Newsletter - Term 3 - Week 4 - Issue 146

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

This week, St Joseph’s College was delighted to have Bishop Ken Howell join us to bless our new Mary Rice Building Extension project. Whilst emphasizing the importance a new facility brings, he reminded us that schools including St Joseph’s College should be places of faith, where learners are instilled with the imperative of making a difference. Bishop Ken clearly aligned his message with our college motto of “Serve Him in Others.” We were also joined by Dr Pat Coughlin, representatives from Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, former principals Mr Peter Kenny, and Kort Goodman, along with representatives from stakeholders involved in the planning, construction, and project management of our magnificent new facility. Since its establishment in 1956 under foundation principal Br Murphy, St Joseph’s College has evolved into a co-educational site comprising over 920 students, 125 staff and 700 families. Our focus remains to provide outstanding educational and formation experiences for our learners, and they are already enjoying the benefits that the Mary Rice Extension provides in bringing those imperatives to life.

Last Friday, Toowoomba Catholic Education staff from the surrounding area including St Joseph’s College attended the annual Bishop’s Inservice Day. Such days are critical in providing spiritual formation and embracing our Catholic Identity, which promotes our schools as places of Faith, Hope and Love, where students and staff can flourish and reach their potential. Our Bishop Ken Howell, Executive Director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Dr Pat Coughlin, and Fr Frank Brennan, delivered keynote addresses based on the theme of Hope to the 1100 staff gathered. Coming together to celebrate Eucharist and discuss our values and purpose ensures alignment between our 32 schools, Office, and Diocese. Whilst each school/college has its own unique context, we are united by our faith-based perspective, approach, and commitment to making Jesus known to others. We understand that each of us is created in the image of God, and therefore our schools are places where we seek to unlock potential to allow lives to flourish.

As part of our recent Catholic Week celebrations, we acknowledged the significant service and contributions of a number of staff members including Mr Andrew Fellenberg  (Curriculum Leader Humanities), Deb Ditchmen (Canteen Coordinator), and Ms Tanya Garrahy (School Officer Library) who have dedicated 30, 25, and 20 years of service, respectively. All three staff members have made enriching contributions to the college community in curriculum, extra-curricular, and service activities, and many students and staff have been the beneficiaries of their skills, professionalism, and collegial manner. At the same assembly, we celebrated the 78 students who were recipients of Catholic Education Week awards. Each recipient was recognised for their service, living out our St Joseph College imperatives, and upholding our college motto of “Serve Him in Others”. These students are outstanding role models who help create a tapestry that is the culture of our college.

St Joseph’s College also acknowledges Mr Peter Keightley and Ms Abbey Orbansen-Thew who were finalists in the Specialist Secondary Teacher and Early Careers Teacher categories respectively, at the recent Toowoomba Catholic Education Excellence Awards held last week. Peter was acknowledged for his outstanding contributions to enhancing student learning outcomes over the last four years, whilst Abbey was named as the winner of her category for her remarkable classroom practice during the first three years of her career.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of School Officers (Classroom Support), Jazmyn Tozer and Oliver Timms to St Joseph’s College, this term. Jaz will be working four days per week and Oliver, one day per week. Collectively they replace Ms Keeley McCullough who finished at the college last semester. They join our Enhanced Learning Team led by Ms Karyn Morrison. Both Jaz and Oliver are products of our Pathways to Teach Program, which engages pre-service teachers into our community, whilst experiencing the role of School Officer.

God Bless,

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

From the Deputy Principal

Canvas Parent Tip

Throughout 2025, we have progressively rolled out parent access to our Canvas Learning Management System. Thank you for your positive engagement with the platform and for using it to view your young person’s classwork, assessments, and teacher feedback. To help you stay organised and open conversations with your young person, below are steps to set up their Canvas assessment calendar within your email service:

Feast of Mary MacKillop

The Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first canonised saint, will be celebrated on Friday, 8 August 2025. Many SJC community members may have been educated by the Sisters of St Joseph in schools throughout Australia. Mary Mackillop paved the way for the education of poor children, especially in this country and a variety of ministries that addressed the needs of 19th-century Australia. Mary MacKillop encourages us to be people of justice, to be courageous, forgiving, compassionate and hopeful, and to have a deep faith in our God who provides. Her legacy continues today in countless ways.

