Newsletter - Term 3 - Week 6 - Issue 90

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

St Joseph’s College Teaching and Learning Framework

Among the many highlights (outlined throughout the newsletter) of the last two weeks has been our staff twilight this Tuesday just gone. All our teaching staff completed a variety of professional learning workshops breaking open, providing feedback on, and considering how they will be able to engage with and implement our new SJC Teaching and Learning Framework. Teachers led by the College’s Curriculum Team engaged with the various aspects of the framework resulting in great creativity, critical reflection, collaboration and communication. This is what we aim to build in all our students every day, and Tuesday’s Twilight was a wonderfully humbling and inspiring experience of deep learning. Congratulations again to our Curriculum Team on their development of the framework and leadership of the Twilight.

A reminder that information and discussion about the SJC Teaching and Learning Framework will be the focus of our Term Four Parent Engagement Network (PEN) session on Tuesday October 25 at 6.30pm. This will be the first of many opportunities over the upcoming years for parents to engage with the framework to develop their understanding of what we are doing at the College to grow our students as learners and how as a parent / carer you can assist in this process.   

FINDING FLOW

Last term I spoke to the students on assembly about the idea of “FLOW and striving for our best academically – be good today – but better tomorrow!” The idea of flow came from the article below from Luke McKenna who is the founder of the “Unleashing Personal Potential,” (Growth Mindset) program. Given the phase of the year that we are in, I believe that this is a very appropriate time to share this article.  

GETTING 'IN THE ZONE"- FINDING FLOW  

By Luke McKenna

"Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity" (Csikszentmihályi,2013).

"Flow is an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best. It is total absorption in a task and total focus" (Kotler, 2015).

Have you ever lost track of time or been totally absorbed in a task? You may have been in a flow state, which is characterised by: 

Intense and focused concentration on the present moment

Merging of action and awareness

A loss of reflective self-consciousness

A sense of personal control over the activity

A distortion of temporal experience, one's subjective experience of time is altered

Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding (rewarding for it's own sake- not particularly for an outcome)

What Causes Flow To Happen?
 So what can we do as educators and parents to create optimal learning conditions, and what factors are conducive to flow? There are 3 main conditions that can lead to flow:

Clear goals and purpose - In class it makes sense that teachers identify and articulate learning objectives and success criteria at the start of a lesson and for parents it makes sense that we have set routines and purpose for homework and study sessions. Setting goals with our children and students leads to a greater sense of purpose and focus.

Clear, immediate feedback- Feedback does not only need to be from the teacher- it may be peer to peer, or most often, students would get feedback from their progress on the task at hand and from their parents. It is important to note that it is very difficult to get feedback from progress on completing tasks or completing set homework or study when they don’t have a clear goal / purpose / learning objective / set amount of study time to shoot for.

A balance of challenge and skills- This emphasises the need for differentiation in our classrooms, as the aim is to match the challenge to the perceived skills, to ensure that each student is able to “stretch” their skills. A slight stretch is best. This is the same for homework and study time. As parents we need to work on students beginning to develop the good habits and not expecting them to immediately be able to flick a switch and study for extended periods.

Finally, let’s be clear, teachers and parents cannot create a flow state within their students. However, they can create environments where the flow state is more likely to occur by providing clear goals, feedback and challenges that match the student’s perceived skill. When they get students in their flow state, the neurochemical bomb that is created could lead to higher outcomes. One other consideration- flow is highly contagious. So flow environments could be key to high quality learning environments.

2023 School Calendar Dates

Please see below the information regarding dates for 2023. We hope that in providing this information families will be informed and be able to make appropriate decisions regarding planned family holidays and events. Whilst illness and specialist appointments have an unavoidable impact upon attendance, as a College our goal is for each of our students to maintain a 95% attendance rate allowing the students to engage in as much learning time as possible. We look forward to continuing to work with our families to strive to improve not only our attendance rate but also our punctuality to school each day.

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

From the Deputy Principal

Earlier in the Term and also last week we challenged the students to self-assess against the Engagement Continuum below. Last week we provided students examples of what ‘Investing’ and ‘Driving’ would look like in relation to their Maths studies. We would encourage families to have further conversations regarding engagement and in particular asking our learners what they are doing to ‘invest’ and ‘drive’ their learning across the subject areas.    

 Cross Country, Colour Explosion and Shave for a Cure.  Congratulations to all who were involved in the Cross Country, Colour Explosion and Shave for a Cure last week.

