Newsletter Term 4, Week 10 2021

Dear SJC Families and Friends

I welcome you to this, our final newsletter of 2021.  After what we learned from our 2020 farewells and salutations, I will be refraining from making any comments about how much I am looking forward to 2022.  I would, however, like to thank all of our families at SJC for the support and understanding you have shown throughout the year.  It was a challenging year for all and I offer my sincere congratulations for making it to the end. 

It has been a year where not just challenges have dominated our thinking, doing and planning, but there have been some outstanding achievements and also some great plans laid for our next academic year.  I look forward to seeing the implementation of a number of structural, pragmatic and cultural changes at St Joey's that we are confident will provide better learning and wellbeing opportunities for all of our students. 

Welcome to Advent

Just over a week ago, our Catholic Church commenced the season of Advent.  This is our time to prepare our lives for the coming of our earthly Lord, Jesus Christ.  It is important for families and individuals at this time of year to assess what is most important in their lives and live the life Christ encouraged us to. 

Formal and Graduation

It was with sadness that we farewelled our Year 12 students with their Graduation and then Formal held last Friday and Sunday respectively.  I need to thank all of the many people involved in the organisation and running of both events, but particularly Mr Mark Williams, Leader of Pastoral Care - Year 12.  If you were not able to see the live stream, you can do so here. 

Uniform Additions for 2022

I am pleased to announce that we will soon be taking delivery of 100 skorts for our female students.  This process has been a lengthy one of collaboration with students and families and there were three different samples that were made prior to settling on the one that will be found in the uniform shop from the commencement of next year.  These are an option, they are not compulsory and will ensure that our female students who have concerns about skirts have these worries allayed. 

End of Year Information

All families will receive an end of year letter next Wednesday with information about our 2022 school year that will include important dates and reminders.  Please ensure that you read through this document when it arrives in your inbox.  I would like to remind all families that December 15 is our final day of school. 

Due to COVID restrictions, we are unable to run our annual Awards Assembly, SRC Assembly and our Rewards Day as they would usually be run.  Our Awards Assembly will be held on December 13 (Monday) and will see each grade gather in the Doyle Centre separately across the day to acknowledge our recipients who have achieved throughout the year.  Each of the five assemblies (Year 7-11) will be filmed and uploaded following the events.  We apologies that parents and loved ones cannot be present and hope that 2022 will see these restrictions lifted.  Elements of our SRC Assembly will be included in the Awards Assemblies. 

Normal classes will run for students up until Period 4 on Tuesday, December 14 when there will be some fun activities in the afternoon of that day. December 15 will be alternate activities run by our wonderful casual teachers for the students who are present. 

Finally, on behalf of the SJC staff, I would like to wish all of our families a happy and holy Christmas and subsequent break and I look forward to seeing all of our students back safely on February 1 in 2022. 

Kind regards

Mr Scott Thomson
Principal

St Joseph's Parish Christmas Mass Times

(no booking required)
Wearing masks highly recommend

St Joseph’s Church

Christmas Eve
5:30pm family mass
8:00pm
Midnight Mass (with Fr Wilber)

 Christmas Day
8:00am only
St Camillus Bilambil   9:00am only

St Anthony’s (Kingscliff) Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Vigil – 6:00pm
Christmas Day – 9:00am

St Mary's and St Ambrose (Pottsville) Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Vigil – 6:00pm
Christmas Day – 7:30am

Hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  At the beginning of 2021, I am sure we were all hoping that it would be back to normal, however yet again we experienced a far different year than pre COVID.  As I look back and reflect on the year, it has been a pleasure to work with all the students across the school.  Our students have shown amazing levels of resilience and should be commended for their ability to bounce back.

On Friday we were finally able to celebrate the graduation of our Year 12 students, and on Sunday we saw our wonderful students finally enjoy their Formal.  These are always wonderful events and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our graduates the best of luck for the future.

