SJRC Newsletter: Term 3 Week 6 - 30th August 2024
Long Service Leave
I will be taking four weeks of Long Service Leave from September 2nd to September 27th 2024. In my absence, Mr Ian Lutton will be the Acting Principal, and Mr Mark Robertson will be the Acting Assistant Principal—Learning and Teaching.
 Acting Principal
Mr Ian Lutton |
 Acting Assistant Principal-
Learning and Teaching Mr Mark Robertson |
All the Best, Year 12
I wish Year 12 students and families a joyous and memorable conclusion to their journey at the College. I am sad I won’t be attending their final College Mass and Celebration of Excellence Ceremony in Week 10, but I will return for their HSC exams and Graduation Dinner. I am incredibly proud of our current Year 12 cohort, and I know they will go forward and find personal success wherever their next pathway takes them. I sincerely thank the families of Year 12 for the support and partnership we have shared.
Happy Father's Day
This weekend, families across the country will celebrate Father's Day in their own unique way. I extend my wishes for a very happy Father's Day to all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who nurture, guide, and inspire the young people in their lives.
Mrs Tanya Daley
Principal
Make a Difference Donation
St Joseph's Regional College has this week donated $2100 to the Make A Difference Foundation! (M.A.D)
Thank you, Year 11 students, Ms Flanagan and Mr Ryan, for coordinating activities and your commitment to "service" by raising funds for M.A.D. during Term 2.
A contingent of about 40 St Joseph's Regional College teachers and students are on a rotating roster every Wednesday to support M.A.D., volunteering on shift and serving breakfast to the "friends" at the Youth Hub.
What is Make a Difference? https://madpmq.com.au/
The Spring into Summer challenge is here!
Each year, many parish and school staff kick off their personal get fit for summer goals by joining in 'Spring into Summer'. You too can join in the campaign which starts this Sunday September 1. Dust off those running shoes and get stretching!
Spring into Summer is a fundraising campaign to not only motivate you by combining fitness with fundraising for families in our parish schools struggling to meet the cost of school excursions, retreats and resourses through the 'Spring into Summer' campaign.
Go individual or get a team together and have some fun! Who knows, maybe you will win the shield this year.
So even if exercise is not your thing, you can still benefit by donating!
Every bit of support helps! Donations are tax deductible.
To participate (or just donate) register here
Spring into Summer – St Agnes Parish Appeals
Let's talk together. Muslims and Christians in conversations
Charles Sturt University, the Midcoast Muslim Association and Port Macquarie Uniting Church invite you to the next interfaith dialogue:
WHERE: Charles Sturt University Campus Port Macquarie
WHEN: Wednesday 4 September 2024
TIME: 6pm – 9pm
Our dialogue this time will focus on the role and significance of PROPHETS in the Islamic and Christian traditions. This is a free event. Supper is included.
Please let us know if you are coming by contacting the Church Office at Port Macquarie Uniting Church (02) 65812414 or office@portmacquarie.unitingchurch.org.au
St Agnes' Church Gospel Reflections
Fr Paul Gooley is continuing to provide Gospel readings and reflections via email and online Monday to Saturday for those interested in connecting with their faith in this way.
Click to watch Fr Paul's Gospel Readings and Reflections.
St Agnes' Parish News Bulletin
The Parish news bulletin is produced weekly. In this week's bulletin:
- The Jubilee Prayer and reflection
- Living the Gospel
- St Agnes' Catholic Parish Library re-opening
- About Understanding Faith
- Ecumenical Dialogue
- Music & Media Ministries
- Encounter Youth
- Encounter Young Adults
The latest edition is available via this link Parish News Bulletin
Assistant Principal- Mission
Year 12
Congratulations to our Year 12 students on completing their Trial HSC exams. These exams help prepare the students for their HSC written exams commencing on Tuesday, 15th October with the English Paper One. Over the next few weeks, many students will also be undertaking their HSC performance exams (our HSC Dance have already completed this component of their HSC course) and submitting major projects. After the trial exams, Year 12 students will go into an intensive revision program to identify any gaps that were identified in the trial exams, and aim to fill in those gaps to ensure the best outcome possible in their HSC exams. During this period our initial focus of is to ensure that students attend class every day to complete the final touches to their HSC preparation, often students will say that they can ‘study’ better at home, our experiences is that this is normally not the case.
Last week, Shane Hardcastle from 'Inspired' and several students from Macquarie University worked with our senior students to begin the final preparation phase for this year’s HSC. During this session, we looked at the importance of focused revision in consolidating the learning that has been undertaken as part of their HSC studies. To support this and our students during this revision period, we have been emphasising with our Year 12 students the following points:
- When we gain, I gain. The focus is now on maximising every student’s performance in every class and subject. We want our students to collaborate and ensure they can achieve the maximum marks possible to fulfil their potential.
- As mentioned, attendance is critical. You learn best by being in the classroom and utilising the skills of your teachers to maximise their performance in the final exams once again.
- The focus is on filling in the gaps in their knowledge, skills, and understanding as identified in the HSC Trial exams. Students need to have a whole-subject and overall pattern of study focus. Students should concentrate on their weaker areas instead of spending time on subjects or topics they already do well in. By focusing on these weaker spots, they can "fill in the gaps" and improve their overall understanding and performance.
- Finally, we will continue to offer significant academic support to our Year 12 students over the next six weeks through the following additional study times in our College Library:
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- The regular ‘Food for Thought’ will be extended until 5:00pm on Monday, September 2nd.
- Sunday, the 8th and 15th September from 11.00am - 1.00pm.