 Upcoming Events 

Cross Country, Colour Run and Shave for a Cure

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

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

From the Sports Captains

Hello everyone,

It’s your Sports Captains Hayden and Bella here to give you all a rundown highlighting the sporting life of St Joseph’s College from recent and upcoming events.   

We’ve just had back-to-back carnivals in weeks 4 and 5 for both Athletics and Cross Country.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Athletics Carnival, Cross Country and Colour Run.

While the Athletics Carnival was cut short due to some drizzly weather, keep an eye out in the Joey’s notices for possible events that were consequently missed out on. A big shout out to McAuley for looking dangerously competitive and exhibiting some amazing participation.

For the Cross Country, this was a massive day filled with lots of exciting events. With many highly competitive and fast paced races in both the boys and girls age groups, a huge congratulations to Murphy House for taking out the Cross Country this year.

Furthermore, with this being the first ever Colour Run at St Joseph’s, it was definitely a huge success and enjoyed by both staff and students. So, get keen because we’ll have to do it again next year. The large success of these sports carnivals are largely attributed to everyone getting involved and having a go, creating an exciting atmosphere. That’s what the Joey’s Way is all about, participating and persevering. For those who achieved a medal and or trophy, it’s about apprising to excellence while at the same time being proud and humble. So, we encourage you to continue to get involved and have a go next year.

On other news, the senior girls’ volleyball team, “The Joeys Hustlers”, have recently returned from the Senior Schools Cup at the Gold Coast. The girls put up a good fight in all their games, but unfortunately did not win. Being the first year of sending Joey’s volleyball team to this competition, the girls played phenomenally well. We look forward to sending more teams away in upcoming years. The girls are continuing to play on Tuesday nights to improve their skills and have fun for the remainder of the term.

The Open Girls soccer team has competed at a high level in the SSI Red Lions Cup, being undefeated through the tournament. This has landed them a spot in the semi-finals, which took place on Tuesday, 16/08/2022. What’s more, this team is mainly comprised of younger students in the Junior school. Stay posted for the result of this match, which could land our girls a ticket to the grand-final.

Our Junior Girl’s netball team has competed at an elite level in the Vicky Wilson tournament, finishing 10^th in the State, and only losing 2 games over the tournament. Even managing to pull off an upset, beating the 3^rd best team in the State.

At the conclusion of this Term, both the Boys and Girls senior basketball teams will be off to the Gold Coast to compete in the CBSQ basketball tournament. These teams are training hard in preparation for the competition. These students are leaving early on the 15^th of September, and we congratulate them on their commitment to the sport.

We also have a 13 Boys and Girls, 15 Boys and Girls, and an Opens mixed touch football team preparing for the up coming All Schools Touch tournament being held on the Gold Coast during early October. Aspirations are high for these groups as they feature some high-level Queensland athletes.

This term is packed with Joey’s sport, and so with all these opportunities make sure you get involved, have some fun, and be a part of the “Joey’s Way”.

We look forward to sharing more Joey’s sport with you all next time.

Hayden Maripa and Isabella Cooper - Sports Captains

From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education and Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

Together at One Table – Wear it Purple Day 

‘Together at One Table’ centres around the idea that all people are welcome at a table, no matter their cultural diversity, age, gender, or other characteristics.  The Joey’s Way asserts that we should ‘Celebrate Diversity’ as one of the 12 imperatives.  

 As part of this theme, we have decided as a College to Celebrate Diversity this year in a range of different ways.  

On the Feast of St Joseph we celebrated the wonderful cultural diversity of our community through our shared feast and food options. In our sharing of the story of Edmund Rice and the mission of the Edmund Rice Foundation, came the important message to know of socio-economic diversity and its impact on the access to the needs of life.  In our NAIDOC celebrations, we recognised the valuable wisdom and history that our First Nation’s people bring to our table. On Grandparent’s Day we celebrated that importance of the generations and age diversity, while also remembering the cultural backgrounds of our families.  

We now come together at the table to celebrate the inclusion that comes through respectful dialogue and learning on Wear it Purple Day.  

What is Wear it Purple Day? 

Wear it Purple Day was founded in 2010 in response to global stories of real teenagers, real heartache and their very real responses. In 2010, several rainbow young people took their own lives following bullying and harassment resulting from the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity. As the world saw the faces of precious young lives lost, some young people found a new sense of conviction and purpose to ensure that young people everywhere would know that there were people who did support and love them.  

