Term 4 Week 9 - 11th December 2020

This week will be the last of our regular weekly newsletters, however, there will be a special edition emailed to families covering all our Year 7-10 award recipients.

PROSPER Program

The PROSPER program aims to raise awareness and skills vital to wellbeing including:

P: Positive Mindset and Positive Emotions.

R: Relationships/Resilience/Respect.

O: Outcomes and Achievement.

S: Strengths (character).

P: Purpose of Meaning and Belonging.

E: Engagement with others and with the community.

R: becoming REAL MEN.

The program incorporates one-on-one and group sessions where concepts of Positive Education, goal setting, community service, self-reflection, team building and self-discipline are teamed with practical, hands-on experiences. The program also gives students a chance to practise leadership skills such as sportsmanship, respect, being a life-long learner, teamwork, and managing impulsiveness as well as boosting confidence in oneself.

I would like to congratulate Lachlan Shields, Brock Windsor, Nash Cook, Nick Fiene, William Wilcox, Jim Dwyer and Luca Licastro who this week put the skills that they have been learning throughout the year into practice. 

This fine group of young men, under the guidance of Mr Colin Mackay, Mr Braden Saggers, Mr Jeremy Bate and Mr Nathan Thurlow, who replaced capping to a retaining wall in the College playground. This involved teamwork, masonry skills and general hard work. They also cleaned and sorted the old pavers, ready for use as repairs by the maintenance staff in the future.

I sincerely thank the PROSPER team teachers for being true role models to these young men. 

Memoir Project

In 2019, a group of students from the Year 10 CSYMA class had the opportunity to work with the elderly from Lourdes Village. Two students Mia Watts and Ebony Darcy worked with Mrs Anne Ihlein to meticulously record her life story.

It was lovely to have received a call from Mrs Ihlein who was overwhelmed by the beautiful book of her memoirs that she recently received.

Mrs Ihlein said, "She would like Mia and Ebony to know that they have her heartfelt thanks and that the memoir will be a treasured piece for her family history".

Thank you and congratulations, Ebony and Mia, on a job well done. I would like to share with you a few words from Ebony and Mia below:

"What a great opportunity and privilege it was to be a part of this program. The time spent with Anne Ihlein was very informative and we learnt a lot about her life. Anne inspired us, with all the wonderful work she did for the less fortunate and her time serving God. Anne knew what she wanted to be documented, making our job easier. She is a very intelligent and worldly woman that still continues to assist children with their reading at the primary schools in the area".

Ebony Darcy & Mia Watts

St Agnes' Parish Catholic Church Appointment

The Bishop has announced that from 11th December, Prodencio Bognay will come from Murwillumbah Parish to be here in Port Macquarie. Prodencio Bognay has completed all the requirements for Ordination to the Diaconate and will be here for his final preparation prior to his Diaconate Ordination in the new year. As a deacon he will then continue on in St Agnes’ Parish preparing to be Ordained a Priest later in 2021. 

Fr Roland left us back in 2018 to do some studies in Washington, USA. Despite COVID he has all but finished those studies, and all being well is flying out of the USA on 28th December. Once completing the compulsory 14 days isolation, Fr Roland will be returning to Port Macquarie to settle back into life in Australia.

HSC Graduates Success

I would like to thank Mrs Leanne Tinsey, Leader of Careers and University Transition, for her dedication and unwavering support that she offers our students, in particular, our leaving students as they transition to either the workforce or tertiary studies. This week, we have received some wonderful news in regards to Lachlan Wright being the recipient of the first Kathleen Briscoe Tuition Scholarship and the successful recipient of the Hastings Education Fund scholarships. I refer you to the following articles about these scholarships.

God Bless

Mr Jim Dempsey
Principal

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 in order to provide financial grants to students who need an extra helping hand. The funds come directly from the local community – none of it 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 on Monday evening at Panthers Club 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 grant for university study in 2021:

Kaitlyn Ashcroft (Year 12 2019 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Aerospace Systems Engineering degree at the University of Newcastle.

Lauren Dykes (Year 12 2019 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Business Management (Fashion and Global Brand Management) degree at the International College of Management Sydney.

Dylan James (Year 12 2019 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Education – (Secondary Teaching) degree at the University of Newcastle.

Layne White (Year 12 2019 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Education - (K-12) degree at Charles Sturt University.

Jessica Daley (Year 12 2020 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Animal Science degree at Charles Sturt University.

