Newsletter - Term 1 - Week 4 - Issue 79

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Welcome Back Again

What a great two weeks we have had since welcoming the students back in person for the 2022 school year. It was fantastic to see the students return, they were eager to get back to school, full of enthusiasm and looking forward to reconnecting with their friends. For 219 students, it was the start of their St Joseph’s College journey which is a significant step in their education. Whilst we could not come together for a full assembly in the MacKillop Centre, our online assembly did acknowledge and welcome the new students to the College and yesterday afternoon we held our Year 7 Welcome Liturgy to mark this special occasion. We are very excited to have our new families join our community and we very much look forward to working in partnership with each family to provide the best experience for each student.

Start Early

As I have mentioned a number of times already, the delayed start to the school year makes it even more important than usual that all students make a positive start immediately. Setting up good routines, positive study habits and being organised are key ingredients to a successful journey at St Joseph's College. The Culture of Learning at St Joseph’s continues to grow, and we believe that it is important to acknowledge and celebrate academic achievement. This week at House Assemblies, we presented our Academic Awards for Semester 2 2021 and I congratulate these students on their academic achievements. These academic results are undoubtedly the result of hard work and application by our students. However, the support, encouragement and guidance offered by their teachers and parents also greatly enhance our academic outcomes. This partnership is key in all that we do at St Joseph’s College.

Interschool Sport

Interschool sport began this week and over the remainder of the year we will see St Joseph's College teams competing across a wide range of sports in all age groups and all divisions. For many students, it will be their first opportunity to represent St Joseph's College and I look forward to seeing our students competing. I would like to highlight that it is a privilege to represent St Joseph’s College and as such whilst it is important to play hard and give your very best, what is even more important is how we play. We must always display sportspersonship, humility in victory and graciousness in defeat. Champions like Ash Barty are excellent role models for all young people involved in Sport and Cultural activities, embodying the positive qualities that all St Joseph's College students should strive for. Best of luck to all of our sporting teams and individuals.

COVID Updates

Thank you to our families for your vigilance and support regarding the uncertain environment that we currently live in. We continue to provide regular COVID updates to families via broadcasts and our website. We encourage our families to continue to review this information. We are very grateful for the way our community have adhered to the COVID-safe practices, including wearing masks, regular hand washing, and social distancing wherever possible.

SchoolTV - Understanding Adolescence

Adolescence is the transitional stage of development that is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority, redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between 10-24 years. During this time, they experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.

During adolescence, a child's brain can be considered as being “under-construction”. The rate at which this progresses will vary depending on the individual and their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. However, it does not need to be. Setting boundaries, implementing consistent monitoring and maintaining a strong and loving connection will help families adjust during this time.

It is also an important time to keep the communication lines open through clear and age-appropriate conversations. Speak openly about changes that they are experiencing and be conscious of their mental health as many of the conditions people confront in adulthood, can begin to manifest in adolescence.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to guide and best support their young person as they transition through adolescence. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help. Here is the link to this month's edition 

Finally, I wish all who are part of the St Joseph's College Toowoomba community an excellent 2022 and look forward to connecting with you throughout the year.

God Bless.

Kort Goodman - Principal

From the Deputy Principal

COVID-19

We continue to implement our plans around a safe environment for the whole St Joseph’s College community. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. I commend all students on their diligence and community-minded approach to maintaining consistency with wearing masks. We continue to ensure that all students, staff and visitors to St Joseph’s College are adhering to the COVID-19 safety regulations, as instructed by Queensland Health.

Daily reporting of COVID-19 cases in the SJC community can be found here:

Social Media

As we continue to navigate a world where social media is constantly evolving, it can be difficult to keep up with the many and varied platforms our children have access to.

If you are struggling to keep up, you are not alone; however, there are some signs to look out for that may be cause for concern. First and foremost is whether your child will “allow” you to friend them on their varied social media platforms. Being friends doesn’t mean that you have to like or comment on every post, but you should be able to see what your child doing on the platform. If they do not want you to be friends, then a regular check through should not be out of the question. Obviously, the amount of checking-in should depend on your child’s age.

