Principal's Report

Welcome to our 140th year as St Joseph’s College Echuca

2026 is a truly significant year in the life of our College, as we celebrate 140 years of St Joseph’s College Echuca. It is a year not only of celebration, but also of deep gratitude as we honour the extraordinary legacy of the Brigidine Sisters who founded this College all those years ago.

As the first Brigidine school established in Australia, we proudly acknowledge our place as the flagship of this rich tradition. Throughout the year, we will take time to reflect on our history, celebrate our achievements and recognise the values that continue to guide and shape our community today.

We look forward to formally welcoming our new Year 7 students and their families at our Opening Mass and Assembly on Friday, marking the beginning of their secondary school journey with us. We will also take this opportunity to acknowledge the success of our 2025 Year 12 students, whose excellent results reflect their commitment, perseverance and hard work.

There is much to look forward to across the College this year. Stage 3 works at Kildare Campus are well underway, and a number of refurbishments at Brigidine Campus have created refreshed and inviting spaces for our students to enjoy. These developments represent exciting opportunities for learning, connection and growth.

Over the break, the introduction of new social media laws for young people has received significant attention. I encourage families to continue conversations at home about the benefits of stepping back from social media where appropriate. The legislation is clear: children under the age of 16 should not hold accounts on certain social media platforms. In response, St Joseph’s College will also be exploring digital-free days and weeks, where learning will take place without the use of laptops. Further details will be shared by our Learning Leaders closer to the time.

As we begin this milestone year, I look forward to working in partnership with our students, families and staff to ensure 2026 is a year of learning, growth, celebration and opportunity for all.

God Bless.

Anne Marie Cairns

Principal