Upcoming Events

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

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Teaching and Learning Framework

This term, the journey continues with professional development for teaching staff being held at our Twilight on the 12 August. Curriculum Leaders will be working with teachers to review our assessment in the junior school, and mapping the general capabilities in our Unit Plans from Years 7–10. We are continuing to develop resources to embed our Catholic Perspectives.

We are pleased to have UniSQ come to present to our staff about Artificial Intelligence as we learn more about how we can integrate AI into assessment and setting boundaries and guidelines for students in their use of AI.

Assessment Calendar

Please check with your child about upcoming assessment.  The Term 3 Assessment calendar can be accessed via the College Intranet and College Website.

Senior Exams

If your child is in Year 11 or 12 and they are away for an exam, please contact Mrs Tobin or me directly at the office. Students require a medical certificate to enable assessment to be rescheduled.  There is a QCAA preferred medical certificate that you are encouraged to use to assist with our applications to QCAA for extensions and comparable assessment requests.

Family Holidays

Please be aware that a Family holiday is not a reason QCAA accepts in the Senior school to make changes to exam conditions or assessment deadlines.

Year 11’s are required at school each day as normal lessons will be continuing until the end of term.  Exams are scheduled in the Assessment calendar and students are emailed details about assessment and exam requirements. Please note that students who are doing SBAs or TAFE are required to attend school for all internal assessment.   

Trial Mock Exams

Year 12 students will be completing a Mock exam week in Term 3 to experience the QCAA mock assessments under similar conditions to the External Exams in Term 4. Students will have 2 exams (often over 2 hours each) on the one day.  The external exam schedule has been released and sent to students.  Some of our students have a similar scenario during the External exam block period as this schedule is set by QCAA.  Please check with your child that they know when their external exams are scheduled.  A Trial Mock exam block timetable has been distributed via email to students and parents at the beginning of term.  Year 12’s only attend school when they have exams during Week 9.  This is a privilege, and students are asked to be mindful that the expectation is that they study at home during this time.

Students are expected to attend every trial/mock exam.  Students are required to wear full academic uniform and attend on time.  Students need to sign in at the College and sign out at the end of their exam at the office.

Year 12’s who remain at school can work quietly during the day in a supervised classroom.   Students must do individual study and be in full school uniform.

No student should be seen around town in school uniform. The opportunity to go home is a privilege to allow them to study.  Students who have incomplete work or non-submission will be required to attend school and your child’s teacher will be in contact if this is necessary.

Year 9 and 10, 2026 Subjects.

Thank you for attending the Subject Expo on Monday 21 July. Thank you also to the current Year 8 and 9 students for completing their preferences online. All web preferences need to be signed online by the student and their parent/caregiver.   Please ensure you have checked your child’s preferences and then sign online or print and return to Student Entrance. 

Year 11, 2026

On Thursday 7 August, we conducted the SET plan interviews with each Year 10 student and their parent or carer in preparation for the Senior Phase of learning. As students enter the Senior school we will continue our academic care interviews and ask parents to attend to increase our partnership with you. 

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

From the Assistant Principal - 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:  

I. 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.  

II. 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.   

 III. 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.  

 IV. 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.  

 V. 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 

1. 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

Last week, we celebrated Catholic Education Week across Queensland.

At SJC on Thursday, we came together as a college for a liturgy led by our Mission Captains Eva and Lillian.

The Road to Emmaus, from Luke's Gospel, was our scripture focus for the liturgy. Aligning with our focus on Hope in 2025, it tells us the story of two of Jesus’ disciples travelling to their home after the events of Easter.

They encounter a man on their travels, and travel with him to the village. The travellers, astounded by the fact that this man is not aware as to what has just happened over the weekend in Jerusalem, walk together and share the story of the Jesus, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. Upon arriving home, they invite the man inside and share a meal together. It is through this sharing that their eyes are open to the fact that it is Jesus with them this whole time.

Whilst our Catholic Education Week celebrations may be over for another year, it is certainly not a time to stop recognising the Hope within Catholic Education. The relationships built via strong dialogue with all members of our community, but also the relationship we have with our God. One that it is hope-filled, ever-present and ever-loving.

