From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

Last Sunday the feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated across the Diocese, focusing on the Holy Eucharist, in particular the Eucharist being the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Eucharist may be considered “Food for our journey” and reminds us that Christ is present in many ways including, the bread and wine we share at mass, the priest who consecrates the bread and wine, the word of God proclaimed and in the assembled people of the Church.
The biblical connection of bread and wine to the Last Supper reminds us of the journey and pathway forward that Christ showed us when he consecrated and blessed the bread and wine. The presence of Christ through the consecration becomes the food for our journey and demonstrates a way to change and trust in the strength of God. In our college community, Fr Ray shares his wisdom and connects our daily lives to the spoken word of Christ. In doing so he feeds and aids us to find hope in our lives. Scripture is the spoken word of Christ, and when we enact those messages we are fed and enriched which is life-giving for others. Finally, we draw sustenance, from those gathered around us in our community as we share our joys, sorrows and even disappointments. In each of the ways we receive food for our journey we are called to encounter Christ in our lives.

Interviews for Year 7 (2025) are currently being undertaken by members of the Senior Leadership Team over the next three weeks. Each meeting provides an opportunity for each young person and their family to become known to us, which is key to knowing every potential learner and their family context. In each small gathering students and families share their stories with our staff, including their strengths, areas for growth and what makes them unique. At the same time, staff explain our Catholic identity, through the Edmund Rice charism and Joey’s Way, so that the college becomes known to each family. Offers for enrolment will occur after all interviews are completed at the end of this semester.

Last week St Joseph’s  College undertook the School Renewal Improvement Process. 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 visited the school for three days.
Through a process of appreciative inquiry, panel members interviewed staff, parents/carers, and students. The questions asked were “In your opinion, what is going well at the school?” and “What could be done better?”  The panel will report to the school community its findings and suggested improvement strategies. This report will be placed on the College website for our community and prospective families to view and will inform the next four-year strategic plan.

Our current building project is progressing nicely and on track to be completed in late November. Framing has been completed on the ground and first floor whilst steel supports have been installed on the top floor in readiness for roof construction. When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will include three new science laboratories, seven flexible learning spaces, student toilets and change rooms, exercise physiology and training room and staff offices.

Student enrichment activities conducted on Wednesday afternoons provide students with a range of options including sport, cooking, science, and study to name but a few. Additionally, students may travel directly home to study, or they may engage in school-approved traineeships, apprenticeships, or work experience. The later option requires prior written approval from parents. As the allocated time is during scheduled school time and part of the curriculum program, students must be under the direct supervision of either the school or parents. Students are not permitted to attend outside-of-school venues such as shopping centers, sporting facilities or other student’s residences.

God Bless
Jim Brennan

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