School Newsletter

Mr Ian Lutton
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Catholic Schools Week - Celebrating Innovation, Faith and Unity

Catholic Education Week (8-12th April) was recognised and celebrated in Catholic schools across NSW. It is a time to celebrate our shared faith, educational excellence, and the importance of every student. Catholic schools offer an educational foundation for enabling the fullness of life through the development of each student’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, moral, and emotional growth.

As part of Catholic Education Week, St Joseph's Regional College ushered in a wave of excitement under the inspiring banner of kindness, community, and innovation. Our College connected with St Joseph's Primary, Wauchope, to showcase their artistic and photographic talents, highlighting their commitment to a faith-based learning environment enriched with innovative opportunities.

On Tuesday, April 9th, four of our Year 10 students, Elijah Koivu, Oliver Koivu, Charlie Smith, and Emily Cook collaborated with their former peers from St Joseph's Primary Wauchope for a professional photo and video shoot. This session, intended for future promotional materials by the primary school, was a unique opportunity for our students to engage in real-world professional work.

The partnership between our schools injected a fresh dose of creativity and innovation into St Joseph's Primary Photo Day, transforming it into an authentic learning experience for our students. They had the chance to not only contribute actively but also to glean insights and skills from a seasoned local professional photographer.

Thank you to Kylie Joseph and Nerida Hornery for accompanying our students to St Joseph’s Primary, Wauchope.

This week, we also celebrated the many efforts of our students who engage in ministry events at the College with a luncheon. Thank you to all our students for their participation in the many activities and events available here at the College.

Catholic Education Week Prayer

Loving God,
You call all of us to live by the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for the Catholic School community we belong to and for the gift of all those committed to Catholic Education.

We pray that our schools remain places where faith and innovation continue to thrive.

Bless our school community – past, present, and future- as they shine the light of the Good News on all of creation.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

ANZAC Day Commemorative Service

Today, an Anzac Day Commemoration service was held at our College. It is always such a wonderful occasion, and we feel so much pride for our diggers and gratitude for the sacrifice they made for our freedom.

Thank you to Mr Warneken, for organising the service, to our College Captains Alaska Webber and Jamie Vinod, Vice Captains Zoe Copeland and Aryan Vaishnav for commentating the service, and to Year 11 student Esther Cummins for delivering the address and laying of the wreath; Esther is one of the most engaging speakers, and I really enjoyed listening to her address.

Below is an extract of some of the commemorative service:

We are gathered here today to remember the sacrifice of our servicemen and women. They were the men and women who were willing to believe in something greater than themselves. It was their willingness to act as such, as much as their action, that gives them hero status in our society today. We are thankful for those first Anzacs whose actions established the traditions we as a nation hold so dear today. When the time again came, the sons and daughters of our Anzacs came forward without question and accepted the responsibilities asked of them in defending and representing their country in World War II and in times of turmoil in Korea, Borneo, Vietnam, and the various UN campaigns and more recently East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Australians are proud of our brave ‘diggers’ and those who continue to serve our country so selflessly. The notion of ‘mateship’ runs strong on Anzac Day and has done so for well over 100 years.

Less well known is the role played and the sacrifice made by thousands of Indigenous soldiers in past world wars and conflicts. Recognising this omission is a way to honour and pay respect to the remarkable Indigenous servicemen and women in our country’s military history.

Our commemoration this year specifically acknowledges Indigenous Service in World War I and other conflicts as well as remembering the sacrifices of our all servicemen and women who now sleep peacefully in faraway places.

Indigenous service has been a feature of every conflict that Australia has been involved in since World War I & World War II including Korea, Borneo, Vietnam and more recently Iraq, Afghanistan and various UN campaigns such as East Timor.

Different social norms and discrimination against Indigenous peoples throughout our history have left an incomplete historical record of Indigenous service. This is why the full contribution of Australian Indigenous servicemen and women may never be completely understood. Today, these men and women and the generations of Indigenous service personnel who have followed them in other conflicts are rightly and increasingly receiving the recognition that has long been their due.

The short YouTube video was played at our commemorative service.

Indigenous Anzacs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGaXtU-DKPw&t=6s

ANZAC Day Marches

I am looking forward to seeing our students and staff attend one of the Anzac Day Marches in Port Macquarie, Wauchope or Laurieton. For students new to our College, or if you haven’t been before, I highly recommend this experience.

School Improvement and School Review

As I have previously advised, our College will undergo a school review process next term in week 3 (14-17th May). If you would like to volunteer to attend the College on Tuesday 14th May 2.30-3.00pm to have a discussion with an ACER reviewer regarding how your child’s learning and wellbeing outcomes are being met, please complete the google form HERE

Volunteers will be advised at the commencement of Week 2, Term 2.

