Newsletter Term 2, Week 4 2020

Dear SJC Families and Friends,

It has been such a joy to welcome back year groups of students from the commencement of Week 3 this term. In speaking with many of our young people, they have been pleased to be able to return to face-to-face instruction. Our teachers and support staff are very happy to see a gradual return some semblance of what school was like pre-COVID. 

This week will see our Year 7-10 students return for one day a week rotating through each of the days except for our 'super afternoon' day. For the two weeks following this one, each of our Year 7-10 students will attend on rostered days for two days per week. You can access the detailed document here. 

The challenge that does remain for students, staff and families is that three weeks lay between the time I write this article and our full component of students being present at the College. I would again like to thank families for the support they have shown in helping their children with the demands of online learning.

Learning From Home Support

One concern is that teachers are seeing an increase in the number of students who are disengaging from learning. The number of reports from teachers highlighting three subsequent lessons where a student has not engaged has doubled in two weeks. It is so vital that parents and carers are actively engaged with your child to witness and understand the learning they are doing. Too many students appear to be busy whilst sitting at a device and have appeared that way for an entire week, but very little progress in learning has resulted. 

Please encourage your child to attempt activities that challenge them, ask questions of their teachers and be sure to submit all learning that is set for them. To aid you in this process, please be sure to look through the Parent Hub site. 

Roadmap to SJC 'Normality'

Whilst I am aware the term 'roadmap' has been bandied about increasingly over the previous two weeks as our country moves to a new state of normal, I feel it is vital to provide such a plan for our SJC community. Whilst there are still many unknowns, the purpose of the document is to provide some clarity to students, families and staff relating to what has occurred, what is being investigated and what possibilities exist at this moment. All plans are anchored with a firm caveat that things can change rapidly and, as always, the decisions of the College are determined with the safety of all and expert health advice at the centre. 

This document is being finalised over the next two days and when complete, it will be shared with all those associated with SJC. 

Parking in and around the College

I have recently requested that all Year 11 and 12 students, when possible, park in the College grounds in the car park adjacent to the AFL field. I am aware that many students use the nearby Winders Place to park and a number of parents will use this area as a drop-off and pick-up zone. There have been a number of unfortunate incidents of late with the residents in that area so I encourage all associated with SJC to use the Doyle Drive option to access parking or drop-off/pick-up options. I thank you in advance for your support. 

I also must ask that parents and carers who are dropping students off in the morning use the designated drop-off zone. This commences at the circular turning area at the northern end of the car park. It has become increasingly apparent that there are students being dropped off in the public car park adjacent to the AFL field. This adds to the time it takes for students to find parks or people to freely move out of the parking area. All drop-offs (and pick-ups in the afternoon) must occur in the designated area, please. 

Some Great News

Congratulations to staff members Lucy and Luke De Giorgio who welcomed the latest addition to their family last Friday. Evie Anne was born around midday and both she and mum are doing very well. 

It has been wonderful to have students return to the College this term. The school is beginning to feel like it did prior to COVID 19. There has certainly been energy amongst the students as they begin to return to the SJC campus and have the opportunity to spend time with their teachers at school. This week we see every grade spend a day at school and we look forward to seeing each year level return. On Monday, Year 8 spent the day in normal timetabled classes and were provided with a welcome back morning tea. At lunchtime students in Year 8 were challenged to complete the ‘Oreo Challenge’, which saw students attempting to move an oreo biscuit from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands or dropping the biscuit. As you can see in the photos above, some students found this challenge easy, while others need some further practice.

This week as a Catholic Community we have been invited by Pope Francis, as part of Laudato Si' Week (16-24 May), to unite in solidarity for a more just and sustainable future. It has been five years since Pope Francis shared Laudato Si with the world. During these five years, we have witnessed many cases of our physical environment and humankind being mistreated. This week provides us with the opportunity to reflect at a local level the impact we are having on our environment and those people around us. We can use this week to work towards having a positive impact on the Earth and our community. The idea of 'Integral ecology', from Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, is explored in the upcoming edition of Australian Catholics. A friendly reminder that Mass continues to be streamed live on Sunday’s by the Bishop from Lismore Diocese and also by Father Michael from St Joseph’s Parish Tweed Heads.

Finally, I hope your family is doing well at this time and that you have enjoyed the opportunity to see more loved ones in your life as the government moves towards relaxing restrictions. As a community, we are continuing to pray for the health and wellbeing of all our students and families. If we can offer any further support, please let us know how we can help.