See how we tell the story of our Communities of Faith, Hope, and Love at St Joseph's College.

Spirit of Catholic Education Week Award Winners

Congratulations to all our award winners. Winners were nominated by either a staff member or their peer for the demonstrated excellence in one of the following six categories.

1. participating in or initiating a program/s and or activity/ies in response to College and community needs.
2. leading and assisting other students to live out the mission of Edmund Rice​
3. aspiring to excellence in all that they do such as academic, cultural, sporting and spiritual life of the College.​
4. engaging in life-giving relationships with members of our College and the wider community or other members of the school community.​
5. being supportive of the faith, spiritual and outreach life of the College.​
6. actively live out the Joey's Way in all that they do

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Bishop's Inservice Day

On Friday, all staff were at the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre at St Mary’s for the annual Bishop's Inservice Day. With over 1100 staff from the Toowoomba and surrounds based Catholic Schools, it was a wonderful celebration of Catholic Education and a great way to end celebrations of Catholic Education Week 2025.

Staff gathered in the morning for Mass, followed by keynotes from, Bishop Ken Howell Dr Pat Coughlan and special guest for 2025 Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO. Fr Brennan explored the hopeful realism in Catholic schools in the year of the Jubilee.

It was also an opportunity to celebrate across the diocese the nominees and winners of the TCS Excellence Awards, as well as those staff who have shown exemplary service to Catholic Education over extended periods. With awards for 20/25/30/35/40/45 and 50 years being presented.

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

Sport Captains

Hello everyone, our names are Matt Lowe and Addy Jones. We are your 2025 Sport Captains and here are the great things that have happened and are happening in sports at the College. 

Congratulations to everyone who went away with the Open Confraternity Rugby League teams. During that week, we had a boys and girls team head off to Rockhampton for the annual Confraternity Rugby League Carnival, and what an experience it was! From tough tackles to unforgettable tries, we also had the 1st Netball team travel away to Bundaberg for QISSN, where there were some awesome goals and great teamwork shown by the girls. 

It's safe to say that for the rugby league and netball teams, it was more than a week of sport — it was a week of camaraderie, grit, and representing SJC with pride. A massive shout-out to the boys and girls for giving it their all on the field and court, and to the coaches, families, and staff who made it possible. Moments like these build lifelong memories and strengthen the family bond the Joey's community has.

Cross country has been, and we’d love to say thank you to everyone who got involved and gave it a crack, whether you sprinted for glory or jogged for the good vibes. The carnival was a success because of how you presented strong energy, your support for your mates, and your determination to rack up those house points. Every step counted, and every cheer mattered. Let’s keep that momentum rolling into the next event in Athletics Carnival.

Get ready, because the Athletics Carnival is close - Friday 15 August in Week 5 - and every point matters! Whether you're a seasoned sprinter or just keen for a laugh in the high jump every bit of participation earns house points. It's time to show up, cheer loud, and have a crack at something new. Let’s make it a carnival to remember!

In other exciting news, Matt is officially coaching the U13s Touch team, bringing passion, strategy, and Joeys pride to the field. These young guns are something else, the way they represent the college on and off the field is great to see and they are some of the most talented young men you will ever see.

2025 Sport Captains - Matt Lowe and Addyson Jones

Murphy House

Navigating AI Relationships in Teens' Digital Lives

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly intertwined with everyday life, a new frontier is emerging that many parents may not yet have considered: AI relationships. These aren’t just science fiction scenarios—teenagers today are engaging with AI companions, chatbots, and digital influencers in ways that raise important questions about emotional development, identity, and boundaries.

What Are AI Relationships? AI relationships can range from casual chats with virtual assistants to more immersive interactions with AI companions that simulate empathy, humour, and even emotional intimacy. Platforms offering customisable digital friends are growing rapidly, and many teens view these bots as safe, nonjudgmental spaces to express themselves.

AI companionship also intersects with broader online risks such as sextortion and pornography use. Sextortion is increasingly being used by criminals to create fake profiles or bots that mimic teens’ peers. These bots initiate conversations, build trust, and then coerce young users into sharing intimate images or videos. Once shared, these materials are used for blackmail—threatening to expose the teen unless they pay money or provide more content.

