SJRC Newsletter: Term 1 Week 4- 28th February 2025

It finally happened! We have a Deacon in our midst!

Our school community rejoices in the recent ordination of Mr Shane Hyland. A deeply respected member of our staff, Mr Hyland has answered a profound call to serve the Church in a new and meaningful way.

The ordination ceremony, a beautiful and moving occasion, was a testament to Mr. Hyland's unwavering faith and dedication. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow members of the clergy, he was formally consecrated, marking the beginning of his journey as a permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr Hyland and his family. We pray that his ministry will be filled with grace and that he will continue to be a source of inspiration and guidance for all those he serves. We are truly blessed to have him as a part of our school community, and we look forward to supporting him in his new vocation.

We are also grateful to the many staff and students who attended the Ordination. Special thanks to Mr Constantine and his hospitality students, who served refreshments afterwards. I also recognise Emily Burg, our CYM, and some senior students who donned their uniforms on a Sunday and greeted guests as they arrived.

Farewell Mr Richard Battison

Today, we farewell a long-standing and much-loved character, Mr Richard Batiison, or 'Batto' as he is known to many.

Mr Battison commenced his teaching career at St Joseph's Regional College in 2004, and we have been blessed to have had him teach and lead here at our College for 21 years. His teaching expertise has extended to the TAS, PE, Science, RE and Marine areas, always encouraging and supporting students. 

We wish Mr Battison and his wife all the very best as they head down to Canberra to take up new positions. 

Goodbye and Good Luck, Richard.

Pupil Free Day - Friday 7th March

Students are not required to attend the College next Friday, 7th March. On this day, all staff will be involved in professional learning seminars

Warm regards,

Tanya Daley
Principal

From Green to Purple: Entering the Season of Lent

As the lush greens of Ordinary Time begin to fade, we prepare to embark on a journey of reflection and renewal. This week, our school community transitions into the sacred season of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Lent is a period of 40 days, mirroring the time Jesus spent in the desert, where we are invited to draw closer to God through self-examination and acts of charity. This journey prepares us for the joy of Easter and the celebration of Christ's resurrection. During this time all Catholic schools focus on raising funds for Caritas’ Project Compassion. Pastoral Care groups may host PC lunches and other initiatives to support this cause.

Shrove Tuesday: A Sweet Start to a Season of Giving

Before we enter the solemnity of Lent, we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday. Traditionally, this day was a time to use up rich foods like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting period of Lent began. This is why pancakes are so popular!

Join us in supporting our first Project Compassion fundraiser of the year by purchasing a stack of pancakes for just $2.50. All proceeds will go directly to Caritas Australia, helping empower vulnerable communities worldwide.

When: Tuesday 4th March

Where: Before school from 8:00 am in the Senior Cafe area.

Cost: $2.50 a stack of pancakes. 50c extra for a scoop of icecream

Project Compassion is a wonderful opportunity for our students to live out the Gospel values of compassion and justice. By enjoying a simple stack of pancakes, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

Ash Wednesday: A Call to Renewal

We invite all parents and caregivers to join our school community for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 9:05 am on Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is a day of prayer and fasting. During the liturgy, we receive ashes on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. These ashes are made from burnt palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Preceding this liturgy we will have Uncle Bill O’Brien, Birpai elder, offer a smoking ceremony with a Welcome to Country.

The ashes are a powerful symbol, reminding us of our mortality and the need for God's grace. They signify our repentance and our commitment to turning away from sin and towards God. It is a time to reflect on our lives and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. A traditional smoking ceremony is also about cleansing, so this will complement the Catholic symbols of Ash Wednesday and Lent in a beautiful way.

Let us embrace this season of Lent with open hearts, ready to grow in faith and to serve others. We look forward to journeying together as a school community.

A Big Thank You for Supporting Nkinzi by purchasing drinks

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our Drinks Fundraiser this past Thursday! Your generosity will make a significant impact on the life of Nkinzi Maria Fortunata, our sponsored child in Uganda.

As our senior student leaders shared, Nkinzi is a bright and happy 8-year-old (soon to be 9!) who lives in the Masaka Diocese. She's achieved a fantastic milestone, progressing to Year 3 at Linlord Junior School. However, her family faces significant financial challenges, making it difficult to afford essential needs, including school fees.

