I would like to start this week's newsletter with a big thank you to the staff of St Joseph's Regional College for their commitment to excellence every school day. Just this past week we have had 24 staff members attend the Year 10 Retreats, taking time away from their families to ensure our students have the best possible experiences. Additionally, our YMOs were involved in retreats for both SJRC and MacKillop College.

I sincerely thank Mr Tom Inatey, Mr Michael Morson, Mrs Claire Goldie and Mr Timo Gobius for the hours of organisation involved in preparing such an event. Thank you also to the staff involved in activities and supervision throughout the two retreats which ran over four days. I refer you to the report in Mr Walsh's article.

I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful work done by Ms Kylie Wallis and her team of helpers for running a fun and successful Year 7 Positive Education Day held on Wednesday this week. Thank you to the following 18 enthusiastic Year 12 students who helped run activities throughout the day. 

Sam Kobelke Charlie Ross Jayde Atkins Kobe Roser Harry Freudenstein Tara Norris

Jonah Garven Ainsleigh Baker Olivia Montgomery Amahli Kennedy Luke Banks Daniel Ryan

Will McCoubrie Bronte Hudson Eden Lewis Bain Lil Sadler Keatin Nowak Sophie Batchelor

Flood Appeal

Over the past few weeks, students and staff at St Joseph's Regional College have been fundraising in an effort to give the many people of Northern NSW affected by the recent floods.

I am proud to say we as a College community were able to contribute $2000 to this cause.

A big thank you to our students and staff who contributed and thanks must also go to Mr Dave Constantine and senior Hospitality students who prepared and organised a Nacho sale, this act alone, contributed $171. 

A couple of years ago our Bishop, Greg Homeming OCD, established a Disaster Fund for situations like this. We were recipients of these funds after our own devastating floods in 2021. There will be collection buckets located in our churches and chapels for donations to this Disaster Fund. These funds will then be distributed to those in need over the coming weeks and months. 

Families can donate directly to the Diocese of Lismore 2022 Flood Appeal by transferring funds to the account below: 

BSB: 037-889 
Account No: 1061 5829
Name: DOL Flood Appeal

(NB. Donations to the Diocese of Lismore Flood Appeal are NOT tax-deductible)

Year 7 2023 Enrolment - Catholic Primary School Visits

The Year 7 2023 Enrolment process has commenced. This week, Mrs Furney, Mr Michael Walsh, and I have had the privilege to be accompanied by the following students to visit:

• St Joseph's, Wauchope: Teleah Holbert & Issac Park
• St Joseph's, Port Macquarie: Millie Paine, Luke Davies & Riley Robinson
• St Joseph's, Laurieton: Bailey Harris & Hudson Lee
• St Agnes', Port Macquarie: Ellie Nunn & Timothy James

I am very impressed by how quickly students can grow in confidence, to be able to truly articulate the spirit of St Joseph's Regional College. The students have simply been tremendous in discussing their life and learning experiences at St Joseph's Regional College.

All enrolment enquiries can be submitted via our College website - https://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-enquiries

Principal's Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with a Principal's Award at this week's assembly.

Bailey Andrews Halle Armitage Lilly-Rose Bajt Eliza Bajt Andie Beckwith Ethan Begley Katie Bell Charlie Cassar Kieran Copeland Tiana Daly

Tahnee Dimon Keira Donovan Lilly Fraser Kallin Furlong Hugh Hayward Mia Haywood Sophie Holmes Paige Hudson Tori Knox Elijah Koivu

Zoe Little Cody Lynch Ashwin Nath Lucas Pynaert Kiara Ryan Aaliyah Sadler Rylee Smith-Comber Chloe Waites Cooper Watts Josie Yardley

Staff Spirituality & Development Days - Pupil Free Days

Friday 8th April and Tuesday 26th April 2022

Staff will be participating in two Professional Learning Days. Students will not be required to attend school on these days.

On Friday, 8th April, the last day of Term 1, SJRC staff will be participating in our annual Spirituality Day. The aim of the day is to engage and support staff in their faith development. The program has been developed by the Bishop of Lismore and the Catholic Schools Office and will be presented by the Leadership Team of the College.

On Tuesday, 26th April, staff will be undertaking professional learning focusing on three key areas: NESA requirements around registration and accreditation, differentiation, and continued development of literacy and numeracy programs within the College. 

Term 2 will commence for students on Wednesday, 27th April.

Mrs Tanya Daley
Acting Principal

Year 7 2023 Enrolment Information Night and College Tour

Year 7 2023 Information and Open Evening will be held at St Joseph's Regional College Hall on Tuesday, 3rd May commencing at 5.00 pm. College Tours will commence at 5.00 pm followed by a presentation. We encourage all potential students to attend with their parents/guardians.

'Enrolment Welcome Packs' are available now for collection.

