From the Principal
During my recent Leadership Forum in Goondiwindi, I immersed in the Beatitudes which are a series of blessings drawn from the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. In simple terms, they are faith expressions of how we might choose to live in the moment and may even be considered ecumenical and transcend multiple religions. One Beatitude “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” resonated strongly for me in today’s global context. Today’s media often portrays the gentle as those who can simply be walked over with little or no consequence, however, I believe we need to engender a different way of thinking. There is genuine strength in those who use their gifts for the betterment of those around them and protect through good stewardship the environment. When we choose to think in this way we change our mind constructs on the notion of power from one of force to change situations to one of empowering others to feel valued.
On 14 May, our Parent Engagement Network (PEN) met at the school to discuss the latest developments and events occurring at St Joseph’s College. It was a wonderful opportunity to explain the machinations of the college in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. I am also grateful for the generous support of the PEN in providing funds to purchase additional table settings for the rehabilitated area that housed the former Murphy building. This donation of approximately $15,000 dollars will allow students to gather in a beautiful area and reduce congestion on the existing oval.
Last Friday the College ran a phenomenally successful Open Day which saw one hundred and sixty families and their children tour the site. Our prospective families and their young people were guided exceptionally well by our students to the vast array of curriculum offerings and state-of-the-art facilities. Our intention in conducting this event during the school day is to allow families to experience the culture of the school in a truly authentic manner. The feedback regarding the experience provided by our students and staff was reaffirming. Interviews for Year 7 enrolments have commenced this week and will conclude in Week 10 of this term. Offers for position will occur at the end of Term after all interviews have been completed for Year 7 applicants.
A cornerstone of the schooling experience at St Joseph’s College is the provision of learning experiences through religious life of the school events such as our liturgies, feast days, masses, and sporting carnivals. Such events bring our school community together to embrace gospel and Edmund Rice values and are key to creating the Joey’s Way culture and our Catholic Identity. An enrolment at St Joseph’s requires students to attend all events during school days unless there is a valid reason for absence. Sometimes a child may say to their parents that on such days there will not be any regular class learnings and therefore they do not need to be at school. Nothing could be further from the truth and in fact, these religious life of the school events are our point of difference to other schooling organisations. As Principal I am firmly of the view that student participation in sporting, cultural and extra-curricular opportunities is dependent on meaningful engagement in all aspects of school life. I ask all parents and carers ensure your children engage in all the above events that are provided at the college.
This week we welcomed Mr Thomas Holsworth, who joins our Performing Arts and English Teams. Thomas replaces Ms Nadia Spain who concluded her tenure at the college two weeks ago. Thomas has teaching experience from two previous schools and recently participated in a musical production. We look forward to the gifts Thomas will share with our community.
God Bless
Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au