College Leaders College Captain’s Report
Deputy Captain’s Report
2020 was to be the final journey of our 13 years of schooling. In many ways, 2020 has been a year of many beginnings. Returning to school in October was like starting school all over again. No one could have anticipated or ever dreamed of what would have filled this year. And no one could have predicted the unique impact this had on us individually and as a community.
Throughout our time at St Joseph’s and particularly in this last crazy year we have had a tremendous amount of support from a number of staff who have done so much work behind the scenes to help facilitate the initiatives and aid in the ideas of our student leadership team to come to fruition. So thanks are in order for making our time at St Joseph’s and in particular our time as leaders so very special.
It has given the leadership team an opportunity to consolidate both the leadership structure and the addition of vertical homerooms. This year the importance of being there for not just our Year 12 cohort, but for our house mates from all year levels has been pivotal in how we have banded together as Joey’s boys.
To Mrs Drever, Mr Querella and Mr Crook, on behalf of the entire leadership team we would like to express our gratitude for the continued support throughout the years. Thank you for the commitment and dedication you have shown in the leadership team and continuing to challenge us to become the best leaders we can be.
Being College Captain this year has been a predominantly silent and unseen role, but it has taught me the importance of leadership by service to others. Besides school athletics and swimming sports, there has been no opportunity for big showcase events. As disappointing as no TriUMPH festival or Edmund Rice Day may have been, the opportunity to stand alongside my peers in the more challenging areas of mental health and isolation are what I have found most significant. Watching emerging leaders find their calling in such a complex set of circumstances has been truly humbling.
To Mr Paatsch and Mr Kennedy thank you for not only being great role models but great advocates in what we have wanted to achieve as a leadership team. You always had your doors open (when we were actually on Campus) and never let an email go unanswered if we had any questions or we needed steering in the right direction.
I am proud to be able to reflect on the culture of St Joseph’s and what it means to be a Joey’s boy. We have a strong sense of identity showing the College values of Compassion, Innovation and Integrity. Building on this we have strived to guide students to be ‘Strong in mind, gentle in heart.’ This year we have embraced the vulnerability that comes with such uncertainty and continue to build resilience that will see us tackle future challenges with confidence, knowing that we are not alone on our journey. This has been a partnership. I want to acknowledge the role Matthew and Jolyon have played in helping to pilot such unfamiliar territory. The support, compassion and mateship that the three of us share is one of the greatest gifts that this year has provided. Freddie Dripps, College Captain
To Ms Gleeson who has supported the Year 12s, not just leaders but the entire year level in the extremely tough year it has been. Your incredible work does not go unnoticed and we are so thankful for the support that has come our way as we finish our time at St Joseph’s. As a leader for the whole of Mt Sion you are truly inspiring and have allowed us to become the best men we can be. To the House Leaders – Mr Hale, Mr Walsh, Mr Prendergast, Mrs Flint and Mr Holt, we admire your dedication to your positions and the passion to strive for a greater House and school culture. Through the work that you have done over the last couple of years you have created a passionate House spirit which is welcoming and supporting and allows boys to reach their potential. To the Class of 2020, we have been thrown an absolute curve ball this year. Through all this we have come out the other side as greater men and have taken this unprecedented year in our strides. Thank you for being role models, peers, supporters, teammates and most of all great mates. We could not ask for anything more and the bond that we have forged since the beginning is one that will never be broken. Jolyon Simpson, Deputy College Captain
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