Principal’s Report ______________________________Pages

The College enrolment for 2015 was 1630 students. Our VCE results for the year were as follows 10.4% of students achieved an Australian Tertiary

Admissions Rank in excess of 90 and the joint Duxes of the College were

Samuel Fatone and Brad McMaster each with an ATAR score of 97.90.

This year we celebrated 80 years of providing Catholic Education for boys in Geelong. This event coincided with the Centenary of the

ANZAC Landing. Our Music Department toured New Zealand and one of the songs performed by the vocal ensemble was “Here you lie side by side”, a song inspired by the words of Mustafa Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Each student and staff member was presented with a medallion which on one side acknowledged Australia in the Great War and on the other the 80th

Year of St Joseph’s College Geelong.

One of our students attended the celebrations in Gallipoli as a consequence of being a Spirit of ANZAC prize winner. ANZAC

Day, as always, was commemorated at both Westcourt and

Edmund Rice Campus. Westcourt Campus was the 2015 State

Winner of the National ANZAC Schools’ Award competition.

This award acknowledges initiative and creativity in the ways schools commemorate this occasion. Other signifi cant events which involved the 80th Year celebrations included a whole school photograph and in November the Opening of the latest College building. The Board of Edmund Paul Tobias Rice Education Australia in conjunction with the St Joseph’s College Geelong Board named the new Centre Opening student services centre, The Paul Tobias Centre. The main campus at Newtown was renamed the Edmund Rice Campus and a refurbished student exhibition space will be named the Mrs Pat Bourke Gallery. I am deeply honoured and somewhat embarrassed to have the new Centre carry my name. The building was opened by Bishop Vincent Long, the Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria. I take this opportunity to thank College Business Manager, Terry Fowler who worked tirelessly to ensure the building project went smoothly and his organisational skills and attention to detail across all areas of the build has been exceptional. I must also mention our Architects, McGlashan Everist and Builders, Lyons for their vision and expertise in producing such an outstanding building for our community. Throughout the year students had opportunities to travel overseas as a consequence of a number of special programs and immersions. The Band travelled to New Zealand,

Westcourt ANZAC Day

some Year 12 students to Uganda in East Africa as part of an outreach immersion, while others walked the Kokoda Track. We were fortunate to once again be part of the Victorian Young Leaders to China Program, with sixteen Year 9 students being selected to be part of the six week language immersion program. The Student Leaders were a great source of inspiration in the way they conducted themselves across the various sports carnivals and Edmund Rice Day. This year students raised $46,000 for those less fortunate, as part of the Edmund Rice Day celebrations. The day concluded with a narrow victory to the students in the Staff vs Students Gaelic Football game. I made reference in last year’s report to the efforts being undertaken in the area of sustainability. Due to ongoing efforts by our Sustainability Coordinator, Kelly Jenkins and our staff and student committee members in this area, I’m pleased to report that St Joseph’s College was the winner of the Resource Smart Waste Secondary School of the Year Award. A ceremony was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and was a highlight for our sustainability representative leaders. Sport and the Performing and Creative Arts continue to be areas where many students achieved excellence. Our Band was placed second in the South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat, while many students were involved in the successful musical production “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” put on by Clonard College. As a consequence of the two Catholic girls’ Colleges working with us, our boys now have the opportunity to be part of a major theatre production every year. Several of our students exhibited works in the Associated Catholic Colleges Art and Technology Exhibition, which this year was held at the Abbotsford Convent. Our surfers were able to score fi rst place in the Victorian Independent Schools State Championships. This year the fi rst St Joseph’s College Short Film Festival was conducted in the Peter Cannon Centre. The guest judge was Trop Fest Winner, Julian Lucas. The quality of the short fi lms on display was exceptional. Our First XVIII football team managed to win the Associated Catholic Colleges grand fi nal in a very tightly contested game against Whitefriar’s College Donvale. Our second placing in the Associated Catholic Colleges’ Cross Country competition was another fi ne result. For the fi rst time our Year 10 cricketers were successful in winning the Associated Catholic Colleges Premiership. Community Service has continued to be a central feature of our College for staff, students and parents. All students are involved in service programs irrespective of their year level. This is consistent with our core values of Compassion, Innovation and Integrity. It also

