Newsletter Term 4, Week 6 2023

Dear Members of the St Joseph's College Family,

Have you ever been asked, “Do you practice what you preach?”, or even worse, “You don’t practice what you preach!”  Another way of interpreting this is to walk the talk.

There’s a great story regarding this in the gospel of Matthew 23:1-12.  Jesus talks to the crowds and his disciples about the Jewish leaders of his time, the scribes and Pharisees. (The scribes were the writers of the Jewish Law and the Pharisees were a strict religious sect of the Jews who trusted they were righteous and despised others.  They taught in the synagogues and interpreted the Law and oral traditions.)

Jesus told the crowds that they should do whatever the scribes and the Pharisees told them to do, but they didn’t practice what they preach.  It’s like saying you shouldn’t steal and yet they charged tenants exorbitant amounts of money in rent, effectively “stealing” from those who were vulnerable and less fortunate.  Jesus went on to say that they liked to occupy the best seats at events and be greeted obsequiously (ie. with a huge amount of respect) and be called rabbi (which means teacher).  Jesus stated there is only one Father – God and only one teacher, the Christ (him).  So basically, Jesus is calling them out for being hypocrites.  He is also talking to us about being humble so we can practice what we preach and become role models for others.  I received the following piece of good advice once; every time you point your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you!

In his book, It’s Never Too Late … 174 simple acts to change your life, Patrick Lindsay suggests we become more human and seek to be compassionate

to be human
Too often we seek perfection
And despair when we don’t find it.
There is glory in all facets of humanity.
In our struggles.
Our achievements
Our failures.
Our imperfections.
Perfection can be an aim.
But it’s not a pleasant state for a human.
To be compassionate
No matter how successful
No matter how well you are travelling.
Be open to those who are struggling.
It’s amazing what even a small gesture can do
for their confidence
and your soul.

Very good advice.  Something for us all to consider as a better way to live.

Let’s all practice what we preach in the coming weeks!

Yours in Jesus, Mary and St Joseph.

Mr Peter McLoughlin
College Principal

13 November 2023

Principal's notes

Reminder - Pupil-free day next Monday, 20 November

A friendly reminder that the College staff will be taking part in a Staff Development Day nex Monday, 20 November.  This will be a pupil-free day.  Normal school returns the following day, Tuesday 21 November (Day 2 of the timetable).

Roadworks commencing next Monday, 20 November

Please take a moment to read the latest Tweed Link (top of page 2) where you will note that roadworks are due to commence next Monday, 20 November, in the streets around the College.  More information can be found via current planned works Tweed Shire Council (click on +Banora Point).

Please remember to allow more time when dropping off or collecting your child from school - particularly if you want to collect them early!  As always, parents and carers will still need to attend to Parent Reception for any sign-out process.

30th Year Anniversary Celebrations

We have our 30th Year Anniversary Celebrations this coming Friday, 17 November!

PLEASE NOTE: Our Mass will now be commencing at 2:00pm.

Please join us this Friday!  Bring the family!

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 6, was released on Friday 10 November.  Please view this video if you need support in how to access and view your child’s SEAAR.  Please note that some students did not receive a SEAAR for this cycle due to a number of absences from school, in addition to our Year 12 students not receiving a SEAAR due to their Academic Reports being released.

SEAAR Cycle 6 is the last SEAAR cycle for 2023.

Congratulations to the students below who received a perfect SEAAR average of 5.0 for Cycle 6:

NSW State Champions and 2nd in Nationals!

Congratulations to our FUSE Cup Champions!

Congratulations to Lachlan Fyfe, who showcased exceptional skills at the FUSE Esports Festival. Lachlan dominated the Mario Kart circuit and emerged as the NSW High Schools State Champion.

We're also thrilled to announce that our Esport Just Dance team - Leila Bishop, Aksa Itty, Khya Fitt and Dakina Penola - has been crowned NSW State Champions and 2nd in the FUSE Cup Just Dance Esports National Competition.

This two-day event brought together players from across NSW, QLD, VIC and WA, and they battled it out in a fierce competition at Emmanuel College.

Below are some quotes from the students and Mr Sunny Lindsay who accompanied the students.

“Taking part in the FUSE Cup Festival - which includes both the State and National Finals - was truly an extraordinary experience. The students had trained throughout the year, and were thoroughly deserving of the title they earned.” Mr Sunny Lindsay - IT Support

“It was very fun, awesome setup, and felt very rewarding.” Lachlan Fyfe Year 8

“The festival was amazing! I really enjoyed talking to students from other schools and competing against them.” Leila Bishop Year 7

"The FUSE Cup was one of the best times of my life! From being a spectator to participating in Just Dance, every moment was so fun! I look forward to it next year." Dakina Penola Year 7

Congratulations to all our competitors for their outstanding achievements!

A special thank you to Mr Jordan Attenborough-Doyle, Mr Sunny Lindsay, and Mr Jack Hamers, whose contributions made this success possible.