‘Still me, still human’.  

Each year, Wear It Purple’s Youth Action Council (YAC) brainstorms a theme relevant to them. Their task is to come up with the day’s focus based on how they’re feeling and the rhetoric in the LGBTQIA+ youth community. This year the theme they have decided for Wear It Purple Day 2022 is ‘Still me, still human’. The message being that people tend to focus on labels, the news story, the target or data and forget what we truly are – human. 

 Event Details 

 Friday 26 August 2022 

 Lunch time 

At lunch there will be a sausage sizzle and funds raised will be donated to Headspace Toowoomba (https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/toowoomba/) 

Students and staff are also invited to decorate a purple door with messages of inclusion. The door represents our invitation to step into a more inclusive and welcoming future for all. 

Celebrate Diversity & Respect Unconditionally  

Our insistence that each human being is an image of God should not make us overlook the fact that each creature has its own purpose. None is superfluous. The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. 

Pope Francis, Laudato si’ (2015) 

Like many religious schools, St Joseph’s College requires our community to commit to our College Values and imperatives. These values and imperatives are grounded in scripture and connected to the life and example of Edmund Rice. We believe the Joey’s Way is our unique contextualised way of expressing our Catholic identity and living our charism.  

 As part of our Joey’s Way, we call on our community to recognise the dignity in every person as each person is made in the image and likeness of our loving God. Two of our imperatives – Respect Unconditionally and Celebrate Diversity – are of particular importance when we consider how we respond to people’s differences or uniqueness.  

Toowoomba Catholic School’s Catholic Identity Position Paper (2019) also calls us to this response:  

Being created in the image and likeness of God accords everyone an equal and inherent dignity. We believe in an innate original goodness and a universally shared dignity. This belief shapes a hope-filled and life-giving outlook on life for self, others and the created world. 

At St Joseph’s College we firmly believe that all are welcome at our table, and we stand for unconditional respect and dignity. This means that no matter a person’s race, gender or sexual identity they have a place in our community.   

 Unconditional respect is easy…until it’s not. Some subjects are highly emotive for many people and this is particularly true of issues around gender and sexuality. As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are committed to providing a liberating education for our community. This requires us to lean into the educational opportunities that come through dialogue on challenging and emerging topics.  

 True inclusion is about ongoing respectful dialogue, even when it’s not easy. Diversity in this community comes on the basis of ethnicity, language, religion, gender and sexuality. However, it also comes from differing perspectives, experiences and opinions on issues that are, at times, difficult. In simple terms, dialogue is the only answer.  

 Fundamentally, we all want the same things. We want everyone in our community to feel safe, included and respected. This is a powerful starting point for a dialogue about this topic. 

 CONVERSATION STARTERS: 

• Why is it important to let everyone know they're able to be proud of who they are? 
• What are some practical ways we can create a positive environment? 
• How can we include people more in simple practical ways each day?  
• How can we learn more about the issues impacting young people?  
• How do you challenge language or jokes that are perpetuating exclusion for groups of society?  
• How has our understanding of identity changed over time?  

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

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

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

On or Before the due date

With our Year 11 students starting their Unit 3 work in many subjects next term, I cannot stress enough the level of accountability to the QCAA. Unless there is an illness, injury or family emergency, all assessment must be completed on or before the due date.  This is the QCAA wording. For submissions in CANVAS and hard copies this means before 3pm on the date the assignment or task is due.  Assessment will not be accepted after 3pm.

We can only reschedule an exam based on an illness or injury only if we have a medical certificate that meets the QCAA specifications, but it will be a comparable exam and we must report this to the QCAA. The medical certificate must be dated the day of the exam. It must include a diagnosis or symptoms and include information about how the illness/injury will affect the student’s participation in assessment. The school will be required to write a similar (comparable) paper to the one that was missed. Similarly, we can grant an extension for an assignment if accompanied by a medical certificate. Family emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but the QCAA suggest a bereavement as a typical example.

