Newsletter 2: Monday 11 March 2024

Dear Members of the St Joseph's College Family,

Week 6 is the midpoint of this term and a time to take stock of all that’s been achieved, and to note the events still to come.

It’s hard to believe we’ve marked the second anniversary of the Lismore floods, devastatingly peaking in the early hours of 28 February 2022.  Parents and others in the local community faced the huge task of not only rebuilding their lives and neighbourhoods, but in supporting their children to once again feel safe.

It is testament to the resilience of the human spirit shown these last two years by the community in finding the strength as they supported each other in the almost overwhelming challenge for some to start all over again.  We continue to keep the Lismore community in our prayers.

Newly established student awards

Sincerity – Humility – Courage – Wisdom

These I feel are the guiding principles that we seek to embody every time we say the College prayer, as we act and give this prayer a living meaning when we ask:

… through his [St. Joseph’s] example may we find: sincerity in our endeavours, humility in our achievements, courage in our convictions, wisdom in our decisions.

I wanted to introduce an award that recognises students who have shown, by their actions, one of the characteristics of the four guiding principles from the College Prayer – Sincerity–Humility–Courage–Wisdom – in their daily interactions with others.  I also wanted to find a way to show students that every small step towards these principles is recognised, and appreciated.

This award, I feel, takes nothing away from the yearly Peace Through Justice Award.  That award has quite a rigorous criterion, and is justly awarded to those students who make an outstanding contribution to the school community, and which is suitably recognised at the end of year awards presentation ceremony (for Year 12 this occurs at the end of Term 3).

Therefore, this year, I have initiated an assembly award in recognition of those students who find real and practical ways to help others, and for which particular characteristic from the College prayer is present in their interactions.  It has been my pleasure so far this year to have acknowledged at our assemblies, the following students:

Caleb Matheson, for Humility & Naith McCarthy, for Courage (20 February Assembly) and Jonathon Davis, for Sincerity (5 March Assembly)

House Awards

Also introduced this year, we have created House Awards which recognise a student’s personal efforts, sometimes in activities outside of school. Heads of House are looking to acknowledge students who are proudly representing their House and the  College.

I would like to thank all students for their efforts to-date.  Congratulations!

Open Evening

On Monday (11 March), we welcome everyone to the College’s annual Open Evening.  The staff are to be congratulated for all their hard work in ensuring that in opening our doors we showcase all the wonderful opportunities the College has to offer to prospective students and their families.  There will be a number of student volunteers, and I thank all in attendance for their efforts. We are certainly looking forward to meeting students of our 2025 cohort.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing commences on 13 March and continues through to 18 March, at which time we pause to celebrate our very own St Joseph’s Day on 19 March.  Catchup exams will then take place from 20-23 March.  More information about the NAPLAN program is contained in this newsletter.

St Joseph’s Day

Tuesday of Week 8, 19 March, is St Joseph's Day, the Feast Day of our Patron Saint.  I reflect again on the College prayer, with its opening statement where we acknowledge that God chose Joseph to protect His only Son.

In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Joseph the patron saint of the entire Catholic Church.  Saint Joseph’s life can be seen as a call to vocation.  A call to work in partnership with God.  A call to spread the Gospel through prayer, service, and sharing our Christian life with others.  Each of us, through our baptism, is called to a vocation to live our lives according to the Gospel message.

We extend an invitation to the College community for our parents and carers to join us in celebrating this very special school mass, commencing at 10:45am.

As part of the celebrations, we also recognise the 10th, 20th and 25th year anniversaries of relevant staff.  I thank these staff in advance of the mass, for all they have contributed to the College and our school community.  There have been many changes to the area, many challenges faced and met, and many wonderful memories for our long-standing staff.  We thank you for your service.

School Community Group

When Christian families work together to build up and support one another they are living out the call to service and to the mission of Christ that was given them in the sacrament of Baptism.

On Monday of Week 9, 25 March, we invite interested parents and carers to our first 2024 School Community Group, taking place from 6-7pm, in the COLA (Oval side of the Doyle Centre). I encourage all parents to attend and share your insight on the many topics that will be discussed throughout the year.

