From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

Last week I attended a Leadership Forum in Chinchilla with my 32 principal colleagues and senior leaders from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. The opening address delivered by Dr Par Coughlan focused on our system values dignity, potential and flourishing lives. He focused on the importance of meaningful dialogue in our communities when exploring issues. The key message was that the outcome of an issue is unknown until all parties have engaged in dialogue. The fruit of meaningful dialogue will change all involved as both parties are called to reflect and think differently. Constructive dialogue in the face of the unknown outcome of an issue requires us to take a leap of faith. Such a mind construct is not only important, but necessary.  Dialogue assists in maintaining the dignity of every person and a sense of belonging. At St Joseph’s, we educate young people about dignity through dialogue not because it is popular, or because we have majority support, primarily it is about the conviction that this is the call of the Gospel. 

I am pleased to report that the College has received a completed report based on the recent review of our collective work over the last four-year cycle. The St Joseph’s College School Review Improvement Procedure (SRIP) report will be published on our website for public viewing. The report findings identify the achievements of the college and recommendations for future growth.  The college has been acknowledged for the significant progress in delivering quality education in a distinctly Catholic environment. Overwhelmingly the college was identified as an exceptional place of learning where students are thriving in a faith-based community. Acknowledgment was made regarding the high-quality professional development of staff to deliver quality outcomes to students, along with the ongoing delivery of facilities improvement. Recommendations included continuing to equip staff with skills to support students to aspire to excellence, consistent application of Ignatius Room protocols, development of a student faith formation plan, review of existing infrastructure, and development of clear feedback mechanisms for staff, parents, and students to the college. I commend the entire St Joseph’s College Community under the leadership of previous principal Mr Kort Goodman for the outstanding achievements and growth identified over the last 5 years.

The completion of the SRIP report provides a clear direction for St Joseph’s College over the next four years. As part of developing a new strategic plan to be implemented in 2025, the college is seeking staff, parent, and student voice. I invite all interested parents and carers to join myself and our Parent Engagement Team on Wednesday 21st August at 5:30pm in the library to explore new possibilities for our young men and women.

NAPLAN results identifying school, state and national progress have been announced recently. Families should have received a hard copy of their child’s results in the post recently. I am pleased to advise that St Joseph’s College has once again performed exceptionally well achieving above the state and national means in all dimensions for our Year 7 and 9 students. The results are an endorsement of the continuing work and dedication of our staff and students towards a literacy and numeracy improvement agenda which has been in place over the last four years. Over eighty-five percent of our teaching staff have completed training in Subject Discipline Literacy. This accredited professional development positions all teaching staff to deliver literacy imperatives specific to their teaching areas in a highly explicit manner. Additionally, all students in Year 7, 8 and 9 receive additional literacy instruction in English and Humanities.

Year 11 students are currently engaged in applying for student leadership positions for 2025. They have submitted their applications and are currently being interviewed for positions by members of the College Middle and Senior Leadership Teams. Having attended the recent Year 11 Leadership Camp at Emu Gully, I can attest to the high calibre of our Year 11 cohort and wish every applicant the absolute best. Outcomes of the process will be announced to candidates and their parents at the end of this term with a ceremonial changeover with the current leaders during Week 2 of next term.

God Bless

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