July 26, 2022
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents & Guardians
This week we celebrate 201 years of Catholic Education in Australia. Our school has contributed to 93 years of that tradition, providing Catholic Education to the Park Avenue and wider areas of Rockhampton since 1929.
This week, we celebrate all that Catholic education has provided in the past, live in gratitude for all that we have in the present and celebrate our Faith with joy, hope and love for the future.
Our new precinct signs reflect our Catholic Identity and the special significance of Penola, St Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods. In 1860, at the age of 18, Mary MacKillop left her home in Melbourne to work in Penola, South Australia. Here, working with Fr Tenison Woods, Mary began her lifelong commitment to providing education and eventually established the Josephite Sisters that work till this day.
Without St Mary MacKillop, Fr Tenison Woods, the Sisters of St Joseph, and their first little school in Penola, South Australia, there would be no St Joseph’s Park Avenue to celebrate today. This week we give thanks to all who have contributed to the last 201 years of Catholic Education and on behalf of St Joseph’s, we especially thank the tireless work of the Josephite Sisters and their continued commitment to God’s work, inspiring us to continue providing Catholic Education well into the future.
While still on the topic of celebrating Catholic Education, at this week’s Monday morning assembly we took the time to acknowledge three staff members who have achieved significant milestones while working in the Rockhampton Diocese. Mr Mike Kelso was present to acknowledge these achievements:
– Ms Brooke Black was presented with her certificate for being nominated for the ‘Spirit of Catholic Education’ Awards 2022. Brooke has been at Joey’s for a significant portion of her teaching career and is still passionately providing a safe and positive environment for our students to learn and grow.
– Mrs Deanne Sennini was presented with her 20 Years Commendable Service to Catholic Education plaque with Deanne now providing positive teaching and learning experiences at the school she once attended as a pupil herself.
– Mrs Kerry McLean was also presented with a 22 Years Commendable Service to Catholic Education plaque acknowledging Kerry’s commitment to providing care for students during Outside of School Care and Vacation Care.
Well done and thank-you to these staff members for their ongoing commitment to Catholic Education.
It is with a tinge of sadness, as well as a tremendous amount of excitement that I make the following announcement. Mrs Michelle Hannah has successfully applied for and accepted the Learning Support Co-ordinator role at St Joseph’s Wandal. Mrs Hannah has been a dedicated staff member at Joeys for well over a decade providing a huge level of commitment to the education of our students across multiple year levels. Michelle, I whole-heartedly agree with how one staff member acknowledged your contribution to Joeys when I announced the news to the staff. The staff member said, “that they (St Joseph’s Wandal) are so lucky to be getting you.” This was incredibly well said and very, very true. To flip this statement, it is incredibly sad to see Mrs Hannah go. She is a valued staff member and will be greatly missed.
Mrs Hannah will be commencing her new role before the end of the year.
More information will be sent home to Year 1 parents as it comes to hand.
I am sure you will all join me in wishing Michelle all the best in her new role.
Catholic Education Week is always ushered in with the Emmaus musical each year. Our Year 5 & 6 students loved attending the ‘dress rehearsal’ last Thursday and raved about it afterwards. Staff who also attended were chuffed to see past Joeys students up on stage blowing them away with their talent and the standard of their performances.
I was lucky enough to attend on Friday night and loved every second of it.
The Musical was wonderful and is a credit to Emmaus College, their students, the staff and their whole school community.
Quite simply, it was awesome to see what young people with a dedicated staff can achieve. Absolutely brilliant!
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our ‘Pyjama Party’ disco last week. As soon as I have the chance to talk with the Year 6 teachers and their class, we will send out the new details as soon as possible.
For those who may have missed it last week, I have tried to include a comprehensive list of dates for Semester 2.
Have a great Week 3.
Don’t Forget….
Kindest Regards
Bernard Fitzgerald
Principal – St. Joseph’s Catholic School Park Avenue
Click Here To View The Full Newsletter
< Back to NEWS
HOME OF THE JOEY’S