Perseverance: A Virtue for Our Time

Last Sunday’s Mass readings offered us a powerful reminder of the virtue of perseverance—holding fast to faith, hope, and commitment, even when challenges arise. The Gospel spoke of remaining steadfast in times of trial, trusting that God walks with us through every difficulty. In the Letter to the Hebrews, we were encouraged to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us,” keeping our eyes fixed on Christ as our guide and strength.

This message feels especially relevant in today’s world, where quick fixes and instant results often overshadow the value of patience and endurance. Yet, the truth remains: the greatest achievements, the deepest relationships, and the most meaningful growth come through perseverance.

We see this in our own Australian context. Consider our athletes preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games—years of training, discipline, and countless early mornings, all for the opportunity to represent our country on the world stage. Their success is built not on a single moment of brilliance but on consistent effort over time.

We also see perseverance in the countless Australians who face hardship with resilience—farmers enduring drought, communities rebuilding after floods and bushfires, families navigating financial challenges. These stories remind us that perseverance is not about avoiding hardship, but about responding with courage, faith, and hope.

One of our greatest Australian saints, Mary MacKillop, embodied this virtue in an extraordinary way. Despite facing criticism, financial struggles, and even excommunication for a time, she never wavered in her mission to provide education for all children, especially the poor. Her famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” remind us that perseverance is rooted in love and service. Through her steadfastness, generations of Australians have been blessed with the gift of Catholic education—including all of us today.

As a school community, this virtue calls us to stay committed to our learning, relationships, and spiritual journey, even when the path feels difficult.

For our Year 12 students, perseverance is especially important as you approach the final stage of your HSC journey. The trial exams have given you valuable feedback—not just a mark, but a roadmap for improvement. Now is the time to reflect on what worked well and where extra effort is needed. Use your teachers’ advice, ask questions, and focus on the small daily habits that lead to success. Remember, the HSC is not a sprint but a marathon, and every step you take now brings you closer to finishing strong. Stay committed, stay balanced, and trust that your persistence will bear fruit.

Let us encourage one another to remain steadfast, remembering the words of Saint Paul: “Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

May this week be a time for each of us to reflect on where we are called to persevere—and to trust that God will provide the grace we need.

Reflection on Teamwork

In St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he reminds us: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Just as each part of the body has a unique role, each member of our school community has gifts and talents to share.

Teamwork calls us to recognise and value the contributions of others, knowing that together we can achieve far more than we could alone. It is in the spirit of collaboration that we build a community where every student feels supported, every voice is heard, and every success is celebrated.

May we continue to follow the example of Jesus, who gathered disciples not to work in isolation, but to share in His mission together. In our classrooms, playgrounds, and beyond, let us encourage one another and work as one body, united in faith, hope, and love.

Fortnightly Focus

As we wrap up our first Fortnightly Focus, I’d like to thank students for their positive engagement. It’s been great to see over 200 students recognised for demonstrating our Learning Focus, with only a small number of students breaching the Uniform Focus.

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to supporting one another to grow and succeed.

For Weeks 5 and 6, our Learning Focus is “Actively helping a peer to succeed in their learning”, because together we achieve more.

Our Uniform Focus reminds us to take pride in our presentation by wearing the sports jacket only on sports days. The sports jacket should not be worn with the normal school uniform.

This fortnight, we’re also introducing a Character Strength focus. Our first Character Strength is Teamwork, which links directly to our Learning Focus. Teamwork is about collaborating, sharing ideas, and supporting each other in all that we do.

Pupil Free Day - Monday, 18 August

On Monday, 18 August, staff will participate in our annual Spirituality Day. This is an important part of our vocation as Catholic educators, allowing us to deepen our connection with our Josephite values and mission.

Students will return to normal classes on Tuesday, 19 August.

Year 12 - Final Weeks

On Tuesday, we welcome Year 12 back from their Trial HSC Examinations. Over the coming weeks, students will receive their results and feedback from teachers. As the name suggests, these exams are a rehearsal for the HSC, and students are encouraged to celebrate their strengths and focus on areas for improvement.

We are now approaching the end of 13 years of schooling for our Year 12 students, and there are many special events to look forward to in the next five weeks:

• Final House Assembly – Monday, 22 September, 11:00 am
  
  
• Graduation Rehearsal – Monday, 22 September, 12:30 pm
  
  
• Picnic Day – Tuesday, 23 September
  
  
• Graduation and Presentation – Wednesday, 24 September, 9:00 am
  
  
• Final Assembly – Wednesday, 24 September, 11:00 am
  
  
• Formal – Thursday, 13 November, 6:30 pm
  
  

E-Bike Safety

We have received important safety information about E-Bikes from NSW Police. Families whose children own or ride E-Bikes should ensure they are familiar with the laws surrounding their use. The link for the flyer can be found here.