Principal's Report
The weather conditions this week are certainly causing significant challenges for our community and wider region.
The College has been in close communication with local services and Emergency services regarding the weather alerts and we are well placed to provide support for our students and staff.
In order to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our entire school community, we have made adjustments to our learning plan for today (Friday) in the hope this will alleviate the pressure on families and enable individuals to manage their personal situations as required. It also allows for families to negotiate possible compromised country bus travel and other local circumstances. We hope this shift to flexible learning today helps to support our community during this challenging time and we thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please remain diligent during these times and discuss safety plans with your families. The College will continue to communicate regularly with our community regarding this matter and we offer our thoughts and prayers to those families in affected and compromised areas. Please feel free to contact the school for any further support.
In brighter news, this week we have been privileged to listen to and interview students for various leadership roles in the College. The calibre of our students is excellent. They spoke fondly of staff, spoke with pride about our College and are excited about the future development of St Joseph’s College.
Our students continue to shine in the Arts and Sport. Last week’s St Joe’s on Show was just one example of this, with student music and drama performances receiving accolades from the audience and the various other art works being acknowledged through awards.
In sport our students have recently competed in the LMR Athletics in Bendigo and the Intermediate Boys Cricket headed off to Nathalia. I continue to be proud of how well our students represent our College with pride and enthusiasm. Best of luck to those students who qualified at the LMR Athletics and are off to the State Finals.
It is most unfortunate that our Year 9 Camp has been cancelled due to the inclement weather and the increased risk to our students and staff. Much discernment takes place in reaching these decisions. While we accept there will be some disappointment, we must remain focused on the health and wellbeing of our staff and students.
Our Year 12 students are heading toward their examination period or finalising their work placements or assessment. They have been admirably supported by our staff as we look forward to celebrating their final days of secondary school next week. Our expectations are clear around behaving appropriately and maintaining the positive reputation of our Year 12 cohort and our College. I ask that families support their sons and daughters regarding safe behaviours and good decision making. At best poor decision making can be awkward and embarrassing, but at worst it can be life changing; something none of us want for any of the young people we work with or know.
Stay safe and God Bless.
Anne Marie Cairns
Principal