Principal's Message

Dear Members of the St Joseph’s College Family,

What a wonderful term it has been and it is hard to believe we are at the mid way point of another school year.  With the last two days of this term being a Staff Development Day (Thursday 4 July) and a Staff Spirituality Day (Friday 5 July), families are no doubt aware that all formal lessons for Term 2 are ending on Wednesday 3 July.

Our students continue to thrive and strive for excellence across the school in both areas of passion and academics.  It has been an absolute pleasure to acknowledge so many wonderful students at our assemblies and to celebrate the achievements, dedication and hard work of students across a range of fields. This term has also seen many of our whole-school events, such as St Joseph’s Day, as well as the College’s Swimming Carnival and Athletics Carnival.  Thank you to those students who continue to embrace these events and participate with amazing commitment and energy.  Schools are much more than educational institutions, they are also each an individual living, working, growing - and hopefully thriving - community.  When you see everyone coming together to make the most of these events, you see people taking the opportunity to develop and strengthen bonds, these are largely what schooling is about: a feeling of belonging and a sense of community.  As we say in our Year 12 Farewell Yearbook, May your time at St Joseph’s College be the beginning of the best years of your life - and we really mean it!

To our parents, I appreciate your support in all that we are trying to achieve at St Joseph’s College.  You have entrusted us with your children and while it is our mission to give every child who comes here a good Catholic education, it is also our vocation to encourage all students to be great global citizens, and I feel we are doing this every day.  

Thank you to the dedicated teachers and staff of the College.  Each plays a vital role in supporting our young people to develop into great global citizens.  I hope that all students, teachers and staff can have a well earned break, refresh and be ready for another exciting term.

As always, I thank you for your continued support in all that we do.

Gospel of Mark 4:35-41 

With the coming of evening that same day, he said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side’.  And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him.  Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped.  But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep.  They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care?  We are going down!’  And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now!  Be calm!’  And the wind dropped, and all was calm again.  Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’  They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be?  Even the wind and the sea obey him.’

It's very much a human reaction to be fearful of the storm, and it's also natural to seek reassurance that all will be well.  In this scripture, Jesus was as surprised by the fear displayed by the apostles, as they were shocked by his calmness in the midst of a storm that they felt threatened them all.  Who doesn’t need reassurance in a storm?  And so he calmed the seas and the skies, and reminded them again about having faith.

I was reading something one day that went, ‘We might be in the same storm, but we're not all in the same boat,’ and it made me think that while we might want to believe that equally ‘we’re all in this together,’ (maybe a hope that we would have a similar perspective, or with an equal footing/starting place) we do come from different experiences and we react differently based on those experiences.

There’s some interesting things happening in the scripture: Jesus had insisted, with night coming upon them, that they cross the waters.  He made no promises of a safe journey, only an insistence on them going with him.  And not only were they in the boat with Jesus, other boats were on the water with them.  When the storm struck, the disciples (with fishermen among that group) saw only one possible outcome from their own experiences and were deeply afraid.  And every single one of them turned to Jesus (and he alone) for help.  Their faith, though shaken, was ultimately in him, and he delivered them safely to the opposite shore.  He was building on, one experience after another, a foundation for his disciples that they could have faith in him.  Another reminder to ‘Be not afraid.’

How often, in difficult times, do we turn to prayer?  For comfort, for solace, for encouragement, or for any number of reasons.  Someone told me of these words just the other day, “We too can rest in faith during the storm. Our boat isn't going down, because Jesus is on board.”

A number of years ago, posters were placed about the College of, “What would Jesus do?”  If his actions are our ideal of how to treat others, it's my understanding that these signs were to encourage everyone to think about what we could do individually within this school community, as well as the world at large.

How do we grow in faith and humanity focusing only on ourselves, or only on our own needs and wants?  It’s not possible!  We can only grow in faith by expressing that outwardly, by showing humanity to others in our relationships and our dealings with others.  To grow into a more mature faith, as Jesus encouraged the apostles to do, and as exemplified in Mark’s Gospel, the scripture quoted today.

