Over the last two months, I have spoken to many parents, families and students at school information nights, open afternoons, enrolment interviews and generally around the community. During these conversations, I have focused on the two major themes of what we continue to provide in our educational journey at St Joseph’s. Firstly, we have a 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 Exemplary Teaching and Learning Framework. Secondly, we are focused on the wellbeing of every student, ensuring that as a community the lens is firmly placed on looking after and supporting everyone within our school. 

A huge thank you to all students, families and staff for all the great work done last week for Book Week. The addition of the House Activities on the Monday and Friday were a great way to have our students across P-12 sharing their passion and love for reading. The Book Week parade was excellent, and it was great to see so many students and staff embracing their love for reading and the characters that fill our hearts and minds from our favourite books. 

Our Year 12 students move into a 7 day Mock External Assessment block across Weeks 9 and 10 as they prepare for the state-wide External Assessment (EA) block that commences 23 October. The purpose of the Mocks is to rehearse the structure of the assessment block and familiarise students with the types of assessment they will experience in the EA’s. 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, the Year 11 Leadership Camp took place this week at Emu Gully with the Leadership Day taking place today at the QCWT. With a focus on developing the leadership of our Year 11’s, through the lens of the spirit and qualities of the ANZAC’s, we were immensely proud of the way this group supported each other through the various challenges. The way they came together as a group and displayed teamwork, resilience and persistence gives me every confidence in the future student leadership at our school in good hands. The Year 11 students now enter the student leadership application and interview phase, where 2024 Student Leaders will be announced and presented to the school and wider community at our School Awards Night early next term. 

Call to be… Christ-Like 

Called to live… Mercy 

Matthew Brown
Acting Principal