Term 2 Week 4 - 22nd May 2020
- Principal's Message
- Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care & Staff Support
- Year 7 2021 Enrolment Information
- News from the Leader of Curriculum
- News from the Leader of Evangelisation
- Literacy Enrichment - Get Involved!
- #LITFEST2444
- Library News
- Word of the Week
- Sport News
- Canteen News
- Band News
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Correspondence
- Busways' School Bus Service Update
- Wanted Barbie Dolls - HSC Major Works
- Parenting Courses
- St Agnes' Uniform Store
- Journey into the Catholic Faith for Teens
This week we conducted our 'Welcome Back to School BBQ Breakfasts' for junior students. It was great to see our students return to the College with great enthusiasm. I would like to thank Mrs Daley and the Pastoral Team for their organisation. Additionally, it was great to see a number of Year 11 students volunteer their assistance each morning. Thank you and congratulations for contributing to our College's culture of giving: Sarah Jennings, Hannah Freeman, Bianca Green, Ella Smith, Phoebe Bentley, Piper Seale, Holly Coles, Luka Marshall, Timothy Kobelke, Evelyn Brien, Bridget Williams, Monique Rudder, Maddison Baxter, Hannah Summers, James Saidy, Ella Handley, Hamish Harper, Matthew Walsh, Neal Aupy, Max Dobbyns, Lachlan Wallace, Chloe Eichmann, Riley Johnston, Mia Watts, Hannah Summers, Jessica Ismay and Estelle Cassegrain.
Return to School - Week 5
As communicated, it is expected that all students return to school on Monday, 25th May, unless otherwise vulnerable for health reasons. Blended Learning lessons will continue to be posted for the next two weeks (Weeks 5 & 6) as we transition back to full face-to-face learning at the College commencing on the Monday, 9th June.
From Week 5, all students are required to be in full College Winter Uniform, this includes the College tie.
Finally, my sincere gratitude to everyone for how well we have worked as a community during this time.
God Bless
Jim Dempsey
Principal
Wellbeing Wednesday
Senior students participated enthusiastically in 'Wellbeing Wednesday' activities this week. Year 11 & 12 were placed into House groups and rotated through a variety of activities designed to help them relax and have fun with their peers. Activities included 'cruise ship' shuffleboard, handball, colouring-in, volleyball, creation of a TikTok and a gratitude scavenger hunt. Volleyball proved to be the most popular activity with students displaying their competitive nature, even against their own housemates. While Mr Dempsey was a popular choice for a 'selfie' in the Scavenger hunt, surprisingly, our seniors were a bit camera shy when it came to making the TikTok but with Mr Johnson's encouragement created some interesting videos.
It was great to see everyone enjoying each other's company and interacting with their amazing PC teachers.
Many thanks to Ms Kylie Wallis (Leader of Wellbeing), Mr Frank Johnston and Ms Heidi Flanagan (Leaders of Pastoral Care) for their organisation and to Senior PC teachers who enthusiastically encouraged their groups.
Supporting Our Families
The Coronavirus pandemic has caused economic, wellbeing and health challenges to some families in our school community. We know that as a result, some families are facing a wide range of difficulties they may not have experienced in the past.
The attached infographic outlines some of the support available by the CSO and the wider community.
Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you have any questions or concerns as your children make the transition back to school.
Uniform Reminder
Week 5 commencing Monday 25th May
- Year 7-10 students are required to wear their full Winter Uniform from Week 5
- Years 11 & 12 - full Winter Uniform
All Students who have taken the opportunity to experiment with "ISO haircuts and colours" need to ensure they are able to follow the College Code of Conduct upon their return to school.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
The College is currently going through the NCCD process. I invite you to view the below images which explain a little more about the collection of data.
For further information and to learn more about the NCCD, visit the Portal: www.nccd.edu.au
Tanya Daley
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care and Staff Support
Thank you to all families who have submitted their applications for their child to attend St Joseph's Regional College in Year 7 2021. If you know of any families who still wish to be a part of this process please ask them to contact the College for an Enrolment Application Pack.
It is our intention to offer enrolment to students from our Catholic Feeder schools prior to an interview process. Letters of Offer have been sent to families this week.
Families will be contacted regarding a formal interview, welcome and tour of the College later in the year.
Thankfully, due to recent changes in restrictions, we are now able to conduct our interviews for Non-Feeder families on Saturday, 30th May 2020, albeit a little differently to normal. The interview is an informal chat, and a great opportunity to get to know students and their families and discuss potential enrolment. A link will be sent to families via email to book these interviews.
If you have any further enquiries please contact the College office or email the Enrolment Officer pmreg-enrolments@lism.catholic.edu.au
FREE Online HSC Subject Sessions
The University of Wollongong is offering 30 FREE subject-specific online sessions designed to help students improve their knowledge and understanding of key subject content and discover what HSC exam markers and assessors are looking for. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive tips and strategies directly from education professionals with years of experience.
Students must REGISTER for each online session. These webinars are anticipated to go for an hour, commencing at 7:30 pm on their respective dates. Webinars are currently running with the final session (An English Writing Module) on 1st July. Visit this link for more information and to register for relevant courses.
https://www.uow.edu.au/study/events/hsc-support-series/
Assessment Planners
All Assessment Planners for Years 7-12 are now available for students to view on Moodle. Both students and parents are able to access the planners through our College website, under the Parents tab - http://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/assessment-exam-timetables/, and also via the link in the side menu of the College newsletter.
It is important that students check their planners to see when each task is due and start on each assignment as soon as possible. If you know in advance that you will be absent from school when a task is due then you should contact me as soon as possible at the College.
A further reminder that if a student misses an assessment task they need to contact the College and see me at school at 8.45am the very first day they arrive back at school to complete the task.
Ian Lutton
Leader of Curriculum
Lunchtime Fun Group
This week, our Youth Ministry Officers, Chloe Nash and Ameilia Stennett, extended an invitation to students to join them in the Chapel for some lunchtime games. Thank you to Jasmine Howarth in Year 10 and Rylee Copelin in Year 7 who attended each day to assist and help run some of the games.
We were happy with how the attendees participated and are hoping to start the lunchtime Youth Group back up soon!
Prayer through Music
Listening to music is a powerful way to relax and manage stress. A slower tempo song can soothe the stress of the day by quieting your mind and relaxing your muscles.
If you are looking for some background music while you are studying or just relaxing at home, I encourage you to check out our focus song on Spotify
Focus Song
SPIRIT AND TRUTH (PERFECT STORM)
EmmanuelWorship
Focus Lyrics
“You saved me, when I was lost oh God.
You raised me, from the miry clay.
Set my feet on the rocks, make me whole again.”
Breakdown:
These lyrics are really inspiring because when we’re lost, God will ALWAYS find us and bring us back to him. That is so comforting. He raises us from our troubles and negative situations and gives us the strength to keep going. Through his foundations, we become whole.
Digital Ministry
We invite you to click on the links below to see the great resources on the SJRC Digital Ministry Blog and Instagram Page put together by our Youth Ministry Officers, Chloe Nash and Amelia Stennett.
SJRC Digital Ministry Blog https://sjrcministry.wixsite.com/digitalministry
SJRC Digital Ministry Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/sjrcdigitalministry/
Timo Gobius
Leader of Evangelisation
What is ‘Literacy Enrichment’ at SJRC?
It’s opportunities in and out of SJRC that enrich students’ understanding of and experience with media, film, reading, writing and language in general. It’s excursions, festivals, writing, debating and public speaking competitions and live performance.
Check us out at - SJRC Literacy Enrichment
In the spotlight
ABC’s Heywire and The Dorethea Mackellar Poetry Competition:
This week we will be focussing on two openings for students who have an interest in storytelling, film, and writing. The first is the ABC’s Heywire
1. Heywire puts young Australians at the centre of the conversations that shape their communities.
The annual Heywire cycle begins with a storytelling competition - open to people aged 16-22, living in regional or rural Australia. Heywire encourages young people to tell stories about their life outside the major cities in text, photo, video or audio format. Over the past 17 years, more than 9,000 young Australians have taken part.
But there’s plenty more on offer at ABC’s Heywire. Check out their site: https://www.abc.net.au/heywire/about/
2. Dorethea Mackellar Poetry Competition: In memory of the prominent Australian poet, this is a poetry writing competition for students of all ages and closes 30 June.
Visit https://www.dorothea.com.au/The-Poetry-of-Dorothea-Mackellar for more information on how to enter.
Did you know? The State Library contains the original manuscript (c. 1907) of ‘Core of My Heart’, which is the original title of ‘My Country’.
2020 SJRC v Mackillop College Debating and Public Speaking Competition: Thursday, 27th August. Week 6 of Term Two.
Open to all students, the 2020 SJRC v Mackillop College Debating and Public Speaking Competition is now seeking expressions of interest from students of all year groups to train and compete as SJRC representatives. We are seeking one team per year group (four team members plus two subs) and individual students wishing to try their hand at public speaking.
Further information will be made available to students in Week 5.
What Are You Reading / Watching / Listening to?
Here are a few more of what’s doing the rounds within SJRC staff
| Heidi O’Reilly | Reading: ‘A Long Petal of the Sea’ by Isabel Allende |
| Karen Bale | Reading: “Never can Say Goodbye: Writers on their Unshakeable Love for New York”. Watching: Mystery Road (ABC iView)Listening: “No Filter” podcast with Mia Freedman |
| Vanessa Gray | Reading: ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ Watching: OZArk (Netflix) Listening: Joy at Work - Marie Condo, Stretch - Scott Sonesshein To Repair the Word - Paul Farmer |
| Timo Gobius | Reading: A Short History of Wewak. (PNG) Watching: ‘Still Alice’ on Netflix |
| Carly Taylor | Reading: ‘The Badmother’s Book club’ by Keris Stainton. ‘Good Morning, Mr Sarra’ by Chris Sarra. Watching: “Ozark” Netflix Listening: Teacher’s Pet |
Sample of Writing
We’ll end with a sample of writing by one of our Year 10 students (who wishes to remain anonymous) inspired by the profound scenes of the November 2019 bushfires:
Anonymous writes:
This poem is inspired by, the 8th of November, 2020 bushfires, when fires engulfed many parts of Australia, including our local area. The whole sky was orange due to the bushfires in and around Port Macquarie. This poem, titled, “Tomorrow When the World Ends”. The “end” in the poem is a metaphor for the devastating bushfires. This poem explains everyone’s fear and struggles at this time. It also incorporates the fact that a leading cause of these fires is global warming.
Tomorrow When the World Ends
Tomorrow the world ends
Have you got your ticket?
You can’t escape the end it has a mind of its own.
I sit here waiting
Engulfed in orange
While parts of people’s lives fall from the sky in black ash
Is the end coming?
Do I still have time?
The world finishes tomorrow
People try to fight the end
But they are just fighting for time
What they fight won’t end
They fight not knowing if they will make it to the daylight.
The world finishes tomorrow.
People try and run from the end
But no man can run fast enough
We run into its open arms.
It’s too quick, too smart, too angry.
The world ends tomorrow
I don’t want this world to be torn apart.
Can we restart?
Can we make amends?
The world ends tomorrow
I didn’t get to say goodbye
Our lives will go up in flames
And we have no one else to blame.
Keep reading, writing, reflecting, composing, creating, musing and connecting.
The SJRC Lit Enrichment Team
Invent and Draw Characters with Illustrator Liz Anelli - May 25th
Get a head start on creating your own comics and picture books. Inventing and drawing characters, backgrounds and page-turn-ability is tricky if you think you can't draw. Simple printmaking with rubber stamps and found objects makes this so much easier and more fun. Characters invent themselves just by experimenting with different shapes and then they start to tell their own stories. Liz will demonstrate and facilitate students in using mono-print and collage to create characters, story and atmosphere.
Liz Anelli has illustrated over 20 picture books and bases her school sessions on their inventive visual narrative. When she makes books she collages drawing, painting, printmaking and scraps of packaging, tickets, and patterns into some pretty complicated digital scenes. Her non-fiction and fiction children’s books have been much shortlisted and awarded. She also makes illustrated maps.
Liz moved from England in 2012 to live in sunny Newcastle where it is much nicer to sketch outside – drawing is her favourite pastime. Liz is a Board Director of ASA, an Ambassador for Books in Homes and reviews picture books for CBCA. She is represented by Fiona Kensole of The Transatlantic Agency, USA. New titles for publication in 2020 are "Dry to Dry" (a second Nature Story Series title) and "The Biscuit Maker" (Walker Books).
Join Liz for a two hour live-streamed FREE WORKSHOP from our Facebook page on 25th May 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
To get notified about event updates mark yourself as going or interested in the event and allow our page to tell you when we are LIVE! See you there.
Accessing Livestreamed Events in #LitFest2444
- Go to the #LitFest2444 Facebook page.
- Hit the “Like” button.
- You will now see #LitFest2444 posts in your feed when you are on FaceBook.
- When a #LitFest2444 event is posted, you will see it in your feed. The following is an example.
- Use the arrow and the drop-down box (circled) to indicate that you are either “Interested” or “Going”.
When the event is about to start, you will see a red alert on your notifications icon at the top of your screen.- Clicking on the red alert will bring up a link to the event.
- Click on the event, and you’ll be watching the Livestream.
This content will help supplement your online learning platforms and further enhance storytelling skills during this difficult time. All sessions will be available through Facebook's Watch Party so please encourage staff and students to follow our Facebook Profile to watch all the upcoming sessions.
More sessions will be announced over the coming days and weeks.
Storybombing
Currently, an exciting competition is in progress, the #LitFest2444 Storybombing Phone-It-In Competition. Details can be found here. The competition is limited to students aged 15-18 years and has an awesome prize for the eventual winner.
We encourage those students who fall into this age bracket to take part. It’s a combination of writing, speaking, and technology, and is an ideal exercise for students at home or at school. The competition closes on May 31.
Karen Bale
#Litfest2444 Organiser
THIS WEEK'S FREE DOWNLOAD
The weekly free download of audiobook titles continues this week with
"Sister in Matsumoto" and "Disappeared".
Visit www.audiobooksync.com to access and download the titles, and then use your Sora app (see setup instructions below) to keep and listen. Too easy!
Any questions or issues, please email pmreg-lib@lism.catholic.edu.au
Listening to Podcasts about Books and Authors
Join in the New York Public Library's archive of the readings of Neil Gaiman's novel 'Coraline', read by Neil himself, and others. It's delightful!.
What is SYNC?
SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens. SYNC will give away two complete audiobooks per week - pairs of high-interest titles, based on weekly themes. Sign up for email or text alerts and be first to know when new titles are available to download at www.audiobooksync.com.
The process to register, access and download titles are outlined below:
First register for SYNC 2020 on our homepage. Then set up Sora.
How do I set up Sora?
- Download Sora from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Open Sora and tap I have a setup code (at the bottom of the screen). - Enter this setup code: audiobooksync.
- Enter the email address you used to sign up for SYNC.
- Tap Explore (at the bottom of the screen) to see the week’s featured titles [SYNC 2020 starts April 30]
- I already use Sora for school. How do I add SYNC titles?
If you already use Sora, you’ll need to add the SYNC program’s library. Here are the steps:
In Sora, open the menu (in the top-right corner).
- Select Add a public library.
- Search for audiobooksync and select the library from the results.
- St Joseph's Regional College Library
St Joseph's Regional College Library
Karen Bale (Mon-Thu)
Tracie Hartley (Fri)
@sjrcexchange
Word of the week:
eftsoons
Meaning: "Soon after"
A very old, rare and archaic word, used in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's
"Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
A bit of fun as we have all experienced trying times with COVID-19. Enjoy!
An update regarding Representative Sport
At this stage, we know the following:
School Sport Australia has cancelled all national events for 2020
NSWCCC has cancelled all events for Term 2
Lismore Diocese has cancelled all events for Term 2
No announcement as yet regarding Term 3 Diocesan & NSWCCC Sport.
We will relay any new sporting announcements as we receive it. This information will be posted on our College Sports Webpage.
Please check the Upcoming Events page for the latest information.