Victorian Young Leaders to China

highlights the importance of giving and learning to be selfl ess rather than selfi sh. Our hope is that students will continue to be involved in giving to those less fortunate for the remainder of their lives. One such program is our involvement with the Geelong Outreach Van, which helps feed the homeless of our city and has continued to feed an increasing number of people. This is a joint initiative with the Salvation Army and St Joseph’s accepts responsibility for this service each Sunday evening. Staff members and parents form a roster to prepare the food and man the van along with senior students. Once again I acknowledge the generous support provided by our many associated College groups and committees. The Old Collegians together with a bequest from a former student has helped make the dream of a sacred space the Westcourt Campus a reality. Building works are well underway. The structure was designed by Old Collegian, Anthony Baldasso and is substantially being built and funded by Old Collegians. The building is well advanced and hopefully will be completed early in 2016. Our Parents and Friends have enjoyed a most successful year. The Annual Fashion Dinner, which donates all proceeds to causes in East Africa, has become one of the most signifi cant fashion events in the region. This year’s parade attracted 350 guests and raised $23,000. Our College Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary. I am most grateful to the foresight of my predecessor Principal, Mr Peter Cannon, for having the courage to fund the establishment of our College Foundation. A dinner was held on 13 November to celebrate this important milestone. The Foundation Upstart Entrepreneurial Challenge was opened to all schools throughout the city this year. St Joseph’s siblings, Luke Dowd (Year 7) and Xavier (Year 9), were the winners for their idea of a bracelet carrying medical information that could be accessed via a phone app. This year Edmund Rice Education Australia have initiated Charter Leadership Awards. One of these was awarded Nationally across the four touchstones – Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community and Justice & Solidarity. Some thirty two nominations were received from Edmund Rice ministries across the nation. I am pleased to report that Mrs Leonie Hart, who works in our Educational Support Team, was the National winner for the Gospel Spirituality Touchstone Leadership Award. Included in Leonie’s nomination was the following - “Leonie’s dedication to some of the most marginalized in our community has been and continues to be, a clear example of the work of Jesus Christ as seen in the gospels.” I congratulate Leonie and acknowledge the fi ne contribution she has made since her arrival at St Joseph’s in 2008. We are blessed to have an outstanding and dedicated team working in the area of educational support. The effi cient functioning of the College is enhanced by the support of the College Board and its various committees. I thank all our Board Members for giving of their precious time to attend monthly meetings and share their knowledge and expertise. Their loyalty and commitment are to be commended and very much appreciated. Two long serving Board members will be retiring this year. Mr Peter Woodruff has been a member of our Board for six years, and has been our Deputy Chair for two of these years. We thank Peter for all he has brought to our Board, his gentle demeanour, professionalism in overseeing the implementation of the EREA Constitution/The Design. We thank Peter and Elise for being an important part of our College and for their ongoing support. Libby Mears is leaving also, having commenced on our Board in 2010. We have valued Libby’s contribution and her expertise, having worked on a number of committees throughout the Geelong community. Again we thank Libby and Clarke for their hard work and friendship. I congratulate Mrs Maureen Bryant for her support of our College Board over the past twenty two years. It is most fi tting that the Board has determined that the Boardroom in the Paul Tobias Centre will be named the Maureen Bryant Boardroom. I acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the Finance & Planning Committee, Foundation Committee, the Mens’ Association, the Parents & Friends Association, the Old Collegians Association, Josephine’s Group, Care Group, Canteen Volunteers The Outreach Van and all parents and families who have been involved in any way at St Joseph’s College in 2015. I am grateful for all the work undertaken throughout 2015 by the College Management Team made up of Deputy Principals, Michelle Brodrick and Paul Clohesy; Director of Identity, Jo Hart; Director of Curriculum, Michael Goss; Business Manager, Terry Fowler and Human Resources Manager, Rolf Audrins. The work ethic, loyalty and support of the Management Team has been outstanding. Two members of this team will be moving on at the conclusion of the 2015 year. Ms Jo Hart will be Upstart Challenge taking on a role with the Identity Winners Directorate of EREA (Edmund Rice Education Australia) and her expertise will be shared with all Edmund Rice schools throughout the nation. Jo has been an outstanding Identity Director here at St Joseph’s and I wish her well in her new role. Mr Paul Clohesy has accepted

Foundation Dinner

a Principal’s position in Northern NSW and in January will commence at Mount St Patrick Catholic Secondary College in Murwillimbah. Paul has been an exceptional role model and leader at St Joseph’s since his arrival in 2009. I publicly acknowledge his wonderful and loyal support and I am confi dent Paul has all the right qualities to be an exceptional

Principal. It has been a priviledge to have worked with him.

