Newsletter Term 1, Week 10 2022

Dear SJC Families and Friends

As we approach the conclusion of Term 1, it is always important to reflect upon the reason a break during this time historically has been instigated.  During the middle weekend of the upcoming school holiday for our students, billions of Christians across the globe will enter the Easter period where we ultimately celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ, the Lord Incarnate.

The Easter season is both a difficult and joyous period for Catholics.  We mourn the horrific death that Jesus suffered, we reflect on the reason for His suffering and come Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the resurrection.  Sadly, like Christmas, the true message behind Easter can be lost on many who simply equate the season with decadence and a time to relax and not work.  Please be sure to reflect upon the true meaning of this important period during the Christian calendar. 

I would like to thank all of our SJC families for their support, compliance and kindness displayed during a very challenging ten weeks.  In reflecting upon the term with staff, I stated that if someone had described the events that people had lived through in the last ten weeks to you in early 2020, you would have questioned their fanciful imagination.  Whilst I don't need to list all we have experienced, I want to acknowledge how difficult it has been and that I hope you are all having an Easter break, and that it is relaxing and enjoyable and that better, more settled times lay ahead of us. 

Changes to SJC

Term 1 heralded a number of new changes to the operations of the College.  For 164 Year 7 students, and the 40 additional students in other grades who commenced, they know no different.  During Term 2, we will be running some focus groups to garner the efficacy of these changes.  Given that we have only been operating under the initially proposed model for the last three, we need to ensure time is granted for people to get an appropriate sense of where everyone is at.  For those new to the College, the changes include moving from six periods to five in a day, our AWC structure and the placement and length of lunch and recess.  I look forward to speaking more about this in Term 2. 

College Expectations

It is with disappointment that I have to speak about this given that the vast majority of students in the College always do the right thing; they wear their uniform correctly, they follow our expectations around appearance, they are on time with the correct equipment for learning and they are polite, friendly and helpful to others.  We expect these traits and actions in our students so that when they leave us, we know that each of the young women and men who graduate from the College will make a positive mark on society, where expectations also exist.  Each parent who enrols their child signs a document saying they will support and abide by the expectations of the school. 

Sadly, a number of students, who obviously do not wish to comply with the clearly stated expectations, have taken to vandalising parts of the school and writing abhorrent things about staff members of the College, myself included.  I have three children at this school and I do not wish to expose them, as well as other students, to such appalling acts.  To counter these acts of vandalism, our cleaners and maintenance team need to devote the time that could be better spent doing more worthwhile tasks which only detracts from positive enhancements that can be made. 

Can I please ask that all families ensure that your child is following the College expectations across all facets of school life?  It is often with concern that I engage in conversations with a small number of students and families about not meeting expectations and a common statement that "the only thing people care about at SJC is uniform" is made.  As I stated at the commencement of this article, for the vast majority of students, uniforms and compliance are not an issue.  If we are to let the small things go, then what else will falter as a result of these actions.  If we take care of the small things, gains with big issues will occur.  

ANZAC Day March

You will find in this newsletter information about the Tweed-Coolangatta ANZAC Day March.  For the first time in two years, students will be able to participate to honour all those who have served, both present and no longer with us.  This is a great way for students to show a level of school spirit and community service.  Please encourage your child to attend in formal uniform on Monday 25 April. 

Construction Works

During the upcoming break, our school embarks on its first major building project in close to six years.  Whilst we have recently built the College Gym, it is great to know that the first sod will be turned on the covered area for our basketball courts.  The College is funding this project that will benefit both our students, the students of St James and visitors.  Works commence on 11 April and the schedule currently has the site cleared by 15 May.  During this time, our three outdoor basketball courts will be inaccessible.  This will be a great addition to the site and offer much-needed protection from the elements.

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter and I look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday 26 April. 

