Schools in for BCE students and staff

Brisbane Catholic Education

​Meeting their new teacher was an exciting but calming experience for foundation students at St Joseph's College, Coomera

THOUGHTS and prayers turned to foundation staff and students at our two newest schools, St Joseph's College, Coomera, and Good Samaritan Catholic College, Bli Bli, as students and staff began the new school year with Brisbane Catholic Education schools.

The first day back for many was a time to catch up with friends old and new. 

New staff also were welcomed on their first day to classrooms filled with excited students. 

At Good Samaritan, Foundation Principal Greg Myers said it was heart-warming to see all the foundation students gathered together for the first time.

“The excitement on the faces of the students, staff and parents was fantastic to see," he said.

“From our college leaders in Year 7 to our Foundation Prep students, all children settled in well and had a great day.

“We are looking forward to putting our promises into practice as we build our new learning and faith community."

“It was a marvellous way to begin the new college."

Meanwhile at St Joseph's Foundation Principal Paul Begg led the smartly dressed foundation students on a symbolic first-entry walk from the college entrance to their new classrooms.

Tissues were on hand for those students and parents who found it hard to say goodbye as their children settled into their new classrooms.

Paul said it was great to finally have the students in their classrooms.

“It's great that the kids are here now, what was our place is now their place.

“It was also great to see so many parents and grandparents turn up for the first day.

“It's lovely to see we are becoming a community so quickly."

As she settled into her new classroom at St Joseph's, student Amilia Glavan said she was so excited to meet her new teacher and make some new friends.

“Everybody's my friend here," she said.

Amilia, who loves to write, said her teacher was really nice and she was going to help her with her reading and writing.

For parents, Vlad and Jessie Nielsen, it also was a big day for their daughter Ella, who had moved from a state school to St Joseph's.

“It's awesome for her being a foundation student who will grow and develop with the new school," Jessie said.

“The extra resources they will provide here will be great for her education."

Vlad said he was really impressed with the look and feel of the school.

“We love it here already," he said

“They've done a really good job on the design, the layout and the classrooms.

“We found that the classrooms were really cool as well, with the fans and all the windows."

Vlad said Ella's brother, who was finishing Year 6 at his old school, was really looking forward to joining her at the college next year.

The opening of a new school within the Archdiocese of Brisbane, took place within a much larger story, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane said. 

“A new school is an incredible achievement; so many people have to do so much to make it happen and to make it work," he said. 

BCE Executive Pam Betts congratulated foundation staff at the two new schools and wished them “every blessing as their story began". 

She said her thoughts were also with the Prep students and their parents who started their journey with BCE schools and equally with those students in Year 12 who were nearing the end of their Catholic education journey. 

“My hope is that every learner is personally enriched by their experiences in our 141 Catholic schools from Childers in the north, west to Kingaroy and south to the Gold Coast." 

Ms Betts also extended a welcome to all the parents and carers who chose a Catholic education for their children. 

“Parents play an important role in the education of their children, since it is to them that the primary and natural responsibility for their education belongs. 

“Ours is a partnership and you can be assured of our support of you as parents and of our commitment in creating and extending opportunities for you to be involved in the life of the Catholic school. 

“I look forward to an exciting and fulfilling year in 2019 as we continue our mission to teach, challenge and transform through our service, support and leadership for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Brisbane," she said. ​

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