Newsletter - Term 3 - Week 8 - Issue 148

From the Principal

On Thursday evening, our students and staff acknowledged our father figures and the contributions they make to our communities. Each father figure is central to the development of every young person. This Sunday, I encourage your family to take the time to say thank you to the fathers in our lives and to remember those who we have loved but are no longer with us.

Last Friday, St Joseph’s College celebrated Wear It Purple Day. This day was founded almost fifteen years ago to highlight the suffering many people, including teenagers, experience because of their diversity. At our College, we are committed to the value of Compassion and the imperatives of Empathy and Celebrating Diversity. We believe that every person is created in the image of God, and accordingly, we are called to respect and love unconditionally. Many of our staff and students participated in activities that promoted inclusion, which positions our school to be a place where every person should feel safe and respected.

Leading through service is at the core of our school motto, “Serve Him in Others.” Service enacts our College value of Compassion and is a very tangible way of making Jesus known to others through our actions. This week, the College acknowledged the service of our outgoing committee members of Interact and the installation of the new members. Servant leadership is a key component of our Catholic Identity and provides authentic learning experiences that develop our young people socially and emotionally. Such learning dispositions engage our students to be active citizens able to make a difference locally and globally.

This week, we welcomed a new staff member, Alex Stephens, who joins our Student Engagement Team. Alex will be working as the School Officer in our Ignatius Room. He comes with experience working as a teacher aide in Responsible Thinking and general classroom support. Alex replaces Mel Wilson who recently concluded her time at St Joseph’s College to spend more time with her family. As a College, we are most appreciative of the contributions Mel brought to our community, and we wish her the absolute best with her future plans.

Next week, many of the Year 12 students begin their preparation for external exams in Term 4 with the commencement of trial exams. This period marks the beginning of the final stages of the St Joseph’s College journey for these young people and their families. Please keep them in your thoughts as they enter this crucial time.

I also remind parents, carers, and students that there are two options for students during our Enrichment time on Wednesday afternoons from 1.50- 2.50. The first option is for students to remain on the College site to engage in organised activities, which are supervised by College staff, the second is to return to their respective homes under the supervision of parents/carers. This ensures that the College is meeting its duty of care. Unfortunately, as the time is during the gazetted school day, there is no option for students to be anywhere else unless they are with their respective legal guardian. Students who undertake activities at the College are required to remain in that selected activity for the duration of the term. Students with parental permission can make new selections/ go home each term.  

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

From the Deputy Principal

Transition Afternoons

Last week, we held two afternoons to welcome our new Year 7 students in 2025. The purpose of the Transition afternoon is to:

• support and ease our new learners' transition into our College;
• meet their House Leaders, Student Leaders, Curriculum Leaders, and other College staff;
• begin to develop a familiarity with the College; and
• meet and begin to build relationships with other new students.

Thanks to all the students who assisted in facilitating the afternoon sessions and to the teachers for organising this opportunity for new students and parents.

Upcoming Events

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

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Year 11 and 12 - Medical report requirements for Absences for Exams or Extensions.

If students are absent for Senior Assessment (Year 11 and 12) the College requires supporting evidence to enable the College to organise comparable assessment or extensions.

Please note that Illness and misadventure applications require strong supporting evidence. Medical information provided must be more detailed than a certificate stating that the student has a medical condition and is unfit for duty.

Medical reports may be completed by a registered general practitioner (GP), medical specialist, psychologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, optometrist, certified practising speech pathologist or speech pathologist who is eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) as a certified practising member. The practitioner must not be related to the student or employed by the school.

Details of diagnosis should be provided by the practitioner who is best placed professionally to make the diagnosis. If an update is provided after diagnosis of disability and/or medical condition, it may be provided by any of the health professionals listed above, as relevant to the student’s condition and circumstances.

The QCAA provides a medical report template with separate sections to complete for AARA and illness and misadventure, and although it is optional, the College strongly suggests using this template.

Reports must include the date the report was completed and the practitioner’s details and signature and provide the following information.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Karen Tobin (Senior Years Learning Leader) or Mrs Fellenberg (AP Curriculum).  We are here to support students, but we need to follow QCAA guidelines closely.