Mr Scott Thomson
Principal

Easter Mass Times - St Joseph's Parish

Easter Mass Times - St Anthony's Parish

Palm Sunday 10 April

Vigil Mass and blessing of palms

KINGSCLIFF - 6:00pm

POTTSVILLE - 7:30am

KINGSCLIFF - 9:00am

Holy Thursday 14^th April

The Mass of the Lord's Supper

KINGSCLIFF - 7:00pm

Good Friday 15^th April

Stations of the Cross

POTTSVILLE - 9:00am

KINGSCLIFF - 10:30am   

Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

KINGSCLIFF - 3:00pm

Holy Saturday 16^th April
Easter Vigil

KINGSCLIFF - 7:00pm

Easter Sunday 17^th April

POTTSVILLE - 7:30pm

KINGSCLIFF - 9:00am

Headspace Mental Health Education Sessions for Parents, Carers and Community Members

In my last newsletter article, I mentioned that Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation would be hosting mental health education sessions for parents, carers and community members supporting young people in communities across NSW living in flood impacted areas of NSW.  We are pleased to advise that there is a free webinar tomorrow evening, Tuesday 5 April from 6:00pm to 7:00pm providing practical skills for looking after your children, family and yourself.

Please see the attached flyer for further information and details of how to register.

School Photo Day is TOMORROW! - Tuesday 5 April

A reminder about the School Photo Day taking place at the College tomorrow - Tuesday 5 April.

The previous arrangements still stand; group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the details in the attached flyer or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.  Please be mindful that if you complete the online order, an order envelope does not need to be returned.  For any family that has made an online order, monies already paid will automatically carry over to the new date.  Please note regarding sibling photos, that these can only take place with siblings from St Joseph's College, not St James Primary School as has been the case in previous years.  St James Primary School have informed their families of this change in previous communication. 

As is the case for any school photo day, please also ensure that your child(ren) comes to school appropriately groomed and dressed according to the College Uniform Policy.  If your child(ren) has a sport lesson on Photo Day, please ensure they come to school dressed in their full school uniform and they bring their sports uniform with them to get changed.

** NOTE:  All students are required to wear their College tie for school photos.

Student Procedures

The following procedures explain the answers to frequently asked questions which begin with ‘What do I do when…’

• I am absent from school?

Should you be marked absent your parent/carer will receive an SMS alert.  They will need to respond with a return SMS (not a phone call), by 3:00pm the same day.  This will constitute as the required ‘note’ and no further written explanation will be required, with the exception of absences during exams or assessments.

The standard rules apply should you be absent during an assessment or exam period, where parents and carers are required to obtain a doctor’s certificate for the absence period.  This means the doctor’s certificate will have to cover not only the exam/assessment period, but the whole period of absence up until your return to the College.  Note: Assessment Variation Forms are still required for students in Year 10 to 12.

Please also be aware that the SMS alert is an automated system and any SMS sent by the parent/carer before our alert will not be received.  Unfortunately, should the 3:00pm deadline be missed, the parent/carer will have to follow up with a letter of explanation.

• I am late to school?

Your parent or carer will receive an SMS alert, advising you have been marked absent from school.  A return SMS advising you will be late to school and expected time of arrival will qualify as a note.  You will need to report directly to Student Reception as soon as you arrive at the College.

In the event that no reply SMS has been received, your permanent attendance record will show this as an ‘unexplained absence - part day absence’.

Repeated unexplained lateness may result in punitive actions being taken.

• I wish to leave school for some reason during the day?

You are to bring in a signed parental note on the day of your early departure, notifying the reason for and time of departure.  This note must be handed in at Student Reception before Period 1 and approved.  You are then to sign out from the College office at the time stipulated in your note, and wait in the pickup area for your parent/carer.

• I wish to be excused from Sport or from Physical Education (PE) practical classes?

You are to bring in a signed parental note outlining the request for being excused.  This note is to be handed to your Sport/PE teacher.

• I have lost property?

You are to check the collection of lost property at Student Reception.

• I am feeling sick?

You should seek assistance from your class teacher or any teacher on duty.  The teacher will write in your diary to show at Student Reception if you are to go to sickbay.  A member of the office staff will then contact your parents.

You are not to make contact with your parents directly.

When your parent comes to collect you, they are to sign you out from Parent Reception.

IN ALL CASES WHERE A NOTE IS REQUIRED, THE NOTE MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PARENT/CARER AND IT MUST BE SEPARATE FROM THE COLLEGE DIARY

Note: The above text relating to "Student Procedures" is an excerpt (page 3) from the SJC College Planner (student diary).

Mr Eamon Brown
Assistant Principal - Mission

Project Compassion 2022

Today's newsletter completes the stories of those who illustrate the difference your support can and has made with your donations to this year’s Project Compassion appeal.

Week 5 - Shaniella from the Solomon Islands

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Shaniella who is attending a vocational school in the Solomon Islands supported by Caritas Australia Solomon Islands (CASI).  

With your kind support, CASI helped install water tanks, restoring clean water access to nearby schools, health centres and the wider community. Training was held in agricultural skills to help boost the school community’s food security, as well as in environmental risk management and emergency responses.

Now, Shaniella can complete her skills training, with enough water and food to eat, and improved sanitation. She is improving her ability to earn an income, learning skills which will expand her job opportunities. Students are also better prepared to respond when disaster strikes.

Watch a short film about Shaniella’s story here:

Week 6 - Holy Week

Your generosity is the pebble that allows Caritas Australia to create the ripples that will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, supporting them to flourish and create opportunities for future generations to live to their full potential and thrive. 

Thank you!

Mrs Hannah Ardrey
Leader of School Evangelisation

ANZAC Day March 

ANZAC Day (25 April) this year falls at the end of the school holidays, on the Monday before the commencement of Term 2.

For many years now St Joseph’s College has participated in the Twin Towns ANZAC Day March.  We march to remember those who have served our country and acknowledge those who continue to do so.  This is an opportunity for students to demonstrate and experience the values of citizenship, community awareness and school spirit.  Students are required to meet at Jack Evans Boat Harbour (next to the Children’s Playground) Boundary Street, Tweed Heads, by 9:45am.  If your son/daughter would like to represent the College during the March please see Mr Lynch for a permission note and fill out the attached Google Form so we know who is attending.

Any questions please feel free to contact me at the College.

Vaping Education

Over recent months, there has been a growing concern about the impending epidemic affecting young people in relation to the use of e-cigarettes and the trendy pastime of vaping.  As this activity grows in popularity, most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and the potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health.

For more information on Vaping please follow this link to a special article on Vaping from SchoolsTv.

Mr Mathew Lynch
Leader of Student Wellbeing

Attention: Parents & Caregivers of Year 10-12 students

With Covid cases on the rise, it is important to notify the College of positive Covid test results promptly.  In the case of a Year 10, Year 11 or Year 12 student required to isolate for one week as either a positive Covid case or a close contact and them having formal assessment tasks during that period, an assessment variation must be applied for using the oficial application form (see attached).

Once completed, this form can be submitted electronically via an email to the course teacher or myself.

Registrations Open: HSC Lectures Starting 11 April

Free ATAR Notes NSW Lectures are running from Monday 11 April to Thursday 14 April 2022, for a range of Year 10-12 subjects.  

ATAR Notes Lectures

• cover a wide range of Year 10-12 subjects;
  
• provide students with excellent subject content material through the holidays;
• are delivered by high-achieving recent graduates; and
• are completely free to register for and attend.

Tune in to the lectures live
Year 10-12 sessions available to help students get ahead this April, delivered by high-achieving recent graduates.

Ask questions live
Students can ask questions live throughout the lectures, getting immediate responses through our Q&A system.

Re-watch any time
Lecture recordings are available to re-watch at any time, and students can download the slides to aid revision.

