Greetings, Parents and Guardians

As we approach our term 1 mid-term break, I want to wish each one of you a refreshing, extended long weekend, and I hope that you and your children have had a positive start to the year.

It is of increasing importance that among the news contained in this edition of our newsletter, all that is celebrated and all that is planned, that we remind one another of the importance of personal wellbeing, for which we have all been on a journey towards becoming more conscious and more proficient in managing. We know that as a parent or caregiver you are always trying your best to look after the wellbeing of your children. Many of you have chosen LJBC for this purpose. We also need to find a way to extend this for each other, and as a college community.

Wellbeing is an important part of our learning environment too, and it is necessary that we recognise and prioritise it. Wellbeing encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health, and is something we should strive to maintain throughout the school year. While students in senior secondary may have additional stressors, we are committed to helping them to find their balance between work and play. We want our students to use their time in school productively, and also to find joy in their learning. We encourage our students to take regular breaks, practice self-care, and find activities that bring them joy and relaxation, connection to others in healthy ways, and our hope is that LJBC can be a place where wellbeing is designed and celebrated each day. I pray that each one of you finds time to ‘recharge’ during this mid-term break.

During 2022, the College Management Team, College staff and Board of Directors spent dedicated time working thoughtfully and deeply with the College Motto and Values. Seek Wisdom, Act Justly, Love Mercy is also our College mission. Important in this process has been the need to consider whether this continues to remain true of us now, its relevance and importantly, does it guide our actions and decisions. The work completed included looking at the original guiding principles for the College during the establishing years - 1987-1990, considering the Scriptural references from Micah 6 verse 8, the rapidly changing technological world, and the maturing community that LJBC has become over the last 33 years. This led to a refreshed Purpose Statement, and it is my pleasure to share this with you now:

Our purpose is to nurture young people to discover and confidently express their unique God-given gifts in service of their community.

Throughout 2023, we seek to engage our own growing community of parents, staff, students and of course our growing alumni of Collegians, to become deeply involved with these discussions.

We have begun the work of including our purpose and values discussion in our regular meetings and forums. I encourage you to be a part of rediscovering the purpose and values that shape the College.

I would like to thank families for the positive feedback to the College action relating to the use of mobile phones by students during the school day, including break times. We are all aware that mobile phones can be distracting and disruptive to learning in the classroom and on campus. Australian research has shown that mobile phone use in the classroom can reduce student engagement and academic performance. Prohibiting of the use of mobile phones by students during the school day will help ensure that students are able to focus on their studies, while still being able to use mobile phones responsibly when not on campus.

Thank you to the Primary Parents and Friends for organising the recent Primary Play Date on the Nature Play Space in the Primary School on Friday night. What a wonderful event which was appreciated by all who attended.

As the College learning programs are now in full swing, cocurricular and extracurricular activities and sport have begun, it is wonderful to see a college community vibrantly engaged in the joy of learning and growing. It is our connected community of students, families, staff and collegians together that is the heartbeat of this College, without it we would simply be buildings in the centre of the city of Joondalup.

Warm regards

Paul Sonneman-Smith

College Principal