Oxley (now Nagle, colour yellow) was recognised for their "mighty Oxley Lions" track strength, holding 19 wins on the CC Adams shield, and for their recent prowess as the "Oxley Bees" at the St Joseph’s Feast Day challenges.
• Macquarie (now Romero, colour red) boasts the longest swimming carnival winning streak of five years (2005-2009) and the most overall wins (17 times).
• Wilson (now Teresa, colour orange) also relatively new (2016) was praised for its "warm and compassionate reputation" and the robust house spirit that led to them taking out the Dean Kelly Memorial Shield at the 2023 Athletics Carnival.
• Innes (now Vincent, colour blue) proudly upheld a tradition of excellence, winning the Overall House Championship (Fr Leo Donnelly Shield) 8 times, along with 10 Athletics Carnival victories.

Welcoming Our New Patrons: A Call to Action

The assembly transitioned to the future with the blessing and raising of the new House flags by Deacon Shane Hyland and the new House Captains.

These six patrons are more than just names; they are sources of inspiration and role models who embody selfless service, courage, and faith.

The new houses, their patrons, and mottos are:

AQUINAS

• 
  The book and quill symbolise St Thomas Aquinas’ writings - his immense intellectual contributions and his role as a scholar, theologian, and Doctor of the Church.
• Aquinas was a Dominican priest. The dog, "Hound of the Lord" is a prominent Dominican symbol based on a dream St Dominic's mother had of a dog with a torch setting the world ablaze.
• The cross is an adaptation of the Dominican Cross and the Sun that are so symbolic of Aquinas and often appear on crests for institutions named in his honour. It also reflects Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - central to the Catholic Faith.

Aquinas House Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit,
As you guided St. Thomas Aquinas, guide us today.
Help us to seek truth, to learn with wisdom, and to speak with understanding and grace.
Be present in our work and in our hearts today and every day.
We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
St Thomas Aquinas… Pray for us

MACKILLOP

• 
  The Penola school house reflects her passion for serving others in need, particularly children and their need for education.
• St Mary of the Cross MacKillop had a great devotion to Mary symbolised in the Rosary beads. The rosary serves as a powerful symbol of MacKillop's faith and is used as a devotional tool to connect with her.
• The Lochinvar Cross is a key part of the congregation's heritage. It includes the letters JM -"J" for Jesus and Joseph, and "M" for Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as Mary MacKillop.

MacKillop House Prayer
Loving God,
We thank you for the life and witness of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
As members of this House, we look to her as our patron and guide. May her words, never see a need without doing something about it, inspire us each day to act with kindness, courage, and commitment.
Help us to notice the needs of those around us and to respond with generosity and love.
Grant us the strength to live with humility, the wisdom to work for justice, and the faith to trust always in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Mary of the Cross… Pray for us.

NAGLE

• 
  The lantern is the widely recognised symbol of the venerable Honora ‘Nano’ Nagle. She was known as the Lady with the Lantern because she walked the streets of Cork at night, visiting the sick, elderly, destitute and imprisoned.
• She founded the Society of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - hence the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
• The Cross and its PBVM motif is the Presentation Cross for the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - her order of nuns. It is more than a simple emblem; it encapsulates her life's mission.

Nagle House Prayer
Lord God,
Guide us to be like Nano Nagle, the Lady of the Lantern.
Help us to let our light shine bright with courage and humility,
to live our values even in the face of challenges,
and to serve others quietly and faithfully.
In the spirit of Nano Nagle help is to strive for excellence for the good of others.
May our actions, big or small, make a difference in the world around us. Amen.
Nano Nagle… Pray for us

ROMERO

• 
  The Scales of Justice symbolise his passionate fight for justice. St Oscar Romero became a courageous “voice for the voiceless”.
• The Bishop's Mitre reflects Romero’s vocation. Rosemary is symbolic and is found in his official coat of arms as a bishop. When he was appointed as Bishop he was considered a “safe” choice but he became a prophetic voice for justice.
• The cross is an adaptation of his Pectoral Cross. For him, the cross was not merely a historical symbol of Christ's suffering, but a living reality present in the struggles of his own people.