Online Applications are now open at the link below:
  https://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/how-to-enrol

Kindergarten 2023

The enrolment process for Kindergarten 2023 has begun. Further information can be found on the St Agnes' Parish website: https://stagnesparish.org.au/education/ or enrolinexcellence.org.au

One of the highlights of the school year is our Giant Easter Egg Raffle.

Each year, students from two House groups are responsible for running and contributing to the raffle. This year, it is Flinders and Macquarie's turn to donate Easter eggs. However, all students are most welcome to donate.

Our Easter Egg raffle is held in the College Hall, on Thursday, 7th April 2022.

Tickets are available for students to purchase during recess and lunch - $1 each or 3 for $2.

All proceeds will go towards our Caritas Australia - Project Compassion fundraising efforts. 

Together, we can make this year's Easter Egg raffle the biggest yet.

Congratulations

Students who have already purchased tickets go into a lucky student draw, these tickets are then put back into the major draw.

Congratulations to this week's lucky winner, Noah Barter!

Prayer for Ukraine

Today, Catholics around the world were encouraged to join their prayers with those of Pope Francis when he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The act of consecration places the warring countries under the protection of Mary, the Mother of Christ, trusting in the power of her intercession. Such an act looks towards God, the source of all peace, and seeks God’s peace through Mary.

Archbishop Coleridge said “We urge people to spend part of their day on March 25 in prayer – attending Mass, praying with family or friends, in silent prayer at a local parish or chapel or in whatever way you can,”

“Today, we stop and turn to Jesus the Prince of Peace, who tells us that peace is possible in a world so badly wounded by war in Ukraine and elsewhere,” 

“Thousands have died, millions have fled and millions more are living in fear. We raise our hearts, our minds and our voices to God for an end to this horrific violence and destruction.”

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference recently issued a prayer for peace in Ukraine.

Take a Moment

Take a few minutes to listen to this beautiful song 'Moments' composed by Diocesan band 'Wildfire' in response to the hardships so many in our community have faced in recent times.

Upcoming Event

The Ironman Australia race is coming to Port Macquarie on Sunday, 1st May 2022. 

This is a wonderful community event where students can interact with athletes and immerse themselves in an act of giving to our community.

Any student interested in volunteering at a drink station, please submit your details via the following link:

Yes, I want to volunteer at our Ironman drink station!

Year 10 Retreat 

Last week, our Year 10 attended two separate retreats at Bonny Hills Francis Retreat Centre. With the theme of 'Excellence', the retreat encouraged students to reflect on themselves, their families and the influences they have in their lives through a variety of activities. Students were given the opportunity to share with others in their small groups and get to know other students who they don’t normally interact with. The participation by all students in the group activities and forgiveness reflection was wonderful to see and the groups all came closer together for the experience.

Thank you to Mr Inatey, Mr Morson and Mrs Goldie who ran the retreats at Bonny Hills, while Mr Gobius and our Youth Ministry Officers (YMOs) took care of all the preparation and accommodation aspects of the retreats. To our wonderful YMOs, Emily Burg, Ella Smith(SJRC) and Gianluca Polacci-Byrnes (MacKillop) who ran games and icebreakers as well as sharing their own life experiences. A big thank you to staff who left their own families overnight to attend, supervise and share their own stories with students throughout the retreats. Students gained valuable insights into who their teachers really are and a newfound respect for each other and an understanding that everyone's life journey is different.

Both retreats reported that students enjoyed their time and the activities.  

Evaluations from some students are:

• “This was an amazing experience and as I leave from here, I know I can express myself and find a deeper faith"
• “The letter from home really put tears in my eyes”
• “The Year 10 retreat enabled us to learn more about ourselves”
• “To be honest I didn’t expect anything, I was just excited”
• “I had no idea what to expect but I’m glad this happened!”
• “The retreat was meaningful and it was good to be able to express our feelings”
• “The Year 10 retreat allowed us to learn more about ourselves”

It is our hope that all students gained something from the retreat experience. We look forward to seeing our students continue to grow and support each other as they move closer to their senior schooling.

College Reports

We no longer print paper copies of student College reports. Families are able to access their child's report via our Parent Portal. 

The following reports will be available via the Parent Portal platform on:

• Tuesday, 5th April - Year 7-11 Semester One College report.
• Thursday 5th May - Year 12 Mid Course report.

Please find below the instructions on how to log into the Parent Portal.

Parent Portal

NAPLAN 2022

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN between 10th and 17th May 2022 and the following tests will occur on the dates indicated:

Tuesday 10th May: Writing

Wednesday 11th May: Reading

Monday 16th May: Conventions of languages

Tuesday 17th May: Numeracy

Additionally, catch-up exam times will be organised for those students who miss a NAPLAN test on one of the four nominated test dates.

