From the Acting Principal
Communication Protocols
We would like to take a moment to explain the importance of our communication guidelines. As educators, we believe in fostering a healthy balance for our dedicated teachers, while ensuring effective and timely communication with parents and students alike. By setting a 2-business day turnaround for communication, we aim to provide thorough and thoughtful responses to inquiries. This timeframe allows teachers to provide careful consideration to queries and provide well-rounded solutions. Additionally, we have established the hours of 6am to 6pm as the designated communication window for staff to respond to queries. We have requested that teachers refrain from emailing students and parents outside of these hours to foster a sustainable and healthy teaching environment. Thank you for your understanding and support in upholding these communication expectations. Together, we can create an environment where effective communication thrives, while respecting the personal boundaries of our dedicated educators.
Year 12 Final Week
Next week the spotlight will be firmly on the Seniors of 2023 who will conclude their time at the College. Over the week they have many farewells including their Celebration Day with their cohort, their Joey’s Way group farewells, Presentation Night for 2023 and they conclude the week with their Graduation Assembly and Valedictory Mass and Dinner.
These farewells are a sign, that over the time that each of the students of the 2023 senior cohort spent at St Joseph’s College, they became a part of a community and their departure creates a sense of loss for us and quite possibly for them. We would hope that all the senior cohort would acknowledge that their time at the College has had a positive impact on their lives to date and will assist them in the future. An important role all of us can fulfil is to hold these young people in our prayers. They all have such huge potential to make a difference to our society.
Finally, I want to wish the Year 12 students every possible blessing in their lives and ask them to remember that their loving God is walking every step of the way with them. Best wishes Year 12 students take care and remember that no matter what challenges lay ahead of you into the future, you are always a past student of St Joseph’s College, and you are always welcome.
Lord God, we pray for our 2023 graduates.
May they recognise the outstanding contribution that they have made to this community.
Help them to recognise their gifts as they make decisions about their future.
Bless them with a healthy, happy and rewarding future, in which they clearly see their ability and follow their dreams.
May they never forget that you are with them on their life’s journey.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Art Show
On Thursday 9 November we held our annual Art Show. The evening was a great celebration of a variety of the cultural pursuits of our St Joseph’s College students from Yr 7-12. Congratulations to all students who had works featured in the annual Art Show. We thank the Arts and Hospitality Teams for their co-ordinated efforts, in particular, Mrs Chrissy Dwyer, Miss Aleesha Deagon, Ms Rosanne Pietch, Ms Megan Scott, Miss Jess Skinner and Mrs Nina Marshall.
Congratulations to the below students on their awards from the Art Show:
- Judge’s Choice Junior (Yr 7-10) – __Yr 10 student Layla Kuehnemann
- Judge’s Choice Senior (Yr 11/12)– Yr 11 Visual Art student Isabel O'DEMPSEY
- Principal’s Choice -Junior – Yr 10 student Eva Madden
- Principal’s Choice -Senior – Yr 12 Visual Arts student Erlan Paulo Mirabueno
- People’s Choice - Yr 7 Ashley McKenzie
Teacher Showcase
St Joseph’s College has a rigorous and robust Professional Learning Framework. Staff participate in weekly professional learning teams, engaging with impact cycles to improve student outcomes and build self and collective efficacy. In 2023, our professional learning journey culminated in a Twilight Sharing Showcase (Tuesday 7 November), which celebrated our successes as a community of learners. Thanks to all the SJC teachers for your collegiality and sharing the learning journey.
Remembrance Day
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the bloodshed of World War I. Over the past century, this moment has been adopted across the globe as a time to remember those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts. St Joseph’s College students will engage in a reflection during their Joey’s Way lessons in recognition of those who have served, died, or suffered in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. We give thanks, remember and show respect for those who lost their lives at war so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom that exists in Australia today.
Year 7-11 Final Assignments and Examinations
I wish all learners at the College the best of luck as they complete their final assignments for 2023 over the coming weeks. I trust that all students are studying hard to complete final assignments and to prepare thoroughly for these examinations. For Year 7-10, grades received for Semester 2 assessments will be communicated on their final end of year reports for 2023.
Schoolies and Safe Parties
At this time every year parties and school leaver activities can be an important part of a teenager’s social life. Some school leavers will be attending Schoolies events and it is a good idea for parents and young people to talk about alcohol, drugs, and parties.
Schoolies
Whilst Schoolies is about fun, drugs and alcohol can result in diminished fun and potential harm to young people during this time. Ideally school leavers will avoid alcohol and drugs to create good memories instead of bad ones. Much fun and celebration can still be had without any influence of drugs and alcohol.
To support school leavers to make good choices at Schoolies parents are encouraged to discuss with their young people:
- The plan for the week - find out about activities before leaving home.
- An activity plan that doesn’t have a focus on alcohol and drugs.
- The legal ramifications of alcohol and drug use - legally, young people could face fines for possessions and/or trafficking if found in possession of a ‘trafficable quantity’ of drugs.
- Future safeguarding - having a criminal record can restrict future opportunities in life.
- Driving - young people on their learners or probationary driving licences must maintain a zero blood-alcohol level. Never travel with a drinker.
- Drugs - during Schoolies young people may come across synthetic drugs which mimic the effects of common illegal drugs. These are often ‘pushed’ to young people as ‘herbal’, ‘party pills’, ‘bath salts’. Far from being benign, these are often more unpredictable than the illegal drugs and should be strenuously avoided, as should illegal drugs.
- Drink Spiking – avoid sharing drinks and vigilantly watch drinks to avoid the risk of spiking. If there is a suspicion that a drink is spiked just leave it.
- Physical safety - report all threats of violence to police and trust your instincts about physical safety.
- Energy drinks - don’t mix energy drinks and alcohol.
- Water safety - don’t drink and swim.
- Being an upstander - plan for the safety of self and friends. Don’t hesitate to call an ambulance if anyone looks like they have had a bad reaction to any substance – call 000.
- Help friends make good decisions and avoid risky situations. Plan activities that can be done together.
- Mental health – drugs and alcohol can exacerbate mood disturbances. Have a plan to support your Schoolie’s mental health while away.
- Stay hydrated with water.
- Consent – pressuring someone into having non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault and illegal.
Brendon Willocks - Acting Principal - bwillocks@sjc.qld.edu.au