Principal’s Report The College enrolment for 2014 was 1581 students. Our initial intent with enrolments was to increase by one extra stream for 2014, but pressure of Year 7 enrolments has led to the decision to enrol 11 classes or approximately 300 Year 7 students, on an annual, ongoing basis. The number of Catholic boys in our feeder Catholic primary schools should continue to justify that level of enrolment. Our VCE results for the year were as follows: 7.7% of students achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank in excess of 90 and the Dux of the College was Alex Lukacz with an ATAR score of 99. This year was the first operational year of our Joseph Innovation Trade Training Centre and I am pleased to report that students and staff have enjoyed the new facility and its equipment. Student numbers enrolled for next year, especially in the area of building and construction, will ensure the new facility will continue to be well utilized. Another first this year, was our commencement at the Westcourt campus. It was a rush to get everything in place for the start of the year. The formal opening was held on the feast of St Joseph and included a strong Irish flavour. The Most Reverend Bishop Long blessed the facility and those in attendance were treated to Celtic song, dance and hospitality. It is my hope that as a consequence of their time at Westcourt, our Year 9 students will come to a deeper understanding of the richness and the legacy of our Irish founder and his generous response to God’s call. We know that Edmund restored the human dignity of poor boys in Waterford by educating, clothing and feeding them and that Irish nationalism, evident in culture, dance, sport and language, assisted him in achieving that outcome. More important than any of those things however, was his commitment to evangelising, so that those under his care experienced what St John describes as, having life and having it to the full. The purpose of Catholic education has not changed over time. It has been a delight for me to travel to Westcourt frequently Westcourt Opening throughout the year. It is evident the students and staff enjoy the refurbished facilities. The benefits of the program were endorsed on days such as Anzac Day and during the Westcourt Expo, held on Thursday 26 June. It was with great sadness that I informed our community that former student
All Shook Up
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and 2013 Graduate, Brennan Houghton’s courageous battle with cancer ended earlier this year. Brennan was diagnosed in Year 7 and led a short but inspirational life. The Educational Support staff nurtured and loved Brennan for the six years he was part of our school and his passing was difficult for all who were privileged to know him. May he rest in peace. Our student leaders enjoyed an outstanding and very busy year. Their leadership on carnival days and Edmund Rice Day was much appreciated by the entire student body. The benefits of committed student leaders impacts on the quality of student culture throughout the College and this was very evident in the planning and implementation of the Triumph Music Festival. The day was hosted once again by St Joseph’s and we were blessed with perfect weather and exemplary student behaviour from all four Catholic secondary colleges. For several years now, the College has been working to educate our students in the area of sustainability. A number of initiatives to save energy have been implemented, rubbish bins have been labelled to encourage recycling and some drinking troughs have been replaced with planter box gardens. The health of the performing and creative arts was once again evident in the College production “All Shook Up,” held at the playhouse theatre at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, the show was described by local critic Colin Mockett as follows: From the unmistakable first chord of “jailhouse rock” to the all on stage big finale “burning love”, the sixty-four strong cast, provided a night of refreshing rocking happy out and out fun….and though this was a school production, cast from drama and music students from (the all- boys) St Joseph’s College with some excellent imports from the (all-girl) Sacred Heart and Clonard Colleges, this show’s presentation, production values ,style-and its overall gloss-would stand easily alongside Geelong’s senior companies. Similar polish and talent was also evident at the Associated Catholic Colleges “Accent On Music” concert at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, on 17 September. St Joseph’s was well represented with David Gallaher conducting our senior band and John Shawcross conducting the ACC combined stage band, which included special guest James Morrison. This year the College foundation,“Upstart Entrepreneurial Challenge” was extended to include other independent and government schools. Aimed at building an entrepreneurial culture and fostering strong relationships
Investiture of Leaders with Guest speaker Brett Harman