Thanks to your support, we've raised vital funds through the purchase of refreshing drinks to help cover Nkinzi's school fees for the upcoming year. This means she can continue her education, opening doors to a brighter future. We also kickstarted our Project Compassion campaign for the season of Lent. After costs, we raised $865. Thank you to our Student Leaders of Mission for their work in promoting and running this event.

Our partnership with Impact Uganda, through the Emmanuel Community in Brisbane, allows us to support Nkinzi directly. By contributing, you've not only helped one girl but also her family and the broader community. You've demonstrated the power of collective kindness and shown Nkinzi that our school cares, even from thousands of miles away.

We are incredibly proud of our school community's commitment to making a real difference. Thank you for your generosity and for helping Nkinzi Maria continue her journey of learning and growth. Your support truly matters!

Upcoming Retreats

Transitus - Year 7

This week, during Year 7 Catholic Studies class, we introduced Transitus. Transitus is a retreat for Year 7 students to grow in their discipleship of Jesus Christ, membership of His Church and to strengthen their transition into Catholic Secondary School. The word ‘transitus’ was chosen because it is the Latin word for passage, crossing, movement over, transition, transit.

We encourage you to have a discussion with your child about attending Transitus. If they wish to attend please ensure that your child completes the google form application which is available in their Catholic Studies Google Classroom.

Applications close on Friday 7th March, 2025 and shortly after, you shall receive all of the details of the retreat through the events module in your Compass App where you can give consent for your child to attend.

LEAD Retreat - Year 11 & 12

LEAD is a Student Leaders Conference that enhances Senior Ministry Teams of Year 11 and 12 students to be equipped for ministry in their schools by nurturing their own faith and developing them into supportive communities. Returning from LEAD, these students will be encouraged to meet regularly to support each other and facilitate Youth Ministry initiatives within their school communities and at regional events such as SHINE.

We encourage you to have a discussion with your child about attending LEAD. If they wish to attend, please ensure that your child speaks to Mr Hyland, Leader of School Evangelisation or Mr Bushe, Assistant Principal, Mission to have their name included for the Conference.

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 will now be published monthly.

The latest edition is available via this link Parish News Bulletin

Mr Matthew Bushe
Assistant Principal - Mission

Year 7 Meet and Greet and Year 11 & Year 12 Parent Teacher interviews

On Monday, 10th March, we will hold Meet & Greet interviews for parents of Year 7 students and subject interviews for parents of Year 11 and 12 students. Interviews will commence at 4.00pm and will be held in the College Hall.

Bookings open Monday, 3rd March, and close at 10am on Monday 10th March. Families will receive a push notification about the interviews via their Compass App. 

Interview appointment times are booked through the Compass App.  Instructions on how to use the Conference Booking section can be found in the following link: https://watch.screencastify.com/v/4nQeOJjyhEj1YeTpiCwf

Respectful Relationships

This week, our Year 11 students participated in the Respectful Relationships program led by 'Your Choicez', which allows young people to look inward and reflect on their beliefs, behaviours, and values when navigating their relationships.

"The sessions offered a safe space where we had the opportunity to reflect on the significance of consent and boundaries, guided by an insightful speaker who empowered us to cultivate healthy relationships with ourselves and others; it was certainly memorable". ~ Year 11 student

Year 11 & 12 Seminars

On Tuesday, 4th March, Year 11 and Year 12 students will attend Study Skills seminars conducted by Elevate Education. These seminars have proved extremely useful over the years. They are a great opportunity for Year 11 students to pick up skills that will help them handle the increased workload of senior school and assist Year 12 students in preparing for their major exams at the end of the year.

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.

Naplan Coordinators

Anne Marchment, Leader of Curriculum
Lisa Freeman, Leader of Numeracy
Sarah McLeod, Literacy Coach

Ian Lutton
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Clap Stick Workshop with Strong Spirits Aboriginal Services

This week, our Year 7 students had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a Clap Stick Workshop, facilitated by Tristram and Loriann from Strong Spirits Aboriginal Services.

Students learned about the traditional process of making clapsticks, their cultural significance, and how they are used in music and storytelling. They then had the chance to decorate their own set, making each piece unique and meaningful.

