From the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,
What a delight it was for me to experience my first Joey’s Day on the Feast of Edmund Rice with students and staff. As a College Community, we celebrated how St Joseph’s is a unique expression of our Edmund Rice Charism which is centred on the tradition of providing a liberating education and being inclusive of all.
We reflected on how Edmund Rice used his hands to lift others up. He used his hands to serve others and share a liberating education with them. His hands were often extended in acts of charity and service to those in need. Whether it was providing food, clothing, or shelter to the poor, his direct involvement in meeting the needs of others helped to forge connections based on compassion and empathy. In that very tradition as a College, we aspire to apply our learnings to make Christ known to others through service.
Our reflections and appreciation of our opportunities were celebrated through mass, a talent concert, rotational activities, a multicultural lunch, and the running of the Dan O’Neil Gift. I thank our hard-working staff and Fr Ray Crowley who brought this enriching experience to life.
As communicated last Friday, the College experienced a significant incident where a truck crashed through College fencing on James Street and lodged up against Murphy building. The vehicle was removed that day and debris was removed. A structural engineer has since cleared the building for use allowing students and staff to return to classrooms. There was some roof and gutter damage above a couple of staff offices which have temporary fixes in place until permanent repairs can be made. I can report that the driver of the truck was discharged from hospital last Saturday. I commend our staff who initially attended to the driver and ensured his safety until emergency services arrived.
On Wednesday evening (May 1), I was proud to march with students and staff from St Joseph’s at the Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance March. It was heartening to see so many, including our young leaders, recognise the importance of tackling this concerning societal issue in our community. Dignity, Compassion and Respect are central values of our college, and our students and staff ask all members of our school community to promote imperatives every day.
A reminder that Adair Donaldson (Donaldson Law) will present a parent information at the College on Tuesday 14th May from 5.30-6.30pm. Adair will cover many topics regarding consent, safe behaviour, appropriate technology use and respectful relationships. Parents can register through a link on our Facebook page.
On Thursday 2nd May I travelled to Highfields Cultural Centre with four of our student leaders (Joe, Sophie, Dishita and Keeligh) to participate in the Lord Mayors Morning Tea. Student Leaders heard key leadership messages from the mayor, and fellow peers. Such opportunities allow our student leaders to develop in their roles and a key aspect of this process is learning from other leaders.
The College acknowledged and celebrated our mothers on Thursday in the MacKillop Centre.
We celebrate the mothers who touch our lives, whilst also remembering those who have gone before us and left an indelible imprint on our hearts.
We pray for our mothers:
Good and gentle God,
We pray in gratitude for our mothers.
and for all the women who have joined with you
In the wonder of bringing forth new life.
You who became human through a woman,
Grant to all mothers
The courage they need to face the uncertain future
that life with children always brings.
Give them the strength to live
and to be loved in return,
not perfectly, but humanly.
Give them the faithful support of husband,
family and friends
as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.
Give them joy and delight in their children
to sustain them through the trials of motherhood.
Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you
for help when they need it most.
Thank you to all the mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers of our St Joseph’s Community.
A reminder that St Joseph’s College is scheduled for a School Renewal and Improvement quadrennial school review from May 28- 30. In this review a panel consisting of senior staff from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools (TCS) Teaching and Learning Directorate and a peer principal from another school in the Diocese visit the school for three days.
Through a process of appreciative inquiry, panel members interview staff, parents/carers, students, and community members. The questions asked are “In your opinion, what is going well at the school?” and “What could be done better?” The purpose is for the panel to report to the school community its findings and suggested improvement strategies. These inform the process of strategic plan development and the annual action plans which are also linked to the TCS Strategic Plan.
The aim is to assist St Joseph’s College to strategically plan to improve teaching and learning and these reviews occur in all TCS schools.
The review team would like to hear from the school community, and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us to continue to achieve the two pillars of TCS: that all students will come to personally know Jesus and that all students will achieve academic success.
Feedback can be provided to the review panel in person or by telephone. All feedback remains confidential.
Please contact the school office if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer. You may also register your interest by emailing my assistant Emily Rigg ERigg@sjc.qld.edu.au to arrange an appointment.
Next week we welcome Monica Lysanowicz, who joins our Student Entrance Staff. Monica will be working two days a week assisting Cathy Kirkbride and Pure Gardner. I know our community will embrace Monica in true St Jospeh’s spirit.
God Bless
Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au