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

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

Our New Engagement Support Officer

It is my pleasure to welcome Mr Alex Stephens to St Joseph’s College as our new Student Engagement Support Officer. Mr Stephens joins St Joseph’s with a rich experience in supporting student engagement, wellbeing and behaviour. A significant part of Mr Stephens role is staffing our Ignatius Room.

While we are thrilled to welcome Mr Stephens, we are sad to farewell Mrs Mel Wilson from our community. Mrs Wilson has bought a wealth of administrative and relational experience. Our students and staff alike will deeply miss the genuine care she shows for our students and staff, sometimes during times of stress. Mrs Wilson, we wish you and your family all the very best in your next endeavour!

Vaping Education

We are becoming more and more aware of the public health risk that vaping poses to our young people. As such, schools and families must act in partnership to support young people to make positive and healthy choices, and to act protectively for themselves and others when faced with risk taking behaviours. The College welcomes the 2024 Federal Government announcement that that the legal obtaining of vapes would require a prescription, but we also know there is significant work for schools in helping to address this problem. As such, the College has implemented the following strategies:

-          Providing vaping education across the Year 7-10 HPE Curriculum

-          Providing Vaping Education in the Joey’s Way Curriculum, which can be delivered both vertically (in classes containing students from all grades) and vertically (in groups containing students of only one grade)

-          Providing access to school-based mental health support through our two, full time counsellors- Shauna Green (sgreen@sjc.qld.edu.au) and Kate Stenhouse (kstenhouse@sjc.qld.edu.au).

-          Providing clear expectations about safe behaviour in bathrooms for all students

-          Responding decisively if a student is found to be vaping at school, this can include suspension.

I would like to take the opportunity to once again draw your attention to School TV, this is a resource we provide to parents to help navigate the various challenges that come with parenting teenagers. All resources provided by School TV are research informed, we hope they will be helpful to parents in our community.

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

From the Acting Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity

Diocesan Feast Day Mass

This past Monday I was lucky to accompany 7 enthusiastic Year 9 and 10 students to St Patrick’s Cathedral for the Feast of our Diocese’s patron Mary of the Southern Cross. Presided by Bishop Ken Howell, along with members of the clergy from our Toowoomba Parishes. The celebration was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with many parishioners from our diocese, along with students from other Catholic Schools in Toowoomba.

The first celebration of the Feast of Mary of the Southern Cross, as the Diocese has chosen to refer to it, took place on 1 September 1999. A day of solemnity across the Diocese, the date is significant for many reasons.  It is the anniversary of the taking possession of the Cathedral by our first bishop, James Byrne.  It is also eight days before the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and therefore would create an octave, it is the first day of Spring, and no other feast is celebrated in Australia on this day. 

A painting was commissioned by competition to find a suitable image of Diocesan Patron, Mary of the Southern Cross and was sponsored by the Knights of the Southern Cross. Artist Jan Williamson won the competition.

A Word from the Artist: Jan Williamson’s life-sized portrait in oils depicts Mary as a rural woman standing with the child Jesus in what might be considered a wheat field. The infant Jesus is dressed in a romper suit, as any child today might be. Mary is wearing a simple brown dress.

Mary’s face is serene yet possessing of a great strength. It could be the face of an Aboriginal woman, or even the face of a European migrant. It is a face that might be described as universal.

Behind the picture of Mary, the shadow of the cross can be seen. It is as if her shadow and the shadow of the cross are one. The colours of the painting are reminiscent of the outback olive greens and ochre reds.

Father’s Day

On Thursday evening this week, we offered a special tribute to all fathers, as well as those who have taken on the role of fatherhood to us and our families. Each Dad and Father figure carries a story, sometimes spoken, sometimes quietly lived, that becomes part of the story of those they guide.

In our faith, we look up to Saint Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, as the ultimate example of fatherhood. The story of Saint Joseph’s unwavering faith, humility, and dedication to his family are qualities all fathers strive for. Fathers and father figures in our lives mirror this example, planting the seed for our spiritual growth and encouraging us to live out our faith in everyday actions.

