Term 2 Week 4 - 20th May 2022
- Acting Principal's Message
- Acting Assistant Principal - Mission
- Year 12 Retreat
- Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
- Wellbeing
- Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching
- High Potential Learners
- Science
- Careers
- Library News
- 2022 Senior Diocesan Basketball
- 2022 - Bill Turner Soccer
- SJRC Social Media
- Canteen News
- St Agnes' Uniform Store
- Hastings Education Fund (HEF)
- Community News
Once again, this week saw many staff involved in educational and spiritual experiences.
Year 12 Retreat - Our Year 12 students took some time out of their learning to gather as a group at The Francis Retreat, Bonny Hills. Thank you to our Leader of Student Wellbeing, Mrs Kellie Croft for facilitating the retreat. Thank you also to the Leader of Evangelisation, Mr Timo Gobius, Year 12 Pastoral Care teachers and our YMOs for taking time away from your own families to make this retreat both rewarding and memorable for our Year 12 students.
High Potential Learners - Thank you to Mrs Amanda Cassegrain for her efforts in bringing together an array of extra-curricular learning opportunities for students at our College. This past week has seen us celebrate learning at a presentation evening, showcasing the Year 8 Passion Project. In addition to this, there were 70 plus, students who excelled their imaginations and challenged themselves at the da Vinci Decathlon and the Science and Engineering Challenge.
Of course, these learning experiences take a team of staff to bring to fruition. I sincerely thank all staff for their dedication to our students' learning.
Full reports on these events can be found in this week's newsletter.
College Song Competition - 'What's Your Version'
This week at assembly, Mrs Johnson, launched our new 'What's Your Version' College song Competition. Students are invited to update the recording of the College Song with their own rendition. Mrs Johnson can provide interested students with further clarification regarding the criteria for the competition.
The winner will see their version professionally recorded and used for many years to come. The competition is now open and will close on Tuesday 7th June (week 7). all entries are to be submitted to Mrs Johnson.
Creative Arts Nest update
What a huge week it has been with the recently launched Arts Nest!
The A4 art competition
The A4 art competition has had an exciting number of incredible artworks submitted from K-12 as well as staff across all the St Agnes' Parish schools. The deadline has now passed, and we await the news of the judging. Once judging is complete we will then have the chance to view the artworks and vote for the 'Peoples Choice' prize from the top selected artworks that will be displayed at an exhibition at our College.
Aladdin
Last week also saw the completion of the cast auditions for our very first combined schools musical “Aladdin". Twenty students from the College were notified that they have been selected. Places for singers are still to be filled.
The cast of 100 will begin afternoon rehearsals starting on Monday 30th May.
Traffic Management - Student safety at and after school
In our last newsletter, I reported that The Traffic Management Audit by the CSO has highlighted the unsafe manner in which some students depart the College in the afternoons. On Wednesday at the College Assembly, students were reminded that they should not need to cross roads inside the College or out the front when being collected in a car.
The Drop-off and Pick-up zone along the Administration block is the only place students should be collected in a car.
Please ensure you remind your child to wait in the appropriate area to be picked up. There have been several "near-miss" situations where students have crossed roads in dangerous places in front of trucks, buses and other cars.
Year 11 and their siblings were also reminded where to walk to cross safely to enter the Year 11 carpark.
I appreciate your support in keeping our precious students safe.
Acting Principal
Community Service - “We are the hands and feet of Jesus”
You are probably wondering why I am up here wearing this crazy orange outfit, well let me tell you why. This week is national volunteer week and today, in particular, is WOW Day or Wear Orange Wednesday for SES volunteers. I’m getting up here briefly today to talk about volunteering and how you can participate in it.
