SJRC News in Brief: Term 1 Week 3- 21st February 2025
22nd February 2025
On Thursday, the 20th of February, the Port Macquarie Olympic Pool hosted our annual swimming carnival. Organisers were greeted with typicallly humid February conditions. Thank you to our students and staff who pushed through the program, kept a smile on their faces and were rewarded with a fantastic day.
The carnival started at 9:30am with 100 staff and over 700 students in attendance. The first event was the 50m freestyle, followed by breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. Participation points were awarded in the 50m pool (5 points) and 25m pool (1 point). It was wonderful to see so many students collecting points.
We stopped for lunch at 12:00pm and were entertained by the annual body slap competition. Relay teams were announced, and the double points event got underway at 1:00pm.
For the third year running, we ran the Mixed Top Gun Relay. A relay involving the two fastest girls and two fastest boys in each house. A staff team also contested the event.
Presentations took place for age champions, runners up and winning house.
Some thank yous:
- Port Macquarie Olympic Pool Staff
- Staff – catering, recording, timekeepers, referees, Leaders of Student Wellbeing and assistants, marshalls, starters, announcers, canteen supervisors. A massive team effort!
- Miss Lydia Toms our Assistant Leader of Sport – a huge amount of work organising marquees, timekeeping, marshalls and trophies.
- Maintenance Staff – John, Martin and Matt for pre-carnival setup and post-carnival pack up.
- The students – Everyone is to be congratulated for the positive attitude displayed at the carnival.
The SJRC Swimming Squad to compete at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival will be announced this week.
Congratulations to Flinders, who went back-to-back, winning the carnival for the third year running.
Please check the following links for full details of House and Age Champions.
Mr Damien Kelly
SJRC Leader of Sport
23rd February 2025
Congratulations to students who qualified for the SJRC Swimming Squad – link below. The squad will be competing at the Lismore Diocesan Championships in Lismore on Thursday the 6th of March 2025.
The link below lists the students who have qualified for the Diocesan Carnival. At the top is the event and how they were split. Age Groups are: 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s, 17+. Some events, particularly the longer distance events are split Junior (12, 13, 14), Intermediate (15 & 16) and Senior (17+). Students with times highlighted in yellow are reserves or were not in the top 2 times for that division
2025 SJRC Swimming Squad – Long distance nominations closed on Feb 21st.
400m qualification is done at Diocesan level – entry list will be included once we receive qualifiers.
An email will be sent to parents and students via the Compass Portal and further information this week. A reminder – it is not a compulsory excursion.
Any questions or problems please contact Mr. Kelly by email damien.kelly@lism.catholic.edu.au
Our College calendar can be viewed by clicking on the icon on the top menu of the newsletter.
https://sjrcportmac.schoolzineplus.com/school-calendar
Significant Dates for Your Diary
Friday 28th February
Indigenous Families Meet & Greet BBQ in Yr 10 Area 4:30pm-6:30pm
Monday 10th March
Yr 7 Meet & Greet, Yr 11 & 12 Parent Teacher Night & BBQ in Hall
Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March
Yr 10 Retreat at Francis Retreat, Bonny Hills
Tuesday 18th March
Yr 7 Immunisation - further information will be available in early March
Mr Hyland’s Ordination (Sunday 23rd February)
We invite College families and friends to join us in witnessing Mr Shane Hyland's Ordination as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church on Sunday, 23rd February, at the 5:00 pm Mass at St Agnes Catholic Church, Hay Street, Port Macquarie.
We continue to pray for Shane and his family as they begin this beautiful ministry within our Church.
Ash Wednesday Invitation
Wednesday signifies the beginning of the Season of Lent within the Catholic Church. This is a preparation season for Easter, where we focus on the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (charity). On Wednesday, 5th March in Week 5, we will celebrate the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the Hall. A smoking ceremony will precede this gathering, and students, staff and visitors will be invited to pass through the smoke as they enter the hall. This traditional Aboriginal cleansing ritual aligns nicely with the theme of repentance for Ash Wednesday. We seek to turn back to God and cleanse ourselves of those things that distract us from being all that God calls us to be.
We invite our parents to attend our Ash Wednesday service, which will commence at 9:05 am and be finished by 10:00 am.
NAPLAN 2025
Each year, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, and conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), as well as numeracy.
Our school will be participating in NAPLAN between Wednesday, 12th March to Tuesday, 18th March 2025, and the following tests will occur on the dates indicated:
- Wednesday 12 March – Writing
- Thursday 13 March – Reading
- Monday 17 March – Conventions of Language
- Tuesday 18 March – Numeracy
Additionally, students who miss a NAPLAN test will sit a catch-up exam during the testing period from Wednesday, 19th March until Monday, 24th March 2025.
