Issue13 sjcnews2014

St Joseph’s College Geelong

News & Events Thursday 14 August 2014 - Issue No 13

135 Aphrasia Street Newtown Victoria 3220 Ph: 03 5226 8100 Ph Westcourt: 03 5247 7000 Email: sjcoffice@sjc.vic.edu.au Web: www.sjc.vic.edu.au

Get ready to be “All Shook Up”! the College Production is on this week at GPAC.

Principal’s Report Dear Parents, Students and Friends of the College, Last Sunday’s gospel recounted the account from Matthew of Jesus walking on the water. So many different interpretations of the same story are possible. When Jesus puts out his hand to prevent Peter from sinking he admonishes him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Is the message that we should demonstrate blind faith regardless of the circumstances? The further I progress on my own faith journey the more I realise doubt often preceeds some substantial growth, new insights or understanding. I have always envied those who have a simple uncomplicated and seemingly unshakable faith because that has not been my personal experience.

Perhaps the more important message from this story is the encouragement “Do not be afraid”. As parents we are never sure what the future holds but we need to move forward confidently, regardless.

Over the last few weeks students have been involved in subject selection for the 2015 school year. This is important at each year level but even more so for Year 10 students entering VCE. Thank you to all those parents who have attended the various evenings to explain and assist with this. Hopefully the information will be useful in helping your son make good choices. This week has been production week so hopefully many of you will take the opportunity to see ‘All Shook Up’ at the Playhouse Theatre, Geelong Performing Arts Centre from 14-16 August. Tickets are still available and will be on sale at GPAC prior to the performance only.

Tickets have also been selling fast for the Parents and Friends Fashion Dinner on Thursday 18 September at Deakin Waterfront. Proceeds from the evening will be going towards supporting communities in Africa. Tickets for this event are available to purchase on our College website. Get in quick before they all sell out!

Paul Tobias - Principal Compassion Innovation Integrity

Calendar of Events August 14 15 16 19 22 25 27 27 28 29 29

All Shook Up - College Production All Shook Up - College Production All Shook Up - College Production P&F Meeting Return Mega Raffle Books VTAC parent information evening Mega Raffle Drawn Father’s Day Breakfast Parent / Student / Teacher Interviews Parent / Student / Teacher Interviews Student Free Day

September 5 7 18 19 19

TriUMPH Festival Father’s Day Fashion Dinner Final Day Term 3 VCE Lectures 19-22 September

Curriculum News

News from the Deputies STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT We would like to congratulate the students and staff who took part in the City to Surf Fun Run in Sydney last weekend. Staff attending the trip were glowing in their praise for the effort the boys put into the run and also the way they represented their school while on the trip.

On Monday 1 September we will be holding a full school assembly to celebrate student achievement across a variety of areas. We have had some outstanding results in the areas of public speaking and debating, sport and academia.

We would also love to be able to acknowledge outstanding student achievements that have occurred outside of school that we may not know anything about.

Often boys are reluctant to share their skills and abilities with others so we are requesting that parents either let us know about any significant achievements or abilities their sons have or encourage their boys to make sure they let their Homeroom teachers know.

2015 KOKODA TRIP Following on from the tremendous success of St Joseph’s first Kokoda Track expedition, we will be running the event again in June next year. The trip is open initially to boys in Year 10 & 11 (2015) and Year 12 by special application.

Parents/Carers of students are also able to attend the trip with their sons.

An expression of interest form will be made available to students and a presentation will be delivered to all current Year 9 & 10 students about the trip. Completing the expression of interest is not a commitment to attending the trip, it will simply signal an interest in the trip which will be followed by a student / parent information evening later this term.

There will be approximately 30 places available for the trip and Australian Kokoda Tours will oversee all preparation along with St Joseph’s. All details around price and times will be available on the expression of interest form that will be distributed to the students.

Claire Brown & Paul Clohesy - Deputy Principals

Compassion Innovation Integrity

STUDENT/PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held on Thursday 28 August 4-7pm and Friday 29 August 9am-12pm. As previously mentioned, we are retaining our current system and there will be no prior appointments made for interviews. Parents/ Carers will be able to access each student’s list of teachers and any parent teacher requests via the Parent Access Module. Parents/Carers will be emailed information on how to access this information prior to the interviews. Please take the opportunity to meet with your son’s teachers to discuss progress and share information to further develop our partnership. Year 12 parent teacher interviews were held at the end of Term 2, however, Year 12 parents and students are welcome to attend interviews if they were unable to make the earlier ones. Mid semester reports will be available at the end of term.

