Newsletter - Term 3 - Week 2 - Issue 88

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Welcome to Term 3.

As usual the mid-year break sees lots of staff and students having a busy holiday break, with the QISSN and Confraternity Carnivals held in Mackay in the first week of the holidays. I offer my sincere thanks to the staff who travelled to Mackay in the first week of their holidays, as managers, coaches and supporters of our QISSN and Confraternity teams. They were warm, caring, professional, generous and skilled. It was a joy for me to witness how well the students responded to their care.

The students were just terrific and played with heart and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all players across both netball and rugby league, you clearly demonstrated the Joey’s Way in your efforts over the week.

Thanks also to the many parents and friends who travelled to Mackay and were solid supporters on the sidelines. The whole week was a great endorsement for our values, traditions and family culture.  

My thanks is also extended to the administration, grounds, maintenance and cleaning staff who worked away over the break, to ensure all is in readiness for a good start. The grounds and classrooms look amazing.

Staffing Changes

There have been some staff changes for term three and I welcome the following staff to St Joseph’s College.

• Samantha Meager as a Science teacher
• Sally Gibson as a Legal Studies and Humanities teacher.

I would also like to advise that College Counsellor Ms Heather D’Arcy, and school officers Mrs Christel Davies, Mr Bhargav Karnik and Mrs Julie Entwistle have either finished up or will soon finish their time at St Joseph's College. We thank these people for their efforts whilst part of the St Joseph’s College community.

Welcome to new Families and Students

We have several new families and students entering the College this term. I hope the first two weeks have gone well and trust they will appreciate the St Joseph’s College culture of welcome and hospitality.

PEN – Parent Engagement Network

Date Claimer – Tuesday August 2 – 6.30 – 8.00pm

As our community is aware we have restructured our St Joseph's College P&F and Board to create our St Joseph's College Parent Engagement Network. The aim of this network is to respond to the needs of our community in growing the partnership between the College and our families. The PEN’s role will be to both support the ongoing activities of the College and provide opportunities in partnership with the College for parents to be more informed about the workings of the College so that they can support their students.

Our first PEN event will be held on Tuesday 2^nd August in the College Library with a welcome, refreshments and food from 6.30 – 7.00pm. Following this Mr Joe Cryle (Assistant Principal Student Engagement) will share with the community our Student Engagement Framework from 7.00 – 8.00pm. This framework outlines our student engagement processes and the use of relational pedagogy as the foundation for engaging students in their learning whilst being supported and directed by their teachers.

A reminder that the wonderful community members listed below have taken on roles as executive members of our PEN and are very willing to be conduits between parents and the College, or to answer questions that families may have. We thank John, Cathy, Toni, Wendy and Rachel very much for their willingness to undertake these roles.

Chair - Mr John O’Brien - john@obriencotransport.com.au or 0413110718.

Secretary - Mrs Rachel Thomas - rjthomas22@bigpond.com 

Working Party Group Leaders

Teen Mental Health

Mrs Cathy Condon - johathyfamily@gmail.com - 0438647082

Community Events Working Party

Mrs Toni Burton - schloss@westnet.com.au  - 0466187210

Mrs Wendy Murphy - timandwendymurphy@gmail.com – 0417645582

We hope that families will be able to join us for our first PEN session. Further information regarding how to rsvp will be forwarded to families early next week.

COVID update

As mentioned in the media there is some need to be vigilant, aware and responsive to any COVID symptoms and for us all to uphold Qld Health protocols regarding COVID infection. COVID, combined with Influenza and the Cold and Flu Season is creating the need to be very conscious to test for COVID, so we care for others. The College has a stock of RAT’s that can be accessed by students and staff who develop symptoms at school, and they can be taken home with parents upon collection of children to test at home. Masks can be worn by students and staff as they wish, however it is not mandated by Queensland Health or required by the College. As a courtesy, if your child tests positive to COVID, please advise the College of this.