Easter

Easter is the most significant day in the Christian calendar, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking the birth of our eternal hope.  On Thursday of Week 8, 28 March, we will be celebrating our Easter Liturgy in the Holy Family Chapel, and invite our parents and carers to join us.

As is our standard protocol, all students are expected to attend every school mass and liturgy, and I seek the support of our parents and carers in ensuring their child’s, or children's, attendance at school that day.

College Cross Country

Also that same day, all students will take part in the College’s annual Cross Country, either as competitors or as supporters.  It should be noted that non-attendance for either the mass or the cross-country event will be recorded on school reports, so support your peers and cheer on SJC!  It’s a great day to enjoy being part of the community.

We then break for Easter, and I wish you all an enjoyable short break before we return for two more weeks of this term.  I hope you can take the opportunity of Easter to reflect on Christ’s journey, as Jesus walked this journey from a place of deep and abiding love.  I hope you can connect with family, friends and enjoy the break.  Meantime, enjoy the next few weeks.

God Bless

Mr Ryan Campbell
Principal

Easter Mass Times

Mass Times outside of Easter for St Joseph's Parish.

Mass times outside of Easter for St Anthony's Parish.

I do love it when school settles completely into its new-year routine and everywhere you look it’s game on.  And I feel that this week, Week 6, well and truly marked that point at St Joey’s: Assessments are in full swing; excursions and sport and parent meetings are thick on the calendar; assemblies and classrooms are hives of activity and achievement.  And most importantly, the College is alive with the sound of happy, engaged kids.

Even now, into my third decade of teaching, I get a buzz out of that.  It is wonderful being able to work with great kids, excellent staff and supportive parents.  Through the ups and downs of the school year, it is collaborative and productive relationships that really define the character of people and community.

Below are a few things past, present and future to have on your radar as parents at St Joseph’s.

Senior assessment Zoom meeting 

Thank you to the parents who attended Mr Hall’s Zoom meeting on Senior assessment this Wednesday.  It was a concise and informative session that covered all the key points you need to know about your child’s assessments this year.  It was wonderful to see many parents in attendance.  For those who missed it, the zoom recording is attached to this newsletter.

Parent-teacher-student interviews

Our next opportunity to work with parents will be the Parent-Teacher-Student interviews on April 3 and April 8.  Please keep one or both of those dates free so you can come to the College and meet your child’s teachers and work with them and your child to set some learning goals for the year.  Booking will be made available soon.

Assessment calendars

All assessments for the term are on the Google calendar, which can be accessed under the learning/assessment calendars tab on the College website.  Discussing their upcoming tasks with your children is the best way to show your interest and keep them accountable for being organised.  As always, organisation is the best antidote for assessment stress.

NAPLAN testing

All St Joseph’s students in Year 7 and Year 9 will sit their NAPLAN tests next week.  The tests are now completely online, so students need to ensure they have a charged laptop.  As diagnostic tests, there is no need for preparation or anxiety – they are simply a snapshot of where students are at with literacy and numeracy.  Results are used by teachers to support and extend students so they are getting the best from their learning.  If you wish to learn more about NAPLAN, this site is the place to go.

Mr Chris Mason
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching

St Joseph's Day Mass

This year our St Joseph's Day celebrations will include a school mass, so we extend an invitation to parents and carers to attend.  This will take place in the Holy Family Chapel, commencing at 10:45am.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Transitus 2024

Transitus is a retreat for invited Year 7 students from Parish Secondary Schools in the North and South of the Diocese to create a smoother transition to secondary schools, and to celebrate and be nurtured in their faith at a diocesan level.

The retreat will be a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people who want to grow and be supported in their Christian faith.  The activities will be a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating the Eucharist together.  The program has been geared to meet the needs of these Year 7 students.

The gathering will be an overnight experience that will allow students to build relationships with other students from throughout the Diocese as well as a chance for students to talk and share about their faith journey or the beginning of their journey.  Students will be sleeping in male and female dorms with at least one student from their school.