YEAR 7 INTO 8 SUBJECT SELECTIONS Last week, all Year 7 students heard about the Year 8 curriculum in 2015. Students were informed about the subjects they can select, as well as the core program that all students study. Students in Year 8 continue to experience a range of subjects from each of the curriculum domains, building on from the Year 7 program. For further information, please refer to the Year 8 Curriculum Handbook.

YEAR 8 INTO 9 SUBJECT SELECTIONS The Westcourt Information Evening was well attended by over 200 families last Tuesday. Michael Timms, Ashwin Pillai and all of the Westcourt staff presented information about the program including the extensive range of Enrichment and Challenge subjects. For further information, please refer to the Year 9 Curriculum Handbook.

CURRICULUM HANDBOOKS Students can download the curriculum handbooks through Student Links/HANDBOOKS on the school intranet. All handbooks are also available via the SJC website under LEARNING. Michelle Brodrick - Director of Curriculum

Deakin - Energy Drinks Survey

Time & Space for Mums and Sons Last Wednesday, 140 Year 7 mums and mentors (aunties, grandmothers) braved the cold to find some time and space to spend with their sons. The focus of the night was the transition from primary school to Year 7, highlighting the many different experiences and challenges that accompany such transitions as lived through by the boys and their mum/mentors. Bill Jennings facilitated a great night whereby 1:1, panel and small group discussions enabled the sharing of these experiences and the discovery of common feelings.

Bill challenged the pairs to find the time and space to have the 1:1 conversation every six months. By 2019, when the boys are in Year 12, they will have had this conversation 11 times.

This night would not be possible without the assistance of other mums and students. There were 14 mums and 14 junior and senior students who gave up their night to assist in many ways such as leading groups, taking photos and setting up rooms. Their willingness to be involved each year is very much appreciated.

The night finished with the sharing of “treasured items� which brought smiles and laughter to every face. And with the gym lit by candlelight we blessed the mums/ mentors and the boys, inviting each to treasure the other throughout the numerous transitions that lay ahead.

Jo Hart - Director of Identity

Myki Receipts Semester 2 If you have purchased a half yearly Myki for Semester 2 and are eligible to claim conveyance, please bring in your receipt to the College Accounts Office. These will need to be received by 25 August in order for us to process your conveyance claim. Thank you.

Holly McIntosh

Compassion Innovation Integrity

The College is assisting Deakin University again this year with further research into energy drinks. Random Homerooms from Years 7-10 have been selected to participate in a survey into the use and perception of energy drinks by young people and their parents. If your son is not in one of these classes (he would have brought a consent form home last week) and you would like to participate in this survey, please send me an email jo.hart@sjc.vic.edu.au. I will then email you the information and consent form.You are able to complete the form online or be supplied with the survey on paper. The boys need to complete the survey under supervision so when you return the consent form we will arrange a time for the students to complete their survey. Please note that this study is only for boys in Years 7-10 and their parents.

Jo Hart - Director of Identity

Congratulations Congratulations to Sam Atkins, 11C, who recently won a skateboarding competition held in Geelong, hosted by Element. As a result of winning, he is now in the USA representing Australia at a purpose built skate park in Visalia, just outside of LA for 4 weeks. We wish Sam all the best in his endeavours and look forward to hearing how he went on his return.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability Our school has been selected to participate in the 2014 Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (Data Collection). This national Data Collection is taking place in schools across Australia and will provide information about the number of students with disability in schools, where they are located and the adjustments they receive.

The information provided by this new data collection will enable all Australian governments to better target support and resources. This will assist students with disability in government and non-government schools across Australia to complete school and go on to further education or find employment.

Inclusion in the Data Collection is voluntary. If you wish your child to be excluded from this, you can choose to opt-out of the data collection by informing us in writing.

For further information about the Data Collection, please contact the Principal or visit Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood (SCSEEC) website http://www.schooldisabilitydatapl.edu.au/.

Year 12 VTAC & Information Night

Triumph ONLY A FEW WEEKS TO GO.....

The line up has been released, launch week brought with it a build up of excitement and saw many wristbands sell. We have our very own mayor Darryn Lyons gracing us with his presence on the day and we have had some very kind Geelong local businesses donate goods for the raffle on the day. All we need now is a beautiful sunny day.