In celebrating Father’s Day, we celebrate the stories that teach us how to be brave, how to be kind, how to persevere. They are the tales told at bedtime, the lessons learned in silence, and the memories etched in everyday moments. Tonight, we honour those stories and the story tellers who have watched us grow.

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

McAuley Captains

Aleks and Finn here, your proud 2025 McAuley House Captains.

Although neither of us began our journey at SJC in Year 7, we’ve come to deeply appreciate what it means to be part of McAuley House. Over time, we’ve witnessed its evolution, its spirit, and the unwavering sense of community that defines it. This year, we feel incredibly privileged to contribute to that legacy and leave our own mark.

Drawing from our experiences across different schools and house systems, we entered this year with a clear mission: to elevate participation and house spirit across all three major carnivals. We vividly remember the challenges of transitioning into high school, so one of our core goals was to ensure that our Year 7 students felt welcomed, supported, and excited to engage in the vibrant life of McAuley House.

At McAuley, we believe that success is not solely measured by results, but by effort. Whether you place first or simply show up and give it your best, you make us proud. This ethos was especially evident during the athletics carnival, where removing pressure allowed students to embrace the day with enthusiasm and joy.

Highlights and Achievements

While our first two carnivals didn’t yield the outcomes we had hoped for, we were immensely proud of the participation across all year levels. Watching students particularly those in the younger grades step outside their comfort zones, take risks, and genuinely enjoy themselves was one of the most rewarding aspects of our leadership.

By the time we reached the athletics carnival, we had already observed a noticeable increase in house spirit and engagement. The atmosphere on the day was electric, with perfect weather setting the stage for friendly competition. McAuley maintained a 200-point lead throughout the event, and thanks to consistent participation, we secured a well-deserved victory.

We also want to acknowledge and celebrate all students who earned bronze, silver, or gold star awards this year. These achievements reflect the dedication, resilience, and hard work that McAuley House stands for.

Beyond the carnivals, McAuley students have contributed to our success through extracurricular involvement, academic excellence, cultural engagement, and consistent participation in college events. These efforts have earned us valuable points in the House Cup competition, and we are proud to currently be in first place.

Looking Ahead

Although the carnivals have concluded, there are still many opportunities for McAuley students to engage with college life and help us extend our lead in the House Cup. We aim to achieve the highest attendance rates for the remainder of Term 3 and into Term 4. As we enter the assessment period, we wish everyone the very best in their studies. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for an incredible year so far. Let’s continue to build on this momentum and finish 2025 strong.

2025 McAuley Captains - Aleks Bradley and Finn Bensted

Rice House

Throughout this term, Rice House students have been enthusiastically engaging in athletic activities during JW time, all in preparation for our much-anticipated Athletics Carnival held in week 5.

It was inspiring to witness the leadership of our senior students, especially Zahra and Claire, who rallied the house with energy and pride. From leading war cries and organising relay teams to encouraging our younger students, their efforts helped build a strong sense of unity and house spirit. It was equally heartening to see so many students stepping out of their comfort zones and giving new or challenging events a go.

This incredible level of participation and determination helped propel Rice House to a strong third-place finish at the carnival.

Currently, we have our exams and assessments in full swing, many students are juggling academic pressures alongside their co-curricular commitments. During this time, it’s important to remember to support one another, find healthy ways to manage stress and seek feedback from your teachers.

Elle Moss - Acting Student Engagement Middle Leader - Rice House - 

Sport

Darling Downs 13 – 19 Years Athletics Trials

We are pleased to inform our community that the rescheduled trials, initially postponed due to adverse weather conditions, were successfully conducted on Monday, August 25, and Tuesday, August 26.

This event provided an excellent opportunity for our athletes to showcase their skills and dedication. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Rheanna Hart, Hayden Lobwein, and Xavier Macdonald for their exceptional performances during the trials. Their hard work and determination have earned them a well-deserved place on the Darling Downs team.

These talented individuals will proudly represent our region in Townsville next term, and we are confident they will perform admirably. We wish them the best of luck as they prepare for this exciting opportunity. Thank you to everyone involved in the trials for making this event a success.