Term 3 - important term for students

Term 3 is always a critical term, where learning is consolidated and extended for students. This term is critical for our Years 10, 11 and 12 students. Year 10 now engages in the process of developing their Senior Education & Training plans; Year 11 students consolidate their units of achievement in readiness for Year 12; and Year 12 need to dig in, balance workload and non-school commitments to end well and strong in their final terms at school. 

Reminder

I remind families to empower and engage your children to start the term well, and to hold with pride the wearing of our uniform and ensure personal appearance standards are upheld as per our expectations. It is here for you as a reminder. 

Finally, I encourage all of the St Joseph’s College community to start this critical term well, with intent, purpose and the innate ability to work together for our students. It is my hope that each of them know that they have every support to achieve well and see success through their determined perseverance and experience joy in developing their gifts and talents.

Kort Goodman - Principal - KGoodman@sjc.qld.edu.au

From the Deputy Principal

Recently Four Corners featured a story titled “Vape Haze: The new addiction of vaping”. I would endorse this story to all SJC parents.

Parent Portal Update

Sentral have released an updated version of the Parents App for both IOS (Apple) and Android devices.  There are no changes to the functionality that will be experienced by parents, you will notice some changes in how you can use the App.

Some of the key changes are:

• New navigation bar at bottom of the screen
• Easier to switch between schools
• Clearer student cards to access more detailed information

To view the changes, please view the attached document

If you require any assistance with access the Parent Portal please contact the College.

Looking Forward and Goal Setting

I would like to acknowledge the students who have been endeavouring to achieve their personal excellence and growth in all areas of their schooling. Following a review of the recent Report Cards, I trust that many families have had conversations of affirmation and discussed goal setting for Term 3. The key message for EVERY student is to consider the challenge to make progress, to improve, to learn, to grow and to develop.

During a recent Assembly I spoke to the students about their level of engagement and challenged them to self-assess against the Engagement Continuum below. I would encourage families to have  further conversations regarding engagement and in particular the finer differences between the engagement phases of ‘Participating’, ‘Investing’ and ‘Driving’.   

Upcoming Events

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

From the Mission Captains

When we last wrote for the College newsletter, we established two major goals to further develop the school motto ‘Serve him in Others,’ and celebrate our humble beginnings as an Edmund Rice school through this years liturgical theme ‘Coming together at one table.’

Goal 1: Improving Social Justice and Service Participation.

Our first goal set for this year was to improve participation in social justice and service activities that are offered at the school. With the implementation of our new ‘Lead through Service’ cards and through working with existing social justice groups such as the year 10 Just Joey’s, we have seen more fundraisers held, had more participation from the student body in the form of purchasing goods or donations and have had plenty of people in these groups. Furthermore, we have presented the benefits to getting involved in social justice and has contributed to the fantastic participation we have seen this year. Alongside this, the year 11 Breakfast Club and the year 12 Rosie’s group have seen many people step forward and volunteer in these initiatives as these religious curriculums and these volunteering opportunities become integrated to create a hands-on learning environment.

However, we still have plenty of work to do, we have the Interact club hosting the exciting Shave for a Cure and the Just Joey’s having some exciting events planned, which offer the student body intentional ways to lead through service and live out the school motto of ‘Serve him in Others.’

Goal 2: Further Developing Religious life at St. Joseph’s College

Our second goal for this year was to further develop religious life at St Josephs’ College. This has been done alongside the Year 12 Liturgy Group who have launched and developed our inclusive school theme; ‘Coming together at one table,’ with the intentions of boasting equality and leading through service as Edmund Rice did. This has been done recently with the extensive NAIDOC week celebrations lessons in Religion, Humanities and Joey’s Way classes. We have utilised the arts to create entertaining and engaging expression of faith through the Liturgical drama performance of Jesus on the Cross to the visual art installation during International Arts Education Week with the key theme of peace. Furthermore, we saw the diversity of our college community in the Grandparents’ Day celebrations, specifically in the prayers of the faithful.

Yet, we still have many celebrations ahead of us, therefore as Mission Captains and alongside the Year 12 Liturgy Group, we still have many opportunities to develop our school theme and to find creative ways to express our faith as a Catholic School.

