ST. JOSEPH’S REGIONAL COLLEGE 7th December 2012 What’s on Week 10 Term 4 2012
“The Truth will set you free”
P.O. Box 231 College Drive PORT MACQUARIE 2444 Ph: 02 5525 4100 Fax: 02 5525 4199 www.sapss.nsw.edu.au
SUNDAY 2nd Sunday of Advent Mass Times: St. Agnes’ Port Macquarie Our Lady of Lourdes Wauchope Saturday Vigil – 6.00pm Saturday Vigil – 6.00pm Sunday – 7.30am, 9.00am & 6.00pm Sunday 7.30am Telegraph Point – Thursday Night 6.00pm Beechwood – 9.00am 1st & 3rd Laurieton – Saturday Vigil 5.30pm, Sunday – 7.30am Kendall – 9.00am Mass (1st Saturday month 10.00am Mass Comboyne) Long Flat – 9.00am 2nd & 4th Sunday MONDAY, 10th December (Day 6)
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Staff Briefing 8.30am Year 10 Lifestyle Awareness day Leadership Team Meeting Period 1 SAPSS Jazz band in Performing Arts Centre from 4.00pm – 6.00pm
TUESDAY, 11th December (Day 7)
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Sport day for Year 7-9 Year 10 PC Day SAPSS Leadership Team Meeting period 4 Homework Hub for Seniors till 5.00pm
WEDNESDAY 12th December (Day 8) THURSDAY, 13th December (Day 9)
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Non-class day for students Band Tour
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Non-class day for students Band Tour
FRIDAY, 14th December (Day 10)
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Non-class day for students Band Tour Pastoral Team Meeting period 4
DATES TO REMEMBER: Monday 17th December Monday 17th December Wednesday 19th December Thursday 20th December Thursday 20th December
Thursday 20th December Thursday 31st January 2013 Friday 1st February 2013
Year 10 Award Presentations 11.45am Christmas Mass 9.30am and Exam Feedback Lessons HSC results BBQ breakfast of Year 12 and families End of year Prizegiving 9.15am Last day for students Excellence and Application Awards • 11.30am Flinders and Innes • 1.00pm Macquarie and Oxley ATAR Results First day for students in Years 7 and 11 First day for students in Years 8-10 and 12
COORDINATING PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE RESILIENCE Resilience is the ability to recover readily from a loss, a disappointment, an illness or any misadventure that we may face in life. We can all expect to face our share of ups and downs. These stressful events can have a very negative impact on one’s mental and physical health unless a person has acquired the skills of resilience. The good news is that these skills are ‘learnable’. Some people are more naturally inclined towards these skills but all are capable of making the necessary changes in their lives in order to become more resilient. Dr Karen Reivich, the co-author of the book ‘The Optimistic Child’ and ‘The Resilience Factor’ has identified the following seven skills of resilience: • • • • • • •
Emotional Awareness Impulse Control Optimism Analysis of Cause Empathy Confidence Risk Taking
Dr Reivich emphasises that resilience is not a skill that is developed in isolation from others. When ‘bad stuff happens’ we need to reach out to others who care and seek their help. As a school we have a whole range of people who can assist students in tough times. The first contact is usually the Pastoral Care Teacher or the Pastoral Coordinator. Many others can also assist including any of their teachers, school leaders and the specialists such as the School Counsellors, the Chaplains or the Student Welfare Officers. Mr Jim O’Brien Coordinating Principal
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE YEAR 10 FINAL MASS AND MAJOR PRIZEGIVING Monday December 17th will be a very special day for St Joseph’s Regional College. Due to the nature of the vertical pastoral care structure, Year 10’s last day is very significant to every member of the junior school community. Each Pastoral Care group is like a family who will farewell some of its members this year. The staff and students who have been in Pastoral Care Groups together for four years have built up a very special relationship. Pastoral Care is a very unique feature of the Catholic school and the benefits it has for our students are invaluable. I sincerely appreciate every effort all staff members give towards the care and well-being of our students. All parents are invited to attend the mass and the prizegiving, the mass will commence at 9 30am and the prizegiving will commence at 11 45 am. All students are asked to wear their Full school uniform – including ties for boys and girls who are wearing their skirt and blouse please.
