2023 | ISSUE 12 | SJC Newsletter

Recently Westcourt students spent a day in Melbourne city completing an ‘amazing race’. Students found it really enjoyable as well as highly educational as they competed to visit various landmarks, historic sites and places of interest. In speaking with students after their return a number commented on the number of homeless people on the streets of Melbourne.

Coincidentally, last week year 11 art students completed a collaborative installation in the Pat Bourke exhibition space adjacent to the College reception. The installation focuses on homelessness, includes visual art pieces, soundscape and an incredibly realistic ‘fire tin’. Many of our students will visit as part of their Religious Education class in coming weeks. Students and staff can donate a warm coat or jacket at the entrance, to go to Vinnies to support the homeless.

Tomorrow as part of our commitment to both sustainability and support for those in need many students will be taking part in ‘Eddy’s preloved thrift shop’ at lunchtime in the gym. Lots of stalls with lots of bargains!

St Joseph’s has (in my opinion!), one of the most impressive full winter uniforms of any school. Our year 12 boys look particularly impressive with their year 12 tie which really makes them stand out. We expect that every student will be in full and correct winter uniform, including the blazer, as they travel to and from school each day during terms two and three2 and 3. This makes a statement of pride in the school and themselves. Sloppy, incomplete or badly worn uniform sends the opposite message.

The commemorative year 12 hoody is usually only permitted to be worn as part of the change to summer uniform in term four. This year we have an outstanding group of year 12’s who have worked cooperatively with staff throughout the year. As a result, year 12’s may wear their commemorative hoody as part of uniform from Tuesday 22 August. Year 12 school photos will be taken on Monday 21August and require all students to be in full and correct winter uniform up to and including that day.

Later this year Australians 18 years and over will be voting in a referendum to change to the Australian Constitution. This change would see the creation of Federal advisory body of First Nations people to provide advice to the Parliament on issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Many individuals and organisations feel strongly one way or another about this referendum. St Joseph’s College student leaders have indicated that they support a ‘yes’ vote and intend to engage in advocacy in our community prior to the referendum. The College supports this position and notes that it is in line with that of Edmund Rice Education Australia and the Archbishop of Melbourne. A ‘yes’ vote is also aligned with our Touchstones, particularly ‘Justice and Solidarity’.

We are also acutely aware of our obligation as an academic community to provide the information to support each individual making up their own mind on the referendum question based on fact rather than rumour or misinformation. Accordingly, we have arranged for prominent advocates of both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes to visit the College and speak to senior students.

Senator Sarah Henderson and indigenous advocate Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO are advocates for a ‘no’ vote. We were delighted to welcome them to speak to senior student leaders and interested staff and students earlier today. Arrangements for a ‘yes’ advocate to visit are still being confirmed.

The College Finance committee and Advisory Council are currently considering school fees for 2024. We are committed to keeping increases as low as possible while ensuring that we can continue to offer high quality education and provide state of the art facilities, low staff student ratios and a variety in learning experiences including camps and excursions.

A St Joseph’s College Education offers outstanding value. We have a single all-inclusive fee which includes a laptop and has very few additional levies. From 2024 year 7 and year 10 students will be issued a higher specification laptop with flip touchscreen capacity, increased battery life and greater processing power. We do not have a lower year seven fee which then increases as students progress through the school. The long-planned redevelopment of the arts precinct including expansion of the College Learning Centre to include a senior independent study centre will also commence in 2024.

Our average fee increase over the last three years has been significantly lower than CPI. While a fee has not been set for 2024 yet, early indications are that it will need to be greater than in recent years and we will advise families of the quantum of any increase as soon as possible. As always, we remain committed to providing support for any family whose financial circumstances require.

Finally, next week we look forward to the visit of Fr Emmanuel Kiwanauka, the parish priest of Mannya Uganda with whom we have worked to develop St Joseph’s Vocational Secondary School in Kensekka. It will be great to have Fr Emma at St Joseph’s and for students, staff and families to hear first hand about progress at Kensekka. The annual Fashion Dinner run by the Parents and Friends Association directs all proceeds to Kensekka. This event usually sells out and will be held on Friday October 20. Tickets go on sale this Sunday and can be accessed here.

God Bless

Tony Paatsch
Principal