Romero House Prayer
Loving God,
You filled Saint Oscar Romero with courage and compassion.
He stood beside the poor, spoke for the voiceless,
and gave his life for truth and justice.
Help us to follow his example—
to love without fear,
to speak out against injustice,
and to live with faith and hope in You.
May we always aspire to be more and not just have more.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
St Oscar Romero… Pray for us

TERESA

• 
  St Mother Teresa had a very deep relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Miraculous Medal was a central element of her devotion. She called it the "medal of charity".
• The praying hands reflect that Mother Teresa viewed prayer not just as a religious practice, but as an essential and life-giving connection to God that fueled her service: "Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service".
• The cross has the iconic stripes of her sari, which is still worn by Missionaries of Charity sisters.

Teresa House Prayer
Dear God,
We gather as Teresa House, grateful for the life and lessons of St Teresa.
She showed us that every person is a child of God, deserving of respect and love. Help us to see the dignity in every person we meet, especially those who are poor, sick, or lonely.
Guide our words to be kind and our actions to be gentle. May we always remember her example of humble service. Let her spirit inspire us to build a community where everyone feels valued and truly belongs. Inspire us to do small things with great love.
We ask this in your name. Amen.
St Teresa of Kolkata… Pray for us

VINCENT

• 
  For St Vincent de Paul the "hands" are central to his spirituality of active service. He believed in a faith that was not just spoken but lived out through concrete, charitable actions.
• The "Vincentian Fish" is a symbol used by the
  St Vincent de Paul Society named in his honour. The eye of the fish is depicted as a single, watchful eye. It symbolises the vigilant eye of God, which is always seeking to help the poor and needy.
• The cross with its circle reflects unity and inclusion. It reflects St Vincent de Paul and the Society's model of service to all who are in need.

Vincent House Prayer
Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of St Vincent de Paul, who witnessed Your love through humility, compassion, service to the poor, and the courage to act for those in need. He saw Christ in every person and showed us how to live with generosity and mercy.
Inspire us to follow his example. Form our heads with wisdom and faith, our hearts with kindness and compassion, and our hands with courage and generosity.
Jesus, make us Your vessels to witness the Gospel, following St Vincent’s example, and as a House may we recognise that we are “one heart, many hands”.
Let every person in Vincent House feel the strength of Your love, knowing they are valued for exactly who they are. Help us to grow in gratitude and mercy, so that our lives may be a true witness to Christ.
Through the intercession of St Vincent de Paul, we make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
St Vincent de Paul … Pray for us.

The change is a "courageous step towards a deeper truth about our identity", enabling the college to build stronger connections and a more profound sense of belonging for every student by reflecting the college's core values.

As the flags were raised, the community committed to living out the values of the College and their new patrons. The assembly concluded with a final prayer of blessing on the new houses and a closing address from the College Principal.

We offer a special thanks to our new senior student leaders for leading us through the ceremony. We are also grateful to Year 9 student, James McDonnell, who offered his expertise in raising and lowering flags to support the leaders throughout the ceremony. We also thank Cristian Campano, our Teacher Assistant and professional graphic designer, for producing our House crests.

Principal Address

College Principal, Mrs Tanya Daley, addressed the gathering to close the ceremony, giving thanks and special mentions to those who were instrumental in bringing this change to life. 

Good morning students, staff, families, and special guests!

Thank you for joining us today to celebrate a truly historic moment for St Joseph's Regional College. Thank you to our guests with us here today: Mr Jim O’Brien, Mrs Joan Lancaster, Mr Zac Parnell and Mr Tony Worner - all of whom supported this process.

We are incredibly proud of the strong House and Pastoral Care culture we've built over the decades, and today marks the exciting beginning of our next chapter.

While the traditional names associated with our College Houses served us well and represented the local area, we've engaged in deep discussion over the past few years regarding their suitability for our future. The core drive to evolve has always been our desire to further promote our rich Catholic tradition and strengthen the sense of belonging within our Catholic community.

This journey of change has taken over 18 months of dedicated discussion, collaboration, and co-design at every level. Staff, students, parents, the Parish, and community stakeholders have all had a vital voice in the process. From the first staff gathering in Term 1, 2024, to every subsequent opportunity for input, this has been a true collective effort.

And so, today we are proud to formally unveil and recognise the names, crests, and prayers of our six refounded Houses.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of Mr Matthew Bushe, Assistant Principal - Mission. He has guided this refounding process with unwavering vision, excellent communication, a commitment to inclusion of all, and complete transparency. Congratulations and our deepest gratitude, Mr Bushe.

Thank you to:

• Our wonderful staff involved in the initial consultation and the working party.
• Students, parents, Parish members, including Fr Paul, and community members who dedicated their time to round-table discussions and follow-up.
• Mission team members—Shane Hyland, Sean Jennings, and Kathryn Gill—for their ongoing, invaluable input.
• Leaders of Student Wellbeing and Leadership team members for embracing these House identities, developing their unique story, and crafting their prayers.
• Cristian Campano for the fantastic graphic design and Tracy Pares for continuous consultation throughout the process.
• Donna Eames for her visual expertise in co-designing and ordering our new flags.
• Ian Lutton and Mark Robertson for their vital support in planning today's special event.
• Our new Senior Student Leadership team for leading us in our ritual today.
• Special thanks to James McDonnell, our champion of the flags, who, with other students, raises and lowers our house flags every other day.
• To Mrs Sarah Butler and the College Band, for welcoming music.

Our change brings with it exciting opportunities to live out the examples given to us by our Patrons - St Thomas Aquinas, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Venerable Nano Nagle, St Oscar Romero, St Teresa of Kolkata and St Vincent de Paul. We are privileged to have the opportunity to bring this to life.

As students return to their Pastoral Care groups for the final stage of our formal transition to our new House structure. Each student was presented with a House pen to mark the occasion, and joined together to say their new House prayer.

Mrs Tanya Daley - Principal
Mr Matthew Bushe - Assistant Principal, Mission
Mr Ian Lutton - Assistant Principal, Learning and Teaching
Mrs Jennifer Furney - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care

HSC Exams Commence with a Meaningful Blessing

This week marked a momentous occasion for our senior students as our Year 12 cohort officially commenced their Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations. Before they stepped into the exam room, they were supported and encouraged with a special prayer from the parish. The occasion saw our students join in solidarity with those from other parish schools, all receiving the same collective blessing and spiritual support as they embark on this challenging final stage of their schooling.

The exams commenced with English Paper 1 on Thursday morning. The students, whilst nervous, were also excited to begin the last chapter of their formal education journey at St Joseph’s Regional College. Over the holiday break, many students attended the College each day as part of their final preparation process.

We wish Year 12 the best of luck over the rest of the exam period and await the release of results in December, which we anticipate will be a fantastic reflection of their dedication over the last two years. Well done, Year 1,2 on a great start to the HSC exams.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the generosity of Kenny Little’s Fruit and Veg for supplying fresh fruit to our Year 12 students to help kick start their brains at the start of each exam, the students have truly appreciated this wonderful gesture.

Bus Changes commencing Monday, 20th Oct 2025.

The letter below has been distributed to students on the affected Busways services. 

For further information, please refer to your school's timetabled services at: https://www.busways.com.au/nsw/school-services/school-timetables and select the link adjacent to your school’s name; “New timetable | 20th Oct 2025”.

Alternatively, you can contact Busways Customer Service on 1300 69 2929 or infoline@busways.com.au

We have a delicious variety of 'Lunch Specials', available for $7.00 from Wednesday to Friday, and an everyday menu.

CLICK HERE to view the Canteen's everyday menu.

Breeanna Stone
Food Services Manager

Student Information - What to Expect

Providing Consent for School Vaccinations

Preferred Method: Online consent through Service NSW

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations through Service NSW.

Please note: Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

How to provide consent:

Give Consent - Service NSW:

The Encounter Youth Program is held every Friday at the Youth Hub. 

Come along and join in the fun.

Encounter Youth has kicked off a new Alpha Youth series. 

The first episode was amazing and prompted some great small-group discussion. We discovered incredible insights about Jesus and His Church.

This Friday will be our final Encounter Youth group for Term 3.

Tacos for dinner, have fun playing some new games, continue our journey with Alpha Youth, and take some time to pray.

Encounter Kick-ons (Sundays after the 5.00pm Mass)

St Joseph's Regional College has a number of different social media platforms. We would love for you to follow us.

St Joseph's Regional College

Website - https://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SJRCPort

Instagram - @sjrcport

St Joseph's Regional College - 50 year Celebrations

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SJRC50years

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sjr50years/

Ministry

Encounter PMQ - encounter.pmq

Digital Ministry Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sjrcdigitalministry

Library

Website - https://pmreglism.libguides.com/home

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcexchange

Instagram - Instagram - @sjrcexchange

Careers

Website - https://www.sjrcportcareers.com/

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