Students can register for as many subjects as they like via the ATAR Notes Lectures website.  If students have already registered an ATAR Notes Lectures account, they can log in to add their April 2022 sessions here.

This is a great opportunity to get ahead before the new term.

Mr Matthew Hall
Leader of Curriculum

Study Skills Tips for April: Managing Perfectionism

Provisions for Students Assessments

We would like to remind families of the changes that have been put in place by CSO regarding provisions for assessments.  These changes have already been shared in the Schoolzine App but we have included them again below;

St Joseph's College has a strong focus on the support and optimal development of students with disabilities. Previously, eligible students with a diagnosed disability have received provisions for school-based assessments.  These provisions included separate group supervision, reader, and/or scribe.  Following changes advised by CSO, teachers will make adjustments where needed to support students during assessments, for example by using appropriate technology.  Where possible, students will remain with their class, rather than having separate supervision.  These changes will occur on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the students.  St Joseph's is committed to further providing and ensuring the best learning environment for your child.

This may mean that students who have previously received special provisions, may no longer receive the same provisions they have in the past.  Supportive adjustments will be made for them in the classroom by the classroom teacher.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Amie Nugent (Leader of Inclusion and Diversity) or Molly Furchtman (Additional Needs Teacher).

School to Work for Secondary Students with Disability

School to Work aims to inspire and equip students with disability, through the support of families, to seek meaningful, paid employment in the community.

We have received the following with regards to upcoming information session:

• NDIS Employment Supports Webinar on Thursday 28 April from 10am to 11:30am
• School to Work Workshop on Wednesday 4 May from 9:30am to 3:00pm

If you have any questions about either, please call 1800 774 764 or email info@ric.org.au.

The Inclusion and Diversity Team

Year 7 - Landscapes and Landforms

Who doesn’t love playing with playdough!  With the excitement of St Joseph’s Day in the air, 7C eagerly set to work with their ball of playdough to create a series of models reflecting the internal and external geomorphic processes that create landscapes and landforms.  Here are some of their creative interpretations.

Mr Tom Nethery
Leader of Learning - HSIE

North Coast soldier earns WWI Victoria Cross

Private Patrick Bugden VC was a local NSW North Coast man, born near Lismore, he was a hotelier at Alstonville.  His parents owned Hotel Wells in Tweed Heads.  At age 20, he embarked for WWI from Brisbane in September 1916, bound for England.  He joined the 31st Battalion on the Western Front in France, on 19 March 1917.  Pte Bugden was killed in action and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry.  An extract from his citation reads:

“At Polygon Wood (Belgium) on 26-28 September 1917 Pte Bugden displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  On five occasions he rescued wounded men under intense shell and machine gun fire showing an utter contempt for danger. Always foremost in volunteering for any dangerous mission, it was during the execution of one of these missions that he was killed.”

I have had the honour to stand at the grave of Pte Bugden VC.  He is buried in the Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium (pictured).  We thank him for his life and service.

1. North Coast WWI Victoria Cross recipient Pte. Patrick Bugden VC.
2. The grave of Private Bugden V.C., Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium.

Mr Bryson Coverdale
History Teacher

Term 1 in the Creative and Performing Arts and Languages Faculty

Exploring new ideas, materials and artists while embracing the return of live music performances in Term 1.

Vincent van Gogh once said, “Colour in a picture is like enthusiasm in life”.  It’s been wonderful to see our students exploring their ideas and producing work with the brightness and variety of colour while demonstrating their enthusiasm across various subjects in the Creative and Performing Arts and Languages.

Term 1 has been very productive in the creative arts department.  Our students in Year 7 have been exploring colour theory and applying their understanding to landscape tonal painting.  Year 8 has investigated the art of self-portraiture and have discovered that it is a long established form of portrait art, dating from Ancient Egypt.  While Year 9 have virtually visited the Vatican City, the official residence of the Pope.  With the help of modern technology, they have been able to virtually tour the Sistine Chapel to discover the beauty of Michelangelo’s painting that was completed in 1512.