As your Mission Captains for 2022, we have seen success in our goals but still have the opportunity to strive for further growth and success. Hopefully, with the help of one another, we can indulge in the gift and privilege of sharing faith and the passion for social justice to make St Josephs’ College just that bit more special.

Waed Roumieh and Blake Troy - Mission Captains

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Semester One 2022 Academic Awards

Congratulations to the students who will receive an Academic Award at Assembly on

Monday, 25 July 2022.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze Badges may be worn as part of the student’s uniform.

It is a symbol to be proud of wearing and something for all to aspire towards.

The Criteria to obtain an Academic Award is:

* Year 9 & 10 English – Extension & Mathematics – Extension and Year 10 Science 1

students who receive a B or higher are included in the above criteria to obtain an Academic Award.

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

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

Working in Partnership to Address Vaping

As a learning community built around maximising the safety and learning of young people, many parents and staff are vaguely aware of vaping. In short, this is a now widespread practice that involves inhaling a vaporised liquid from an electronic device that looks like a pen. The practice was originally designed to replace the smoking of cigarettes and, worryingly, is now commonplace among young people. We know that vaping is affecting many of our students, but, like with any unexpected challenge, expert guidance, policy and the prevailing attitudes of adults have taken time to keep up.

What do we know about vaping?

The ABC aired an episode of Four Corners recently entitled Vape Truths. The episode draws connections between multinational tobacco companies such as Phillip Morris and the vaping industry. It tracks the carefully managed marketing techniques used by ‘big tobacco’ to target vaping at young people and the very deliberate efforts of tobacco lobbyists to delay regulation of industry.

I would highly recommend that any parent of a St Joseph’s student watch the episode, it is available on ABC iview.

What are the health risks?

We are learning more and more about the health risks of vaping each day, and, as with any unregulated industry, every learning is cause for further alarm. What causes this alarm is that, by far, our most compulsive vapers are teenagers who are highly prone to addiction. If you believe your child is vaping I would highly recommend speaking to your GP about the best steps.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki outlines vape truths via the Queensland Health webpage. I would also highly recommend parents watch these videos with their children. 

What is the school’s approach?

The schools’ responsibility is twofold.

In the first case, we need to draw a clear line around this any type of vaping behaviour. If a student is found to be vaping, this incurs a five day external suspension as per our Transgressing the Joey’s Way Compendium.  We simply cannot accept vaping at school as it jeopardises our students’ right to physical and emotional safety.

Equally, the College has an educative responsibility to ensure our students are aware of the risks of vaping and effective, respectful and responsible strategies for managing these risks. We use our Joey’s Way Curriculum and Health and Physical Education Curriculum to do this. Of course, parents complementing these messages at home builds a strong partnership that maximises the safety of our students.

 What can parents do?

As with any risk-taking behaviours that affect young people, having clear and open communication with them is highly beneficial. If we know what the problem is, we can begin to try to solve it. Furthermore, staying up to date through accessing reputable sources (such as Queensland Health) allows us to stay ahead of the game.

Finally, complacency is the enemy. While it may seem unlikely, it is unhelpful for us to simply assume that our children would never vape. The marketing strategies and lack of regulation behind the industry is simply too deliberate and complex. If a staff member of the College contacts you about your child vaping, please hear them out.

Joseph Cryle - Assistant Principal - Student Engagement -  JCryle@sjc.qld.edu.au 

From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education

Grandparents’ Day

Resilience, Hope and Compassion

The theme for this year, as chosen by the liturgy group, is Together at One Table.  This theme was chosen to recognise that when we welcome everyone together and embraces all our unique backgrounds and gifts, we are the richer for it.

Today we gather to remember all that our grandparents and elders bring to the table. Last year, Pope Francis announced a new celebration in honour of all grandparents and the elderly to be celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday in July. On the 2nd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, he calls us to reflect on Psalm 92: "In old age they will still bear fruit".

Our grandparents and elderly bear fruit and wisdom that we can strive to emulate in our lives. They embody the McAuley House theme of – Resilience, Hope and Compassion. All of which are attributes our grandparents model to us in their lives.

As a part of our celebration of mass, we added a McAuley Red Chair to our table to represent all our grandparents and the elderly who show us resilience, hope and compassion. We are reminded that we must reach out and invite them to our table and share in the wisdom and love they have to offer.

Happiness is a bread we break together

In Luke’s Gospel today, Jesus teaches his disciples how to prayer to God and assures them God will answer. God has also provided us with Grandparents – who teach us how to live with resilience, hope and compassion and always reassure us with an answer or a helping hand or an ear to listen.

Alongside teaching us resilience, hope and compassion – they teach us how to bring family recipes to the table. Recipes that are passed down. Recipes that not only taste delicious, but they are also filled with the love only a grandparent can give us.

We learn from our Gospel and our Grandparents that “Happiness is a bread we break together”.  Their recipes taste all the more delicious 

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

Student Induction

New Students

As we begin this new semester, we welcome all the new students to the College. We welcome you with open hands, open minds, and open hearts. Let your journey of exploration here at St Joseph’s begin!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Amanda Wighton, Student Engagement Middle Leader – Induction – awighton@sjc.qld.edu.au

Year 7 Camp

On 1 June, Year 7 students ventured down to PGL Kindilan at Redland Bay for a fun-filled three-day adventure style camp. Once we arrived, we were inducted into the camp process and students were assigned cabins and their activity groups. Over the three days, students were involved in several activities that challenged and encouraged them to work as a team, make friends, problem solve, be confident, resilient, persistent and to most of all have fun. Students participated in activities such as flying fox, crate stack, aeroball, archery, low ropes, abseiling, team challenges and trust exercises. During these activities students proved that they were ready to take on the challenges of secondary schooling; demonstrating great teamwork, good communication, and providing support and encouragement for each other.

At the end of the camp students participated in a Liturgy in which we asked students to reflect on what they had learnt about themselves and others whilst on camp. We hope that students remember the connections they made with other, the challenges they faced and how they overcame obstacles and challenges. After an active camp, with particularly great weather and beautiful memories, we returned safely home. Many of the Year 7’s commented on how much fun camp was and how proud they were that they stayed determined and overcame many obstacles.

A few friendly reminders

Learn in Community

The story of Jesus’ entry into his passion is infinitely complex and source of continued rich discussion between Christians around the world. In breaking bread and sharing it with his disciples, Jesus tells us that He will live on through a community of believers. Being a community, however, does not just happen during significant events in the religious life of the College. Learning together is an essential part of daily life at St Joseph’s. The old saying in teaching is that ‘kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care’. We have learned a great deal about the capability of technology in enhancing learning, but we can’t forget the importance of real, screen-free relationships in broadening the future of our students.  When we learn in community, we:

• see ourselves as learners
• acknowledge the rights of others to be learners
• conduct ourselves in a way that does not disrupt the learning of others
• engage in group work and collaboration
• practice empathy and navigating disagreements with respect
• listen actively
• provide useful and constructive feedback
• embrace feedback provided by others
• do our part and acknowledging that we are part of a team
• never isolate or leave others alone
• support those who are vulnerable
• see other community members as integral connections in our learning

Acceptable IT usage

ICTs are used at St Joseph’s College to promote learning and provide students with access to assignment materials and educationalists. Time is devoted to developing skills that allow students to become proficient and ethical users of ICTs.

Use of the Curriculum Network

School computers can only be used for curriculum purposes. It is forbidden to copy school software under any circumstances. To do so is regarded as theft. Use of software programs on the school network during class time or recess must be authorised by a teacher.

Email

Students are setup with a college email account for school purposes. All email must accord with the College guidelines of appropriate content and conduct, this includes ensuring that no electronic communication could cause offence to others or harass or harm them, put the owner of the user account at potential risk, or in any other way be inappropriate in the school environment. Email usage will be monitored, and restriction will be place upon inappropriate users. All communications with others must be respectful and accurate. If students break these rules, they are liable for prosecution by federal authorities.