We cannot allow exams to be sat before the rest of the cohort for circumstances that are within the family’s control such as a family holiday or an appointment. If a student misses an exam or misses the deadline on an assignment and it is not supported by a medical certificate (or exceptional family emergency), your son or daughter will receive a ‘Not Rated’ for that assessment instrument. In the event of an assignment, the teacher will use evidence submitted previously for that assignment to allocate a grade. In most instances that will be the draft or checkpoint submission.  The importance of submitting a complete draft is important for teachers to provide feedback and establish evidence of work before the due date.  In the event of an exam or if no draft was submitted, there is no recourse for gaining credit for that assessment instrument. If a student receives a ‘Not Rated’ for any assessment instrument within a subject, they will receive a ‘Not Rated’ for that subject. In other words, your son or daughter will not receive a subject result, it cannot contribute to their ATAR and they will lose 2 QCE points if it is in Units 3 or 4, or 1QCE credit for Unit 2.

Students must take responsibility for ensuring they are aware of assessments. The assessment calendar is accurate at the time of publication when we send a copy to parents and students. However, it is a live document and we make changes as required on the online version. Students are informed of any changes by their subject teachers and notifications are sent to students and parents. We advise the students to get into the habit of recording their assessments on their computer or phone using an electronic calendar. This way, if you ask them about a suitable time to make an appointment, they will readily have the information to hand and not have to go looking up the assessment planner on the College Intranet and website.

Report Cards

Interim reports will be emailed for Years 7 to 10 during the school holidays.  If you have any questions, please contact the classroom teacher directly.  Year 12 report cards for IA3 will be emailed next week to parents.

Year 11’s will receive a report card in Term 4, Week 4 at the conclusion of Unit 2.

SET Planning Interviews

Thank you to the parents and carers who attended the SET planning interviews for their child in assisting with planning for Year 11, 2023. It is an exciting time for students as they reflect on their pathways for senior and appropriately choose their subjects.

Academic Support

If you receive notification via email that your son or daughter is requested for Thursday afternoon academic support in the Library with their teacher, please respond to the letter by clicking on the form embedded in the letter to give permission.  If your child can not attend, please remember to still let the College know as a roll is taken during the afternoon for attendance purposes.

If you have any questions about the Academic support notice, please contact the teacher concerned directly.

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

Brennan House

Care for everybody

This term Brennan has been heavily focussed on the concept of involvement and making small but meaningful steps towards being our best.  At recent house meetings students were challenged to identify when they were actively involved, passively attending or actively disengaged in various activities around the school including their engagement in class and their involvement in College sporting events.  It was great to see a number of students really take on board this challenge and it was particularly evident in the recent Athletics Carnival and Cross Country/Colour Run events.  At both of these events many students who happily admitted that Athletics and running were not their favourite activities gritted their teeth, attended the carnivals and put their best efforts forward to achieve not just for house points but also to prove that with a little bit of effort and determination they could achieve success for themselves.  I wish to point out how proud I am of these students and all the students from Brennan who pushed themselves at both events achieving a second place for Brennan in the Cross Country and a, yet to be disclosed, placing in Athletics Carnival.

This term I also had the opportunity to attend the Year 11 Leadership camp at Emu Gully and had a very enjoyable couple of days with our Year 11 students.  There are a number of highly capable leaders within the Brennan group and I actively encourage any of our students interested in leadership to apply for the wide variety of leadership positions for next year.  I know Brennan House will be well supported by its leaders.

Brennan House also has two fundraising and awareness campaigns coming up in the next couple of weeks including the ‘Wear it Purple day’ that our leaders are supporting and our ‘Care for Everybody week’ that will be in Week 1 of Term 4.  Many thanks need to go to our Brennan leaders and our extended leadership group for the time and effort they have put into bringing these causes to life and the continual work they are doing to live out our Brennan motto in a very real and meaningful way.

‘Care for Everybody’

Luke Logan- Student Engagement Middle Leader - Brennan House - LLogan@sjc.qld.edu.au

Mathematics

How to be successful in Maths:

16 strategies you can use to achieve your goals in Maths

Candice Brazier - Curriculum Middle Leader - Mathematics - CBrazier@sjc.qld.edu.au

Senior Years

You may remember that at the start of the year I wrote about how important a consistent approach to learning is in Years 10, 11, and 12.  At the start of the year, I offered five simple strategies that students could implement that would help set them on the plan for success.

1. Set Goals.
2. Set a domino habit (a small, simple habit that has a domino effect on students’ productivity).
3. Minimise distractions.
4. Show Agency.
5. Track results and progress.

Interestingly, I think that these are strategies that students could utilise in every lesson to help them be engaged learners. Five strategies that could apply to all subjects across all lessons – it sounds like a good plan to me!

