Newsletter - Term 1 - Week 2 - Issue 135

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

It gives me great pleasure to write my first newsletter to you as Principal for 2025.  Since the end of 2024, there have been significant additions to the College in facilities which will greatly enhance the learning experiences of all students, whilst next term the College will launch its new Strategic Plan which charts a direction for St Joseph’s over the next four years.

The College recently welcomed 163 eager Year 7 and 20 Year 8-12 students last week. I am happy to report that our new students have transitioned exceptionally well into the school, thanks to the wonderful transition program implemented by staff and the Year 11 and 12 buddies.  Many Year 7 students commented on their positive experiences starting school and mentioned the care afforded by Year 12 students. This speaks volumes of the culture that exists in the College and reaffirms the College Motto “Serve Him in Others”.

To our new families, welcome to St Joseph's.  I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting you during our parents and student information sessions and I trust your time with us will be rewarding and fulfilling.  To all our returning students and families, welcome back.  I am looking forward to commencing a year full of learning and new experiences and deepening my knowledge and relationships within the College Community.

At the end of last year, we farewelled several staff members. Mr Darcy Goodall has moved into a new career path undertaking studies in a Master of Psychology. He had been at the College for the previous six years where he held the position of Curriculum Leader Enhanced Student Learning. Laurent Epetahui (School Officer) has taken up a permanent position locally, which focusses on sustainability, whilst Darcy Goodman (Grounds staff) has taken up a position in the construction industry. Cate Jackman (Career Support Officer) has also taken up an opportunity as a Careers Advisor. Mr Brian Cantwell has taken twelve months of well-deserved leave whilst Ms Kellie-Maree Ford has been seconded to Toowoomba Catholic Schools for twelve months.  On behalf of the College, I wish each departing staff member the very best and thank them for their dedicated service to our community and look forward to the return of Brian and Kellie in 2026.

We also welcome new staff to St Joseph’s College for 2025:

• Mr Tim Stone (Math, Science)
• Mr Andrew Fitness (Physical Education and Humanities)
• Ms Charmaine Firkins (Design Technology)
• Mr Cooper Tobin (Grounds Team)
• Ms Merle Watson (Canteen Team)

The following staff members have moved into new roles in the College for 2025:

• Ben Gehrmann (Acting Curriculum Leader Technology 2025)
• Tom Moore (Acting Assistant Principal Mission and Identity 2025)
• Elle Moss (Acting Middle Leader Student Engagement Rice House)
• Trish Darvell (School Officer Student Engagement Team Ignatius Room 1 day per week)

Each of our new staff members and those in new roles are excellent practitioners in their respective area/s, and we look forward to the contributions they will make both within the College in 2025.  A warm welcome to you all, may your time with us be rewarding.

As a school, we would like to acknowledge the achievements of our recently graduated Year 12 students. Twenty-two percent of our ATAR-eligible students achieved above 90. Equally impressive were the sixty-eight percent of students who achieved a vocational education qualification, whilst all students graduated with a clear pathway and either a QCE or QCIA. These results are a wonderful reflection of the myriad of opportunities available to all students. Last week we celebrated Sienna Wagner (College Dux 2024) and the large number of students who achieved academic and endeavour awards.

What a delight it was last week to induct our new Year 12 students as student leaders of the College. Each of our 145 Year 12 students has contributed to the fabric of St Joseph’s College and it was fitting to acknowledge their achievements with the senior badge and tie. Each of our students pledged to make Jesus known within our community by upholding the highest of standards in the spirit of Edmund Rice and St Joseph. We look forward to the senior cohort of 2025 creating a rich and enduring legacy.

Students and staff have moved into the new Mary Rice Extension building. With new science laboratories, flexible learning spaces, student toilet/change rooms and staff offices, students and staff are already benefiting from the significantly enhanced functionality and learning environment. I would like to thank Nathan Harmsworth (HNK Project Management), Byrant Construction led by Mitch Bentley and Daryl Green and College Business Manager Geoff Morgan for their efforts in bringing this project to fruition. EquallyVHD, I acknowledge the financial contributions of previous Parents and Friends Associations (now the Parent Engagement Network) who assisted in positioning the school to self-fund this project.

