College Board Report ____________________________Page

This year we farewelled our Board Chair, Mr Brett Harman. Brett finished with the Board in June to take up a new and exciting role in Geneva. Brett was Board Chair for nearly four years and had been on the Board for six years (20122017). Brett was a terrific asset to the College and made a significant contribution to the Board. We wish Brett and his family well and thank him for his great contribution to St Joseph’s. This year we welcomed our new Principal, Tony Paatsch. Tony is no stranger to the school having been Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s as well as having his son, Will, complete Year 12 in 2016. Tony has transitioned into the role of Principal effortlessly and we all look forward to working with him in the coming years. The Board seminar was held at Deakin University in August. We were fortunate to have Paul Williams, EREA Director of Regional Support – Southern Region, join us at the seminar. Issues covered at the seminar included: Financial Plan, Masterplan, Respectful Relationships, Project Based Learning and Careers. As always, the seminar was a great opportunity for the Board to be briefed in more detail on major strategic issues. As a Board, we appreciated the work put in to the seminar by the Leadership Team and staff who attend. In the last few months you will have noticed the next stage of our masterplan taking shape with work commencing on the Year 8 Project Based Learning Centre as well as the Queens Road carpark. The school continues to grow and flourish. Sadly we will see Daniel Bucki-Smith finish as a Board member at the end of 2017 due to work commitments. Daniel has been a Board Member for four years and has been a great contributor to the work of the Board. We wish Daniel well and sincerely thank him, Gosia and their family for their generous support of St Joseph’s College. In conclusion, I thank our Principal Tony Paatsch, Deputy Principals Michelle Brodrick and Mark Kennedy, Business Manager Terry Fowler, Assistants Maureen Bryant and Adel Mawson, College Leaders and fellow Board members for their willingness to make this College so successful in 2017. Wishing everyone a successful and prosperous 2018.

- Joanne van Slageren, Board Chairperson

Brett Harman’s Brett Harman’s Farewell Farewell