Principal's Report

As a school committed to ongoing improvement and providing authentic opportunities for Student Voice, we have modified our schedule for the nomination and election of Student Representatives (SRC) for 2023 onwards. The modification allows for elections to occur at the end of the previous year and consequently, empowers the newly elected group of enthusiastic students to begin their special service and leadership work right from Day One of 2023! Consequently and after a quality period of personal discernment, nomination, public speeches and voting, it is my great pleasure to announce the St Joseph’s School Glen Innes Student Leaders for 2023.

School Captains - Abigail Pietsch and Fletcher Barratt

Sports Captains

MacKillop (Yellow) - Paige Floyd and George Claxton

Penola (Red) - Emmie Parish and Lachlan Grob

Fitzroy (Blue) - Matilda Gelhaar and Charlie Templeton

I know I join with all of the staff and parent community in wishing these fine candidates all the best for their year of service and leadership ahead. Similarly, well done to all of those students who were nominated and unfortunately were not elected. Your quiet version of leadership behind the scenes will not require a badge. Well done everyone and thank you to Mrs McCarthy for her active support of the SRC at St Joseph’s and to Mr Withers, the Stage 3 teachers and the staff for their skilful leadership of the 2023 election process. Finally, please note that the 2023 SRC Year Level representatives will be finalised next week and published in the final newsletter for 2022.

While I speak of fine candidates, it is worth remembering that our team of skilful helpful adults work relentlessly in learning partnership with our kids to “future-proof” them for success in school and life outcomes. As an initiative of the School Advisory Council, we would like to regularly showcase the success of our previous St Joseph’s School graduates as practical and ‘real-life’ examples of the foundational skills, knowledge and values that they learn here at our wonderful school. 

Congratulations to the following ex-St Joseph’s students recently elected to 2023 student leadership roles at Glen Innes High School - School Captain - Charlotte Dunn (middle); Vice-Captains - Abigail Lightfoot (3rd from left) and Oliver Quinn (2nd from right).

Similarly, congratulations to ex-student Frank Baker who has recently graduated from Marist Brothers College Ashgrove as the 2022 Dux of the College. Well done Frank!

Please keep an eye and ear out and share your verified stories of success about our talented and gifted ex-students. Our team work in “future-proofing” our kids leads to great success in life. We look forward to sharing more stories and pictures in future newsletters to serve as inspiration for our current crop of great kids!

In the run-down to the end of the year please keep a weather eye on the school calendar and Facebook. There is so much on that I am not going to write about it all here in case I confuse anybody! Put simply - just come to as many of our end-of-year rituals and events that you are able to attend. Each event is designed to formally mark the conclusion of a wonderful and highly-successful year. Two key highlights are the Whole School Mass on Thursday 8 December at 12 noon in St Patrick's Church and the Presentation Day ceremony at the Town Hall on Friday 9 December beginning at 12 noon. Full Summer Uniform for both events, please.

Finally, it is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Kim Newberry to an Administration / Office role at the school from 2023. Kim is a past parent of St Joseph’s as well as a very active past member of the P&F and brings great experience from her work with Council and TAFE. She will take up the role previously filled by Kate Dance who sadly moves on to Sydney after many years of dedicated service, innovative ideas and skilful work in the fields of administration, IT and promotions. On behalf of the staff, parents and students that you have served - thank you so much Kate for your great work and welcome Kim to our wonderful school!

Finally, a quick reminder that while there will be some lollies and drinks on sale at the Disco next Thursday, please do not send more than $2 with your child/ren. The P&F like to provide a small treat as part of the Disco fun but certainly agree that large quantities of sugar are not good for anyone - before, during or after the Disco fun!? Please check out the P&F section of the newsletter for more information.

Take care everyone and I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible over the next two weeks!

May God go with you

Geoff McManus

Principal