Newsletter Term 3, Week 4 2023

Dear Members of the St Joseph's College Family,

Remez Sasson once wrote, “A positive attitude brings strength, energy and initiative.”

So we say, be a glass half full person, not half empty.  The news bulletin of a night sometimes, if rarely, presents good news.  This is a disappointment.  Yes, there are many things in our world that are not good, even shameful.  However, sometimes it’s worthwhile to consider how bad “our lot in life” is, compared to many others, not just in Australia, but elsewhere in the world.

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup in full swing, it’s been a real joy to follow the exploits of Hayley Raso.  Hayley was a student here at St Joseph’s College from 2007-2009.  Despite fracturing three vertebrae in her back in 2018, Hayley has become one of the key players in the Australian women’s football team, the Matildas.  As a result of her injuries, Hayley spent a month in hospital, rehabilitation for six months where she had to learn to walk again and basically learn to do everyday activities.  She has obviously overcome these setbacks by dreaming big and wanting to get back to the life she once had.  This has made her journey all that more special.  Hayley didn’t allow negative thoughts nor the doubt of others to impact on her desire to play football again and represent at the highest possible level.  Later this year Hayley will be the first Australian to play for the giant Spanish club, Real Madrid!  Not to mention that Hayley secured the first two goals in Australia’s impressive 4-0 defeat of Canada on July 31!

Hayley Raso protected her positive outlook.

Domonique Bertolucci in her book, Love Your Life, writes:

If you find yourself feeling drained by someone’s negative energy, don’t try to reason with them, change their mind or convert them to your own positive way.  Instead breathe deeply, knowing that your time in their company will pass.  Everyone is on their own journey and by conserving your own energy in this way you will ensure that you are not dragged down their path.

Let’s all practice being glass half full people!

Yours in Jesus, Mary and St Joseph

Mr Peter McLoughlin
College Principal

7 August 2023

Principal’s Notes

Pupil Free Day

Please note that Thursday August 17 will be a professional development day for staff focussing on developing the assessment waterfall chart.

St Joseph's Parish

St Joseph's Catholic Church
56 Frances Street, Tweed Heads

Weekday Mass times

• • Monday to Friday – 9:10am

Weekend Mass times

• • Saturday – 9:00am
  • Saturday Vigil Mass – 5:00pm
  • Sunday – 7:00am & 9:00am

St Camillus Catholic Church
36 Urliup Road, Bilambil

• • Sunday – 9:00am

St Anthony's Parish

St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff
12-14 Pearl Street, Kingscliff

Weekday Mass times

• • Wednesday – 8:00am
  • Thursday – 9:00am in the school term and 8:00am in the holiday period
  • Friday – 8:00am

Weekend Mass times

• • Saturday – 5:00pm (6pm during DST)
  • Sunday – 9:00am

Sts Mary & Ambrose Catholic Church
1 Charles Street, Pottsville

Weekday Mass times

• • Tuesday – 9:15am

Weekend Mass times

• • Sunday – 7:30am

Reconciliation Times

• Kingscliff – Saturday 5:00 – 5:30pm 
• Pottsville – Sunday 7:00 – 7:25am

Year 7 & 8 Family Night - Tuesday 29 August (6:00-7:30pm)

The Catholic Schools Parent Assembly extend to all Year 7 and 8 students and families a warm invitation to a special Year 7 & 8 Family Night at the College on Tuesday 29 August 2023, from 6:00pm-7:30pm.  Parents have the opportunity to hear from Nathan Dubsy Want, an in-demand youth and parenting speaker from Melbourne. 

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.

See the attached flyer where you can click on the link or scan the QR code to register.  For more information email parents@lism.catholic.edu.au. 

Family Faith Retreat "Fueling the Flame" - 9 and 10 September 2023 (2-day weekend) 

The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Parent Assembly is offering to all families with children in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore a free Family Faith Retreat on the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September 2023 at Tyalgum Ridge Retreat.  Overnight accommodation and meals provided by the Parent Assembly.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to nurture your family's faith and create lasting memories.  See the attached flyer for more information and to register.  Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot now!