• AI-generated personas can be eerily convincing, making it harder for teens to detect deception.
• Sextortion often begins on platforms that seem safe or friendly, including apps marketed for companionship.

Some AI companion apps allow sexually explicit conversations, especially through premium features. Within these features they can be exposed to pornography-based content. Such content may involve sexualised avatars or roleplay scenarios, and AI generated pornography which create a desensitised viewpoint for teens.

Snapshot of the AI companion apps popular among teens:

Adolescents may turn to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect their real-life relationships. These relationships often lack the mutual respect and effort required in real-world connections, which are crucial for personal growth. Please view and access the following parental resource on our SJC Website SPECIAL REPORT: Navigating AI Relationships | St Joseph's College - Toowoomba.

In trying to support your young person navigate these complex issues, St Joseph’s College is here to support. Often these contexts continue from home into the school environment, and we are here to support students’ problem solve in partnership with parents these issues. Bullying and harassment, in any of their forms, have no place at St Joseph’s College. All members of our school community must be able to enjoy a safe school environment. Please find some time to review our policy here for bullying and harassment which these platforms are often used for: Anti-Bullying and Harassment - St Joseph's College. It is also worth noting that students should have a trusted adult in which they can report this kind of behaviour too. Please see the following link to our Feeling Safe Poster: SPC Poster 2025. They can also use Stymie an anonymous reporting app to report this kind behaviour to. Whilst this kind behaviour and online interaction may never take place in your young person's world, it is good practice to keep abreast of new and emerging online trends. Have a happy and safe Term ahead.

Aleesha Degen - Student Engagement Middle Leader - Murphy House - adegen@sjc.qld.edu.au

Sport

Disc Golf

Joe Paull has been diligently honing his skills in the sport of disc golf, demonstrating his commitment and passion for the game. Recently, he participated in the Queensland Disc Golf Championships, held from July 4 to 6 at Piney Rivers in Strathpine, Brisbane. Competing in the MA1 division, the premier category for adult amateurs, Joe faced a strong field of 20 skilled players.

His performance was impressive, culminating in a commendable 2nd place finish, showcasing his talent and determination in a competitive environment.

Additionally, on Saturday, July 26, Joe took part in the Montessori Fundraiser tournament located on the picturesque Sunshine Coast, surrounded by the beauty of the rainforest. He found the experience to be truly remarkable and enriching. His efforts were rewarded with a solid 3rd place finish in this event, further solidifying his status as a formidable competitor in the disc golf community.

Darling Downs Congratulations

The following students have been successful in their goal to make Darling Downs teams.

We congratulate:

• Amarni Jackson – Darling Downs 12 years Softball team
• Te Aotahi Medland – Darling Downs 13 -1 4 years Rugby League team
• Indee Jakobi – Darling Downs 10 – 12 years Touch Football team.

Interschool Shoots

Earlier in the year we sent 5 of our students off to compete in the Interschool shooting competition. Please find attached invitations to the September Interschool shoots. 

This Semester they are hosting two shoots over two days during term 3. The first shoot is a 75 shot Clay target event on Thursday 11th Sept - see attached. The second shoot is a 50 shot small bore Rifle comp on Friday 12^th Sept - see attached. Some students will opt to partake in one event on either day. That is fine. Some students are opting to partake in both events and will shoot on both days. That is also fine.

Nominations for both shoots are closing by 1^st September (unless they fill beforehand).

All shooters are to bring and present a current colour Photo I.D card, (most students use their student I.D card) and sign the Range Register (Form 33A) on arrival.

A current Medicare card if no student I.D card will be suffice.

On the day of the shoot, once student's pay their nominations, produce their current photo I.D and sign the Range register on arrival, they are covered by the Clifton Benchrest Rifle Club's insurance, as they would at any other competition shoot.

Prize money and prizes will be distributed at the end of each day.

Please see Miss Newton for further information if wanting to participate.

Toowoomba All Schools Touch Competition

On Sunday, six dedicated teams, accompanied by their coaches, braved the atrocious weather conditions to participate in the Toowoomba All Schools Touch event at Kearney Springs. Despite the elements, all teams showcased commendable skill and determination, competing to the best of their abilities. The unique structure of the draw meant that some teams narrowly missed out on places in the finals, but their performances have set a positive tone as we look forward to the All-Schools Competition at the Gold Coast in October.