Murphy Building was demolished during the Christmas vacation and the site cleared for the commencement of the school year. This facility has served the College community well since it’s construction in the mid-1950s and whilst it holds many dear memories the building itself at seventy years old had come to the end of its lifespan. The remaining footprint is being developed into greenspace in the short to medium term.

Toowoomba Catholic Schools recently published the Parent Code of Conduct, which can be found on the College website. This document clearly outlines how parents and guardians of students should conduct themselves when engaging with other members of our community. The Code complements the Staff Code of Conduct and Parent Engagement Charter which positions our school to be a safe and respectful place for all.

The College Eligibility Criteria for student participation in extracurricular activities has been finalised and is now available on the College website. At the College, we believe that extra-curricular activities are a privilege and therefore the right to participate must be earnt, which in turn creates a sense of achievement and self-pride. I encourage all parents, guardians and students to familiarise themselves with the criteria and the process by which students can both remain and return to eligible status.

God Bless

Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au

From the Deputy Principal

To all our new families and students, welcome to St Joseph’s College for the 2025 academic year. We trust that your time with us will be exciting and fulfilling. To all our returning families and students, welcome back. We are very much looking forward to commencing what is promising to be a very exciting and full year of learning together. I trust that you all had a relaxing, re-energising and enjoyable family time over this holiday period.

As we start a new year, our tip to all students to get the most out of their schooling is to be involved in as much as possible in a wide variety of areas. This is the way students will meet other like-minded students, learn and become excited by their high school journey. It is then over to the students to participate in as many of the activities and events and take every opportunity which is provided to them. 

Already this year the students have had many opportunities to be totally immersed and engaged in activities. These have included:

• Welcoming students for 2025. Making new friends or reconnecting
• Opening Liturgy, Seniors Induction and Semester 2 Academic Awards
• Year 7 Information Evening and Laptop Rollout
• Yr 8-12 Information Evening
• Yr 7-9 Standardised Testing
• Year 12 Ball Practice
• Year 7 Music Immersion Tryouts
• Field Excursions
• Sporting teams commencing training and competition

Partnership

A key to success at St Joseph’s College is partnership - partnership between the students, their teachers and you, the parents. Please remember that we are only an email or a phone call away if you have any queries or concerns. Staff email addresses are as follows: firstinitialSurname@sjc.qld.edu.au e.g. bwillocks@sjc.qld.edu.au.

Please do not hesitate to make contact should you feel there are other topics that may need addressing throughout the school year as we work to help our young people navigate their journey.

The TCS Parent Engagement Charter affirms the relationship between parents and staff which, as we know, works best when it is based on mutual respect and acknowledgement of the unique contribution that each party makes to the education experience of students. Positive, healthy relationships are a feature of a distinctively Catholic community.

The TCS Parent Code of Conduct, defines the boundaries within which the relationship between parents and the school occurs most effectively. The TCS Parent Code of Conduct makes clear and explicit what has largely been assumed and unwritten in the past. It is what most parents would consider essential and appropriate if schools are to function at their best.

Recommended Reading

Over the holiday break many SLT members read the book ‘Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt. In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Haidt addresses the state of mental health among Generation Z, exploring how rapid technological advancements, especially smartphones and social media, have reshaped childhood and adolescence in detrimental ways. Haidt argues that this “great rewiring” began around 2010, marking a period when mental health issues like anxiety and depression began surging among young people. This trend, he suggests, is tied to a drastic decline in unstructured play and face-to-face interactions, combined with increased screen time and the pressures of social media. His analysis links digital dependency to deepening issues of isolation, self-comparison, and an addictive attention cycle, particularly affecting young girls who are statistically more vulnerable to social media’s mental health impacts.