Cara Dowse-Collyer (Year 12 2020 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Education - (Secondary)/Bachelor of Arts (Technology) degree at the Australian Catholic University Sydney.

Leilani Purdy (Year 12 2020 student) commencing study in 2021 in a Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Canberra.

Lauren Dykes was given the honour of speaking on behalf of all award recipients and commented on the strong community support and gratitude that all recipients have felt in being part of the scholarship program.

Kalisha Glover (Year 12 2019 student and 2019 HEF recipient) was selected to receive the Lewis Land Group scholarship for continuing education. Matt McCarron from Lewis Land Group presented Kalisha with this award on Monday evening. In 2020, Kalisha has completed her first year of study in the double degree Bachelor of Communications in Media, Arts and Production/Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney.

Dylan Mason (Year 12 2018 student and 2018 and 2019 HEF recipient) was the inaugural recipient of the continuing education scholarship last year and has been selected by Lewis Land Group to have this as an ongoing scholarship for the term of his university studies. Dylan was invited back to be part of the interview panel for the 2020 applicants. He has recently completed his 2nd year in the double degree of Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Taronga Wildlife Conservation).

Kalisha and Dylan, as part of their continuing scholarships, have been provided with the opportunity to undertake paid work experience, (relevant to their field of study) at one of Lewis Land Groups businesses located in Port Macquarie, Sydney, Adelaide or Gold Coast.

St Joseph's Regional College 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.

Mrs Leanne Tinsey
Leader of Careers and University Transition

First Recipient of the Kathleen Briscoe Tuition Scholarship Graduate

The Kathleen Briscoe Tuition Scholarship is celebrating the 2020 graduation of its inaugural recipients, who were awarded their scholarships in 2015.

Set up in 2014 through the St Agnes’ Foundation, the Kathleen Briscoe Tuition Scholarship (KBTS) helps families facing difficult circumstances meet the cost of their children’s secondary education at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish colleges.

The scholarship honours the memory of Kathleen Briscoe who passed away in 2013. She was a lady of great faith who placed great importance on education. Kathleen sacrificed much to provide the best education for her children, knowing this would empower them to lead a rewarding and fulfilling life in their chosen careers.

One of those graduating Year 12 students is Lachlan Wright, who attended St Joseph’s Regional College.

Lachlan Wright is proud of his Aboriginal heritage and is keen to make the most of the educational opportunities the KBTS has enabled him to pursue.

“While I have wanted to be a physiotherapist since I was in primary school and have already gained early entry to study it locally at Charles Sturt University, I am also looking at options to study medicine in Sydney or Orange depending on my results,” Lachlan said.

Lachlan’s mum, Mary Ann Wright, is also deeply appreciative of the assistance Lachlan received over the years through the KBTS.

My husband and I recognised Lachlan’s ability and studious nature but realised that, if he was to achieve his potential, we would need a bit of help financially so we applied for the scholarship and he was fortunate to be a recipient,” Mrs Wright said.

“Despite several hardships, including the bushfires in 2019 and the pandemic this year, Lachlan has continued to reach for his goals,” Ms Wright.

I applaud and am so proud of my son, he has kept going, never complaining and now he has successfully completed Year 12 with the ‘St Joseph’s Regional College Quiet Achiever 2020’ Award to his name.”

"The support we have received from the St Agnes’ Parish and St Joseph’s Regional College communities means the world to us,” she concluded.

Anyone interested in continuing Kathleen’s legacy by contributing to future scholarship funds for students in need, the St Agnes’ Foundation gratefully accepts donations from those who are financially able to assist.

For more information please contact Parish Administration on 02 6588 7444.

Week 10 - Christmas Mass and Award Ceremonies 

What an exciting week we will have in Week 10, starting with our Christmas Mass on Monday, 14th December commencing at 9:15am.

On Tuesday, 15th December, the following Year 7-10 Major Awards Ceremony will take place.

Academic Awards Ceremony: 9:15am - 10:35am
Outstanding Application Awards
Outstanding Achievement Awards
1st Place in Subject Awards
Dux and Runner-up to Dux Awards

Service and Spirit Awards Ceremony: 11:05am - 12:00pm
Community Service Awards
100% Attendance Awards
House Person of the Year Award
Special Awards
SJRC Spirit Awards

This year due to restrictions we are limited to inviting the parents only of students who are being presented with an award to each ceremony.  Families of students who will be presented an award have been notified via SMS. A light morning tea, after the Academic Awards Ceremony, will be provided for parents who attend.