Our Head of Campus at Westcourt, Mr Michael Timms will also be accepting a new challenge. Michael has been appointed as the new

Deputy Principal at St Ignatius College, Drysdale. Michael has done a fi ne job in establishing leadership at our Year 9 campus since 2014 and his promotion is well deserved. As experienced and talented staff members leave us, new opportunities open up and the process of forming and training staff is an important feature of our College. We have an excellent tradition of providing pathways for all staff to progress and accept new challenges. I conclude this year’s report with my farewell address to the Year 12 students at the conclusion of their Graduation Mass and I give thanks to all staff, teaching and non-teaching, for their tremendous contribution and support in what has been another excellent year for our College.

Paul Tobias- Principal

“Dear Parents and Students, In tonight’s Gospel story on the road to Emmaus those walking the road lack awareness. They don’t realise who is walking with them even though he is the talk of the town. The stranger isn’t recognised. The same crowds during his active ministry followed him around, knew there was something special about him, would listen to what he had to say but lacked the capacity to really understand. What they lack is insight. I would say to the parents tonight that you are people of insight because you recognised the importance of Catholic Education – an education which has its basis in the values of the

EREA Charter EREA Charter Christian Gospel.

Leadership Leadership If I ask parents, what do you want from your son,

Award winner - Award winner - Leonie Hart Leonie Hart some may speak about sporting or academic success but usually the answer is, I just want them to be happy. The question is how do we become happy? Therein parents lies your insight. The message of the gospel is that if we are to be followers of Christ, happiness lies in us being selfl ess rather than selfi sh. Our most basic human need is to love and be loved in return. It is diffi cult to love those who are selfi sh and totally self-centred. As parents, I thank you tonight for the privilege of educating your sons and congratulate you on your insight in working with the College to promote Christian Senior Arts & values. Eva Burrows died earlier

Technology Exhibition

ResourceSmart ResourceSmart Sustainability Awards Sustainability Awards

this year. She was a lifelong member of the Salvation Army and was the 1993 Australian of the Year. In accepting her award she said this about happiness. “You don’t become happy by pursuing happiness. You become happy by living a life that means something. I suspect the happiest people you know are the ones who are hard- working and reliable, thoughtful and kind and while they are busy doing those things, happiness sneaks up on them unawares.” To the boys – you arrived here six years ago from your respective primary schools. The three positioning statements we have put before you over those years are Compassion Innovation and Integrity. I hope after your time here, that you have come to some understanding about those things. If I was to make one fi nal religious comment to you, it would be that the kingdom of God is all around us – not somewhere in the sky – which is why the quality of compassion is so important. If we understand what it is like for ‘the other’ we are more likely to do something to try and help them and in doing that, we experience happiness. We chose those three positioning words because we were convinced that they lead to happy, healthy and well-balanced lives. Writer Nikki Gemmell maintains – “we practice kindness or compassion for self-preservation. It helps us live stronger, more optimistic, serene and loving lives. Kindness is the most effective circuit breaker and even if it is not reciprocated or appreciated, or even noticed, it’s a gift for the giver.” Australian social commentator Hugh Mackay in his latest book entitled “The Good Life” suggests that the critical test of a life well lived, is the quality of our responses to the needs of others. As part of the journey you already have some valuable life experience. If I were to ask you, who in your life do you remember most fondly?- the answer will often be – those who showed us kindness and consideration. We all have the individual capacity to be heart lifters or heart sinkers depending on our daily interaction with others. The one thing I want to put before you tonight is the absolute importance of random acts of kindness. Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon put it this way – “life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble. Courage in your own.” Finally boys I would like to fi nish by reminding you who you are. You are St Joseph’s boys and you have been educated at a College which has respected you. You have come from families that have loved you unconditionally. As you move onto the next stage of your life, travel the journey with confi dence in the spirit of Jesus Christ and Edmund Rice. Practise random acts of kindness often and help build the kingdom of God. You are all capable of being remarkable people, capable of making an extraordinary difference in the life of others around you and because you are so young, your full potential has not yet been realized. As you move tonight beyond this place, may Almighty God bless each one of you all the days of your lives.”

Years 7-10 Awards & Music Showcase Years 7-10 Awards & Music Showcase