The 13-year-old girls' team, under the expert guidance of coaches Taylor Lobwein and Adelaide Morgan, demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience, making an impressive run all the way to the grand final. Although they faced defeat at the hands of Fairholme College, their effort and sportsmanship were truly commendable and worthy of recognition.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Logan, Mr. McKenzie, Mrs. Lawrence, Kye McHugh, Mason Deakin, Matt Lowe, Isla Erbacher, and Isabella Feurer for their invaluable contributions in coaching the various teams throughout the day. Their experience and patience played a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment for our young athletes, and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication.

This event not only highlighted the talent and determination of our teams but also served as a reminder of the community spirit that thrives in challenging circumstances. We look forward to building on this momentum as we prepare for the upcoming competition at the Gold Coast.

AFL Finals

The Year 9/10 girls AFL side travelled to Yeronga to participate in the SEQ StreetSmarts Queensland Schools Cup Competition.

Our girls may have gone down to a very skilled and polished Marymount side, but the true winner was in the spirit and smiles the Joeys girls brought to the game.

Both teams played with heart, grit and determination. It was the kind of day that reminds us of what school sport is all about: connection, effort and having a ball while playing it.

On the scoreboard, we celebrated a big leap forward – 1 goal and 2 behinds, a significant improvement from last year’s single point. That growth speaks volumes about the determination, development and teamwork of our players.

The result didn’t fall our way, but the memories, the improvement and the fun certainly did. Well done to all involved. - Mrs Lawrence

We extend our sincere gratitude to Mrs. Lawence and Mrs. Simpson for dedicating their time to train the girls and accompany them on their journey to Brisbane.

A heartfelt thank you is also due to Mick Rafter, who graciously stepped in at the last moment to drive the bus for the girls. Your time and willingness to assist us are deeply appreciated.

Athletics Carnival

August 15th is fast approaching, providing our athletes with an opportunity to showcase their talents. If you have not yet completed the Edsmart form, please do so promptly to ensure that no one misses out on this exciting event.

This will be a regular school day, and all students are expected to attend, whether to compete or to support their house.

The theme for the day is "Aussie Icons." We encourage everyone to wear their best costumes and join in the festivities.

Some events have already been completed and McAuley have taken a small lead.

SSI Red Lions

After a term of dedicated training and preparation, our football team delivered an outstanding performance at the Red Lions Cup, going undefeated throughout the day! Their hard work paid off in full as they secured victories against Lockyer State High School, Concordia Lutheran College, and St Joseph’s Stanthorpe.

The team lost the Year 11 players because of leadership camp but they will be back on board for the final series.

The team’s cohesion, skill, and determination were on full display, making the school proud with every match. Now, they’re gearing up for the semi-final. We would really like to see as many people come out and support the boys on 19/08/25 at 4:00pm at Captain Cook Ovals.

Let’s cheer them on as they chase the championship! - Mr Hansen

Karyn Murphy Cup

In the inaugural Karyn Murphy Cup, our Girls' Open Rugby League team finished as runners-up to Glennie. However, due to Glennie's withdrawal from the finals, St Joseph’s College was graciously invited to participate, providing our girls with a remarkable opportunity to compete in this prestigious event.

We are thrilled to announce that our team emerged victorious in the grand final of the Central Region Karyn Murphy Cup today! St Joseph’s College secured a commendable win with a score of 24-16 against Deception Bay State High School. This competitive match demonstrated the impressive skills and strategic tactics that the team has diligently developed throughout the season.

With this significant victory, our girls are now set to advance to the next stage of the Karyn Murphy Cup, competing at the Queensland-wide level. We congratulate our team on this achievement and look forward to their continued success!

St Joseph College Open Boys Rugby League Report

Open Boys CQ Quad Competition

On behalf of the St Joseph College Open Boys Rugby League team, we were very grateful for the late invitation to compete in the CQ Quad Competition in Toowoomba on Tuesday & Wednesday this week.

We had 13 players that responded and wanted to play. It was a great opportunity for the Year 10 and 11 Students to participate in preparation for 2026.

The team competed on both days playing 2, 30-minute halves and at times we were down to 11 players. It was fantastic to witness the courage, spirit, leadership qualities and the positive attitude throughout the whole two day competition. As a College, we should be very proud of these young men who displayed what our College values are.

Thank you to Harvey Bay Xavier College whom we played on Wednesday, their sportsmanship and their spirit was highlighted when they lent us two players which was a fantastic gesture.

Highlights and proud moments:

• The way the students conducted themselves
• All very positive regardless of any situation they were in. 
• Only playing with 13 players for the 2 games
• The maturing and improvement within the younger players that got an opportunity. 
• The leadership qualities of Harry O’Neil & Aleks Bradley
• The very positive feedback and phone calls from NRL Officials who were very impressed with the student’s attitude, sportsmanship and skill level improvement.
• Year 12 student Austin Janke, a Front Rower, got the opportunity for a successful conversion on his last game for the college.
• Students great attitude, stamina playing two games without a break.
• Bealey Philp, outstanding debut for the team.
• Thank you to all the St Joseph College staff in behind the scenes, the players and I were very grateful for your assistance.
• Harry O’Neil awarded player of the final vs Xavier College.

- Colin Speed, Coach

Australian Futsal Representation

Oliver Kruger recently travelled to China to compete in the Australian Futsal Association U16 Boys team. His team finished second in his age division, which is quite an achievement.

He had a very memorable time at this once in a lifetime experience. Congratulations, Oliver! 

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

Connecting with Careers

Students recently had a fantastic opportunity to experience the construction industry like never before—without ever leaving the classroom. Thanks to Jenna from CSQ, who facilitated the immersive “Virtual Reality – Construction” experience, our students stepped into realistic virtual worksites, interacted with industry professionals, and completed tasks that reflect real-world construction roles. This experiential learning opportunity introduced students to a wide variety of career pathways in the construction industry, sparking curiosity and inspiring exploration. We are grateful for Jenna’s expertise and support in bringing this interactive learning activity to life and helping our students see the exciting possibilities within the construction industry.

There is an important connection between study habits and student wellbeing.  As assessment periods approach, developing a positive mindset and effective study strategies becomes more important than ever. The thoughts we have before opening a textbook or sitting down to revise can shape our confidence, performance, and overall happiness. The following information encourages students to reflect on their self-talk and offers practical ways to shift their thinking for more productive and empowering study sessions.

A positive study mindset is essential

When you know that you have to sit down and do some study, what thoughts go through your head?

• I hate this and don't want to do it     OR     If I'm going to pass, I will need to get it done
• I have better things I'd rather be doing     OR     I'd rather be doing something else but if I get started, I'll get it finished
• I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing     OR     I'll start with a plan for the session, so I don't waste time
• I'll never get this done     OR     If I get it started at least, it's a step in the right direction
• Everyone else finds this easy     OR     If I focus on what I'm reading, I'll have a better chance of understanding it
• I have too much to do and not enough time    OR     It's a hectic time of the term so just focus on one thing at a time

These are just some of the thoughts that might go through our mind when it comes to study. Success and happiness in anything you do is all about how we think/talk to ourselves.

For students, choosing the right university degree can be a daunting decision, especially with so many options and career outcomes to consider. To support students in navigating this important step, the University of Queensland has compiled a useful guide that offers practical insights into matching degrees with career aspirations. Whether students are exploring study areas or seeking clarity around less-defined pathways in the Arts, humanities or social sciences, this resource provides valuable information to help students and families make informed choices beyond high school.

What can I do with a degree in...?

Don't know what degree to study after high school? Unsure how to choose a career as a teenager? UQ have put some information together which may assist you to understand your options after school more clearly. Although it has a ‘UQ flavour’, it will give you great ideas no matter where you end up after school.  Click here to read about:

• How to choose a uni degree based on career options
• Search careers by study area

One area that young people find challenging with regards to career pathways is Arts, humanities and social science careers. Click here and scroll down to the section where you will find information on:

• What can you do with a social science degree in Australia?
• Where can a Bachelor of Arts take you?
• What jobs can you get with a Bachelor of Criminology?
• What can you do with a humanities degree?
• Is archaeology a good career?

