Newsletter - Term 4 - Week 2 - Issue 93

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students

Welcome back to all students and staff to Term 4. I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and are ready for what is always a very busy term that seems to fly by so quickly.

As usual term four starts fast with the All Schools Touch Carnival occurring at the end of the first week. I offer my sincere thanks to the staff who travelled to the Gold Coast as managers, coaches and supporters of our teams. Your efforts in supporting the students with training, during performance and genuine care is appreciated.

From all reports the students were just terrific and played with heart and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all players across all year levels for the way you clearly demonstrated the Joey’s Way in your efforts over the week.

Staffing Changes

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

• Ms Emily Rigg – Principal’s Personal Assistant
• Ms Ellie Jolley – School Officer Marketing and Communications
• Mrs Rebecca Wong – Religion Teacher

Student Leader Induction

This morning we celebrated the induction of our Student Leaders for 2023. As in previous years, this celebration was one of great significance. The induction of student leaders and the passing of the symbols of student leadership from the current leaders to the new leadership group strengthens and inspires the Year 11 leaders for the challenges of leadership, both individually and communally.

The challenge of ‘Serving Him in Others’, being selfless, community minded, welcoming and caring is one that all leaders face each day, and it is now the turn of our current Year 11 students.

It with great pleasure that I would like to announce that our Student Leaders for 2023 are;

We wish this wonderful group of young people all the best for their tenure as the Captains of St Joseph’s College and we look forward to working with them as we continue to engage with ‘The Joeys Way’ over the next year.

Finally, I would like to thank our Year 12 cohort who have done a wonderful job in leading our community this year. We thank them so very much for their efforts. We wish them all the best for the remainder of their exam preparation period and their upcoming external exams.

Parent Engagement in Schools

St Joseph’s College greatly values parent and caregivers who work in collaboration with our teachers to support each of our students as they strive to achieve to their potential. However, we also understand that it can be quite daunting for parents and caregivers to initially engage with the secondary school environment.

In order to grow parent engagement in student’s learning Catholic School Parents Australia have available the Gearing Up for Parent Engagement in Student Learning toolkit. This important free resource will assist all schools and families in Australia. The toolkit aims to build knowledge to encourage families to engage in their children’s learning and wellbeing for all of their schooling. We invite you to take a look at the parent engagement website http://www.parentengagementcspa.edu.au as we have found it to be a very useful resource in designing our transition and orientation programs.

In addition to this resource St Joseph’s College welcomes all families to be part of our Parent Engagement Network. Our next PEN session is booked in for the date below. We hope that many of our families will be able to join us on this occasion.

Tuesday 25 October

6.30pm – 7.00pm – Welcome and social gathering

7.00 – 8.00pm – SJC Teaching and Learning Framework – Mrs Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg, Mrs Karen Tobin and Mrs Cate Park-Ballay.

A reminder also that while we do not have official parent - teacher - student conferences scheduled for this term our teachers are always willing to communicate via phone / email or meet with parents to discuss the progress of our students. Please call the College if you would like to make an appointment.

Finally, I would like to promote the following presentation below. Adair Donaldson is a highly regarded speaker on the topic of consent, the law and young people and this presentation will provide parents and families with an understanding of the topics that were covered in the student presentations for Years 10 & 11 held on the same day at our College. Please use the following link to book for this free presentation, https://www.trybooking.com/CCSWS

Student Protection at St Joseph’s College Toowoomba

The most important daily concern for our school community is the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. St Joseph’s College has a number of specific child protection responsibilities which are detailed in the Student Protection Processes and Guidelines, available on the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Website along with other information for parents and caregivers. Student protection | Parents and community | Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools (twb.catholic.edu.au)

At our school, we have 4 staff members who can assist with student protection concerns. These staff members are called School Student Protection Contacts (SSPC’s) and you will see their names and photographs on posters around the school. Our current SSPC’s are Mr Thomas Moore (Rice House Leader), Ms Shauna Green (School Counsellor), Mr Joe Cryle (Assistant Principal Student Engagement) and as College Principal I am also a SSPC. Students can speak to any of these 4 staff members if they have any worries about their own safety or wellbeing, or that of a friend or classmate. We thank these staff members for undertaking this important role in our school.

Long Service Leave

I would like to inform the community that from the end of week four this term I will be taking long service leave for the remainder of 2022.

Whilst I am on leave the following people will be undertaking the following roles:

Acting Principal – Mr Brendon Willocks

Acting Deputy Principal – Mr Joe Cryle

Acting Assistant Principal Student Engagement – Mr Luke Logan

Acting Brennan House Leader – Mr Ben Gehrmann

Acting Student Induction Leader – Mrs Natasha Digweed

I thank these people for their willingness to undertake these roles during my period of leave and I thank the College community in anticipation of their support of these wonderful people.

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

From the Deputy Principal

Thank-you

Thank-you for ensuring our learners were well-prepared, equipped and ready to start the final term of 2022. We also appreciate the many conversations that parents had with our learners regarding their goals for Term 4 following Term 3 Interim Reports.

SBA Employer Breakfast

It was my pleasure to attend the School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBA/SBT) Employer Breakfast this week. This opportunity allowed our many young people and their employers to celebrate their success as they pursue their passion and pathway. Congratulations to all the young people and thank you to all the employers who enable these possibilities for these pathways and qualifications.

Term 4

There are many events and opportunities for students in Term 4. Please stay up-to-date with our EdSmart permission slips and correspondence, and encourage your child to be involved in as many opportunities and activities as possible. As a timely reminder we would like to highlight to all families that if your contact details registered with the College need to be updated, please contact the Office.

Brief overview of some key Term 4 events:

• Assessments for all students and, in particular, Yr 12 students sitting their External Exams for their General subjects
• Graduation and farewells
• Presentation Night at the Empire Theatre. All are welcome and invited.
• Term 4 is the beginning of Unit 3 for Year 11 students. This means that for General subjects, student assessment is now summative and contributes to ATAR calculations (if your learner is ATAR eligible).

Term 4 is certainly shaping to be another full and exciting term, with many opportunities.

Online Gaming
Games are an integral part of human behaviour. It is normal and healthy for young people to engage in play as a part of their daily lives, including playing games online. Like most activities, online gaming can have both positive and negative outcomes. It can be intimidating and confusing for carers trying to understand a young person’s online experiences with many considering that staring at a screen is an unhealthy habit. However, the World Health Organisation does believe that as well as the risks, there are also many positive benefits associated with online gaming and these could be key in nurturing bonds with others.

During the pandemic, there was an explosive growth of gaming as people sought much needed connection during isolation. In the media, gaming often gets bad publicity because most coverage tends to concentrate on the minority of gamers who play to such an extent that it compromises all other areas of their life. However, online gaming can teach young people many skills including teamwork, concentration, communication and problem-solving. It requires a level of interaction and skill from the player; unlike watching television, which is more passive.

Online communities provide opportunities for young people to feel socially connected and have a sense of belonging. At healthy levels, gaming can increase their self-esteem and social acceptance. However, any behaviour, when taken to extreme, can also have a negative impact on a young person’s everyday life. Understanding what our young person experience online and knowing the warning signs if they are at risk, will help nurture a more positive relationship with online gaming and help your family find the right balance.

If you are concerned about your young person’s online gaming habits, it’s important to consider a number of factors. The latest edition of SchoolTV provides strategies in how to manage the many issues you may be experiencing at home - https://sjc.qld.schooltv.me/newsletter/online-gaming. Also recommended is the new Todd Sampson documentary “Mirror Mirror” which examines the implications of gaming, social media and the internet on young people of this generation.

Upcoming Events

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

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

Year 11 Exam Block – Monday, 21 November – Friday, 25 November 2022

To support Year 11 students to best prepare for their first pieces of summative assessment for Unit 3, an exam block during Week 8 of Term 4 is indicated in the Assessment Calendar provided to students and parents. Students should approach these examinations with a determination to ‘aspire to excellence’ and therefore prepare thoroughly. 

Year 11 students are required to attend school from Monday, 21 November until Thursday, 24 November only when they have scheduled examinations as indicated in the attached exam schedule.  Friday,  25 November is the final day of school for 2022 and students are expected to attend. 

Parents and caregivers may be contacted by individual teachers if students are required to attend school in a supervised classroom to complete outstanding work for them.  Please note that Year 11 English students will be booking times with an English teacher to complete their IA2. These times are yet to be finalised. 

Please note:

• All students are required to wear their full school uniform whenever they are at school.
• When not on campus, students are not to be in school uniform or carrying the College bag.
• Student must travel directly to and from home.
• Students who choose to remain at school after an exam for private study must sign into the College via Student Entrance. Additionally, these students will be completing silent, supervised study. Students will complete their work individually under supervision.
• If there is a reason as to why an examination cannot be sat at the scheduled time (illness or extenuating circumstances), it is essential that contact be made with Mrs Karen Tobin (Senior School Learning Leader) or Mrs Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg (Assistant Principal Curriculum) by contacting the College on 4631 8500. 
• College examinations cannot be rescheduled without appropriate and accompanying documentation as per QCAA guidelines and the St Joseph’s College Assessment Procedures.
• Students must attend on time for their assessment and bring appropriate equipment.
• Students are to meet outside the exam room as per exam schedule. 

As always, if you have any questions regarding this internal exam block, please do not hesitate to contact the College. 

Teaching and Learning Framework.

On the 25 October, we will be speaking to the Parent Engagement Network on the St Joseph’s College Teaching and Learning Framework.

This year the Curriculum team, classroom teachers and senior leadership have spent considerable time in developing a contextualised Teaching and Learning Framework for St Joseph’s College.  I would like to extend an invitation to interested parents and carers to attend the next meeting being held at the College commencing at 6pm with drinks and nibbles to find out more about our framework.  We look forward to seeing you there!

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

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

How to Make Vaping Uncool 

By now, we are all aware of the vaping pandemic that is affecting your people, and their schools, all across the country and even the world. Furthermore, we are becoming aware that is the product of ‘big tobacco’ companies to reinvent themselves and maintain their gargantuan revenue streams.  

Responsible adults face two major challenges in protecting young people from vaping: 

1. Helping young people managing the addictive nature of vapes. Fundamentally, we know that vapes contain nicotine which makes them addictive and therefore lucrative for companies that previously made money from tobacco. As with other addiction, this is mental health issue. If your young person is vaping, they should speak to their doctor as soon as possible about addiction management. 
2. Marketing vapes in such a way that makes them cool. Because the vaping industry is not yet regulated the way it needs to me, our young people are subject to careful marketing strategies. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, for some of our young people. Vaping is cool. 

With this in mind, I would highly recommend listening to this podcast entitled ‘How to Make Vaping Uncool’   

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

From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education

The work of SVDP 

Everyday thousands of people turn to Vinnies in their time of need. Some only need a little help and can then continue with their lives, a crisis averted while some may need assistance over a longer time. Others may require professional assistance from our more specialised services.  It is only through the generosity of donors that members, volunteers and staff can continue to offer the right support at the right time.  

 Joey’s Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal 

The Just Joeys Social Justice Group has again launched the  Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal. They ask that each JW group fill a basket with food and gifts for families in our local community.  The hampers will be collected on the 25 November during our Advent Mass.  

College Captains’ First Address 

The following is a copy of the excellent first address of our 2023 College Captains, Sophie Wagner and Shane Hurlock. 

Shane: My first week at St Joseph’s was one of, if not the most, terrifying week of my life. I felt like a kid’s pet goldfish being dropped into the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I remember wading through a sea of people miles taller than me, diary map in hand and donning an incredibly oversized backpack, searching desperately for Mr Cook’s maths class. But it quickly dawned on me that I was completely lost and needed help fast. I used a vital piece of knowledge that I’d gained on orientation day; white shirts meant senior. I nervously made my way towards a girl in a white shirt, internally rehearsing what I was going to say. Long story short, I ended up in maths class, due to the help of this selfless senior, only 5 minutes late. And, thankfully, Mr Cook let me off.  

I don’t know the girl’s name. I don’t remember what she looked like. But I do remember what she wore. The white shirt, the same white shirt that I stand wearing before you today, is a beacon of hope for people in our community who seek guidance. People who don’t have someone to turn to. People that you once were, or are right now. And that is how Sophie and I, alongside our peers, intend to lead Saint Joseph’s College in 2023. As beacons of hope.  

Sophie: Much like Shane, I was terrified my first few days at joeys. However, I found solace in my fellow year 7’s, who were also scared, I was comforted by my buddy, I saw teachers go out of their way to make sure we were all okay, students helped each other find their classrooms, and I think that encapsulates Joeys perfectly. The idea of looking out for or after someone else and expecting nothing in return. It only took a few days for the fear to subside, and for a sense of belonging to take its place. I had grown up hearing about my sister's day at Joeys each afternoon, and to say I was excited about high school would be an understatement. I felt at home, listening to my sibling's stories about school, and even though I was scared, finally being able to experience it, I felt a sense of belonging and connection to something much larger than myself, SJC. We are all SJC, we are this school's history and future, and it is each of our responsibility to make that future as bright as possible, together. 

Shane: Over my five years so far at the College, I can honestly and proudly say that there is no community I would rather be a part of. And one thing that I believe the Joey’s community has over any other is passion. Newto cooking breakfast after a team’s gruelling 6am training. Passion. Bands and ensembles performing in front of hundreds. Passion. Teachers teaching a subject they’ve studied for years. Passion. Students giving up their lunchtime to attend clubs with their peers. Passion. Everyone at St Joseph’s loves what they do, and I believe that is what sets us apart. The passion of SJC is something we promise to delicately intertwine within our leadership of this incredible college. Over the next year we hope to not only encompass the passions of every individual into our leadership, but to further cultivate them and raise the roof on the potential of the Joeys Community. When we find success in our passions, the immeasurable success of St Joseph’s will follow.  

Sophie: Less than a month ago I was undergoing inpatient treatment at Queensland Children's Hospital, today I stand here addressing the community for the first time as college captain. It's been a long, difficult journey, but I didn’t get here by myself, rather I've been backed by a network of passionate, caring staff and students, ever since my first day in year 7. I think that’s what sets St Joseph's apart, it’s a supportive community; comprised of people who genuinely care about you and your education. I want every member of this community to feel safe, valued, and proud to learn at such a remarkable school. I am immensely proud to be a part of this community and to lead it in 2023. 

Shane: Joeys offers an absolutely massive variety of opportunities for its students, and the choice of what to pursue is often a difficult one to make. Whether it be the basketball team, debating team, chess club, jazz band, or simply having a crack at the 25 metres at the swimming carnival, the fact is that it wouldn’t be the same without you. Your participation is noticed and valued. Your participation is what shapes the identity of SJC. However, I want to challenge each of you for the coming year. Take on something new. Reignite an old passion. Say yes to opportunities. Broaden your horizons. Sophie and I, alongside our 2023 co-leaders, will back you 100% of the way.  

Sophie: Shane and I would like to sincerely thank the 2022 cohort, especially Tahlia, Riley, Zachary, Maddison, Blake, Waed, Aliandra, Joseph, Hayden, Isabella, Kaylee, Preston, Brandon, Sophie, Savannah Toohey, Baxter, Savannah Teakle and Rowan, for their service and dedication. I speak for us all when I say they have inspired us with their leadership and ability to transform vision into reality. It’s a privilege to follow in your footsteps as we carve our own path as leaders. It's important that the class of 2023 endeavours to continue to cultivate the culture of kindness within our community, that the cohort of 2022 has fostered. I encourage every single member of the community to find the opportunity for random acts of kindness, these gestures may not change the world, but they will change our community. Remember: if you can be anything, be kind.   

Sophie: Shane and I realise how amazing this position is and we are honoured and humbled by the opportunity to lead St Joseph's College. We all have limited time at Joeys, so it's our responsibility to make the most out of it, to leave our mark on the school, to change it for the better, and to let it change us. St Joseph's has nurtured and shaped us into the people we are today, and SJC will always be a part of us. The Captains of 2023 are merely one chapter in SJC’s long history, but in saying that we have the opportunity to write that chapter, a chapter full of change that will last for years after we've graduated. We are excited to work alongside all of the 2023 captains, and our incredible cohort to advance our school, by embodying the College values and imperatives to truly the live Joey's Way and ‘Serve Him in Others’. 

Shane: So, that is what to expect from our leadership, and how you can play your own part in the growth of the College next year. I want to reiterate how absolutely humbled and blessed Sophie and I are to have been appointed as your College Captains, and we promise to give you our absolute best, and push you to strive for yours. We can all be the beacon of hope. We can all embrace our passions. We can all participate and persevere.  

Shane: I will leave you with this quote by Howard Zinn; “small acts, when multiplied by others, can change the world”. 

From Sophie, myself and the 2023 student leadership team, thank you. 

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

Student Voice

With Term 4 well and truly underway and our final year of high school coming to an end, we thought it was time to take a step back and reflect on what we believe it means to be a student at St Joseph’s. We have both been a part of this College since Year 7 and we cannot believe how much our community has changed, grown and strengthened since then. On the surface we know that being a student here means to take immense pride in everything we do, to honour the values of The Joey’s Way imperatives and to always create a sense of welcoming and belonging within our school.  However, it is not until we really consider what it means to be a Joey’s student that we realised it is much more than the obvious answers; in fact, there is no correct answer to this question. When someone really embodies the spirit of our College, they are doing it through words, actions and thought. By doing the small things like saying thank you to the ladies at the tuckshop, fully participating in the school song or praying for those who are sick.  With all these small actions, you are representing what we believe it means to be a student at St Joseph’s.

2023 College Captains - Talia Utz and Riley Furse

Sport

All Schools Touch

Early Wednesday morning we sent the first bus off at 5.45am for our first game with the 13 girls to play at 8.30am at the Runaway Bay Complex. All girls were excited and keen to play.

13 Girls

It was our pleasure to take the U13 girls Touch team away to All Schools in Week 1 of this Term. The girls were impeccably behaved and represented the school extremely well – with the referees commenting on their outstanding sportsmanship. The U13 girls won four out of the six games and although they just missed out on the finals, the growth from one game to the next was a credit to their growth mindset and working as a team, and not individuals on the field.

On behalf of the Team, we would like to thank and acknowledge Indie Kelly and Nigella Morgan, two Year 10 students at the College.  They helped coach the girls and were outstanding role models of the Joey’s Way and the game of Touch.  Their leadership, sportsmanship and the way in which they lead the team was truly inspirational.

Results:

Round 1: SJC 1v’s Marymount 4

SJC 13 v’s Somerville House 0

Round 2: SJC 0 v’s The Cathedral College 9

SJC 7 v’s Macgregor SHS 0

Round 3: SJC 4 v’s St Anthony’s Coll 1

SJC 6 v’s Emmaus College 0

(Mrs Whiting and Ms Kenny)

13 Boys

The 13 years boys and 15 years boys were the next to be waved off as they left the College at 6.30am to play their first game at 10.00am

Throughout all sixgames the boys put their best foot forward and competed against some very professional teams but that didn't stop the boys putting 110% into every play.

Overall, they competed well and improved as a team every game. 

Results:

Round 1: SJC 0 v’s Miami 10

SJC 2 v’s Macgregor 3

SJC 2 v’s Kings College 4

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St: Joseph Under 15’s Boys All Stars Touch Report

We had an outstanding three days of touch with a group of young men, who took it upon themselves to train once a week leading up to the Gold Coast Carnival, lead by Mason and Darby.

Playing six games in total winning 3 was a fantastic achievement.  With a slow start, the boys came together on the second day to successfully win 2 games in a row.

With self-confidence at an all-time high, teamwork and learning each other’s role within the team was the highlight of the carnival. The boys came up against a very well drilled Keebra Park team on Thursday afternoon and a great life lesson was taught in the pre-game prep.  Unfortunately the score line didn't highlight their great spirit and never give up attitude.

Third day success was brought about by a great attitude, team cohesion, self-belief, and self-confidence within certain players. The win on Friday and Harry O’Neil’s birthday gave great cause to celebrate. Most consistent players throughout the carnival were Sam, Darby, Mason, Ned, Oliver; best dressed was Jack; Most Improved Harrison and Max and Cohen the best support player within the team.

Great opportunity to witness the development of young men and I was privileged to be involved.

Colin Speed

Results:

Round 1: SJC 1 v’s Rochedale 3

SJC 1 v’s Miami 6

SJC 5 v’s Emmaus College 3

Round 2: SJC 8 v’s Groves College 1

SJC 0 v’s Keebra Park 8

Round 3: SJC 7 v’s Bribie Island 4

15 Years Girls

The girls had made a commitment to train every Thursday afternoon and did so willingly. Playing in Toowoomba is very different to playing in a huge tournament such as the All Schools Touch and most girls who have never experienced this soon realised the competition was tough.

The girls played strongly and never gave up no matter what the score was. They worked hard on the field and supported each other both on and off the field.

They now realise much more work needs to be done for next year and we look forward to them joining the team and playing again.

Results:

Round 1: SJC 3 v’s Stretton 4

SJC 2 v’s Wellington Point 3

SJC 1 v’s Mercy/St Pat’s 6

Round 2: SJC 1 v’s Jarrabilba 3

SJC 1 v’s All Hallows 7

Round 3: SJC 0 v’s West Moreton 3

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Open Mixed

The Open mixed team went to the carnival with high hopes of finishing in the top 8. They had a very good side that was full of talent and experience. Unfortunately, our head was not in the game against Southport (who were runners up for the carnival) and we lost, finishing second in our pool.

This put us into the final 16 on the Sunday morning at 7.30am against Shalom College, who we easily won 8 to 2. Into the quarter finals we advanced to play Miami on Show Court 1. We were able to keep up with them most of the game but due to the wet weather we slipped twice, and they scored, and one try was a bit dubious and close to a forward pass.

The game went to a drop off with the scores locked at 6 all when the hooter sounded. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep our momentum going and lost 6 to 7.

Many thanks to all the parents and guardians for coming down and supporting us. Thanks to Mrs Koch, who was extremely helpful with the junior teams. Thanks to Mrs Simmons, who supported us with driving the students to and from the fields. To Mr Kelly, who bought the tent home for us.

To all the coaches – Indie Kelly, Nigella Morgan, Mrs Whiting, Ms Kenny, Mr Speed, Mr Cullen and Mr McKenzie who gave up their time to allow the students to participate in this carnival. Without their support students would not be able to participate.

Results:

Round 1: SJC 12 v’s Mary MacKillop 0

SJC 6 v’s Noosa 1

SJC 7 v’s Lockyer Dist 0

Round 2: SJC 4 v’s Stretton 1

SJC 7 v’s St Paul’s 0

SJC 6 v’s Southport 7

SJC 7 v’s Beaudesert 0

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

Connect with Careers

Lunch and Learn Schedule Term 4

Please find the Careers Lunch and Learn topics for Term 4 below.

Lunch and learn occurs every Thursday in the Library – Seminar Room 1 from 1:20 – 2:00pm.

All welcome! Please bring your friends and your lunch.

A reminder that you can access career information from the St Joseph’s College Careers website.

Want a career in Music with a difference

Expand your musical repertoire across a variety of genres, playing with Defence Force bands at military, community and charity functions across Australia and potentially overseas. You can continue your love of music while being a member of the Army, Navy or Airforce. 

Industry insights – Fashion industry

Are you thinking of working in the fashion industry? Join myfuture's next webinar in conjunction with the Australian Business & Community Network to learn about the large range of careers on offer, skills required to succeed and pathways to gaining employment. This session will feature representatives from PVH, one of the world's largest fashion companies, whose brands include Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Find out more about these sessions and register now

A career in youth work

If you are interested in offering help and support to others and empowering young people to find their way in the world, a career in youth work could be for you. Youth workers build trust and understanding between young people and their families and young people and their community. They empower young people to make informed choices. These could be choices to do with education, work, health or relationships. They encourage them to build their skills and improve their wellbeing. If you feel that this could be a great job for you, click here to read more about:

• What do youth workers do
• Why become a youth worker
• Education pathways
• Tools and Resources

Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in Australia in 2022

You may be asking what the most in-demand jobs in Australia are now. Click here to find the most in demand jobs in Australian cities at the moment along with a job description, current average range, key employers and more:

• Accounting and Finance
• Teaching
• Customer Service
• Electrical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Project Management
• Nursing
• Mental Health Support
• Sales
• Software Development

Free TAFE for Year 12 graduates

To support Queensland's Year 12 graduates to successfully transition to employment, the Government is offering fee-free training in high priority qualifications. The training is available through a range of Certificate III level vocational education and training (VET) courses as well as apprenticeships and traineeships. View the courses offered by TAFE Queensland and the full list of high priority qualifications is available on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

New QUT Women in Science, Mathematics and IT merit scholarship

QUT is launching a new scholarship for students who identify as female and start their science, mathematics or IT studies in 2023. There is no application form for this scholarship as all eligible students who complete a QTAC application in line with QTAC key dates will be considered. Find out more about this scholarship here. 

Choosing a job that suits you

The Australian Government's jobactive site has information that will assist you in researching and planning your next career/job. You will find information on:

• Your Future Career - Uses your interests, experience and qualifications to find jobs that could suit you.
• Career Quiz - Suggests jobs based on the tasks that you enjoy most.
• Job Jumpstart - Job Jumpstart can help you work out what jobs might suit you. It offers tailored advice based on your situation.
• Starting a business - You can do some research and planning online.

Using VET qualifications for competitive entry to University

Most universities offer an entry pathway using your VET qualifications. University policies differ and can change at any time so it's best to check their websites for any changes. These ranks are relevant to students who HAVE NOT sat the STAT test or gained a score less than 150.

Year 12 VET qualifications and the tertiary ranks they are awarded by institution

Institution        Certificate III        Certificate IV        Diploma       

QUT                          NA                           74                       87

Griffith Uni               68                            74                       87

USC (no link)           68                            74                      82

CQU                          68                            74                      82

USC                          68                            74                       82

Bond                        NA                            74                      78                  

ACU                          NA                            74                      82         

SCU                          67                             73                      75     

TAFE                        72                              74                      84          

UQ 

If you're a current Year 12 student and you're not eligible for an ATAR, you won't receive a selection rank for your secondary studies. If you apply to start studying at UQ in the year after you finish Year 12, you can only use your secondary education qualification to gain an entry score.

JCU

If you completed a Certificate III or a Certificate IV qualification while at school you are guaranteed entry into a number of JCU undergraduate courses. Some courses require additional subject prerequisites to be met and are detailed in the Handbook found on each course page. 

SBA Opportunities:

Certificate III in Hairdressing – Air Hair Studio **New

Certificate II Supply Chain Operations – Reece Plumbing **New

Certificate III Electrotechnology – Clifton Golden West Apprentices **New

Certificate III Fabrication (Engineering) Clifton Golden West Apprenticeships **New

For further information and to view all current SBA opportunities, please visit the Career Pathways CANVAS course

Year 12 Full Time Apprenticeship Opportunities:

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery – Bergen
• Certificate III in Construction – Desire Interiors
• Certificate III in Construction – Valdal Projects

Casual and Part Time job opportunities

Click here to browse current job opportunities

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

Cultural

SHEP (STATE HONOURS ENSEMBLE PROGRAM) QUEENSLAND

Over the recent holidays, 5 students represented St Joseph’s College in the Queensland State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP QLD). Selection in this program requires a high level of musical skill and participants are chosen from a large field of nominations from all over the state. The State Honours Ensemble Programs are run by the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University and provides an opportunity for students to work in an intensive environment of musical excellence with their peers, under the leadership of a team of eminent conductors.

Congratulations to the following students for their selection and participation in SHEP QLD

ARTS FESTIVAL

On the final Friday of Term 3, students were treated to a day of Arts activities, rotating in house groups through four different workshop sessions including music, dance, visual arts and drama.

In the Music session, students enjoyed a performance by visiting duo Connor Sharpe (Saxophone) and Spencer Wilson (Guitar). Connor and Spencer are emerging artists within the Brisbane music scene who gave lively performances to engage the students. In the Dance session, local dance instructor and past student, Maddy Robinson got everyone moving to create a fun, energetic and exciting group hip-hop combo, whilst in Visual Arts, students were able to experience a workshop of their choice to explore their creative talent. The visual arts workshops included activities such as tie-dyeing, photography, knitting and visual poetry.

A new workshop for Arts Festival this year combined house groups singing karaoke style together to drum up some house spirit and play a variety of drama games. A huge thank you to staff who made all these enriching activities possible.

The day culminated with the College’s annual talent show “Joey’s Got Talent”. It was a great showcase with an entertaining variety of acts including xylophone, piano, baritone saxophone, recorder and vocal solos, small groups, the Senior music classes and a teacher band who concluded the talent show singing “We will Rock You” by Queen and the Australian classic “Down Under”.

Thanks to Mr Brad Hodges for the photos below.

Rosanne Pietsch - Cultural Program Leader - RPietsch@sjc.qld.edu

Technology

As we enter our final Term, students continue to work on projects that need to be completed by the end of the year.

Year 7 and 8 students will be undertaking their second term for Design; Design Technology Wood/Metal; Design Technology Food/Textiles; Digital Technology. These subjects give students an introduction to the Technologies subjects that they may have chosen to study in Year 9.

Textiles students have been enjoying the new units on offer this year. Classes have been excitedly working through their individual sewing projects. Students have been investigating how they can create sustainable items such as sustainable fashion garments, zipper pouches, tote bags, cushions and quillos. Students have worked to make these garments aesthetically pleasing using dye, applique, transfer vinyl, embroidery, quilting and many more techniques.  

Students in Years 9 and 10 continue to progress through their chosen elective subjects which will allow them to follow their pathway into Years 11 and 12 if they wish to pursue these areas of study.

With only a few weeks of classes remaining for our Year 12’s before they undertake their exams, students are busy completing their projects, revising work following their mock exams, or completing necessary work in order for them to attain their certificates.

A reminder that students are required to take their projects home when they are completed and they have been marked. We have limited space to store projects for students, so please ensure that all of their work is taken home.

We wish all the year 12 students the best for the future, and hope that they have enjoyed their time at St Joseph’s College. Good luck from the Technologies staff members.

Brian Cantwell - Curriculum Middle Leader - Technology - bcantwell@sjc.qld.edu.au

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Library

The first day of Term 4 saw students gathering in the library space eager to catch up with friends and chat about their holiday activities.  Rainy weather meant indoor activities and many students took the chance to colour-in or play chess.  Emily Warhurst used her knowledge of switches and circuits to complete a creative looking pencil sharenper Kiwi Kit which will be used by students and staff – thank you Emily.

Each term the library lunchtime program focusses on tech, Makerspace and craft activities.  All are welcome and there is no cost to participate. Come join us for lots of fun.

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

Arts

Creative Future

With the recent decimation the Arts in Australia [and globally] has experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic over the last few years, it has been refreshing to see the current Australian Government seek a renaissance of the creative industries with the birth of a new cultural policy.  It is reassuring that a government values the contribution of what a Creative Australia can have on our society. So why is this important? As Tony Burke, Minister for the Arts, said in a speech to the Arts Industry Council of Australia in 2021, "Cultural policy is more than some funding announcements for the arts. When you get it right, it affects our health policy, our education policy, our environment policy, foreign affairs, trade, veterans' affairs, tourism.". So how does this relate to [arts] education? It all has a flow on effect. With the impending 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, the Queensland Government is already planning Creative Together 2020-2030. This means our current students will bear the fruits of this vision which will, “see Queensland renewed and transformed – socially, culturally and economically through arts, culture and creativity”. We to need to start looking to the future to allow our creative students, our gifted and high potential students, the opportunities for them to flourish where their strengths can be fostered. At St Joseph’s, we offer a range of opportunities in and through the Arts of extra-curricular and rich cultural intraschool experiences such as; International Arts Education Week activities, involvement in Book Week, Skit and Semiquavers, whole school Art Show participation, Musicals and Productions, and curriculum-related excursions and incursions, as well as promote external competitions and opportunities. By fostering a creative education, we nurture the future of a creative society.

Sources:

The Arts | V9 Australian Curriculum. (n.d.). V9.Australiancurriculum.edu.au. https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/teacher-resources/understand-this-learning-area/the-arts

‌The new Arts Minister has promised a National Cultural Policy — but what does that mean? (2022, August 24). ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/australia-new-national-cultural-policy-arts-minister-tony-burke/101363244

Chrissy Dwyer - Arts Curriculum Leader - cdwyer@sjc.qld.edu.au

Yr 10 Creative Arts Industry Day @ USQ

Year 10’s participated in an Industry based day at USQ trialling all Visual Art mediums and experiencing a taste of university life – meeting lecturers and making some artwork through Visual Art workshops.  It was a successful taster for Year 10’s who might be seeking career pathways within the Arts.

Ms Aleesha Degen

Focus on Yr 9 Music

Music is a performance art, which engages and develops students cognitive, affective and motor capabilities. Through continuous and sequential music learning, students develop their knowledge and skills on different mediums, and develop their capacity to manipulate sounds and present performance items to an audience.  Did you know music education helps improve children's ability to learn? You can read more about it here.

Year 9 Musicians have studied the characteristics of Rock and Pop through exploring different genres and developing their understanding of how composers manipulate the musical elements to create style and demonstrate meaning.

Ms Rosanne Pietsch

Highlight from DRAMA

Year 12 Drama

The Year 12s have been busy recently: an excursion to see Bernhardt/Hamlet in Brisbane, making their own masks for Greek theatre, and a workshop with Zen Zen Zo on physical theatre.  Over the past two years these students have explored, analysed, viewed, investigated, performed, and created a wide range of works spanning thousands of years of dramatic history.  It seems therefore fitting that their last assessment takes them back to modern theatre’s beginning; Ancient Greece.  Using the skills and knowledge built over the last two years, students are currently working on recontextualising Sophocles’ tragedies Oedipus Rex and Antigone, transforming these 2,500 year-old plays into a contemporary theatre piece whilst still maintaining the original text.  From reimagining Oedipus an enigmatic cult-leader to setting up the ancient city of Thebes as modern-day detention camp, students have been hard at work getting inside the action and identifying why these inherited texts continue to inspire, enthral, and challenge us millennia after they were created.

Mrs Nadia Spain

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

Uniform Shop

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.

Please contact the uniform shop on the below details:

Phone:           07 4631 8514

Email:             sjct@midford.com.au

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.

All summer stock is available for purchase.  Don’t forget hat bands are available in store for both female and male hats for $12.

Online ordering is available at all times and will be packed during shop trading hours ready for your collection.

Crew Sport Socks size 7-11 are currently out of stock.

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. 

TRC Youth Grants

We recognise the important contributions young people and youth-involving organisations make to the inclusiveness, sustainability and vibrancy of our community.

To recognise the power of young people to creative positive change, Toowoomba Regional Council has opened the next round of the Youth Grants Program.

Grants of up to $2,500 are now available to support youth-led projects throughout the Toowoomba Region.

You can apply if you represent an eligible community organisation (or are auspiced by one) that has an ABN and operates within the Toowoomba Region. Projects can include:

• community events that engage young people in planning and delivery
• arts, cultural, sporting and active recreation opportunities for young people
• initiatives which engage young people in community development and active citizenship
• projects which target issues impacting young people in the local community.

To learn more, visit the Youth Grants Program on Council’s website.