Year 10 will have a few special celebrations next week bringing them together as a group to celebrate and share some memories of their time at the College. These are planned to mark the completion of their time as a Year 10 group due to the fact that some students will be leaving the group to attend Newman Senior Technical College or other schools in 2013. All parents have been given a note about the details from Mr Richard Battiston who is the Year 10 Coordinator. I trust that they will enjoy the activities planned. YEARS 7 - 9 AWARD CEREMONY AND END OF YEAR PLANS Years 7-9 are currently working on their final assessments and we will celebrate their achievements on Thursday 20th December. As exams do not conclude until Tuesday 11th December it will mean that there will be a couple of non-class days for students to enable staff to complete marking, collate marks, prepare reports and awards. Research confirms the importance of feedback from teachers for effective student learning so we will have students return to school to review exam papers, receive reports and attend academic award ceremonies. I urge all students to make best use of this time in an effort to end the year achieving their personal best in their studies. I ask that any parent who requires supervision for their son/daughter on these non-class days please contact the office in order that adequate plans can be put in place. The non-class days are 12 th -14th December. Our College Christmas mass will be at 9.30am on Monday 17 th December in the College Hall, final classes will be on Wednesday 19th December DETAILS FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 20TH Full school uniform – including ties for boys and girls who are wearing their skirt and blouse please st 9.15am Award Ceremony – 1 place in Subject Awards, Speaking Awards, Dux of each year 11.30am Flinders and Innes Excellence and Application Awards 1 pm Macquarie & Oxley Excellence and Application Awards Students will be expected to stay for the duration of each ceremony. At the end of each Excellence and Application award ceremony we will hand out reports and if parents wish they may take their son/daughter home. HSC ASESSMENTS This week marked the beginning of the assessment period for our senior students. I am confident the majority of the students have been working diligently towards this time and will achieve the results they deserve. All senior students will be expected to attend the College Christmas mass on Monday December 17th at 9 30am which will be followed by two days of lessons and feedback from the assessments. CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL Thank you to all members of our community who supported this wonderful appeal. It is great to see the enthusiasm of staff with their Pastoral Care teachers as they plan these hampers. I am sure that the families who receive them will be truly grateful.
On behalf of the parish I would like to thank everyone for their generous efforts. Generosity is truly one of the greatest virtues. I have heard it said that the true mark of character is not what we have but what we give away. YOU ARE WORTH WHAT YOU GIVE A famous and very rich man was once asked, “What are you worth?” The rich man thought for a minute and then named a figure. His questioner did not believe him. “You are famous as one of the richest men in the country. Surely you are worth more than that.” With a smile, the rich man replied, “You did not ask me how much I own. You asked me how much I am worth so I told you the amount I have given to charity so far this year - because we are worth what we are willing to share with others.” In a modern society, we need to remind ourselves of the importance of giving, in terms of both money and time. Some people are content with what they have. Others are in despair because they have so little. Through giving, we help to bridge the gap. We are fortunate to have so many voluntary organisations which work hard to bring help to those in need, and comfort to people who are struggling with poverty and disease. If we share our love, friendship and trust, the more we all have. Healthy communities are built on cooperation, on all of us giving and sharing. Altruism, doing something good for another person, is an important virtue. We become good people, and good citizens, by understanding that we, like the rich man, are worth what we are willing to share with others. Acknowledgement: Adapted from Credo written by Professor Jonathon Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of the Commonwealth.
UNIFORM FOR 2013 I seek parent support with this uniform policy. Please check the diary on page 9 before purchasing school uniform items. I am placed in a very awkward situation if students purchase incorrect uniform items. Shoes are a particular problem. All black, leather, lace-up polishable shoes (not suede or buckle-up) Sports shoes which are lace-up and suitable for running (not slip-on casuals nor canvas shoes) Girls may wear their blue dress as we phase in the change in uniform but if they do it must be no more than 4cms above the knee and the skirt is to come down to the knee 2013 ENROLMENTS We currently have a large number of families on waiting lists for enrolments into each of the Year groups. In order to offer places it is essential that the school knows if any students will not be continuing here next year. If your son or daughter will not be continuing at St Joseph’s Regional College in 2013, please advise the school office in writing as soon as possible.
