From the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,
Last week I attended the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Leadership Forum which was held at the Micah Centre in Toowoomba. In his address to the thirty-two principals and senior leadership staff assembled, Executive Director, Dr Pat Coughlin delivered a keynote address titled “Where there is no vision the people don’t perish, the leave”. This theme is adapted from Proverbs 29. At St Joseph’s College we have a vision to provide a liberating education in a distinctively Catholic environment and I look forward to celebrating the fruits of this vision at our annual presentation evening to be held next Tuesday 12th November at the Empire Theatre.
Research clearly indicates that one of the key pillars of highly performing schools is the quality of teaching staff. Professional development of staff is critical to ensuring that practice in the classroom continues to meet the needs of our students. I am pleased and proud to announce to two of our senior leaders, Ms Maree Comerford and Mr Brendon Willocks will present at the National Education Summit in Brisbane in 2025. They will be presenting how St Joseph’s College engages teaching staff in professional learning teams, that utilise impact cycles to research and implement the latest teaching practices. Last week sixty-teaching staff presented their individual work from their research to colleagues, Toowoomba Catholic Education staff and invited university guests. The quality of the presentations was exceptional and forms the basis of what Maree and Brendon will share with educators from across the country on July 31- August 1 next year.
Congratulations to Ms Kellie- Maree Ford who has been successful in being appointed to the position of Project Officer for Respectful Relationships at Toowoomba Catholic Education Office. Kellie will work with the thirty-two schools of the Diocese to implement the above curriculum. Ms Ford has been seconded for twelve months and will return to the college in 2025. Her appointment is another example of the high-quality staff being developed at St Joseph’s College. A recruitment process has begun to backfill the Assistant Principal Mission and Identity position.
Next Monday we welcome Mr Bradley Suhr to the St Joseph’s College Team. Brad will be working with our Grounds and Maintenance Team and comes with extensive trade experience. Brad is a product of Catholic Education having studied at St Mary’s College and we are delighted with his appointment.
A reminder that from January 2025 the current spray jacket will no longer be part of the school uniform. This item has been phased out over the last two years and has been replaced by the much warmer all purpose jacket. The spray jacket may still be used for Physical Education classes. The college backpack is also a mandatory item for all students to purchase. It is designed specifically for school context, and I encourage all new students and those replacing exiting packs to utilise this item.
Many students from St Joseph’s College access the 7/11 store on the corner of Mackenzie and Perth St before and after school for convenience. To ensure the safety of our students we request that students are picked up and dropped off in the school precinct. Once on the college site in the morning prior to 8.30am students are not permitted to leave the grounds. Students walking or riding to and from school wishing to utilise the 7/11 store are required to move directly on from the store once they have completed their purchases. Students are also required to wear the full college uniform as per the college guidelines including wearing shirts in (males) and wearing the college hat whilst they are travelling to and from this site.
Our Year 12 students have completed their assessment requirements and enter the last week of their schooling life. The college will celebrate our Year 12 students with their families next week with a Farewell Assembly on Thursday morning before we gather for Graduation Mass and Valedictory Dinner during the evening. Please keep our senior students and families in your thoughts and prayers during next week.
God Bless,
Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au