Here at St Joseph's Regional College, you as a student have the option to participate in many community services or volunteering initiatives and be recognised for the hours that you volunteer. Apart from the opportunity to support our great school, there are almost limitless opportunities to support the community for example animal welfare groups, food service programs, groups that support the elderly, Ironman, disabled surfing and organisations like the emergency services. I myself have been volunteering with the SES or State Emergency Service since I was 16. This organisation often helps the community in their most vulnerable times for example during floods and storms particularly but also does many community engagement activities to help make the community get stronger and gain resilience. During this time of my service, I have helped in the fires supported the Fire Services to evacuate people, helped with the two major flooding events in this area, saved people from their homes and floodwaters, and helped to fix many broken properties with a few searches for missing people in between.
Volunteering is a great way to develop skills, and make new friends and is also a great way to give back to the community in a positive way. Volunteering not only helps the community but the skills you learn can also transfer into your career options. For example a lot of people that volunteer with SES do paramedicine because many of the skills cross over. In your diary, there are a few pages that talk about community service and volunteering and the different sorts of things you can do for each year group starting at page 146 with a couple of pages of information and the third one being a logbook for any hours that you do.
I highly recommend you check this out and put yourself out there to join some of these amazing initiatives because I know, the invaluable happiness I get out of helping others is life-changing.
Emily Burg
Youth Ministry Officer
On pages 146 and 147 of the College diary, there are a variety of ways in which students can be involved in community service. Students are encouraged to take the time to read through them and hopefully select an activity that they could do in order to help others. I invite parents to also sit with their child(ren) and read through the information; encouraging them to become involved in one or more of the listed activities.How do students record their Community Service?
On page 148 of the College diary, there is a table where students can record their Community Service. Activities need to be signed off by a parent or by a person who is responsible for the activity. Later this term students will be asked for validated hours. A certificate acknowledging the student’s involvement in Community Service will be presented to eligible students.
There will be two opportunities this term to reach out to people in need. Though it may be not giving our time freely to help others it is still an authentic way that we can be the ‘hands and feet of Jesus’.
More information about these opportunities will be presented at our next assembly.
The Ignite Conference is one of the largest Catholic events of its kind in Australia for young people - adults, teenagers and children. The conference includes live bands and awesome speakers, with streams and workshops in areas such as leadership, worship, creative arts, mission, culture and prayer!
This exciting conference is back again in September 22-25 at St Laurences' College, South Brisbane. The CSO will be organising a trip that is open to students from Years 9-12. The trip will be subsidised by the CSO to make it more affordable and accessible. Student participants will be asked to make a co-contribution of $245.00. This contribution will go towards the registration cost. Transport and accommodation are fully subsidized.
To secure your registration for Ignite, students will need to collect a form from the College office and return it by Friday 10th June. Please include $245.00 (non-refundable) payment with a permission note and return it to the College office. Registration online using the coupon code provided on the permission note is required as part of the application.
More information online at igniteconference.com.au
To see a video of the conference click the link. Or see the Ignite website for more information.
Journey into the Catholic Faith for Teens
NSW Northern Rivers Flood Relief Concert
A special fund-raising concert featuring some of Port Macquarie’s finest musicians and singers. Assembled under the direction of Robyn Ryan OAM and Jim Matsinos.
To be held at MacKillop College, Ocean Drive, in the school’s theatre, on the 4th and 5th June, two afternoon performances starting at 2.00pm.
The money raised is to assist the flood victims of the Northern Rivers of NSW.
A special bracket of songs from the blockbuster Opera Les Misérables. In which the two principal singers from the Taree Arts Council 1995 production of Les Misérables, John Thompson and Jim Matsinos will be joined by Elizabeth Ryrie.
MC; John Cross. an Australian actor, a master swordsman, who has appeared in numerous independent and feature films, Home and Away, Moulin Rouge and the blockbuster Hercules: appearing with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Save the Date!