Finally, as we end Term 1, I hope that our students can spend some quiet moments reflecting on their individual successes and growth in their learning, friendships, and activities. Some prompts could be: 

• Are you achieving your personal best?
• Are you reaching your goals?
• Are you participating fully in every opportunity in our community?
• Are you being kind, respectful, truthful and forgiving and living out our Catholic Mission?

Thank you to all in our community who make coming to school here, at St Joseph's Regional College, each day a pleasure. 

I hope that our students and staff find time to relax during the holidays and spend time with their family and friends. To do things that make you happy and feed your soul.

Term 2 commences for staff on Monday, 29th April, with a Professional Development Day, and for students on Tuesday, 30 April 2024. I look forward to seeing you back feeling refreshed and ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The Canteen opens at 8.00 am every school day.

CLICK HERE for the Canteen's everyday menu.

Breeanna Stone
Food Services Manager

We invite all prospective families to attend the Year 7 2025 Information and Open Evening on Tuesday 7th May at 5.00 pm in the College Hall. Please register to attend HERE

Please see below a flyer for the evening and a timeline of the enrolment process. If you have not applied to your child please do so before the Information and Opening evening at the following link Enrolment Application

Music Notes

If your child has expressed an interest in learning a stringed instrument I'm pleased to
let you know that we have sourced an experienced and well respected string teacher who will be available for group or individual lessons.

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.

Please register your interest by sending me an email here - sarah.butler@lism.catholic.edu.au

Sarah Butler
Acting Coordinator of Co-Curricular Music.

Following our previous correspondence regarding the closure of King Creek Bridge on King Creek Rd, Port Macquarie Hastings Council have confirmed the new start date for these works. Therefore, commencing Monday 8th April 2024, Morning School Bus S658 and Afternoon School Bus S536 & S961 will be required to divert as detailed in the attached letters.

The attached letters detailing the above changes will be distributed to students on the affected services from this afternoon until Friday 5th April.

For additional information, please refer to your schools timetabled services at: https://www.busways.com.au/nsw/school-services/school-timetables and select the link adjacent to your schools’ name; “New timetable | 08 Apr 2023”. Alternatively, you can contact Busways Customer Service on 1300 69 2929 or infoline@busways.com.au

Donations wanted:

One of our Year 12 Visual Art students is wanting your help with donations of the following items for her Major body of Work.

Old toys, bits of broken technology, keys, makeup containers, unwanted jewellery or beads, lids from drinks, bits of metal, fabric, unwanted clothing, etc.

Please drop off the items at the college office if you can assist.

Love Bites Respectful Relationships Progam

Last week, twenty SJRC staff were trained as facilitators of the Love Bites Respectful Relationships Program. We look forward to sharing this program with our Year 10 students later this year and embedding the program into our school. More information about the Love Bites Program can be found at THIS LINK This program is part of our school-wide focus on respectful relationships and consent education.

Jennifer Furney
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

The Encounter Youth Program is on every Sunday at the Youth Hub.  Come along and join in the fun.

Sunday the 7th April: Waiting

Have you ever waited for something before? Ever wanted to buy something new? Felt like you were waiting for such a long time for something? Have you ever felt stuck in a time of waiting in prayer or faith? If you have ever asked any of these questions, come along to Encounter this weekend to find out what waiting is all about.

This is our last Youth Group for the term.

Thanks for your support of a big term at Encounter Youth and have a great break!

• - Sunday 7th April
• - 6:00 - 8:00pm @ The Youth Hub
• - $5 for dinner

The Canteen opens at 8.00 am every school day.

CLICK HERE for the Canteen's everyday menu.

Breeanna Stone
Food Services Manager

St Joseph's Regional College has a number of different social media platforms. We would love for you to follow us.

St Joseph's Regional College

Website - https://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SJRCPort

Instagram - @sjrcport

St Joseph's Regional College - 50 year Celebrations

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SJRC50years

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sjr50years/

Digital Ministry

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sjrcdigitalministry

Library

Website - https://pmreglism.libguides.com/home

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcexchange

Instagram - Instagram - @sjrcexchange

Careers

Website - https://www.sjrcportcareers.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcportcareers

Congratulations to former student and this week's alumni - Eilidh Aldridge. Now employed as a qualified Speech Pathologist, Eilidh was able to undertake an exciting overseas study and work placement in Fiji during the course of her degree, including 'immersing in the culture, and understanding their access to allied health services'. We are so proud of your achievements Eilidh!

