I have been pleased with the good start to term by the students and staff. With two weeks nearly gone, there has be much going on from P-12.

New Australian Curriculum

The new Australian Curriculum (Version 9) was endorsed federally on 1 April and will be adopted as written (i.e. unmodified) in Queensland. The Minister for Education has determined that Queensland state schools will not commence implementation of Version 9 until 2024, with a focus on Mathematics and English.

The Department has advised the rationale for the delayed implementation is to provide an opportunity for capability development, familiarisation and not to unduly add to teacher and school workload.

With respect to Toowoomba Catholic Schools, individual schools will make their own decisions about the implementation of Version 9 considering their context, size, experience of staff, etc. There is no expectation that schools would begin to engage with the new curriculum prior to 2024.

At St Joseph’s School, we have commenced the planning and preparation to unpack the new curriculum with a view to its implementation in 2024. It will be a complex and time consuming task. However, I am confident the staff have the skills and determination to ensure as successful transition to the new curriculum.

You can find out more about the new Australian Curriculum at: https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/ .

Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the following staff (in red) who have been nominated as the finalists in the TCS Excellence Awards. Each finalist is invited to attend the finals presentation on later this semester in Toowoomba where the winners will be announced in each category. All are very deserving of their nomination and I am very thankful for the wonderful work they and all our staff do. The number of finalists from St. Joey’s is indicative of the success of the school and the good work our staff do across the diocese.

Thanks also to the staff who have nominated each of them.

Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Secondary Expert Teacher

Lisa McPherson

eLearning Collective – St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe, Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby and Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office (Matthew Brown, Rod Spain, Paul Herbert, Mary Roberts, Tyron Fraser, Joanna Holden, Joseph Shorter)

Excellence in Leadership

School/Kindergarten Leadership

Sarah Yates

Excellence in Education Support

Teaching and Learning Support

Kim Badcock

Congratulations also to Sarah Yates for her nomination for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award.

God bless,