Haidt’s proposes policy-level changes, such as age restrictions on social media use, stricter phone-free environments, and encouraging “dumb” phones for younger teens to minimise distractions. For parents and educators, he advocates for greater emphasis on independence and “risky play” to build resilience. He also highlights the need for collective action, recognising that many parents feel powerless to limit technology’s influence on their children alone.

This book is interesting reading for parents and anyone invested in the future health of younger generations.

God of the journey, may St Joseph’s College be a place where our culture is clear, a culture of Christian love, leading to each individual becoming a better person, and so enabling success and happiness. Amen.

Upcoming Events

Mr Brendon Willocks - Deputy Principal – bwillocks@sjc.qld.edu.au

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

SJC Health Hub

This week, we are thrilled to announce the opening of the St Joseph's College Health Hub!

The Health Hub facility in the Fogarty Building has been fully equipped to provide industry-standard health training to our students.

Working with Mater Education and our trainer Tracey Gollan, students will complete a Certificate II in Health Services and a Certificate III in Health Assistance. 

These qualifications open a wide range of options that our students can follow into the Healthcare industry.

The St Joseph's College Health Hub is another example of how we are helping our students follow their passions and pathways.

Academic Awards - Semester 2, 2024

Congratulations to the students who received an Academic Award at assembly on

Friday, 31 January 2025.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze Badges may be worn as part of the student’s uniform.

It is a symbol to be proud of wearing and something for all to aspire towards.

The Criteria to obtain an Academic Award is:

* Year 9 & 10 English – Extension & Mathematics – Extension and Year 10 Science – General

students who receive a B or higher are included in the above criteria to obtain an Academic Award.

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Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg - Assistant Principal - Curriculum - KFellenberg@sjc.qld.edu.au

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

2025 will see the addition of two important processes that support student engagement.  

Our Extra Curricular Eligibility Guidelines set out clear and achievable criteria for students to meet in order to have access to the broad range of extra-curricular opportunities available at St Joseph’s. We want students to have access to as many extra-curricular opportunities as possible, but it’s important that our students are ‘getting the basics right’ around attendance, behaviour, uniform and academic engagement before they do. My thanks to the broad range of parents, staff and students who have provided feedback in this area.

Our House Cup and House Points system is a way of recognising students who engage in all areas of College life- sporting, cultural, mission and service and academic. It is a system of awarding points to students that will contribute both to an individual tally and to an overall total. There have been some adjustments to this process in 2025, most notable that students accrue points in a yearly cycle and that all star awards should be achievable for students within one academic year.   

Eligibility Guidelines for Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities 

Purpose  

Student participation in extra-curricular activities is an important part of the holistic learning that takes place at St Joseph’s College. At the same time, participation in these experiences is a privilege. In order to be eligible to represent the College in this broad range of activities, it is important that students are living out College values in everyday school life. The criteria listed below are achievable by all students, provided they consistently make positive, safe and learning-focussed choices that enact The Joey’s Way.  

 Extra-Curricular Activities  

The following provides a non-exhaustive list of extra-curricular activities available to students:   

Eligibility to Participate in Extra-Curricular Activities  

In order to be eligible to participate in the extra-curricular activities listed above students must be in the GREEN or YELLOW zones across all the following five areas.  

Please also note the following regarding extra-curricular eligibility: 

• All decisions about a student’s extra-curricular eligibility are at the discretion of the College Principal. In exceptional circumstances, the College Principal may re-instate a student’s eligibility even if they have not met the criteria. 

• The timely payment of College fees is of high importance to facilitate the ongoing delivery of high-quality education to our students. Our expectation of families at the College are:  
• Fees are paid in full after the account is received, or;  
• A payment arrangement is made for regular Direct Debits to the College so that all fees are paid over an agreed period of time, or;  
• In cases of financial hardship, parents/caregivers arrange a confidential meeting with the Business Manager to discuss a payment plan for the fees.  

• All account balance checks are to be performed by the College Business Manager or Principal. The coach or organiser will be notified if there are any students who are ineligible, however, under no circumstances will the coach or organiser discuss this with the students. The College Business Manager or Principal will liaise directly with the family. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to discuss this issue with their child. 