Monday 8 April to Tuesday 9 April 2024 (Week 11, Term 1)
Camp Drewe, Lennox Head
Cost: Nil
All transport and booking expenses met by the Catholic Schools Office

We can offer ten (10) places for Transitus this year.  Any student who would like to be considered is asked to complete the Student Expression of Interest Form provided by the Mission Team – see Jacob or Bianca.

We thank you for your attention, and welcome our Year 7 families to the St Joseph's College community.

Mr Eamon Brown
Assistant Principal - Mission

Year 12 Retreat 2024

Maddy Smith

On February 21, our Year 12 cohort travelled to Tyalgum Ridge to participate in the Year 12 Retreat.  During this time, we not only grew closer as a grade, but opened up in learning the value of forgiveness, understanding, and accepting and recognising our fears and hopes. Through collaboration in both our small groups and the group as a whole, the Year 12 Retreat allowed us to become more aware of our faith, empathetic towards others and aware of our own feelings.

Tom Busbridge

The Retreat was an amazing experience which gave our Year 12 cohort a chance to connect more deeply with each other.  We had many different sessions that were filled with sharing activities, challenges and growth.  It really helped our grade grow together with each other and teachers, it produced a more thoughtful mindset so we might be able to understand what is going on with other people and to remember that everyone has their own stuff to deal with.  One of the workshops that really had an impact on me was focussed around healing, healing old relationships, I was able to reconnect and begin to rebuild relationships with people that I lost connection with.  The experience was very important to me.

Tyson Smith

The Year 12 retreat would be something I would recommend everyone go on.  Not only was the retreat perfect for getting closer with our cohort, it was also a chance for us to talk about our faiths/beliefs and morals. 

By involving ourselves and respecting everyone's beliefs, not only did we expand our own faiths, but also were able to learn about our peers in more depth.  For me personally I found more clarity and answers within my faith and even solidified some of my beliefs, I definitely got a lot out of it and would say it was the best retreat I have been to.  Overall the retreat was there so we as a cohort could get closer with each other, and I can gladly say it has worked successfully and I am keen to move forward through the year with them.

Project Compassion 2024

Hoade House this year is leading Project Compassion for the College for the duration of Lent.  In a world where so many face poverty, injustice, and hardship, Project Compassion stands as a beacon of hope, offering support and empowerment to those in need.  Through sustainable development programs, emergency relief efforts, and advocacy initiatives, Caritas works tirelessly to alleviate suffering and build a more just and equitable world.

At the heart of Project Compassion lies the belief that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to live a life of dignity and fulfilment.  Whether it's providing access to clean water, healthcare, education, or livelihood opportunities, Caritas strives to address the root causes of poverty and injustice, empowering communities to create lasting change from within.

Over the coming weeks, members of Hoade House will be coordinating various fundraising efforts for Project Compassion.  Every AWC will have a Project Compassion box in their AWC room for students to place financial donations.

In addition to the donation boxes, Hoade students have embarked on another innovative fundraising endeavour: Frosty Friday Snow Cones.  Every Friday at lunchtime, students gather to enjoy delicious snow cones while simultaneously supporting a worthy cause.  The cheerful atmosphere of Frosty Friday not only raises much-needed funds but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and unity within the school community.

If we all make a small contribution, together we can make a big difference.

Compulsory School Camps

As previously mentioned, we have some Term 1 camps.  It is an expectation, as agreed to enrolment, that all students also attend the yearly camps, that the College provides each year.  Term 1 dates are as follows:

Finalisation of details are almost complete, and Year 11, 8 & 7 parents will receive further advice through Compass once that happens.

Mr Mathew Lynch
Leader of Pastoral Care

ATAR Notes works directly with hundreds of schools to provide their students with access to helpful resources:

ATAR Notes is all about increasing access to educational resources.  We are home to Australia’s largest online student community and we have been providing top quality materials to high school students for over a decade.

