2024 | ISSUE 4 | SJC Newsletter

Principal's Video News

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a gathering of EREA Principals and senior leaders from our mainstream schools and flexible learning centres across Australia. The task for the two days was to consider and refresh the charter for EREA schools. This process commenced earlier this year with a gathering of student leaders in Ballarat and will conclude with an official launch of the updated charter in November. It was clear in the gathering that the four touchstones are seen as remaining relevant and important in our schools and flexible learning centres and will be retained as the mechanism through which we deliver our vision and mission which flow from the charter.

This week we held the first two of ten open day tours of the College. The tours were led by students, with staff stationed at key points to answer any questions that might arise. Some places are still available for tours early next term and I encourage families with sons in Year 6 to book a tour, this can be done through our website.

Our final two Year 7 camps have been held this week. I have been delighted with the way our Year 7 students have settled in to life at St Joseph’s this term and the camp is a great way for them to feel even more a part of the College. It is also a wonderful opportunity for boys to challenge themselves, form new friendships or deepen those which already exist.

Last week, I participated in the SJC Golf Day at Lonsdale Links. Over 210 alumni, parents, past staff and donors participated on the day, raising over $30,000. A big thank you to our Master Sponsor, Associated Cold Tread Tyres, who have been a part of the day since the event began nearly 30 years ago. Well done to the winning AM team, IDAWS, and the winning PM team, SJC Virtute.

Thank you to those families who have booked parent teacher meetings. As I emphasised in the previous newsletter, strong communication between family and teacher is an important contributor to excellent educational outcomes for our students.

A reminder to anyone interested in joining the Advisory Council, the Finance and Planning Committee or the Governance and Risk Committee to contact me on 5226 8119 or submit an expression of interest in writing to [email protected]

The Easter story has been referred to as ‘the greatest story ever told’ which was the name of the 1965 film which retold the story of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. As Christians, we commemorate it annually during holy week commencing on Palm Sunday (this Sunday) and culminating with the celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.

The story of this week from around 2,000 years ago is the keystone of each of the four Gospels, albeit with slight differences in detail and order of events. There are powerful messages; the importance of forgiveness, ‘Forgive them Lord, they don’t know what they are doing”, the value of ritual “do this in memory of me”, and challenging questions; how can a crowd be so fickle as Jesus from feted ‘king of the Jews’ on Palm Sunday to convicted and executed outcast five days later?, What, if any message do we take from the fact that the first witnesses to the resurrection were women?

The Easter story is the centre of our faith and may well be the greatest story ever told. It is certainly a story that provides us with the opportunity for deep reflection. I hope you and your family have the opportunity to remember, reflect and commemorate this Easter. Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy holiday break.

God Bless

Tony Paatsch
Principal