Mr Ryan Campbell
Assistant Principal - Mission

Return to School

St Joseph’s College warmly welcomed back our Year 11 and Year 12 students on Monday 11 May to commence our transition back to face-to-face teaching and learning. It was great to see our students return with such a high attendance rate from the Blended Learning Environment, and we look forward to working in partnership with families in moving forward to the ‘new normal’. This week will see Year 7 to 10 students transition back to face-to-face teaching and learning one day per week as per the  Return to School Plan.

To welcome back our senior students, the College hosted a Year 12 lunch on Wednesday 13 May and a Year 11 morning tea on Friday 15 May. The College will continue to host a morning tea for Year 7 to 10 students on their rostered day of face-to-face teaching and learning this week.

As we continue our transition back to school in the coming weeks, can all families please be mindful that we are now operating with our Winter uniform, including ties for the boys. We also need to ensure that student grooming is up to standard, including appropriate hairstyles and hair colours, and that we adhere to the expectations around jewellery. Due to the impending cold weather, please ensure your child has the College jumper or jacket available as other outer garments should not be worn. As you will note in the newsletter, Lowes will now open twice a week during the usual hours.

Mr Eamon Brown
Leader of Pastoral Care and Student Welfare

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Ms Sara Reynolds
Acting Leader of School Evangelisation

Year 12 2020 HSC Assessment Handbook (Amended)

The amended HSC assessment booklet is now available on the College website. 

Mrs Kathy McAlister
Leader of Curriculum

First Aid and White Card Training

I am pleased to advise Year 11 students that our First Aid and White Card training days (postponed from Term 1) have been rescheduled as follows:  

First Aid:  Tuesday 23 June (Week 9, Term 2)
White Card:  Wednesday 1 July (Week 10, Term 2)

If you have any questions regarding the training, please see me. 

Mr Jesse Carroll
Leader of VET/SBAT

This week is National Careers Week

MyYear13 Link

Year13, the digital career and life advice platform, have kindly offered all students a free Premium MyYear13 Account at this time, where you can:

• Get your own personalised skills forecast,
• Build your own career plan using their career explorer tool, and
• Access the Year13 Digital Careers Expo, which will be held on May 18-22. You’ll hear from awesome speakers such as:
  • Laura Enever, a Pro Surfer, 
  • Will Hodgett, the Creative Director of GoPro Europe,
  • Hugo Gruzman of Australian band Flight Facilities, and
  • Industry experts on a variety of topics, ranging from creative industries, sustainability and apprenticeships!

If you haven’t already checked it out before, you’ll likely find this site really interesting and helpful – it’s run by young people, for young people - and they have some really great tools and resources to help you as you think about your future beyond high school.

To get signed up:

1. Click on the link below
2. Fill out your details
3. Click Attending Expo
4. Complete your skills forecast and career plan

If you already have a MyYear13 account, please go to your profile, and add this code UPPRGRMV in ‘link school’.

Between now and the beginning of the Expo on May 18, they will be sharing tools and tips through your new profile so make sure you tune in.

If you have any questions, please reach out to hamish@year13.com.au.

Thanks, and please take advantage of this access – It’s not usually free and these tools will really support you during this period.

Gold Coast Virtual Careers Festival

Students will be able to discover career pathways and opportunities for their future through this online event, from 1 May to 31 July 2020.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with a wide range of education and training providers, who will showcase their latest courses and pathways and provide invaluable tips on how to choose the right path, how to prepare for life after school and how to become job ready.

Access is completely free and registration is easy. Students simply head to the website, create a login and join instantly, without the need to download any software or apps.

What is on the site?

This year the event has transitioned from physical booths to virtual booths. Each education and training provider has set up a virtual booth with informative documents such as course guides, scholarship information, open day flyers with important dates and more. The virtual “swag bag” allows students to select items of interest and download them for review at their leisure, giving them access to relevant information for their chosen area/s of interest.

Informative videos including career resources, inspiring job opportunities and course programs are also accessible for all students to view. These include ATAR information, building a professional profile, resume & cover letters, life after school and much more.

