Newsletter - Term 2 - Week 6 - Issue 142

From the Principal

During my recent Leadership Forum in Goondiwindi, I immersed in the Beatitudes which are a series of blessings drawn from the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. In simple terms, they are faith expressions of how we might choose to live in the moment and may even be considered ecumenical and transcend multiple religions. One Beatitude “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” resonated strongly for me in today’s global context. Today’s media often portrays the gentle as those who can simply be walked over with little or no consequence, however, I believe we need to engender a different way of thinking. There is genuine strength in those who use their gifts for the betterment of those around them and protect through good stewardship the environment. When we choose to think in this way we change our mind constructs on the notion of power from one of force to change situations to one of empowering others to feel valued.

On 14 May, our Parent Engagement Network (PEN) met at the school to discuss the latest developments and events occurring at St Joseph’s College. It was a wonderful opportunity to explain the machinations of the college in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. I am also grateful for the generous support of the PEN in providing funds to purchase additional table settings for the rehabilitated area that housed the former Murphy building. This donation of approximately $15,000 dollars will allow students to gather in a beautiful area and reduce congestion on the existing oval.                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Last Friday the College ran a phenomenally successful Open Day which saw one hundred and sixty families and their children tour the site. Our prospective families and their young people were guided exceptionally well by our students to the vast array of curriculum offerings and state-of-the-art facilities. Our intention in conducting this event during the school day is to allow families to experience the culture of the school in a truly authentic manner. The feedback regarding the experience provided by our students and staff was reaffirming. Interviews for Year 7 enrolments have commenced this week and will conclude in Week 10 of this term. Offers for position will occur at the end of Term after all interviews have been completed for Year 7 applicants.

A cornerstone of the schooling experience at St Joseph’s College is the provision of learning experiences through religious life of the school events such as our liturgies, feast days, masses, and sporting carnivals. Such events bring our school community together to embrace gospel and Edmund Rice values and are key to creating the Joey’s Way culture and our Catholic Identity. An enrolment at St Joseph’s requires students to attend all events during school days unless there is a valid reason for absence. Sometimes a child may say to their parents that on such days there will not be any regular class learnings and therefore they do not need to be at school. Nothing could be further from the truth and in fact, these religious life of the school events are our point of difference to other schooling organisations. As Principal I am firmly of the view that student participation in sporting, cultural and extra-curricular opportunities is dependent on meaningful engagement in all aspects of school life. I ask all parents and carers ensure your children engage in all the above events that are provided at the college. 

This week we welcomed Mr Thomas Holsworth, who joins our Performing Arts and English Teams. Thomas replaces Ms Nadia Spain who concluded her tenure at the college two weeks ago. Thomas has teaching experience from two previous schools and recently participated in a musical production. We look forward to the gifts Thomas will share with our community.

God Bless

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

From the Deputy Principal

Open Day & Enrolments

Last week we hosted our annual Open Day. Thank you to all of the students that assisted in hosting our guest families.

It is no surprise to anyone that in most communities, word of mouth is one of the most successful forms of advertising for any school and we are pleased to share that our Open Day was fully booked out. Thank you for sharing this date with your friends and family and sharing your experiences of the college with family and friends.

Now that we have concluded our Open Day, we would like to highlight that Enrolment interviews for 2026 will commence next week.

Strategic Plan Launch

Upcoming Events

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

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Assessment Reminder for SBA and TAFE students

The assessment calendars for Semester 1 have been published to students since the beginning of the year.  If you have an SBA or TAFE, please remember that you need to attend school to complete assessment.  College assessment takes priority over SBA and TAFE days.

Of course, with parent permission students are able to leave to attend your SBA or TAFE once they have completed their assessment.

Artificial Intelligence – in Assessment

Please refer to our Assessment Procedures handbook for further information regarding assessment processes:  Policies and Reports - St Joseph's College

At this time of the term, I would like to provide a reminder to students about the inappropriate use of AI. All year levels have been spoken to about the use of AI.  Year 11 and 12 students have also completed the QCAA Academic Integrity course which also outlines the inappropriate use of AI.

Our handbook clearly outlines the implications of misuse. 

When authorship of student work cannot be established or a response is not entirely a student’s own work, the College will provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate that the submitted response is their own work in consultation with the Curriculum Leader. Results will be awarded using any evidence from the preparation of the response that is available that is verifiably the student’s own work and that was gathered in the conditions specified by the syllabus, on or before the due date (in class time / 3pm in CANVAS).