We all have had life experiences where things didn’t go to plan, or where you realised the probability of hardships in your life, but how you deal with them (and how you might help others through them), is the time when you learn who you are.  And that takes both kindness and courage.

Life is mostly froth and bubble;
two things stand like stone:
Kindness in another’s trouble,
courage in your own.
(Adam Lindsay Gordon)

I pray for everyone in our school community.  I pray that the relationships we build on today give each of you strength and encouragement into the future as we support one another as a community.

College Chaplain Farewell

After five years with St Joseph’s Parish at Tweed Heads, we recently saw the departure of the Assistant Priest, and College Chaplain, Fr Wilber Tobe.  Prior to taking up his new position at St Mary’s, Casino, Fr Wilber celebrated his final mass at Tweed Heads on Sunday 23 June, following which the Parish held a farewell morning tea. 

Fr Wilber, throughout your ministry and service, you have been a blessing and an inspiration to our school and our parish.  May God bring you joy in your next endeavour.  May God bless you.

Week 10 College Assembly 

At our final Term 2 Assembly, held on Tuesday 2 July, we recognised the following students for their efforts and achievements:

College Mid-Course Academic Excellence Award:

The following students are awarded Mid-Course Academic Excellence for ONE (1) subject:

The following students are awarded Mid-Course Academic Excellence for TWO (2) subjects:

The following students are awarded Mid-Course Academic Excellence for THREE (3) subjects:

The following students are awarded Mid-Course Academic Excellence for FOUR (4) subjects:

The following students are awarded Mid-Course Academic Excellence for FIVE (5) subjects:

The following students are awarded Mid-Course Academic Excellence for SIX (6) subjects:

 
College House Award:

College Sports Award (follow-up):

Earlier in June, we had three students travel to Sydney to represent the Lismore Diocese at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Cross Country Championships as a result of their success at our Lismore Diocesan Championships. 

Zara Wescombe competed in the 12 Girls and placed 36th, whilst Jarrah Star-Webb competed in the 14 Boys and placed 18th.  A supper effort from both competitors placing in the top half of competitions in each of their races.

Hailey Pickett competed in the 15 Girls and, with a spectacular run, finished in 4th place. This is an amazing achievement for Hailey, as the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships bring together the best runners from our Catholic Colleges in the state.  

Hailey will now be a part of the NSWCCC team that will compete at the NSW All Schools Championships on Wednesday 24 July.  We wish Hailey all the best for her next run and look forward to hearing about her results.

Outstanding achievements across the board - Congratulations to you all!

School Community Group Meeting 

We held our second School Community Group Meeting for the year on Monday 24 June, and I was delighted to be able to meet with a number of parents and carers to discuss aspects of the school’s future plans.  I hope we continue to build on the good relationships established between the staff and parents in working together to get the best results, whether they be academic, sporting, or whole-student wellbeing, for all students in our care.

Term 3 Important Dates

ALL students return to the College to commence Term 3 on Monday 22 July 2024
- Day 1 of the timetable.  

As our next newsletter is due out in Week 3 of next term, it seems timely to draw your attention to some upcoming events during the first few weeks of Term 3:

Term 3 and Year 12 2024

In Term 3, the focus will shift for many of our staff, especially senior teachers, onto supporting our Year 12 students as they work towards many of their ‘lasts’ as students of St Joseph’s College; last revisions, last lessons, last SRC interactions (passing the baton to the next representatives for the 2024/2025 SRC), as well as all their last times together as a year group, and final rites of passage, including the Year 12 Farewell Breakfast, Year 12 Graduation Mass and Year 12 Farewell Assembly in Week 10 next term.

As our Year 12 students and their families would be aware, a letter was forwarded in Term 1 this year, outlining the College’s expectations of our most senior class for their last year here with us, and how important it is for your child to be focused, organised, and on-time.

I now ask for everyone in our school community to please especially keep our Year 12 students and their families in your prayers.  We want all Year 12 students to finish their final year of high school well, and they can only do this with the support of everyone - with parents, carers, students and staff working together. 