St Agnes' Parish News Bulletin
Each week the Parish produces a news bulletin. In this week’s bulletin:
- Annual Clergy Retreat to be held in Lismore
- Health update - Father Paul & Father Lemon
- Presbytery refurbishment
- No weekday Masses 17-19 May
- Family Groups celebrating 34 Years in the Parish
- Laudato Si’ Week -16-24 May
- Bishops’ Synod 2023 Report
- Volunteers Appreciation Mass Friday 27 May
- Alive in the Spirit Online Conference 26-28 May
- Mass times & COVID safe rules for attending Mass
Click to read this week's Parish News Bulletin
Mr Michael Walsh
Acting Assistant Principal - Mission
Yr12 Retreat
Thank you to our teachers who once again gave up their personal time to share and supervise last week's Year 12 Retreat at The Francis Retreat centre, Bonny Hills. I sincerely thank Mrs Kellie Croft for her organisation of the retreat.
Last week our Year 12 cohort took time away from studies at The Francis Retreat. Students had the invaluable opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and embrace new relationships within the year group. Students recognised each other's uniqueness and reflected on the influential and supportive people in their lives as they navigate the HSC and the journey ahead.
At the conclusion of the retreat students put together a unique concluding celebration of their time together.
Jayde shared her feelings with the group, "Through this retreat, I have become a better person, more understanding and thoughtful of others. I would like to thank each and every student in this room for the journey of high school as well as the opportunity to grow as a year group over the past three days."
Students reflections;
“It is exactly what we needed to build and hold tight to those connections as we embark on our HSC journey”.
“My experience at the retreat was different to any previous school run retreat/camp. I believe the retreat improved me as a person and helped me form new relationships with my year group”.
“I think the Year 12 retreat was highly successful. It was clear to see that people had a great time with each other, and most certainly bonded together. It was great to see people open up, this will be a Year 12 experience to remember”.
“Retreat not only gave an opportunity to take a break from the stresses of year 2 but also formed significant new friendships and connections as a whole”.
“One of the most insightful experiences I’ve ever had”.
I am tremendously proud of the manner in which our students embraced this opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with our Year 12 students as we prepare for the HSC exams and future pathways.
Mrs Kellie Croft
Leader of Student Wellbeing, Year 12
Bus Timetable changes - Effective from Monday, 23 May 2022
All students have received a letter this week from their bus driver in regards to the upcoming changes to the school bus timetables for schools in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Laurieton and Wauchope. Effective from Monday, 23 May 2022.
These changes have been designed in conjunction with Transport NSW for improved student safety on regional bus services.
Please check the below bus timetable for revised travel arrangements. You can also find this on Busways website. In the ‘search’ field, type the name of your school, open the red text pdf that says "New timetable | 23 May 2022" and then look for the changes to your timetable highlighted in yellow.
Bus Tracking APP
Parents can also plan their child’s trip and track their school bus in real-time using digital apps newly available since December.
Visit https://bit.ly/PortMacquarieRegionRealTimeTripPlanning for details.
For further information please contact Busways Customer Service on 1300 69 2929.
Headspace National is hosting a free mental health education session for Parents and Carers of young people to support their mental health.
The session aims to:
- Strengthen your understanding of mental health definitions.
- Enhance your conversational approach to mental health and well being.
- Build skills and strategies to support young people, including the transition to work and study.
- Build awareness of local, state and national supports available to young people.
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
Push-Up Challenge
Many staff and students are participating in the annual Push-Up Challenge. With the theme of "Push for Better Mental Health,' we hope to raise awareness around the challenges and struggles of mental health.
The aim is to do 3,139 push-ups over 24 days from 1st - 24th June 2022. If you too, feel the call to take up the challenge, visit https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/ to register. Together we can do this!
Port Macquarie Parent/Carer session: Navigating uncertainty and change
Tue 21 June 2022 at 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Headspace Port Macquarie 12 Short Street
About this event
Headspace National is hosting a FREE mental health education session for Parents and Carers of young people to support their mental health.
The session aims to:
- Strengthen understanding of how young people can be affected by change and uncertainty
- Build skills and strategies to support young people who are navigating change
- Identify signs that young people may need additional support
- Build awareness of local, state, and national supports available to young people
Following the session, all those who register will be supported by a digital pack of information that will be sent out via email within five days after the event.
Please note: these sessions are for Parents and Carers of young people between 12-25 years old. This is a live event and will not be recorded.
