In writing today I cannot but be impressed with our students, families and staff. For example, last week we hosted potential new families to our school; our senior student leaders were certainly impressive as they greeted visitors and escorted many to our assembly area. They were able to articulate why our school community is a great place, the important learning and importantly shared genuine hospitality to all visitors.

Another feature this term has been the outstanding quality of our Friday assemblies; classrooms have been sharing prayer, singing our national anthem with passion, read respectfully our school acknowledgement of country and ultimately sharing their love of learning. It is a stunning weekly ritual and outstanding co-ordinating of learning by staff. The active engagement of our students and the support of families as an audience allows the gathering authority, provides support and encourages each child to be their best. 

Also impressive was the quality support families shared with your children and our school in preparing the students for school photo day. Students proudly wore their school uniform and attended to their own personal grooming. School mornings can be busy and stressful for families; with meal and snack preparation, finding library bags, checking readers, asking about homework and then travel all adding to this mix. Our school does very much appreciate parent support on this day particulary. This meant our family photos with class groupings were all completed by 1pm. A very special thank you to Jim Guinan (Deputy Principal) and Kellie Mentha (Administration) for helping coordinate the day.

Important Principal Updates

Many will be aware that Cardinal George Pell is to soon appear in the Supreme Court for the hearing of an appeal against his convictions on historical sexual offence charges.

Our Catholic education community continues to be saddened and deeply affected by the conviction of Cardinal George Pell on historical child sexual abuse charges and the implications of this conviction for our Church.

The appeal will claim that the jury verdicts were unreasonable because the jury could not have been satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Cardinal Pell was guilty on the evidence. Three judges will hear the appeal. They might hand down their decision at the end of the June 5-6 hearing or they might reserve their decision to a later date.

Whether the judges uphold the appeal or reject it, the coming days will be distressing. Distressing for those involved in reliving the trial, those who have been harmed by the church and those people who have had their faith taken from them.  The hearings on June 5-6 will involve revisiting evidence presented at the trial and this evidence will again be confronting. We can expect extensive media coverage of the appeal. Some of this reporting will likely be upsetting for many adults and possibly young people. With this in mind, I share some pastoral advice shared by Fr. John Corrigan (New Assistant Priest Port Fairy/Koroit). At Mass on Sunday evening he shared his thoughts in writing, I share these today. At an appropriate developmental level, the advice will support all, especially our young people. Staff will support students as needed and discuss issues of rule of law, trustful relationships and an awareness of potential grooming behaviours.

Following is a level of advice that may be helpful and contacts if further help is needed.

1. Name negative reactions (It is good to name feelings, unnamed emotions can run wild). Emotions are not thoughts, they are feelings. We need to get negative feelings outside our mind and our body. We can do this by confiding in a friend, or even writing down what we are feeling. This is a great step for young people. Writing, drawing can help to move the emotion from within us.
2. Limit destructive input. If media coverage is causing excessive anxiety or negative emotions turn it off or don’t read it all.
3. Seek support. Offer support. Checking in can be as simple as it is meaningful. “Thinking of you.” “Hope you are ok.”

Of course, many support services are available, their referral numbers are as follows:

1. For any criminal matter, contact Victoria Police directly - 131 444
2. The Royal Commission Support Line – 1800 099 340
3. For queries about child protection matters, Catholic Education Office Ballarat’s Child Protection Officer is Susan Renn – 5337 7139
4. Relationships Australia, an external government-funded counselling service provides support for victims/survivors and their families - 1800 052 674

I also share a statement from Archbishop Mark Coleridge, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

The news of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on historical child sexual abuse charges has shocked many across Australia and around the world, including the Catholic Bishops of Australia. The Bishops agree that everyone should be equal under the law, and we respect the Australian legal system. The same legal system that delivered the verdict will consider the appeal that the Cardinal’s legal team has lodged. Our hope, at all times, is that through this process, justice will be served. In the meantime, we pray for all those who have been abused and their loved ones, and we commit ourselves anew to doing everything possible to ensure that the Church is a safe place for all, especially the young and the vulnerable.

Below is a current photograph of the “Loud Fence” support for victims of cleric abuse at St. Joseph’s Church. On behalf of victims and all in our school, I thank Fr. John for his formal ongoing support to all, especially young people, the vulnerable, the needy and all parishioners.

Student and School Safety

A new school fence including secure entry points

From a child safety perspective, school security point of view and parking control aspect our school leadership team and School Advisory Council has identified several issues with our old school fencing. Our maintenance team were tasked with an examination of the state of the fence and the best security we could provide for all in our community.

Currently at St. Joseph’s we have on-site cameras (12), night security patrols, staff security call out support and every morning our grounds staff complete a detailed check of the property. This is all designed to help ensure a safe and productive school environment with little impact on students, families and staff. Our school is also a very valuable asset which we are dedicated to ensuring stays in top condition for everyone.

Other changes emerging over the last two years that impact on security include increased public foot traffic, a public bus shelter in Botanic Road, growing gardens patronage and the general business of this precinct. With the above driving our thinking we have been working with design teams, Warrnambool City Council and various other planning authorities to develop a cost-effective and secure fence solution.

The Warrnambool City Council have also been very supportive. They are helping us examine the Bromfield crossing and parking, a new security barrier has been installed at the Queens Road roundabout and a master plan has been completed for the Botanic Gardens. The Council are also working with us to replace the old footbridge over Russells Creek.

The final fencing solution presented includes the full property perimeter, appropriate access gates for foot traffic and vehicles as well as whole school security. The project will be funded by no extra change to our family capital levy and will include funds from our school fair profits.