• Before deciding on a student’s eligibility on the grounds of attendance, school staff will always examine attendance data, looking specifically for: 
• Whether a medical certificate has been provided 
• Any explanation provided for the absences. Please note that absences which arise from circumstances of the student’s or parent’s/carer’s own choosing (e.g. family holidays or non- school sporting events) may impact eligibility. 
• Patterns of non-attendance 
• Any other information provided by the student’s family. 

• Alternative Learning Days are school days where students will undertake a variety of learning opportunities outside their classroom curriculum. These days play an essential role in building the culture of the College, and in the holistic learning of our students. They include but are not limited to: 
• Feast days and celebrations 
• Camps 
• Retreats 
• Swimming, Athletics and Cross-Country Carnivals 

The College acknowledges that all people, especially young people, sometimes make mistakes. It is essential that students have clear paths to re-establishing their extra-curricular eligibility. The following table details the requirements for students to re-establish their extra-curricular eligibility.  

Re-establishing Eligibility to Participate in Extra-Curricular Activities  

Individual House Points and House Cup

Purpose

St Joseph’s College seeks to a holistic learning environment where students can participate and achieve in all areas of College life.

The House Cup and House Points system is designed to recognise students’ individual contributions to the College community in four areas of College life - Cultural, Mission, Sport and Academic.

Accruing Individual Points

The Star System

Students will be presented stars as they accrue points to meet the following criteria over the course of an academic year. All students begin each academic year with zero points.

The House Cup

The House Cup is awarded annually to the house that has the largest number of total points over the course of the academic year. A house accrues points over the course of the academic year through:

1. Individual points accrued by its member students, and
2. House placings in interhouse competitions including Swimming Carnival, Cross Carnival, Athletics Carnival and Compassion Cup.

*These points are awarded to a house in its entirety but not to individual students.

Joseph Cryle - Assistant Principal - Student Engagement -  JCryle@sjc.qld.edu.au 

From the Acting Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity

2025 Liturgical Theme  

The Year 12 Liturgy Group was very excited to share with the community the liturgical theme for 2025.  

To begin their process, they started by looking back on themes from previous years and discussing what they liked and what they thought could be improved.  

Right from the beginning, they knew that 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 "One Body, Many Parts" was their scripture focus, providing a clear and unifying foundation whilst reminding them of the importance of every individual voice contributing to our community. The students also sought to incorporate the four foundational stories of St Joseph's College—the Jesus Story, the Ricean Story, the Community Story, and Our Own Story—to uplift these voices and celebrate their unique contributions, fostering a sense of togetherness and unity.

The Year 12 Liturgy group hopes this theme inspires people to understand that:

• Each individual story is important to the Joey's community story.
• It wouldn’t be a community without every person.
• The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
• Everyone can find their own understanding of The Jesus Story.
• Our SJC Faith Formation Cross is four stories that weave into one.
• Our stories (Jesus Story and Joey's story) have many authors.

The focus symbol for this theme is a large book. Throughout the year the students will fill this book with unique pages that will allow the college to record and look back on our story over the course of the year.

They chose this symbol as it directly communicates their aim to create one St Joseph’s story.

This will also display how different parts of our community collaborate to write one story, seen in the different pages that will represent different events and other aspects of the college.

Senior Induction – Presentation of Ties and Badges 

Thomas Moore - Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity - tmoore@sjc.qld.edu.au

College Captains

Hello, SJC Community!

It’s great to see everyone back as we kick off another exciting school year. We hope you all had a chance to recharge over the break.

A particularly warm welcome to our new staff members (Mr Fitness, Mrs Firkins, Mr Stone, Mr Tobin, and Ms Watson) and of course our new students—this week marks the start of your journey at St Joseph’s, and we’re thrilled to have you join our community!

To our fellow Year 12s, this week marks the first of many lasts. After seeing five other cohorts go through this rite of passage, we can’t believe that it is now our turn.