Year 11 2023 Enrolment
Year 11 2023 enrolment is underway. Next week, families of our current Year 10 students will receive further information about the enrolment process into Year 11 2023.
Elevate Education - Free Parent Webinar
Elevate is an award-winning organisation that has been working with us to help students to become more effective learners. We realise that these are challenging times. Your child’s ability to self-motivate, manage their time and prepare effectively will be a crucial factor to guarantee their success over this academic year.
I encourage you to join this exclusive webinar series where you will be shown – as parents – how to best support your child through school.
Register your attendance at - https://get.elevatecoaching.info/au/register
Mr Tim McCosker
Assistant Principal - Curriculum & Administration
It has been a busy start to Term 2 as our students embrace the vast array of opportunities for learning enrichment here at SJRC.
Year 8 Passion Project
A group of Year 8 students explored an area of interest over the course of six weeks in their Passion Projects. Their research findings were demonstrated and shared with guests at the presentation evening last week in a celebration of learning and inquiry, as guests were treated to a vast variety of topics. These ranged from mathematical applications in running, to podcasting, to an analysis of social media impacts on young people, to the history of feminism, to modern-day feminism, to music, to veterinary science, to the training regimen of elite athletes, to brain science and the list goes on. Well done to our students for demonstrating their tenacity, curiosity and creativity.
Congratulations to the following students who really demonstrated their character strength of ‘Love of Learning’:
| Halle Armitage Akir Baird Imogen Baker Ava Bourne Isabella Campbell |
Isla Dalton Sam Duff Seth Blair Paige Hudson Elijah Koivu |
Oliver Koivu Airlia Matthews Charlie Smith Tahlia Van den Boom |
da Vinci Decathlon
On Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th May, 48 students from Years 9, 10 and 11 and 16 students from Year 8 competed in the Mid North Coast Regional da Vinci Decathlon. Throughout the day, students worked collaboratively, to solve various challenges across a range of academic disciplines, including; Science, Creative Producers, English, Ideation, Mathematics, Engineering, Art and Poetry, Cartography, Code Breaking and Legacy.
28 teams, from schools across the Mid North Coast, were in attendance. Our students performed admirably, in particular, the mixed Year 9, 10 and 11 team scored highly in Code Breaking and Legacy, while the Year 11 team came home strong in the Art and Poetry section. The Year 8 team scored impressively in Ideation.
All of our students displayed exemplary behaviour and represented our College community with distinction. A special mention to Mrs Pares, Mr Kobelke and Mrs Goldie who assisted the teams on the day.
Congratulations to:
Years 9, 10 and 11
| Team GREEN Giordano Dionigi Lorena Dionigi Liam Ross Ned McRae Kohan Pepper Findlay Baird-Philp Ethan H Smith Aidan Buckley |
Team AQUA Alannah Steele Max Troth Joshua Kobelke Esther Cummins Lauren Kelly Matthew Nicola Paige Haleblian Audrey Cassegrain Kieran Copeland |
Team PINK Ashton Cooper Dominic Matheson Khussh Sachan Hrday Thakrani Millie Read Lucinda Murphy Hannah Thompson Tiana Daley |
| Team RED Teleah Hicks Jack McManus Ava Hawker Jeffrey Keena Callum Aldridge Findlay Marshall McKinley Halls Luke Squire |
Team YELLOW Adam Cook Aryan Vaishnav Zoe Copeland Lauren Johnston Brock Holliday Ziggy Ewart Olivia Moore Maisy Taylor |
Team ORANGE Grace Kruk Tom Spilsbury Harry Turnbull Arin Godbole Ethan Gibson James Merkus Gabriel Moore Jett Willows |
Year 8
| Team BLUE Isabella Campbell Tahlia Van Den Boom Matilda Ewart Amelia Riley Elijah Koivu Oliver Koivu Ethan Begley Sophie Pynaert |
Team PURPLE Isla Dalton Adam Jennings Sam Duff Jack Duff Cooper Watts Mitchell Stephens Imogen Baker Dane Bittu |
Science and Engineering Challenge
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a day-long competition designed to provide Year 10 students with a positive experience of STEM. This competition has been running for 22 years and Mr Mark Robertson and I were thrilled to accompany 25 students to compete against 5 other schools at Melville High School on Wednesday 18th May.