Last Sunday also saw the season of Advent begin in our liturgical year. Advent is a wonderful time of waiting in anticipation for the arrival of the ‘Saviour of the World’, the birth of Jesus Christ.  This is a wonderful time to stop and reflect on our lives and the gift of Christ to the world.  I would like to wish all our family and community members a safe and Holy Christmas with our loved ones.  I hope that families can spend time with those they have not seen for long periods of time, particularly those interstate. 

Finally, thank you for your support throughout this year.  It is a privilege to have the responsibility of educating and journeying with each student at the College.  We hope that they had an enjoyable and rewarding year and we look forward to their return in 2022.

Mr Ryan Campbell
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching

Buses and Safety

During these school holidays remind your child(ren) about being safe as a pedestrian, passenger and driver.  Make a plan with them to be safe and discuss your expectations around parties, alcohol and safe travel.

Encourage your child(ren) to download the Emergency + App.  This free app was developed by Australia’s emergency services. It uses GPS functionality to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.

For information from one of Australia’s leading experts please go to https://darta.net.au/.

Mr Eamon Brown
Assistant Principal - Mission

School Shoes

The College has amended the wording regarding school shoes, to be in full effect as of 2022.

The expectation, as is currently worded in the College diary, indicates that school shoes should be “black, business/school, polishable, leather, lace-up shoes”.  The change here is regarding business/school-like shoes. Please note that all acceptable school-like shoes have a heel. 

From the commencement of 2022, leather Vans, Converse and similar branded casual shoes will not be permitted.  The College is informing families of this change now in anticipation for those families who need to purchase new shoes for the remainder of the year so they are in line with our policy for the 2022 school year.

Acceptable shoes:

Please also note that high-cut shoes such as Converse Chuck Taylors and in particular the boot-style Dr Martens are not permitted. Please note that many of the unacceptable shoes have flat soles. 

Examples of Shoes that are NOT acceptable:

Making the Most of the End of Year School Report

1. Before the report arrives home, ask your child to write their own school report. Make up a grid similar to this (or a previous report) for all subjects, and ask your child to pretend to be the teacher and write about themselves.

This gives your child the opportunity to reflect on their own performance at school.  It can provide parents with a useful insight and can be a reference to compare the teachers’ perspectives with your child’s viewpoint.  It is also a good discussion point when the school report arrives home to help your child reflect and evaluate the report with you.

2. Read your child’s report with your child. This immediately indicates openness, and provides direct encouragement and support to your child.  Wherever there are positives, in either comments, grades, effort and so on, point them out to your child first.  Most students will have areas to commend and should be acknowledged by the parent.

