Newsletter Term 4, Week 10 2020

Dear SJC Families and Friends

It is with a level of pride I sit and pen this final article for the 2020 academic year. So much has been said about the year we have experienced but upon reflection, the year that won't be forgotten will be remembered for the positives that occurred as a result. 

It is without a doubt that the best lesson learnt from 2020 is that nothing is a forgone conclusion. When we live our lives appreciating what is before us and not taking anything for granted, we are all better human beings. Living in times of uncertainty, whilst stressful and challenging, will make more resilient, innovative and tenacious people of us all. The young people in our care, your sons and daughters, have experienced levels of uncertainty not seen in this country since World War II. Their experiences and triumphs will put them in good stead for the remainder of their lives.

The other major positive to appear as a result of this pandemic is importantly, and what sits at the core of our St Joey's ethos, care and compassion for our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. This year has bee abound with anecdotes outlining the essence of the human spirit. It has been on display constantly within our own College community and is the foremost message our Bishop, Greg Homeming; true joy will only be found when one holds the care and happiness of others as their core belief. 

If this pandemic goes some way to making all humans treat each other with great compassion, empathy, patience and love, then those who have been adversely affected by the virus will not have suffered in vain. 

Merry Christmas and Thank you

On behalf of the staff of St Joseph's College, I would like to offer all our families and friends the happiest and holiest of Christmas this year. If you are travelling, I wish you a safe and pleasant journey and look forward to seeing all students and families in the new year. 

I would also like to wholeheartedly thank families for their continued support in 2020. The education of a child is only as good as the support they receive from home when school and home work in partnership, this is often when we see the best results for our children. I look forward to a continued positive partnership in 2021.

Staff Changes and Farewells

The school community were sad to bid farewell to Mr Peter Lyon last Monday as he embarks on his year of long service leave in 2021. Mr Lyon was required to finish the school year early due to medical reasons. Having commenced at the College in 1996, Mr Lyon became the College Deputy Principal in 1997. For the first time in 24 years, SJC will not have Peter in the role of Deputy/Assistant Principal from the commencement of 2021. On behalf of the entire St Joseph's College community, I wish Peter all the best for his year away from the College and thank him for his 25 years of continuous service to this great school. 

As has been announced, Mr Eamon Brown will be assuming an Assistant Principal (Mission) role for 2021 and as a result of his secondment, I was pleased to announce through the week that Mr Mathew Lynch has been appointed to the role of Leader of Pastoral Care and Student Welfare for 2021. Mr Lynch is a former SJC student (2005) and comes to us from Mt St Patrick College where he is currently the Pastoral Care Leader - Senior School. He has previously held the position of Leader of Careers and VET at the same school. We look forward to welcoming Mr Lynch in 2021. 

As is often the case, the end of the year will see a number of our valued staff depart for various reasons. I would like to thank each of the staff members listed below for their service and invaluable contributions to our College and wish them all the best for the future. 

• Mrs Colleen Waide (LSL Term 1 then retirement)
• Mr Tony Chanell (retired)
• Mrs Wendy Peterson (retired)
• Mr Mick Levick (employed at MSPC)
• Ms Jenna Balk (maternity leave)
• Ms Monique Burns (full-time study)
• Mr Laurie Pratt (full-time study)
• Ms Debbie James (carer role)

End of Year Letter

All families will be emailed the traditional end of year letter this week. Please ensure you read this. Further communication will be sent prior to the commencement of the school year. 

Take care and may blessing be upon you all

Mr Scott Thomson
Principal

Please note specifically that booking is essential for all Christmas Masses as we can only seat 162 under the current Covid regulations.

Your booking can be made by contacting the Parish Office on 07 5536 7522.

St Anthony's Parish has provided a link to their latest (13 December) Parish Newsletter. It should be noted that you no longer need to book for regular Masses, however, it is essential that every parishioner write their name and contact number on the attendance record sheet provided at check in at each Mass.

Christmas Masses:
Bookings are essential due to limited numbers. Please click on the Christmas Mass which you would like to attend and complete all required details for each attendee. Do not add multiple names to one booking. Please note that only one Ministry option can be selected, so please choose your preference and if we are short on volunteers at any particular Mass we will contact you.

For all parishioners who can access the link to book online, we appreciate your cooperation with booking this way.