- School holiday period. Further information regarding this will be communicated to our students in the next few weeks.
Year 11 2025
This week also saw the conclusion of the Year 10 into 11 transition program for our Year 10 students. Most students have chosen their pattern of study for 2025, and we wish them well as they prepare for the start of Year 11 in 2025.
Mr Ian Lutton
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Traffic Management
As a regional college, many of our students catch buses to our school, and many of them are collected by parents. We have routines and structures in place to support the safe movement of students to their modes of transport in the afternoon. We kindly request that all parents accessing the College carpark for afternoon pickups review the SJRC Traffic Management Policy. Parents can partner with us to ensure student safety by:
- Parking, rear to kerb, in designated parking spots only;
- Using the drop and pick up zone at the front of the College for briefly stopping whilst students get in and out of vehicles;
- Refraining from blocking bus access to the College by queuing on College Drive out the front of the school or on the access road inside the school;
- Following directions of College staff who are managing the flow of traffic whilst also providing supervision of students.
Thank you for your support in ensuring students are safe at school.
Year 8 Camp Information Night
All Year 8 Parents are asked to please save the date of Tuesday, 17th September for the Year 8 Camp Information Night. The evening will commence at 5.30pm with an opportunity for Year 8 parents to socialise and connect with one another over drinks and nibbles. The presentation and information sharing will commence at 6:00pm. It is requested that each student is represented by at least one parent at this event.
Students are not required for this event, as this is an opportunity for College Staff to openly share information with parents/care-givers without students present.
Free webinar for parents and carers
The Council of Catholic School Parents is hosting a FREE webinar with Australia's leading parenting expert. Breaking Point with Dr Justin Coulson unpacks the mental health crisis enveloping our kids.
Wednesday, 11 September 2024 from 7:00pm-8:00pm
Content covered:
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child's wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers
- Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness
Register now: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/61
RUOK Day
Our College will once again be participating in RUOK Day in September. This year, we will focus on familiarising all steps with the “4 steps of an RUOK conversation”.
We encourage all families to engage young people in healthy conversations about mental health awareness. The RUOK Day website has more information.
If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, please reach out to their Leader of Student Wellbeing or contact me directly.
Head Lice
We have had reports of Head Lice in our community. Below is a link to a NSW Health article that may assist with further information and treatment options.
Mrs Jennifer Furney
Leader of Pastoral Care
Year 12 Award Sponsorship Opportunity
I invite family and friends of St Joseph's Regional College to become a sponsor of our Year 12 Major Awards.
Payment for sponsorship may be made through the CompassTix platform via the following link: Year 12 Major Award Sponsorship.
This week's alumni spotlight shines on Courtney Fyffe. Growing up on a farm outside Kendall, Courtney followed an older sibling to Sydney and commenced a Bachelor of Clinical Science at Macquarie University in 2021. During this time, she held the position of Director of Administration and Head of Volunteering and Human Resources for the Clinical Science Society and resided on-campus at Dunmore Lang College. After graduation, Courtney commenced a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Sydney in 2024
When asked why she chose this field of study, Courtney responded, 'I love how interactive medical school has been as well as the difference a small gesture or interaction with a patient can make on their day. I chose a health-based pathway as I was really interested in human biology and how the human body workd. I thought, what better to do than use my interest to help people. This lifestyle and career path is extremely important to me as I feel that I can make a positive impact in the world and again use my interest and passion to help heal people back to good health.'.
What an impact you will have in the lives of the people you help, Courtney. Your story is already one of persistence, determination, and hope. #wherearetheynow #aHSC4opportunity #doctor #clinicalscience
Careers Pathway
Tom wins Gold
20.5km bike 0 00:56:32
6km run - 00:30:33
Tom then backed this up with gold in the Cross Duathlon event. Tom is now the proud holder of two world championship medals in addition to his already stellar year on the mountain bike.
We look forward to hearing all about the race. Congratulations on this incredible achievement!
Ava represents Diocesan
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 6: Small Seeds Mighty Deeds - Friday, 30th August
Just like a tiny seed can grow into a mighty tree, our small faith can grow beyond measure and make a big impact.
We’ll discover how even the smallest acts of faith can transform our lives and the world!
Come and see how your faith can flourish and reach new heights at Encounter Youth.
Week 7: Praise the Lord (Friday 6th of September)
We all love receiving words of praise and affirmation…
but why do we praise God?
Does God need our praise?
Why do we sometimes get self-conscious about praising God out loud?
Come along to Encounter Youth this Friday night for a really fun night, we will sing some songs, have some fun, and praise the Lord.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Encounter Kick-on’s (Sunday’s after the 5pm Mass)
Group games and supper. Come join us.
Zac Parnell
Youth Coordinator
St Agnes' Catholic Parish
49 Hay Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
T 02 6588 7444
E zac.parnell@stagnesparish.org.au
| Term 2 Week 7 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | Bacon & Cheese Burger |
| Tuesday | Thai Chicken Curry |
| Wednesday | Burrito Bowl (GF) |
| Thursday | Loaded Potato's (GF) |
| Friday | Chicken & Grave Rolls |
| Term 2 Week 8 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | Vege Ravioli in Tomato Sauce |
| Tuesday | Spinach & Ricotta Quiche |
| Wednesday | Hamburger |
| Thursday | Chicken Pesto Toasted Turkish |
| Friday | Potato Bake (GF) |
The Canteen opens at 8.00 am every school day.
Breeanna Stone
Food Services Manager
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
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcexchange
Instagram - Instagram - @sjrcexchange
Careers
Website - https://www.sjrcportcareers.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcportcareers