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

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

The Relationships Ladder

We are aware of a growing national awareness of issues around gender-based and sexual violence, and we know that we have a role to play in bringing about a more safe and just future for our students, their families and society.

We sometimes refer to the Relationships Ladder. Staff will guide students in correctly categorising different behaviours into each of these categories. We hope to build familiarity with the relationships ladder with other year levels soon.

Women and girls are, statistically, much more likely to be victims of gender-based or sexual violence. With this in mind students will also be introduced to the idea that, while we all strive for the same outcome, males and females have slightly different roles to play in addressing the problem. We ask our boys to assist each other in ‘calling out’ misogynistic behaviour and language, and we ask our girls to support each other and seek out adult help when necessary.

Uniform Options to Keep Warm

The College no longer provides specific senior jackets to our older students. This is because we believe that all students, regardless of age, deserve to wear a uniform that will keep them warm. The College is pleased to provide students with the option of wearing the all-weather jacket, which is designed to keep students warm and protected from wind and rain as well as remaining relatively affordable for families. The all weather jacket can be worn by all students and any time.

For these reasons, we do not accept students wearing historical senior jackets (i.e. handed down from older siblings) as part of the uniform. An outline of our uniform expectations is below.

Duty of Care Responsibilities

When students are at school, we have primary responsibility for their safety while they are at school. Our duty of care commences each day from the moment they arrive at school, until their departure. This important principle has two key implications for our students:

1. Students who depart the College for Enrichment must go directly home. Because we hand over our duty of care of these students back to their parents each Wednesday at 1:20pm, we need these students to return home. It is not acceptable for students to go anywhere other than home if they are departing the College.

1. Once students arrive at school, they must remain at school. Even students who arrive at school well before 8:30am must remain at school once they have arrived. We do not accept students going, for example, to the Seven Eleven, once they have arrived at school.

Thank you in anticipation of your support as we support our students to be safe, humble and dignified members of our community.

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

From the Acting Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity

Reconciliation Week

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “bridging now to next,” offers a powerful call to action. It invites us to reflect on our past while looking forward to the future, challenging us to consider our role in building bridges between the two. At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this theme calls on all Australians to step forward together.

In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants − known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.

As a college inspired by the Story of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers, we commit to the journey of Reconciliation with the First Nations people of Australia. In 2025 St Joseph’s College will develop our First Nations Education Plan. We look forward to sharing this with the broader College community later in the year.

Emmaus Youth Group

The Emmaus Youth Group runs on the last Friday of each month at the St Thomas More’s Parish Church Hall for all students in Years 7-12. The group has endorsement from Bishop Ken Howell in its efforts to nurture the faith of secondary school students.

The may meeting of the Youth Group is Friday 30^th May. The June gathering will on the last day of Term 2, Friday 27^th June.

If you would like more information, please contact Lydia via the contact information on the poster below.

Just Joeys Winter Appeal

Traditionally, St Joseph’s has a long history of partnership with the Toowoomba branch of St Vinnie’s, working together to support people who are disadvantaged in our local community.

And, as we come into a cold winter in 2025, our community is in more need than ever.

The Just Joey’s team are looking for donations for this appeal. Some information is seen below.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please email Just Joey’s Coordinator Adam Watts (awatts@sjc.qld.edu.au) or Program Leader: Mission and Identity Rosanne Pietsch (rpietsch@sjc.qld.edu.au).

• The Winter Appeal will be running from Week 6 until week 9.
• Students can donate a range items in support of the Winter Appeal: 

1. Blankets
   1. If used, it must be clean and completely free of stains to uphold the dignity of the recipients
   2. New is, of course, preferred
2. Winter Clothing
   1. if used, it must be clean and completely free of stains to uphold the dignity of the recipients
   2. New is, of course, preferred
3. Canned or long-life food

• Each JW will have their own basket to drop items off into.

The Just Joey's Team appreciates your generosity of time and spirit. 

Prayer

This prayer was written by Bishop Arthur Malcolm, taken from 'A Prayer Book for Australia':

Lord God, bring us together as one,
Reconciled with you and with each other.
You made us in your likeness.
You gave us your Son, Jesus Christ.
He has given us forgiveness from sin.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
Different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ:
Together as your body, your church, your people.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
Reconciled, healed, forgiven,
Sharing you with others as you have called us to do.
In Jesus Christ, let us be together as one.

Amen

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

Academic Captains

Hi SJC community!

With the end of the term and semester approaching quickly, and assignments and exams due, students can find this time in the term to be challenging and stressful, so here are 3 simple tips and tricks that Sarah and I recommend to help with this time.

1. When studying for exams, start early. While procrastination can be very tempting, make sure that you start your revision in advance. This allows you to absorb information gradually, not putting pressure on you to cram the night before – there are studies that prove spacing out study can help improve your long-term revision.
2. Make sure you stay organized. It is helpful to plan and map out when you have to submit checkpoints, drafts and finals. Remember that most assessment items are to be submitted by 3pm on their due date.
3. While studying for long periods of time may seem beneficial, make sure to take some breaks. The Pomodoro technique – studying for 25 minutes followed by a short break – is a good way to stay focused and enhance productivity.

So, for the last few weeks of the term, we are wishing you well and encouraging you to keep persevering through this stressful period because before you know it, you’ll be celebrating on the other side. See you next term at the awards assembly. Stay positive!"

2025 Academic Captains - Sarah Ellis and Gabrielle Horton

Brennan House

I can’t believe we are already halfway through Term 2 and what a wonderful time of the year to stop and take stock of what has been achieved already and where we want to strive for the remainder of this year.  

This year in Brennan two big achievements that have really stood out are the swimming carnival and our bronze award winners.  

In the Swimming Carnival, we achieved a 3rd position overall but, as we explored in our house meeting, this was the result of not only our numerous age champions but also all the champions that got in the pool and were giving their best.  

At the beginning of this Term, we celebrated our individual bronze award winners and an extra special gold winner.  Brennan had eight students who, through their involvement in school activities including participating in sporting teams, involvement in music groups and academic achievements on report cards, managed to accrue 10 points to achieve a bronze award. These students are:

• Mitchell Hunt
• Layla Kuehnemann
• Lana Grieve
• Arielle Suhr
• Claire Wilson
• Ava Castles
• Will Gillies
• Sarah Hunt

An extra special mention needs to be given to one of our Brennan house leaders, Mitchell Hunt, who has not only managed to achieve his bronze award but also leapfrog through a silver and to a gold award with 30 points. What an amazing effort and a great demonstration of leading by example. Congratulations to all the award winners and no doubt we will have a number more awards to hand out in our house meeting in Week 8.

So, looking into the future, we have a cross country coming up on the last day of term and I am looking forward to seeing everyone from Brennan House turn up and give their all, to lift the house to its best possible result.  There are still individual points to strive for and achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold and Navy awards.

There are also some exciting new house initiatives on the horizon that our leaders will unveil to the house in the next few weeks.

Well done Brennan House!

Luke Logan - Student Engagement Middle Leader - Brennan House - llogan@sjc.qld.edu.au

Sport

Disc Golf

Joe Paull continues to demonstrate exceptional skill and determination in the sport of disc golf. On Saturday, May 10th, he competed at the Yeronga Memorial event in Rocklea, where he secured a remarkable 1st place finish in the MA1 category.

The following day, Joe participated in the Birdie Babes Tournament held in Strathpine, where he achieved an impressive feat by finishing 1st overall, outperforming six professional players. This accomplishment highlights his growing prowess in the sport and speaks to his dedication and hard work.

In addition to these remarkable placements, Joe was the only player in the tournament to score an ace—a hole-in-one—adding an exciting highlight to his weekend. This achievement not only showcases his talent but also exemplifies the thrill and unpredictability of disc golf.

Overall, Joe Paull's recent performances underscore his status as a rising star in the disc golf community.

Shooting Competition

Our school is proud to have many enthusiastic students who are members of shooting clubs. Recently, they had the opportunity to participate in a competition against other schools as part of school teams. On May 16, Clifton State High School, in collaboration with the Clifton Benchrest Shooting Club, hosted this exciting event.

A total of 24 teams, comprising 72 students from over seven different schools, competed in the competition. Our school was represented by two teams, each consisting of three talented shooters. Notably, Travis Bellingham achieved an impressive 5th place in the individual results.

Although the results were expected to be communicated to the school, they unfortunately did not arrive. Nonetheless, all the students from St. Joseph's performed exceptionally well and represented our school with great pride and professionalism.

Hockey State Titles

The State Championships were recently conducted in Townsville, featuring competitions for boys’ teams in the 13-15 years and 16-19 years age divisions.

In the 13-15 years category, our team was proudly represented by Oscar Schultz and Maddox Jackson. The Darling Downs team demonstrated commendable skill and teamwork, ultimately finishing in 4th place in the competition. We are particularly excited to announce that Maddox Jackson earned a spot on the Merit Queensland team, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication. Oscar Schultz was also recognized for his potential and named as a shadow player, indicating strong future prospects.

In the 16-19 years championships, our representatives included Bradley Schultz, Zander Jackson, and Will Jensen. This talented Darling Downs team achieved a notable 3rd place finish. Furthermore, we are thrilled to highlight that Bradley Schultz was selected for the Queensland Merit team, reflecting his outstanding performance and commitment to excellence in the sport.

We celebrate the achievements of all our players and look forward to their continued growth and success in future competitions.

Darling Downs 15 -16 years Rugby League

We are pleased to announce that Keelie Hilt was been appointed as captain of the girls 15 - 16 years Rugby League team that recently travelled for away for the State Titles. This is a significant honour for her, and we congratulate her on this achievement.

Unfortunately, we do not have any photos to accompany this announcement, as we have not received any from the parents in attendance. I discovered this news by chance and would greatly appreciate it if parents could share information, stories, and photos for the newsletter. It is important to note that we do not always receive updates from the DD sports office, including notifications about students making Queensland teams.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our community.

Bill Turner Boys - Mr Hansen

The St Joseph’s U15 team showed tremendous heart and determination at the Bill Turner Cup Gala Day. Despite being one of the younger squads in the competition and facing off against older, more experienced opponents, the Joey’s lads held their own and made the most of every opportunity. It was a challenging day overall, with the team narrowly losing four games, but they remained competitive in each match, never backing down from a contest. What stood out most was their resilience—regardless of the scoreboard, the boys continued to lift their performance and grow as a team with every game. Their spirit, teamwork, and commitment were truly commendable. With this kind of grit and potential, there’s no doubt that this group will be one to watch in future Bill Turner Cup campaigns.

QISSRL

This week, I had the opportunity to observe matches for both the Open Boys and Open Girls teams as they diligently prepare for the QISSRL carnivals in Rockhampton during the upcoming June/July holidays.

The Open Boys are currently competing in the Wednesday night league; however, they have a limited schedule with only three games planned. They were elated after securing a victory in their recent match, demonstrating remarkable teamwork and support for one another. Mr. Speed is doing an exceptional job coaching these young men, fostering both their skills and camaraderie.

Meanwhile, the Open Girls team travels weekly to Logan Metro to participate in an organized girls' rugby competition. Their recent performance was particularly impressive, as they achieved a resounding win of 42 to nil with only 13 players on the field. This outstanding effort highlights their determination and skill. Mr. Love is effectively guiding these athletes, ensuring they reach their full potential.

Overall, both teams are showing great promise as they prepare for the upcoming carnivals, and their dedication is commendable.

Darling Downs Cross Country

On May 20, 6 of our students travelled out to Kearney Springs for the Darling Downs cross country event.

What started out as a very cool morning soon turned into a nice day for running the event.

We congratulate three of our runners for making the DD team.

Georgie Hedge for finishing third in the 12 years 3-kilometre event.

Hayden Lobwein has made the team for the 14-year-old boys after finishing 3^rd in his 4-kilometre race.

Oscar Macavoy was competing in the 16-year-old boys 6-kilometre event. At the 3-kilometre turn he was in equal second place. He clearly kicked away and finished in a clear second place to also cement his place in the Darling Downs team.

Also running as part of the day were:

Olivia McKellar finished in 11^th place in her 3-kilometere 13 years race.

Evie Radke finished 24^th, Tamsyn Milligan finished 34^th in their 14 years 4-kilometre race.

Xavier Macdonald just missed out on selection after finishing 8^th in the 14 years 4-kilometre race.

Congratulations to all runners!

DD Futsal Tournament - Mr Hansen

The Open Boys Futsal team took to the court in a thrilling day of competition, proudly representing St Joseph’s with passion, resilience, and a high level of football.

Despite a tough draw and fierce opposition, the boys demonstrated the strength and skill that define our sporting culture. The day kicked off with a challenging match against Grammar. Although we fell 3–1, the boys dominated possession and created over 30 shots on goal, showing just how dangerous we can be in attack.

With little time to recover, the team faced Harristown next. We surged to a 3–1 lead by halftime, but fatigue began to take its toll in the second half. Despite their best efforts, the boys narrowly lost 6–4 in a hard-fought contest.

The final game against Lockyer was a chance to finish strong—and the team did just that. In a commanding 18–2 victory, goalkeeper Tim Kist stepped out of the net and made an impact up front, scoring two goals and energising the squad.