If you do not have the technology to book online, please call the parish office between 9am and 3pm on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Online booking for St Anthony’s Kingscliff Christmas Vigil—5:30pm:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1G3U9Tg6ovXN-kivPyXC_MnoDRRQzNSxIh5_dIJX-hsc/edit?ts=5fb4822c

Online booking for St Anthony’s Kingscliff Christmas Vigil—7:00pm:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gofCb2omYoHv98wdj_5rzfQpp3vRNdUsJelSbRmTbeY/edit?ts=5fbd8886

Online booking for St Anthony’s Kingscliff Christmas Day—9:00am:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lkhLPGvngb3GNq9N9oU4lXhc4n8bhzf53cSZWrkftvg/edit?ts=5fbd8992

Online booking for Sts Mary & Ambrose Christmas Vigil—6:00pm:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A8-IHfS9TKZtfMovD-Z6Ng3iE2ZgMY9UPfhKHhEgrOs/edit?ts=5fbd8c80

Online booking for Sts Mary & Ambrose Christmas Day—7:30am:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13zJprE9LNdaHfYFhvI8xwP3HuX036a9d9aQf3irqFiI/edit?ts=5fbd8cbb

Yesterday, we celebrated the third week of the season of Advent. This week marks a change to the Advent season as we move from preparing for the arrival of Christ to rejoicing in Christ’s imminent arrival. This is marked by the third advent candle, which is rose in colour. The Gospel reading for Sunday focused on the role of John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ’s arrival. We move through this week consciously asking to:

Prepare our hearts
and remove the sadness
that hinders us from feeling
the joy and hope
which his presence
will bestow.

Our final week of the year is upon us and what a year it has been. It will certainly be a year that will be remembered long into history across our world. We began this year with the school theme of ‘Do not be afraid’ and it has certainly reflected our need for reassurance during the COVID 19 pandemic. It has been a pleasure to journey with our students through this challenging time and I have been inspired by how resilient they have been throughout this year, and the lack of fear they have displayed. I would like to take this chance to thank all our SJC families for their support throughout this year. Strong school and parent partnership has allowed our community to overcome the challenges of 2020. While this year has seen many challenges, we also have a number of wonderful moments to celebrate. Today, we stop as a school community to celebrate the success of students who have challenged themselves to be the best they can be in academics, sport (those that ran before COVID 19) and service to the school and community. Congratulations to all students who have been acknowledged for their efforts and commitment.

I would like to wish all families a safe and happy Christmas. I hope this time is full of special moments with your loved ones as we celebrate the arrival of Christ in our world. Happy holidays and I look forward to journeying with everyone in 2021.

Mr Ryan Campbell
Assistant Principal (Mission)

Uniform Reminder

The College would like to take this opportunity to remind families of the College Uniform Policy which can be found here on the College website. Please be mindful to ensure your son / daughter returns to school in 2021 appropriately attired and groomed. Please pay particular attention to haircuts, nails, eye lashes and piercings, as these may need certain time frames to be in line with the Uniform Policy for the commencement of Term 1 on Friday 29 January. Please also use this extended school holiday period to attend to any other uniform concerns your son / daughter may have. A reminder that Term 1 will commence with the Summer uniform requirements, the same as has been the case for Term 4.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding the College uniform and grooming expectations.

I wish you and your family a holy, safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Mr Eamon Brown
Leader of Pastoral Care and Student Welfare

In today's newsletter we include some more profiles of members of the 2020-2021 Student Leaders.

Mr Eamon Brown
Leader of Pastoral Care and Student Welfare

The Winners of the ASX Schools Sharemarket Game

Year 9 Commerce students recently participated in the ASX School Sharemarket Game. Students were given a virtual $50,000 to invest over a 10-week period, in 200 companies listed on the ASX. The game is based on actual share price movements in the domestic market, with share movements being reflected immediately in the game.

This was not an easy market to trade in! There were certainly a few ups and downs to deal with including worries about the pandemic and events like the US election. Over the course of the game (28 August-6 November 2020) the ASX 200 lifted 1.9%.

The Year 9 students who finished in the top three were William Hudson, Charli Broadhurst and Charlotte Wilmshurst.

William ended with a portfolio value of $52 236. Charli closely followed with $51 756. Charlotte finished third with $51 420.

Since the end of the game in early November the ASX 200 has surged. As of today, Georgia Smith has made the most profit with a current portfolio of $56 411. Cooper Levy is a close second with a portfolio of $56 287 - not bad for 15 weeks of trading.

Congratulations to our winners and everyone who participated.