Please find the results for each student listed below. We commend all participants for their hard work and dedication during the trials.

10 – 12 Years Darling Downs Athletics Trials

On September 1 and 2, the trials for students aged 10 to 12 years were held, providing an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents and compete for a coveted spot on the Darling Downs team. We are proud to announce that three of our dedicated students represented our school during this competitive event.

Although they did not secure a position on the team, their commitment and sportsmanship were commendable. Each competitor demonstrated determination and enthusiasm throughout the trials, reflecting the spirit of our school community. We encourage our athletes to continue striving towards their goals and to take pride in their efforts. Their participation is a vital step in their athletic journey, and we look forward to their future achievements.

There results were:

AAG Competitions Open Boys and Girls

Sunday August 31

The Open Boys team participated in the annual AAG competition held at St. Mary’s, facing off against St. Mary’s College and Concordia Lutheran College. Despite a strong effort, St. Mary’s proved to be formidable opponents, securing a convincing victory over our team. However, we were pleased to emerge victorious against Concordia, which advanced us to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, we faced Harristown, who showcased their strength with impressive offensive runs, ultimately leading to our defeat. We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Stone and Mr. Maripa for dedicating their time on a Sunday to support our athletes, despite being away from their families.

Monday September 1

The Girls’ team made the journey to St. Mary’s for their AAG competition. The day was challenging, as we faced several tough opponents. St. Saviour’s narrowly defeated us with a score of 26 to 37. We then rallied to claim a victory against Harristown, winning 38 to 29. However, we faced setbacks in our subsequent matches, with Fairholme defeating us 39 to 23 and Glennie edging us out with a final score of 23 to 31. Unfortunately, these results meant that we did not qualify for the finals.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Stone and Mr. Maripa for their dedicated coaching of the girls and their assistance with bench duties throughout the competition. Your commitment to our teams is greatly appreciated.

Golden Glove

On Friday, August 29, under the adept organization of Ms. Jannusch, our school proudly participated in the annual Golden Glove Competition held at Kearney Springs. This year, we fielded three boys' teams and one girls' team. While none of our teams advanced to the grand finals, the spirit of camaraderie and enthusiasm was palpable throughout the event.

It was truly inspiring to witness so many students showcasing their talents, demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship, and seizing the opportunity to engage in a new experience. Whether it was their inaugural outing in softball or they were seasoned players, the joy and sense of achievement evident on the diamonds were heartening.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents who took the time to coach and support our students throughout the day: Mrs. Whittaker, Mr. Watkins, Mrs. King, and Mr. Falknau. Your expertise and dedication were invaluable to our students, enhancing their experience and fostering their growth in this sport.

We look forward to more events like this in the future, as we continue to nurture a love for sports and teamwork among our students.

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

Connecting with Careers

As your child navigates high school and begins to explore their future, your support and involvement are more important than ever. Career decision-making is no longer a one-time event—it’s a lifelong process shaped by exploration, learning, and evolving opportunities.

To help you feel confident and informed in supporting your child, we are sharing a valuable resource: “Your Child’s Career Journey and Opportunities 2025.” This guide offers practical advice, current information, and helpful links to support conversations at home and empower your child to take their first steps toward a fulfilling career.

The Unique Student Identifier (USI)

All students wishing to enrol in a Certificate course, working towards a VET qualification, will need to get a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This is easily done online however, you will need to have a form of ID when you apply. Click here to find out what a USI is, how to apply and what ID is acceptable (your school ID is not accepted). Get your USI soon and don't leave it till the last minute when you are applying for your course.

Feeling the stress?

Managing stress during busy times of the term is crucial for maintaining focus, emotional wellbeing, and academic performance. When students feel overwhelmed, it can impact their ability to retain information and make clear decisions. Developing healthy stress management strategies now sets the foundation for resilience and success in future studies and life.

Senior studies can be stressful, especially around exam time and assignment due dates. Having stress management strategies to call on when needed is essential, not just for this year but also for your future success and happiness in studies and living. Check out the following apps.

Smiling Mind App – Smiling Mind provides a modern meditation for young people that guides the user through a series of exercises. It is free for use online or as a smartphone app.

