Principal's Report

This publication is the final newsletter for 2022. As I stated in my Presentation Day Principal address last Friday, there is clear and unequivocal evidence that 2022 has been a year of great academic success and improvement, wonderful wins on the sporting field, superlative performances on the stage and a measurable improvement in positive well-being! All of these are reflective of students and staff who have taken up the challenge to “test themselves at the next level!” A casual perusal of this year’s newsletter articles records these wonderful celebrations of success. Well done to everyone for your individual and collective commitment to improvement and relentlessly working at becoming the best version of yourself!

Of special mention during the Presentation Day ceremony and a further example of aspirational work for 2023, was our public launch of the St Joseph's Public Speaking Cup, generously donated and at the initiative of Father Gleeson. Our whole school intention is to collectively focus on improving and celebrating the important art of high-quality public speaking. As a mechanism to promote the launch, School Captain,  Allegra Pinferi delivered an abridged version of her Rural Women’s Day address from earlier in the year as a good example of public speaking by a current student to build upon in future years. Stay tuned for more details in 2023.

Thank you to the parents and extended families of our school and parish for your active attendance and participation in our learning and well-being by attending Mother’s Day Morning Tea, Father’s Day Breakfast, Trivia Night, Grandparents Day, etc. It takes more than kids and teachers to make a school - great schools are supported by a great family community! 

And of course, I cannot speak more highly of our strong team of skilful helpful adults. That old adage that there is no “I” in team enshrines our attitude that no adult is more highly valued or more important than any other and that everyone has an important and active role to play in our analogy of a theatre production, whether it be on the stage, backstage or orchestra pit, our ‘show’ will not have any of our adults ‘sitting in the audience’. In closing, thank you to everyone, especially our wonderful, talented, happy, funny children who continue to challenge themselves at the next level and are demonstrably working together to make this good school - GREAT! 

2022 was a great year because you made it so.

Please find listed below the full roster of student leaders for 2023. We look forward to witnessing their individual and collective leadership work and will formally induct them into their roles at the Opening Mass early in the new year. In the meantime, I publicly congratulate them on their successful nominations and election.

 2023 STUDENT LEADERS

SCHOOL CAPTAINS:

SPORTS HOUSE CAPTAINS: 

SRC Reps

May the peace and joy of Christmas bless each and every one of our families over the holiday period. I strongly encourage all families to attend the Christmas Services in Glen Innes published below and in the local newspaper. As a faith community, our collective attendance at the Liturgy of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ deeply nurtures not only our individual relationship with God but also nurtures our full conscious and active participation as the Body of Christ. Even if you are away in some far-flung town or city - there will be a friendly catholic church just like St Patrick’s willing to welcome you!

Safe travels everyone and enjoy the turkey, prawns, chocolate and maybe a drink or two! Check the attached calendar in this newsletter for 2023 start dates and let’s jump into 2023 and keep on making this good school - GREAT!

May God go with you

Geoff McManus

Principal