From the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,
As a member of the Global Catholic Community, St Joseph’s College expresses our delight at the appointment of Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo as a former Cardinal from the USA represents the breath of our Catholic community having followed Pope Francis (Argentina), Benedict (Germany) and John Paul II (Poland). His early messages follow those of Francis in calling for a Church that seeks truth, unity and love. Pope Leo has called each member of the Catholic Community to build bridges through dialogue and to always be open to receiving others with open arms.
Last Friday we celebrated Joey’s Day on the Feast of Edmund Rice. 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. Edmund Rice 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’Neill Gift. I thank our hard-working staff and Father Ray Crowley who brought this enriching experience to life. I remind all families that Religious Life of the School events are compulsory school days that students are expected to attend. These days are deliberately structured learning events that are designed to build community connection and a shared sense of the gospel values that St Joseph and Edmund Rice enacted to make Jesus known to others. Participation in our celebration days and whole school sporting carnivals are a condition of enrolment and a criteria for participation in representation of the College in extra-curricular events.
The College acknowledged and celebrated our mothers on Wednesday last week in the MacKillop Centre. It was an opportunity to express gratitude to those special women who touch our lives, whilst also remembering those who have gone before us and left an indelible imprint on our hearts. This year was the third year the College has run the event, and I was delighted to see many students bring their mothers to celebrate and honour their contributions. After a moving liturgy, our students and mums participated in making gifts, and relationship building activities. I trust that all mothers felt the heart felt love of their children last Sunday. At St Joseph’s we are grateful for the incredible mums who trust us with their children’s education.
This week we welcome Mr Jason Beasley, who joins our Humanities Team. He replaces Ms Jeffrey who is taking maternity leave for Term 2 and 3. Jason is well known amongst our students and staff for his previous work on contracts and relief teaching. Additionally, Mr Thomas Holsworth will join us on May 26th in a permanent capacity teaching Drama and English. Thomas replaces Ms Nadia Spain who concluded her time with the College last week. Thomas has taught previously at Oakey State High School and more recently at Sophia College where he is currently in the midst of running their musical.
During the first four weeks of Term 2, I have been amazed at the multitude of opportunities afforded to our young people at St Joseph’s. This has included students’ participation at the Mercy Shield in Roma for senior rugby league and netball, Year 9 and 10 students’ involvement in the AFL gala day, our Senior Visual Art student excursion to the Ipswich Art Gallery, Year 7-10 students in the Bill Turner Soccer Cup, Rosies Community Service group and Harry Potter Day celebrating literature. I thank our wonderful staff who share their gifts and time generously and students who engage with the greatest of integrity. When combined with the multiple curriculum pathways on offer, St Joseph’s truly provides a liberating education in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice.
I request all parents and carers talk with their children regarding the importance of securing their learning materials and personal items in their lockers at the college. Recently we had intruders onto the college grounds and they were able to steal items from unsecured lockers. Each student is provided with a quality combination lock and assigned locker to secure items. It is important for students to understand that they are responsible for their laptop devices and resources supplied by the college in addition to materials supplied by families such as mobile phones and uniforms. The College is unable to cover the costs of replacement where student negligence occurs. The College encourages students to take valuable possessions such as phones and laptops home each night and over the vacation periods.
Next week I travel to Goondiwindi to participate in the Toowoomba Catholic Education Leadership Conference and return for Friday’s College Open Day where I look forward to meeting our next group of prospective students and their families. This event is deliberately positioned to run during the school day so that prospective families are immersed in and get a genuine feel of St Joseph’s College. The college leverages our greatest asset, our people, to promote the college as a place of exceptional learning and spiritual growth.
God Bless
Jim Brennan
Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au