St Joseph’s College

2019 Prospectus

Let’s create your best future, together.

At St Joseph’s College, we understand that choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. We invite you and your child to embark on this journey with us, in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Let’s create your best future, together.

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Welcome to St Joseph’s College

Thank you for considering St Joseph’s College as the preferred school for your child’s education. We look forward to welcoming you and your family into our community to discuss the countless opportunities on offer for your child.

As you will discover, the College has a powerful atmosphere that radiates a sense of belonging, compassion and respect. We are very proud of our friendly and inclusive environment where students thrive and feel part of the St Joseph’s family.

Our College takes great pride in offering a safe, supportive and nurturing environment which provides students

with exceptional all-round education and capacity to embrace all opportunities that come their way. We are a community, and we are on the journey, together.

We invite you to take a personal tour of our college grounds, so you and your child can experience the warmth and vibrancy of our College.

Let’s create your child’s best future, together.

Nicholas LynchPRINCIPAL

A message from the Principal

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Established in 1956, St Joseph’s College is a leading co-educational Catholic College located in Toowoomba, Queensland.We are driven by our commitment to serve others based on the ideals and values of Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers.

St Joseph’s supports 850 students from Year 7 to Year 12. Each individual is provided with opportunities that allow them to create their best future with the support of leading educators, family and a strong community.

Our history

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Creating futuresAt St Joseph’s College, we strive for quality in everything we do. We have educated generations of young people, shaping futures in a Catholic context. We embrace every student as an individual and value accomplishments across all areas including academic, sporting, artistic and creative achievements.

We believe co-education is the best way to prepare young people for the world in which they will live and learn. In a co-educational environment, students foster mutual respect, embrace differences and are empowered to be confident in meeting the challenges of life beyond school. They are given a life education which is anchored on Christian teachings and our school values of Compassion, Respect, Endeavour and Dignity.

Students at the College are inspired to seize opportunity, take on challenges and mature in a way that allows them to emotionally connect with others throughout life. Equipped with leading facilities and resources, students are exposed to teaching and learning opportunities that prepare them for the world beyond school.

A St Joseph’s education will leave your child with not only a powerful network of lifelong friends, but also strengths, skills and values that reflect themes of family, social justice, honesty and endeavour.

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Living out our core values

Compassion• We care for and accept all members

of the St Joseph’s community • We are aware and proactive in

attending to the needs of others

Respect• We accept and respect everyone

in our community • We listen compassionately

and are kind to everyone

St Joseph’s College is founded on the ideals and values of Blessed Edmund Rice. Nurturing right relationships and recognising the dignity of all people in the light of the teachings of Jesus, is paramount at St Joseph’s.

Our values of Compassion, Respect, Endeavour and Dignity shape the culture of the College and become the basis from which we conduct ourselves in our everyday life.

Our values are modelled by staff and community members, who demonstrate to our students how they too can grow into proactive and robust young men and women.

Endeavour• We strive to work hard and

have an ambition to succeed• We persist through challenges and

have the resilience to push forward

Dignity• Each individual brings value to our

community and is born in the image of God

• We treat people how we would like to be treated

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Spirituality at the College is alive and engaging. We have a strong reputation for nurturing the Christian faith and the Gospel values are core to everything we do. Regular prayer and reflection unites all members of the community in an uplifting and meaningful way.

Our Social Justice Program includes outreach programs such as Rosies Friends on the street and Breakfast Club, which allows students to grow and understand their responsibility to the community in which they live.

Students also have the opportunity to be involved in community programs, such as providing reading and maths assistance to young students at the local primary school, as well as participating in arts and crafts activities with people living in aged care facilities.

Our students leave the College knowing how to make a difference in their community. They can aspire to live our College motto of “Serve Him in Others”.

Awakening the human spirit

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We know that the pastoral care of our students underpins their learning success.

St Joseph’s College fosters a positive climate of care with the strong relationships between staff, students and parents central to our community’s success.

Personal growth happens most powerfully in a forgiving environment and St Joseph’s has a reputation for giving its students space to grow. Our pastoral approach is holistic and responds to students’ mental health, physical health and social connectedness. Students develop skills to be resilient and independent young people who flourish in the school environment and then in the world beyond school.

Pastoral care and student wellbeing

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Quality teaching, lifelong learningOur curriculum focuses on personalised and visible learning. Students are immersed in an environment that balances academic rigour with a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities including camps and retreats, music, performing arts, sport, international trips and immersion experiences.

