From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

2021 - 2022 Student Leader Handover

Congratulations to all involved in last Friday’s student leadership handover. Our 2021 student leaders have certainly set a very high benchmark for our newly appointed student leaders which the 2022 leaders themselves have acknowledged and are excited to engage with this challenge. Both groups of leaders are to be congratulated.

Congratulations also to all Year 11 students who applied for a position and were not successful in attaining one of the 18 positions. The deliberation and discernment process was extremely rigorous and challenging given the outstanding group of applicants. We do hope that those students who were not successful will continue to lead the College as outstanding seniors in 2022.

St Joseph’s College 2022 Student Leaders

Finally, I would like to share with you the speech that our 2022 College Captains, Tahlia Utz and Riley Furse presented as part of the leadership handover. I think that you will agree that our student body is in good hands with these two outstanding young people leading them.

Riley: On my third day of grade seven, there was some confusion and I found myself accused of teasing another boy, which isn’t exactly what happened. I remember sitting in the old science block, shaking in my chair as I watched Mr Edwards walking down the stairs near student entrance, knowing I was about to get in big trouble. He took me outside and you can imagine my fear; a tiny, innocent boy in grade seven standing next to the behemoth Mr Edwards, but much to my surprise he didn’t yell or even get angry. He treated me with respect and kindness and instead encouraged me to be better. He had high expectations of me, but I also knew he that he would support me in good and bad times. Fast forward four years and here I stand on the stage delivering my first address as school captain for 2022.

Tahlia: Students are often asked if they like school. Personally, I’ve always loved school. However, when I tell people this, it’s usually followed by a 2-year old’s favourite word… why? For me, the why is simple.  On the surface school is a place you come every day, see your friends, indulge in new experiences and learn things that will set you on valuable and fulfilling path in life. When we take a step back, we realise what an incredible privilege it is to be a learner, let alone a learner at a school like this one. While this is not a persuasive speech, I am hoping that you will be able to grasp how my love for school will reflect my intended endeavours as your college captain for next year.

Riley: The thing about Joey’s is that it’s the community that makes us great. While you might feel insignificant sitting here in a sea of 900 other faces, the reality is that we wouldn’t be the same without you. St Joseph’s, we are a community of incredible individuals who all encompass different strengths and talents. We are really excited to be school captains for next year because we get to represent this school and all its amazing achievements by all you amazing people. We get to stand for everything you believe in, all that you’ve done, are doing, and will continue to do. Whether it’s competing in sport or music, advocating for people on the margins, simply greeting a guest, or just doing what you love, you all enhance our culture. St Joseph’s, this is why we are unmeasurably proud to be your captains for 2022.

Tahlia: Earlier this year I battled with cancer, and I missed weeks of school for treatment. Initially, I was worried that my studies would be impacted, and the goals I had for the future would be interrupted. I am absolutely gratified to tell you today, that one of the reasons none of these things happened was due to the tremendous support and guidance I received from the staff, students and leadership team. Mrs Fellenberg and Miss Moloney told me that I could continue my learning journey the way I always had, because everyone was backing me and would continue to assist me for as long as I needed. These attributes are exactly what I want to reflect in my leadership. 

Tahlia: We have all heard this one before, but it is important to remember that, as students, we have a maximum of six years to make our mark on Joey’s. If you’re a staff member, you might have a little bit longer, but all of us are drops in the ocean compared to the collective history of all the stories that have been written here. We stand before you today particularly aware of the impact of our 2021 College Captains. They have taken an idea- The Joey’s Way- and bought it to life. Now, it’s totally unmissable and a central idea to who we are. To Nick, Keely, Emily, Xander, Matt, Tahni, Miriama, Emma, Danicka, Prue, Dan, Emily, Darby, Jordan, Saxon, Claire, Mitch and Jemma, thank you for what you have done for this community in the last twelve months. “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”

Riley: As leaders, there are things we’ve built ourselves and our personal and professional successes on, things we’d like to reflect in our leadership. Firstly, just be kind. We talk about the Joey’s way a lot here, but a lot of it is simply saying: be kind. Even when you’re having a bad day, be kind. Even when someone else is not, be kind. Even when the underpaid, overwhelmed, underage kid working at the understaffed McDonalds at peak hour forgets your 10 pack of chicken nuggets: be kind. Always, always, always be kind. If in doubt double down and be kinder. It’s free and it will get you further than anything else will, just be kind. It costs us nothing and the rewards, both to us as individuals and to our community is practically infinite. Kindness is the best superpower anyone could ever have and, guess what, you’ve all got it. It’s the least you could do but even that will make you more successful than you might imagine. One of the reasons I'm so excited to be working alongside the student leadership team is because they are all genuinely lovely people who are kind and proud and passionate. 

Riley: Recently, I read that passion is the number one reason behind success. I don’t know if this is proven, but if you look at anyone you find successful, keeping in mind success is entirely subjective, I guarantee that they are passionate about what they do. Almost as a consequence of passion, pride will follow because when you are passionate you care about something and when you care about something you are proud. Without passion what are you doing? Without pride why do anything? Maybe it’s the perfectionist in me but I could not stand to put my name on something that I have not done as best as possible. There will always be the assignment you don’t want to do or the exam you don’t want to sit because it's too boring or hard or it seems useless. But don’t try to make it your passion, bring your passion into it. Make it yours, put your own unique spin on things. If nothing else, be passionate about being someone who does the best they possibly can at all times, as soon as you do that everything will become easier. Trust me.

Tahlia: We know for a fact that there were plenty of people, amazing, talented, brilliant people that put their name down for the position that we are in today. Plenty of people that would do an outstanding job. We are both proud and humble that we have been given the opportunity to take this role and be able to work with you all.  Together, we will work to ensure you feel welcomed and valued because this is a place where every single one of you are a piece to the puzzle. We cannot promise that we will always know what to do, but we will never give less than our best. We are so very excited to be working alongside such an incredible group of students, I know that each and every single one of the leaders that we induct today will support you in any and every way. St Joseph’s, you are in good hands.

Tahlia: We aspire to make this school not only a community, but a team, by not always standing up the front and telling you what to do, but rather leading from the heart of this group, to be present and inclusive and to live out the Joey’s Way. Our job is not to work above you but to work with you; to generate ideas together that will benefit everyone. Please never ever be afraid to ask us a question, bring us an idea or just say hello. We’d like to challenge you today, to make someone's day a little brighter, say something positive or encouraging, take that step toward our best future.

Riley: So that’s what you can expect from us, and that’s what you can expect us to expect from you.  Live with passion and pride, be friendly and kind, and you will not believe the heights you will climb or the success you will find. In other words, let’s bring on The Joey’s Way, bigger and better in 2022!

Due to the pandemic, the world we now live in is a very different place. The hyperconnected nature of our current environment means that we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a result, many children and their parents are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety.

Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to this digital landscape. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. It is therefore important for adult carers to check in with their children and be aware of what information they may have been exposed to. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it. Providing children with the skills and strategies to cope will enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically.

The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. This can be inherently stressful and overwhelming, not only for parents and carers, but children alike. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.

SchoolTV has created this special report which suggests a number of strategies to help manage the feeling of being overwhelmed  that you or your child may be experiencing. I am hoping that you can take a moment to reflect on the information offered. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the special report https://sjc.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm

Kort Goodman - Principal