Term 3 Student-Free Days

To assist families with forward planning throughout the upcoming term, please take note of the scheduled student-free day/s below:

• Wednesday 28 August (Week 6):   Staff Professional Learning Day

Please note that Year 12 students will finish their last formal classes on Friday 20 September as they have a number of events planned prior to their Farewell Assembly to be held on Wednesday 25 September.  

However, for the attention of families of students in Years 7 to 11, the school will continue lessons up to, and including, Friday of Week 10.  We ask you to continue sending your child/ren to school until the end of term, fully prepared for classes and lessons as timetabled.

Therefore, Term 3 lessons conclude for students in Years 7 to 11 on Friday 27 September.

Enjoy the break

Again, I thank you for your continued support of all that we do at the College.  It is greatly appreciated.

I ask that you please take the time to read through this newsletter, as you will find more important information that will help you navigate your way through to commencement of the new term.  By keeping up-to-date with all that is happening, it ensures that your child gets the most out of each day at school.

I hope you all enjoy the holiday break, that you have time together with your family, friends or loved ones, and that everyone returns safely to the College on Monday 22 July.

God Bless

Mr Ryan Campbell
Principal

Principal's Notes

*IMPORTANT NOTICE - MUMPS DIAGNOSIS*

The College has been alerted today that an SJC student in Year 8 has been diagnosed with the Mumps.  I have included here a link to the public health information sheet regarding the condition.  Please note the section relating to symptoms and ensure that if your child shows any of these, you take the appropriate action.

Uniform Expectations - Term 3 ‘Winter Uniform’

As Term 2 draws to a close, a reminder that we continue with the Winter Uniform throughout Term 3, and this includes our boys wearing ties.  Please note that only the College jumper or College jacket can be worn as outer garments.  No other jumpers, hoodies, jackets, etc can be worn.

For further information, the College Uniform Policy can be found on the College website.  Parents/carers are asked to positively encourage correct uniform and grooming at all times.  Students should leave home and travel to the College dressed as per expectations here at the College.  Uniform or grooming concerns may result in punitive actions taken until the matter is resolved.

The coming school holidays are the perfect opportunity to rectify any issues regarding dress standards and personal grooming habits.

Release of Information and Digital Technology User Agreement

Dear Parents/Guardians,

A reminder that all students are required to sign the Release of Information and Digital Technology User Agreement with their parent/guardian.  It is a Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office (DLCS) requirement that every child and parent must sign these documents. 

If you have not yet completed the form, please click on this link, read the document carefully, and complete the online consent form with your child/ren by this Friday, 5  July 2024.  If you have more than one child at St Joseph's College, please complete this process with each of them.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification regarding any aspect of the agreement, please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Mrs Georgia James
Leader of Learning Technologies

St Joseph's Parish

St Joseph's Catholic Church, 56 Frances Street, Tweed Heads

Weekday Mass times

• Monday to Friday – 9:10am

Weekend Mass times

• Saturday – 9:00am
• Saturday Vigil Mass – 5:00pm
• Sunday – 7:00am & 9:00am

St Camillus Catholic Church, 36 Urliup Road, Bilambil

• Sunday – 9:00am

St Anthony's Parish

St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff, 12-14 Pearl Street, Kingscliff

Weekday Mass times

• Wednesday – 8:00am
• Thursday – 9:00am in the school term and 8:00am in the holiday period
• Friday – 8:00am

Weekend Mass times

• Saturday – 5:00pm (6pm during DST)
• Sunday – 9:00am

Sts Mary & Ambrose Catholic Church, 1 Charles Street, Pottsville

Weekday Mass times

• Tuesday – 9:15am

Weekend Mass times

• Sunday – 7:30am

Reconciliation Times

• Kingscliff – Saturday 5:00 – 5:30pm 
• Pottsville – Sunday 7:00 – 7:25am

THE AFTERNOON LEARNING HUB WILL NOT
BE OPEN ON THURSDAY 4 JULY (Student-free day).