Newsletter - Term 1 - Week 6 - Issue 137

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of St Joseph’s College,

This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday which marks the commencement of Lent within the Catholic Church. During the forty-six-day journey towards Easter, we are called to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

During the Lenten period, Catholics traditionally fast and abstain from eating red meat. Additionally, the period prior to Easter is utilised as a time for reflective prayer. Another way to observe this period of the Catholic calendar is to “give up something” or “give in” to a particular behaviour. Giving up might involve something that we consider an excess such as take away food. Giving in refers to a behavioural approach such as avoiding arguments or thinking unkindly of others. Both acts are reflective in nature and are examples of how we might be more Christ-like.

Last week I attended the Toowoomba Catholic School Leadership Forum in Toowoomba which drew together all thirty-two Principals from the Diocese and senior leaders from the TCS office. The theme for this forum was “You are the salt of the Earth and the light of the world” which was drawn from the gospel of Matthew 5:13. The metaphors of salt and light are helpful in thinking about and positioning the principles of Christian living in our daily lives. Just as salt loses its flavour when impurities are added, and light diminishes when obstacles get in the way, so too does the Christian message get lost in the multitude of artificial lights beckoning us in every direction. The Lenten period provides a time for us where we might consider doing something for others that enriches lives and shines a light on how to lessen the suffering of others in the same way salt adds flavour to food and light shows a way forward. Please consider donating to St Vincent de Paul or make a financial contribution to the Project Compassion appeal currently being run at the College.  As we journey through the Lenten period, I encourage all to think about how we hear the cries of others in our families and communities, and how by action we can enrich lives and be a light for others.

Last weekend many of our music students and staff led by Ms Minns travelled to Alexandrea Headlands on the Sunshine Coast to hone their music skills. Students from our ensembles and choirs engaged in workshops and practice sessions whilst also enjoying a trip to the beach an ice cream and ten pin bowling. Such events show the richness of opportunities available at the College and I take this opportunity to thank parents for supporting your children to attend this event and staff members Ms Scott, Mr Wheeldon, Mr McKenzie, Leigh Price, our music tutors and Maintenance staff who generously gave of their time.

In staffing news, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Amanda Ruhle to the position of Career Development Officer commencing 17th March 2025. Amanda joins our Careers' Team and brings a wealth of experience from her time working in the training sector. She has extensive connections to industry and business within our community which will benefit our students immensely. Amanda replaces Ms Cate Jackman who concluded her tenure with the College in January.

Ms Bridget Kenny steps into the role of Middle Leader Year 7 Coordinator from the commencement of term 2 for the remainder of the Year. Bridget replaces Ms Amanda Crouch who is taking maternity leave. Bridget is well known in our community and has demonstrated high relational skills through her involvement in school camps, sporting events and as a proficient classroom practitioner. As a College we wish Amanda the very best in eager anticipation of her new arrival.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit several classes and witness learning in action. Mr Whiting’s Year 11 Biology class were busy learning about the cell processes of diffusion and osmosis. Ms Simpson’s Year 10 Food Studies class learnt about the four ways of cooking eggs whilst Mr Cullen’s Year 12 Sport and Recreation class delivered modified sports games. Importantly, each class was applying numeracy and literacy skills and higher order thinking in real world contexts.

March 12 -23, our Year 7 and 9 students will participate in NAPLAN. These assessments provide a snapshot of a student’s and year level cohort abilities in numeracy and literacy. Our students are prepared for these assessments through their regular classes where teachers provide explicit instruction in literacies and numeracies relevant to the subject. Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 also receive an extra lesson of instruction in literacy skills in English and Humanities. Our teaching staff have been progressively engaging in a training program called Subject Discipline Literacies which develops their ability to provide the required instruction to students. Each teacher undertakes the equivalent of four days training.

The most important literacy skill is the ability to read and comprehend what has been read. There are five key pillars which underpin successful readers:

1. Phonemic Awareness – the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds.
2. Phonics – the ability to identify the relationship between letters and sounds to decode words.
3. Fluency – the ability to read text accurately and quickly.
4. Vocabulary – refers to the words learners use to communicate through reading and writing.
5. Comprehension – the ability to make meaning from what has been read.