Our senior students in Visual Design, Photography and Visual Arts applied new skills to create portfolios of work in interior design, darkroom photography and still life painting.  Year 12 are progressing steadily with their body of works which are due later in the year.  We are very much looking forward to seeing them being completed in Term 3.

In languages our Year 8 students are currently learning to appreciate Paris monuments and they are recalling facts about Ile de France, the region where Paris is situated.  While in Year 10 the French class cooked up some delicious crepes last week.  The name ‘crepe’ originates from the Latin word crispus = wrapped or rolled.  They were traditionally made with buckwheat after the crusades in Asia and they date back to the 13th century in Brittany.

It has also been wonderful to see the return of our College band and perform again at events like St Joseph’s day in week 7.  Please enjoy the collection of photos of our talented students below.

Mrs Nicole Taylor
Leader of Learning - Creative and Performing Arts and Languages

Harmony Week 2022

This year saw Harmony week continue to grow at SJC.  As a school we celebrated the uniqueness of us all as individuals, and spread the message 'Everyone Belongs'.

This video was played during our AWC classes and students engaged in a variety of activities including: pop up language workshops, history of languages and a food festival.

A huge thank you to all the students and staff that embraced these activities and contributed to promoting this beautiful week.

Mrs Joanne Scotcher
Teacher of French

Drama

Recently our Drama students were lucky enough to spend a day with Zeal Theatre, an internationally renowned touring theatre company.

During the morning session students viewed their devised performance 'Lucky Country', an engaging and thought-provoking piece of theatre that explores the current global debates on the refugee crisis and the role the media plays in shaping public opinion.  Tom and Stefo also ran two workshops, focussing on creative playbuilding and the development of stronger miming, movement and vocal skills.  The students are to be commended for their enthusiasm and participation on the day.

Upcoming ADF STEM Careers Experience Day

Gold Coast: STEM Careers Day
Mon 11/04/2022
09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

At the upcoming STEM Careers Experience Day, it’s a great opportunity for students who are considering a Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths career to learn more about these Defence opportunities.  Students will interact with current serving military personnel with backgrounds in trades and engineering, whilst enjoying some fun, practical STEM activities.

Spaces are limited, so please ensure you register ASAP to guarantee your spot!  Lunch is provided on the day, so please include any dietary requirements on your registration.

Ms Frances Mason
Leader of Careers and EVET

How can I get through this whole article without mentioning the ‘r’ word…? Only to say that the library has been able to provide a dry, cosy, colourful and safe space amidst the intermittent deluges… 

The library collaborated with Mrs Scotcher to celebrate Harmony Week in Week 8 - with language activities run over lunchtimes culminating in an international feast in which students and staff brought in international dishes from a variety of cultural backgrounds.  At last count the flags we put up on the poles outside the office listed over 25 nationalities that make up our school community.  We created a display that was also up for our school open evening and so many visitors coming through the library commented about how creative and alive the library looks and feels. 

For our Harmony Week feast, Beatriz Wynia, the mother of one of our students, Stephanie, set up a beautiful Peruvian display complete with specialty foods, embroidery, dolls and books.  She was so generous and did such a good PR job, I’m now hankering to get to Peru.  Apparently Peru has been internationally awarded for having the best cuisine for the past four years, and is also renowned for its diverse terrain as well as the friendliness and colourful flair of Peruvians themselves. 

