Newsletter - Term 2 - Week 6 - Issue 123

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

Fifty days on from Easter, we recently celebrated Pentecost Sunday. During this time, we give thanks to God for the spirit in our hearts. Pentecost marked the Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven after his earlier crucifixion and resurrection. At the time scripture described how the Holy Spirit descended amongst the disciplines, with a rush of wind and “tongues of fire”. This event marked the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world. As Christians we believe that the Holy Spirit provides the strength to enact Jesus Christ’s message of love. This week members of our senior netball and rugby league teams lead our school community in celebrating Pentecost and explained the great power that is constantly alive and at work in our Church and in our world. Just like the disciples got a serious confidence boost from the Holy Spirit, we can also lift each other up when things get tough. Whether it's a sports cheer, a kind word, a high five, or just being there for someone, they explained that we have got the power to spread encouragement and make a real difference in each other's lives.​

Last Tuesday, Adair Donaldson (Donaldson Law) presented information to our students (Year 9-12), staff and parents on topics regarding consent, safe behaviour, appropriate technology use and respectful relationships from a legal perspective. Such topics confront our young men and women today. St Joseph’s College addresses these topics at age -appropriate levels through the Joey’s Way Curriculum and this week members of Student Engagement Team spoke with our Year 7 students regarding respectful relationships and what our examples of what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behaviours. I encourage all parents and carers to discuss their children’s learnings from these recent events. 

A cornerstone of the schooling experience at St Joseph’s College is the provision of learning experiences through religious life of the school events such as our liturgies, feast days, masses, and sporting carnivals. Such events bring our school community together to embrace gospel and Edmund Rice values and are key to creating the Joey’s Way culture and our Catholic Identity. An enrolment at St Jospeh’s requires students to attend all events during school days unless there is a valid reason for absence. Sometimes a child may say to their parents that on such days there will not be any regular class learnings and therefore they do not need to be at school. Nothing could be further from the truth and in fact, these religious life of the school events are our point of difference to other schooling organisations. As Principal I am firmly of the view that student participation in sporting, cultural and extra-curricular opportunities is dependent on meaningful engagement in all aspects of school life. I ask that our parents and carers to ensure that your children engage in all events that are provided at the college. 

A final reminder that St Joseph’s College is scheduled for a School Renewal and Improvement quadrennial school review from May 28- 30. In this review a panel consisting of senior staff from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools (TCS) Teaching and Learning Directorate and a peer principal from another school in the Diocese visit the school for three days.

The review team would like to hear from the school community, and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us to continue to achieve the two pillars of TCS: that all students will come to personally know Jesus and that all students will achieve academic success.

Feedback can be provided to the review panel in person or by telephone. All feedback remains confidential.

Please contact the school office if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer. You may also register your interest by emailing my assistant Emily Rigg ERigg@sjc.qld.edu.au to arrange an appointment.

Next week we welcome Libby Nairn, who joins our Humanities Team. Libby will be covering for Andrew Fellenberg who is taking leave for the remainder of term 2. Ms Natasha Digweed will be Curriculum Leader for the Humanities Faculty in Andrew’s absence.

God Bless

Jim Brennan - Principal - jbrennan@sjc.qld.edu.au

From the Deputy Principal

Pride in The Joey’s Way

It is important that we have pride in our school and St Jospeh’s community. We all have a role to play in this team and it is the collection of our individual contributions that makes our team culture strong, distinguishable and unique. There are many parts to our Joey’s Way culture, but today I want to discuss one of the easiest and most obvious ways our students contribute to our team. We like to show the strength of our St Joseph’s College community by having them wear their school uniform with pride.  

There is a popular clip on YouTube called ‘If You Want to Change the World, Start Off by Making Your Bed’. It is an address by US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven. The main theme of his message is that when we take care of the little things, we then have the personal discipline to make the time to prioritise the big things in our lives that will make a true difference to the future we want for ourselves and our broader community.

When our students wear their uniforms with pride, they are taking the time to prepare themselves and their mindset for learning. They are contributing to our broader community. They are doing something that may seem quite small, but they are, in fact, making a statement to our community that they are committed to the St Joseph’s College team. Thank you for your assistance in attending to the little things.

Open Day & Enrolments

Today we hosted our annual Open Day. Thank you to all of the students that assisted in hosting our guest families.

It is no surprise to anyone that in most communities, word of mouth is one of the the most successful forms of advertising for any school and we are pleased to share that our Open Day was fully booked. Thank you for sharing this date with your friends and family.

Now that we have concluded our Open Day, we would like to highlight that Enrolments for 2025 will close on 31 May 2024.

Upcoming Events

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

From the Assistant Principal - Curriculum

On Wednesday evening, many of our teachers engaged in a professional development twilight to continue to unpack our Teaching and Learning Framework.

In 2024 we have been considering Learner Clarity which backs onto the last two year’s focus of Teacher Clarity.

In Session 1, teachers were able to consider the tools they use in the classroom to engage our students.  This session was led by our Senior Years Learning Leader – Mrs Tobin and Middle Years Learning Leader – Mrs Andrews. In Session 2, teachers joined their Curriculum Leader to map their Assessment from Year 7 to 12. They reflected on their planning for Years 7 – 10 Australian Curriculum Version 9.  In Session 3, teachers then commenced the mapping of the General Capabilities in their Unit Planning for Years 7 – 9 concentrating on “Critical and Creative Thinking” and “Personal and Social Capability”.  We look forward to continuing this process and discussion at future department meetings and twilights.

Assessment Reminder for SBA and TAFE students

The assessment calendars for Semester 1 have been published to students since the beginning of the year.  If you have an SBA or TAFE, please remember that you need to attend school to complete assessment.  College assessment takes priority over SBA and TAFE days.

Of course, with parent permission students are able to leave to attend your SBA or TAFE once they have completed their assessment.

Artificial Intelligence – in Assessment

Please refer to our Assessment Procedures handbook for further information regarding assessment processes : 2024-Assessment-Procedures-SJC_updated-15.01.2024.pdf

At this time of the term, I would like to provide a reminder to students about the inappropriate use of AI. All year levels have been spoken to about the use of AI.  Year 11 and 12 students have also completed the QCAA Academic Integrity course which also outlines the inappropriate use of AI.

Our handbook clearly outlines the implications of misuse. 

When authorship of student work cannot be established or a response is not entirely a student’s own work, the College will provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate that the submitted response is their own work in consultation with the Curriculum Leader. Results will be awarded using any evidence from the preparation of the response that is available that is verifiably the student’s own work and that was gathered in the conditions specified by the syllabus, on or before the due date (in class time / 3pm in CANVAS).

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

From the Assistant Principal - Student Engagement

The Relationships Ladder

We are aware of a growing national awareness of issues around gender-based and sexual violence, and we know that we have a role to play in bringing about a more safe and just future for our students, their families and society.

Recently, our Year Seven students have been introduced to the Relationships Ladder. Staff will guide students in correctly categorising different behaviours into each of these categories. We hope to build familiarity with the relationships ladder with other year levels soon.

Women and girls are, statistically, much more likely to be victims of gender-based or sexual violence. With this in mind students will also be introduced to the idea that, while we all strive for the same outcome, males and females have slightly different roles to play in addressing the problem. We ask our boys to assist each other in ‘calling out’ misogynistic behaviour and language, and we ask our girls to support each other and seek out adult help when necessary.

Uniform Options to Keep Warm

The College no longer provides specific senior jackets to our older students. This is because we believe that all students, regardless of age, deserve to wear a uniform that will keep them warm. The College is pleased to provide students with the option of wearing the all-weather jacket, which is designed to keep students warm and protected from wind and rain as well as remaining relatively affordable for families. The all weather jacket can be worn by all students and any time.

For these reasons, we do not accept students wearing historical senior jackets (i.e. handed down from older siblings) as part of the uniform. An outline of our uniform expectations is below.

Duty of Care Responsibilities

When students are at school, we have primary responsibility for their safety while they are at school. Our duty of care commences each day from the moment they arrive at school, until their departure. This important principle has two key implications for our students:

1. Students who depart the College for Enrichment must go directly home. Because we hand over our duty of care of these students back to their parents each Wednesday at 1:20pm, we need these students to return home. It is not acceptable for students to go anywhere other than home if they are departing the College.

2. Once students arrive at school, they must remain at school. Even students who arrive at school well before 8:30am must remain at school once they have arrived. We do not accept students going, for example, to the Seven Eleven, once they have arrived at school.

Thank you in anticipation of your support as we support our students to be safe, humble and dignified members of our community.

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

From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education

The Connecting Power of Handshake

May our hearts be open, and our hands ready to serve.

Edmund Rice’s Hands

We frequently reflect on the legacy of Edmund Rice, a man whose hands reached out to the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. His compassionate touch transformed lives, and we too can extend our hands in solidarity and love.

Edmund Rice, a humble Irishman, founded the Christian Brothers and dedicated his life to education and social justice. His hands were calloused from hard work, yet they were gentle when comforting a child or lifting up the fallen. His hands built schools, orphanages, and communities. They reached across divides, bridging gaps between rich and poor, privileged and marginalized.

The Power of Handshake

A handshake is seemingly simple, but carries profound significance in creating connections. The power of a handshake lies not only in its physicality but in the intention behind it. In every handshake, we weave threads of connection—a tapestry of respect, solidarity, healing and sharing.

1. Physical Connection:

• A handshake is more than a mere greeting. It’s a physical connection—a meeting of palms that transcends words. When Edmund Rice shook hands with a beggar or a struggling farmer, he acknowledged their humanity. In that touch, he said, “You matter.”
• Today, let us remember that every handshake carries this potential. When we clasp another’s hand, we affirm their existence, their worth. We say, “I see you.”

• In a handshake, there is no hierarchy. The CEO’s hand meets the janitor’s hand on equal ground. Edmund Rice understood this. His hands, rough from labor, held no prejudice. He saw the divine spark in every person.
• As we extend our hands, let us remember that we are all equal—children of the same Creator. Our handshake says, “We stand side by side.”

• Edmund Rice’s hands were instruments of solidarity. They lifted the fallen, fed the hungry, and embraced the lonely. His handshake was a promise: “You are not alone.”
• When we reach out, we join a chain of compassion. Our handshake becomes a bridge, connecting hearts across time and space. Our gestures says to others, ‘Your pain is our pain, your joy is our joy’.

• A handshake can heal wounds—physical, emotional, or spiritual. It carries warmth, reassurance, and blessing. Edmund Rice’s hands healed broken lives, and ours can too.
• As we shake hands, we silently bless one another. May our touch bring comfort, courage, and hope; and our touch say, ‘You are worthy and whole’.

• Edmund Rice’s hands reached out to the marginalized. His legacy lives on through the hands of those who continue his work.
• Hands pass wisdom, values, and compassion from one generation to the next. As we shake hands with those who have come before us, we say ‘Thank you for your gifts’.

Handshakes, those seemingly simple gestures, hold immense power in forging connections.  When two palms meet, they bridge the gap between two people. Whether sealing a deal or meeting a new friend, these unassuming hand-to-hand encounters silently say, “We are connected.” 

Joey’s Best Handshake Competition

• Calling for entries in the Year 12 Liturgy Groups ‘Joey’s Best Secret Handshake Competition’
• Entries to be submitted Religion Canvas Courses in Assignments -> RLOC -> ‘Joey’s Best Secret Handshake Competition’
• Submission are to be recorded on video with participants in full formal uniform.
• Maximum length of video is 1 minute. 
• No limit on the number of participants.
• Prize - $50 tuckshop voucher for the winner pair/group.
• Open until the end of Term 2.

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

Academic Captains

Thank you to all the students in the college for their continued work and dedication, it does not go unnoticed. As part of our goals for this year, we were thrilled to see so many students who are achieving all ‘Goods’ and ‘Very Goods’ for learning behaviours in their report cards receiving recognition for their hard work. We hope to see many more names on that list at the end of this term.   

We would also like to say congratulations to all the students currently aspiring to excellence within the community, it was amazing to see so many of you at the Academic Excellence Lunch and we hope to see many more faces next term.

So for the last four weeks of this term, we are wishing you well and encouraging you to keep persevering through the hard yards because before you know it you’ll be celebrating on the other side.

2024 Academic Captains - Dishita Arya and Keeleigh Keenan

Brennan House

Over the last few weeks I have been involved in many conversations with students who are struggling with the demands of homework, study, assessment and exams. As a result I have complied information below to support students and parents to cultivate a positive attitude towards navigating the pressures of the assessment end of the term.

As we head toward the end of this term, it’s not uncommon for students to feel a sense of exhaustion creeping in. The pressure of assignments, study and exams can feel overwhelming. However, there’s a powerful tool that can help students navigate these challenges - cultivating a positive mindset.

A positive mindset is not just about maintaining an upbeat attitude. It’s a powerful approach that can significantly influence your academic journey. A positive mindset can:

1. Boost Mental Health: Positive thinking nurtures mental health. By focusing on the positive aspects and maintaining an optimistic outlook, you can reduce stress levels, combat anxiety, and improve your overall emotional well-being.

2. Enhances Motivation and Productivity: A positive mindset fuels motivation and productivity. When you believe in your abilities and maintain a positive outlook on your potential, you become more driven to achieve your academic goals.

3. Improves Academic Performance: A positive mindset can directly impact your academic performance. Students who cultivate a positive mindset are more likely to engage actively in their studies, embrace learning opportunities, and seek solutions to academic challenges.

4. Strengthens Relationships and Social Skills: A positive mindset can also enhance your relationships and social skills, both inside and outside the classroom.

Cultivating a positive mindset can be particularly beneficial in managing the pressures of assessments and the exhaustion that comes with the end of the term. Here are some strategies:

1. Embrace Challenges: View challenging assignments and exams as opportunities for learning and growth. This perspective can help you build resilience and adaptability.

2. Practice Regularly and Seek Feedback: Regular practice and constructive feedback can help you improve. Use the feedback from your assignments and assessments to make immediate improvements.

3. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Foster a growth mindset, the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This mindset encourages you to embrace new challenges and focus on effort and learning, rather than just outcomes.

Remember that your mindset can significantly influence your academic journey. Cultivating a positive mindset can help you navigate through exhaustion and assessment pressure, leading to academic success. So, let’s make sure we end the term in a positive way and then we can enjoy a well-earned break.

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

Sport

Queenslanders

We have our first Queensland representatives for 2024.

We are thrilled to announce Leteena Medland’s exceptional achievement in securing a spot on the 15 – 16 years Girls Rugby League Queensland team. Leteena’s dedication and skill shone through during the State Championships held in Townsville from May 9 to 12.

Standing out among over 200 talented girls, Leteena’s selection is a true testament to her hard work and passion for the sport.

Accompanying Leteena on this remarkable journey were her teammates, Chloe Thomspon, Chloe Seefeld, Keelie Hilt and Holly Robinson. Together, they represented us admirably with their unwavering determination and grace.

Having five outstanding girls from our college on the field is an achievement to be proud of.

We are also thrilled to announce that Bradley Schultz has also been chosen to be part of a Queensland team, this being the 13 – 19 years boys’ team. Bradley’s journey to being selected for the Queensland team was a result of his exceptional performance at the state championship held in Rockhampton last weekend. His dedication, skills and hard work on the field stood out to the selectors, ultimately earning him a place in the team. Bradley’s commitment to the sport and his passion for hockey were evident throughout the selection process, making him a deserving representative for Queensland.

Other students who have been away representing our college as part of the Darling Downs football (soccer) girls’ teams include 16-year-olds Sienna Lockwood and Emmersyn Ranford and 15-year-olds Marley Jackwitz and Taylor Lobwein. These championships were held in Tingalpa from 16 to 19 May.

Cameron Taylor has played in his last competition as part of his Darling Downs representative career. As Cameron completes his high school education this year, he was hoping to go out with a bang but unfortunately things didn’t go his way. The state championships were held in Met West Brisbane from May 12 to 15.

12 Years Rugby Union

We have some very keen 12- and 13-year-old rugby union players who would like to put a team together to compete in the Rugby 7’s competition in Term 3. What we need is others who would like to join them to have a team. If interested, please email your name and let's get a team together to help these young people out.

Congratulations to our newest Darling Downs team members in their respective sports:

Open Boys touch: Mason Deakin, Darby Reid

Open Girls touch: Indianna Kelly

11 years Girls Rugby League Student Official: Mikayla Zirbel

Cross Country

This week past, the 2024 Darling Downs cross country event took place at Kearney Spring touch fields. We are thrilled to share the outstanding performances of our four competitors who participated in their respective age groups.

Oscar McAvoy showcased his skill in the 15 years Boys’ 4 km race. He ran a fantastic race, securing a commendable 4^th place finish, qualifying him for the Darling Downs tea. Well done Oscar!

Patrick McDonald competed in the 14 years Boys’ 4km race, finishing in a respectable 17^th place. His dedication and hard work are truly praiseworthy.

Kiara Milligan participated in the 13 years Girls’ 3km race, achieving a commendable 32^nd place in her category. A great effort Kiara!

Hayden Lobwein impressed in the 13 years Boys’ 3km race, earning a spot on the podium with a third-place finish. This outstanding performance secured his spot in the Darling Downs team. Congratulation Hayden, on your well-deserved success!

Additionally, the previous week, Finnegan Hannam competed in the 12 years Range Cross Country event at the complex. Finnegan placed 14^th in the 3km event, displaying tremendous effort and determination.

Volleyball Competition

Last Tuesday, our girls’ and boys’ volleyball teams from Year 9/10 went head to head at Harristown in the trilling Darling Downs Schools Cup. Although we may not have performed at our peak, the event provided an enriching experience for both teams. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to test their skills against schools outside of the usual Tuesday night competition.

Many thanks to Miss Jannusch and Miss Pedernal for providing the opportunity for both teams to compete.

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

Connecting with Careers

Something to think about   

“Procrastination makes easy things hard and hard things harder.” — Mason Cooley 

In this newsletter, we are focusing on:  

• Talking to your children about careers 
• Career Quiz from Uni SQ 
• Entry Pathways to Queensland Police Service  
• Wellbeing – Taking care of yourself 
• Finacial Assistance and Scholarship for tertiary studies 
• Upcoming events - Tertiary Studies & Careers Expo TSXPO - Brisbane 

11 tips to increase your child's interest in careers 

Young people can be unclear about their direction in life. It’s often not until their early twenties that they gain a good sense of who they are. There is a wealth of information about possible career choices. People can feel overwhelmed, unable to decide or lose interest in the whole 'careers thing'. Finding out who you are and what you want to do is a process that depends on many factors. Click here to read about 11 strategies that may assist you and your child including more details about: 

• Stay calm and open-minded 
• Be a positive influence 
• Encourage your child to talk to other adults about their careers 
• Watch movies and television together 
• Talk about the people you know or those you meet in your day-to-day activities 
• Do things together 
• Ask your child what they would choose if they could be or do anything in the whole world 
• Make it easy for your child to participate in work experience programs 
• Encourage your child to participate in activities at school or in the community 
• If your child is ready, encourage them to seek a part-time job 
• Start to build your career profile 

Career quiz 

The USQ Career Explorer will help you discover the study areas where your talents and interests can flourish and thrive. Take 5 minutes to simply answer a few short questions to find career options based on your interests, talents and preferences. This is one way you can start exploring your career options from a university pathway perspective (click on “I am new to USQ”).  

Queensland Police 

If you are interested in exploring the career opportunities within the Queensland Police Service, you can visit their website for recruitment information. On the site you can find links to entry pathways including: 

• New Recruit Pathway 
• Application and eligibility details 
• Multi-Cultural Recruit Program 
• First Nations Entry Pathway 

There is also information on: 

• What we offer  
• Recruiting events 
• Frequently asked questions  

Take care of yourself 

Your brain and body are closely connected. Looking after your body has great benefits for your mind. Activities like sport, dance, walking or yoga can increase your performance by increasing oxygen to your brain. It’s also great at reducing tension from stress and school pressure. 

Some stress can be useful in keeping us motivated – without it we would find it hard to stay awake! However, during Year 12 and especially during exam time, you may find your stress levels rising high into the ‘critical zone’, causing a dramatic decline in performance. Proven strategies for beating stress include: 

• Relaxation: smartphone apps like Smiling Mind can help 
• Time management: try making a list of activities and prioritise 
• Connecting with others: talk about your worries, laugh, be positive! 
• Remember to be kind to yourself: take some time out to do the things you enjoy or help you maintain your wellbeing 

Click here for more ideas on how to look after yourself, remembering that if you are feeling very stressed, anxious or depressed you should talk with your Guidance Officer, School Counsellor, family and/or doctor.  

Financial Assistance & Scholarships 

Bond University scholarships for 2025 

Bond’s scholarship program offers many full-fee and part-fee scholarships as well as cash bursaries. Most scholarships can be used for any single or combined program (except for the Medical Program). Visit the Scholarship webpage for more information, to download the scholarship brochure and to access the application tips. Scholarship applications for Year 12s must be lodged online using the Bond University application form. Closing dates are varied and are earlier than other universities so start your research now. 

Commonwealth Supported Places and HELP Loans 

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university or higher education provider where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. This subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the balance of the tuition fee, called the ‘student contribution amount’. For more information about Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and your eligibility visit the Study Assist website. 

Those students who have a CSP can get a HECS-HELP loan to pay for their portion of studies. A HECS-HELP loan only pays tuition fees and does not cover costs like accommodation, laptops or textbooks. To find out more information about HECS-HELP loans visit the Study Assist website. 

JCU's scholarships 

A scholarship is a great way to make the most of your student experience, meet people to build your professional network, and enjoy greater financial freedom. If you've got the passion and drive, or are just looking for a bit of help, we've got the scholarship to match your circumstances, with over 50 scholarships on offer, click here to learn more about what's available and to see if you are eligible to apply. 

UQ Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarships 

Applications for the Ramsay Undergraduate scholarship schemes will open on 17 June 2024 and close on 4 August 2024. Up to 30 scholarships of $32,000/year for the duration of the program (up to 5.5 years). In 2025, you must be enrolled in either:  

• Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) (Western Civilisation) or 
• Bachelor of Humanities (Western Civilisation)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 

To apply, you must submit your application to the University by the closing date and be an Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident. Click here for further eligibility and application criteria and information. If you are creative and intellectually curious, with the critical skills to think bigger and broader in this culturally, politically and digitally diverse world, you may be interested in this option. 

Upcoming events 

Brisbane Tertiary Studies and Careers Expo TSXPO 

When: Saturday 13th July & Sunday 14th July 2024  
Time: 10am – 4pm Both days  
Where: RICC, Brisbane Showgrounds  
Cost: Admission is FREE!  

The 43rd annual Brisbane Tertiary Studies and Careers Expo TSXPO incorporating the QLD Work & Skills Expo will be held on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th July 2024 from 10am – 4pm on both days at the RICC, Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane. Admission is FREE!  

This event presents an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in education and training or those seeking professional career development and employment opportunities. With exhibitors including Australian-Wide and international universities, private education providers, TAFE institutes, graduate employment, Defence Force recruiting, student support services and employers, TSXPO provides a unique opportunity to find everything related to education and employment, under one roof.  

A reminder that you can access career information from the St Joseph’s College Careers website.  On the website, you are encouraged to sign up for the Newsfeed and Newsletter. 

For more information please contact the Careers Team.

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

Cate Jackman - Careers Support Officer  -  CJackman@sjc.qld.edu.au

Languages

Language students have been working incredibly hard to answer as many questions as they can in the Education Perfect Languages Championships which was held from Tuesday 7^th to Tuesday 14^th May.

SJC finished 25^th in Queensland - 7 places higher than last year!

11 French were the highest-scoring class, scoring some delicious macarons to celebrate!

The following students deserve a special mention as they won the following awards and received certificates, endeavour cards and prizes from their teacher:

Alani Seiler        (7)    Gold award     - 3071 questions answered

Ash Morrison      (11)   Gold award      - 3039 questions answered

Emmersyn Ranford (10)   Silver award    - 2041 questions answered

Zara Mason        (10)   Bronze award   - 1576 questions answered

Harry Winterbottom (11)  Bronze award    - 1256 questions answered

Hannah Marsh      (10)   Bronze award    - 1037 questions answered

Kai Storey          (7)   Bronze award    - 1035 questions answered

Lara Yaxley          (8)   Bronze award     - 1010 questions answered

Slate Read         (8)     Credit            - 901 questions answered

Ruby Bellingham    (7)     Credit            - 865 questions answered

Arielle Suhr        (11)    Credit          - 763 questions answered

Eva Chandani      (8)     Credit          - 501 questions answered

Emma Tolcher - Teacher - etolcher@sjc.qld.edu.au

The Artistic Path to Success: How Studying the Arts Cultivates the Top 10 Skills of 2023

In an ever-evolving world, the skills required for success are continually shifting. According to the World Economic Forum's Future Jobs Report 2023, the top 10 skills that employers are looking for are:

1. Analytical thinking

2. Creative thinking

3. Resilience, flexibility, and agility

4. Motivation and self-awareness

5. Curiosity and lifelong learning

6. Technological literacy

7. Dependability and attention to detail

8. Empathy and active listening

9. Leadership and social influence

10. Quality control

Interestingly, these skills align closely with the benefits derived from studying the arts. Let's explore how:

Analytical Thinking & Creative Thinking: The arts encourage a balance of analytical and creative thinking. Artists analyse their work, the work of others, and the world around them, fostering critical thinking skills. Simultaneously, they're encouraged to think outside the box and create original work, honing their creative thinking. Analytical thinking is considered a core skill by more companies than any other skill and constitutes, on average, 9% of the core skills reported by companies. Creative thinking, another cognitive skill, ranks second, ahead of three self-efficacy skills in recognition of the importance of workers ability to adapt to disrupted workplaces. Employers estimate that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years. Cognitive skills are reported to be growing in importance most quickly, reflecting the increasing importance of complex problem-solving in the workplace. Surveyed businesses report creative thinking to be growing in importance slightly more rapidly than analytical thinking.

Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility: The process of creating art—visual, dramatic, or musical—involves trial and error, teaching students resilience. As they work with others in a cooperative and increasingly collaborative environment they learn to adapt their techniques and ideas, developing flexibility and agility.

Motivation and Self-Awareness: The arts require self-motivation to practice and improve. Additionally, through self-expression, artists gain self-awareness, understanding their emotions, ideas, and the way they perceive the world.

Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: Artistic pursuits naturally foster curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning. Artists are continually learning and evolving, exploring new techniques, concepts, and cultures.

Technological Literacy: With the advent of digital art forms, artists are now required to be more technologically literate than ever. Whether it’s using various software to create digital art, edit photos, create music, or integrate AV into a live performance, artists are often found pushing the boundaries of technology in creative and out of the box ways.

Dependability and Attention to Detail: Art projects often require a great deal of time and dependability. Moreover, the arts demand a keen attention to detail, whether in observing the world or in creating art.

Empathy and Active Listening: Through the arts, students learn to understand and express diverse perspectives, fostering empathy. Unique to the arts is the fundamental requirement to actively think and feel as someone other than oneself. In group projects and performances, they must listen and respond to their peers, cultivating vital active listening skills.

Leadership and Social Influence: Many artistic endeavours are collaborative and require leadership. Artists also have the power to influence society through their work, conveying messages and sparking conversations. In her recent appearance at QPAC, actor Miriam Margolyes told the audience that “artists show us the truth and allow us to see our society: the way it is, the way it could be, and the way it should be.”

Quality Control: Finally, artists learn quality control as they refine their work, striving for their personal best. Artists know that in order to achieve their best they will have to continually rehearse and refine over a protracted period of time.

Too often people question the value of studying the arts. Despite innumerable studies clearly demonstrating the many benefits of an arts education, some people remain stuck on the “but why would my child take drama if they’re not going to be an actor”. By that rationale, why learn a sport if you’re not going to become a professional athlete? Or study science if you’re not going to be a scientist? Studying an arts subject isn’t about the development of one specific skill but rather the cultivation of a wide range of skills that are crucial for success in 2024 and beyond. As we prepare for the future, let's remember the value of an arts education.

Source(s)
1. Future of Jobs: These are the most in-demand core skills in 2023 | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
2. Why Simulations | The Regis Company
3. How to futureproof your career from the AI skills disruption (rte.ie)
4. Inquiry in the early years — The International School of Macao: 澳門國際學校 (tis.edu.mo)
5. 2025 Vision: The skills you need to develop now, for careers of the future - HR Future

Nadia Spain - Teacher - nspain@sjc.qld.edu.au

SJC - Community News

Our Parent Business Directory has begun and you may see some of our parents business in our column 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

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

The cooler weather is here.

Why not grab a new All-Purpose Jacket in store for $99.00.

Water proof and fully lined.

They are selling fast and we limited stock in some sizes.

Want to keep your neck warm why not grab a Scarf, these are very popular, selling for $25.00.

Grab a woollen jumper also for an extra layer of warmth, for under your jacket or just on its own to keep you warm, selling for $75.00

All winter items are available in store including:

Long Sleeve Shirts

Long sleeve Junior Blouses

Formal trousers for males and females

Tights and stockings

Tracksuit for sport – pants and jacket

Out of stock:

All Purpose jacket sizes, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL & 5XL

Orders can be made online, paid for over the phone and all orders can be delivered to student entrance for your child to collect from there.

Online orders can also be delivered to your home for a fee.

Online ordering is available at all times and will only be packed during shop trading hours.

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Second hand items and Football items not available to order online, but are available in store.

Please contact the uniform shop on the below details:

Phone:           07 4631 8514

Email:             sjct@midford.com.au

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.