From the Principal
Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,
Last Sunday’s gospel from Matthew 13:31-34 reminded us of the importance of hospitality. In this parable, much like the parable about the “good Samaritan “, Mary and Martha were called to be neighbours to Jesus. Welcome is a major part of hospitality. When we make ourselves available to others, we show our willingness to listen and learn about the things that are important to them. The story of Martha and Mary expresses that both hospitality and listening teach us how to welcome Jesus. In our relationship with Jesus, we seek to find ways to be more present to him.
We were delighted to host over 270 of our students' grandparents to the College on Friday to experience the St Joseph’s Community by attending a mass, followed by a concert and morning tea. Grandparents play a vital role in the educational journey of children by encouraging and promoting the value of learning and validating the self-worth of each young person. I am grateful to all our grandparents who choose to be part of their grandchildren’s education.
By now, parents and carers will have received the latest report cards of your children’s progress for the first six months of the year. I was pleased with the efforts that our students have demonstrated during this period. When reviewing report cards, my attention is always first drawn towards the child’s learning attributes, behaviour, and attendance as these are the drivers of success. Every child can demonstrate very good effort and behaviour and be at school in front of their teachers every day unless sick. When these attributes are being demonstrated, the child can achieve to their potential. The beginning of a new semester allows a learner to reflect and set their respective goals. I thank all staff, students and parents who engaged in interviews last week. These meetings are an excellent example of the partnerships we seek with every family to work towards every student reaching their full potential. This week, Academic Care interviews have been conducted for all Year 12 students, and it was pleasing to see so many parents take the opportunity to attend. College staff use this opportunity to review each student’s learning program progress to ensure that they are on track to achieve their goals and Queensland Certificate of Education.
On Monday 21 July, many of our students and parents took the opportunity to engage in information sessions regarding our curriculum programs offered in Year 9, 10 and 11. Firstly, our current Year 10 students engaged in the “Welcome to your Future Day”, which connected students, Academic and Careers staff and various education and training providers to discuss pathways into the next phase of learning. I thank Ms Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg and Maree Harman for organising this wonderful opportunity in which students engaged exceptionally well. During that same evening, large numbers of students from Year 8, 9 and 10, along with their parents, attended subject selection information sessions. The agency of students, parents, and carers to seek advice and information was a wonderful example of the positive partnerships which exist between college staff, students, and families.
Congratulations to our Open Years Confraternity (Rugby League) and QISSN (Netball) teams who competed in Rockhampton and Bundaberg respectively during the first week of the holidays. I was delighted to be present with students and staff for the week to observe a truly rich and rewarding experience for everyone involved. I thank our families and sponsors who invested financially to allow our young people to attend. I make special mention of our staff who gave willingly of their time during the holiday period including Col Speed, Ashley Steel, Mitch Koina, Cam Love, Bridget Kenny, Jess Lawrence, Tom Moore, Mitch Wheeldon Deb Newton, and Natalie Wright. A special thanks to Mr Paul Canning who drove one of our buses to and from Rockhampton.
Next week (July 21-27), we celebrate Catholic Education Week. The theme this year is “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.” Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all 312 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. St Joseph’s College strives to have influence in the lives of our students and in the wider community by challenging our young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.
Part of the Catholic week celebrations are the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards, which acknowledge the significant achievements of staff in our 32 schools and Office. I am pleased to announce the following St Joseph’s College staff as finalists:
- Peter Keightley – Secondary Expert Teacher
- Abbey Orbansen-Thew – Early Career Teacher
We are proud of the contributions that Peter and Abbey have made to the College and wish them the best at the awards next week.
As part of these celebrations, the College will conduct a liturgy on Thursday morning, 31 July, to acknowledge our distinctly Catholic identity. A number of students and staff will be recognised with awards for their contributions towards the religious life of the school. Staff will also participate in the Bishop’s Inservice Day on Friday 1 August at St Mary’s College. This will be a student-free day and there will not be any classes or supervision of students at school.
God Bless
Mr Jim Brennan - Principal – jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au