Principal's Report

It has been a wonderful few weeks of connection, learning and community at St Joseph’s College, and I would like to begin by reflecting on the privilege of hosting the 2026 Kildare Ministries Conference at our Brigidine Campus last week.

We welcomed around 70 members of the Kildare Ministries community from across Australia for three inspiring and faith-filled days. It was wonderful to see our College community through the eyes of our visitors, who were so impressed by the professionalism and dedication of our staff and, particularly, by the warmth and genuine connection demonstrated by our students.

A significant part of the Conference was the launch of a new Statement from the Kildare Ministries Trustees, continuing a tradition for which Kildare Ministries is well respected within education. The Statement acknowledges both the opportunities and ethical challenges presented by artificial intelligence and calls us to ensure that human dignity and the common good remain at the heart of how we use these technologies.

Importantly, the Statement challenges each Kildare Ministry to consider what this means in practice – through ongoing formation and AI literacy, reviewing policies and practices, paying particular attention to those who may be most vulnerable, and continuing to discern how emerging technologies can support, rather than diminish, our mission.

This is an important conversation for all of us, and one that will continue to shape our work as a College.

This week, some of our students have been engaged in important learning around vaping and cyber safety. The risks associated with vaping cannot and should not be underestimated. I encourage all families to take the opportunity to talk openly with their children about vaping, its health impacts and the pressures young people can face. These conversations are most effective when they are ongoing and when young people know they can ask questions and seek support from the adults around them.

More broadly, we continue to see significant public discussion about the way women and girls are treated in our community. Whether these conversations arise through professional sport, schools, social media or wider society, they provide an important opportunity for all of us to reflect on the values we want to instil in our young people.

At St Joseph’s, we want every student to grow into a great adult – someone who respects the dignity, worth and rights of every person, regardless of gender, race, culture or religion. This is not simply something we teach; it is something we seek to model and live as a community.

These are important conversations to have both at school and at home. As a Catholic community, we anchor these conversations in the message of the Gospel: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34).

It is a simple message, but one that carries enormous responsibility. To love one another is to recognise the dignity of others, to speak and act with respect, to stand up when something is not right and to consider how our words and actions affect those around us.

As we welcome the beginning of spring, it is also lovely to see a little more sunshine and warmth returning to our days. With just two weeks remaining in the term, I know there is still plenty happening across the College, and I encourage our students to make the most of these final weeks while also taking care of themselves as we head towards the end of a busy term.

There is much to be proud of in our community – in the way our students continue to learn and grow, the way our staff support and encourage them and the way our families walk alongside us. As we move towards the end of Term 3, I thank everyone for the contribution they make to the life of St Joseph’s College.

I hope the arrival of spring brings a renewed sense of energy and optimism for us all.

Ms Anne Marie Cairns

Principal