Upcoming events

Pathways & Possibilities:  A Parent’s Guide to your Teenager’s Future Careers in the Darling Downs

This free, community-focused event is designed to connect parents, carers, and students with local industry representatives, career pathways, and support services.

Event Details:
🗓 Tuesday 19th August 2025
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Oaks Hotel, 25 Annand St, Toowoomba
🎟 Free event – bookings essential
🔗 https://events.humanitix.com/pathways-and-possibilities-darling-downs

 Highlights include:
• Industry Round Tables – face-to-face conversations with up to 3 industries of interest
• Guest Speakers – industry leaders and recent school leavers share their journeys
• Support Services – guidance for navigating post-school options
• Local Workforce Insights – discover which jobs and skills are in demand in our region

Australian Film TV and Radio School (AFTRS) open day

Australia’s national screen and audio school is hosting their annual, access-all-areas Open Day on Saturday 9 August. You can check out their state-of-the-art campus and get hands-on with industry-standard equipment in their studios. You will be able to see the range of professional cameras, lighting gear and more that's available to Short Course students. Their Short Courses team will be on hand, to answer questions about the School, their range of online and in person courses, the Short Courses community and the screen and audio industry in general. Plus, there will be an exclusive discount for our next round of Intro courses for those who visit the Short Courses space at Open Day. Click here for more information and to register.

Open Days in August

9 August           University of Southern Queensland Ipswich and Springfield

                           Australian Film TV and Radio School (AFTRS) open day

10 August        Griffith University Open Day -Brisbane South (Nathan) & Gold Coast

                           Southern Cross University Open Day Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast      

14 August        CQUniversity (Townsville)

16 August        SAE University College Open Day 

                           CHC Open Day

                           University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba

                          Christian Heritage College 

17 August        UniSQ Toowoomba Open Day

                          The University of Queensland  Gatton Campus

                          Southern Cross University Open Day - Northern Rivers

                          CQ University (Rockhampton)  Open Day

21 August        Cairns Career Expo

                          Mater Education Open Day - Brisbane

                          CQ University (Gladstone) Open Day

24 August        Southern Cross University Open Day - Gold Coast

28 August        CQ University (Cairns) – On Campus 

TAFE Gold Coast campus online open day

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast is hosting their online Open Day on 20 August. You can:

• Watch on-demand videos featuring our experienced educators
• Explore our virtual campus tours of key learning spaces
• Discover inspiring student stories
• Access digital course guides
• Learn about enrolment, course fees and available subsidies
• Chat live with us during business hours
• Book an in-person campus tour

Register now and they will update you on when the open day goes live from Wednesday 20 August. Click here for more information and to register.

UniSQ Open Days

Register to attend UniSQ's open day/s at Springfield or Ipswich - 9 August, Toowoomba - 17 August to:

• Be in the draw for one of two $500 VISA gift cards
• Check download the program so you can get the most out of the day
• Receive a QTAC application voucher if you apply on the day to attend UniSQ
• Have your questions answered

Click here for more information and to register (click on the campus you are visiting).

QTAC opened on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.  The Careers team will be working with Year 12 students to register for the ATAR portal on 11 and 12 August 2025.  On 13 and 14 August 2025, the Careers team will support students to create their QTAC account.  Each Tuesday, the Careers team will be available to support students with their QTAC application.  This term, Mrs Harman has facilitated QTAC support sessions on Early Entry, Scholarships and Preferences.  Students can access information on the Career Pathways Canvas course relating to Early Entry, Scholarships and much more for each university.

A reminder that the QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre) Information Evening, at St Joseph’s College, is being held on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, commencing at 5.30pm to 6.30pm in the Library.  Maree Harman, Career Development Practitioner, will be presenting on ‘How to Apply to QTAC’. The presentation will cover important dates, how to apply, how to order your preferences, pathways, responding to offers, Education Access Scheme (EAS), ATAR release and access, as well as other general information.   