A huge thank you to our captain, Kalani, for his leadership throughout the day, and to every player for their commitment and sportsmanship. The team’s performance was a brilliant showcase of St Joseph’s futsal talent and spirit.

Well done, boys!

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

Connecting with Careers

This term we were delighted to introduce the Career Insights and Networking Meetings.  The students have the opportunity toto hear from guest speakers about exciting pathway options available to them.  The Career Insights and Networking Meetings are designed to provide students with valuable insights and guidance on a variety of pathways.  Students are encouraged to attend for the following reasons:

• Discover different pathways and find the one that suits your child the best.
• Hear success stories and tips from those who have been in the students’ shoes.
• Gain practical advice on how to achieve your career goals.

Last week, we were delighted to welcome Courtney Hassall from American Summer – IENA (International Exchange of North America).  Courtney shared with students that the company offers a range of programs for applicants like working at a summer camp in America, work in Canada, the Uk or Japan and longer programs in the US as well. 

Jaimie O’Reilly from UniSQ visited the college this week to speak with students about the many opportunities offered by the University of Southern Queensland.  Jaimie spoke with the students about Head Start courses, Undergraduate courses, Early Entry Scheme, UniPrep and UniSQ Ready.  The students embraced the opportunity to ask Jaimie questions to assist them to make informed decisions.

Help Your Teen Explore Their Future at UniSQ These Holidays

Is your child in Year 11 or 12 and starting to think about life after school? The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is opening its doors during the June–July school holidays, offering campus tours designed to help students explore their study and career options.

These tours are a fantastic opportunity for your child to:

• Get a feel for university life.
• Tour real classrooms and facilities.
• Meet academic staff and current students..
• Ask questions about courses, pathways, and support services

Whether your child is still exploring their interests or already has a career goal in mind, this experience can help them make informed decisions about their future.

Registrations are now open – don’t miss this chance to support your child in planning their next steps with confidence.

Click here for more information and to Register.

Learn to Priortise and Focus Microprogram

Learn to prioritise and focus on what’s important, not what’s most urgent. GrandShake offers a free, 40-minute microprogram that will teach students how to prioritise and focus on what’s important, not what’s most urgent so that students can be effective and efficient at work and in life. During the course students will look at problem solving, planning and organisation, personal management and self-awareness. Students never know what they might learn or what skills you might find valuable. Click here for more information.

ADF Video Sessions

The following are links to ADF video sessions that contain valuable information that will assist you in your career research:

• ADF Careers Information session
• RMC Information Session
• Army Reserve Information Session
• Army General Entry Information Session 
• Navy Officer Information Session
• Navy Technical Trades Information Session

A reminder that you can access career information from the St Joseph’s College Careers website.  On the website, you are encouraged to sign up for the Newsfeed and Newsletter. 

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

Student Success in Drama at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod

Congratulations to Year 8 student Judd Taylor and Year 7 student Savannah Teelow-Petzler for their outstanding performances in the Drama section of the recent Toowoomba Eisteddfod.

They were among more than 40 Year 7 and 8 students from across the district who performed on the day, showcasing the remarkable depth of talent in our local schools.

Judd received a Highly Commended for his engaging monologue from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, while Savannah captivated the audience with her fantastic performance of The Coathanger Sculpture. Both students represented the College with pride and professionalism, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

SJC - Community News

A little about Seamus Evans

Living with non-swearing Tourette Syndrome and ADHD caused Seamus difficulties at school. He didn’t perform as well as expected and was well on the path to failing. With few options ahead of him, Seamus turned a corner and decided to never let ‘setbacks’ stand in the way of his dreams. He went on to become a breakfast radio personality and sought-after TV show presenter with amazing career highlights.

Seamus will talk parents through engaging and entertaining ways to open their child's mind to the endless possibilities for life during and after school. Being neurodivergent, Seamus has first-hand experience in building mental strength from a young age. He has a range of methods to get your students activated and considering ways they can overcome adversity, build resilience, and gain confidence.

Light refreshments will be served, and drinks will be available for purchase. Please RSVP using this link https://www.trybooking.com/DBQTE by Sunday, 8th June.

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.

The cold weather is here, are you prepared?

All winter items are available in store and online including:

• Scarves
• All Purpose Jackets
• Woollen Jumpers
• Long Sleeve Shirts
• Long sleeve Junior Blouses
• Formal trousers for males and females
• Tights and stockings
• Tracksuits for sport – pants and jacket

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:

• Girls’ formal skirts – Girls Size 8 and 10.
• Boys Sport Shorts 2XL

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.