The joy of being on social media can quickly become something some people find very difficult to manage.  What starts as an amusement can rapidly turn into something that is all consuming. Should you be worried about your child’s social media use (including whether they can live without being connected to their phone or computer), you may wish to explore the St Joseph’s College SchoolTV site or eSafety Comission where you will find more information on young people and social media:

Please refer to the eSafety website for assistance:

Upcoming Events

Brendon Willocks - Deputy Principal  -  bwillocks@sjc.qld.edu.au

Student Voice

Week 4- Tuesday 15^th February

We are approaching the end of our second week back at school for 2022 and going forward this term, there is plenty to be excited about. Just as a new year brings new beginnings and a clean slate, it also brings fresh faces into our community. We have been privileged to meet and welcome everyone that has joined us, especially the year 7’s, as they make their exciting transition to high school. As many of you would remember, this is a momentous change and with a lot of new things to take in, we encourage you to continue to say hi, lend a hand, and make them all feel welcome.

We have been humbled to kickstart our active involvement with College life this year and as a team, we have discussed our goals and aspirations for 2022. It is our vision that we will be able to work with the College to create a heightened sense of ‘belonging’ and what it means to be a part of this vibrant and growing school. We want everyone to feel included and cared for, and it is our hope that everyone will be able to find something they are passionate about- whether that is Cultural, Sporting, Academic, or in the Mission aspects of our core College life. We encourage you to do what you love and be unapologetically ‘you’ because when we share our passions with our community, we can build each other up and grow together. We understand that you might not always feel like you are heard when you are in a sea of students, however, if you are passionate about something, we would love to hear about it. Student Voice is held every second Friday in the Seminar rooms and it is a space where anybody and everybody is welcome. No matter how big or small your idea, query, or thought; come along and join in our inclusive discussions.

Part of being our strongest selves and building an inclusive community comes from putting yourself out of your comfort zone; by trying things even if you know you are not the best at it. When you do this, you let others support you and help you be confident within yourself. We would like to challenge and encourage you to get involved in our upcoming Swimming Carnival; whether that is in the form of a participation swim or all the 50m races, let’s get out there, earn some house points and embody the spirit of the Joey’s way.

We look forward to the year to come and cannot wait to work with you all.

Tahlia Utz and Riley Furse

College Captains

“Just remember, if we can do anything this year- it is to be kind.” Riley Furse, 2021

From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education

Year 7 Welcome Liturgy

On Thursday, our new Year 7 students were presented with their house badges in a Welcome Liturgy.  This ritual marks their willingness to journey in faith and the special place each Year 7 student now holds in this community.

Four students from the cohort shared their experience at St Joseph’s so far.

Eryn Sanson – Brennan House

On the first day of high school, I was extremely nervous and scared, but when I arrived the Year 12 students and teachers were so kind and welcoming it made me feel much better.

At first, I thought I would never be able to find my classrooms on my own but when I asked one of the teachers, he was so keen to help me and my friend we found it just fine. The school diary is helpful, and the maps are useful in finding my way around the college.

The best things about St Joseph's so far would be meeting new friends, enrichment program, the tuckshop, variety of subjects and the lovely staff.

One of the challenges has been finding my way around the college, changing classrooms and how busy it around the lockers. I plan to overcome this in time.

I have found the transition from primary school to high school exiting and some students from my primary school also are now students at the college. The staff at St Joeys have been helpful and kind they are also willing to help.

I am so grateful and happy to be a student at the college and look forward to friendships, being part of the choir, participating in various school activities including sport, music, drama and English.

I am excited for high school and participating in all aspects of the College and following the Joey’s Way.

We all are new grade 7 students to St Joseph's College and may be feeling nervous and overwhelmed, but I know our time here together is going to be amazing and I wish you all the best journey through high school

Tia Wardlaw – Murphy House

I was at school on what would have been week two if school didn’t get postponed. Which was a really good because I got to meet new people. There was only around 30 to 40 students here in on campus in that week. So for me it was a good way to ease into high school.

Luckily, those first days being at school, while everyone else was at home and online, were really quiet. I thought this was really helpful for me as I have come from a primary school with 56 students and now there is over 900.

The best thing at Joeys was embracing the experience and meeting new people. I would say one of my challenges would have been meeting new, people even though there is a lot of students at St Joseph’s.

I have met two great friends and they encouraged me to present this speech. They are Bella and Grace.

What I’m looking forward to the most about high school is all the extra curricular activities on offer.