We have a number of students who have completed Headstart courses at UniSQ over Semester 3 (end of 2021) and Semester 1 (2022) and I would like to acknowledge their achievement in this area. Balancing school while completing a university subject requires commitment, dedication, and application. If you are keen to learn more about Headstart courses, please see our Careers Team. Congratulations to the following:

Kaylee Keehn, Abigayle Head, Alex Geissler, Claire Cochran, Georgia Hanson, Mak MacLachlan, and Monique Frost.

The Academic Excellence morning tea took place in Week 4, and we were thrilled to celebrate and acknowledge the academic achievement of many students across Years 7 – 12. Our Academic Captains, Maddison Duggan and Zachary Vellacott spoke to students and offered their congratulations. Please enjoy reading the speech that they delivered:

Good morning, fellow students.  Firstly, a massive congratulations to you all on your efforts throughout the year thus far which have brought to fruition your individual successes which we celebrate here today.  We wish to acknowledge not just your efforts in the classroom, but the many hours of assignment work and study which are absolutely crucial to be completed behind the scenes in order to achieve such fantastic results.  From experience over the past six years of study at St Joseph’s College, Zach and I understand the process of achieving success and the reality that it isn’t just raw ability or talent that gets you there.  You can be good, and even great at what you do based on your natural talents and abilities alone; but to truly excel, that takes a significant amount of determination, persistence, and dedication.  It is that determination, persistence, and dedication that each of you has demonstrated to achieve your successes that we also wish to congratulate you on today. We also want to instil in you a desire to keep pushing further, to be the best learners you can be, and to reach your full potential and become the most incredible versions of yourselves.  Winston Churchill once famously said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”  So, enjoy the successes today that you have worked so hard for, but don’t forget that tomorrow is a new day.  There will be new challenges ahead on each of your individual learning journeys, and as a collective as we face obstacles that are very much out of our control, such as the current pandemic.  You will face failures in the future of varying degrees, some may be more influential than others, but don’t view them as setbacks – be courageous and view them as new opportunities to grow, improve, and rise to the great heights of success that you have all proven you are absolutely capable of through your presence here today.  Continue to participate, persevere, and aspire to excellence, and it is our ambition that all of you will continue to succeed even further into the future.  Again, congratulations to you all, and the very best for the rest of the year ahead.

For Year 10 students, we know that a significant focus of Term 3 is aspiring and thinking about possible future pathways and preparing for subject selection for Years 11 and 12. The Careers and Curriculum team enjoyed working with Year 10 students during the “Welcome to YOUR Future” pathway planning day.

Students were invited to think about possible careers and pathways options, they learned about how the world of work is ever-changing and the importance of transferable skills. Students also participated in a Financial Literacy session hosted by Mr. Nicholas Hess. Mr. Hess offered some invaluable advice about budgeting and spoke to students about interest and fees associated with such options as Afterpay and Zip Pay. Additionally, a broad introduction to the Senior School, where aspects such as the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), pathway options, and subject selections for Years 11 and 12 were discussed. The final session of the day consisted of a Careers Pathway Expo where we were thrilled to welcome over 16 exhibitors from Toowoomba and beyond. This session gave students the opportunity to speak with providers in areas of interest. Hopefully, you might have seen some pictures of this session on the College’s Facebook page.

We have hosted our Subject Selection information night where aspects of the senior school, specifically senior school expectations, information about the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and pathway options for students were explained. Additionally, the Subject Expo held afterward provided an excellent opportunity for students and parents to learn more about subjects and courses of study and ask questions to our curriculum leaders and senior teachers. We look forward to the many SET plan conversations over the coming weeks with students about their pathways aspirations.

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

Women Who Weld

Women Who Weld – 2022

On Thursday July 28^th, we held our first of two ‘Women Who Weld’ days for our Year 10 girls.

Girls were asked to express their interest in participating in this program, where girls are taught how to MIG weld (Metal Inert Gas).

A total of 19 girls indicated that they would be interested in attending. Because we can only have 10 girls maximum, it was decided that we would run 2 separate days.

It is hoped that the second day will be held on September 15^th.

The girls were given an induction talk which deals with safety, setting up the MIG welder, and the welding process.

All of the girls were eager to learn, and displayed a great amount of skill when they were given the opportunity to do some welding themselves.

The purpose of the program is to give the girls a chance to experience something different, and to learn a new skill in an effort to broaden their pathways for the future. Some of the girls also indicated that they would strongly consider enrolling in our ‘Certificate II – Engineering Pathways’ course in Years 11 and 12.