Over the past week, we have started to introduce our 2025 liturgical theme—“One Story, Many Voices.” This theme celebrates how every person at St Joseph’s College adds something special to the bigger picture. We each have our own story, but together, we’re part of something much greater: the story of St Joseph’s.

As we embrace this new year, we encourage everyone to contribute to the story that reflects who we are as individuals and as a community. Let’s step forward together, knowing that every action, every choice, and every word we share has the power to make someone else feel more included, more valued, and more at home.

To achieve this, we challenge you to get to know the people who sit beside you and make a conscious effort to be kind and considerate to everyone, creating a cohesive and inclusive community. Additionally, strive to find enjoyment in everything you do, whether it’s your math class, playing sport for the school, or having lunch with friends. By embracing who you are, you inspire others to do the same. When we all find enjoyment in being ourselves, we will truly create a community of belonging and write our shared story!

We wish you all the best with this term ahead!

College Captains - Emalia Brocherie & Timothy Kist

Welcome New Students and Families!

Dear St Joseph's Families, 

What an incredible start it has been, meeting all of our new students and Year 7’s students for 2025. Get ready for an incredible journey as we welcome you to the St Joseph's College community! We are thrilled to have you on board, and there is so much in store for both parents and students.

Embracing Excellence

St Joseph's College is more than just a school; it is a place where excellence meets community. Our devoted staff are geared up to both guide and nurture your child's academic pursuits while ensuring a holistic development that goes beyond the classroom.

Dive into Opportunities

The opportunities are boundless! From dynamic extracurricular activities to spirited sports events, and culturally enriching experiences, your time at St Joseph's will be brimming with chances to explore, learn, and grow. We are here to help you make the most of every moment.

Stay Connected

Communication is the heartbeat of our community. Look forward to regular updates, newsletters, and engaging events that keep you in the loop about the exciting happenings at St Joseph's College. We believe in fostering a strong partnership between parents, students, and our resolute educators.

Join the St Joseph's Community

At St Joseph's, we are more than just a school; we are a family. Our values, commitment to diversity, and dedication to excellence create an environment where everyone belongs. Together, let us make your college experience unforgettable.

Your Remarkable Journey Begins

Welcome to St Joseph's College, where every day is a new opportunity to gain experience, learn, and excel. We are eager to see you achieve wonderful things and create unforgettable memories. Here is to an exciting and inspiring journey ahead!

Amanda Crouch - Student Engagement Middle Leader - Year 7 Coordinator - ACrouch@sjc.qld.edu.au

Sport

Toowoomba District and Darling Downs Nominations and Trials

Several TSSS and DD trials take place during the year. Many of them take place in terms one and two. If you miss them, students will miss out on representation.

Important Information for Students and Parents

Students and parents are encouraged to regularly check Sentral notices and the sports calendar to stay informed about upcoming events.

To participate in sports, students must complete the DD medical forms. These forms can be downloaded or obtained directly from Miss Newton. Once completed, the forms should be returned to her for signing and entry into the school system. The processed information and forms will then be returned to the student. Following this, Miss Newton will submit the nomination form on behalf of the student. It is essential that students bring the completed forms to the trials, as participation will not be permitted without them—NO FORM – NO TRIAL.

Please note that all nominations must be finalized by the College. Nominations submitted outside of this process will not be accepted by the sport convenors.

Trials already called:

TSSS TRIALS

Football - 13 – 15 and 16 – 19 years girls’ – nominations close Feb 10

Football - 13 – 15 years boys’ – nominations close Feb 12

Football - 16 – 19 years boys’– nominations close Feb 12

RANGE ZONE swimming – 10 – 12 years trials – nominations close Feb 11.

Netball – 13 – 15 years and 16 – 19 years girls – nominations close Feb 13

DARLING DOWNS TRIALS

Volleyball – 13 – 15 years boys and girls – nominations close Feb 20

Cricket – 10 – 12 years girls – nominations close Feb 28

Water polo – 15 – 18 years girls – nominations close Feb17

Softball – 13 – 19 years girls – nominations close Feb 17

Swimming – 13 – 19 years boys and girls – nominations close Feb 24

Disc Golf

During the recent holiday period, Joe Paull participated in the 3 Day Australian Disc Golf Championship held in Molong, New South Wales. Joe demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the tournament, navigating 24 challenging holes under varying weather conditions. He faced drizzly rain on Friday, severe weather with heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday, and finally, a fine yet windy day on Sunday.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Joe, who was crowned the 2024 Australian Junior Champion following this championship.