3. The report should be viewed as a vehicle to move forward, and not be perceived as a final judgment of a child’s ability - because it is not. It’s a “screenshot” and not the whole story. It is important students know they have the ability to modify and change their work ethic or study strategies, and they can improve.  Reinforcing that the report is an opportunity to highlight strengths and weaknesses, which will happen throughout their working life through appraisal or performance reviews, can help the student develop goals for next year.
4. Compare the yearly report to the Semester 1 report and last year’s report. This can be useful to identify specific subject areas where there has been an improvement or a decline.  If students have improved, celebrate this achievement. If not, discuss why this may be the case.  For example, Semester 1 report grades may have been based on assignments and not exams.  This could flag that exams were either not fully prepared for and study skills should be reviewed, or your child needs exam practice as they are a very different mode to demonstrate knowledge, or perhaps new concepts were introduced in Semester 2 and these could be weaknesses to work on!
5. Don’t just look at grades, focus on effort also. A child’s performance is not measured solely by grades.  Not every child will receive an A or B, in fact the average child would mostly like achieve a C grade (which typically represents the middle 60%).  Effort grades however can reflect the teacher’s perspective on how hard your child worked, their commitment to fulfil homework, assignments and contribution in class.  A child who achieved a C grade, or 55%, yet gained an A for effort should be congratulated.  Again, as the report should be viewed as a discussion and evaluation, if the effort grade is lower, ask your child why this might be the case, and make a note of this to form one of the goals for next year.
6. Teachers’ comments. The teachers’ comments are valuable when discussing the report with your child.  Ask him or her if they agree with the comment, or why, if they don’t.  Encourage your child to consider the teachers’ comments.  Obviously if there is a consistent thread from multiple teachers, this needs to be addressed.  For example, if many teachers comment on your child’s lack of concentration, or need to focus on answering the question, then the comments suggest a specific area of weakness.  Similarly, if multiple comments commend your child on commitment, determination and diligence, it suggests your child’s attitude to school is solid.
7. TALK to your child about the report, and LISTEN. Help your child not to blame someone or something that resulted in a disappointing report.  Blame does not lead to action. If there are extenuating circumstances for a disappointing report (such as a difficult family situation like parents separating, or relocation or demanding co-curricular activities etc), acknowledge these may have affected your child’s focus and give understanding.  However, help your child accept that they perhaps did not put in the effort, or had not established an effective revision program, or had not given the required commitment.  Asking your child what they could do next year to improve or maintain excellence is a good start.  Again, it would be worthwhile jotting down your child’s comments to establish goals.  Reinforcing that a yearly report is a vehicle to move forward is vital.
8. Establish goals for next year and consider a holiday review program (even if only 1 hour a week). The report can, and should, be read as an instrument to create goals for next year, and possibly plan a holiday review program. As students in December typically focus on the long summer holidays, freedom and unstructured days, it’s natural for school work to wane. However, now is the time to create goals for next year, whilst the academic year remains in their recent memory.  It is more difficult to establish goals in February. Goals are best determined by the child, yet parental input after discussing a yearly report is prudent and can provide direction.  The goals should be in response to you and your child’s discussion of the report, and teacher recommendations.

Some goals could be:

• • Focus on reading the question in assignments/exams carefully to ensure the question is answered.
  • Ensure I make summary notes when I finish each topic.
  • Do at least 30 minutes reviewing what I learned at school each day, in addition to homework.
  • Ask the teacher if I don’t understand a concept.
  • For example, if Maths is a weakness, spend 1 hour a week doing extra Maths practice.

When the goals are listed, put them in a prominent place – fridge, bedroom wall, notice board etc.

It would also be prudent to develop a holiday review program if there are specific subjects or areas of subjects that are weak.  This does not need to be extensive, however regular practice of specific subjects that will be required for cumulative learning next year can make an enormous difference.

Examples of subjects where knowledge learned this year would be assumed knowledge for next year can include Maths, Science, English and Languages – as well as many others!

Holiday review programs can easily be incorporated into your child’s vacation plans.  For example, if your child sees a movie, they could write a review, or analyse the film techniques.  If your child reads a newspaper or magazine or internet site, they could write a short paragraph about bias, purpose, persuasive techniques etc.

And lastly, if you are very concerned about your child’s report, you should contact the school.

Learn more about how to achieve your academic best by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are:

Username:   sjc
Password:  24results

Mr Carlo Trimboli
Leader of Pedagogy

Traineeship opportunity with Services NSW – Tweed Heads

Service NSW are offering school leavers the opportunity to apply for traineeships. There are four positions available in the local area.  If you are interested access this link for more information, and contact details.

Traineeship opportunity with Kidz Biz Fun Centre – Trainee Assistant Venue Manager

Do people tell you you’re great at entertaining children, always greeting them with a smile and high five?  A long established Tweed Heads Children’s Entertainment venue is seeking the perfect candidate who is incredibly positive, fast paced and a driven person to join our Team as a Trainee Assistant Venue Manager.  If you are efficient and think you could confidently keep a big venue running at an astounding speed through the peaks and drive activities to bridge the lows, then we want you and your amazing talents!!

As part of this role the successful candidate will be through a relevant leadership and management qualification at a Cert III level or higher.