SCHOOL FEE REMINDER I appreciate the wonderful support we receive from parents and a considerable number of grandparents who make the payment of school fees a high priority. I also appreciate the commitment many have made by so readily embracing the preferred ‘direct debit’ method of paying fees. This method gives us a cash flow throughout the year and enables us to meet our own financial commitments on an on-going basis. If you have outstanding fees I would urge you to finalise the account as soon as possible. This will assist us greatly to meet our own commitments and provide the resources required to maintain a high standard of teaching and learning. Anyone experiencing financial difficulties and who may be unable to meet the standard fee, should not hesitate to contact our school Fees Manager, Emma Clarke (6588 7444), so that alternative arrangements can be made. SUBJECT FEES I would also appreciate parents paying all students’ subject and excursion fees. All these fees are paid directly to the venues or cover transport costs incurred to run these extra activities. If you are in need of assistance please call me as soon as possible. Unfortunately if payments are not paid or arrangements made to meet these commitments student reports will be withheld. This is not an ideal situation to have to be in, so I urge parents to honour these payments.
“May the spirit of the Lord be with you” Mrs Anne O’Brien Principal
ST AGNES PARISH ADMINISTRATION CENTRE St Agnes Parish Administration Centre and the Diocesan Investment Fund office have moved. The DIF office closed at the old first floor, 110 William St address at 1.00pm on Thursday 6th and opened in their new office at 49 Hay Street on Friday morning 7th. The phone number remains 6583 7439 After 24 years at 110 William Street the Parish Administration Centre will move to new offices at 49 Hay Street on Monday 10th December. The phone numbers remain the same. THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER FOR THE BIG MOVE.
FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR
1913 -2013 Celebrating 100 years of Catholic education in St Agnes’ Parish Save the Date: Saturday 15 June 2013
EXAM RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS •
Between recess and lunch each day will be SILENT STUDY periods – BRING STUDY NOTES
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There will be no study prior to an exam’s scheduled start time in the morning or afternoon sessions.
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All students are to take a novel into the exams to read once the scheduled exam time is complete.
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ATTENDANCE AT ALL EXAMS IS COMPULSORY. A STUDENT SHOULD ONLY BE ABSENT FROM EXAMS FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS OR EXTENUATING FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES.
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ABSENCE from an exam requires a phone call to the front office by 8.45am on the morning of the exam and students must see Mr Lutton at the Studies Coordinators office prior to PC on the day of their return to organise catch up exams. Catch ups will take place on the day of return in addition to Tuesday- Friday of Week 10, including student free days. Failure to follow these procedures may result in loss of marks.
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Students must line up alphabetically outside their exam room 5 minutes prior to the commencement of the exam and need to have all equipment for exams as you will not be able to borrow calculators or any other equipment for exams.
CANTEEN ROSTER Week 10 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Marion Pallot Help Please! Closed Closed Closed
Week 11 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Kim Galloway Martie Khun Julie Lahey Irene Dowton Closed
SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSPORT The school is in receipt of NSW School Pupil Identification Cards which are issued to students who have reached 16 years of age and over, attending CERTIFIED day school. These cards permit students to travel at the discounted rate of fare on all CityRail trains, State Transit buses and government ferries for journeys to and from sport, evening, weekend and vacation travel. Concession cards will also be available for country and interstate rail journeys on Countrylink services. These cards are available from the school office.
PHILLIP NICKL RECEIVES THE AUSTRALIAN SCOUT MEDALLION To be awarded the Australian Scout Medallion, Phillip had to achieve the following 3 things: 1. Attainment of the “Adventure Cord” or known to Scouts as the Green Cord which is the highest level a scout can reach in badge work. 2. To do a Scout Leadership course. Phillip has done 2 courses – a basic leadership course followed 12 months later by an Advanced Leadership course. 3. A Leadership Activity that contained the following elements: • planning • coordination • delegation • allocation • execution • assessment Phillip undertook a weekend camp for Scouts from Wauchope and Port Macquarie to obtain their Red Level Cord which enabled them to go to “Jamboree” last January. Phillip completed the camp in wet weather and by the end had attained 3 Red Cords, 2 Blue Cords and 2 Scout Craft badges. Phillip then sent a report to the State Commissioner for Scouts, Mr Phil Crutchly, where it went before a stat meeting of Scout leaders to be passed. Phillip was awarded the Australian Scout Medallion on the 22 nd September 2012 by her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO at Government House in Sydney.