Currently, Joe is in New Zealand, where he will compete in the New Zealand National Disc Golf Championships from Saturday, February 1, to Monday, February 24. This presents a remarkable opportunity for him, and as a community, we wish him all the best and hope he enjoys this experience. Joe's achievements are truly commendable for someone so young.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2025

The swimming carnival will continue to be a split carnival, with seniors (Years 10, 11, 12) swimming in the morning session and the middle school (Years 7, 8, 9) swimming in the afternoon session.

Please see below a summary for the day on Tuesday 11 February 2025:

Event Information

Date and Time: Tuesday 11 February 2025

• Years 10, 11, 12 and any Year 9 students turning 15 – 8.30am – 11.30am
• Years 7, 8, 9 – 11.30am – 2.40pm

Venue: Milne Bay Aquatic Centre, 43 – 49 Victoria Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350

Expectations:

• This is a normal school day and students are expected to attend and participate.
• As per normal expectations, parents/caregivers will need to contact the College if their child/ren is absent.
• If your child/ren is unable to swim, please provide a note to the House Leader before the Swimming Carnival or at the start of the day.
• If departing before the conclusion of the carnival, parents/caregivers are asked to report to their child’s Joey’s Way teacher or House Leader before taking their child/ren home. They need to sign students out.
• In the event of the Carnival being cancelled, the College will send a Broadcast, notifying of the cancellation.
• The inside wave pool and canteen areas are out of bounds at all times.
• Paper streamers or coloured paper are not permitted at the venue.
• Under no circumstances is ‘free swimming’, ‘free pool play’ or recreational swimming permitted – detrimental to safe risk management strategies.
• Ample bins will be in place during the carnival and students are asked to please place rubbish and litter in them to keep the MBAC area clean and ready for public use after we have left.
• Students should try to wear a swimming cap in the pool. They can either be there own or wear the ones supplied by the College. They need to be in their house colours.

Transport:

• Senior School (Years 10, 11 and 12 plus any Year 9 students turning 15) students are to make their own way to the venue, arriving no later than 8.30am. Staff will be at the pool from 7.15am. Buses will transport students from the College to the pool from approximately 8.25am. All students are permitted to leave from the pool, with parent permission. Buses will be provided to transport students back to the College at the end of the carnival for study and supervision in the library if parent permission is not given to go home.
• From 11.30am Year 10, 11 and 12 students may:
• Leave for home with parent permission.
• Stay at the carnival to offer assistance to the younger year levels (Service to the House). If considering leadership roles in 2026, this is a great opportunity to demonstrate this service.
• Return to the College for study and supervision. Transport back to the College will be provided.
• Middle School (Years 7, 8 and 9) students will complete lessons 1 and 2 and have morning tea at St Joseph’s College campus. During morning tea students are asked to get changed into their swimming attire. At 11.00am, students will make their way to the MacKillop Centre to have rolls marked and be transported to Milne Bay.
• Commercial and College buses will transport students to and from the College who are not able to make their own way to the venue.
• If your child/ren requires transport to and from the event venue via St Joseph’s College, please complete the attached online form.
• Junior students can be collected from the pool after 2.40pm if being transported by parents.
• Students not collected by 3.00pm will be transported back to the College.
• For security reasons, bikes are to be parked at the northern end of the pool
• Parking at the pool is regulated and parking fines apply. All day parking is available in the Herries Street Council car park.

