News

St Joseph's College growing and thriving

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 03:41:00

Mildura’s St Joseph’s College says its rising enrolments are being driven by an innovative school community and a genuine focus on the wellbeing of students.

St Joseph’s principal Marg Blythman said a restructure of the school’s senior years program last year is not only revitalising the senior student experience but is also creating a new energy right through the school.
“Enrolments are increasing; we have 90 year 11 students, which is fantastic, but at the junior level we have very healthy enrolments for year seven and we have a waiting list at year eight,” Mrs Blythman said.
“I believe this response is flowing through from our work last year when we consulted widely with families and staff, then made some significant changes to the Year 11 program as a result. 
“The changes were around providing more flexibility to reflect the growing maturity of senior students transitioning to young adulthood.   They’re enjoying that independence in their learning and it’s put a really positive vibe right through the college.”
Mrs Blythman said the changes focused on differentiating the experience for Year 11 students.
“We introduced a new Year 11 Common Room and students now have a block of time in the afternoons for study,” she said.
“But I think the biggest success was establishing our immersive self-development student camp for our Year 10 students transitioning to Year 11.  The Novus Orientation Camp was held at the end of last year and it really set the tone for the year by building the connectedness of students and focusing on working together as a team.”
Mrs Blythman said the rising enrolments underpinned the viability of the school for the long-term.
“We put a high priority on maintaining a viable, co-educational model that means we can keep our fees extremely affordable and we can support any of our families who do find themselves with financial challenges,” she said.
“We introduced global fees recently and parents appreciate that now there are no surprises during the year because the fees cover absolutely everything except books, uniforms and overseas travel.”
Mrs Blythman said feedback indicated parents were responding to the vibrancy of the school as well as its focus on student wellbeing and emphasis on the learning support program.
“The best pastoral care is a great education and that holistic school community is what we are continuing to develop and nurture,” Mrs Blythman said.
“Our deputy principal Dr Tony Finn has recently retired from his leadership role but he’s staying with us as our Head of Wellbeing Services, which indicates the priority we place on the welfare of each and every student,” she said.
“Parenting is a tough job and there are so many challenges in front of young people and families. But I think our families value the fact that they’re part of something bigger and that they have a source of support if they need it.”