ABSENCE NOTES Below you will find a proforma for a student Absence Note. This is the preferred method for parents to notify the College of their child’s absences. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PARENTS / GUARDIANS EXPLANATION FOR PUPIL’S ABSENCE PUPIL’S NAME _______________________________________Year__________ PC ________ DATE(S) OF ABSENCE _________________________________________________________ REASON FOR ABSENCE ________________________________________________________ PARENT / GUARDIAN SIGNATURE ________________________________ DATE _________ *Failure to have an absence explained within 7 days of returning to school MUST, BY LAW, be recorded and reported as UNEXPLAINED ABSENCE.
LIBRARY NEWS HASTINGS LIBRARY SUMMER READING CLUB Young readers (of any age!) are invited to fill out a “Reading Log” over the holidays. We give them a certificate that shows how many books they have read over summer. They will also go into the draw for prizes (with promotional giveaways along the way). Reading Logs are available at the Library and online via www.mnclibrary.org.au Reading logs must be handed in by Wednesday 23 rd January 2013. Book return As the academic year draws to a close, it is timely to remind all students and parents that book return is an essential part of every College student’s obligations, and that losses must be paid for. Important dates for this aspect of College life are as follows: Friday 7 December – all Year 10 textbooks and Library books to be returned by this day Tuesday 11 December – all Years 7-9 textbooks and Library books to be returned by this day Students will be emailed copies of their loans list each week between now and the end of the year and are urged to attend to the responsible return of all items in good time. Reports will be withheld from those who fail to return all items, or who fail to pay the replacement costs of lost items. The best news of all – the first PC to claim a clean slate as far as book return is concerned earns a Pizza Lunch courtesy of the Library Ladies. So please encourage your child to attend to this very important task. Stay up to date with what’s happening….“Like” us at St Joseph’s Regional College Library, on FaceBook. Or Follow us on Twitter – @sjrcexchange
Karen Bale Teacher Librarian MACKILLOP GIFT SHOP The gift shop’s Christmas stock has arrived. For sale are Christmas cards and gifts, puddings and religious calendars, including the popular Columban Calender. The gift shop will be open extra hours leading up to Christmas. • Sunday, 9th December 8.00am-10.45am. • Sunday, 16th December 8.00am -10.45am. • The phone number for the shop is 6586 9779. Opening hours Monday to Friday are 10.00am to 2.00pm.
CAREERS ALERT All Year 11 and 12 parents are encouraged to ensure that they have subscribed to their free service as all careers information is distributed this way. Follow the link below and follow the prompts to sign up. www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/careers/careers-email-alert MOODLE – CAREERS Always updated with important documents for work experience and university information. Parents can access this information via your child’s login. YEAR 8, 9 and 10 – TAX FILE NUMBERS Tax file number forms are processed by Mrs Tinsey every Friday. New forms are now available from the office. UPCOMING EVENTS 19th December BOS results for HSC candidates – Breakfast at College 20th December
ATAR results for HSC candidates – tea/coffee and advice in College Library from 11.00am (parents and students welcome)
UNI CONNECT A forum to connect regional secondary students with university students across Australia. How to find us: Search Facebook Pages for Uni Connect and ‘like’ the page to start asking questions. How to use the page: • If you have a broad question write it directly onto the wall and someone will get back to you •
If you have a specific question about a university or degree go to the not titled “Meet the Uni Connect Team’ which is pinned to the top of the wall and search for someone currently studying at the university or doing the degree you are interested in, then write the question on the wall starting off with the name of the Uni Connect Team Member you are addressing the question to.
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Keep an eye on the notes section for university tips, interview tips, application tips, FAQ and more.
CAREER TOOLS We hope you are now successfully receiving our newsletters via Career Tools. Please open any links contained in the emails in Adobe Reader. Any feedback would be appreciated. If you have a child in Year 10, 11 or 12 and you didn’t receive a careers email please contact Michelle in the office to update your details. You can visit our website at www.regionalcollegecareers.com
We CAN Creative Arts News
Coming to the Glasshouse, February 2013! For more information, and to participate, go to: www.classclowns.com.au
COMMUNITY NOTICES JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE - BREAKERS 2013 Registration Days for the Port City Breakers Junior Rugby League will be held at Settlement City Shopping Centre from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 12 th and 19th of January, along with Thursday 24 th January from 3pm to 5pm. There will also be registration days on Saturday 16 th and 23rd of February. Teams range in age divisions from Under 6 to Under 16 with new players most welcome to this family orientated Club. New players will require birth certificate for proof of age and Medicare details. Existing players only require Medicare details. Should you require any further details please call President Geoff Kelly on 0400 038 211 or Registrar Gail McArdle on 0448 984 799. CHILDREN’S SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 5 DAY COMPREHENSIVE SURFING CLINICS With Summer upon us, now is the time we all visit our beautiful beaches and enjoy the sand, surf and sunshine. Remember to swim between the flags and to slip, slop and slap. Port Macquarie Surf School will again be conducting 5 Day Comprehensive Surfing Clinics throughout the entire Christmas school holidays. The surfing clinics are designed for school students. Port Macquarie Surf School will not only teach kids to how surf but also instill in them invaluable surf awareness skills – something they will use for the rest of their lives. They will receive the best guidance on water safety and surf awareness whilst enjoying the 2 hour surfing experience in a fun and safe environment and it is a great way to keep them active during the holidays. Courses will commence each Monday at 2 locations – Flynns Beach and Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills throughout the entire school holiday period at a cost of $140 per student.
