On Wednesday 19th June, St Joseph's Catholic High School hosted 'A Day of History and Hospitality'.  The day was celebrated by a number of former St Joseph’s staff, who kindly accepted Ms Wilson's invitation to attend this special occasion for our school community. We were blessed with beautiful weather, which made it a very pleasant day for all involved. School tours were most enthusiastically and cheerfully conducted by a number of student representatives, who were fine ambassadors for our school. They impressed our visitors with their sense of school pride, as they highlighted the many recent enhancements to our school's facilities, buildings and grounds.

The purpose of the day was to provide an opportunity for previous staff members to connect with current students by sharing their stories about the historical events that have shaped the identity of St Joseph’s Catholic High School and the characteristics that were important to the community when they were here. We hope the experience of meeting former staff has further increased our current students’ knowledge of our school’s historical journey since it was established in 1982.

The TAS Faculty Coordinator, Mr Glenn Lowe also led our visitors on a tour of the significant renovation to the TAS block, which is well underway and scheduled for completion ready for the beginning of next year.  These tours were followed by a luncheon attended by former School Principals Mr Frank Leonard, Mr Peter McGovern, Mr John Barrington and Mr Mark Baker, a number of other former staff, some of our current longstanding staff members, School Captain - Brooke Smith and Year 11 student - Ethan Westlake, who kindly shared his talent by performing some very enjoyable musical pieces during the luncheon. 

We thank Mr Ferderer, Mrs Rogers, VET Coordinator Mr Milburn and the Year 12 Hospitality class members for their outstanding work in preparing and serving a delicious three-course lunch for our visitors; this was a component of their HSC assessment. This was thoroughly enjoyed and greatly appreciated by all involved.

The former and current staff and students who participated in the day are representatives of our living history, and this was a very successful day in terms of reconnecting our school’s past with the present because they blessed us by sharing with one another the gifts of their time, talent and stories.  

We thank all staff, students and parents who contribute to making our school the fine place of faith, learning and community that it is today!

Another important event for our school was this week’s school assembly held on Monday 24^th June. As a school, we gathered to acknowledge the significance of NAIDOC Week, which will be celebrated across Australia on 7th-14th July this year.

We especially thank Miss Toumanda Fohrman for sharing the gifts of her time, talent and exemplary sense of conviction towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reconciliation. The work of Miss Fohrman, along with the contributions of Mr Brown, Uncle Kevin Butler, Mrs Josephine Ball, Mr Mark Mongta, Mr Ie and the other didgeridoo players, The Sista’s Dance Group and all other student participants culminated in a very meaningful, informative and reflective assembly.

Many important messages were communicated to students in the prayers, Miss Fohrman’s unpacking the theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week: Voice. Treaty. Truth. , Uncle Kevin Butler’s sharing of his understanding and experience of NAIDOC, the reading of the Stolen Generations Poem and an explanation of the meaning expressed by particular movements in Aboriginal dance.

Our knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by the nation’s first peoples in the past and today have grown exponentially through this assembly.

As a Catholic school community, by participating in this assembly we made a collective commitment to act justly by:

-respecting the history of the First Australians

-healing the wounds of the past and moving forward in a true spirit of reconciliation

-opening our eyes to the plight of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have their knowledge heard through their voice - a voice which is over 65,000 years old and

-working together for the good of Aboriginal and Islander Peoples in a truly shared future.

We wish the cast and crew and all staff involved in the preparation of this year’s School musical, You’re History all the very best for the shows that will be performed next week at the Roo Theatre in Shellharbour.  A reminder that as many members of the community as possible are encouraged to follow the link provided in this week’s newsletter to purchase your tickets to what will be a great show!

A further reminder to parents and carers that Years 7-12 Parent Teacher Interviews have been scheduled for Wednesday, 24^th July in the School Gym. At least one parent or carer is expected to make some appointments to attend interviews with your child’s teachers.  This is an excellent opportunity for parents and carers to meet your child’s teachers and to obtain valuable advice and insights into what your students can do to improve their progress in the second half of this year.

We wish all members of the St Joseph’s school community a well deserved relaxing, happy and safe holiday!

Mrs Jenny Bell 
Assistant Principal