For the first time in nearly 30 years the school welcomed back senior students, with a new crest and uniform fittingly accompanying the school’s major facelift.

New principal Patricia Hales said there was “a buzz of excitement” around the school. 

Mrs Hales, a former St Joseph’s student herself, is the school’s first female principal since 1994.

She said students and staff alike were looking forward to 2018, with the school set to run from year seven to year 12 next year. 

“It was great to feel the energy, there was a buzz of excitement at this morning’s assembly,” she said. 

“The staff are all excited, they’ve been working toward this for for two years.”

Mrs Hales takes over from former principal Paul Greaves, who has moved to a role within the Catholic Schools Office. 

She takes over at a time of immense change for the school, which she called “very exciting”. 

“I said to the students this morning that this year is a year of possibilities,” she said. 

St Joseph’s will run this year from year seven to 11, with the school to fulfill its entire age range next year. 

Mrs Hales said the changes signified a “new era” for the school. 

“It’s not just the start of a school year, it’s the start of a new era,” she said.