Some tips for supporting literacy development at home with teenagers:

1. Have regular conversations with your child about a range of topics. This helps increase their oral language and their vocabulary range.
2. Encourage teenagers to read what they are interested in e.g. sports reports, books made into films.
3. Consider reading with your teenager and then asking questions about the text.

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

From the Deputy Principal

Just Do It!

When we first see or hear these three words, you may instantly think of Nike, the sportswear company. This slogan has become synonymous with the tagline for a range of products and athletes. However, these three words are not just a slogan. They can be a powerful message.

For example, the alarm went off at 5am this morning and I contemplated getting up and facing my training session. I would rather have slept in. We often have that feeling to take the easy option. However, it is helpful to disregard your thoughts and just go when these feelings occur. I find that if I just get started on a task, in this case, I just get up, then I can then focus on what I am doing. What felt like a drag before I got started turned into positive feelings about what I am going to do.

It is Week 6 of the term; assignments are upon us, and exams and assessment due dates are upon us or a few weeks away. We have spent the first part of the term getting to know new teachers and classmates, identifying new ways of working, getting organised, celebrating our academic achievements and talking about how we want to improve. However, the time for talk is over. Just Do It!

How? Take a small step first. Complete all your homework, start your revision now, revise over the notes and activities you engaged in two weeks ago, attend the tutoring sessions, actively practice tasks from weeks ago, consider how confident you are with particular concepts, log your study hours in your diary, ask your teacher for assistance.

With a busy assessment period looming for all students, whatever you choose to do…. Just Do It!

Upcoming Events

Mr Brendon Willocks - Deputy Principal – bwillocks@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.

We sometimes refer 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.

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 Acting Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity

This past Wednesday, our College gathered for Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of Lent. All members of the College were marked with ashes and called to “Turn Away From Sin. Believe in the Good News.”

The sacred season of Lent is a time of reflection, penance, and spiritual growth for the Catholic community worldwide. Lent invites us to journey inward, to examine our lives, and to deepen our relationship with God. One of the most profound lessons Lent teaches us is the value of compassion.

Compassion lies at the heart of Christianity, echoing the very essence of Christ's teachings. It's more than just feeling sympathy; it's about understanding, empathy, and taking meaningful action to alleviate the suffering of others. In this season of Lent, we are called to emulate Christ's compassion in our daily lives.

The “Let’s Talk About Lent with Fr Will and Sr Theresa” series produced by the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese is a great resource to support dialogue around Lent and promote our understanding of the ‘why’.

You can view the 7-part YouTube Series.

COMPASSION CUP – Project Compassion

Almsgiving is an important part of Lent, focusing on charity and caring for others. It shows our love for our neighbours and is a way to do good that pleases God. Lent encourages us to go beyond small gestures and embrace true generosity.

This practice invites Catholics to share what they have with those in need, reflecting God's kindness.

St Joseph’s will once again call students to engage in the Project Compassion Campaign. The theme for 2025 is “Let’s All Unit Against Poverty!” - As individuals we can help others, but when we come together though Project Compassion, our good becomes great. Our combined kindness grows.

Around the world, people are coming together to make the world a better place. Whether it is ensuring everyone has access to clean, safe water supplies or a sustainable income source or adequate health care for their families.

All four of our College Houses have the opportunity to gain house points within the Annual Compassion Cup. At the end of the term, each house will be allocated points based on how much money they have raised. House Captains with support from the College Mission Captains are busily preparing fundraising and advocacy initiatives. At the beginning of Term 2, the house with the highest amount will be awarded 200 points towards the House Cup 2^nd 150, 3^rd 100 and 4^th 50.

College Student Leaders will be present at the Launch Mass for Project Compassion this Sunday at the Cathedral; to show our support within our broader Catholic Community.

For information on how to donate directly please visit:  https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/o/st-josephs-college-toowoomba for our college page. Each house has their own page if you would like to donate directly.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8. The IWD 2025 campaign theme is 'Accelerate Action'. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. One of the best ways to forge gender equality is to understand what works and to do more of this, faster. 

Accelerate Action is a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women's advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation.

Significant barriers to gender equality remain, yet with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere.

Lenten Prayer

O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. 

For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.

Amen

Thomas Moore - Assistant Principal - Mission & Identity - tmoore@sjc.qld.edu.au

Mission Captains

Hey SJC community!

