Issue 10 SJC News 2020

Last week the College was involved in a review conducted by Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority. Its primary focus was our compliance with child safety regulations. I am pleased to report that we are compliant in all areas of the school operation that are within our control. We have some areas relating to reporting structures between the College and Edmund Rice Education Australia that need to be improved for us to be fully compliant.

The reviewers, both experienced educational leaders, were highly complementary of our child safe culture and our policies and practices that ensure St Joseph's is safe for all young people. They were particularly impressed with the the students they met with who were able to articulate our inclusion, acceptance and support for all boys regardless of their background, identity or interests. The feedback from the reviewers made me feel very proud to be a part of St Joseph’s.

Sustainability is an important element within our current strategic plan. Last week I was delighted to join Mr Ashley Pittard from the Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery group, College staff and students in launching our polymer reforming centre.

This facility, part of the Applied Learning Centre, allows us to recycle plastics that are currently going to landfill such as plastic screw tops. These plastics are shredded and remoulded into flat sheets which can then be reporposed and reformed into new plastic products. The possibilities for reusing these plastics are vast and could produce items for use in the school like rulers, nametags and placemats. Another option is to reform the plastic to create cord for use in our 3D printers enabling the further production of a wide range of items. It is pleasing to see sustainability in action and I am grateful to Ms Kelly Jenkins and the VCAL and VITA staff and students for their initiative in this project.

Last month the College Foundation conducted an appeal called ‘A Step Toward his Future’ to support bursaries for boys whose families are unable to pay fees. In tough and uncertain economic times we were not sure how successful it would be. We felt that our goal of $85,000 in our 85th year was optimistic and probably unreachable. The appeal closed last week having raised $95,000. This is an extraordinary result and one that speaks volumes for the way this community rallies to support its own. I would like to thank and acknowledge Members of the College Foundation, the Old Collegians Association, and all who donated to this appeal.

Way back in the pre-COVID era my wife and I visited Penola in South Australia. I must admit the primary focus of the trip was on the Coonawarra wineries, but we also spent a few hours exploring the museum dedicated to Australia’s first saint Mary McKillop. Amongst other things I was interested to find that there was a connection between Mary and the great Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon (through Fr Julian Woods - Co-founder with Mary of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart). As a boy I was very aware of Gordon’s work particularly through my grandmother who had a great love for, and capacity to recite Australian poetry.

2020 has been an enormously challenging year for the St Joseph’s community. As we continue to navigate our way through sad, demanding and complex times, including the COVID 19 challenges, perhaps Gordon’s most famous verse might offer some insight and encouragement.

“Life is mostly froth and bubble.

Two things stand like stone.

Kindness in another’s trouble,

Courage in your own.”

From ‘Ye Wearie Wayfarer’

Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833 - 1870)

God Bless