All students require a working set of wired headphones and a fully charged laptop for each test.
NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program, and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling.
Students and parents can access the public demonstration site https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.
Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA Website (https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/naplan/parent-information).
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact our NAPLAN Coordinators.
Anne Marchment
Leader of Curriculum
Lisa Freeman
Leader of Numeracy
Sarah McLeod
Literacy Coach
Mr Hyland’s Ordination is finally here!
From the St Agnes' Catholic Parish News: written by Father Paul Gooley:
Congratulations Shane on Ordination to Permanent Diaconate. On behalf of the parish community, I would like to congratulate Shane on his Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate and wish him all the very best for his future ministry. Shane’s Ordination affects the whole of his family so I would also like to acknowledge, congratulate and thank Shane’s family for their love and support as he takes this step. The Bishop has appointed Shane to the Southern Deanery, which means he will be able to minister in the parishes of Camden Haven, Wauchope, Port Macquarie and Macleay Valley when needed. Shane will continue to be engaged full-time as a teacher and Leader of Evangelisation at St Joseph’s Regional College. Please keep Shane and his family in your prayers.
Here is a Facebook link to see the live stream of Mr Hyland’s Ordination
Welcome BBQ for Aboriginal Families on Friday 28th February, 4:40 - 6:30 pm at the College
We warmly invite our Aboriginal Families to attend our Welcome BBQ next week. Come and have a sausage sandwich and a can of drink. It is a great opportunity to meet other students and their families. Please RSVP using is LINK
Hastings Celebrates First-Ever Welcome to Country
A significant cultural event took place today at the Port Macquarie Youth Club (PCYC) with the inaugural Hastings Welcome to Country. Students from across the Hastings region, including those from as far afield as Long Flat Public School, gathered to participate in this important occasion.
The day began with a traditional smoking ceremony as attendees entered the PCYC. Uncle Bill then warmly welcomed everyone to the land. Students were able to join in a captivating dance session led by Steve Donovan. A highlight of the day was the opportunity for students from different schools to connect, sharing where they came from and who their Mob are. This interaction fostered a sense of community and connection to culture.
This inaugural event marks a significant milestone for the Hastings area. Organisers are already looking forward to building on this success and making the event even bigger and better in 2026. Our students were wonderful representatives of our school and their families, demonstrating respect and engagement throughout the day.
Mr Matthew Bushe
Assistant Principal - Mission
| Term 1 Week 4 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | No Specials |
| Tuesday | Wombok Salad & Honey Soy Chicken Wings |
| Wednesday | Hamburger |
| Thursday | Beef Nachos (GF) |
| Friday | Pasta Salad w/ Bacon |
Our College Canteen opens at 8.00am every school day.
We have a delicious variety of 'Lunch Specials', available for $7.00 from Tuesday to Friday, and an everyday menu.
Breeanna Stone
Food Services Manager
The Encounter Youth Program is held every Friday at the Youth Hub. Come along and join in the fun.
When: Every Friday
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: @ The Youth Hub
Cost: $5 for dinner
Week 3: Colour - 21st February
Encounter Youth is kicking off the year with some colour!
Join us at the Youth Hub from 5:30-7:30pm on Friday the 21st of Feb for pizza, a colour run, some games, and more.
We can’t wait to catch up and hear how your holidays have been.
Encounter Kick-on’s (Sunday’s after the 5:00 pm Mass)
Group games and supper. Come join us.
Youth Coordinator
St Agnes' Catholic Parish
49 Hay Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
T 02 6588 7444
E zac.parnell@stagnesparish.org.au
St Joseph's Regional College has a number of different social media platforms. We would love for you to follow us.
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St Joseph's Regional College
Website - https://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SJRCPort
Instagram - @sjrcport
St Joseph's Regional College - 50 year Celebrations
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SJRC50years
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sjr50years/
Digital Ministry
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sjrcdigitalministry
Library
Website - https://pmreglism.libguides.com/home
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Instagram - Instagram - @sjrcexchange
Careers
Website - https://www.sjrcportcareers.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcportcareers
Calling all budding photographers!
As part of the Jubilee Year, the Vatican is promoting an international photography contest, titled: ‘Sport in Motion’. It is for young photographers, professional or amateur, under the age of 25.
There are five categories: sport and hope, sport and family, sport and disability, sport and politics, and sport and ecology.
The winners will be awarded a meeting with the Holy Father, a visit to the Vatican Museums, a workshop in the Osservatore Romano newspaper and their photo will be published internationally.
Do you know a young person - student or teacher - who may be interested in entering this competition?
The deadline to enter is 30 April 2025.