Each school team is divided into eight groups. Each group participates in either one full-day activity or two half-day activities. Students are awarded points for each activity and the school with the most cumulative points at the end of the day is declared the winner.
Some of the challenges included bridge-building, code-breaking, building a Mars rover and creating a turbine for a hydroelectric power station.
This group of students are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm, creative thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills. Our students represented the College superbly and scored the second-highest on the day out of six schools. Quite an impressive achievement that they should all be proud of.
The students were elated with their results and most enjoyed the variety of challenging activities they could work on with their peers.
A special thanks to the University of Newcastle and Rotary International for organising the successful day.
Congratulations to the following students on their success:
| Lily-Rose Bajt Danny Barratt Zoe Copeland Sophia Dominguez Ziggy Ewart Teliya Gayer Ethan Gibson Arin Godbole Eli Greenwell |
Ava-Grace Hawker Teleah Hicks Brock Holliday Lauren Johnston Jacob Kruk Grace Kruk Jack McManus James Merkus |
Lucas Pynaert Tom Spilsbury Maisy Taylor Alana Toogood Caitlyn Toomey Harry Turnbull Aryan Vaishnav Jett Willows |
Stay tuned for more learning enrichment news as students prepare to participate in the upcoming Australian History Competition and teams of Year 10 students prepare for the launch of our entrepreneurial project the YHQ@SJRC in Week 5.
Amanda Cassegrain
Leader of High Potential Learners
The Santos Science Experience is a one day or multi-day science camp for students in Years 9 and 10.
More information can be found at https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/
Applications close soon and some sponsorship may be available through Rotary Australia. Please contact Mr Kobelke if you are in Year 9 or 10 and would like to attend.
Mr Norman Kobelke
Leader of Science
Join us at the St Agnes’ Parish Careers Expo
Learn more about job opportunities with one of the largest employers in Port Macquarie. Opportunities range across aged care, disability and therapy services, education and training, business and administration.
John Henry Institute, the registered training provider of the Parish, will also be present to show you how they can help you train for a new role or get a work placement.
- Date: Wednesday 15 June 2022
- Time: 3 pm-6 pm
- Venue: Glasshouse, Hay Street, Port Macquarie
The event is aimed at individuals who
- might have already finished school and are still deciding on a career path.
- might already be working in an industry and are looking to learn new skills and change career paths.
- might be looking for flexibility, and working part-time provides the best lifestyle for you.
Registration: www.stagnesparish.org.au/careers/ or call the Parish Administration Centre on (02) 6588 7444
20th May 2021
The Senior Diocesan Basketball Gala day was held in Coffs Harbour on Thursday the 19th of May.
The girls competed well against some tough teams and finished 7th overall. The team consisted of Piper Facer, Riley Bate, Milla Seale, Kiara Dalton, Tenay Bonney, Lauren Johnston, Summa Clare and assistant coach Sienna Gill.
The boys showed great sportsmanship and pride in the school and finished 4th in Division 1. Thank you to Jack McManus, Marcus Wright, Harrison Brown, Kobe Roser, Bailey Moore, Zac Mapstone, Sam Fox, Jordan Wescott, Sam Watts and Colbi Hunt.
Reports provided by our coaches Mrs Tarrant, Miss McAnally and Miss Baxter
Damien Kelly
Leader of Sport
24th May 2022
Bill Turner Soccer - Round 2
On Monday 23rd May, both Boys and Girls SJRC Bill Turner Soccer teams travelled to MacKillop College to contest Round 2 of the statewide competition. Following forfiets in Round 1 and ongoing issues with field availability, both teams were excited to be competing again. However, the recent rain forced both games to be played on the local hockey fields, producing a very fast paced game with ball control proving a critical factor.
