2023 | ISSUE 11 | SJC Newsletter

In recent weeks we have been working towards finalising enrolments for 2024. We are delighted to have been able to accommodate an additional 20 current grade 6 boys whose families have recognised the advantages of single gender boys’ education for their sons.

Recent research has emphasised the importance of specialist education for boys. It confirms that boys are relational learners we must “reach them before we teach them.” It also confirms the importance of positive male role models who will get to know boys individually, help them discover their passion, master skills and develop a sense of purpose and engagement with learning.

Research conducted across 10 years in New Zealand demonstrated higher levels of student achievement in boys’ schools compared to co-educational settings. The findings included the following: “The single-sex advantage is quite striking across nearly the full range of data considered and certain potential confounds, such as socioeconomic variables and choice of assessment type are shown not to be plausible explanations for the demonstrated single-sex advantage.” We look forward to transition of our next cohort of year 7 students, we thank families for entrusting their boys to us and congratulate them on their decision.

Third term each year is enormously significant for our current students as they make important decisions regarding subjects and pathways for the year ahead. The recent Mount Sion expo provided information to students and families regarding their choices and opportunities. Last week year 8 boys and families attended an information night about the Westcourt program. Families had the opportunity to see some of the finished products of current Westcourt students’ first semester of work and there was a real buzz about the opportunities the students will have next year.

Students have been submitting their subject selections in recent weeks and working with staff to determine whether their best interests are served by accelerating in one or more subjects. This has included current year 11 students considering whether they are ready to accelerate into a first-year university course through Deakin or Melbourne University. I am grateful to those staff who made themselves available to counsel students as they make these important decisions.

The College Strategic Plan outlines our goal to actively engage with our broader community to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships. About a decade ago St Joseph’s commenced involvement with an international program sponsored by the Victorian government Victorian Young Leaders to China <(VYLC) and more recently VYLI (India). Travelling and living in foreign countries has become more difficult for a range of reasons including Covid however we remain committed to providing opportunities for students to benefit from collaborative international partnerships.

Through the Edmund Rice Beyond Borders Global Partners program, we have either had or will have students interacting with brother Rice High School in Michigan and schools in India, Ireland and Uganda.

The Global Classroom Partners’ Program links classrooms from Edmund Rice schools across the globe, to learn from, with and about each other, while exploring some of the world’s most pressing issues. Groups of students with their teacher undertake two lessons and two video conferences with a global classroom partner. These structured connections are facilitated to ensure deep dialogue can occur and are based around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable development goals

At the end of each year the College implements a Head Start program whereby for two weeks each year level commences the following years curriculum, subjects and timetable. As you are aware we are implementing a range of changes to our timetable and weekly schedule for 2024. As a result, this year we will be shortening our Head Start program to five days (1 Dec – 7 Dec) to provide the opportunity for staff and students to trial the changes and get used to their schedule for 2024.

God Bless

Tony Paatsch
Principal