Newsletter Term 3, Week 6 2023
Dear Members of the St Joseph's College Family,
From time to time, thoughts and images comes before us. They challenge us more and more to be “glass half full” people and be “big picture focussed”. I like them because they challenge me to think about what’s really important, not a new set of golf clubs! Many people talk about, “If I only had more money …” Actually, there are many stories of people who have won large sums of money, yet it brought with it only more troubles and even fracturing of relationships. Please consider the following:
Things money can’t buy:
- Manners
- Morals
- Respect
- Character
- Common sense
- Trust
- Patience
- Class
- Integrity
- Love
In his book, “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff . . . and it’s all small stuff”, Dr Richard Carlson writes about think of what you have instead of what you want:
It doesn't seem to make any difference how much we have; we just keep expanding our lists of desires, which guarantees we will remain dissatisfied… If we do get what we want, we simply recreate the same thinking in our new circumstances.
If you focus on ways to enjoy yourself around home rather than waiting to enjoy yourself in Hawaii, you'll end up having more fun.
Make a note to yourself to start thinking more about what you have than what you want. If you do, your life will start appearing much better than before. For perhaps the first time in your life, you’ll know what it means to feel satisfied.
(pages 161-163)
In his workbook, Dr Carlson suggests we complete the following exercise:
- Make a list of things in your life that bring you happiness.
- Think about items on your list. Imagine how your life was before you had these things. Circle the items on the list that you were once content to live without. What do the circled items have in common?
- Make a list of things you thought would bring you happiness but left you disappointed. What do these things have in common?
- Name something that belongs to someone else that you wish you had. Think about this person. Is he or she happier than you? What do you have that this person doesn’t have? Would you trade places with this person?
It’s similar to the time in the gospel when the mother of James and John asked Jesus if her sons could sit one at his right hand and one at his left when Jesus entered his Kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28). Jesus told her she didn’t know what she was asking for because he knew how he was going to suffer and besides it wasn’t his to grant, “but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Matthew 20:23)
It’s food for thought!
Let’s all practice focussing on the things money can’t buy and what we already have in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.
Yours in Jesus, Mary and St Joseph
Mr Peter McLoughlin
College Principal
21 August 2023
Far North Coast Group of CWA of NSW Education Grants
The Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW offers a variety of Education Grants to students from NSW.
In 2023, the Far North Coast Group of CWA of NSW awards Education Grants each year to children entering and during Secondary or entering Tertiary level, or Developmental Disabilities Study. These Grants are open for application by all students in the qualifying levels irrespective of academic achievement and are tenable for one (1) year, however, recipients may re-apply each year if still within the category.
Please see the attached letter and application form for more information.
Note: The completed application forms should be in the hands of the Education Grants Committee Chairperson by 27 October 2023. No late applications will be accepted.
St Joseph's Parish
St Joseph's Catholic Church
56 Frances Street, Tweed Heads
Weekday Mass times
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- Monday to Friday – 9:10am
Weekend Mass times
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- Saturday – 9:00am
- Saturday Vigil Mass – 5:00pm
- Sunday – 7:00am & 9:00am
St Camillus Catholic Church
36 Urliup Road, Bilambil
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- Sunday – 9:00am
St Anthony's Parish
St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff
12-14 Pearl Street, Kingscliff
Weekday Mass times
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- Wednesday – 8:00am
- Thursday – 9:00am in the school term and 8:00am in the holiday period
- Friday – 8:00am
Weekend Mass times
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- Saturday – 5:00pm (6pm during DST)
- Sunday – 9:00am
Sts Mary & Ambrose Catholic Church
1 Charles Street, Pottsville
Weekday Mass times
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- Tuesday – 9:15am
Weekend Mass times
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- Sunday – 7:30am
Reconciliation Times
- Kingscliff – Saturday 5:00 – 5:30pm
- Pottsville – Sunday 7:00 – 7:25am
Student Engagement and Application Reports
As you would be aware, St Joseph’s College provides Student Engagement and Application Reports (SEAAR) periodically throughout the year. SEAAR is a system that monitors and acknowledges students' individual effort and application in each subject. Scores are based on each student’s effort in completing classwork and homework to the best of their ability; being punctual and organised for class; and behaviour in the learning environment. The most recent SEAAR, Cycle 4, was released Friday afternoon (18 August). Please view this video if you need support in how to access and view your child’s SEAAR. Please note that some students will not receive a SEAAR for this cycle due to a number of absences from school.
As communicated earlier in the year, the cut-offs may need to be adjusted to suit the requirements of the system. For this cycle, we have slightly amended the cut-offs, which can be seen on your child’s SEAAR, to endeavour to provide an accurate representation of the data.
