2022 | Issue 4 | SJC Newsletter

Last Thursday 17 March, we held our annual Time and Space Father/Mentor and Son Event in the Br O.S. Adams Centre. We welcomed Bill Jennings back to our school to facilitate this unique experience for our Year 8 students and their male mentors in their lives.

It is important to have gratitude for the communities in which we work and live, particularly our St Joseph’s College community, which is filled with compassion. We are blessed and thankful to have the love, care an understanding of our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, carers, teachers, and the many mentors in our lives who are always there to listen and support us. This Time & Space for ‘Stepping Up’ innovative single evening program, gives a signpost to each student about the best ways he can ‘step up’ to be a good man. This was a great night for the boys as they witness their fathers discussing what it means to them to be a dad (or mentor) and the importance of showing their son what a good man is.

As a helper and a facilitator on the father son evening, I was impressed with the calibre of students this year they are the most polite and articulate students that I’ve seen come through this program in the past few years.

This is a credit to the staff and teachers at St Joseph’s College with their ability to maintain education remotely over the last few years and keep the students on track with morals and respect at the same time.

Darren McDine – Father of 3 St Joseph’s Students

Great initiative to be more involved in the school and to share a unique experience with my son.

Great to hear the other lads talk about the same themes / topics that concern them and understanding that all the boys are going through a similar development period.

It was awesome my dad shared with me a letter he wrote the day I was born.

I really loved the event I think it was a great way to interact with my dad and to express how I was feeling and how I could connect with him.

The small group conversation was good because I got to view other older adults’ opinions and views of their sons and their life.

I was a bit nervous at first because I was talking to people I hadn't, but after a while, I think we broke the ice and were able to get to know each-other and understand and empathise!

I found it really good to talk to my dad about what we value in each other and it made me feel really good.

We give thanks this evening for Bill and his team and for our volunteer student helpers and small group leaders who gained a valuable Service Learning opportunity and for all involved in the preparations for this unique event.

Leah Irving - Winner for the category 'Women in Community Life for Education' in the City of Greater Geelong Women in Community Life Awards

Our very own Service Learning Coordinator - Leah Irving has been announced as the winner for the category 'Women in Community Life for Education' in the ‘City of Greater Geelong Women in Community Life Awards.’ They are an opportunity to celebrate and recognise women across our community who are, 'Changing Climates to create Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow'. In every aspect of her life, Leah goes above and beyond in her role in the Respectful Relationships Team to collaborate with them to achieve meaningful change. Leah as the Identity Team’s, St Joseph’s Service Learning Leader has seen Joey's community service participation skyrocket due to her tireless work to provide the school with opportunities to live out our touchstones while advocating for those in most need in our local community.