2022 | Issue 2 | SJC Newsletter

The smooth start to the year is being threatened by the number of students and staff absent due either to COVID infection or exposure to positive cases. At this stage face-to-face teaching and learning has continued relatively unaffected but we have to put additional measures in place to ensure that this continues. I’d like to thank and acknowledge everyone for their cooperation in doing all that we can to keep face to face teaching operating and keep everyone safe. So far this year we have been able to run all scheduled events, albeit in slightly changed formats, and I hope you have had the chance to experience some of them either in person or remotely.

The College Advisory Council held the first meeting of the year last week at which new members Tim Bradley and Andrew Penton were welcomed. The meeting was also joined by our senior Student Leaders who outlined their goals for the year. Student voice is an important part of our culture and it was terrific to hear from these outstanding young men. Following the meeting, members of the Josephines, the Mens Association, the Foundation, the Old Collegian’s Association, the Parents and Friends and the Finance and Planning Committee gathered and were welcomed by incoming Council Chairperson Shona Eland.

Late last year work commenced on the development of an updated strategic plan for the College. To this point the College Advisory Council, the College Leadership Team and the staff have had the opportunity for input. Students will also be asked to contribute in the coming weeks. Parents are invited to a gathering (face-to-face or remote to be confirmed) on the evening of Tuesday 5 April to provide input to the strategic direction of the College.

In the coming weeks we commence the first of 10 Open Days which are an opportunity for families considering enrolment at St Joseph’s to visit the school during a normal school day. A few years ago almost all of our year seven enrolments came from Catholic primary schools in the region and there was very little capacity to offer places to students from government or independent primary schools. Next year we expect to have the capacity to offer places to many more students outside the Catholic primary system, something that fits well with our commitment to inclusivity.

The St Joseph’s community continues to be a beacon of hope for many both inside and outside our College community. I recently received a letter from the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia as follows:

“We very gratefully acknowledged receipt of $101,380.00 as a result of the parent contributions to the Edmund Rice Foundation. This was another outstanding result from St Joseph’s parents and supporters. On behalf of the recipients of your generosity, we thank all those at St Joseph’s for this contribution to the work for the struggling of the world.

This donation comes directly from families who choose to pay the $80 voluntary levy when school fees are paid and supports the work of the Foundation in the developing world, particularly in East Africa. In addition to our ongoing commitment to St Joseph’s vocational secondary College in Kensekka this result speaks volumes for the generosity of our community.

The importance of inclusivity in our enrolments and our support for those in need is emphasised by Pope Francis who reminds us: “The world exists for everyone because all of us were born with the same dignity. Differences of colour, religion, talent, place of birth or residence and so many others cannot be used to justify the privileges of some over the rights of all. As a community we have an obligation to ensure that every person lives with dignity and has sufficient opportunities for his or her integral development”.

Stay well

Tony Paatsch