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will also be participating in practice tests on 24th March 2022. The practice test is a trial run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN in May. It is not an assessment of student ability, and the tests will not be marked.

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact our NAPLAN Coordinators, Ian Lutton, Lisa Freeman or Matthew Bushe

Mr Ian Lutton
Leader of Curriculum

North Coast Public Health Unit is holding a Vaccination Day at St Joseph’s Regional College on:

Monday, 28th March for Year 7 students
and catch up for Year 8 and Year 11 students

A Parent Information Kit was sent home with Year 7 students last week. The kit contains information about the following vaccinations and the diseases that they protect against as well as a consent form.

NO VACCINATIONS WILL BE ADMINISTERED TO STUDENTS WITHOUT A SIGNED CONSENT FORM, VERBAL CONSENT IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

Signed consent forms are to be returned to the Area Health Nurse on Vaccination Day. Please do not return completed forms prior to this day.

A record of vaccination will be kept by the Area Health Service and a copy will be provided to the vaccinated student for their records.

Please understand that if you do not have your child vaccinated in the Year (eg. Year 7–10) that is offered by North Coast Public Health Unit, you are able to access this vaccine at a later stage at your General Practitioner. The cost of the vaccine, however, will not be covered by this program.

2022 Vaccination Schedule

Term 2 – Monday, 30th May

• Year 10 - Year 10 Nimenrix (meningococcal ACWY)
• Year 7 - HPV dose 1 & Boostrix - catch up
• Year 8 - HPV dose 2 - catch up from 2021 
• Year 11 - Nimenrix (Meningococcal ACWY) – catch up from 2021 

Term 4 – Monday, 31st October (This date must at least 6 MONTHS after the clinic in term 1)  

• Year 7 - HPV dose 2
• Year 7 - HPV dose 1 & Boostrix - catch up
• Year 8 - HPV dose 2 - catch up 
• Year 10 & 11 - Nimenrix (meningococcal ACWY) – catch up

Any questions or concerns regarding the vaccinations can be addressed by calling Kylie Wood at North Coast Public Health Unit on 6589 2120.

Mr Mark Robertson
Leader of Administration

Caritas Australia is Hope in Action

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. With hope, support and compassion at the core of what Caritas does, they work towards a world where all people may thrive.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Families wishing to donate can do so online via the Caritas Australia website lent.caritas.org.au

Caritas at Work!

We would love for you to take a few moments to watch the YouTube videos below to see and hear how Caritas is positively affecting the lives of individuals and communities and how small amounts of money join together to support the work that Caritas is doing.

At Assembly on Wednesday, 8th March 2022 we launched Project Compassion for Pastoral Classes were asked to Commit to raising small amounts of money by choosing a Project from those below and holding their own small fundraiser to raise money for all Future Generations.

Anatercia's from Mozambique 

Biru from India

"Looking at others  who did not have a disability, I wondered what it was like to be them. I was wondering how to look after my family." Biru

To read more about Biru's life and how Caritas Australia has helped her, go to https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/biru-story/#

Janice from Australia

“With many elders gone, we must transfer knowledge, to keep a connection to culture and nurture future leaders. Me and my family, we keep the culture going, we need to keep our culture strong.” Janice

To read more about Janice's life and how Caritas Australia has helped her, go to https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/janice-story/#

Mr Timo Gobius
Leader of Evangelisation

Year 11 Matters

We have a very busy few weeks approaching for our beautiful Year 11 students as they face their first block of assessment tasks in the coming weeks. While this can be a stressful time for students and families, particularly as this is your first block of senior assessment tasks, I’d encourage you to remember that the journey towards the HSC is all about finding your balance. The lessons we learn in Year 11 around planning and preparing for assessment tasks, being self-motivated and self-directed and using our time effectively, are some of the most important lessons a student can learn.

Over the course of your senior studies, there will be times when you’re really busy as you prepare for assessment tasks or sit for exams and there will be times when there is a lot less pressure in terms of deadlines. Keep in front of mind my analogy that senior studies are like a roller coaster ride, there are ups and there are downs, there are times to throw your arms in the air and times to hold on, white knuckle, tightly. Work diligently, prioritise your assessment tasks, create a plan for getting everything done on time (use those diaries), keep looking after your physical and emotional wellbeing and know that the holidays are just around the corner.

Parents, I’d encourage you to support your sons and daughters by being aware of the upcoming assessment tasks (link to assessment planners) and understand that they might be feeling a little overwhelmed as this first busy time approaches. A few nights off ‘dishes duty’ might go a long way in showing them that you’re a team and there to support them as they try their best to achieve great results.

Good luck Year 11 and know that you can come and see me if you need anything…or just pop in for a chat! You’ve got this!