To be considered for this role you must:

• Be a great team player with the ability to co-ordinate all levels of staff and lead by example.
• First Aid Certificate and WWC check essential or willing to obtain.
• Be physically fit and ready to keep up with the kids all shift long!
• Coffee making experience preferred
• Willingness to take on all tasks required in the venue, including food preparation, cleaning and Virtual Reality Gaming
• Show genuine initiative in job tasks, be proactive with the ability to adapt and work creative solutions to any problems that arise during a shift
• Have a sound moral compass, be trustworthy and ethical - recognising that you represent a family friendly company.
• Confident, outgoing and the ability to thrive in a chaotic environment.
• Must love kids and place a big emphasis on customer enjoyment and safety.

This is a full time position. Training opportunities to further management roles available for the right candidate.  To be eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship you must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have full working rights.  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Email application to kidzbizfuncentre@gmail.com, Attention: Margo.

Roof Plumbing Apprenticeship

A local company, the Circl Group (a building business based in Kingscliff), is currently seeking new entrant candidates looking to start an Apprenticeship in Roof Plumbing.  Working with qualified and skilled trades, you will gain valuable hands-on experience, mentoring and support.  They will provide you with all the training you require and ensure you gain the knowledge and skills to develop as a skilled Tradesperson in Roof Plumbing.  If you are interested access this link for more information and make contact with them via the details provided therein.

Film & Acting Teen Camps at New York Film Academy Australia (NYFA Australia)

Are you interested in getting hands-on filmmaking and acting experience these school holidays?  You can experience Movie Magic with the New York Film Academy Australia Teen Camps (a one-week Film Teen Camp or a one-week Acting Teen Camp):

1-Week Film Camp

13 Dec - 17 Dec 2021
10 Jan - 14 Jan 2022

1-Week Acting Camp

13 Dec - 17 Dec 2021
10 Jan - 14 Jan 2022

Get a hands-on training by our industry professional trainers and film on the real film sets at Warner Bros. Movie World!  For more information, please contact New York Film Academy Australia Recruitment Team at:

Phone: 07 5555 1300
Email: goldcoast@nyfa.edu

Ms Frances Stegeman
Leader of Careers/EVET

Learning Support

We have recently purchased some new fidgets, and coloured overlays for the students to utilise.

We have included a brief description of these below and the benefits they have for our students when used. Included is also a reminder to encourage your child to use Text Help when they are doing schoolwork.  It is a free resource available to our students and is highly beneficial to them in assisting with literacy.

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas Break and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

The Learning Support Team

	Snapper - Finger strengthening ‘Give it a squeeze, then release it for a very satisfying pop!’ These are great for those who struggle with hair pulling, skin picking and nail biting. They are a terrific sensory tool for providing deep pressure input.
	Squeeze Ball - Soft dough-like stress ball Great for calming, stress relieving, silent fidgeting fun.
	Stretchy Fidgets - Mini figures with vivid colours and intricate details. These help learners focus and absorb more information by providing them something to do with their hands.
	Coloured Overlay - lightly coloured plastic strip used over text. They are made to alleviate eye strain and make reading text more comfortable for longer periods. These are used as an intervention to help improve reading skills of individuals with dyslexia, ADHD and visual stress.
	Text Help - Read & Write ‘Help every student understand, learn and express themselves with confidence’ Every student in the school has access to text help, read and write. The only requirement is to be logged into their school email. The literacy support tool Read&Write offers help for everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words and proofing written work. This innovative tool gives students the tools they need to succeed, it creates more independent learners and supports students with additional needs.

Just a reminder that, due to WHS laws, skate style shoes or canvas high tops CANNOT be worn in workshops and kitchens – even with a parent note.

Students who come to TAS classes wearing these shoes will be given alternate theory work to complete.

Ms Karen Parker
Leader of Learning – TAS

Homework Hub will continue in the school library in Week 10.  Everyone is welcome.