Vandalism

Vandalism is defined as a malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user or any other agencies or networks that are connected to the system. This includes the uploading, downloading or creation of computer viruses. It also includes careless or abusive treatment of any equipment. Removal of any part of a computer system is theft. Any vandalism will result in the loss of computer access and disciplinary action.  

Gaming

Gamin in not permitted at the College and any student caught gaming on their device will incur a direct referral to the Ignatius Room.

Uniform

Amanda Whiting - Student Engagement Middle Leader - Induction - AWighton@sjc.qld.edu.au

Senior Years

The start of a new semester brings an opportunity for a renewed sense of focus and enthusiasm for learning. It offers students a chance to re-focus, set, or modify learning goals for the semester. The opportunity to re-focus comes from the multiple forms of feedback that students receive from their teachers throughout the term. Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement (Hattie, 2012) and is used to assist all learners in knowing what they are learning, where they are in their learning, and what their next steps are.

Recently, students received their semester or unit reports. These reports provide students with important information about their learning journey. While they provide evidence for students to measure their growth in their subjects, they also provide feedback to help students recalibrate their approach as new work begins. Additionally, as learning is a collaborative partnership, parent-teacher-student interviews provide an opportunity to engage in collaborative conversations between all stakeholders. In a short space of time, students have been provided with multiple forms of feedback and I encourage them to consider ways that they can act upon and implement this feedback. In an article exploring how teachers can help prepare students for the challenges of learning, Briggs (2022) points out that challenges are best faced with a positive mindset and a willingness of the student to be self-reflective. Interestingly, Briggs (2022) also believes that a positive attitude, a willingness to accept and act on feedback, be a seeker of challenges who understands that being challenged is an essential part of the learning journey are also key traits of successful learners. A positive mindset and embracing challenges - perhaps this could be the start of a conversation with your son or daughter about learning goals this semester?

There is plenty happening in the Senior Years this term. Academic Care interviews for our Year 12 students will take place in Week 2 on Monday, 18th, and Tuesday, 19th of July. Information regarding these interviews, including venues, times, and mentors has been communicated to parents and students. In continuing to develop collaborative partnerships, parents have been invited to attend these interviews; however, if this is not possible Year 12 students will still meet with their mentor at the allocated time.

At this point in time, the purpose of these interviews is to:

• Monitor students' progress towards obtaining their QCE. Students should log in to their myQCE account to check subject results, confirmed internal assessment results, and QCE points accrued. Students should be taking ownership of their QCE to ensure they are on track to obtain the required 20 credit points.
• Provide ATAR eligible students with an updated ATAR prediction.
• Engage in Pathway Conversations. For students who will be applying to QTAC, this meeting will encourage students to begin thinking carefully about their QTAC application by keeping informed of ATAR selection ranks and other standard entry requirement.

A significant focus for Year 10s during Term 3 is to begin thinking about future pathways and exploring possible options post-school. It is an exciting time as they begin thinking about pathway options and begin preparing for the subject selection process for Years 11 and 12. In order to ensure that both students and parents are well-informed, key events have been planned.

Students will engage in various career-based activities that revolve around students reflecting on their career interests and goals.

• ‘Welcome to your future', SET planning day will be held on Tuesday, 26th July. The Curriculum and Careers teams are excited to work with Year 10 students on this day focusing on future pathways and exploring opportunities post-school. Additionally, students will also learn more about aspects of the Senior School, such as information on the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), senior pathway options, and possible subjects that they may be able to study in Years 11 and 12.
• The 2023 Year 11 Subject Selection evening will be held on Monday, 1st August from 6:45pm – 8:30pm. This evening is designed to provide an opportunity for parents and students to learn more about the Senior Years and meet with Curriculum leaders to explore the various subject offerings for Senior Years.
• Year SET Planning interviews will take place on Thursday, 18th August. During this time, Year 10 students and parents will be invited to meet with an academic mentor to engage in a collaborative conversation to articulate your son or daughter’s interests, strengths, and potential post-school options. We will also go through the SET plan and discuss subject choices for Years 11 and 12, making sure they align with their interests and ideas for the future.
  