Ms Flanagan - Year 11 Leader of Student Wellbeing
Senior Students

Year 11 & 12 Influenza Vaccination Clinic

Senior students have today received information regarding an Influenza Vaccination clinic on Friday 29th April 2022. If you wish for your child to take up this offer, please return the signed permission note, along with the consent form and payment of $23.00 to the College Office by the last day of this term, Thursday, 7th April.

This is not a mandatory vaccination and it is completely up to each individual if they choose to take up this offer.

Mrs Kellie Croft - Year 12 Leader of Student Wellbeing

Indigenous games

Every Friday during lunchtime the Indigenous Education Team are running some traditional games for all students to be a part of. Each week a new game is played with some history and knowledge of how/where the game was played and how we can continue to learn from these games today.

This week we played Borna Jokee ( ‘bor-na-joke-e’)

A throwing/Dodging game traditionally played by the Noongar people of southwest Western Australia. Traditionally, the Noongar boys would line up in a line and proceed to throw blunted spears at a player who is stationary with his shield or woomera and would have to evasively dodge and deflect all projectiles. Some players were skilled enough to dodge up to three spears thrown at once. Today we can adapt this game to be played at schools safely and inclusively.

We welcome all students to come down and join in!

Braden Saggers, Carly Taylor and Nelson Young
Indigenous Education Team

Student Performance

Year 7 we want YOU!

See Mrs Jensen for further information about some lunchtime Drama Llama fun.

Find us on social media - For photos and information in the library like us at:

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/sjrcexchange

Instagram - @sjrcexchange https://www.instagram.com/sjrcexchange/

Ms Karyn Mooney
Teacher Librarian

karyn.mooney@lism.catholic.edu.au

Last week the SJRC Swimming Squad traveled to Coffs Harbour to compete at the Lismore Diocesan Swimming Carnival.  Congratulations to all students on your efforts,  in particular, Axl Pope and Flinn Trommels who qualified for the Diocesan Team to compete at Homebush on Monday 6th April.

There were stand out performances from:

• Axl Pope who qualified for the 13s 50m Fly and broke the 100m Fly school record
• Flinn Trommels who qualified for 12s 50m Free and 50m Fly

Thank you to our staff members who traveled with the team – Miss Mahni Lewis, Mr Richard Battiston and Miss Maddi Baxter.

• Full Results

SJRC New Record:

Damien Kelly
SJRC Leader of Sport

24th March 2022

Congratulations to the following students who were named in Diocesan Touch Teams this afternoon.  Students selected now trial for NSWCCC teams at Nelsons Bay on Wednesday the 29th March 2022.

• Thank you to Mrs Hunter and Mr Prince for accompanying the players
• Congratulations to Mr Beeby who was selected as the Open Girls CCC Manager.

SJRC 15 Girls Diocesan Touch Team Representatives

• Ashton Daley, Emma Wheeler, Savannah Nowak

SJRC 15 Boys Diocesan Touch Team Representatives

• Jett Hanson, Zac Lovett

SJRC Open Girls Diocesan Touch Team Representatives

• Rhiannon Slater, Sienna Gill, Ava Glassie

SJRC Open Boys Diocesan Touch Team Representatives

• Billy Sprague, Sam Watts, Sam Fox

The following students were also named as shadows: Kayden Jones-Moore, Lillian Sadler, Tenay Bonney, Thomas Boyd, Reef Chapman, Sharni Graham, Kiera Donovan, Shaylee Wilcox

Damien Kelly

SJRC Leader of Sport

22nd March 2022

32 students from Years 9-12 travelled to Kempsey to represent SJRC in the annual Southern Diocesen Soccer Gala day. After an interrupted 12 months due to the pandemic and poor weather, the students were genuinely buzzing and grateful for the opportunity to go and compete for SJRC. 

Both the boys and girls teams played some great soccer while also displaying great sportsmanship and fantastic SJRC college spirit. The boys played out 2 hard fought draws (St Paul’s Kempsey & John Paul College), a spirited loss to MacKillop and a convincing win against Newman. The girls went through undefeated; drawing the opening match to MacKillop and winning the remaining three matches against St Paul’s Kempsey, John Paul College and Newman.

Congratulations to the girls team who have now won the Southern Diocesan division for the 4th year in a row. They have now qualified to take on the winner of the Northern Diocesan in a playoff match to decide who enters the state wide knockout competition. Well done girls!!

A special mention also needs to be made to Year 12 student Scott Bartlett who offered up his expertise as a referee and contributed to the successful day by officiating in 4 matches. 

Open Boys Results    

Open Girls Results

Jordynn McAnally & Evan Berger

Weekly Lunch Specials

The Canteen opens at 8.00 am every school day.

CLICK HERE for the Canteen's everyday menu.

Ms Donna Hamlin
Food Services Manager

Uniform 2022

Purchase of new Uniform Items for 2022