Our girls fought hard under the difficult conditions, eventually going down 3-1, while our boys, dominated possession but finished 1-1 at the conclusion of regular time. Following a scoreless extra time and player drop off, the match entered penalty shoot out going down 5-3.
Thank you to all our players and coaches Miss Toms and Mr Cato
____________________
Mr Kelly
Leader of Sport
24th May, 2022
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
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcexchange
Instagram - Instagram - @sjrcexchange
Twitter - @sjrcexchange
Careers
Website - https://www.sjrcportcareers.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sjrcportcareers
Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjrcportcareers
Volunteers Wanted
We cannot run the canteen without you; as the saying goes:
"Many Hands Make Light Work".
If you are able to spare an hour or so of your time,we would
love for you to join us.
Please contact Donna Hamlin through the College Office on 5525 4100.
Weekly Lunch Specials
| Term 2 Week 5 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | Hawaiian Chicken Burger |
| Tuesday | Fried Rice & Honey Soy Wings |
| Wednesday | Beef Burrito |
| Thursday | Hamburger |
| Friday | Butter Chicken & Rice |
| Term 2 Week 6 Lunch Specials | |
| Monday | Vege Ravioli w/pesto |
| Tuesday | Apricot Chicken & Rice |
| Wednesday | Chicken Schnitzel & Salad Wrap |
| Thursday | Gourmet Hotdog |
| Friday | Green Thai Chicken Curry & Rice |
The Canteen opens at 8.00 am every school day.
Ms Donna Hamlin
Food Services Manager
Monday to Friday: 12 noon - 5.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am - 12 noon
6 Boronia Street, Port Macquarie
Uniform 2022
Purchase of new Uniform Items for 2022
Hastings Education Fund (HEF) Charity Day & Annual Raffle draw
The HEF provides financial assistance and mentoring to support local students moving into further education. Typically it assists around 35 students a year with grants of up to $3000 each.
The major fundraiser for HEF is the raffle (see prizes) which is drawn at the Charity Golf Day on Sunday 29 May.
For tickets ($5 for 5, $10 for 15, $20 for 40, $50 for 200) contact Parish Administration Reception or hastingseducationfund@gmail.com
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program Committee seeks potential outbound exchange students for the 2023 year.
Due to new regulations from the NSW Department of Education, outbound student applicants must be in Years 9, 10 or 11 in the year they make an application to be eligible for the program. All outbound students will be required to return to secondary education in Australia to complete at least one year of schooling. The preferred age of applicants is between 15 to 17 years.
Applications close on 20 May 2022
Further information regarding the program can be found on the Rotary Youth Exchange website. An Expression of Interest can be logged at the following website www.ryea.org.au and contact will be made with the student upon receipt of this Expression of Interest. The student will receive the actual YEP Application Form at this time.
Disabled Surfers - Hastings branch of the disabled surfers is planning to hold our AGM for the Disabled Surfers this Wednesday 25th May, you are invited to have input into the club. At Tacking Point Tavern at 6.00pm on the deck out the back of bistro.
RIDE THE WAVE FESTIVAL - JUNE 18th - 19th & 24th - 26th 2022
The Ride the Wave Festival is the annual fundraising event for M.A.D that showcases our region to the wider community whilst advocating for the disadvantaged and marginalised. In this way, all money raised goes back to the local community.
The festival features an open division surf competition, a skateboarding and scooter competition, market stalls, food vendors, family fun zone (free entry) and an ALL AGES live music festival
– Ride The Soundwave –
The inaugural Ride the Wave Festival set out in June 2021 to establish itself as a premier annual festival at Town Beach Port Macquarie. With approximately 2000 attending the festival across three days, the inaugural festival was successful in raising funds to complete the Make a Difference PMQ food van and contributed towards an accompanying food trailer.
Follow our social media pages and keep an eye on our webpage - https://www.ridethewavefestival.com.au/ updates for information.