Do you have a business or company that would be willing to sponsor our event, donate goods for our raffle or supply lunch for our volunteer performers? If yes, we would love to have you on board and rest assured that the money is going to a very, very good cause in East Timor.

Please email rebecca.westwood@sjc.vic.edu.au if you would like to be involved or know of a company that would.

A few parents approached the committee earlier last week wanting to buy an extra wristband and gift this wristband to a student who can not afford to purchase one themselves. We always have a number of students who for financial reasons cannot afford the $20 so it is a lovely gesture to be able to do this. If you would like to gift a wristband please email rebecca.westwood@sjc.vic.edu.au DID YOU KNOW? The 5000 wristbands that the students are purchasing have been hand woven by East Timorese ladies and the money paid to them for these wristbands is equivalent to approximately 2 years pay for each of them!!? ALREADY BEFORE THE FESTIVAL WE ARE HELPING TO ‘MAKE POVERTY HISTORY’ by assisting those in need. Wear those wristbands with pride!!!

CAN YOU HELP ON THE DAY? We are after any parents who have musical/technical skills to assist on the day at the 3 stages. Please get in touch if you can assist.

Looking forward to a fantastic day and reaching our aim of $50,000 raised for those living in poverty in East Timor.

Triumph Committee

CHANGE OF DATE An optional parent/guardian information evening will be taking place on Monday 25 August, at 7pm, in the PAC. Please note that this is a change of date. The evening was originally scheduled for Monday 18 August.

This evening will provide information regarding the application process for University and TAFE, through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), as well as information about Year 12 Graduation and end of year activities. Monika Ercoli will run through the outline of the final weeks for Year 12, including expectations and details about the final Graduation Mass and formal Graduation ceremony.

Year 12 students will have already received the same VTAC presentation during one of their RE classes and therefore will not be required to attend IMPORTANT VTAC DATES FOR YEAR 12: Timely Application Open: 4 August – Close: 30 September (5pm) Change of Preferences 4 August (9am) – 24 October (5pm) 24 November (9am) – 22 December (12 noon) SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Application Dates Open: 4 August (9am) - Close: 7 October (5pm) VCE Results Online: 15 December (7am) Mail: 16 December Offers: Round 1: 19 January 2015 (2pm) Round 2: 5 February 2015 (2pm) Further information and relevant dates (eg. for SEAS applications) can be found in the booklet, The ABC of Applying, as well as on the VTAC website www.vtac.edu.au Karen Shum - Careers Coordinator

Visit to the Birth House On Wednesday 6 August Year 11 Health and Human Development students visited The Birth House in Geelong and had the opportunity to ask questions about pre-natal development, pregnancy and birth. We were immensely proud of the students’ interest in such an important part of life. The Birth House tagged us on Facebook saying the following ‘ We had school tours through The Birth House this morning. Two groups of intrigued Year 11 students visiting us as part of their Health curriculum. A tour of the Birth Retreat lead to lots of questions about water birth and then some great Q&A time with midwives. Lovely to have you at THB St Joeys.’

Emma Cuthill & Kirsten Hood www.sjc.vic.edu.au

The Cage On the night of Thursday 31st of July, 19 boys accompanied

by Mrs Baker and Mr Lynch braved the freezing conditions combined with wind and rain and slept outside to raise awareness for the homeless in our community. The boys entered the cage at 12:00pm on the Thursday and would remain there until that time the next day. Throughout the day as different boys and classes approached the cage, they were told facts such as that around 500 people in Geelong are homeless on any given night. The night coincided with the Year 7 & 8 sleep out so we ran activities for the young boys to help gain a feel for the homeless experience. Once those were finished we attempted to sleep. But thanks to Mr Lynch’s move along antics – accompanied with a siren to wake us up – we were never in the same spot for too long during the cold, sleepless night. On the Friday the school had its St Vinnie’s Winter Appeal and a record number of items were brought in and donated to a worthy cause. Overall, the cage was a great success and provided many with an experience that they will not forget and will hopefully increase their empathy when they encounter homeless people in the future.

Ciaran Ross 12E

SJC Winter Sleep Out

On Thursday 31 July a group of students experienced firsthand what it feels like to ‘sleep rough’. We slept out on the coldest night of winter so far. Over five and a half hours was spent outside going through different shelters to give us the feeling of what it is like to be homeless.