Please note the following arrangements for Tuesday, 15th December 2020:

• All students must return to PC at the conclusion of the Service & Spirit Award ceremony to collect their Application Awards and to say their Christmas farewells.
• College reports will be issued via the Parent Portal on Tuesday, 15th December.
• Students may go home after the Service & Spirit Awards ceremony at 12:20pm on Tuesday, 15th December. Supervision will be available for students who are unable to go home at this time.
• If your child will be going home with another parent, we ask that you write your child a note to give to their PC teacher on the morning of the award ceremonies.
• Students will not be permitted to phone home from the College Office to make travel arrangements.
• All buses will run as normal on this day.

Report Feedback

Staff will be available at the College on Wednesday, 16th December from 8.30am-12noon for report feedback. Please call the College Office to make an appointment time.

Thank you for assisting us in departure arrangements and we look forward to seeing you at our Year 7-10 Award Ceremonies.

Jim Dempsey
Principal

Year 7-10 Awards - Tuesday 15th December 2020

Reminder: Students are to wear their full College uniform on this day. Information about the Year 7-10 Awards can be found in the article in this newsletter. It is important that you read through the event particulars so both you and your child is aware of pickup arrangements. Office ladies will not be phoning home to make travel arrangements for students.

Return of Students 2021

Please find important dates below for the return to school next year:

• Friday, 29th January 2021 - Positive Partnership Conversations for Year 7 2021, new Year 8 to 10 students and Year 11 2021 students.
• Monday, 1st February 2021 - Year 7, 11 & 12 students commence.
• Tuesday, 2nd February 2021 - Years 8, 9 & 10 students commence.

Uniform

As mentioned in previous newsletters, the College Uniform Code of Presentation will be changing in 2021. However, our current rules regarding uniform will still apply for the remainder of 2020.  This information was also presented to students at our assembly.

We appreciate your support and ask that families continue to assist us in our efforts to ensure that all students are wearing the correct uniform every day.  Breaching the Code of Presentation will result in a uniform infringement being issued.

We understand that we are nearly at the end of the year and many students are starting to outgrow their current uniforms. If your child has grown out of their uniform, please contact the College Office so we can arrange to swap their uniform for a bigger size.

Please find details of the changes along with the full Code of Presentation:

Changes to the Uniform Code of Presentation - 2021

2021 will see the implementation of some changes to the College Uniform Code of Presentation. Please see the revised policy attached. A copy of this will be in the 2021 College Diary for future reference.

The main changes include:

SPORT UNIFORM - students are permitted to wear sports uniform to and from school on their sports day, for PD/H/PE practical lessons and for other elective practical lessons, as negotiated with their teacher eg. Marine Studies, PASS, Dance or Drama practicals.

Sport uniform may also be worn to school on days where school sport team training or organised sports competitions occur.

NB. Please be mindful that students who participate in Technology subjects require leather shoes to be worn for the practical lessons. This applies to ALL Year 7 and 8 as well as students in other year groups who choose electives in the TAS area. If the sport uniform is worn to school and a practical lesson is timetabled, black leather school shoes must be brought to school to change into. Alternatively, we recommend buying sport shoes with a full leather upper.

HAIR - more explicit instructions as outlined.

MAKE-UP - make-up and nail polish are not permitted, including acrylic, French tip or shellac nails. Eyelash extensions are not permitted.

JEWELLERY - Junior jewellery remains unchanged, however, senior jewellery has changed.

We appreciate the support of families to ensure students are well-groomed and wearing the College uniform correctly and with pride each day.

I encourage you to view the new College Uniform Code of Presentation 2021 Policy in its entirety. 

Uniform_Code_of_Presentation_2021.pdf

Uniform_Code_of_Presentation_2021 _pdf 449.28 KB

Mrs Tanya Daley
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care & Staff Support

Year 7-10 Reports

Reports for students in Years 7-10 will become available on 15th December via our Parent Portal. A reminder that all reports are now issued electronically, and paper copies will only be issued on request.

Requisites

Please find following the list of requisites for Years 8, 9 and 10.

For Year 11 students, stationery requirements differ for each course. They are able to choose what best works for them in their course. Most senior students bring a ring folder with note dividers for each course.

Mr Tim McCosker
Assistant Principal - Curriculum & Administration

A Christmas Farewell to our three Year 10 students, Sarah McIntosh, Alex Burg and Elli Corless-Brown.