Mrs Georgia James and Mrs Amy Pascoe

9 & 10 Food Technology Christmas Boxes

Congratulations to 9 & 10 Food Technology (and year 12 Hospitality) students who have been busy making Gingerbread people, Christmas Biscuits, White Christmas and other sweet treats to donate to You Have a Friend.

Thanks also to Miss De Luca and 7A for making some extra boxes and Christmas cards to donate. A big thanks to Mrs Camp for all her help with this activity.

Ms Karen Parker & Ms Carrie Scott

Study Skills Tip for December – SWOT Analysis

Reflection on Triumphs and Tribulations

With the end of the year fast approaching it is a good time to reflect on your approach to school this year and what you have learnt from the challenges you faced. So as the holidays approach, take a moment to do a short SWOT analysis on your personal approach to school and learning. You may also like to discuss these questions with a teacher, parent or friend.

Strengths:

• What did you do well at school this year?
• What subjects or topics were you good at?
• What worked for you in your approach to learning?
• What are you proud of achieving?
• What new skills did you develop?

Weaknesses:

• What were your greatest challenges in achieving your personal best at school?
• What did you find difficult this year?
• What skills do you feel need more work?
• What areas of your approach did you struggle with?
• When did you feel not confident about your ability to succeed?

 Opportunities:

• What could you do to build your strengths and deal with your weaknesses?
• Who did you encounter this year that might be able to help you on this journey?
• What will be different about next year that will create opportunities to change?
• What could you personally do differently in your approach to school next year?
• What one thing could you change that would make the biggest difference to you being a more effective learner?

 Threats:

• What are the biggest obstacles to you making changes in your approach?
• Are there other students you sit with who make learning difficult?
• What is stopping you from achieving the top marks you are capable of achieving?
• What challenges do you face in staying motivated to do your work for school?
• What challenges do you face in managing distractions and procrastination?

A note to Parents: In these school holidays it is important for students to have a decent break, recharge and spend time with friends and family doing things they enjoy. Certainly, if students are weak in areas such as literacy or numeracy, some practice on a regular basis over the holidays would not go astray. It is essential however that Year 11 students allocate some time these school holidays consolidating the work from Year 11, ensuring study notes are up to date and they are organised and prepared for the challenges ahead in Year 12. All students may find it useful to complete some of the study skills units over the holidays, particularly on their areas of weakness.

Our school’s subscription details to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au are -

Username:    sjc
Password:     24results

Mr Carlo Trimboli
Leader of Pedagogy

On 3 December, our Doyle Centre was the venue for an ‘icebreaker’ event to welcome our incoming Year 7 2021 students. Supported by a number of our staff, this event was led by our current Year 11 leaders who will go on to become our most senior Student Leaders - Year 12 2021.

An initiative first held last year for our current Year 7 cohort, we were very pleased that restrictions recently eased so this special afternoon could go ahead. Unfortunately, we couldn’t host our Open Evening, so it was a great way to connect our youngest to their most senior Student Leaders and to welcome them into the St Joseph’s College community.

Thanks to everyone for attending and to those who supported this SJC community event.

Tweed Shire Council: What do YOUth want?

The Youth Outdoor Recreation Action Plan will improve the quality and diversity of sport and outdoor recreational facilities and activities for young people aged 12 to 24 years across the Tweed. If you live in the Tweed and aged 12 to 24 years, tell us what YOUth want!

• What sport and outdoor recreation activities you like?
• What new sport or outdoor recreation facilities you want?
• What outdoor events and activities you want?

Click on the link to complete the Youth Outdoor Recreation Survey. Note this survey closes at 4pm on Friday 22 January 2021.

Please see the attached flyer for information about school holiday activities at the local public libraries:

Tweed Libraries School Holidays

Tweed Libraries School Holidays 561.61 KB

Please see the attached flyer for sign-ups with Casuarina Hockey Club:

Casuarina Hockey Club

Casuarina Hockey Club 208.64 KB

Sun Stage Summer School Holiday Program

Bookings are now open online for our Summer School Holiday Program!

Sun Stage will be running a series of Drama and Musical Theatre Workshops this January as part of our Summer School Holiday Program.  We currently have workshops scheduled at our Tugun location, but will be announcing our Bundall program shortly.   

Use the code 'EARLYBIRD' at checkout before the end of November, to receive 20% off your booking.
 
Please see our schedule below for information on workshops times, and head to our website here to book online.