Over the last two months, I have spoken to many parents, families and students at school information nights, Open afternoons and generally around the community. During these conversations, I have focused on the two major themes of what we provide in our educational journey at St Joseph’s.  

Firstly, we have a continued focus on how we can deliver quality teaching in learning in our classrooms, through refining practice as part of a collaborative learning community, using our Teaching and Learning framework, conceptualised through our journey with Visible Learning, to improve the quality of differentiated learning for students in our classrooms, as well as improving the diversity and resourcing of the curriculum across Years 7-12. Secondly, we focus on our support of students in becoming the best they can be in their academic and school journey. In Catholic Education, what sets us apart from other institutions is the focus on wellbeing and the growth of the whole person. In 2021, we have focused on continuing to improve the quality of Pastoral Care and wellbeing support we provide for each student. This involved the shift to a vertical Pastoral system that has allowed for students to build connections with their Mentor teacher, their House group and importantly, with students across all year levels. 

On another note, our Year 12 students move into a 7 day Mock External Assessment block across Weeks 9 and 10 as they prepare for the statewide External Assessment block that commences 22 October. The purpose of the Mock assessment is to rehearse the structure of the assessment block and familiarise them with the types of assessment they will experience in October and November. Feedback received as part of these mock assessment is critical in informing the direction of the remaining weeks of the mastery period and will allow for students and staff to work collaboratively to prepare the students for the challenges of the external assessment. 

Finally, a massive shout out to our wonderful students, families and staff affected by the border closure to NSW. We certainly, as a community, miss your day-to-day involvement physically at school but we hope that your ability to connect virtually with us here has been of benefit across the last few weeks.  

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever. 

Matthew Brown
Deputy Principal