VEGEMITE SURF GROMS A national based program for children between the ages of 5 & 12 years of age. Designed by Surfing Australia and backed by the Australian Sports Commission. Port Macquarie Surf School is the only delivery centre in the area. Programs will run each week of the holidays commencingn30/12/12. Enrol via www.surfgroms.com All participants receive a Quiksilver backpack, rash shirt, cap, Wahu game valued at over $200. A great Christmas gift. AFTER SCHOL SURFING - TERM 1, 2013 Bookings are now being taken for Term 1 2013- After School Surfing program. Book early to avoid disappointment. Class sizes are limited for all lessons so bookings are essential by phoning Peter Hudson (Huddo) on 6584 7733 or booking via the webpage www.portmacquariesurfschool.com.au
FROM THE MATHS’ VAULT Triangle Find the lengths of all sides if the area of the triangle is 400
Answer for last week The circumference is 3 metres LA VIVE CLASSIQUE ACADEMY OF DANCE 2012 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERTS The 28th Annual Concert for the academy will be a Variety Concert and Ballet Concert this year, there will be two different shows and separate performances Saturday 8 December, 2pm: THE VARIETY CONCERT AND ALICE IN WONDERLAND This concert will showcase the talented dancers of La Vive Classique performing to a variety of music and different styles of dance; contemporary, jazz and tap. The entertainment is for both the young and old to enjoy an afternoon of dance. Sunday 9 December, 10am: THE BALLET CONCERT The Ballet Concert on Sunday 9 December at 10am will involve all of the junior and senior classical dancers in the La Vive Classique Academy. Tiny tots, graded ballet to advanced ballet will all be involved. The theme for the concert this year will be Children’s Classic Fairy Tales including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Ugly Duckling and The Old Woman In The Shoe. The performances are at the Glasshouse. Tickets for each performance are $26 adult, $18 child/youth and available from The Glasshouse box office phone 6581 8888 or book online @ glasshouse.org.au.
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TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST SPORT INFORMATION FROM THE REGIONAL VISIT http://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/sport/sport
ST JOSEPH’S REGIONAL COLLEGE SPORTS WRAP
2012 YEAR 9 SPORT TERM 4 WEEK 10 & 11
Year 10 will not be attending sport in Week 10 and 11 of Term 4, therefore Year 9 will have a modified program for electives in these two weeks. There is no extra cost involved. Details: Sport
Week 10 & 11
Academy Basketball
go to dive towers (swimmers and towel)
Beach Walking
run as normal
Contract Sport
run as normal
Dive Towers
run as normal
Fishing
go to ten pin
Indoor Games
run as normal
Learn to Golf
go to ten pin
Learn to Surf/Surfing
run as normal
Mixed Martial Arts
go to ten pin
Oval Games
go to indoor games
Rock Climbing
run as normal
Skating
run as normal
Ten Pin Bowling
run as normal
Weights
go to ten pin
Bus 1.Learn to Surf & Surfing (23), Bus 2.Dive Towers and Slide (35), Bus 3.Skating, Beach Walking (35), Bus 4.Ten Pin Bowling (30), Bus 5.Rock Climbing (22) REGIONAL DANCE VIDEOS Dance videos from Taree Dance Eisteddfod now available on our facebook page. ATHLETICS TRIP TO CANADA Congratulations to Alana Macrow-Cain who has been selected (after strong performances at NSWCCC and Diocesan athletics carnivals) to compete in Canada over a three week period next July. She will compete in triple jump, long jump, hurdles, 200m and her pet event, the high jump.