Earlier in the night we had two fantastic guest speakers from the Salvation Army and Outpost. They shared with us their experiences with homelessness and gave us an insight into life on the street.

At about 11:30 the kind teachers who volunteered their time to join us in the Sleep Out provided us with a warming cup of soup and a bread roll. Then, at 1:00am in the morning we trudged into the gym and fell onto our comfortable cardboard beds. Everyone was able to bring What do your children do online? in cardboard and a warm sleeping bag and we slept under the roof of the gym. Many homeless people do not have HELPING PARENTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT a roof over their head. Some of them won’t have big -10 WHAT CHILDREN DO ONLINE. degrees sleeping bags and almost no one will get to sleep Do your children use any of these sites? Visit the Australian in a gym. Most of us got some sleep before being picked Government CyberSmart website to find simple clear up at 7:30am. We now know how tough homeless people explanations. have it and how hard their lives can get.

Everyone who participated in the Sleep Out collected donations and in total St Joseph’s raised $3,711.65 which was presented to St Vinnie’s at the Year 7 assembly. All this money will assist people living in poverty, hopefully making their lives better. So remember the homeless people who are sleeping on the street tonight, and tomorrow night and for the rest of the year. When you are having a beautiful dinner with the wind and the rain blowing, remember how hard they have it. Remember http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/About%20the%20technology.aspx how lucky we are.

Charlie Roache and Lachlan Johnstone 7C Chris Valmadre - Director of ICT Compassion Innovation Integrity

Sustainability Matters

ACCENT ON MUSIC

ACC MUSIC SPECTACULAR, HAMER HALL ARTS CENTRE, MELBOURNE 7PM, 17 SEPTEMBER

ACCent on Music Following a successful inaugural concert in 2008, Associated Catholic Colleges is proud to announce that they will return to Hamer Hall in September for their second combined schools concert, “ACCent on Music”.

This music spectacular will feature the individual and collective musical talents of the eleven ACC member schools, as well as the legendary genius of one of Australia’s pre-eminent musicians, Mr James Morrison. The ACC are delighted that James has made himself available to perform with a selection of the ensembles, and he will also act as compere on the night. He is a strong supporter of music education.

The aim of this concert is to provide an opportunity to showcase the variety and excellence of music programs within the ACC to our school communities and to the general public. It also provides the musicians and singers a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of performing high calibre works in a world-class concert hall.

A large number of St Joseph’s College music students have been selected to be part of the combined school items comprising Choir, Advanced Concert Band, Junior Concert Band and Stage Band, the ACC Combined Superband conducted by Mr John Shawcross, as well as our full Senior Concert Band performing an individual item on the Hamer Hall stage.

Tickets are available to purchase from the College office.

Ticket prices are just $15 each. We encourage you to come along and share in this wonderful experience with musicians and families from SJC. An extra bus has been arranged for parents, family members and friends. The bus will leave from the bus ‘set down’ area at the College at 5.00pm, will take you to the door of the theatre and pick you up after the concert.You will return home by 10.30pm. Please let Robyn Gallaher, Music Office know if you would like to travel on this bus, or if you have any further enquiries, on 5226 8156.

This event promises to be a memorable experience for performers and audience members alike.

Robyn Gallaher - Music Assistant

“CUT THE WRAP DAY” WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST - YEARS 7, 8 & 9 We have been thrilled with commitment and support received by many of our families in adopting the “Cut the Wrap” approach for making lunches. If your family is not yet on board, there is an opportunity to do so for our next “Cut the Wrap” day, which will be conducted next Wednesday 20 August for Years 7, 8 and 9 students.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE! Students are simply required to bring a “plastic wrap free” lunch and refillable water bottle to school.

All students successful in presenting their “wrap free” lunchbox during homeroom on the day, will be awarded a point for their house. In addition, a free “HOT CHIP” lunch will awarded to each class with 100% participation (of students present) on the day.

(Note: Whilst no wrapping at all is encouraged, paper is compostable, so food may be wrapped in paper).

Buckets will be provided for the collection of organic waste such as; fruit and vegetable peels (no citrus) and cores.

Unsuitable wrapping • Gladwrap • Packaging for processed foods • Disposable drink bottles and/or canned drinks

I urge staff and students of all year levels to support the day by bringing a “Wrap free” lunch and I encourage everyone to adopt the “Cut the Wrap” approach to making lunches, on a permanent basis!!!