This is Lillian Hoffmann and Eva Madden, and we are so excited to be your Mission captains for 2025. Our main goals for this year are to encourage community-wide Mission interest as well as making fundraising efforts fun and immersive. We want to focus on uplifting different groups around the college to encourage a student-based approach to social justice.

Liturgical Theme: One Story; Many Voices

We’re sure you’ve seen our liturgical theme, as well as the fantastic Year 7 banner courtesy of Mr. Moore and the Year 12 Liturgy group. “One story; Many Voices” is a theme that brings focus to the ‘St Joey's Story’ whilst highlighting individual voices. This aligns with our own ethos, in which we believe that our community is only as strong as its most disadvantaged person. By uplifting the people who need it most, our community becomes stronger and more unified as a whole.

Furthermore, as part of our theme, we will be working closely with different areas of the school community, such as the cultural, academic, and sports sectors to ensure a diverse range of student voices are heard. Previous mission captains’ goals are also important to our ambitions around the college as we work to build upon St Joey's collective ‘Mission Story’.

Serve Him in Others

There are several amazing mission opportunities around St Joey’s that are always welcoming new members.

Available for all year levels:

St Vincent De Paul enrichment programs, Interact, Student Voice, and Breakfast Club when the opportunity arises are all exciting programs that help develop teamwork and crucial empathetic skills. These are great opportunities for younger members in the school who want to get involved in service early on.

Year 10s

Just Joey’s is a program available to Year 10s in the college. This is the group that organizes fundraising appeals (such as the Winter Appeal) as well as a number of other social justice fundraisers. This group is an invaluable experience for anyone interested in social justice and is a great way to make some lasting friendships in Year 10.

Year 11 and 12s

Year 11 and 12s have the opportunity to become Breakfast Club leaders as well as participate in Liturgy Group. Liturgy group is a fun way to get involved with upcoming liturgies as well as make a creative impact on the coming years’ liturgical themes. Rosies is also available for Year 12s who want to participate in St Joey's social justice opportunities.

We look forward to seeing how you join us in writing your story this year.

2025 Mission Captains - Lillian Hoffman and Eva Madden

NAPLAN

Once again, this year, students in Years 7 and 9 will participate in a National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN is designed to test numeracy and literacy at the appropriate year levels. The results of these tests are released to the community on the website www.myschool.edu.au.

NAPLAN Online

Federal, state and territory education ministers agreed that NAPLAN would move online from 2017 – over a two-to-three-year period. St Joseph’s College has engaged with the online platform since 2021 and will continue to in 2025.

Student Preparation

As a school we will continue to prepare students for the rigors of NAPLAN Online. Students have been working on a variety of Literacy & Numeracy activities and have become familiar with the strategies for undertaking an online test. The various departments have been and will be undertaking the following preparation with the Year 7 & 9 students:

• Whole-school Strategic Grammar and Punctuation Program
• Whole-school Subject Discipline Literacy focus
• English Department – Writing (Persuasive and Narrative genre), Spelling, Guided Reading techniques, Grammar and Punctuation, Literacy Improvement English guided reading lessons.
• Mathematics Department – Numeracy (both with calculator and without calculator), test taking strategies and familiarisation with the NAPLAN numeracy tools
• Humanities Department – Literacy Improvement Humanities guided reading lessons.

Literacy and numeracy are crucial to success, and as such are considered fundamental in education. Completion of this preparation program may assist your learner’s performance in these examinations as well as their academic studies.

Key Dates

• Wednesday 12 – Monday 17 March - Year 7 and 9 students will complete the NAPLAN Online Test over four days
• Tuesday 18 – Monday 24 March - Catch up testing window for students who were unable to complete one or more of the tests during the scheduled testing window

If you do not want your learner to undertake one or all of the NAPLAN tests, please contact Mrs Kirstie Andrews (email below) for more information regarding withdrawal.

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming NAPLAN testing, please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Kirstie Andrews - Program Middle Leader - Middle School Learning - KAndrews@sjc.qld.edu.au

Sport

Friday Night Basketball

Week 2 Fixtures Report

Our second week of fixtures featured a home game where we welcomed Wilsonton, St. Mary’s College, and Assumption College from Warwick.

Year 9/10 Girls Basketball

The girls commenced the afternoon's games against a team from Wilsonton. By halftime, they were leading significantly with a score of 17 to 2, demonstrating a strong performance in both defence and offense.