Chelsea Rogers  - McAuley House

Good afternoon, everyone my name is Chelsea Rogers. On the first day of school, I was very nervous, because I didn’t know anyone. I was scared of sitting by myself for everything and getting lost and arriving at class really late. High School has been a big change from primary school. I found myself in our first assembly sitting by myself, I looked around and saw someone else just like me, I remembered meeting her at the Orientation Day. Then my mum and dad’s words started playing in my head, lots of people will be like you, share a smile and go say hello. I worked up the courage to go and say hello to her and to sit with her, we also discovered we have the same enrichment program. I have enjoyed taking some small steps outside my comfort zone and realising that I can remember where to go for classes and take all the right books with me.

I have really enjoyed meeting all my new teachers. They have been welcoming and encouraging, they are one of the best things about St Joey’s. I have appreciated their explanations of what to expect for the year and their care for me, not just my grades.

I am looking forward to all the extra activities that we can do in High School. I’ve signed up to the junior choir, debating along with soccer and touch. Thank you.

Beau Utz – Rice House

I was super excited to start high school and my first week was as good as I hoped it would be. I was super keen and ready to kick start my first day of grade 7 and I can happily say I had a great first week. After starting online, being on Campus made high school seem more real and I’m glad I didn’t get lost. It’s great that the community at Joey’s was so welcoming and supportive. 

Last week was also good thanks to the continuous support from staff and the students in the older grades. The teachers have been making sure I am settling in and I’m sure all grade 7s feel the same. Cheers for the iceblocks and handball games. I’m sure there won’t be any complaints if that continues for a little longer!

The thing that I am most looking forward to about high school is that I will experience and learn lots of new things in different ways. I am also looking forward to the bonds and relationships I make with not just students but also teachers.

Finally Grade 7s, when you go home today I would like you to thank your parents or carers for sending you to this amazing and caring college. Thank you.

Inauguration Ball Dance Practice

Dance practice for our Year 12s have been a great hit! Thanks to Gail Ward, our wonderful teacher, our students have learnt the steps to both their presentation dance and guardian dance. They’ve also stretched their ability by learning a jive and a cha cha.

I have been impressed by our seniors’ commitment to learn in community and support each other as they try something very new and out of their comfort zone. I know they will continue to try to master each step, in order to proudly present themselves at their Inauguration Ball.

Remaining schedule of Ball Dance Practices:

Wednesday 23 February 1.45 – 3.00pm

Wednesday 2 March 1.45 – 3.00pm

Sunday 13 March 10.00am – 12.00pm (at Rumours)

Wednesday 16 March 1.45 – 3.00pm

Inauguration Ball Practice

Kellie-Marie Ford - Assistant Principal - Religious Education  -  kford@sjc.qld.edu.au 

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

The Queensland Certificate of Education - 2022

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2022 bank credit towards achieving the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

Students can plan their pathway to achieving the QCE by the end of Year 12 and explore further study, training and career options by registering for the myQCE site.

https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au

Year 12 students are currently having academic interviews and are being asked if they logged in successfully to check their account with their LUI number.

Please check with your son or daughter to ensure they have done this.

Any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Assessment Calendars

Year 7 to 12 Assessment calendars have been emailed to students and parents last week.

Students are also able to check their electronic calendars on the College Intranet and Website.

A copy of the St Joseph’s College Assessment Procedures is located on the St Joseph’s College Website : https://www.sjc.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-Assessment-Procedures-SJC.pdf

St Joseph’s College is required to adhere to the Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA) policies about due dates. Teachers are not able to grant extensions in the Senior School. Extensions to the due date for submission or completion can only be given for Internal formative and summative assessment types including: extended response project, performance or non-examination only.

Extensions for Internal formative and summative assessment types including: extended response project, performance or non-examination can only be given to students who have a disability, impairment and/or medical conditions, or experience other circumstances that may be a barrier to their performance in assessment.

Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) are designed to assist these students.

St Joseph’s College will make decisions about AARA for Units 1 and 2 to ensure that for Applied, Essential and General subjects the AARA implemented for an eligible student for assessment in Units 1 and 2 are aligned to those that are available for summative assessment in Units 3 and 4. The provision of AARA for assessment in Units 1 and 2 by St Joseph’s College is not a guarantee that students will be provided the same access or the same adjustments for assessment in Units 3 and 4.
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For Units 3 and 4, St Joseph’s College must submit applications for QCAA approval and/or notify Principal-reported AARA to the QCAA on students’ behalf, via the QCAA Portal.
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Please refer to the 2022 Assessment Procedures on the St Joseph's College website for further details about our Assessment Procedures.

