From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers, and Students

I would like to congratulate the St Joseph’s College Community on a wonderful first term of 2023. From the generous and caring efforts of the parents and ancillary staff in supporting the students and teachers, to the committed and professional work of the teachers in preparing and delivering engaging learning experiences and the organisation and conducting of extra-curricular activities, to the outstanding results of the students in the academic, sporting and cultural life of the College. The first term of 2023 has absolutely raced by and our College community can be very proud of their achievements.

This will be our last newsletter for term one and I think it is very appropriate that we take the opportunity to reflect upon the upcoming Holy Week and Easter event and how as a Catholic community we are filled with hope for the future and the compassion to care for others in our community.

Easter Celebrations

Being members of the St Joseph’s College Community and the greater Catholic Community of the Toowoomba Diocese, we know and understand that each year our Church celebrates, through liturgy the different points Jesus’ life and the relationship he developed with us. We also know that Easter is the greatest feast in the calendar. In the book “What Catholics Believe,” Hore explains that;

The high point of this annual cycle is the three days when we celebrate the Easter event. This starts on Holy Thursday evening, includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday and concludes on the evening of the Easter Sunday. During that time Western Catholics are invited to take part in one big celebration divided into three parts. We gather to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening, to commemorate Jesus’ suffering and death on Good Friday afternoon and, in our most glad of all liturgical gatherings, to rejoice in his resurrection and to welcome new members into the Church at the Easter Vigil on the evening or during the night of Holy Saturday.

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as it represents the fulfilment of our faith. St. Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage and sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us; but it is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.

As a College we have been participating in Lent by supporting Caritas and today we joined together for the first part of our Easter celebration which will be continued on the first day back at our assembly in term two. I would like to thank Miss Ford and the liturgy group for leading our students through in this liturgy. We hope that through our learning about Easter at school it will encourage us all to take the time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.

Let us pray that we all were able to further develop our understanding of the Easter events and our Faith through the opportunity to participate in our Easter liturgy and that we can put this understanding into action over the coming weeks.

Today, I also share Bishop Robert’s Easter message for 2023:

In the Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2023, he affirms that "together too, as a pilgrim Church in time, we experience the liturgical year and Lent within it, walking alongside those whom the Lord has placed among us as fellow travellers."

We have now come out of Lent into the Easter Season. The spirit of generosity we may have shown in Lent should continue throughout the year. Caritas is always willing to receive your contributions which will be put to genuine and worthwhile projects being sponsored here in Australia and overseas. It is never too late to lend a helping hand to those in need. Caritas may be contacted via the web http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or telephone 1800 024 413.

We come together to celebrate the wonderful ceremonies of Holy Week culminating in the Easter Vigil. As we celebrate Easter, we give thanks for the wonderful gifts the Lord has so graciously and freely bestowed upon us. The message of the Good News is not something to be locked away but is to be lived and shared. We are not alone but journey alongside others.

Each of us has unique treasures and opportunities to give witness to the Risen Lord. Bring out that treasure. In the course of a day, or a week, we find ourselves in different places and engage with different people and groups. With the Grace of God there will be many opportunities to share the joyous message of Jesus' Resurrection. May we respond generously and share the love and the gifts we have received. We should do this without asking about the cost or seeking to receive something ourselves in return.

Rejoice and be glad for the Lord is Risen, He is indeed Risen. May we remain in and grow in the love of the Risen Lord and may that be seen by our actions.

I wish you every blessing in this wonderful season of light and hope.

My Lord, Jesus,

You have risen to new life!

Give me new eyes with which to recognise your presence in the world around me.

Sharpen my vision so that I see beyond the ordinary events of each day

and into the extraordinary reality of your grace.

Brighten my view of the world with renewed hope in the coming of your Kingdom.

Soften my gaze so that I view others with the kind of tenderness and compassion you showed so many.

May each day of this Easter season provide glimpses of your glory.

In your sacred name, I pray.

Amen

Professional Renewal Leave

A further reminder that I will be absent from the College for Weeks 1 – 7 next term. During this time, I will be taking professional renewal leave and completing the Camino de Santiago along with two other Principals from the Toowoomba Diocese.

Whilst I am on leave the following people will be undertaking the following roles:

Acting Principal – Mr Brendon Willocks

Acting Deputy Principal – Mr Joe Cryle

Acting Assistant Principal Student Engagement – Mr Luke Logan

Acting Brennan House Leader – Mrs Elle Moss

Again, I thank these people for their willingness to undertake these roles during my period of leave and I thank the College community in anticipation of their support of these wonderful people.