#SpeechPathologist #wherearetheynow #aHSC4opportunity 

Alumni - Where are you now?

St Joseph's Regional has a rich tradition spanning over 50 years, so if you're a parent, grandparent, community member, interested bystander, and a former student, we would love to hear from you. Our alumni program showcases former students with a story about their post-school journey. Our ex-students can be tradespeople, business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and more. They can be dealing with people on a daily basis, researching in a scientific lab, caring for our vulnerable members of society, keeping a protective eye on our communities, writing the stories that make up our history, caring for our environment etc.

If you would like to have YOUR story showcased in our fortnightly newsletter, broadcast across our social media channels, used in information sessions for our students, and spotlighted in our Senior Study, then please send the following to pmreg-careers@lism.catholic.edu.au:

• a bullet point list of what you have done since leaving Regional (please include the dates)
• a short statement outlining advice that you would give to your younger self, knowing what you know now, and
• an appropriate photo of yourself, possibly depicting you undertaking the work that you conduct as part of your career.

Mrs Leanne Tinsey
Careers Pathway

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

I hope all families feel Christ's love in their hearts and are filled with His peace & joy this Easter Sunday, and always. I wish all families a safe, blessed, and Holy Easter.

Let Us Have Hearts of Thankfulness

Lord God,

You loved this world so much,

That you gave your one and only Son,

That we might be called your children too.

Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace

of Easter Sunday, every day.

Let us have hearts of thankfulness

For your sacrifice.

Let us have eyes that look upon

Your grace and rejoice in our salvation.

Help us to walk in that mighty grace

And tell your good news to the world.

All for your glory do we pray, Lord,

Amen.

— Rachel Marie Stone

Project Compassion: A Grateful Thank You to Our SJRC Community

Project Compassion remains our primary Lenten fundraising focus, echoing the season's themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent invites us to journey with Jesus to the Cross and rejoice in His resurrection, reinforcing our commitment to serving others and fostering renewal within our community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the students, families, and staff of SJRC for their unwavering support during our 2024 Project Compassion campaign. The dedication of our student leadership teams, who sacrificed their lunch breaks to sell raffle tickets for the Easter Egg Raffle, was truly commendable. Special thanks to Mr. Constantine and the senior hospitality students for their delicious donuts, which sold out swiftly, with all proceeds benefiting Project Compassion. Additionally, many PCs initiated their own efforts to encourage donations. We eagerly anticipate announcing the final fundraising figure in next week’s newsletter.

Understanding Our Faith

Discovering the Significance of the Easter Triduum

As we head into the Easter weekend, we reflect on the profound significance of the Easter Triduum, a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Comprising Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, the Triduum invites us to delve deeply into the essence of our beliefs and commemorate pivotal moments in Jesus' journey.

Holy Thursday: Commemorating the Last Supper

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples. This solemn occasion marks the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, emphasizing themes of love, service, and unity.

Good Friday: Remembering the Crucifixion

Good Friday is a day of solemn remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion and death. Through prayer and contemplation, we acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's redemption, embracing forgiveness, mercy, and selflessness in our lives.

Holy Saturday: Anticipating Easter

Holy Saturday is a day of quiet anticipation and preparation for the joy of Easter. Through rituals such as the Easter Vigil, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, embracing the promise of new life and hope.

Embracing the Triduum

The Easter Triduum invites us to journey with Jesus through his passion, death, and resurrection, deepening our faith and understanding of God's immense love for us. It's a time for communal prayer, reflection, and worship, drawing us closer to the heart of the Christian message.

As we approach this sacred time, let us embrace the richness of the Easter Triduum and allow its message of love, sacrifice, and hope to inspire us in our daily lives.

Catholic Easter Services for our Community

Donations wanted:

One of our Year 12 Visual Art students is wanting your help with donations of the following items for her Major body of Work.

Old toys, bits of broken technology, keys, makeup containers, unwanted jewellery or beads, lids from drinks, bits of metal, fabric, unwanted clothing, etc.

Please drop off the items at the college office if you can assist.

The Encounter Youth Program is every Sunday at the Youth Hub in Port Macquarie. Come along and join in the fun.

Week 9:  Easter

31st March 2024

On Easter Sunday we would like to invite you to join us for the 9AM Mass followed by some yard games and brunch at the Youth Hub. There is no 5PM Mass on Easter Sunday or 6PM Youth Group.

• Mass: 9AM on Easter Sunday @ St Agnes’ Catholic Church
• Brunch & Yard Games @ The Youth Hub
• $5 for brunch

Zac Parnell
Youth Coordinator