With a focus on research, self-management collaboration and

independence, St Joseph’s College equips students with valuable life skills. We concentrate on building leadership and fostering confidence, a strong work ethic and the ability to give generously to others while at school and beyond.

An extensive range of subjects are available, enabling students to select a path that best meets their individual learning needs. We cater to a range of learning styles including traditional and innovative teaching methods that are used to develop competence and confidence across all areas.

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Fostering passion projectsWe value the diversity of our students and aim to expand their education enabling them to succeed, be engaged and passionate.St Joseph’s College supports the diversity of student learning through our Genius

Hour program which allows students to flourish and shine in areas they are enthusiastic about.

Students can choose from a range of projects which allow them to explore physical, social, emotional and spiritual skills and give them the ability to think laterally when facing new problems.

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Junior SchoolIn the junior years, students encounter choice and challenge. They are exposed to a full range of core-based subjects and elective opportunities. Students can develop the problem- solving skills and critical thinking skills required to transform into successful learners. The progressive scope of our curriculum is at the forefront of innovation and will create your child’s best future.

The Junior Curriculum spans four years of learning commencing in Year 7 and is based on the Australian Curriculum. The following core subjects underpin our curriculum:

• Science• Humanities• Health and Physical Education.

• Religious Education• English• Mathematics

• Visual Art• Drama• Music• Dance

These are complemented by a mix of compulsory and elective subjects that appeal to each student’s personal interest and passion including:

• Design Technologies (Graphics, Wood, Metal and Home Economics)

• Business and Economics• Japanese• French.

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Senior Years 11 and 12 signify a critical time in a student’s educational journey. Our focus is on developing students as independent learners and active participants in their learning, so they are prepared academically, socially and emotionally once they leave school.

The combination of extensive choice in career pathways and a genuine desire for student wellbeing ensures our senior students leave as resilient, well-prepared and confident young adults.

The Senior curriculum offers over 40 QCE subjects, based on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) syllabus, to work towards optimising their post school opportunities.

The Senior curriculum offers twenty-five General and twelve Applied ATAR subjects, six certificate courses in Vocational Education Training (VET) and School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

Design Technology • Design • Fashion • Furnishing Skills • Industrial Graphics Skills

Business and Technology • Accounting • Digital Solutions • Economics

Health and Physical Education • Physical Education • Sport and Recreation

Humanities • Ancient History • Geography • Legal Studies • Modern History • Social & Community

Studies • Tourism

Languages • French • Japanese

Science • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Science in Practice

The Arts • Drama • Drama in Practice • Music • Music Extension

(Performance) • Visual Art • Visual Arts in Practice

Vocational Education and Training • Stand Alone VET

Subject Prerequisites

• Certificate I & II in Information, Digital Media and Technology

• Certificate II in Kitchen Operations

• Certificate II in Business

• Certificate II in Engineering Pathways

• Certificate I in Construction

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Vocational Education Training

We focus on empowering students to meet the challenges of the continually evolving world in which they live.

Close connections and partnerships with industry present opportunities for students to develop knowledge and practical skills in an industry simulated setting.

As a Darling Downs Hub School, we are a gateway to the Industry School for Food, Wine and Tourism and the Industry School for Manufacturing and Engineering, Queensland.

VET students exit with real industry skills and a nationally recognised qualification, creating a pathway into many occupations.

Our Youth Trades Skills Centre is a leading facility, giving students access to:

• A fully equipped commercial kitchen and engineering workshop

• Improved transition to work or further education and training

• Industry networking and partnerships • Qualified staff who are up to date with

the latest industry practices

St Joseph’s College is recognised as a leader in Vocational Education Training (VET).

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Enriching and Supporting Student Learning

Teaching staff provide additional teacher support after school for all students to ensure each student has the opportunity to excel no matter what stage of learning they are at.

To prepare students for tertiary and career pathways, our specialist Careers and Vocational Education and Training (VET) staff provide support and networking opportunities for all students.

Enrichment is offered inside and outside the classroom through a range of learning opportunities including clubs in STEM and Coding as well as other programs such as Debating, Chess, Opti-MINDS and Rostrum Voice of Youth.

Students with specific learning needs are supported by specialist staff through our Learning Support Centre.

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Digital Technology

Exposure to a wide range of technologies empowers students to develop skills that will be relevant to them in a tertiary or workplace setting, making them ready for work in the real world.