The WOW program was held in conjunction with ‘Queensland Manufacturing Institute’  through the ‘Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) for Advanced Manufacturing.

Thanks also to Mrs Pam Hensler who supported the girls through the day.

Brian Cantwell - Middle Leader - Technologies - BCantwell@sjc.qld.edu.au

Connecting with Careers

NAWIC Speed Careering Event

Last week, 8 students attended the Women in Construction Speed Careering Event. Our students met and networked with the women who are training, working, and running businesses in the construction, mining, and automotive industries. It was an excellent opportunity for students to make industry connections and gain an insight into their area of interest.

Aspire2Health industry-experience day
On Wednesday, 5 year 10 students attended the Aspire2Health industry-experience day at UQ Toowoomba Rural Clinical School. The Aspire2Health initiative offered students with an interest in the health industry the opportunity to participate in various workshops such as simulated scenarios, meet with health professionals, and engage in clinical skills rotations including plastering, suturing, Allied Health Skills, CPR Master Class, and an Ambulance tour! The excursion provided an opportunity for ours student to experience university life and delve deeper into the health industry.

Lunch and Learn Session

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

CSQ Try'a Trade Toowoomba

Are you interested in a career in a trade industry? The CSQ Try’a Trade program allows you to try a few different trades in one day, and hopefully find the one that's the right fit for you!

Together with WorldSkills QLD and TAFE Queensland, CSQ’s Try’a Trade program delivers an interactive setting that allows students to try their hand at various skill and trade areas.

Please contact the Career Pathways Team on careers@sjc.qld.edu.au if you're interested in this opportunity.

Career Advice

Each time a university representative, external guest speakers, teachers or your parents visit the college, we ask the simple question of “What Career advice would you give your 15-year-old self?”

Please find this week’s pearls of wisdom below!

Australian Defence Force Gap Year

On an ADF Gap Year you’ll grow and develop in a dynamic, supportive, and people-focussed environment. Spend an exciting 12-months in the Army, where you'll get paid for meaningful work while travelling around Australia, gaining skills for life, and making lifelong friends. To learn more or apply today, click here.

Toowoomba Parent/Student QTAC Information Session

For year 10 – 12 students Hosted by QTAC and Toowoomba Catholic Schools

If you are a parent or student considering tertiary study, this is your opportunity to

engage with QTAC and several Queensland universities. Hear all about the QTAC

application process, ATAR, responding to offers and how to order course preferences.

Join online via Teams webinar or in person (limited seats available)

Please contact Maree Harman, Career Development Practitioner for more information.

SBA Opportunities:

We have several exciting school-based apprenticeship opportunities available below:

• Certificate III in Business – Pivot Insurance
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III in Fitness – The FitLab
• Certificate III Business - Action Indoor Sports Stadium
• Certificate III Business - Pattysmith's
• Certificate III Business - Chipmunks Playland
• Certificate III Business - Pacific Fuels
• Certificate III Business - Red Rooster
• Certificate III Business - Pack & Send
• Certificate III Business - Bakery Cakery
• Certificate III Business - Noodle Box
• Certificate III Hospitality - Kingfishers Café
• Certificate III Hospitality - Cafe 63
• Certificate III Hospitality - 95 Mary St
• Certificate III Hospitality - The Rock
• Certificate III Hospitality - Subway
• Certificate III Hospitality - Pizza Hut
• Certificate III Hospitality - Chipmunks Playland
• Certificate III Hospitality - Kajoku Korean & Japanese Cuisine
• Certificate III Commercial Cookery - The Rock
• Certificate III Commercial Cookery - Rak Thai Kitchen
• Certificate III Commercial Cookery - GPO Cafe

For further information, please visit the Career Pathways CANVAS course

Casual and Part Time job opportunities

Click here to browse current job opportunities

Key People

If you wish to engage in a career discussion or explore career pathway options, please see the Career Pathways Team:

Mrs Harman, Career Development Practitioner or Miss Penner, Career Support Officer. We look forward to supporting you to discover your future pathway!!

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  -  careers@sjc.qld.edu.au

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

Library

Book Week 2022: Week 7 – 22^nd to 26^th August

The library event of the year is almost here! The library is offering a wide range of events, so take a look at the schedule at the bottom of this story and find something to engage with. This is just a snippet of what we have planned for next week – crocodiles, rabbits, podcasters, mermaids, dream jars, snakes, milo, origami, chess, jungles, glue, glitter and possums.