Dress:

• Students are to wear their Sports uniform with sports hat unless they are in the cheer squad and given permission by House Leaders for other dress codes.
• All items of clothing are to be named, e.g. Towel, goggles, sports shirts, and shorts etc.
• Valuables MUST not be brought to the pool. Mobile phones MUST be kept in bags – college phone policy is applicable at the carnival and phones will be confiscated if used incorrectly.
• Students are encouraged to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide all day. Zinc cream and body paints are not permitted. Sunscreen will be available all day to reapply.
• Girls MUST wear one-piece swimming togs. No bikinis are permitted.
• Boys need to wear normal swimming attire or shorts that are made of lycra or nylon (suitably tied).
• All cotton, denim and polyester are excluded. Rashies are encouraged to be worn by all students.

Lunch:

• BYO food and water.
• Students will not be allowed access to the indoor pool or canteen area.
• They do not operate the outdoor canteen area
• Parents/Caregivers may purchase food and bring it in for their child/ren. There are no pass outs to go and get food.

Events:

• Novelty races will be swum for students who do not feel confident in swimming 50m events, and these will still contribute to the overall score for their House. All swimmers earn points for final house positions. Students cannot participate in the 50m freestyle event and then swim the 25m. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves to swim the longer distances, as these do earn more points for their house.
• We will conduct the 100m freestyle event but will not be conducting the 200m freestyle events in 2025.

The carnival has the following core intents:

1. Naming of age champions and winning house.
2. Participate and persevere to the best of our ability – challenge yourself to do better.
3. Students lead through service to their house.
4. Respect the ability of everyone unconditionally.
5. Be proud of the efforts attained for the day.

The Spirit and Participation Trophy will be awarded to the House who scores the most points through student participation, House Spirit, and participation in the 25m swims.

Grandstanding seating and lanes

Near Playground                                                                                                                                                       Shallow End

Rice                Lanes 1 and 5                       Murphy           Lanes 4 and 8

McAuley        Lanes 3 and 7                       Brennan        Lanes 2 and 6

Please feel free to contact me with any inquires.

Debbie Newtown - Program Leader - Sport - DNewton@sjc.qld.edu.au

Connecting with Careers

Connecting with Careers

Welcome back to a new school year! I hope that you have had a restful and enjoyable break. As we welcome everyone to the new school year, we are thrilled to inform you that our Careers Team is now located in the new building of Mary Rice. The Careers Team is dedicated to supporting students in discovering their strengths and interests, exploring career pathways, developing job skills, and finding opportunities that align with their interests. We are here to guide students through making informed decisions about their pathways and to provide resources that will help them succeed. We invite students and parents/carers to reach out and connect with the Careers Team!

Year 10 Work Experience

Work Experience Placement Agreement forms Due: A reminder that the Year 10 Work Experience Placement Agreement forms are due by Friday, 7 February 2025. We kindly ask all families to ensure that these forms are submitted on time to facilitate our planning.

Head Start

The UniSQ Head Start program is a learning opportunity for high-achieving Year 11 and 12 students. This academic extension initiative allows students to get a taste of university life by enrolling in one university subject per trimester, all while they continue to work towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). It's a unique chance for students to challenge themself and gain valuable experience that will benefit their future studies and career.

Congratulations to the following students who have successfully completed a Head Start course through The University of Southern Queensland:

Victoria Coorey SCA1002 Introduction to Creative and Critical Thinking

Hannah Marsh EDC2111 Positive Behaviours

Jada Guok BIO1204 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences

Sienna Littleton PSY1010 Foundation Psychology A

Piper Wiemers BIO1204 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences

We are very proud of their dedication and hard work as they live out the Joey’s Way imperatives of aspire to excellence and learn in community.

SJC Careers website

We have a dedicated school careers website to assist our students with all their career research, portfolio development and post-school planning. Aside from the main website, students have their own secure area to create and store career information and documents which can be accessed at any time. 

The site is also designed with you, the parent/carers in mind, to provide you with all the information you need about your child’s career planning and post school options as the information is constantly changing in these areas. We encourage parents/carers to familiarise themselves with the platform and range of communications available to keep informed. 

You can find our site at sjccareers. 