Assessment Calendars are used to show students when assessment is due.  Assignments are due in the lesson indicated by your teacher and must be uploaded in Canvas by 3pm on the due date.  Late assignments will not be marked.

If you require an extension due to illness (medical certificate may be required) or other extenuating circumstances please follow the Extension Process.

If you have any questions about assessment tasks or dates, please contact your child’s teacher or Curriculum Leader.

The 2022 Curriculum Leaders are :

• Kellie Ford - Assistant Principal Religious Education    
• Karen Tobin - Senior Learning Leader         
• Cate Park-Ballay - Middle School Learning Leader
• Emma Chalmers Curriculum Leader – English & Languages
• Candice Brazier Curriculum Leader – Mathematics
• Bill Whiting Curriculum Leader – Science
• Andrew Fellenberg Curriculum Leader – Humanities & Commerce
• Mitchell Kilgour - Curriculum Leader – Health & Physical Education
• Brian Cantwell Curriculum Leader – Technology
• Chrissy Dwyer Curriculum Leader – The Arts
• Darcy Goodall Program Leader – Student Services

Please notes : Dates are set in the calendar but may be changed in consultation with the Curriculum Leader and Assistant Principal - Curriculum.  Dates for Semester 2 are still to be confirmed.  QCAA does not support changes to assessment dates due to family holidays. 

Frist Aid and Safety Cluster

There are limited places available for this opportunity and will be based on date and time of payment to fill the remaining places.  Please email kfellenberg@sjc.qld.edu.au if you have any questions.

Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg - Assistant Principal - Curriculum  -  kfellenberg@sjc.qld.edu.au 

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

Mobile Devices Guidelines in 2022

In 2022 we have slightly adjusted the College Guidelines around student mobile devices. These guidelines are inclusive of all smart devices including mobile phones and smart watches.

In developing these guidelines, St Joseph’s College acknowledges the following:

• The College plays an important role in forming young people who can engage with technology in a way that is safe, ethical, responsible and reflective of future expectations from employers, families and friends.
• Ubiquitous access to technology and the internet will be part of life for most of our students both outside and beyond their schooling.
• Unfettered access to online material and communities (including social media) presents very real risks to the privacy and safety of our students.

In response to these challenges, St Joseph’s College will:

• Provide education to students on cyber safety and appropriate use of technology through the Joey’s Way Curriculum and other incursion and excursion opportunities.
• Provide families with full access to FamilyZone- a digital tool that helps to build trust, integrity and safety for students online.
• Respond to incidents of cyber bullying between our students the same way we would to any other type of bullying. See our Transgressing the Joey’s Way Compendium for details.

 To support the College’s responsibilities, we request that parents and guardians:

• Access the St Joseph’s College Cyber Safety Hub on a regular basis to get up to date, expert advice on maximising online safety for young people.
• Have regular, low-threat conversations with students about their online activity and use of technology.
• If parents or guardians need to contact their child throughout the school day, do so by contacting the school in the first instance rather than via the student’s mobile device.

St Joseph’s College, therefore, has the following expectations of its students and their use of technology:

• Students are expected to live out The Joey’s Way at all times, including in their online behaviour.
• Students may discreetly carry their device with them while at school, but they are not permitted to use it from 8:30am until 3pm on all school days (this includes carnivals, festival days etc).
• Students may use their device to pay for items at the tuckshop.
• Students may use their devices with the expressed permission of staff member.
• Students must present all devices (including mobile phones and smart watches) to the supervisor when completing any type of examination in which the integrity of that assessment may be compromised by the presence of any mobile technology.

If a student fails to meet these expectations, they will be asked to take their device to student entrance where it will be held for the remainder of the day.

• Parents will be contacted after the second indiscretion in a term.
• Parents will be required to meet with the relevant House Leader after the third indiscretion in a term.

Thank you in anticipation of your support as we work to maximise safety and learning for all our students.

