ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL LEARNING AND TEACHING
SENIOR PATHWAYS INFORMATION EVENING
On Tuesday 30 July we held our Senior Pathways Information Evening for students who will be in Years 10 to 12 in 2025. There were presentations on Year 10 and the VCE/VCE Vocational Major. The evening involved most staff and ran from 6:00–7:30pm.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in this evening. It was an invaluable opportunity for students and their families to engage in the important process of subject selection and also allowed the college to highlight the extensive range of subjects and opportunities we offer our students. The evening was well attended and received by our college community.
The Snow Camp Information Session was also held concurrently with the Senior Pathways Information Evening. This was implemented to reduce the number of nights parents needed to attend school information sessions.
CURRENT YEAR 8, 9, 10 & 11 STUDENTS
Students currently in Years 8, 9, 10, and 11 are selecting subjects they wish to undertake in 2025. It is an important but not always easy process. Students should take the time to familiarise themselves with the various subjects offered.
We use 'Web Preferences', an online subject selection platform. For those unfamiliar with this process, you can view an instructional video, along with subject selection handbooks, via this link.
Mr Marcus Parker presented to the Year 8 students on Tuesday 25 July. So they could begin their subject selection process, the cohort received the individual access codes and passwords that enable them to select their subjects online via Web Preferences. Students in Years 9, 10, and 11 received their access codes and passwords on Monday 29 July via their Homeroom rolls.
It is important for parents to involve themselves in the subject selection process. I encourage parents/caregivers to talk to their child about what they want to do, why they want to do it, and how best to achieve their goals.
During this time, Homeroom teachers will also work with students to ensure that they fully understand the process as they undertake these important selections.
Students must have completed their subject selections by 4:00pm Friday 16 August. We use the data from their preferences to create the timetable for next year. If students have not completed their selections by this date, their choices will not be considered when creating the timetable. Ultimately, this could mean they cannot undertake the subjects they were hoping to in 2025. It is in their best interest to complete their selections on time.
A selection of St Joseph's College students in Years 11 and 12, along with a number of staff, presented to the Year 10 students in the lead-up to the subject selection process. This presentation focused on making important decisions about Year 11 and 12.
Decisions made now can have a significant impact on not only Years 11 and 12, but also much further into the future. If you are the parent of a Year 10 student, I would recommend that you read the information provided in the 'Choices' letter below.
NAPLAN RESULTS
Families of students in Years 7 and 9 can now collect their 2024 NAPLAN reports from reception at the Enright Campus.
To assist parents and carers in understanding the NAPLAN report, please refer to the information brochure attached.
SNOW CAMP
We are very excited to prepare for the Year 11 Snow Camp, which will occur in Week 7 of Term 3. Year 11 students and their families attended an information session for the Year 11 Snow Camp on Tuesday 30 July and are eager to be heading to Australia’s premier snow destination, Perisher.
Perisher Ski Resort is Australia’s most popular ski area and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Located in Kosciuszko National Park, the resort spans seven peaks and is home to more than 1,245 skiable hectares. It also has 47 lifts and 113 runs.
Staff and students will stay at SkiRider, which is 1400 metres above sea level and is close to Perisher Resort. This will make the commute to the resort each day much shorter, which will mean more skiing and snowboarding time.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE DAY – MONDAY 22 JULY
We were very fortunate to have Dr Ernesto Valiente present to the entire college staff on Monday 22 July. Ernesto is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, Massachusetts USA. He holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Notre Dame and is the author of Liberation Through Reconciliation: The Christological Spirituality of Jon Sobrino. He has also co-edited The Grace of Medellin, celebrating the 50th anniversary of this event.
Ernesto’s research interests concentrate in the areas of Christology, social reconciliation, Latin American liberation theology, and political theology. His practical ministry experience includes teaching high school, managing parish religious education programs, and working with refugees.
Ernesto presented on two topics: Oscar Romero: A Revolutionary Saint for Today’s Suffering World, and Jesus’ Identity and Mission. As a group, it was a great opportunity to listen and discuss these topics in depth.
Mr Emmet Brown
Acting Deputy Principal Learning & Teaching