Karen Tobin - Program Middle Leader - Senior Years Learning Leader - KTobin@sjc.qld.edu.au

Mission and Identity

Our first semester provided many service-learning opportunities to our students, to help them live out the Joey’s motto of “Serve Him in Others”.

Year 10’s can join the wonderful ‘Just Joey’s’, who have raised money by selling drinks and lollies at various events, and who coordinated the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal. Ably lead by Mrs El-Mari Verster and Year 12 student, Blake Troy, ‘Just Joey’s’ are excited to be moving into Semester Two to continue their good work coordinating the Cash for Cans drive, Soctober and the Christmas Appeal.

Year 11’s run the Breakfast Club, pairing breaky with smiles and a chat with the students from Clifford Park Special School on Wednesday mornings. Two groups take turns in the preparation and coordination of Joey’s Way students to provide warm cheesies, warm Milo and most importantly, warm conversation to staff and students at Clifford Park.

Year 12’s participate in Rosie’s Outreach program. Once a month, several students and staff members attend Harlaxton Skate Park to dish out sausages, conversations and the occasional shot at basketball. Our College prepares and donates sausages, steakets, bacon, bread, sauce and coleslaw salad to this most worthy cause. A great time is had by all.

This semester, we hope to introduce a service-learning opportunity for students in Years 7-9. We are looking at starting a Pen-Pal group, in which we will pair with the local aged-care residence. Mrs Spain will hopefully be running a card-making session to support the Pen-Pal Program. Details to come!

If you are interested in any of these programs, or maybe you have some ideas of your own that you would like to share, please contact Ms Adriane Markham. 

Adriane Markham - Middle Leader - Mission and Identity - AMarkham@sjc.qld.edu.au

Connect with Careers

Welcome to Term 3!!  It is with much delight that we would like to introduce you to the rebranded newsletter article, Connecting with Careers. 

A few enhancements have been made to the sjccareers website.  We strongly encourage you to keep informed of current careers events, including Open Days, Expos or Career Markets via the newsfeeds https://sjccareers.com.au/for-parents/newsfeed.  Also, you will find the weekly Connecting with Careers newsletters at https://sjccareers.com.au/important-information/school-newsletters.  You can sign up to the newsletter here and to subscribe to the newsfeeds, click here.

Lunch and Learn

The Lunch and Learn Sessions for Term 3 are outlined below:

All students are invited to attend the Lunch and Learn sessions that are held in the Library every Thursday.

Discover your path in an ADF Gap Year

Spend an exciting 12-months in the Navy, Army or Air Force, where you'll get paid for meaningful work while travelling around Australia, gaining skills for life, and making lifelong friends. Click here to learn more: https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/gap-year/?page=1&perPage=21&query=

Career Open Days

Attending open days is an important step towards making decisions about your future education and training. You can find out about an institution’s courses and programs, campus facilities and speak with current students about their experience. Some also offer virtual open days so check out each of the open day links below as some institutions may require you to register. Click here to find interstate Open Days dates and do your research so you don’t miss out! 

Queensland institution open days 

Date                   Institution                                                                                         

24 July               University of the Sunshine Coast – Moreton Bay campus

27 July               CQ University  -  Online

30 July               Bond University  - on campus      

31 July               Queensland University of Technology (Gardens Point)   - Gardens Point campus

7 August            The University of Queensland   - St Lucia campus  

6 August            CQ University (Mackay) On campus

6 August            TAFE Queensland

6 August            Australian Catholic University (Brisbane)

7 August            University of the Sunshine Coast   

11 August         CQ University (Bundaberg)

14 August         Griffith University

14 August         University of Southern Queensland (Ipswich) 

14 August         University of Southern Queensland (Springfield) 

14 August          CQ University (Cairns) 

18 August          CQ University (Townsville)

21 August          University of Southern Queensland (Toowoomba) 

21 August          The University of Queensland  -  Gatton Campus

21 August          CQ University (Rockhampton)   

25 August          CQ University (Gladstone) 

13 September   James Cook University  - Virtual 

Marcus Oldham Open Day

Marcus Oldham College provides higher education to young people who want qualifications in the Agriculture, Agribusiness and Equine Management sectors. They are holding an Open Day on 31 July where you can find out more about their courses. They are located in Victoria so contact them to see if they are offering a virtual Open Day as well.