Staffing Term 2

Over the break we will have a couple of staffing changes. Mrs Sandy Sullivan (School Officer - Enhanced Learning Department) and Ms Amanda Wallis (School Officer – Catering) are finishing up at St Joseph's College. We thank them very much for their efforts during their time at St Joseph's College.

Mrs Annette Warby (School Officer – Administration) who has been employed at St Joseph's College Toowoomba for over 20 years has also finished up at St Joseph's College. Annette has very much been the backbone of the administration staff during her time, holding several roles and completing all tasks required with professionalism. While we will certainly miss Annette’s professionalism in the office, it will be her warm and caring nature that will be missed the most. We thank Annette so very much for her dedication and commitment to the community of St Joseph's College and we look forward to seeing her when she drops in to visit.  

Starting at St Joseph's College from the beginning of next term will be Mr Mitch Koina. Mitch has been teaching a range of subjects at St Mary’s College for the last 9 years and we look forward to him joining us. We also welcome back Mrs El-Mari Verster from a period of leave.  

Uniform Term 2

A gentle reminder that going into Term Two the expectations regarding the uniform will not change. We continue to emphasise with the students that the uniform is an important part of setting the tone for the College community. A student wearing the uniform correctly shows that they have pride in themselves and pride in the community they belong to. A school uniform reduces incidents of bullying and the stress of peer pressure as all students are the same. Uniforms do not distinguish between socio-economic backgrounds like free dress does.

The uniform also helps the students focus on their job at hand. They are students not fashion statements while at school. Wearing their uniform helps the student “switch on” to student mode and it provides the students with a reminder of what the expectations of the College are and how they are supposed to behave and apply themselves to their learning.

A student that wears their uniform well in public shows that they are proud of being a part of this community. When a member of the wider community sees a student who is proud of where they come from, it often reflects back to the student in the way the member of the community interacts with them and their opinion of the school.

There is a detailed outline of uniform requirements on the College website. It is important that students follow the required procedures if they are not able to wear their College uniform appropriately at any time. That is the student is required to bring a note to their JW teacher explaining why they are not wearing their uniform appropriately. This note is acceptable for one day and if the issue with the uniform is for longer than one day then a note is required for each day.

Important details regarding the wearing of the College uniform.

• Students must arrive and leave the College in full dress uniform. The only exception to this is on a designated sport’s uniform day or on a Wednesday when the students may depart wearing their sport’s uniform if they are required to wear their sport’s uniform for enrichment.
• All students are free to change after 3.00pm before they go home if they wish, however, if a student wishes to change out of their uniform they must change completely.
• Boy’s shirts need to be tucked in.
• Students are to wear white, or skin coloured under layers only.
• Hair is to be of suitable length and style and should not bring undue negative attention to themselves or the College. Hair should be of one natural colour, cut no shorter than a no 2 blade and undercuts, tails, tracks, shaven strips and extreme haircuts which draw attention to the student are not acceptable. Hair must be kept neat and clean – not messy and untidy. Long hair touching the collar must be tied back and off the face. Hair bands and accessories should be plain and simple in the College colours.
• The only items of jewellery permitted are unobtrusive studs or sleepers, maximum of one per ear in the ear lobe. The only visible piercings should be in the ear. All other piercings are to be removed. A wristwatch and a simple neck chain with a religious crucifix only. No visible tattoos are permitted for any students.
• If wearing makeup, application should be natural with neutral colour that does not cause undue attention but blends with the skin tone. No lipstick or eyeshadow is to be worn. Fake nails and eyelashes are not to be worn.
• Boys are to be clean shaven at all times.
• Senior students may wear their jersey on a Friday.

We hope that this information will assist both parents and students by clearing up any confusion and setting clear guidelines for the appropriate wearing of the College uniform. If you have any concerns please feel free to contact your young person’s House Leader, Mr Luke Logan (Acting Assistant Principal Student Engagement), Mr Joe Cryle (Acting Deputy Principal) or Mr Willocks (Acting Principal).

Finally, I would like to wish everyone best wishes for the break. Please be safe and take care and the College looks forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday 18 April refreshed and ready to participate fully and give their best in Term 2.

Best wishes

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