Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you had a relaxing break. Challenge and Change has been our theme for 2019 . Our Year 10 have had a change of classes to better prepare for 2020. We are currently reviewing our subject offerings and structures for the following years and we will be consulting parents in the near future. Please keep an eye out for the notice of the meeting; this development will affect the current Years 9, 8 and 7.

It was interesting during the holiday period to see the kerfuffle about Ellen Degeneres and her comment on Kindness; being kind to everyone whether we agree with them on their political views or not. It is part of our Christian tradition to be kind. Jesus calls us to be tolerant of others. Unfortunately, some teenagers feel that it is more important to be funny than to be kind, and their ‘funny remarks’ are often hurtful. One of the most important things for any person is a sense of belonging. Belonging to a community, a friendship group and a family is part of our humanity. Belonging is such a different concept to ‘fitting in’. Belonging implies acceptance and kindness, where people are loved despite their failings. Fitting in requires behaviour that fits into the group norm and can be at odds with our ethical compass. Fitting in does not give a feeling of safety but can lead to feelings of worry about being ‘put out of the group’. I want our students to belong to the St Joseph’s community and also in their friendship groups. Towards the end of last term we had a few incidences of intolerance that I am hoping were just due to people being over tired, but victimising others because they have a different idea or value is unacceptable. 

Year 12 had a wonderful finish to their thirteen years of formal schooling. The school assembly to farewell the students was a wonderful conclusion and a time for the school to bid the students good luck for their exams and thank them for their contributions to the well-being of others. A vast number of students were acknowledged for their achievements at the Awards Night and I congratulate all students for working to the best of their ability. This is an ‘honest’ way to approach life and will stand you in good stead for the future. Now that the exams have commenced we wish our Year 12 students every success with their studies and preparation, and look forward to celebrating the completion of the HSC with the formal dinner event, along with their parents and carers.

Ms Amanda Wilson

Principal