From the Principal
ANZAC Day Liturgy
Last Friday at the end of our first week for term 2 we held our St Joseph’s College ANZAC Day ceremony. These ceremonies are always wonderful opportunities for our communities to come together to pay our respects to those who have gone to war to allow us to live the lives we do today. To watch our students, participate in school liturgies and community events with our heroic and esteemed current and ex-servicemen and women is one of the most touching and inspiring moments of any year. These events symbolise the respect and esteem that we have for our service member’s brave legacy and is a promise to them that their efforts will never be forgotten.
Unfortunately, I was not in attendance at our ceremony as I was involved in another College’s school review. However, I would still like to pay my respects and offer a number of public votes of thanks to those involved in making our ceremony the wonderful experience for our community, that was reported to me.
To Private Heidi Wilkie, Felicity West, Nicholas Dudly, Drew Holzworth your efforts to be at this occasion was greatly appreciated. To Hiedi and Felicity who provided the special addresses at the ceremony. The students shared with me that your insightful and thought-provoking reflection on ANZAC Day was very special.
I would also like to make a special mention or our St Joseph’s College colleague Ms Madeleine Minns and past student, Drew Holzworth, who played the bagpipes and trumpet respectively. Thank you, Ms Minns and Mr Holdsworth, your talent and skill is greatly admired, and a number of people have commented on the amazing atmosphere that was created by your performances.
To Miss Ford, Cultural Captains – Jordan McLachlan and Darby Carrol, the Year 11 liturgy group and the other members of our school who were involved in organising or leading the ceremony. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and ensure that our future generations develop a true understanding of the importance of the Anzac legend.
Finally, on behalf to the staff who made numerous comments, I would like to congratulate the students on the manner in which you read, sang, prayed and participated in the ceremony. From all reports the respect and reverence demonstrated was of the highest level.
This week we continue to pray as a community for all service men and women.
Remember, O’Lord,
All those, the brave and the true,
Who have died the death of honour and departed in the hope of resurrection to eternal life.
In that place of light from which sorrow and mourning are far banished,
give them rest, O’Lord, thou lover of men.
And grant to those of us who remain the spirit of service,
Which may make us worthy of their sacrifice.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Student Reports & Parent – Student - Teacher Interviews
At St Joseph’s College we really value and continue to emphasise the need for parents, students, and teachers to develop a working partnership so that we can assist each other to attain the best educational outcomes for our students. I thank the amazing number of our parents and carers who were able to attend the parent – student – teacher interviews conducted on Wednesday to discuss how we can work together to support our amazing young people. If you were unable to attend the interviews but would still like to have a conversation with your child’s teachers, we enthusiastically encourage you to contact your children’s teachers via email or phone.
Student Protection Contacts
A reminder for all parents and students that St Joseph’s College has eight nominated Student Protection Contacts who are staff members that students can raise concerns of abuse, harm, or inappropriate behaviour with.
At St Joseph’s College our student protection contacts are:
Mr Brendon Willocks
Mrs Melissa Zenke
Mr Rod Spain
Ms Cathie Barton
Mr Joe Cryle
Mrs Heather D’Arcy
Mr Kort Goodman
All staff receive regular training on student protection in order to be able to respond appropriately to any student protection concerns. Further information regarding student protection policy and procedures can be accessed at www.twb.catholic.edu.au/parents-and-community/student-protection/
Uniform Term 2
A big thank you to our parents, carers, and students for the outstanding way in which the students have presented in their uniforms for the start of term 2. We thank you for your continued support in emphasising with the students that the uniform is an important part of living out The Joey’s Way imperatives of; Be Proud, Be Humble; Respect Unconditionally; Leave it better than you found it; and setting a great standard for the College community.
Kort Goodman, Principal