Wishing you all the best for 2021 at Newman Senior Technical College.

Year 10 Industrial Technology - Timber

Students are working on their final touches for their cabinets with the sanding of the cabinet and doors. A high level of skill has been demonstrated in the construction of their project. Well done Year 10!

Year 10 Industrial Technology - Metal

Students this semester have been designing, planning and constructing their BBQs with some amazing, original designs taking place. The welding of each piece of their BBQ has been completed with precision. The BBQs will be ready for use just in time for the summer holidays. Check out a couple of designs below.

TAS team

STOP PRESS Results are in! 

Year 8/9 Writing Enrichment Competition

It is a pleasure to announce the outstanding results of the following students in the recently held Year 8/9 Writing Enrichment competition judged by author Hayley Lawrence.

Congratulations:

Highly commended - Felicity Meehan - The dystopian world of the soul mates/twin flame. Loved the tragic twist ending! An interesting and unusual story with elements of love and companionship but also a tragedy. Great interior monologue.

Highly Commended - Escaping Reality by Lauren Johnston - An eerie, interesting ghost story told mostly through interior monologue but with a good balance of action and thought. The story was eerie, compelling and unpredictable. I felt a creepier ending could have improved this story, by ending with something ominous.

3rd Place - A Bully's Perspective by Cecealia Ducker. Well done on choosing a brave perspective to tell a story from ... the perpetrator rather than the victim. This story showed depth, empathy and understanding that every story has two sides. It was also a cautionary tale against bullying. Great insight into emotional trauma, well done!

2nd Place - The Metropolis by Lorena Dionigi - Confident, sharp writing. Loved the different perspective offered by the starling. Your use of language was judicious and effective, the tension tight, the story drawing me in and holding my attention. Great use of observation about human nature, blended seamlessly into the story. This story was very closely tied to the winning story, except that the ending didn't quite make sense. Had you tied the ending into the story about the starling and helped the reader to understand the connection better, this story may have won.

1st Place - Lifeline by Zoe Copeland - Wonderful topical choice of mental health, particularly in a year where mental health is a big concern. A wonderful character arc and journey from depression and hopelessness to hope and help. The character was written empathetically and I was drawn into her journey. You created a believable experience and the writing was brave, raw and honest. Well done!

The SJRC Literacy Enrichment Team

We love catching up with past students and following their journeys since graduating from St Joseph's Regional College. The breadth and variety of career paths and life choices are amazing and make for such interesting reading. Our current students will find inspiration in these stories.

Mrs Leanne Tinsey
Leader of Careers and University Transition

The Grand Finals for both senior and junior divisions of the PC Touch Football Competition were held today.  Congratulations to:

• Junior PC Touch
  • Winners - Innes 1
  • Runner Up - Macquarie 5
  • Score: 4 - 3
    
    
• Senior PC Touch
  • Winners - Wilson
  • Runner Up - Oxley
  • Score: 7 - 0

Thanks to all PCs for their participation in the competition.

A huge thankyou to Georgia Smith (our PE/Sport trainee) for her assistance on a daily basis in running this competition.

Mr Cannon
SJRC Sport Co-ordinator

Michael Cannon
SJRC Leader of Sport

27th November 2020

Congratulations to Ella Scaysbrook (Yr 9) who won the North Coast Junior Masters Golf Tournament yesterday by one shot.  The tournament was held at Kew Country Club and continues her great form after winning the Newcastle Golf Club Club Championships last month.

Port Macquarie News Article

Michael Cannon
SJRC Leader of Sport

7th December 2021

Weekly Lunch Specials

The Canteen opens at 8.00am every school day.

Our fantastic canteen is now welcoming volunteers.

If you can help, please contact me at the College on phone: 5525 4100.
Many hands make light work!

Ms Donna Hamlin
Food Services Manager

The St Agnes' Uniform Store is open from:

12.00pm - 5.00pm Monday to Friday

9.00am - 12.00pm Saturday.

Last day of trading for 2020
Saturday, 19th December

January 2021 Extended Hours:  4th January 2021 - 30th January 2021

10.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday

9.00am - 12.00pm Saturday

Trading hours will revert back to normal hours from 1st February 2021

Monday to Friday - 12 noon - 5.00pm
Saturday - 9.00am - 12 noon

6 Boronia Street, Port Macquarie