QTAC Key Dates

QTAC Dates for 2025/2026

• 5 August 2025 - Admissions applications for 2026 opens.
• 5 August 2025 - ATAR Portal registration for 2025 Year 12 students opens - You must apply to have your ATAR calculated.
• 30 September 2025 - Early Bird application fee discount finishes ($70).
• 1 October 2025 - Full fee application fee applies ($150).
• 8 December 2025:
  • Due date to apply and submit documents for inclusion in the 23 December offer round.
  • Due date to apply and submit documents for inclusion in the 15 January 2026 offer round.
• 18 December 2025 - Release of the 2025 ATAR results.
• 19 December 2025 - Due date to change course preferences for 23 December offer round.
• 23 December 2025 - December Offer round
• 6 January 2026 - Due date to change preferences for 15 January offer round
• 15 January 2026 - First January offer round

For more information, please contact the Careers Team.

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

Amanda Ruhle - Careers Support Officer - ARuhle@sjc.qld.edu.au

Book Week 2025

The big library event of the year is almost here.  Book Week is happening in Week 6 so pop into the library at morning tea and lunch over the course of the week to have a go at one of the many planned activities - Did someone say Escape Room? Our Dress Up Day is Friday 22 August, so join the fun and come to school dressed as your favourite character and enter the Parade for a chance to win epic prizes.  The theme this year is, “Book an Adventure”.

Keep an eye on student notices for more information over the coming weeks as we have even more planned for this year’s Book Week!

Murphy House Beyond Blue Day

Education Perfect Queensland Languages Championships 2025!

Last week, it was time for the Education Perfect Queensland Languages Championships 2025! Differently to the Global competitions for Languages and English earlier in the year, this competition was just for our state. 245 schools took part and students answered questions to win points between Monday 28^th of July and Sunday 3^rd of August.

St. Joseph's College, Toowoomba, came 12^th place overall out of the 245 schools who participated, 5^th overall in French and 26^th overall in Japanese! Some students even took the opportunity to practise a new language, with questions being answered in Māori, Spanish, German, Italian, Greek and Latin to earn us points! I'm sure you will agree that this is a fantastic effort from our students and great to see them taking on the challenge of something new!

Congratulations to all students who participated, with a special mention to the following superstars who did the heavy lifting and earnt awards:

Tully Simpson (7)         5,525 points    Emerald award

'Alani Seiler (8)           5,191 points    Emerald award

Flynn Trethewie (7)       1,315 points    Bronze award

Mitchell Mulder (7)       1,274 points    Bronze award

Heidi Sanders (7)        1,028 points    Bronze award

Mya Spain (7)            1,008 points    Bronze award

Indiana Coggan (8)       766 points      Credit award

Tyler Anderson (8)        586 points     Credit award

Lilly Wiemers (12)        554 points      Credit award

Emily Reynolds (8)        542 points      Credit award  

Emma Tolcher - French and English Teacher - etolcher@sjc.qld.edu.au

SJC - Community News

In this interactive workshop, Adair will draw on his 27 years' experience working with organisations like the National Rugby League and Universities Australia to explore how students and parents can be taking steps to minimise the impact that social media, mobile phones, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and DFV can have on future careers. It does not matter what industry your child is hoping to pursue a career in, as every industry is being challenged by these issues.

Adair's presentation will be engaging, thought provoking and entertaining.  It is a chance for parents to take time to reflect and learn from others’ experiences. Adair will also be addressing the rise of AI image abuse and educating parents in relation to the law associated with it.

Light refreshments will be served, and drinks will be available for purchase. Please RSVP using this link https://www.trybooking.com/DECZP by Friday, 29^th August.  

Grand Central has partnered with the Australian Sports Commission to give away $100 gift cards every week for a whole year as part of their Play Well community sport initiative!​

Enter now for your chance to win to help you on your sporting journey! 

Visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au T&Cs apply. 

Uniform Shop

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

Do you have all your sport uniform ready for next Friday’s Athletic Carnival?

Grab a sports hat to support your house team, much more comfortable than your formal hat for sporting activities.

Grab a tracksuit jacket or pants in case we have a cold windy day out on the ovals.

Winter uniform is still available in store, for those sneaky cooler days.

Do you need to update your summer uniform sizes, now we are starting to have a few warmer days?

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 items and Football items not available to order online

Currently out of stock:

• Boys Trousers Size 102

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.