From the Principal
Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
Welcome to Term 3.
As usual the mid-year break sees lots of staff and students having a busy holiday break, with the QISSN and Confraternity Carnivals held in Mackay in the first week of the holidays. I offer my sincere thanks to the staff who travelled to Mackay in the first week of their holidays, as managers, coaches and supporters of our QISSN and Confraternity teams. They were warm, caring, professional, generous and skilled. It was a joy for me to witness how well the students responded to their care.
The students were just terrific and played with heart and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all players across both netball and rugby league, you clearly demonstrated the Joey’s Way in your efforts over the week.
Thanks also to the many parents and friends who travelled to Mackay and were solid supporters on the sidelines. The whole week was a great endorsement for our values, traditions and family culture.
My thanks is also extended to the administration, grounds, maintenance and cleaning staff who worked away over the break, to ensure all is in readiness for a good start. The grounds and classrooms look amazing.
Staffing Changes
There have been some staff changes for term three and I welcome the following staff to St Joseph’s College.
- Samantha Meager as a Science teacher
- Sally Gibson as a Legal Studies and Humanities teacher.
I would also like to advise that College Counsellor Ms Heather D’Arcy, and school officers Mrs Christel Davies, Mr Bhargav Karnik and Mrs Julie Entwistle have either finished up or will soon finish their time at St Joseph's College. We thank these people for their efforts whilst part of the St Joseph’s College community.
Welcome to new Families and Students
We have several new families and students entering the College this term. I hope the first two weeks have gone well and trust they will appreciate the St Joseph’s College culture of welcome and hospitality.
PEN – Parent Engagement Network
Date Claimer – Tuesday August 2 – 6.30 – 8.00pm
As our community is aware we have restructured our St Joseph's College P&F and Board to create our St Joseph's College Parent Engagement Network. The aim of this network is to respond to the needs of our community in growing the partnership between the College and our families. The PEN’s role will be to both support the ongoing activities of the College and provide opportunities in partnership with the College for parents to be more informed about the workings of the College so that they can support their students.
Our first PEN event will be held on Tuesday 2nd August in the College Library with a welcome, refreshments and food from 6.30 – 7.00pm. Following this Mr Joe Cryle (Assistant Principal Student Engagement) will share with the community our Student Engagement Framework from 7.00 – 8.00pm. This framework outlines our student engagement processes and the use of relational pedagogy as the foundation for engaging students in their learning whilst being supported and directed by their teachers.
A reminder that the wonderful community members listed below have taken on roles as executive members of our PEN and are very willing to be conduits between parents and the College, or to answer questions that families may have. We thank John, Cathy, Toni, Wendy and Rachel very much for their willingness to undertake these roles.
Chair - Mr John O’Brien - john@obriencotransport.com.au or 0413110718.
Secretary - Mrs Rachel Thomas - rjthomas22@bigpond.com
Working Party Group Leaders
Teen Mental Health
Mrs Cathy Condon - johathyfamily@gmail.com - 0438647082
Community Events Working Party
Mrs Toni Burton - schloss@westnet.com.au - 0466187210
Mrs Wendy Murphy - timandwendymurphy@gmail.com – 0417645582
We hope that families will be able to join us for our first PEN session. Further information regarding how to rsvp will be forwarded to families early next week.
COVID update
As mentioned in the media there is some need to be vigilant, aware and responsive to any COVID symptoms and for us all to uphold Qld Health protocols regarding COVID infection. COVID, combined with Influenza and the Cold and Flu Season is creating the need to be very conscious to test for COVID, so we care for others. The College has a stock of RAT’s that can be accessed by students and staff who develop symptoms at school, and they can be taken home with parents upon collection of children to test at home. Masks can be worn by students and staff as they wish, however it is not mandated by Queensland Health or required by the College. As a courtesy, if your child tests positive to COVID, please advise the College of this.
Term 3 - important term for students
Term 3 is always a critical term, where learning is consolidated and extended for students. This term is critical for our Years 10, 11 and 12 students. Year 10 now engages in the process of developing their Senior Education & Training plans; Year 11 students consolidate their units of achievement in readiness for Year 12; and Year 12 need to dig in, balance workload and non-school commitments to end well and strong in their final terms at school.
Reminder
I remind families to empower and engage your children to start the term well, and to hold with pride the wearing of our uniform and ensure personal appearance standards are upheld as per our expectations. It is here for you as a reminder.
Finally, I encourage all of the St Joseph’s College community to start this critical term well, with intent, purpose and the innate ability to work together for our students. It is my hope that each of them know that they have every support to achieve well and see success through their determined perseverance and experience joy in developing their gifts and talents.
Kort Goodman - Principal - KGoodman@sjc.qld.edu.au