Congratulations to the students below who received a perfect SEAAR average of 5.0 for Cycle 4:
| Student Name | Year Group | AWC |
| Charli BROADHURST | 12 | HD5 |
| Ashley PALIN | 12 | RY6 |
| Willow TRIMBOLI | 12 | DL2 |
| Madison PEISLEY | 11 | HN1 |
| Daniel VAN ZUYLEN | 11 | HD6 |
| Caiden MILLER | 10 | HD9 |
| Lucy GREEN | 9 | DL9 |
| Gillian ANDREWARTHA | 8 | DL4 |
| Olivia BAKER | 8 | HD9 |
| Sienna GAZAL | 8 | RY3 |
| Aleigha IRVINE | 8 | HN2 |
| Chloe JOYCE | 8 | HN7 |
| Hailey PICKETT | 8 | RY4 |
| Holly VUKSANOVIC | 8 | RY4 |
| Ruby SCHENK | 8 | RY5 |
Special guest speaker at our Year 7 & 8 Family Night - 29 August
Nathan 'Dubsy' Want is a dynamic speaker and author who helps lead and navigate teens through the inescapable moments life throws at them.
The Parent Assembly has been very fortunate in securing Dubsy for the Year 7 and 8 Family Night to be held at the College on Tuesday 29 August 2023, from 6:00pm-7:30pm.
Life is an incredible journey, filled with countless moments that shape our teenagers’ lives. Some moments bring joy and fulfillment, while others present challenges and hardships. In this engaging workshop, Dubsy will provide teens and parents with insights and tools to help use these moments to foster growth and resilience.
We encourage our Year 7 and 8 families to attend this evening, where you can enjoy this encouraging, engaging and uplifting presentation, as well as meet with other families – all with dinner provided.
Elevate Education - Free Parent Webinars in Term 3
Elevate Education are offering free parent webinars this term to our parents and carers. Elevate is an organisation that has been working with the College to help our students become more effective learners. Each 60 minute webinar is designed to help ou support your child's studies at home:
- How To Help Your Child Improve Their Note Taking - 30 August, 6:30pm
- How You Can Support Your Child During Exams - 13 September, 6:30pm
See the attached flyer, or you can register here.
Supporting Families with Children with ASD
The Catholic Schools Parent Assembly has a series of on-demand webinars available for parents and carers of children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). See the attached flyer for more inforamtion.
Mr Eamon Brown
Assistant Principal - Mission
Vaccination Catchup day tomorrow, Tuesday 22 August
This is a friendly reminder to those parents and carers who completed their online consent to NSW Health for their child to receive a vaccination as part of the school vaccination program - tomorrow, Tuesday 22 August - will be the final day for 2023 for any catchups for students in Year 7 and Year 10.
Mr Mathew Lynch
Leader of Pastoral Care
Netball NSW Cup 2023
On Wednesday, 9 August, four SJC netball teams competed in the netball NSW Cup here in Tweed Heads. It was set to be a big day with over 80 teams from local primary and secondary schools competing. SJC registered a 7/8 girls and boys team, as well as a girl and boys 9/10 team who all competed hard and had a fun day in glorious weather.
The 7/8 girls competed strongly all day against some very impressive competition. The girls played 5 games against Tweed River, Kingscliff High, Banora Point High School and two Lindisfarne teams; fighting hard at both ends of the court with some outstanding defence and exquisite shooting. Emerging triumphant from all encounters, they concluded the day undefeated and advanced to the next stage of the competition. While every player deserves recognition for their stellar performance and sportsmanship, a special mention is due to Kalani Blanch. Stepping into the team on short notice due to illness among some of our players, Kalani seamlessly integrated herself, delivering pinpoint passes into the circle that greatly bolstered our shooters' efforts.
The 9/10 girls also competed well, playing against Tweed River, Lindisfarne, Kingscliff High School and Banora Point High School. The girls were undefeated all day with scores that reflected their excellent teamwork and abilities. Special mention to Eva Liles who played across a range of positions and was voted the teams MPV (most valuable player) for the day.
The 7/8 boys competed well playing against Kingscliff High, Tweed River & Lindisfarne, finishing with 2 wins, a draw and a couple of close losses. The boys showed true class and constantly improved their skills in their first netball tournament as a team. Luca Amato was on fire in the goal scoring department while Connor Aussieker was a brick wall in defence. Special mention to David Conallin who filled in all over the park for the team and demonstrated excellent netball skills across the court.
The 9/10 boys came into the competition with only a couple of training sessions, due to the ski trip. While they came up against some tough competition, the boys improved immensely throughout the day. Special mention to our year 10 boys - Connor, Kye, Caiden, Beau, Marcus, Lachy and Seth who gave their best all day, showing great sportsmanship and enthusiasm under pressure.
A special vote of thanks, to all the extra students who helped out on the day with umpiring or scoring - particularly Violet Looby, Makayla Floyd, Maddi Smith and Zoe Blundell. The Vietnam Immersion students also ran a successful BBQ on the day.
Overall it was a great day with students representing the school proudly.
Additional Shop Hours this week ... and another sale!
Lowes are happy to announce their next two day 20% off sale event will take place this coming Thursday 24 August and Friday 25 August.
This sale includes school uniforms! Purchases can be made online or at the Lowes On-Campus Shop which will be open on both sale days from 8:00am–12:00noon.
Therefore, the shop hours this week will be:
- Tuesday (normal hours/standard prices) – 12:00pm to 3:30pm
- Thursday (normal hours/sale event prices) – 8:00am to 12:00pm
- Friday (extended hours/sale event prices) – 8:00am to 12:00pm
The Lowes On-site Uniform Shop’s contact phone number is (during shop hours only) 07 5523 9300. (Please note click and collect will not be available during the sale).