During Joey’s Way lessons on Tuesday through Thursday there will be a Scavenger Hunt and Book Week Trivia for all students to get involved in. Then, on Thursday 25^th August we will all get to dress up as our favourite book characters. We have some great prizes on offer for the costume competition, which will run at lunch outside our Library – so start planning your costumes now!

Sound interesting? We cannot wait to share the fun with you! 

Premier’s Reading Challenge- closing next week!

Remember the Premier’s Reading Challenge deadline for reading is next Friday 26^th August (Week 7). There is a pizza party on offer for the Year 7-9 class who has the most students successfully complete the challenge (to complete the challenge you must read at least 15 texts and share the list of texts read with your English teacher).

Kirstie Andrews - Teacher Librarian - KAndrews@sjc.qld.edu

Performing Arts

Below are photos from the recent Eisteddfod - well done to all our students.

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

Sport

Junior Vicki Wilson Finals

Nine very keen young ladies arrived at the College for a departing time of 6.30am as our first game at Nissan Arena was at 8.42am.

The games were 8-minute quarters with the usual 1-minute break and 2 minutes at half time.

Our day and games went like this

8.42am defeated St Monica’s Cairns

10.06am defeated Matthew Flinders 32 – 20

12.12pm defeated by St Rita’s 25 to 21

2.18pm defeated Cavendish Road 23 to 21

Now with Cav Road beating St Rita’s, they beat us and Cav Road beat St Rita’s that put us all on the same points. Unfortunately we lost out and were relegated to the 9 to 20 play offs. The team we beat (Cavendish Road) ended up finishing third in the competition so we can be proud of that achievement.

Sunday morning saw us up bright and early for an 8.00am game in the first of the play offs.

We first played The Cathedral College from Rockhampton who we defeated 28 to 22. This meant we could finish in 9^th place overall.

Next, we met Sienna Catholic College at 10.48am. This was our toughest match of the carnival. We were basically behind all the way throughout the game but in true St Joseph’s College fighting form the girls found something at the beginning of the fourth quarter and scored four quick goals to be in front for the first time.

We managed to keep this momentum going and won the game 30 to 28.

This meant we could not finish any lower that 9^th or 10^th in the state.  So, our final game was against St Peters Lutheran College at 12.54pm. The girls tried so hard, but I think we played our grand final in the match against Sienna. We went down 28 to 15 but can hold our heads high as we gave it everything we had and finished 10^th in the State.

A very big thank you to all the parents who took care of the girls overnight and then left them in my care for the carnival. Thank you for arranging the accommodation for everyone to stay, especially Mrs Van Zandbergen.

Thank you also to Mr Wheeldon who came down to support us for the weekend. We welcomed his cheering and constant support.

Chase Deurloo - Orienteering

Chase has now come into his own and has been recognised for his wonderful achievements.

Competing in the Queensland Schools Orienteering Championships is a great achievement and Chase is one of our students who we should be proud of.

STUDENT SHINES IN QLD SCHOOLS ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

On the weekend of 23rd -24th August Chase Deurloo participated in the Queensland Schools Orienteering Championships. 91 students from all around Queensland took part in three events: A Sprint Distance event at Bremer SHS & University of Southern Qld Ipswich, and two bush events at Mt Crosby and Deebing Creek. Chase came 2nd in the long distance and 3rd in the Sprint event in his respective age group. Well done, Chase!

Orienteering is a competitive international sport that combines racing with navigation. Participants use very detailed maps to select routes and navigate through diverse and often unfamiliar terrain in the fastest time. Besides needing excellent map reading skills, an orienteer needs great concentration and the ability to make quick decisions about the best route under pressure while running at high speed. Results from these events were used to select a team of 20 students to represent Queensland at the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships in Victoria during the September school holidays.

All Schools Touch Toowoomba August 6 and 7

While we were down competing at the Junior Vicki Wilson finals, four teams were back here in Toowoomba playing in the All Schools Touch competition (shame everything happens at once).

13 girls under the control of Mrs Whiting, Indie Kelly and Nigella Morgan

The girls played Ipswich Girls Grammar, Mary MacKillop, Glennie, Fairholme and Centenary Heights. The girls were even on points at the end of the carnival and as only two teams played off for the grand final, we lost the privilege on a count back and missed out by one try. A job well done girls.