20% Discount on Sports & Co-Curricular Group Photos available until Thursday 17 August 2023

Advanced Life Photography have a special offer for our families for the following Sports & Co-Curricular Group Photos (photographed on 3 March and 10 March) – these are now available for families to view and purchase at 20% off the normal price until 17/08/2023:

You can now view and purchase the group images listed above and if you place your order by 17/08/2023 (Thursday Week 5) you will get a 20% early order discount.  (Please note the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.)

ORDER HERE

Images can also be viewed by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au entering the code: QD5 7H5 CW3 and clicking on “Group Photos”

Important notes:

• Sports and co-curricular group photos can only be purchased online, PLEASE DO NOTreturn payment to your school
• If your child's group or team is scheduled to be photographed at a later date, you will receive an additional email notification when the images are ready to be ordered
• Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after the discounted earlyorder period has closed
• Past years' photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available at your school's advancedorderand your child's advancedyou photo sites.  Please remember we offer a 100% money-back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind.  We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience, to ensure your satisfaction.  If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience, please contact us at www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

REGISTER HERE.

Mr Eamon Brown
Assistant Principal - Mission

Study Skills Tips for August:  Habits of highly effective students

Improving Writing at SJC

Improving the literacy skills of our students has been a goal of the College for a number of years now.  Over the past 12 months, our approach to writing instruction has become a specific priority and we have established a shared commitment to developing the writing skills of every student.

While we have discovered that writing is an extremely demanding task to master, we have learnt a range of strategies that have proven to positively affect our students’ writing outcomes.  Significant amounts of instruction and practice are essential if students are to learn to write well.  To help our students communicate their understanding in every subject, writing is now explicitly taught and practised across all areas of the curriculum.

We firmly believe that these strategies will create a robust foundation for your child’s writing skills, setting them up for success not only in their academic journey, but also for their future beyond school.  We invite you to partner with us in this endeavour by encouraging your child to embrace writing as a valuable skill worth mastering.

Mrs Antonia Pratt
Literacy Coach

The 2023 Science Week is almost here!

• Presentation of the Year 9 Students Research Projects in the library
• SCINEMA the largest science film festival in the southern hemisphere will be running during class time 
• Escape rooms in junior classes 
• Education Perfect Science competition with prizes runs from Monday 14 to Thursday 17 August
• Science trivia

From the outside, ADHD may look like it’s just fidgeting and daydreaming — but there’s a lot more to this condition than what meets the eye.

What is the ADHD iceberg?

Picture an iceberg. A chunk of ice is visible above the water, but there’s even more below the surface. The ADHD iceberg is a way to help us understand the external symptoms that others see versus the internal experiences of those with ADHD. The iceberg analogy is a helpful tool that highlights the many ways in which ADHD may affect people with this condition. The iceberg illustrates that what you see on the surface doesn’t always fully capture a person’s experience with ADHD.

Supporting a child with ADHD starts with familiarising yourself with these symptoms and being empathetic to their struggles.  Validate the child’s experiences and feelings, ask them questions about their symptoms and listen to their concerns. Patience is key – learning to navigate the ups and downs of ADHD can be challenging for both you and the child.  To better understand what the child goes through, try to view the world from their perspective.  The strengths of ADHD can be seen and recognised when some of these underlying symptoms are supported. ADHD is not a discipline issue, a person with ADHD may simply be incapable of doing what you expect them to do.

Our Diversity and Inclusion team are always happy to answer any questions you may have, please feel free to email deborah.pirlo@lism.catholic.edu.au our Administration support.

From the Department of Communities and Justice

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is urgently recruiting Emergency Foster Carers who can offer short term care for children and young people who can’t live with their families at home.

The DCJ need carers who can provide children and young people with a stable, nurturing and safe environment at a time in their life when they are most vulnerable.  Please see the attached recruitment flyer if you are interested.

DCG Professional Carer Recruitment flyer

From the Murwillumbah Community Centre: