From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday which marks the commencement of Lent within the Catholic Church. During the forty-six-day journey towards Easter, we are called to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

During the Lenten period, Catholics traditionally fast and abstain from eating red meat. Additionally, the period prior to Easter is utilised as a time for reflective prayer. Another way to observe this period of the Catholic calendar is to “give up something” or “give in” to a particular behaviour. Giving up might involve something that we consider an excess such as take away food. Giving in refers to a behavioural approach such as avoiding arguments or thinking unkindly of others. Both acts are reflective in nature and are examples of how we might be more Christ-like.

Last week I attended the Toowoomba Catholic School Leadership Forum in Toowoomba which drew together all thirty-two Principals from the Diocese and senior leaders from the TCS office. The theme for this forum was “You are the salt of the Earth and the light of the world” which was drawn from the gospel of Matthew 5:13. The metaphors of salt and light are helpful in thinking about and positioning the principles of Christian living in our daily lives. Just as salt loses its flavour when impurities are added, and light diminishes when obstacles get in the way, so too does the Christian message get lost in the multitude of artificial lights beckoning us in every direction. The Lenten period provides a time for us where we might consider doing something for others that enriches lives and shines a light on how to lessen the suffering of others in the same way salt adds flavour to food and light shows a way forward. Please consider donating to St Vincent de Paul or make a financial contribution to the Project Compassion appeal currently being run at the College.  As we journey through the Lenten period, I encourage all to think about how we hear the cries of others in our families and communities, and how by action we can enrich lives and be a light for others.

Last weekend many of our music students and staff led by Ms Minns travelled to Alexandrea Headlands on the Sunshine Coast to hone their music skills. Students from our ensembles and choirs engaged in workshops and practice sessions whilst also enjoying a trip to the beach an ice cream and ten pin bowling. Such events show the richness of opportunities available at the College and I take this opportunity to thank parents for supporting your children to attend this event and staff members Ms Scott, Mr Wheeldon, Mr McKenzie, Leigh Price, our music tutors and Maintenance staff who generously gave of their time.

In staffing news, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Amanda Ruhle to the position of Career Development Officer commencing 17th March 2025. Amanda joins our Careers' Team and brings a wealth of experience from her time working in the training sector. She has extensive connections to industry and business within our community which will benefit our students immensely. Amanda replaces Ms Cate Jackman who concluded her tenure with the College in January.

Ms Bridget Kenny steps into the role of Middle Leader Year 7 Coordinator from the commencement of term 2 for the remainder of the Year. Bridget replaces Ms Amanda Crouch who is taking maternity leave. Bridget is well known in our community and has demonstrated high relational skills through her involvement in school camps, sporting events and as a proficient classroom practitioner. As a College we wish Amanda the very best in eager anticipation of her new arrival.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit several classes and witness learning in action. Mr Whiting’s Year 11 Biology class were busy learning about the cell processes of diffusion and osmosis. Ms Simpson’s Year 10 Food Studies class learnt about the four ways of cooking eggs whilst Mr Cullen’s Year 12 Sport and Recreation class delivered modified sports games. Importantly, each class was applying numeracy and literacy skills and higher order thinking in real world contexts.

March 12 -23, our Year 7 and 9 students will participate in NAPLAN. These assessments provide a snapshot of a student’s and year level cohort abilities in numeracy and literacy. Our students are prepared for these assessments through their regular classes where teachers provide explicit instruction in literacies and numeracies relevant to the subject. Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 also receive an extra lesson of instruction in literacy skills in English and Humanities. Our teaching staff have been progressively engaging in a training program called Subject Discipline Literacies which develops their ability to provide the required instruction to students. Each teacher undertakes the equivalent of four days training.

The most important literacy skill is the ability to read and comprehend what has been read. There are five key pillars which underpin successful readers:

1. Phonemic Awareness – the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds.
2. Phonics – the ability to identify the relationship between letters and sounds to decode words.
3. Fluency – the ability to read text accurately and quickly.
4. Vocabulary – refers to the words learners use to communicate through reading and writing.
5. Comprehension – the ability to make meaning from what has been read.

Some tips for supporting literacy development at home with teenagers:

1. Have regular conversations with your child about a range of topics. This helps increase their oral language and their vocabulary range.
2. Encourage teenagers to read what they are interested in e.g. sports reports, books made into films.
3. Consider reading with your teenager and then asking questions about the text.

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