Welcome to the New School Year! Over the last week and a half it has been very apparent that our school community have been keen and excited to return happy and eager to resume old friendships, make new friends, engage with the ‘Joey’s Way’ and strive to achieve to their personal best.
In returning for 2021 it is our sincerest hope that all students will regard their opportunity for education as a privilege rather than an obligation and so embrace this new school year with enthusiasm, determination and a growth mind set.
The great St Thomas Aquinas made the comment that, “Whatever is received is received according to the mode of its receiver”. Again, we hope that all students return in goodwill and with an attitude to do the best they can for themselves and for their fellow students.
Very regularly we make reference to the well supported fact that in order to achieve the best outcomes for our students we need to have strong and healthy partnerships between the parents, students and the College staff. In a sense, our school has a double staff; the staff that performs within the school and the very important “staff” that performs within the home. Your child’s education is greatly enhanced by your involvement at home, in particular, but also through involvement in school activities. It is parents’ enthusiasm, support and involvement that will inspire children to do their best.
Children frequently adopt attitudes and opinions held by the adults they look up to; and enthusiasm for learning is no exception. If children sense that parents consider their education to be a high priority, they are likely to view it in a more positive manner themselves. Positive reinforcement will help children to adopt a more enthusiastic attitude towards attending school and their application to learning processes.
With this is mind I would like to highly encourage our parents to make every effort to have their students attending school as much as possible. Our College has a goal of students attending 95% of the year which in real terms means we need all students being absent less than 10 days per year. We want our students at school engaging with the many varied and exciting learning opportunities over the year, ensuring they are making most of the privilege of a world class education.
As we start our new school year we pray;
Gracious God
As the summer begins to fade, new possibilities lie on the horizon.
Bless all of those who are returning to their roles as teachers as well as those who support their efforts.
May this school year be a time of grace and potential as they teach, share and challenge others to grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom.
Bless the students and their parents as they begin the new school year.
May their minds be open to learning and to the wonder of discovery and insight.
Be with us all as we embark on this new school year.
Amen.
Congratulations Lachlan
At last Friday’s beginning year liturgy and senior induction, we announced and congratulated our 2020 Dux of St Joseph’s College, Lachlan Chuc. Lachlan attained an ATAR of 98.5 through hard work, persistence, determination, and commitment and is to be congratulated on his outstanding effort. At this liturgy Lachlan spoke to our College community and I would like to share his speech with you today. I think that you will agree with me that Lachlan’s words paint a wonderful picture of what St Joseph’s College can be for the students who immerse themselves in the learning opportunities offered by the College.
Lachlan Chuc – Dux of College 2020 Speech
Good morning Mr Goodman, Father Ray, staff, students and parents.
It’s an honour to be invited here today to accept the Dux of College award for 2020. I first like to congratulate the 2020 cohort on their resilience, not only through their senior year but throughout their schooling. This cohort was the first to compulsorily attend prep, to undertake grade 7 in secondary school rather than primary school and the first cohort to attain an ATAR score.
The students have undoubtedly faced many unique challenges and I commend their strength. 2020 was an especially challenging year, however we at St Joseph’s College are extremely blessed to be surrounding by dedicated teachers, supportive parents and great friends.
As such I would like to thank my teachers, Mr Keightly, Mrs Barton, Mrs Harris, Miss Ford, Miss O’Reilly, Miss Durack and Mr Wheeldon.
I would like to further thank the teachers that, although never teaching me, were great role models and guides throughout my schooling. I would like to give special thanks to Luke Mackenzie – my PC teacher, but more importantly a wonderful man. I remember every time I told someone that I was in Mr Mackenzie’s PC, they always said I was lucky to have him. Looking back, I completely agree.
Moreover, I’d like to thank my classmates for challenging and motivating me to put in that extra percent. Specifically, I would like to thank the gifted minds of Cam Melano and Sofia Scanlan.
I would like to tell you all a short story about I arrived here today. Grade 7, 8 and 9, I went to Grammar and I thought I was going to finish Year 12 there as well. So, after grade 9 final exams were over and I finally got to school holidays, I did what any self-respecting 14 year old would do with their time. I woke up at 11am, played video games until 2am the next day, crashed on my bed, rinse, repeat.
One morning suddenly I’m being woken up, it’s 7am on a Monday, the sun is burning my eyes and all I can hear through the ringing in my ears is my Mum rousing me awake. And I thought that was it, I’ve died in my sleep and this is my retribution. Once I was in the car I was a bit more lucid, so I asked my Mum, “Where are we going?” She told me that I was going to my enrolment interview. I thought that’s a little odd – why would Grammar interview me again? Once I got out into the cul-de-sac in front of the massive St Joseph’s College sign, I started to put two and two together. Bear in mind I knew nothing about Joey’s, but I managed to hold it together long enough to get through a rather awkward interview with Mr Lynch, the principal at the time.
Now I look back and think, what if I woke up at 11am that day?
What if I never made the friends I have now? What if I never met these teachers? Would I enjoy chess, play card games, enjoy my coding? What if I didn’t meet all of you?
St Josephs have nurtured so many of my closest connections.
My journey at Joey’s has come to an end, but new beginning always await. In two weeks, I will be studying through Kings College at the University of Queensland to begin a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics with Honours. I hope to pursue a career in investment banking and international finance.
Learning is not a chore. It’s a lifestyle. It is possible to enjoy schooling with or without an award because the ultimate prize at the end of the journey is not achieving Dux. The prize lies in experiencing that journey, with its highs and lows moulding us and our connection to others. As such I am truly blessed having met all of you.
I would like to thank everyone here one last time. Thank-you.
Departing Staff Thank You & New Staff Welcome
At the end of last year in the newsletter I took the opportunity to thank a number of staff who had advised of their intentions to leave at the end of the year. This week I would like to extend a vote of thanks to staff who have departed over the holidays and to welcome our new staff.
Over the holidays we said goodbye to the following ancillary staff: Mrs Jenny Wallace, Mrs Stephanie Jones and Mrs Deb Nettle. We thank these wonderful people for their efforts during their time at our College and wish them the best for the future.
We are very happy to announce that the following teachers and ancillary staff will be joining us this year. Mrs Melissa Baker (Religion), Mrs Dilki Balalla (Maths, Science), Mr Dean Garside (Design Technology), Mrs Mandy Goodman (Business, Technology), Mrs El-Mari Verster (English, Humanities), Mr Adam Watts (English, Humanities), Mr Bill Whiting (Curriculum Leader – Science), Mr Dane Harris and Mr Colin Speed (School Officers Assisting Learning).
We believe that these people will bring a great deal of enthusiasm and experience to our College and we look forward to working with them for the betterment of our College in 2021.
2021 College Leadership Team
At the end of 2020 St Joseph’s College underwent a middle leadership structure review to ensure that our leadership structure was best suited to lead our community into the future. As a result of these consultations there have been some changes to the St Joseph’s College Leadership Team from the beginning of this year.
I am very excited to be working with this wonderfully dedicated and talented group of people and on behalf of the community I congratulate you on your appointment and I very much look forward to working with you to finalise and action our strategic plan for the next four years.
Senior Leadership Team
Principal
Deputy Principal – Mr Brendon Willocks
Acting Assistant Principal Religious Education – Miss Kellie-Marie Ford
Assistant Principal Curriculum – Mrs Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg
Assistant Principal Student Engagement – Mr Joseph Cryle
Program Leader – Staff Development – Mrs Emily Whiting
Program Leader – Senior School Learning Leader – Mrs Karen Tobin
Program Leader – Acting Middle School Learning Leader – Mrs Cate Park-Ballay
Curriculum Leaders
Acting English and Languages – Mrs Jacqueline Dignon
Mathematics – Mrs Angela Harris
Science – Mr William Whiting
Arts – Mrs Chrissy Dwyer
Technologies – Mr Brian Cantwell
Humanities and Commerce – Mr Andrew Fellenberg
Health and Physical Education – Mr Mitch Kilgour
Pastoral Leaders
Brennan House – Mr Luke Logan
McAuley House – Mrs Mel Zenke
Murphy House – Mr Rod Spain
Rice House – Mr Tom Moore
Student Induction – Miss Amanda Wighton
Program Leaders
Sport Leader – Ms Deb Newton
Cultural Leader – Ms Madeleine Minns
eLearning Leader – Ms Leigh Price
Enhance Learning Leader – Mr Darcy Goodall
Mission and Identity Leader – Ms Cathie Barton
Student Protection Contacts
One of the most important concerns of any community should be the health, safety and well-being of its children and young people. Children and young people should grow up free of violence and exploitation. They should be able to develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially in conditions of freedom and dignity. As with all schools, St Joseph’s College has nominated Student Protection Contacts who are staff members that students can raise concerns of abuse, harm or inappropriate behaviour with.
At St Joseph’s College our student protection contacts are:
Deputy Principal – Mr Brendon Willocks
Assistant Principal Student Engagement – Mr Joe Cryle
Teachers – Mr Rod Spain, Ms Cathie Barton, Mrs Mel Zenke
College Counsellor – Mrs Heather Darcy
Principal – Mr Kort Goodman
All staff receive regular training on student protection in order to be able to respond appropriately to any student protection concerns. Further information regarding student protection policy and procedures can be accessed at;
Kort Goodman
Principal
. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the College with your availability as soon as possible so we can put together a roster for Term 1. We look forward to seeing you soon!
