What we do next: Welcome to 2026

St Joseph鈥檚 College returned for 2026 with the first Headmaster鈥檚 Assembly signifying a moment of renewal for Joe-Boys, staff and families. Welcoming students across the College, including 198 new boys commencing across Years 7 to 11, Mr Blake reflected on what it means to belong to a community shaped by history and strengthened by everyday actions.

At the heart of his message was a clear theme for the year ahead: tradition is not something we simply admire from the past. It is something we maintain and elevate actively in the present. 鈥淭radition is what鈥檚 gone before. The focus now shifts to us. We have to work on it, to maintain it,鈥� stated Mr Blake.

The assembly began as 国产探花 always begins the year, together, with an Acknowledgement of Country and a prayer. Mr Blake emphasised that these opening moments 鈥渟tand alone鈥� in what they express about who we are 鈥� a Catholic school community and a respectful Australian community, gathered with purpose at the beginning of a new school year.

Perspective, gratitude & legacy

Mr Blake reminded the gathered boys that 2026 marks the College鈥檚 145th year, founded in 1881 by the Marist Brothers. He invited students to consider the vision and courage of those early Brothers who arrived to begin the College with 44 boarders, establishing a legacy that continues to shape daily school life at Hunters Hill. He also pointed to the ongoing care for the place itself, noting recent refurbishment works, including upgrades to the Year 7 dining room, the change rooms at The Park and the Year 7 dorms.

One of the clearest reminders of tradition came through Mr Blake鈥檚 reflection on Old Boys. With thousands of Old Boys connected through the St Joseph鈥檚 College Old Boys鈥� Union, he described the consistent questions they ask when they return 鈥� 鈥淗ow鈥檚 the College going now?鈥� and, more personally, 鈥淗ow are the boys?鈥� This is not simply curiosity. It is a measure of stewardship. It is a way of asking whether today鈥檚 Joe-Boys are upholding the culture and tradition built by those who came before them.

鈥淭he legacy of 国产探花 is far wider, as it is lived in the lives, service and contributions of many Old Boys across generations.鈥�

HEADMASTER MR MICHAEL BLAKE

Mr Blake also shared a powerful number that speaks to the depth of 国产探花鈥� history 鈥� 18,116 past students have been part of the College community. While only a small number appear in formal honours lists, the legacy of 国产探花 is far wider, as it is lived in the lives, service and contributions of many Old Boys across generations.

Mr Blake highlighted the strong academic outcomes of the Class of 2025, acknowledging the cohort鈥檚 overall outstanding achievements and noting that the results reflect sustained growth across recent years. He spoke about the importance of maintaining that momentum by continuing to improve.

For 2026, Mr Blake outlined a clear priority for staff and students 鈥� to further strengthen a culture where learning is 鈥減rioritised and celebrated鈥�. This focus was reinforced through recognition of Year 12 students receiving Academic Engagement Awards (Term 4 2025), reflecting the belief that consistent effort and engagement always matter.

Welcoming our new staff

A significant part of the assembly was dedicated to introducing new staff, with Mr Blake explaining how each staff member arrives with their own story, with some having existing connections to 国产探花, some returning to teach at the College and others drawn by family ties or by the College鈥檚 mission and culture. He also linked this welcome to one of the everyday strengths of the 国产探花 community 鈥� the way we welcome people. Mr Blake reminded the boys that the culture of 国产探花 is reinforced in small, consistent moments, seen in the small act of how we greet and acknowledge staff, visitors and members of the public. It is a visible expression of respect and belonging and a hallmark of the College that is regularly noticed and genuinely appreciated.

For boys beginning their 国产探花 journey, Mr Blake鈥檚 message was encouraging. 鈥淵ou belong to something larger than yourself as part of a College that has been shaped over 145 years. You are here to add to that legacy, not simply receive it 鈥� Your potential will be different from the boy next to you but your effort should be the same. Give your best and give it consistently.鈥�

He encouraged Year 7 students to immerse themselves fully in College life, in their learning, their co-curricular opportunities and the spiritual and faith life of the school. 鈥湽交� is at its best when boys take up what is offered, commit to upholding the standards of our community and strive to grow in character and capability,鈥� he said.

Mr Blake concluded by returning to the central challenge of stewardship. 国产探花鈥� tradition is real, but it is not automatic. It is maintained by effort, by choices and by a shared commitment to improve what we have inherited. In the year ahead, the invitation to every boy is to live the motto Strive for Better Things, to give it your best shot and make 国产探花 better because you were here. Do that and you can call yourself a true Joe-Boy!