Law and Justice Career Information Event 

The event will be held on Thursday, 27 February commencing at 5.00pm at the Toowoomba Courthouse. There will be a variety of organisations represented and able to engage with students and parents.

For further information about this event, please see the flyer.

Click here or the QR code on the flyer to register for this event.

There is no cost to attend the event

Reece showroom Toowoomba and Actrol Toowoomba branch both have an exciting opportunity, they are currently advertising for their next school-based trainee. This position is open to current Year 11 students to complete the following qualification:

• Actrol - Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations
• Showroom – Certificate II Retail Services

Key points to note:

• 18-24 month program
• Working one day per week
• Combination of Warehousing and Retail skills
• The ideal candidate needs to be outgoing, respectful, willing to work in a team environment
• The student must be willing to shine in customer service
• Commitment to complete year 12 is a must

Students are encouraged to apply for the Actrol traineeship by clicking here.

Students are encouraged to apply for the Reece Showroom traineeship by clicking here.

For further information, please contact Jodie Solomon via email jodie.solomon@reece.com.au or mobile 0419 261 133.

As we embark on this exciting new school year, we encourage students to take full advantage of the career lessons, experiential learning opportunities, resources and opportunities available through our career development program. We are looking forward to working together to pursue the students’ passions and pathways. We are looking forward to a year of growth, discovery, exploration and success!

For more information, please contact the Careers Team.

Maree Harman - Career Development Practitioner - mharman@sjc.qld.edu.au

Holiday Fun!

At the end of 2024, Art student Siena Littleton had the fantastic opportunity to participate in the In-Residence program in Brisbane.

The Creative Generation Visual Art In Residence program is a Department of Education program supported by the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).

In Residence is held annually for 3 days through November/December at QAGOMA, providing Year 10 Queensland visual art students with the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of the academic, experimental, collaborative and reflective nature of contemporary visual art and gain an appreciation for the breadth of opportunities in the creative industries.

Throughout the 3 days, students engage with exhibitions at QAGOMA, artists and tertiary partners as they participate in creative making and responding workshops.

Siena had a fantastic time seeing many exhibitions and also visited the Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University to make paper and experiment with natural pigments.

SJC - Community News

Our Parent Business Directory has begun and you may see some of our parents business in our column beside our newsletter! We would like to include more businesses. If you would like to be featured please send through any details and/or business graphics to: marketing@sjc.qld.edu.au

Uniform Shop

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

Welcome to all new and current families.

The uniform shop is stocked and still has plenty of stock after the back-to-school rush.

With Toowoomba weather been so unpredictable, be prepared for all seasons.

The All-purpose jacket is great for the cool and rainy weather. Finish off the look with a school scarf.

Items you might not know we sell:

• Female Bike Shorts
• Black leather school shoes
• Water bottles
• Hair Accessories
• Hat bands
• Scarves
• Second hand clothing

Currently out of stock:

• Junior Girls blouses - Size 10A (ETA mid feb)
• Girls’ formal skirts – Girls Size 8 and 10.
• All purpose Jacket – Sizes 14 and XS

Orders can be made online, paid for over the phone and all orders can be delivered to student entrance for your child to collect from there.

Online orders can also be delivered to your home for a fee.

Online ordering is available at all times and will only be packed during shop trading hours.

Pass Phrase StJC1956

Second hand clothing, football shorts, socks and training shirts can not be ordered online, but are available in store and for over the phone payment.

Please contact the uniform shop on the below details:

Phone:           07 4631 8514

Email:             sjct@midford.com.au

Ordering Online Process

www.midford.com.au     pass phrase StJC1956

Second hand uniforms are also available at the Uniform Shop.

If you have used uniform items that would like to donate, please drop off to the Uniform Shop during opening hours.  Donations are greatly appreciated.

If you have used uniform items that you would like us to sell for you, please call into the uniform shop and collect a “Used Clothing” form. Used uniforms items MUST be in good condition, hems intact, no holes, stains or missing buttons. They also need to washed, ironed and be the current uniform. 

If you have any questions, please call us on 4631 8514 during opening hours.