How to Access the Event: 

1. Visit www.careers-festival.com 
2. Click on the top banner through to the Event Registration Page.
3. Register your details – then return to page to log into site.
4. Start browsing the Virtual Careers Festival

Navigating the Virtual Careers Festival:

This is a user friendly site and is easy to navigate. Below are the features available at the Virtual Careers Festival:

• Exhibitor Hall – is all the booths – click on a booth to learn more about what they have to offer.
• Video Vault – browse the numerous videos that providers have uploaded (these are accessible via each booth as well).
• Swag Bag – the student’s collection of documents they wish to keep looking back through.
• Auditorium – Stage Program with videos of Career Resources, Inspiring Job Opportunities and Institute Schools & Courses.

Stay tuned – further information will be provided next week including handout/worksheets to make the most of the website, the top go-to videos as well as profiles of the education and training providers at the Virtual Careers Festival.

ADF Gap Year applications close soon

There's still time to apply for an ADF Gap Year

Have you applied for an ADF Gap Year yet? Applications for some roles have already closed and others close soon.

Gap Year is a great option for students interested in experiencing life in the Navy, Army or Air Force. In just 12 months, they’ll gain a great salary package, security and stability, unparalleled skills and experience, plus friends for life. All of which will help them decide on a future career – and excel in it.

With more than 20 roles to choose from, you are sure to find one to suit their interests. They’ll experience life in management, engineering, logistics and warehousing, combat and security, and administration.

Applications for the following job roles are closing soon:

There’s still time for you to apply.

For more information call 13 19 01 or visit www.defencejobs.gov.au.

COVID-19 updates: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/help-centre/COVID-19-Updates. 

Careers News for Year 10 students, Parents & Caregivers

A number of students have followed the advice provided in the last newsletter and have been completing the 'Tests/Quizzes' from the secure student area of the College careers website. I hope you have been enjoying the resulting reports and that they have contributed to interesting future focused conversations at home. If you have not yet started these please do register on the site and complete the tests/quizzes. The more information you have about yourself, occupations and post-school options, the better your chances of making sound decisions about senior subject choices and future pathways.

Go to the College careers website https://www.sjcbanoracareers.com/ 

From the menu across the top select 'FOR STUDENTS'
Select 'STUDENT'S SECURE AREA' from the dropdown menu
Follow the prompts to register for an account.
This will give you access to a range of tools that are shown in a vertical menu on the left hand side of the page.
Under 'Tests/Quizzes' complete each of the quizzes - particularly the first two or three. Each one will generate a report for you and suggest occupations that you may be suited to. You can then use this information to start exploring post-school options. There are lots of ways to do that on the SJC career website so start exploring.

Remember to check out the Virtual Gold Coast Careers Festival which is running until 31 July. We would normally be attending this event as part of our senior subject selection and careers program. You should register and get involved. The festival is designed to help you to find out about the work and training options that may interest you. 

Instructions on how to access this festival are included above (under heading 'Gold Coast Virtual Careers Festival').

Once you return to school we will continue your preparation for subject selections.

Be proactive! Start researching your future options now!

Ms Frances Stegeman
Leader of Careers and EVET
Leader of Learning - Work Readiness Pathway

Virtual Cross Country

Starting Monday 18 May, as students start to return to school we will be hosting a virtual Cross Country during their PE lessons.

Students will be able to earn house points to assist their house in trying to claim the title of COVID-19 Virtual Cross Country Champions and strive for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed medal in their age groups. There will also be a non-competitive event for the not-so-serious runners who still wish to earn points for their house. To be prepared for this event all students - competitive or not - need to download the app Bolt for Gold if they have a smartphone that they bring to school. If you don’t have a smartphone or can’t download the app, don’t stress - we have a backup plan for you.

Below is the outline of when students will be competing and we have tried to do our best with covering as many classes as possible. Some students who wish to compete in the serious event might need to participate in the lunchtime option with the seniors as not all classes fall perfectly with the staggered return to school.

Dates for virtual cross country:
Monday 18 May - All Year 8.
Friday 22 May - 7A, 7B, 7E & 7F.
Tuesday 26 May - All Year 9.
Wednesday 27 May - 10A, 10B & 10C (in class) 10D & 10E, Year 11 & Year 12 at lunch.
Friday 29 May - 7C & 7D.

How to download and sign-up to Bolt for Gold: Please view the link below to assist you with downloading and understanding the app.

When you register, please make sure you use your first and last name so that we know which time belongs to which student - if you don’t, you risk your time not counting in the championship event.

Ms Madeline Ilic
Leader of Sport