The 15 girls under the control of Ms Rennick drew their games against Highfields, St Ursula’s, Fairholme, and lost games to Our Lady of the Southern Cross and Glennie. A good day overall.

The 15 boys under the control of Mr Cullen had a mixed day losing some and having some good wins. They got knocked out in the quarter finals. Terrific effort.

The open mixed team under the watchful eye of Mr McKenzie made it all the way. They were undefeated all day but had a very close game in the grand final which went down to a drop off. We managed to win this 2 tries to 1. Looking good for All Schools at the Gold Coast in October.

A very big thank you to all four teachers for giving up their time on a Sunday to allow our students to participate in carnivals such as this.  A huge thank you to Mrs Schuh for sending me through some photos of the day.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

 Cross Country and Colour Explosion

With the rain cancelling our set date for our Cross Country, we decided we could incorporate the event with a colour explosion and help raise funds for the Shave for a Cure project on the same day. Probably a bit ambitious but we were looking at ways to encourage our students to participate in the carnival events and achieve our imperatives of “participate and persevere” and “aspire to excellence’. This was only meant to be a one day event to allow students and teachers to have some fun.

The students who attended certainly did that as they conquered the cross country course and then celebrated with the colour explosion.

Our following champions were acknowledged at the end of the Shave for a Cure event.

All students who competed the course in the recommended time earned 20 points for their House and anyone who finished the course received points for their House.

It is this depth of students who turned up for the carnival and put themselves on the track that gave us our final results.

Overall House Champion = MURPHY HOUSE 11,516 points followed by Brennan House 9306, Rice House 8692 and then McAuley House 8174.

We then celebrated the day with a bit of fun where teachers could join in and build that relationship with students by covering them in dyed corn-starch. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves but getting some of that powder out of their hair could have been a problem for them that night.

A special thank you to Mrs Reeves for the hours she spent in helping to organise this event.  To my fellow colleagues for sitting at postings around the school to allow the cross country to be run, for helping set up and pack up and most of all involving themselves in the colour explosion.

Cross Country and Colour Run

Sienna Duerloo attended the QLD Short Course Championships recently and won the 400m, 800m, and 1500m (with a 24 second personal best) in her age group (16 years) and continued on to win silver in the 800m and 1500m in the open age group.  Sienna's results from the Australian School Swimming Championships were as follows:

Bronze - 400m Freestyle Girls 17-19yrs

4th - 200m Freestyle Girls 17-19yrs

5th - 200m Backstroke Girls 17-19yrs

Well done Sienna!

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

Arts Opportunities

Film & History Competition

Does your child like making videos? Are they interested in History? If so, they might like to enter this competition run by the National Museum Australia (see information below).

Entries are not due until 4 November, but they should start thinking about it now.

If they would like help with the filming/editing, see Mrs Dwyer.

History Makers School Video Challenge

Share the defining moment that matters to you to be in the running to win $2,000 for your school.

Open to Australian school students (K–12) | Entries close 4 November 2022

For more information go to the National Museum Australia Website.

How to enter

1. Choose a defining moment

Research a moment that matters to your class, school, community or the nation. You might be inspired by these websites:

• Defining Moments in Australian History 
• Australian’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom 
• Momentous 

Or tell us about a moment that is unique to your local area.

2. Create a video 

Collaborate with your classmates to produce a video about your defining moment. Stage a play, perform a dance, film an artwork, make a documentary, produce an animation or surprise us with your creativity. Your video must be at least 30 seconds long and no longer than 4 minutes.

3. Share your video with us and the world!

Submit your video to History Makers. We will share it on our Digital Classroom website and your school will be in the running to win $2,000. Teachers must submit all entries on behalf of their students or school.  

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to 10 winners ($2,000) and 10 runners up ($500) in these categories:

Primary and high school entrants will be represented in the winning entries. 

You may submit your video entry in as many categories as you think apply.

Entry criteria

To be eligible for History Makers prizes and inclusion on the Digital Classroom website, entries must be:

• an original video of at least 30 seconds and no longer than 4 minutes
• submitted as one of these file types: mp4, mov, m4v
• created for the purpose of the History Makers challenge
• about a defining moment and demonstrate a clear understanding of what constitutes a defining moment in history
• accompanied by a short artist statement (max. 100 words)

All entrants must comply with the History Makers terms and conditions.

Need more information? Email digitalclassroom@nma.gov.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 details 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. 

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.

Don’t forget hat bands are available in store for both female and male hats.

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

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.