The team-maintained respect for the Wilsonton players, opting to implement the mercy rule to ensure a fair and enjoyable game for all participants. This approach underscores the importance of sportsmanship in athletics.

At the conclusion of the fourth quarter, the final score was 61 to 20 in favour of our girls. Although the scoreline may suggest a one-sided match, it was a friendly and enjoyable game to officiate.

Outstanding performances were noted from our top scorers: Lara Yaxley led with 25 points, followed closely by Athena Wirihana with 19 points. Additionally, Emily Harch contributed 7 points, Amy Schultz added 5 points, and both Lydia Dull and Libby Everitt scored 2 points each.

Sami Hunter and Krystal Timms have been doing an exceptional job coaching this team, particularly following their successful completion of Level 1 basketball coaching certificates.

Year 9/10 Boys Basketball

In what can be described as a challenging outing, our team faced a formidable St Mary’s squad that showcased their physical prowess throughout the game. Our offensive strategy appeared disjointed at times, and there was a noticeable hesitance in our defensive efforts.

The St Mary’s boys, characterized by their height and strength, effectively dominated the boards on both ends of the court, making it difficult for us to secure rebounds and transition effectively. Despite our perseverance and commitment to the game, we ultimately fell short, concluding the match with a score of 26 to 46.

Highlighting our efforts, Joshua Tchowe emerged as the top scorer, contributing 10 points to our total. Kobi Guok followed with 6 points, while Mitch Ryan delivered a commendable performance, adding 5 points to the scoreboard. Oliver Foley chipped in with 3 points, and Toby Willey rounded out our scoring with 2 points.

While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, the determination displayed by our players serves as a foundation for improvement in future games. We look forward to regrouping and refining our strategy as we aim for better results in the upcoming matches.

Open Girls Basketball

In the first quarter, the girls displayed a bit of rustiness, but they quickly found their rhythm, leading by halftime with a score of 21 to 6. It was evident that they were not just playing basketball; they were genuinely enjoying their time on the court. The atmosphere was electric as players cheered for one another and offered support throughout the game.

The third quarter proved to be our strongest, with the team dominating 16 to 5. However, fatigue set in during the final quarter, and we managed to secure a narrow win of 8 to 5. Ultimately, the team’s solid performance in the earlier quarters ensured a decisive victory, finishing the game at 45 to 16.

Athena Wirihana and Lara Yaxley continued their impressive form from the 9/10 game, with Athena contributing 13 points and Lara adding 12 points to the scoreboard. Kaley Markey showcased her skills with some clever steals and scored 6 points. Krystal Timms also had a commendable performance, scoring 6 points, while Sami Hunter contributed 4 points. Both Chloe Qalotaki and Jada Guok made their mark on the game, each scoring 2 points.

Overall, the teamwork, enthusiasm, and skill displayed by the players were key factors in this impressive victory, setting a positive tone for future games.

Open Boys Basketball

The recent game against Assumption College showcased both the strengths and areas for improvement within our team. While we ultimately secured a victory, there were moments that raised concerns about our adherence to the game plan set by our coach.

The first quarter was a nail-biter, ending in a tie at 7 points each, indicating a fiercely competitive match ahead. However, in the second quarter, our team found its rhythm, dominating the scoreboard with an impressive 15 to 2 run. This surge highlighted our potential when we focus on teamwork and strategy.

Unfortunately, as the game progressed into the third quarter, we strayed from our initial plan, opting for a more showy style of play. This shift allowed Assumption to gain momentum, winning the final quarter. Nevertheless, our strong lead from earlier was enough to secure the win with a final score of 42 to 31.

Noteworthy performances came from Dean Sowry, who led the scoring with 11 points, demonstrating his ability to make a significant impact when on the court. Both Adam Ladu and Will English contributed 7 points each, while Jackson Gunning added 5 points to the tally. Aiden Diprose and Darby Reid each scored 3 points, and Liam Hogan, Oliver Smythe, and Jacob Wirihana rounded out the scoring with 2 points each. This balanced scoring effort ensured that every team member made a contribution, reflecting our collective effort.

As we move forward, it will be essential to maintain focus and commitment to our strategy during training and games. Let's build on our successes while addressing the areas that need improvement. Looking ahead, we hope to carry this momentum into our next match and continue to grow as a cohesive unit.

All fixtures have been cancelled for this week because of the weather.

Darling Downs Team Members

As we go further into the term, many Darling Downs teams are starting to be selected.

We congratulate Emmersyn Ranford and Sienna Lockwood for their selection in the 16 – 19 years girls football team to contest the state championships at the South Coast.

Evie King and Sienna Wilson have successfully been selected in the open softball team to contest the state championships at Redlands.

Taylor Wann has swum himself into the Darling Downs swimming team.

In the coming weeks we have more Darling Downs selection trials in 13-15- and 15-19-years netball, swimming, 13-15 and 16-19 years boys hockey, 14/15 and 16/18 years girls rugby league, 10/12 years girls and boys cricket, 17/19 years boys and girls basketball, 13/14 years girls cricket, 17/18 years boys rugby union and 13/15 years boys and girls AFL. All nominations should be in if wanting to trial for these events.

DD trials impacted by Cyclone Alfred

The Year 7-9 netball girls are training hard for the Laura Geitz carnival that will take place on March 16.

The South-West Queensland futsal carnival takes place all this week out at the USQ courts. We wish our 13 years boy, open 19 boys and girls all the best for the competition this week. This event has now been postponed to Week 9 of the term.

Swimming Carnival Report

After two weeks of anticipation, the Age Champions and winning house for our Swimming Carnival have been officially announced.

Age Champions
The results for the Age Champions are as follows:

Swimming Carnival

Final House Points
The overall house champion was determined by combining various points earned during the carnival:

• Each student received 1 point for attending the event.
• Swimmers participating in the 25-meter races earned points for their house.
• Additional points were contributed by swimmers in the 50-meter races and relay events.

The final results were closely contested, with Murphy House emerging as the champion.

Final House Points were:

1^st MURPHY      4452

2^nd MCAULEY    4428

3^rd BRENNAN   4308

4^th RICE               3993

Acknowledgments
Such a successful event would not be possible without the contributions of many individuals. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved in making the day a success:

• The grounds team for transporting the necessary equipment, including tents and seating.
• The tuckshop staff for providing lunches and Mrs. Woodhauson for delivering them to the pool.
• The teachers who oversaw timekeeping and ensured student safety throughout the day.
• Participants in the student-teacher relay, photographers, check starters, and first aid personnel.
• Staff who accompanied students on buses to and from the College and those who conducted early morning lessons for the junior school.
• Amanda, who travelled from Dalby to operate the timing system, and Mrs. Reeves for her assistance in setup, printing, and designing the event booklet.
• The seniors’ students and leaders who assisted in getting their house to cheer and participate in events. Especially those students who stayed for the afternoon half of the carnival

Lastly, we appreciate all the students who attended the carnival and participated in the swimming events, helping to create a memorable day for everyone involved.

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Darling Downs Swimming Trials

On Tuesday, four swimmers represented our school at the Darling Downs Swimming Trials held in Gatton, competing for positions on the regional team. While the results are not yet available, I am pleased to share some photographs of our students who performed successfully in various events.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Makayla Wardle participated in trials for the 12 Years Darling Downs Swimming team, also in Gatton.

I will include the final results in the upcoming newsletter as soon as they are received.

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

Connecting with Careers

We were delighted to host the UniSQ | Toowoomba University Showcase and Careers Expo earlier in the term.  As part of the Career Development Program, St Joseph’s College hosts this event, where universities from South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales will be presenting to our Year 11 and 12 students.  We strongly encourage students to engage in conversations with the exhibitors.   The aim is to help students to make informed decisions about their future pathways. 

This was an exciting opportunity for students to explore possibilities for their future pathways.  Timothy Kist, School Captain, shares his experience from the day:

Recently, Year 11 and 12 students attended the UniSQ | Toowoomba University Showcase and Careers Expo.

This event proved to be an incredibly valuable experience and provided our senior students with a fantastic opportunity to explore their pathway options after school.

We were fortunate to have a wide range of universities and organisations at the showcase, including:

This diverse selection of exhibitors allowed students to explore various tertiary and vocational pathways.

The day began with an informative presentation that addressed many of the key questions our students had about university life, the application process, associated costs, and more. This presentation helped to answer questions students had about the transition to higher education.

