Principal's Message

What a wonderful year 2025 has been at St Joseph’s! 

In this Jubilee Year, our young people have continually reminded us of the grace found in seeking, anticipating, and walking together in hope. Thank you for the trust, support, and partnership you give so generously to our school community.

This year, we bid farewell to a number of staff who have guided the learning of our young people: Mrs Jessica Edmeades, Miss Zoe Conomos, Mrs Janine Jol, Mrs Vanessa Constable, Miss Meg van der Merwe. We wish them every blessing as they take the next steps of their journey.

Please enjoy this edition of the newsletter as we look back with gratitude on the many moments, big and small, that we have shared throughout the year beginning with our wonderful celebration of the growth and achievements of our young people at our presentation ceremony yesterday. I share with you my message to our learning community:

Good morning everyone, and thank you for joining us as we gather to celebrate the learning, growth, and achievement of our young people. Today is a moment to pause in gratitude—gratitude for our young people, our staff, our families, and above all, for the presence of Christ at the heart of St Joseph’s.

Throughout the year, Living Well, Learning Well has grounded the way we respond to our young people—especially during times of uncertainty. Its central belief, that every child deserves unconditional positive regard, has been lived out not just in our classrooms but in our actions, decisions, and relationships. This is what Catholic education looks like: faith expressed in concrete care.

When I reflect on the year, I am reminded of Pope Francis’ words that Catholic schools must be “places of encounter—where hearts are opened, minds are expanded, and hope is nurtured.” And it is with this framing understanding that we strengthened our commitment to building a culture of learning growth — a culture where every child sees themselves as a learner who can improve, take risks, and stretch beyond what they thought possible. Across the school, you can feel this shift: young people reflecting on their progress, teachers adjusting practice with clarity and purpose, and families celebrating not just achievement but growth.

Despite the disruption of three floods, one power outage and a submerged sewer, Our young people  have shone. They have learned with enthusiasm, supported each other with kindness, and shown deep resilience. In moments of challenge, they reminded us of the unbridled joy at that realisation of ‘hang on, I can do this!’ In moments of celebration, they reminded us that celebrating is so much better when you do it in a team. Whether they were learning in the classroom, cheering each other on during events, braving the icy pool for water safety, or contributing to our school culture through leadership and service, they have carried the light of Christ into our community.

To our families, thank you for entrusting us with your children. Your presence in learning check-ins, school events, and day-to-day conversations reflects the strong partnership between home and school—the partnership on which Catholic education depends. Your support strengthens our mission.

To our staff, I wish to express my deepest gratitude. You are the living witnesses of our faith: modelling compassion, patience, hope, and excellence every day. Your commitment to forming not only minds but hearts is the cornerstone of our school. The work we recognise today—both academic and personal—has your fingerprints all over it.

And to our Year 6 young people: today we bless you as you prepare to leave our community. You have led with kindness and courage. As you enter high school, remember that you carry with you the spirit of St Joseph—quiet strength, faithfulness, and a willingness to say “yes” to the path God has placed before you. Trust that you are called by name, held in God’s love, and capable of great things.

As we move toward Christmas, we remember the beautiful simplicity of the nativity: God comes close to us — in ordinary places, in small communities, and most especially, in the lives of children. That truth is alive here at St Joseph’s.

Thank you for the privilege of serving this community in 2025. May the peace of Christ be with you and your families now and throughout the Christmas season.