Everything we do is in line with our “by students, for students” philosophy.  This means that all our authors, tutors, lecturers, and community leaders are recent graduates who understand the content and know what it's like to be a student striving for success.  However, we also recognise that success looks different for everyone, so our aim is to cater to everyone's goals and learning styles.  It doesn't matter if you’re aiming for a score of 100/100 or just looking to pass - ATAR Notes is here to help you do your best and feel more confident.

ATAR Notes has FREE Online Lectures from 8-25 April.  Register now!  Registering for ATAR Notes is free.  You can do that here.

Check out their FAQs for further information.

Mr Matthew Hall
Leader of Curriculum

Check out more on Facebook!

Study Skills Tips for March:  Benefits of Exercise

She Maps' WISE Program Inspires Female STEM Leaders

SJC recently secured a grant for the She Maps' Women In Science and Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, an initiative aimed at fostering interest in geospatial and space careers among female youth.

In Term 4, 2023, we launched the inaugural session of this two-year program, led by Beau from Surf Life Saving NSW’s Australian UAV Service (AUAVS).  The session highlighted the crucial role of drones in surf life-saving and safety mapping while emphasising the importance of encouraging women to pursue STEM careers.

The thirty girls involved gained hands-on experience by piloting drones in a simulated environment and applying coding skills to map out safe areas, providing them with valuable insight into the diverse opportunities within geospatial and space careers.

We are excited to announce the continuation of this program with a new group of female students this year.

The next session is scheduled for Monday May 6th (during period 1 & 2).  For any female students interested, please contact Mrs James, Mrs Sands, or speak with your Science teacher or HSIE teacher.

Mrs Georgia James
Leader of Learning Technologies

Term 1 has been a lively time in the College Resource Centre.  The Year 7 students have all had their Orientation lessons and are now involved in a Study Skills session.  The aim of these lessons is to encourage the Year 7s to become confident readers and independent, efficient users of the Resource Centre.  They have loved the team scavenger hunts to locate Library collections and learning to use SORA.  The Study skills teach them good classroom habits and memory techniques to retain class notes and material for tests.

Study Skills

Work Readiness Pathway

Within the Work Readiness Pathway, several noteworthy activities are currently underway.  In recent weeks, TVET students have begun their courses at TAFE. Our Community Service initiatives are back, with students actively engaging with residents at St Martha's and providing support to St James Primary School, fostering community bonds and personal development. 

Year 12 WRP students visit St Martha's

Year 11 and Year 12 School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) students have started dedicating one day a week to gaining practical experience at work.  On this note, if there are any builders in the community willing to employ a Year 11 student in an SBAT, please reach out.  We have a highly motivated student actively seeking an opportunity.

Inside the classrooms, students are immersed in substantial projects.  Year 12 students are creating short films for the English Studies curriculum, while Year 11 students are diligently preparing for mock job interviews at the term's end, a valuable experience for future professional skills.

As we navigate through this busy phase of the term, I want to emphasise the importance of Work Readiness Pathway, students’ attendance, and commitment to completing homework.  These elements play a crucial role in shaping your child’s academic progress and overall learning experience.  Additionally, I encourage all WRP students to utilise their Super Afternoon for independent study at home and consider staying on-site to work on school tasks.  During this time, students are welcome to approach their subject teachers for assistance if needed.

I extend my sincere thanks to the Year 11 parents who joined us at the recent Information Evening.  Your involvement is crucial in building a close-knit and supportive community.  Parents and carers, please take note of important assessment dates by checking the assessment handbooks and calendars in the Learning Tab on the College website.

Ms Hannah Lindschau
Leader of Learning - Work Readiness Pathway

Please find attached the specials board for Week 7, as well as our regular Canteen menu.  We'll be sharing the weekly specials via Compass every Friday. 

And don't forget:  our recess and lunch order cutoff time is 9:00am.

The uniform shop hours are as follows: 

Every Tuesday during the school term: 12:00pm – 3:30pm
Every Thursday during the school term: 8:00am – 12:00pm

During shop hours: (07) 5523 9300
This shop is managed by Lowes staff only

Payments: Cash and EFTPOS Only
NO CHEQUES ACCEPTED

Or, if you'd like to make an online purchase, you can use this handy link.