USC Open Days

USC will be hosting an Open Day at their Moreton Bay campus on 24 July 2022 and at their Sunshine Coast campus on 7 August 2022. You will be able to find out about:

• degrees you're interested in studying
• details about course fees and financial support available to help you study
• get a taste of what student life is like at USC 
• experience the interactive teaching facilities and technology at USC

 Click here to register and to receive updates.

For more information regarding university Open Days, please click here.

2023 Apprenticeship Intake Programs

Are you a Year 12 student interested in starting an Apprenticeship in 2023? Please see the below 2023 Apprenticeship intake opportunities list for school leavers:

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.

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

Performing Arts

ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL DAY

On Tuesday our Junior Concert Band, Senior Concert Band and String Ensemble had the opportunity to participate in a day of intensive rehearsals to prepare for upcoming performances this Term. The day was a very worthwhile experience.

On this day we invited two, highly experienced local conductors to work with our ensembles to give students a new experience and different perspective on the music they are preparing. Many thanks to Mr Martin Crook who worked with Senior Concert Band and Ms Stephanie Treddinick who worked with our String Ensemble. Thank you also to Mr Yori Dade (Junior Band Conductor) and Miss Hannah Smith (String Ensemble Conductor) for their continued work with these groups.

EISTEDDFOD

Part 2 of the Toowoomba Eisteddfod commences next week, 28 July and runs through until 7 August. Our music ensembles will be performing as below. Detailed information and an EDSMART has been distributed. Students have been working hard to prepare for this event and we wish them well.

Best wishes also to our students who will be competing in various solo sections.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Camillo Lanzafame and Christian Lanzafame who last weekend participated in the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) South-East, in Brisbane at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University.

Congratulations to Miniver Cullin-Willy, Henrietta Cullin-Willy and Amelia Rawson on their involvement in the Toowoomba Choral Society Youth Choir Production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame over the recent school holidays.

Rosanne Pietsch - Middle Leader - Performing Arts - RPietsch@sjc.qld.edu.au

Sport

QISSNC MACKAY 2022

The trip this year was a difficult one. We had to bus to Mackay, which was a long trip to start with, but we arrived mid-morning on Saturday which gave us enough time to recover before the opening ceremony on the Sunday afternoon.

We had some troubles with our accommodation and would like to publicly thank the grandparents of Eliza and Mercia Zillmann for assisting.

We were home in time to watch the State of Origin Game and were in bed in plenty of time to be fresh for our first day of fixtures.

Throughout the carnival we did not win a game but the scores were certainly not an indication of how tight the games really were. Our week went like this.

Monday

Downlands 35 to 8

Emmaus College Rockhampton 19 to 5

St John Fisher College 25 to 12

Tuesday

Mt Alvernia College 26 to 8

St Ursula’s College 19 to 13 (our best game against the second top team)

Wednesday

Southern Cross CC Scarborough 20 to 8

St Margaret’s Anglican College 22 to 6

Thursday

Quarter final

Chisholm Catholic College 25 to 13

Sem final

St Ursula’ College 20 to 19 (so close)

Friday

Final game

Aquinas College 18 to 17 (almost got there)

We lost Tahlia to an ankle injury early on Thursday morning, but she is okay and back walking on it.

After all points from each of the games were calculated, Mercia was awarded the Player of the Tournament for our team, congratulations Mercia

The girls played with a lot of determination and grit. It was a pleasure to work with a wonderful group of girls.

