From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to all members of our College community to Term 4. I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and were able spend time with family and friends. At assembly last Tuesday morning I again reinforced the few key points and expectations with the community around Aspiring to Excellence, Leaving it better than you found it, and Speaking and Acting Safely. As a College we believe that these expectations set a great foundation and will ensure that we are giving ourselves the best chance to be successful. The topics were based upon our school expectations that we are respectful, on time, prepared, ready to work, being aspirational and striving to do our best and I would encourage our parents to discuss these topics with their children.
Finally, I would like to thank and congratulate the students and parents on the way the students returned to school. The pride our students have for their school is very evident and this all goes well for a great term.
A Prayer for Parents
Thank you Lord, for my children.
I know they are a gift from you.
Daily I need your strength and wisdom to guide them
in the way they should go.
Give me patience, and a joyful heart;
let me be an example of your love and forgiveness.
Thank you Father, for the honour of being a parent. Amen
St Joseph’s College Student Engagement Guidelines
In our last newsletter for term three I highlighted that our students are our greatest gift, and as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, St Joseph’s College has at its very centre, a genuine concern for the safety and welfare of every student.
In committing to the safety and wellbeing of all the young people in our care we have a zero tolerance for child abuse, bullying and any other harm. This zero tolerance is vitally important given that the latest surveys indicate that one in four people are bullied in schools, and even more alarming is that often the victim who is bullied can then become the bully themselves compounding the problem.
This week I would like to share with you our process for dealing with bullying at St Joseph’s College in the hope that you will take the time to discuss this with your young person to inform them of the support available at the College.
St Joseph’s College Student Engagement Guidelines - 4.9 Anti-Bullying and Harassment Processes
Bullying and harassment, in any of their forms, have no place at St Joseph’s College. All members of our school community must be able to enjoy a safe school environment.
At St Joseph’s College, we define bullying and harassment in the following ways:
Bullying is the utilisation of a power imbalance by one person or group of people to oppress another. That power imbalance can be on the basis of age, physical size, capability in a particular activity, perceived social status or number of people. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, physical bullying, emotional bullying, psychological bullying, racism or sexism.
Harassment is behaviour that is offensive, unwanted, repeated and that violates another person’s dignity. A power imbalance is not necessary for a situation to be deemed harassment. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, physical harassment, emotional or psychological harassment, racial harassment or sexual harassment.
If a student believes they or a peer is being bullied or harassed, they can take the following steps:
- If it safe to do so, calmly ask the person to stop the behaviour that is making them feel threatened.
- Report the bullying to a trusted and responsible adult, this can be a parent, guardian or a staff member.
- Report the bullying via Stymie, an anonymous reporting platform (see section 4.7)
If bullying or harassment is reported to the College, we will take the following action:
- Obtain permission from the victim to act. (School staff are required to act if we believe the student may be at risk of significant harm and there is no adult who is willing and able to protect them from harm).
- Manage the situation discreetly and record it on our database.
- Offer support to the victim of bullying
- Investigate the incident(s) using witness testimony and surveillance cameras where applicable.
- If necessary, utilise a formal sanction according to our Transgressing The Joey’s Way Compendium
- If appropriate, the College may invite relevant students to partake in a Restorative Conference.
Welcome Staff
Last week we welcomed Mrs Yates (Science), Mrs van den Berg (Science) and Miss Kenny (Humanities / Business). We believe that these outstanding people will bring a great deal of enthusiasm and experience to our College and we look forward to working with them over the remainder of 2021.
I would also like to thank Miss Degen for her efforts in supporting the Brennan House students during Mr Logan’s leave.
2021 Year 12 School Based Apprentice and Trainee Breakfast
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending the above event hosted by the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools. This event acknowledged the Year 12 students who are completing the year as school-based apprentices or trainees and moving to fulltime training from 2022 and the families and businesses who support these students.
In total we 23 students in Year 12 who are undertaking school-based apprenticeships or traineeships as part of the Senior Education and Training Plan. Each of these students have been able to balance the challenges associated with their learning at school, their training and employment, sporting and cultural commitments and social life remarkably well and I would like to pass on our congratulations to them all.
On behalf of St Joseph’s College, I would like to thank the employers, parents, teachers and Mrs Angela Stafford for their efforts in supporting these students.
Kort Goodman - Principal