As always, it was a fantastic experience for our students to connect with culture, community, and each other. Thank you to Tristram, Loriann, and Strong Spirits Aboriginal Services for sharing their knowledge and skills!

Carly Taylor
Aboriginal Education Worker

Hastings Education Fund (HEF) Commencing Grant Recipients for 2024

Each year, the Hastings Education Fund (HEF) provides financial assistance and support to local youth to help them achieve their post-high school education, training and vocational aspirations. HEF recognises that the cost for regional students pursuing their post-high school goals is often much greater than those of their metropolitan counterparts and that these costs can be prohibitive.

With this in mind, HEF fundraises throughout the year and accepts donations from local residents and businesses to provide financial grants to students who need an extra helping hand. The funds come directly from the local community – none is government-funded. It’s a way for the community and businesses to say, “We believe in you and want to support your goals.”

The HEF Annual Gala Presentation was held in December 2024 at Charles Sturt University, where both the students’ success was celebrated and the sponsors were thanked for their generosity.

Congratulations to the following SJRC students who were the successful applicants of a HEF commencing grant for university study in 2025:

• Abhishek Amada commencing a Bachelor of Engineering degree (Mechatronics) at the University of Sydney.
• Gabriel Moore commencing a Bachelor of Arts degree – majoring in Film Studies at the University of Melbourne.
• Arin Godbole commencing a Bachelor of Medical Science degree at Charles Sturt University.
• Aryan Vaishnav commencing a Bachelor of Science/Master of Mathematics double degree at the University of Sydney.
• Laura Smith commencing a Bachelor of Education (Technical and Applied Studies) at Southern Cross University.

SJRC would like to thank the committee members of HEF and all local community members and businesses for their extraordinary work and generosity in making this fund so successful.

We encourage this year's Year 12 cohort to continue to work consistently and to apply for this scholarship when it opens later in the year.

Country Education Foundation - Boot Bash

Boot Bash, Country Education Foundation's annual event to help end education inequity for young Australians in rural and regional areas is happening this March.

By supporting this endeavour, you can help more students access post-school education they otherwise couldn't.

You can support this initiative to uplift our local school leavers by donating here: https://www.cefbootbash.org.au/users/hef-hastings

Mrs Tinsey - Leader of Future Pathways

Music Tuition - Inspiring Young Musicians!

We are incredibly fortunate to have a team of talented and professional music tutors available to help our students take their musical journey to the next level. Many of our tutors are already at capacity—a testament to their expertise and the enthusiasm of our students!

At this week's assembly, we had the pleasure of hearing from our Singing Tutors, Mark & Sarah Morabito, who captivated us with their performances. A huge thank you to them for sharing their talent and passion! 

If you are interested in singing lessons, scan the QR code or visit their website for more details. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the best! 

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 4: Lost - 28th February

Have you ever been lost?
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had to ask yourself,
“Where am I?
Where am I going?
What do I need to pack?
How do I stay warm?
How do I get home?”
Well, this Friday one of our youth leaders will be sharing a story about a time when he got lost and needed to be rescued (literally). He will be sharing what he learnt from that experience to help us prepare for our journey this year and what to do if we get lost on the way.

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.

Encounter Youth Band + Children’s Choir:
    3rd Sunday of the Month (March 16)

All young people from our Parish (primary school – 35yrs) are invited to join our Encounter Youth Band & Children’s Choir at the 5:00 pm Youth & Family Mass every 3rd Sunday of the month. You can access the songs and sheet music by contacting Zac Parnell, Youth Coordinator, and join us for practice from 3:00 pm on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Our next practice and performance will be on the 16th of March.

If you want to see what songs we will be playing or send the cord charts to young people, click here (the songs will be added early next week)

Wildfire Holy Hour:

Finally, on Ash Wednesday next week (Wednesday 5th March, Proclaim Lismore Wildfire will provide music for an hour of adoration at St Agnes’ Church from 5:00 pm.

Please share the news around if you haven’t already.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

We have a delicious variety of 'Lunch Specials', available for $7.00 from Tuesday to Friday, and an everyday menu.

CLICK HERE to view the Canteen's everyday menu.

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.

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

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.