Joe Cryle - Assistant Principal - Student Engagement  -  jcryle@sjc.qld.edu.au 

English and Languages

Hello St Joseph’s community,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.  I am Emma Chalmers and I am the new Curriculum Leader — English and Languages — here at the College. 2022 is my 19^th year of teaching and I am extremely excited to join such a thriving school. Prior to this year, I was working at St Mary’s College in the same role, which gave me plenty of opportunities to develop and refine my skills — ready for the school-wide literacy focus that St Joseph’s has currently undertaken. Writing improvement is a passion of mine, as I believe writing is a fundamental skill for full and active participation in life.  Writing is empowering and we endeavour to give our students that power.

2022 will likely be an unusual school year. Already, we have needed to move into online learning and many students may require time out for COVID related reasons. Luckily, our department is especially skilled at creating engaging lessons in the online format. The College commitment to students having access to resources and content through our CANVAS platform means that all students can participate at all times.

I encourage you all to engage with your child’s learning through conversations.  When students teach or explain concepts to you, they are reinforcing their learning in the best way possible. Currently, our year 11s are reading The Great Gatsby; if they tell you about the plot and characters, they will strengthen their own knowledge and understanding.

If you would like anymore ideas regarding how to best support your child with their learning, the English and Languages team will gladly answer any questions you may have.

Best of luck with 2022.

Emma Chalmers - Curriculum Leader - English and Languages - echalmers@sjc.qld.edu.au

Sports

Queensland Cycling

Porter White completed at the 2021 QLD Junior Track Cycling State Championships in December last year. He podiumed in 6 out of his 7 events, placing him 3^rd in the State in his Under 15 age group. Following this success, he competed in the Australian Junior Track Series in Melbourne in January where he placed 4^th in the country for his age group. Porter has been selected to represent Queensland at the Auscycling Junior Track National Championships in Brisbane this March. He is also looking forward to representing St Joseph’s at the Inaugural Queensland All Schools Cycling Challenge on the Gold Coast in May this year and also hopes to be selected on the Queensland Junior Road Cycling Team.

Swimming Carnival

The postponed swimming carnival will be on next Thursday at the Milne Bay Complex.

The morning session is Year 9’s who turn 15 and wish to compete in the 50m distances all Year 10’s, 11’ and 12. They will remain at the pool until 11.30am where they will be dismissed if they have been given parental permission. If no permission has been received, they will be bussed back to school and be supervised. Those that leave and do not go straight home must get changed out of the College uniform.

The Year 7, 8 and 9’s will complete two lessons at the College, have morning tea and be bussed to the pool for their part of the Carnival. They should be finished and ready for pick up at 2.40pm. Buses will return students to the College that require them.

All information should be recorded on EdSmart so that we have accurate rolls to ensure student safety. If a student cannot attend, a suitable explanation should be provided to the College as it is a normal school day so normal processes still take place.

Opportunities are provided for students who are not competent swimmers so they can feel they are contributing to the house totals for over Swimming Champions. Cheering in the stands for their fellow house competitors also makes a big difference to performances.

Toowoomba District and Darling Downs Nominations

Students are encouraged to constantly read notices and keep a close eye on the Darling Downs website for upcoming trials.

Currently open and available are:

14 – 15 years and 16 – 19 years rugby league

13 – 15 years AFL (boys and girls)

14 – 15 years and 16 – 18 years rugby league

13 – 15 and 16 – 19 years netball15 – 16 years rugby 7’s

10 – 19 years orienteering

16 – 18 years basketball (boys and girls)

13 – 15 years and 16 – 19 years football (girls)

10 – 12 years softball (boys and girls)

10 – 12 years basketball (boys and girls)

Please contact me as soon as possible for appropriate paperwork.

Football

A young team of football players ventured to Harristown on Wednesday afternoon for the first Toowoomba Football Schools Competition. The boys played really well for their first game together as we only finalized our team the day before. We lost to Harristown, but that is not important. What is important is that they are improving their skills and working together to improve.

Football Pictures

Darling Downs Trials

Some trials have been held already and although no official paperwork has come through, I do know Regan Liebke has made the open boys cricket team.

Also, another great achievement is that of Cameron Taylor who is off to Townsville after making the DD team for 13 – 19 years golf. He was announced as the overall winner for the day’s competition. A terrific effort.

