From the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,
Last Sunday Pentecost was celebrated across the Diocese, focusing on how the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus fifty days after his death and resurrection. At the time the disciples were afraid given the recent death of their spiritual leader and the persecution of those who followed him. When the Holy Spirit became present amongst the disciples as wind and fire, they found a renewed strength to proclaim the word of Jesus. This event marks the true baptism of the Church. The Church in fact lives constantly from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and last Monday the College celebrated Pentecost with our own liturgy which was delivered by our Senior Liturgy Group. I spoke with our students and staff regarding how the Holy Spirit lives through us when we make Jesus known through action. This can take the simplest of forms such as giving others our time, sharing our resources or an act of forgiveness. Our world is a much richer place when we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us.
On Thursday evening, St Joseph’s College officially launched our new strategic plan. This plan recognises the growth in our college over the last four years and lays out a road map for the next four years focusing on the provision of a liberating education which grows and inspires our people, through sharing the stories of Jesus Christ, and our Ricean Charism. This is well captured through our strategic tagline 'Empowering Minds, Enriching Hearts'.
A strategic plan ensures that we enact our school vision and mission whilst being true to our school motto.
Our vision:
To collaboratively create a better future through a contemporary Catholic approach to a liberating education.
Our Mission:
Be an aspirational and inclusive co-educational learning community that grows all through exceptional teaching and sharing the Jesus story.
At the very core of how we make Jesus known to other is our school motto “Serve Him in Others”
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to our college community who engaged in providing feedback over the last twelve months to inform our plan for the next four years.
The Towards 2028 Strategic Plan is now available to view on our website.
Interviews for Year 7 (2026) are currently being undertaken by members of the Senior Leadership Team over the next three weeks. Each meeting provides an opportunity for each young person and their family to become known to us, which is key to knowing every potential learner and their family context. In each small gathering students and families share their stories with our staff, including their strengths, areas for growth and what makes them unique. At the same time, staff explain our Catholic identity, through the Edmund Rice charism and Joey’s Way, so that the college becomes known to each family. Offers for enrolment will occur after all interviews are completed at the end of this semester.
Recently we welcomed Ms Cabourdin to our community to commence a four-week teaching contract. She replaces Ms Adrianna Sardoni, who is on leave during that period. I also announce that Mr Adam Watts has recently been successful in being appointed to the position of Curriculum Leader English and Languages at St Saviour’s College in Toowoomba. He will commence in this position next semester. This is a well-deserved promotion for Adam, and we are delighted for his success, which recognizes his talent and growth at St Joseph’s College. The College has begun a recruitment process to backfill the teaching position vacated by Adam’s pending departure.
On Wednesday 25 June the College will conduct our Skits and Semiquavers showcase at the Empire Theare commencing at 7pm. This production displays the talents of our performing arts students and is sure to be a highly entertaining event, with individual performances alongside bands, ensembles, and short dramatic scenes. Tickets are now available for purchase directly from the Empire Theatre and I encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the vast array of student talent.
Recently our Parent Engagement Network made a generous donation of approximately $15,000 to purchase new tables and seating for the recently rehabilitated Murphy’s Place. This gesture has allowed students to enjoy the outdoors in a calm and relaxed space surrounded by newly laid turf and garden landscaping. The Parent Engagement Network meets every term to enjoy parent company, learn more about the school and contribute to making our college even stronger. This year the focus for PEN is on connecting parents and building relationships and they plan to conduct a trivia night in term three to facilitate this goal.
God Bless,
Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au