Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

As a Wellbeing Team, the notion and concept of connection is our focus and it sits at the forefront of our minds for the beginning of 2023. Place is an interesting and intriguing term as we navigate new beginnings as a College and as individuals. This, naturally, also raises the questions of: Am I invited to this place? Am I welcome in this place? Do I belong in this place? This also links closely with our Living Justice, Living Peace Charter which supports our everyday actions at the College. We, as a College community; resonate with this, engage with this and take pride in this, as having the knowing and understanding of the students entrusted to our care is at our centre and our core.

Chisholm and Delany celebrated their House Patrons recently, joining in a shared lunch and participating in a liturgy. This gave everyone the chance to further connect, even among other year levels. Learning Mentor teachers and House Staff were also present on these special occasions.

As human beings, we know that simple acts of kindness can go a long way, whether it be acknowledging and greeting someone at the beginning of the day or saying thank you, which many of our students do at the end of each and every class. This does not go unnoticed.

This term, there have been many positive improvements in our St Joseph’s College Community. We have been lucky enough to have newly landscaped grounds and refurbished learning areas to foster and sustain purposeful social, emotional and learning experiences. This has also allowed for the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships and the courage to connect with those who may not be known, nor familiar.

We have already witnessed students participating in many engaging and exciting activities both in and outside of school. These are varied and beneficial to your child’s stage of human development. As a member of staff and our College community, it has been incredibly rewarding observing happy students as they enter and exit the College gates. 

Last week our student body showed their commitment and pride at the annual swimming carnival. Enthusiasm and participation levels were high, and while the temperature soared, so did the successes. Records were broken and House positioning regularly changed on the leader board. Well done to all those involved.

Our staff have been making a concerted effort to get to know each and every student through gratitude emails. These are emailed by members of staff to students who have possibly done, in the words of Daniel Delany (the founder of the Brigidine Sisters), the ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Jarrod O’Brien

Director - Kildare Campus