Headspace App - Headspace is a free app that’s like a personal trainer for your mind. It provides guided meditations to help you sleep, relax, study and focus.

University of Queensland: 2025 Young Change Makers Camp

Applications are still open for our Young Change Makers Camp a 4-day program for the leaders, innovators and thinkers of tomorrow. Kindly share with your Year 11 students and school community.

• The program runs Sunday 30 November to Wednesday 3 December 2025.
• Who: Year 11 students
• Cost of program is $520 (no increase from 2024)
• Program fee waivers are available for students who can demonstrate financial hardship
• Application requires: personal statement, most recent school report card and endorsement letter from the school (optional)
• For more information and to apply: https://study.uq.edu.au/information-resources/high-school-students/young-changemakers-program

SFC Pilot Academy Tamworth Applications Now Open for November 2025

Our expansion at SFC Pilot Academy Tamworth continues, and we’re now accepting applications for the November 2025 intake. If you’re ready to pursue your aviation goals, this is the ideal time to begin your journey.

In Tamworth, you’ll train in a purpose-built environment designed for focus and growth. With structured full-time programs, experienced instructors, and access to modern training aircraft, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to launch your career in aviation.

Applications are open now - contact us today to book a Meet & Greet with our Course Adviser Team and take your first step towards becoming a commercial pilot.

"The sky rewards those bold enough to chase it."

From the SFC Team

 hello@sfcaero.com.au | 02 9709 8488 | www.sfcaero.com.au

QTAC Information

QTAC will be hosting a webinar for students who are considering applying through QTAC.  This session is perfect for students (and parents/carers) wanting to feel confident and prepared throughout the QTAC process.

Click here to Register.

The main form of communication between you and QTAC is via email. It is essential that you use your personal email when applying to QTAC (your school email will become inactive once you leave school). You need to regularly check your Inbox, Spam and Junk mail for any communications, notifications and/or offers from now until you receive a QTAC offer. IF you miss an email and do not respond within the timeframe, you may miss out on any offer for 2026. DO NOT IGNORE OR MISS A QTAC EMAIL OR TEXT.

Early Bird payment of your QTAC application

When paying your QTAC application you can get the Early Bird discount rate of $70 if you pay by 30 September. If you are paying with a Debit card, it's recommended that you pay by 25 September as QTAC requires your payment in their bank account by close of business on 30 September. If you can only pay with cash or are having trouble managing the payment, see your Guidance Counsellor or School Counsellor as they may be able to arrange a QTAC voucher for you. Get organised NOW! Payment after 30 September is $150!

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

And just like that it was over.  Book Week 2025 at SJC was a tremendous success with activities enjoyed by students and staff throughout the week.  Preparations began in Term 2 with the senior VAP students producing a range of artworks to be displayed in the library and focusing on this year’s theme set by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, “Book an Adventure”.  Students were also eager to assist at lunchtimes this term with gluing and painting items for the themed library displays; Peter Pan, Star Wars, Narnia, Doctor Who and Lord of the Rings.

During Book Week, Joey’s Way classes enjoyed challenges like Taskmaster, Design a Bookmark, create a JW shield, and a Books to Movies Kahoot.  Lunch breaks drew large crowds to the library eager to participate in scheduled activities including ring toss, paper plane throwing, fairy terrarium and pixie glitter jars, build an alien and build a boat.  The recurring activities included a Star Wars Escape Room, Design a Bookmark Competition (winners to be reproduced for next year) and Books in a Jar with each attracting participation from all year levels. Friday was our final day of celebrations, with the focal point being our Dress Up Parade with students, teachers and staff revelling in displaying their creativity and love of reading by arriving in costumes ranging from Aladdin to Skullduggery Pleasant.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and to our competition winners.

Junior School Category (Years 7-9) 

Senior Category (Years 10-12) 

Staff Category: 

Group Costume (Staff or student): 

Bookmark Competition: 

Art Opportunities

Uniform Shop

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

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

Do you need to update your summer uniform before heading into Term 4, hopefully for some warmer weather?

The shop will be opening in the school holidays on Thursday 2^nd October 9am – 1pm.

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.