Mrs Georgia James
Leader of Learning of Technologies

Attention: Year 10 students and their families

Our Year 10 students have completed their exam block earlier in the week.  The Year 10 exam block was designed to assess student learning, along with preparing students for the academic rigour of Senior School and reflect on techniques in preparation for future formal examinations.  The students are to be congratulated on their conduct and effort during the exam block.

Currently, Year 10 students are still completing mandatory learning activities across all of the key learning areas.  Additionally, our Year 10 students will be completing compulsory NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements prior to Senior School entry.  Both Minimum Standards Testing (across Numeracy and Literacy) and the HSC: All My Own Work program will occur, at school, in coming weeks.

It is vitally important that Year 10 student attendance remains strong until the completion of Term 4, for the aforementioned reasons.  Please make every effort to attend as non-completion of the compulsory requirements can postpone the start to Year 11.

Mr Matthew Hall
Leader of Curriculum

Attention: Year 9 students 

Education Perfect, in partnership with the Australasian Neuroscience Society, will be conducting the 2024 Australian and New Zealand Brain Bee Challenge, an exciting competition for high school students in Year 10 in the 2024 school year. 

The Brain Bee Challenge is an opportunity to learn about the brain and its functions, neuroscience research, careers in neuroscience, and to dispel misconceptions about neurological and mental illnesses. 

Round One of the Brain Bee begins on 1st March 2024 and can be completed across the entire month. 

Entry for the Brain Bee is free!  Please email fiona.murray@lism.catholic.edu.au if you are interested.

More information about the Brain Bee Challenge can be found here.

Ms Fiona Murray
Assistant to the Leader of Learning – Science

Year 9 History students remember

Currently, our Year 9 History students are writing a soldier biography.  Students have chosen either a family forebear, or a person commemorated on a local war memorial, to research their life and military history.  This forms part of students’ broader studies of Australia’s involvement in war. Domenic Seckold Yr. 9 gave the Ode of Remembrance and Yr. 9 History students laid a poppy at both the St. Joseph’s College War Memorial and the Remembrance Wall housed in the library.

George Barton and Emma Halloran Yr. 9 lay a poppy at the school war memorial

Bryce George adds a poppy to the Remembrance Wall

Mr Bryson Coverdale
History Teacher

Special Provisions for Exams

We would like to remind families of the changes that have been put in place by CSO regarding provisions for exams. These changes have previously been shared, but we felt with the upcoming exam block for Year 7-9 it was a good opportunity for families to revise them.

St Joseph's College has a strong focus on the support and optimal development of students with disabilities. Eligible students with a diagnosed disability receive provisions for school-based assessments and exams. Teachers will make adjustments where needed to support students during assessments and exam blocks, for example by using appropriate technology, consideration to location and movement breaks. Where possible, students will remain with their class, rather than having separate supervision. These provisions are assigned on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the students. The provision provided must be a suitable adjustment for the disability, for example. A scribe for Dysgraphia, a reader or C-Pen for Dyslexia.

St Joseph's is committed to further providing and ensuring the best learning environment for your child.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Ms Amie Nugent, our Leader of Inclusion and Diversity (amie.nugent@lism.catholic.edu.au)

or Ms Molly Schaefer, our Additional Needs Teacher (molly.schaefer@lism.catholic.edu.au)

Junior Water Polo - Term 4, Week 5

On Thursday, November 9th, two junior teams travelled to Alstonville to compete against other schools from the Diocese in water polo.  Both teams having little experience were super keen to see how they’d go.

The boys played first against Mackillop and were able to win 2-1.  Next up the boys played Trinity, who are known for their strength in Water Polo, we lost 2-0 which was a great effort against Trinity.  Joey’s boys then played St John Paul College, who were too strong and won the game 6-1.  Our last game was against our rival school, Mt St Pats.  The Joeys boys shook off their loss to John Paul and were able to win the local derby 3-0, finishing the day on a high.  All of the boys did an exceptional job considering our limited experience with Water Polo, honourable mentions go to Cooper Newell for some fantastic goalkeeping and our Year 7 boys Leo Alsopp, Luca Lasser, Jarrah Star Web and David Conallin who all did a tremendous job against much bigger opponents.

The girls started the day against Woodlawn and went down 6-0.  They then regathered, assessed their play and applied new strategies moving into the next few games.  They played St Mary’s and MSPC, winning 2-1 and 5-0 respectively.  This placed them 2nd in their pool and had them heading into the semi where they unfortunately went down against St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour.  Whilst all of the girls played exceptionally hard and improved on the day, honourable mentions go to Summer Hurdley with her incredible goal keeping all day, as well as Elodie Campbell, Gillian Andrewartha and Ivy Ohl.

Monday to Thursday from 3:15-5:00pm in the College Library

Need any study help for upcoming exams?  We are here for you.  Bring your study notes to practice. 

Mrs Fin & Mrs Williams

Advance notice for Week 10 this term:

Lowes Schoolwear will be having a 20% Off Sale this coming Wednesday 15 November to Friday 17 November.

Please note that the On-Campus Uniform Shop will be open from 7:00am to 12:00midday all three days!

Kingscliff Triathlon - Sunday 26 November 2023

See the attached flyer for more information.