Following the presentation, we had the opportunity to walk around and engage directly with representatives from the Universities and Organisations. This allowed us to ask specific questions, gather brochures, and gain valuable insights into different programs and career paths.

Overall, this event was incredibly valuable. It provided us with opportunities to explore and consider our future career options, talk to people already involved in these career pathways (what they think about these careers and why we should consider them) and make informed decisions about our future.

- Timothy Kist

As parents/guardians, we play a crucial role in shaping our children's futures. One of the most impactful ways we can support them is by having meaningful career conversations at home. To help you navigate these important discussions, we are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar, "Career Conversations @ Home".  The details are below:

Career Conversations @ Home – Helping parents have positive career convos!

Organisation: Arrive & Thrive

Location: Online

Date:  20 March 2025

Tyson Day, the Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator of Arrive & Thrive, will share the best way to have impactful career conversations in and around your home environment that produce clarity, career discovery, and momentum. Tyson will share concepts and practices that he has learned through his 10+ years of experience in career education and the 85,000 students who have attended Arrive & Thrive workshops since 2019.

In our webinar, you can expect to learn:

• How can you positively influence your young person in their career decisions.
• How can you effectively navigate the future of work and understand your young person's options.
• How to communicate effectively through the GROW model to support your young person in career exploration.

We can't wait for you to join us!

All participants will receive a Career Conversation Kit to kick off conversations with their young person as soon as possible!

Find out more and register

Tips for Effective Studying

As we are midway through the term, this is the perfect time for students to review and polish their study skills. The following checklist will help students to get started:

Creating the Right Learning Environment:

• Choose a quiet place free from distractions like TV, online media, loud music, social media, or mobile phones.

Focusing and Structuring Your Study Time:

• Tackle the hardest subjects first when your child is most alert and focused.

Managing Your Time:

• Set a specific time each day for studying and stick to it. Inform friends and family of your study schedule to avoid interruptions.

Maintaining Concentration and Taking Breaks:

• Determine how long you can concentrate before losing focus. Take 5 to 10-minute breaks when you reach your limit.

Being Prepared:

• Keep all necessary materials (books, notes, pens, pads, charged devices, good internet connection, etc.) close by.

Eating Healthily:

• Avoid large meals before studying as they can make you drowsy.

Starting on Time:

• Begin studying at your planned time. Procrastination only makes the task harder.

Focusing on One Task at a Time:

• Multitasking can reduce the quality of your work. Give each task your full attention.

Winding Down Before Bed:

• Avoid studying right before bedtime. Allow at least half an hour to relax before sleeping, as good sleep is crucial for your best performance.

These tips can help both parents and students create a productive and effective study routine.

Start 2025 as you plan to finish - organised, committed and balanced!

Why is emotional intelligence important for students?

Some skills aren’t taught in school, but that doesn’t stop them from being important. Emotional intelligence (EI) can give you an edge in your academics now and set you up for success in your future career. But why is emotional intelligence important for students specifically? What even is emotional intelligence anyway? UQ has put together information that explores all this and more (including tips for improving your EI):

• What is emotional intelligence?
• Why is emotional intelligence important in high school?
• Why is emotional intelligence important for students in university?
• Why is emotional intelligence important in the workplace?
• How to develop emotional intelligence.

Indigenous Careers with the Australian Government Development Program

The Indigenous Careers website connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Government Jobs career development opportunities and networks. The website contains a range of useful information and links including:

• APSjobs - search the latest jobs
• Indigenous Graduate Pathway - A rewarding career in the Australian Public Service for recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary graduates.
• Traineeships and Apprenticeships - Traineeship or Apprenticeship programs available across the Australian Public Service
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Networks - APS wide networks that support progressing the employment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees across the across the service

QUT Indigenous Australian Accommodation Program

The Indigenous Australian Accommodation Program (IAAP) is a twelve-month transition support program available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are relocating from regional, remote or interstate to QUT for their first year of study. Click here to read about subsidised accommodation and more.

Upcoming Events

Toowoomba A Night in the Army Reserve

Organisation: Australian Defence Force

Location: Toowoomba Army Reserve Depot

Date:  11 March 2025

Want to serve without the full-time commitment of joining the Australia Defence Force? Look to the Army Reserve.

You'll receive tax-free pay in part time roles that you can do one night a week, one weekend a month or a few weeks a year.

