2023 | ISSUE 19 | SJC Newsletter

Principal's Video News

Dear Parents / Carers,

Welcome to the final newsletter of the year, although there will be a final communication to families after we receive our VCE results on 11 December . Last week at school with our 2024 timetable operating has been really interesting. We have been delighted with how quickly staff and students have adapted to it and I reiterate my gratitude to all involved in making things run so smoothly.

2024 has been another successful year for St Joseph’s. I would like to thank families for working cooperatively and collaboratively with us to help produce the best possible educational outcomes for the year. There have been many highlights and I will leave it to the ‘Virtus’ when it is published to record these highlights in detail.

With a staff of almost 300, it is inevitable as we approach the end of the year, that some will move on, all either seeking new challenges and opportunities or into retirement. The following staff have either finished their time at St Joseph’s during second semester or will finish at the end of the year. Those leaving have served for periods of time ranging from a couple of months to almost 40 years (those with lengthy periods of service have the number of years after their names). Each has in their own way contributed to the rich tapestry of life and ongoing success of St Joseph’s and on behalf of the community I thank each of them sincerely and wish them well in their post Joey’s pursuits.

Support staff: Oskar Walter, Caitlin Nelson, Sue Collins (10), Sam James, Sean Edmondstone (10), Eliza Abbott, Liam Dougherty, Lisa Maher, Charlie Harris, Grace Malley, Willem Sanders, Raelene McMahon (12), Amanda Williamson, Mary-Ann Anderson (17), Nat Stephens, Noah Collins, Jack Thompson,

Teaching staff: Simon Taylor (39), Isabelle Dwyer (5), Tania Willard (22), Jason O'Connell (27), Caitlin Gulli, Peter Adams (8), John Collinson, Vin Brown (25), Jordan Livesay, Tania Talevski, Brendan Reed (10), John Harmon (15), Mark Kennedy (8), Rachael Swatman (5).

Singling out individuals runs the risk of disappointing others, however I would like to mention two of those departing. Simon Taylor has made a remarkable contribution to St Joseph’s for almost 40 years including 27 as a year level coordinator. Simon retires with the gratitude and admiration of many thousands of students and many hundreds of colleagues. Mark Kennedy has been Deputy Principal for 8 years including time spent as acting Principal. Mark has been instrumental in promoting well-being initiatives that has been integral in ensuring that child safeguarding is paramount in our policies and procedures. I am also personally grateful for his support of me.

Earlier this week the College Advisory Council, members of the governance and risk committee and the Finance and planning committee gathered for dinner to celebrate the year and acknowledge long serving departing staff. On your behalf I would like to thank and acknowledge all those who contributed to the College Advisory Council and committees this year for their commitment and generosity. In particular I thank Shona Eland (Advisory Council Chair), Executive members Paul Clohesy and Prof Chris Hickey, Andrea Kelly (Finance and Planning Chair) and Matt Waller (Governance and Risk Chair).

It is less than three weeks until Christmas, a celebration which, in modern Australia is both a secular and religious feast. The (relatively brief) recorded story of the first Christmas is one that is very familiar to us. A loving mother, a supportive partner and a much-loved infant whose arrival (albeit in somewhat controversial circumstances!) is celebrated by friends and family.

With the birth of any child we welcome a human being “made in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1:27). The story of the first Christmas has an edge however. In welcoming this child named Emmanuel (“God is with us”) we are welcoming divinity incarnate and celebrating the presence of God in world.

I wish you and your family a joyous, peaceful and blessed Christmas and a relaxed and safe holiday period. I look forward to seeing all students back at school on Wednesday, January 31.

God Bless

Tony Paatsch
Principal