To facilitate the incorporation of digital technologies and design thinking into the College, access to robotics, coding, 3D printers and electronics are all part of the learning technology experience.

Our Canvas Learning Management System provides a platform for students to become independent, self-manage and take responsibility for their own learning. To ensure inclusivity and opportunity for all, the College has invested in providing reliable campus-wide Wi-Fi technology and one-to-one Surface Pro laptops.

St Joseph’s College prepares students for the digital world through skills in online literacy, online search and research skills, and technical resilience and resourcefulness.

At St Joseph’s, technology is used as a valuable learning tool within the curriculum to enhance personal learning, collaboration and self-management.

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Our students learn about and experience culture through our comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts Program. Creative thinking is encouraged in the areas of Visual Art, Drama Performance and Dance. Our creative and performing arts students are encouraged to explore their boundless imagination and creativity to discover their true artistic potential.

In Art students work in purpose-built studios where they develop confidence and the ability to imagine and visualise. Specialist and practising Art teachers develop student skills in techniques such as print making, ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and fashion. Students are exposed to renowned visiting artists, art tours as well opportunities to exhibit their art at the University of Southern Queensland and St Joseph’s Awards night.

Creative and Performing Arts

MusicThe St Joseph’s College Music Program is based upon the ideas of participation, fun and excellence. Extra performance opportunities range from performing in instrumental groups (Concert Bands, Jazz and Strings), Vocal Ensembles (Girls, Boys and Junior), participation in private lessons to large scale events such as Eisteddfods, school events and community performances.

DramaIn Drama, our students explore their creative side, stimulate their imagination and extend themselves in many ways in a safe and comfortable environment. Annual plays and musicals have become a natural part of the St Joey’s culture, unearthing incredibly talented artists.

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Other opportunities include• Debating• Chess Competition• Chess Club• Rostrum Voice of Youth• Toastmasters• Mooting• Opti-MINDS• Art Club• Art Festival • Social Justice and community

service programs• Science and Engineering

challenge

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Our students are encouraged to embrace all activities as an opportunity to expand their experiences, further develop existing skills and find new passions.

Involvement in all aspects of school life increases each student’s sense of belonging, expands friendship groups and leads to higher levels of motivation and engagement.

Extra-curricular activities

SportIn addition to St Joseph’s all-inclusive Health and Physical Education classes, our sporting program gives students an opportunity to participate across several areas of sport including:

• Swimming • Athletics • Cross Country • Basketball

• Rugby League • Soccer • Touch Football • Netball • AFL • Rugby Union

• Chess • Cricket • Golf • Futsal • Hockey • Equestrian

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Our communityParents are welcomed and encouraged to be a part of College activities. The College recognises our parents as the prime educators of their children. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the college through the Board, Parents and Friends Association (P&F) or through volunteering to assist in the canteen.

The P&F is open to parents who wish to understand College life more fully and take on a more active role. The P&F meets monthly and is a time to hear from experts, meet socially and forge new friendships. It aims to support school events and initiatives that occur throughout the course of the year.

Parents also have the opportunity to become members of the College Board and contribute to the way we shape, and continue to shape, the young men and women of today and tomorrow.

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Set in beautiful gardens and open spaces, St Joseph’s College boasts state of the art facilities, including:• Trades Skills Centre - fully equipped commercial kitchen and a fully

equipped engineering workshop• Classrooms equipped with LED touchscreens and Smart Board technology,• Science innovation learning zone• Music area - including six music practice rooms • Well-equipped Drama area • Contemporary Art Studio and Gallery, • Home Economics – including both food and fabric learning spaces• Manual Arts workshops containing industry standard equipment • Indoor sports centre with a full-size basketball court

The College is committed to ensuring these facility standards are the norm throughout all learning areas. We are currently building new areas and redesigning many general learning areas to reflect the new vision and direction the College is embracing. Traditional classrooms are being transformed into bright, open spaces of learning that encourage collaborative learning, positive relationships and creativity. They are spaces that offer students a taste of future work environments they will experience.

Facilities

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Uniform

Junior winter uniform

Junior boys winter

Junior boys and girls summer

Junior girls summer

Senior summer

Junior Boys and girls Summer

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Trade Skills engineering Trades Skills Kitchen Operations

Performance music uniform

Sports uniformSenior boys and girls winter uniform

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Become a future thinker