Join ADF Careers at the upcoming A Night in the Army Reserve and speak with current serving personnel about the roles on offer.

On the night you will have the chance to check out:

• Military Vehicles
• Static Military Displays
• Interactive Military Displays
• Learn more about the Army Reserves

Find out more and register

QUT Advice Night

Organisation: Queensland University of Technology

Location: Online

Date:  11 March 2025

With the right information and support, transitioning from school to university can be easier than you think. In this webinar we’ll provide advice on:

• making course and career decisions
• entry requirements and how to apply
• study costs, scholarships and financial support
• resources for parents and students.

You’ll also hear from real students about their uni experience and ask them questions about their course, why they chose QUT, and uni life.

Find out more and register

Hansen Scholarship Program online information evening

Organisation: University of Melbourne

Location: Online

Date:  13 March 2025

Talented Year 12 students, parents, careers practitioners, and other support people are invited to join us for an online information session to learn more about the University's most generous undergraduate scholarship: the Hansen Scholarship.

As a Hansen Scholar, you’ll join a program that nurtures potential and provides a place where your ambition can grow, offering you access to a high-quality university education that might otherwise feel out of reach. Valued at up to $108,000, this scholarship offers a fully-funded place to call home at Little Hall for three years. Alongside the close-knit residential community, tailored mentoring, extracurricular activities and focused financial support will set you up for success.

In this one-hour session, we’ll cover:

• Eligibility and selection criteria
• Timelines and the application process
• Tips and advice on submitting a competitive application
• Benefits of the program including the fully-funded offerings of Little Hall.

You’ll hear from a current Hansen Scholar who will share their experiences about the program and be available to answer your questions. A recording of the session will be made available for registrants who can not tune in on the night.

Find out more and register

Medicine Information Evening

Organisation: University of Queensland

Location: UQ St Lucia Campus & Online

Date:  18 March 2025 (in person) or 19 March 2025 (online)

Attend our information session to learn about studying medicine at The University of Queensland (UQ).

Hear from UQ Medical School staff, UQ alumni and current students on the changing medical climate, how to apply for medicine at UQ, and tips for success.

• Explore the current climate and magnitude of medicine.
• Learn how to apply for our Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.
• Discover our multiple entry routes and partnerships with CQUniversity and UniSQ.
• Get advice from recent graduates and current students.
• Engage in an interactive Q&A panel with alumni and current students.
• Network with current medical students.

Find out more and register

Current SBA & SBT Vacancies

Golden West Apprenticeships 

• Carpet and Flooring Apprenticeship - Recruitment Portal
• Diesel Fitting Apprenticeship - Recruitment Portal

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

Debating

Year 8 Debating – Round 1

A solid start was made by our Year 8 debating team who began he seasons responding in the affirmative to argue that tourist destinations should significantly limit the number of tourists. First speaker for the night, Xavier Kist presented a compelling case for the Great Barrier Reef and the Eifel Tower, followed by Evalyn Altoff as second speaker furthering the argument with examples of the Taj Mahal and Uluru. Summing up the case was Abby Phillips whose confidence helped her present a convincing argument.

Leigh Price - Teacher - lprice@sjc.qld.edu.au

Queensland Theatre Student Residency

Congratulations to Year 12 student Mia Wilson on being selected for Queensland Theatre's Student Pathway Program. 

This week-long work-experience program is available to only 15 students in Years 10–12 across Queensland, offering them the opportunity to engage with a range of departments, showcasing the variety of career pathways in the Arts.

Mia will also have the opportunity to learn more about the day-to-day workings of the state theatre company and the performing arts industry.

Well done, Mia - we hope you have an incredible time! 

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 details and/or business graphics to: marketing@sjc.qld.edu.au

Uniform Shop

EFTPOS only - No Cash accepted until further notice.

Cyclone Alfred is likely to bring us some rain and wind, do you have your All purpose jacket to keep you dry and the wind out?

These jackets are fully lined and waterproof for $99

Items you might not know we sell:

• Female Bike Shorts
• Black leather school shoes
• Water bottles
• Hair Accessories
• Hat bands
• Scarves
• Second hand clothing

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.

Second hand clothing, football shorts, socks and training shirts can not be ordered online, but are available in store and for over the phone payment.

Currently out of stock:

Girls’ formal skirts – Girls Size 8 and 10.

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.