Deb Newton - Program Leader - Sports  -  dnewton@sjc.qld.edu.au

Murphy House

Murphy House is proud of our motto “with vision and spirit” with all students and staff striving to live this out in all that we do. Our first Principal, Brother Bernard Murphy whom Murphy House was named was a gifted teacher and musician who drew on God’s Word for courage and creativity, and it is with spirit and courage that Murphy House has been adaptive and resilient, thinking of new and creative ways to embody these founding notions. The start of the 2022 school year has certainly asked students to develop a resilient spirit and look forward to the future.

As a College our liturgical theme for the year is ‘Together at One Table’ and this idea of togetherness has been drawn upon as the term has developed. Our motto “with vision and spirit” encourages us to look beyond ourselves in the service of others in a spirit of generosity and integrity. Within Murphy House we share togetherness each morning during Joey’s Way time and through our many classroom interactions. Murphy House welcomes Year 7, new and continuing students to take up this notion and share in God’s table.

God’s Table Represents Protection and Comfort

“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.” (Psalm 16:1)
 
When you accept the invitation to sit at God’s table, you are saying, “I expect to receive God’s
protection.” God promises His protection to those who take refuge in Him. There are times we need spiritual protection from the challenges in life, or we need physical protection from danger. We may even need protection from worry or stress or unbelief.  God stands beside us through all of this and our trust in Him can offer us comfort and support. 

This theme, ‘Together at One Table’ encompasses all our core values and imperatives in some way here at St Joseph’s College. It centres heavily around the idea that no matter people’s cultural diversity, age, gender, or other characteristics the ‘table’ is an inclusive symbol that celebrates all that the College and Murphy House is. 

So, in keeping with this idea, I would like to express my gratitude for the encouraging conversations that occurred between staff, students and the community over the past week. With our liturgical theme in mind, we have focused as a house on being ‘one’, supporting each individual member of our community. Below are some keynotes from Rebecca Alber and her article, “4 Ways to Refuel Your Gratitude” (2015). Please discuss with your children to reflect on the positive opportunities that lie ahead and how they can offer anyone a seat at the ‘table’.

#1. Laugh with Your Children

More than ever, humour is a crucial element that can keep us motivated, grateful, and positive. Create a comic strip corner or invite children to share funny stories and jokes from their day.

#2. Stick with the Motivators

You know these friends. Keep them close. These are the friends who may gripe on occasion or do a twenty-second vent session but then quickly turn to a funny story about something. Perhaps this person, is you? If so, keep spreading the hope and the positivity.

#3. Seek New Inspiration

When was the last time you went looking for a new way to do something? Looking for inspiration can often lead to a totally new way of approaching a subject.

#4. Look for the Light

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." -- William Arthur Ward

I encourage students and staff to support each other over the term and to live by our motto “with vision and spirit” so that we will see these opportunities and embrace them with excitement.

Aleesha Degen - Student Engagement Middle Leader - Murphy House -  adegen@sjc.qld.edu.au

Career Pathways

Miss Penner month in reflection

I’ve reached one month with the College! It has been a pleasure getting the chance to meet with a few of you, understand your areas of interest, discuss pathway options, organise work experience, and undertake career quizzes!

Mrs Harman and I are here to support you, help you to investigate industries, occupation exploration and explore possible pathways. If you have any questions or require assistance with your resume or applying for a job, please visit us in Murphy Block. Don’t be a stranger!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Regan Liebke (Year 12) who has completed a Diploma of Business.  Regan has lived out the College value of Endeavour through the imperatives of aspiring to excellence, and participation and perseverance.

Well done Regan!!

Work Experience – Year 10

Work Experience for our Year 10 students is slowly approaching! Work Experience provides an excellent opportunity and foot in the door for students, providing them work readiness experience to build their confidence and competence in their areas of interest.

Work Experience documentation and parent information will be distributed next Monday, 21 February 2022.

We strongly encourage you to start discussing work experience with your child and for students to start engaging in some occupational exploration.