For Harmony Week in March next year, we welcome any parents and carers who’d like to showcase their culture of origin.  It would be wonderful to expand and enrich this event and to share with more parents and carers in the process.  Students enjoyed being able to sample different fare and get a literal and figurative taste of why it is so important to celebrate cultural diversity and they’re enthused about Mrs Scotcher establishing a monthly cultural club (vs Culture club - yeah I’m a relic from the eighties…) 

Back to the ‘r’ word. When it’s not actually disastrous, something about not-dry weather is synonymous with reading time. No bright beckoning of a sunny outside, but the chance to batten down and vanish into a good book.  I recently read one of our library books by Bryce Courtenay: The Longest Night, a short story about his childhood in Africa.  There were two scenes that fascinated me in particular.  One featured a tribal queen renowned to both native and non-native people for her unfailing rain-making abilities, including during droughts.  The other, an African shaman called in to determine who stole a lamp and paraffin.  He performed an elaborate ritual that involved a line-up of men having to put a pebble in their mouths and spit them back out.  From this he was able to determine who had been the ‘thieves.’  Years later, the author realises the magical nature of this diagnosis was actually scientific.  Extreme fear causes saliva to dry up and so the pebbles that weren’t wet pointed straight to the culprits.  This in turn relates to the parasympathetic response: flight, fight, freeze, fawn etc.  When our nervous system is mobilised in any of those ways - we’re geared for survival and can’t effectively learn. 

So here we are back at the beginning of this article again - it’s been a time of great upheaval for many in our school community and it’s more important than ever that the library operates as a cosy, colourful, kind, inviting, and safe space.  We intentionally work to create an atmosphere and interact in such a way that students can feel relaxed, comfortable, and a sense of belonging, and therefore ultimately become more available for learning, well-being, and connection. 

The rain-making tribal queen?  That’s a mystery for rich contemplation.  It would be good to find her sunshine-making counterpart.

Mrs Melaina Faranda
Teacher-Librarian

Representative Sport 

Sport has had a very disjointed start to the year with multiple events throughout the term being rescheduled multiple times due to the severe and unfortunate weather events that we have experienced.  Luckily, we were able to have the Diocesan Swimming Carnival that was relocated to Coffs Harbour.  We had a small but strong team travel south to represent the College.  Everyone that attended swam extremely well.  A special mention must go to Josh Preston, Matilda Mison, Tyler Porter, Mackenzie Wilson, and James Petherbridge who all place within the top 5 across multiple events.  Josh and James also claimed the titles of Diocesan Age Champion in their respective age groups. Josh, James, and Matilda have all qualified for the NSW CCC Swimming Carnival at Homebush on 6 April.  This is a major achievement and we wish them all the best for the carnival and look forward to seeing their results.

During the last few weeks, the Lismore Diocesan Rugby League and Touch Football trials have been able to take place after being rescheduled.  A special mention goes to Jayden Wilson (Year 12) who has been selected for the Opens Touch Football team once again.  Jayden is a very talented touch player who has demonstrated his skills year after year at these trials and is thoroughly deserving of his continued selection.

Max Liles attended the Rugby League trials the other week where he was selected for the Lismore Diocesan team.  Max travels to Tamworth this week for the Northern Country trials. We wish Max all the best for the trials.

As mentioned earlier, sport has had a very disjointed start to the year.  There have been a number of sporting carnivals that have not been able to take place, some have been rescheduled for early next term and some cancelled.  Hopefully, Term 2 sees very few disruptions to our sports calendar.

Cross Country

The College Cross Country is on this Friday, 8 April, the last day of term.

The carnival will occur from 12:45 pm till the end of the day.  We have both a competitive and non-competitive race so that all can be involved in the afternoon.  Those who are wanting to compete in the competitive race need to register on the google form that is on the Sports Desk, they need to be registered by 10:15 am on Wednesday 6 April, no late registrations will be accepted.  The competitive race is 3.6km and the non-competitive race is 1km.  Sports uniform is to be worn to school on the day by all and if you are competing in the competitive race then you can bring a change of clothes to race in (ideally your house colours).  A BBQ will be available on the day selling sausages, soft drinks, and chocolate, please bring cash along for this.  Remember it doesn’t matter if you are not a runner, joining in the non-competitive races still helps your house accumulate points to fight for the title of Cross Country House Champions.

Ms Madeline Ilic
Leader of Sport