From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

Catholic Education Week

Last week was Catholic Education Week which was an opportunity for all Catholic schools to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

Catholic education:

• Is a faith-based education which places the values of Jesus at its centre.
• Is a high quality, holistic education for 1 in 5 young Queenslanders, educating them to be well-informed, highly skilled and constructive members of the community.
• Values diversity and treats each student with dignity enabling them in turn to promote and respect the dignity of all.
• Nurtures in students a commitment to social justice and a critical social consciousness.
• Prepares students for global responsibilities through stewardship of the earth’s resources.
• Is an integral part of the local and universal Church.
• Occurs in welcoming, inclusive, and connected communities.

As part of our Catholic Education Week celebrations, we had the opportunity to congratulate and show our appreciation of the efforts of all students and teachers who are part of our community.

Of special note was the recognition of the efforts of Mr Brian Cantwell and Ms Deborah Newton who were both nominated for Queensland Spirit of Catholic Education Week Awards as part of the Toowoomba Diocese.

Both of these amazing educators have given selflessly to not only St Joseph's College Toowoomba and the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Diocese but also the wider educational community.

A special congratulations to Brian who was presented with the Toowoomba Diocese Spirit of Queensland Catholic Education Award.

Well done students and St Joseph’s College Staff!

Today I would like to take the opportunity to offer a vote of congratulations to a number of members of the St Joseph’s College community. These students and staff are all very deserving of being congratulated on their efforts as they set a wonderful example of what we are endeavoring to achieve at St Joseph’s College.

• Congratulations to Ben Gehrmann, Emily Whiting, Kirstie Andrews, Tom Moore and the Enhanced Learning Team consisting of Darcy Goodall, Karen Morrison, Jess Lawrence, Michelle Glasby, Kay Bird, Colin Speed and Tarah-Lee Rival. All of these wonderful people were nominated across the various sections of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards and for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award. We are so very grateful for the outstanding contributions these people make to our community.

• Congratulations to Deb Newton, Karen Morrison, Shane Hair who were presented with Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Long Service Awards in recognition and appreciation of their service of 20, 25, 30 or 35 years. We thank you for your commitment and dedication to Catholic Education.
• Congratulations to the music students, Mrs Pietsch, Ms Scott and their tutors Ms Davies, Miss Smith, Mr Dade and Mr Will on their outstanding efforts at the recent Toowoomba Eisteddfod. A special congratulations to the Jazz Ensemble on receiving a Highly Commended award in their section and to the Concert Band who were awarded second place in a hotly contested section of 9 schools. A truly outstanding effort. Well done.
• On our recent assemblies we have congratulated students for their contribution to our College through Catholic Education Week Awards, Academic Excellence Awards and SJC Short Story Competition Awards. These students are to be commended for their outstanding commitment and dedication to their learning.

Parent Engagement Network

Thank you to the families that were able to attend the first meeting of the SJC Parent Engagement Network on Tuesday evening. We really appreciate your continued support and willingness to engage in partnership with the College endeavouring to provide the best opportunities for your children and our students.

Thank you to Assistant Principal Mr Joe Cryle who presented information around student engagement, relational pedagogy, the Ignatius Room, and the Joey’s Way. Mr Cryle also gathered feedback from the parents on the student engagement in the College’s camp program and how we can work with parents to improve our students executive functioning skills, thereby improving their punctuality and preparedness for learning.

Our next PEN session is booked in for the date below. We hope that more of our families will be able to join us on this occasion.

Tuesday 25 October

6.30pm – 7.00pm – Welcome and social gathering

7.00 – 8.00pm – SJC Teaching and Learning Framework – Mrs Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg, Mrs Karen Tobin and Mrs Cate Park-Ballay.

Kort Goodman - Principal - KGoodman@sjc.qld.edu.au