The team and I would like to thank Mrs Wright for being our manager and scorer for the week and to Mr Wheeldon for umpiring our duty teams for the week as well. He umpired as many games as we played.

A special mention to Mr Henningsen who scored a couple of games and helped us out with transport of all our gear on the final day. He was a god send believe me.

We now start planning for Brisbane 2023 to replace the three Year 12 members from this year and looking for accommodation near Nissan Arena.

QISSRL

On the first weekend of the holidays, both open Rugby League teams travelled to Mackay for the annual QISSRL Confraternity Carnival.

Both teams developed their games across the week, culminating in both sides gaining wins on the last day of their carnivals.

The boy’s results below were a toss of the coin away from being quite different with losses on Tuesday and Thursday despite being in front with seconds on the clock.

The girl’s defence was to be commended throughout the week, only taking away 16 players and two forced HIA substitutions from Tuesday onwards. To only be defeated 4-0 by the eventual champions Marymount College Burleigh Heads was a testament to the effort of the girls and builds a fantastic platform for girls at St Joseph’s College to continue attending the QISSRL Confraternity Carnival.  

Award winners for this years carnival, Preston McIllrick and Jessica Barnes were awarded best and fairest for each team respectively. Marley Tunstead and Maddison Duggan recieved the Spirit of Confraternity Award. 

Many thanks to the staff that attended the carnival with the two teams. Paul Canning, Brian Cantwell, Mitch Kilgour, Ash Steel, Mal Ayuel, Tom Moore, Blake Cullen and Pam Hensler. Special mention to Mal Ayuel who was recognised at the carnival dinner as a past player who has returned as an official.

Preparation for the 2023 carnival in Brisbane, hosted by St Laurence’s College has already begun, with student training beginning Term 4.

Australian Representatives

Congratulations to Blaise Prendergast and Bailey Deakin for being selected in the Australian Under 18 National Touch Football squads. They have been invited to attend a squad camp later on this month, so we wish both players the best of luck

Congratulations to Porter White (Year 8), for reciving Sports Darling Downs Junior Sports Star of the Month for April!

Congratulations also to Romey Wiemers (Year 11) and Elizabeth Koch (Year 8) for receiving a Sports Darling Downs Incentive award for Water Polo and Open Water Swimming respectively.

Terrific effort by all our young athletes.

Debbie Newtown - Program Leader - Sport - DNewton@sjc.qld.edu.au

SJC - Community News

Our Parent Business Directory has begun and you may see some of our parents business in our coloum beside our newsletter! We would like to include more businesses. If you would like to be featured please send through any deatils and/or business graphics to: marketing@sjc.qld.edu.au

Griffith - Toowoomba Koala Survey

We are inviting community and diverse stakeholders with different viewpoints across the Toowoomba region to tell us what they think in a 5-minue survey. We want to know what needs to be done in the Toowoomba region to protect local koala populations. Anonymous survey responses will be included in a half day workshop that seeks to gain consensus on key areas for action in the Toowoomba region. 

I have attached an A5 flyer as well as some social media images that could be used. 

You can access the survey here.

You can also read more about our koala conservation work here. 

Uniform Shop

The weather is still cold, rainy and windy so don’t forget your winter uniform supplies.

All winter stock is available for purchase including:

Boys Long Sleeve Shirts

Boys and Girls Long Trousers/Pants

Girls Tights and Stockings

Scarfs

Jumpers

Tracksuit Jackets and Pants

Blazers

New Stock:

Football Shorts $30.00,

Football Socks $10.00

Football Training Shirts $35

Out of Stock:

Senior Girls Formal Blouse Size 16

Junior Boys Formal Short Sleeve Shirt Size 22

Throughout the school term our opening hours are:

Tuesday                           8.00 am - 12.00 pm

Wednesday                   8.00 am - 4.00 pm

Thursday                        8.00 am - 12.00 pm

You are welcome to purchase from the online uniform shop at your convenience and your order will be filled when the store is next open.

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

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.

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.