In the meantime, we hope to have sporting competitions running here at SJRC before the end of the term. Please keep an eye on the notices for sports and entry form details.
Mr Michael Cannon
Leader of Sport
Weekly Lunch Specials are Back
| Week 5 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | Spaghetti Bolognese |
| Tuesday | Butter Chicken and Rice |
| Wednesday | Chicken Schnitzel and Salad Wraps |
| Thursday | Mexican Chicken Quesadillas |
| Friday | Beef Nachos |
The canteen opens at 8.00am every school day.
The Canteen's everyday menu can be found on our College website at the following link.http://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/community/parent-information/
Volunteering in our Canteen
We cannot run the canteen without you; as the saying goes:
"Many Hands Make Light Work".
If you are able to spare an hour or so of your time, we would love for you to join us.
Please contact Donna Hamlin through the College Office on 5525 4100.
Ms Donna Hamlin
Food Services Manager
Ensembles Rehearsals Commence
All school-based ensembles will commence again from Monday, 25th May and will continue as per the normal scheduled practices.
| JAZZ BAND | Monday at 7.45am |
| SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE | Monday from 3.15pm - 4.00pm |
| JUNIOR CONCERT BAND | Thursday at 8.00am |
| SENIOR CONCERT BAND | Friday at 7.45am |
The SAPSS Marching Band will commence in Week 7
Private Tuitions will commence in Week 7
We thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. As new information is coming to hand, our College community is being informed. Please find below a link to the latest Parent Correspondence relating to COVID-19.
Federal Government’s COVIDSafe App
As we return to College, I would like to refer you to the COVIDSafe app, which has been developed to minimise further spread of COVID-19 through early notification of possible exposure to the virus. St Joseph’s Regional College has recognised that the app could play a vital role in slowing down the pace of a potential outbreak. As such the Leadership Team is encouraging all families and staff to download the app. The app can be downloaded by clicking here.
Please refer to the below correspondence from Busways.
With the recent announcement of social distancing on bus services, Busways would like to clarify that school services are not affected and will not have limited capacity.
Service operations
School services will continue to operate as normal, with no student to be left behind. NSW Health advice is that children are at lower risk of contracting COVID-19. Transport for NSW and Busways have increased cleaning measures onboard bus services and will continue to monitor transport usage to support students travelling safely to and from school.
Our policy is that no school student will be left behind and as such, school students will be given priority over other passengers on regular route services even if this means a service goes over physical distancing capacity. Adults may have to wait for the next service or choose to disembark if they are not comfortable with how many customers are on a service. All services will continue to operate to a normal timetable until advised otherwise.
Students are reminded, that they are still required to tap on and off with their Opal card or show their school bus pass when boarding.
Current COVID-19 advice
It’s important to continue communicating to students that we all have a responsibility to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Where possible, students should maintain social distance from each other onboard bus services. If different school groups are boarding a bus, each school should maintain social distance from the other and students should always maintain a safe distance from their bus driver, where practically possible.
Busways have continued to exercise additional procedures for all Busways employees to follow in order to limit any chance of the virus spreading. This includes issuing employees with hand sanitiser, requiring employees to wash their hands every time they enter and leave a worksite, employees staying home if they’re unwell, and minimising the handling of cash.
For any further questions, please contact Busways’ Customer Experience team at infoline@busways.com.au.
Regards,
Sarah Langthorne
Customer Experience Manager
Are you able to help?
One of our HSC Visual Art students is in need of old Barbie dolls for her Body of Work. If you have any old dolls lying around that you are happy to part with, please drop them off at the College Office.
GameAware
The Lismore Diocese, Catholic School Parents and Carers Assembly are hosting a FREE webinar, empowering parents with insight into culture and psychology surrounding video games.
Please click here to register for the webinar.
Register via Stickytickets
Peta Rourke | Parent Assembly Cluster Coordinator
Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Lismore
The St Agnes' Uniform store has now resumed trade from under revised hours of operation.
The store will be open Monday to Friday from 1.00pm - 5.00pm.
Online ordering has also resumed with a click and collect and delivery available. Please visit our webpage for online orders - https://stagnesparish.org.au/st-agnes-uniform-store/
