College Captain’s Report 2014 proved to be an exciting and successful year for the college. For the year 7s, it was the beginning of a boy’s journey into the unknown and for the year 12s, it lead to the strength and maturity required to be young men embarking on a new transition in their lives. The 6 years I’ve spent at this college have been truly special and I will always cherish the memories. St Joseph’s is no ordinary school. It is a school I’m emotionally, as well as socially, attached to and where I’ll always feel right at home. I know that I speak for my peers when I say that we feel truly blessed that our parents sent us here. Bearing the role as College Captain has been a fulfilling experience. Whether it was participating in traditional events like the School Swimming and Athletics Days (where the year 12s were given the opportunity to dress up for the first time) or simply being in the yard with my mates, my memories are tinged with happiness. This year also saw St Joseph’s show its true colours in terms of its generosity. Edmund Rice Day raised $50,000 for the community of Mannya in Africa while the Winter Formal, formerly the MidWinter Ball, featured the year 12s of the four Geelong Catholic colleges coming together to raise $6,000 for Headspace.
You’re only at St Joseph’s College for so long, so it’s best to make the time here a great one filled with memories you’ll cherish forever.” - Sammy Rotiroti
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Arguably the biggest event of the year was the 2014 Tri-UMPH Music Festival. The day couldn’t have been a success without the extraordinary work comprised by leaders of the four Geelong Catholic colleges. The event was organised over a twelvemonth period during which leaders worked diligently behind the scenes along with the tireless efforts of Ms Rebecca Westwood and Mr Simon Cahir. The music festival, held once every three years, managed to raise $60,000 for the funding of a teachers’ college and youth development in the towns of Baucau and Railaco in East Timor, as well as providing assistance to the Christian
Brothers. The astonishing amount of work that was undertaken this year within the College doesn’t belong to any sole person; instead, it was a genuine team effort. To honour this, I’d like to recognise the 2014 leadership team with the guidance of Ms Rebecca Westwood, Ms Angela Baker and Mr Chris Lynch as well as the Year 12 Coordinator, Ms Monika Ercoli. The Deputy College Captains, Ryan Bentley and Nick Brandimarti, were instrumental in the running of a fruitful year. Ryan and Nick proved themselves as valuable leaders and excellent role models for the younger year levels of the College. To them both, I wish all the best for their journeys ahead. As I prepare to embark on my own journey, I’d like to thank the Year 12s for being a superb year level to represent, to thank them for their companionship and support and to wish them all the very best for the upcoming years. I’d also like to farewell Assistant Principal, Ms Claire Brown, for her retirement from the College after being a mother figure at the school for countless years. Lastly, I challenge the younger year levels to “strive for the highest” in all aspects of school life. You’re only at St Joseph’s College for so long, so it’s best to make the time here a great one filled with memories you’ll cherish forever. Sammy Rotiroti - 2014 College Captain