We are dedicated to ensuring your child is prepared for Work Experience. To assist, the Career Pathways Team will be hosting a weekly Work Experience Readiness Workshop on a Tuesday during lunchtime on the following dates:

• 1 March 2022
  • What is Work Experience?
  • The benefits of Work Experience
• 8 March 2022
  • Identify potential work experience placements of interest
• 15 March 2022
  • How to write a letter of introduction to an employer
• 22 March 2022
  • Completing the Work Experience Agreement
• 29 March 2022
  • Q & A
• 26 April 2022
  • Tips and tricks for Work Experience
• 3 May 2022
  • Tips and tricks for Work Experience

For tips on how to best prepare for work experience, please watch the following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmk_-bOceC0&feature=emb_title

SBA opportunities

Certificate III in Signs and Graphics with Signs and Lines. Available for Year 12 students, one day per week, application closing 1 March 2022.

Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician available for Year 11 and 12 students, two days per week, application closing 1 March 2022.

More information is available on Canvas.

Certificate of Appreciation – for Izabella Kruger during her SBA. Keep up the good work!

Don't forget Careers has its own website! https://www.sjccareers.com.au/ 

The Career Pathways Team utilises two platforms to distribute career information, sjccareers.com.au website and Canvas. We invite to visit the sjccareers website.

Career Platforms: 

• Job Vacancies
• What is VETiS funding?
• Open Days
• SET-Plan submissions
• Announcements from the Career Pathways Team

sjcareers: 

• Careers Newsletter,
• QCE and VET information
• How to create or find your USI
• Post School Options
• Workplace learning
• Specific information for parents and students
• Job Vacancies

For more information please contact the Careers Team

Charlotte Penner - Careers Support Officer  -  cpenner@sjc.qld.edu.au

Maree Harman - Career Development Practitioner  -  mharman@sjc.qld.edu.au

Debating

Unleashing Personal Potential - 'GRIT'

Last Thursday 10^th February our year 9 cohort participated in a UPP ‘Grit’ session.  Throughout the session they were guided to identify challenges in their life when they needed to use ‘Grit’ to achieve goals.  Students participated in games and small activities and then worked through a process called ‘T.O.P.’.  This involved students identifying their ‘T’argets, acknowledging ‘O’bstacles to their success and then ‘P’lanning how they might work through or around these obstacles. 

On reading through student responses, a great majority of the cohort identified Mobile Phones, Social Media and Procrastination as their obstacles to success.  In a moment of honest reflection many of these students planned to give their phone to a trusted adult or place their phone in another room as a strategy to enable their success with homework and assignments.  I would strongly encourage all parents but especially parents of our year 9 cohort to have a conversation with your child around the above mentioned obstacles to success and develop in partnership some strategies that could be employed at home to support success with your child’s schooling.

I have also included below a snippet from an article titled ‘9 ways to manage Year 12 stress’ with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg who also addresses the problems of phones and social media.

Thank you to the year 9 cohort for their efforts and involvement on the day and I hope that they all have some great takeaways to help them achieve their goals.

Next term year 9 will be going to Camp Kokoda to continue our SJC Resilience Project.  Parents, please keep an eye out for emails coming out shortly related to camp.

Luke Logan - Student Engagement Middle Leader - Brennan House

Positive Partnerships Workshop

Positive Partnerships - working together to support school-aged students on the autism spectrum. Free 2 day workshop for parents and careers.

SJC - Community News

We are starting to collect business names for our Parent Business Directory. This directory will be displayed on our website and in our newsletter fortnightly. Please send through any deatils and/or business graphics to: marketing@sjc.qld.edu.au

Uniform Shop

School Masks available in store for sale $5.00 navy and black washable.

Hat bands for formal boys and girls hats now available in store $12.00.

Out of Stock:

Girls Sport Shorts Size Large

Senior Girls Formal Blouse Size 16A

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

Please follow Queensland Government guidelines and check-in when visiting the uniform shop.

Online orders can be placed anytime and will be packed and ready for collection from our store during our open hours.

During the school terms we can deliver your parcel up to student entrance on our trading days for your child to collect from there.  Home delivery is also available for online orders at a cost.

Summer stock is now available.

Ordering Online Process

www.midford.com.au     pass phrase StJC1956

Second hand uniforms are also available at the Uniform Shop.

If you have used uniform items that would like to donate, please drop off to the Uniform Shop during opening hours.  Donations are greatly appreciated.

If you have used uniform items that you would like us to sell for you, please call into the uniform shop and collect a “Used Clothing” form. Used uniforms items MUST be in good condition, hems intact, no holes, stains or missing buttons. They also need to washed, ironed and be the current uniform. 

If you have any questions, please call us on 4631 8514 during opening hours.