Looking forward to your support on the day!

SJC WATER BOTTLES AND ENVIRO WRAPS FOR SALE AT OUR CANTEENS New supplies in!

For your convenience, SJC water bottles and Fuel brand “Enviro Wraps” may be purchased from the canteens at a cost of $7.20.

www.sjc.vic.edu.au

(Mobile phones may be brought to reception at either campus for recycling) Ricky Ivelja – Sustainability Leader

Cool Australia’s Enviroweek is a week of action when Australian students take up a challenge for a sustainable future!!!

St Joseph’s students are set to join in the Cool Australia’s Challenges for Enviro Week this year. With six categories; Waste Warriors, Foodies, Traders, Sparky, Wild Child and Green thumb, our endeavor is for students to undertake activities in each of these categories. Activities will include the establishment of an aquaponics tank and Tree Planting in our local community.

For more information on the Challenges, visit; www.enviroweek.org RECYCLING With our involvement in ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic program and a focus on waste, recycling has become an integral part of our working week across all domains at our College. I would like to take the opportunity to showcase and congratulate Adam Bampfield and his team in the ICT department, for their ongoing commitment to recycling!

RECYCLING REMINDERS I would like to take the opportunity to remind you that the following items may also be recycled via reception at either campus, batteries (excluding car batteries), bread clips, mobile phones and accessories, stamps and wine corks.

DISCOUNT ON BATTERY PURCHASES As participating members of the “School’s Battery Recycling Program”, all members of the College community are offered 15% off purchases at any time at Battery World Geelong, upon mentioning this Newsletter article.

If your organisation would like us to recycle an item on your behalf, please send an email to; kelly.jenkins@sjc.vic.edu.au Kelly Jenkins - Sustainability Coordinator

Join us in the College Gym on Wednesday 27 August from 7.30am- 8.30am for the 2014 Father’s Day Breakfast!

Students are welcome to invite their dad, grandpa, uncle or special male along to enjoy a cooked breakfast (usually egg and bacon rolls) with tea, coffee and juice.

A great way to say ‘thanks’ on father’s day!

If you are coming along then please RSVP for catering purposes (we would hate for you to miss out!) via the College website - click on EVENTS. http://www.sjc.vic.edu.au/coming-events/fathers-day-breakfast-8-september

WE NEED YOUR OLD MOBILE PHONES – to help save Chimpanzees SJC are now recycling old mobile phones to help save chimpanzees and their dying environment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mining of Coltan (used to make mobile phones) found in the Congo River basin, means trees are being cut down in order to mine the Coltan. As a result the chimps’ environment is being destroyed. By recycling the phones the Coltan can be recycled which eliminates the need for the mining of Coltan and the destruction of their environment. So please if you have a phone donate it to save lives of innocent chimps.

www.sjc.vic.edu.au

In Sympathy

.

Our hearts go out to you all as we pray “That God will welcome these faithfully departed into His loving arms. And that precious memories will be of comfort to those left behind, knowing that their love will live on in their hearts forever.”

2014 ENTREPRENEURI AL CHALLENGE

www.sjc.vic.edu.au

Associated Catholic Colleges is proud to present our second combined schools concert

ACCent on Music Associated Catholic Colleges

ACCent

on music

Music Spectacular 2008

Featuring our special guest and compere, renowned Australian musician, Mr. James Morrison, who will perform with selected ACC ensembles.

HAMER HALL, ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17th, 2014, 7PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR $15 FROM YOUR SCHOOL OFFICE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AT YOUR SCHOOL OR VISIT THE ACC WEBSITE: WWW.ACCMELB.COM.AU

Proudly supported by our event partner

WHO: ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, SACRED HEART COLLEGE, CLONARD COLLEGE AND SAINT IGNATIUS COLLEGE. WHY: WE ARE SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSAL EFFORTS TO MAKE POVERTY HISTORY. WHERE: TRI-UMPH WILL BE HELD AT ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE WHEN: 5 SEPTEMBER 2014 VISIT: HTTP://TRIUMPH2014.WEEBLY.COM/

CANTEEN

ROSTER

THE TERM 3 CANTEEN MENU IS AVAILABLE ON THE COLLEGE WEBSITE WWW.SJC.VIC.EDU.AU UNDER THE MENU “STUDENT WELLBEING” IT ALSO IS POSTED ON OUR COLLEGE APP