SJRC Newsletter: Term 3 Week 2 - 1st August 2025

Year 11 Information Evening

On Monday evening, we had the pleasure of welcoming prospective families and students considering enrolment in Year 11, 2026 at St Joseph’s Regional College. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout, and I was particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm of our current Year 10 students as they begin to make important decisions about their final two years of secondary education.

My sincere thanks to Mr Ian Lutton (Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching), Mrs Jennifer Furney (Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care), and Mr Matthew Bushe (Assistant Principal - Mission) for their leadership in organising such a successful and informative evening. Thank you to the Leaders of Learning at the College for their contributions at the evening. A special thank you also to our College Captain, Jacob Hill, who represented the student voice so capably during the presentation.

We look forward to supporting our students and their families through the journey ahead as they step confidently into senior schooling.

Year 11 2026 Enrolment interviews will be held next Thursday, 7th August, in our College Library. Interviews are booked through www.schoolinterviews.com 

Staff Appraisal

Four Students to be Welcomed into the Catholic Church

This Sunday at 5 PM, our College community will joyfully witness a significant milestone for four of our students: Imogen, Theodore, Max, and Thomas. After approximately ten weeks dedicated to a "Journey into the Catholic Faith for Teens," guided by Zac Parnell, our Parish Youth Coordinator, these students will be welcomed into the Church, receiving their Sacraments of Initiation.

Throughout their journey, Imogen, Theodore, Max, and Thomas have delved into the teachings of the Catholic faith, demonstrating remarkable commitment and offering profound insights into their learning. We are incredibly proud of their dedication to spiritual growth and are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with them.

We warmly invite all members of our College and Parish community to attend Sunday's 5 PM Mass to witness this life-changing event. As Imogen, Theodore, Max, and Thomas take these first steps in joining our worshipping community, we continue to hold them in our prayers:

Heavenly Father, we lift up Imogen, Theodore, Max, and Thomas as they prepare to be welcomed into Your Church. We thank You for their commitment and the deep insights they've shared on their journey of faith.

Bless them, Lord, as they receive the Sacraments of Initiation this Sunday. May Your Holy Spirit fill their hearts, guiding them in their new steps within our worshipping community. Strengthen their faith, deepen their love for You, and grant them courage as they continue to grow in Your grace.

We ask all this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflecting and Connecting: Year 8 and 9 Reflection Days

This Thursday and Friday, our Year 8 and Year 9 students participated in incredibly enriching Reflection Days, facilitated by Tom and Patrick from Passionist Youth Ministries. These special days were designed to help students explore relatable themes and strengthen their connections with peers and important people in their lives.

Tom and Patrick created a dynamic and engaging environment, utilizing a variety of methods including music, multimedia, games, interactive exercises, storytelling, rituals, and moments of inspiration. Our students responded wonderfully, participating enthusiastically and gaining valuable insights into building stronger relationships.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our Leaders of Student Wellbeing, Mrs Heidi O'Reilly (Year 8) and Mrs Jessica Hulbert (Year 9), for their invaluable support in bringing this program to fruition. Their dedication, along with the contributions of Deacon Shane Hyland and Emily Burg, our College Youth Minister, ensured the success of these meaningful days for our students. We hope the students enjoyed the days and continue to reflect on what they learned.

Merit Awards

At St Joseph's Regional College we have a tied merit award system. This system aims to recognise student effort, encourage progress and generate positive conversations between students and staff and between students and their families.

This system offers a progression of awards and incentives for students, beginning with the Bronze Award at 10 merits through to a Platinum Award at 50 merits.

Other key points include:

• Personal points can be accrued across a Semester.
• Points add to your house total through to the awarding of the House Shield.
• With regards to the Platinum Certificate, the canteen express pass is valid for the remainder of the school year.

Here are some quick statistics:

• For Semester One, there have been 1177 merits awarded.
• The Leading House total is 268. Congratulations Flinders!
• Year 12 received 56
• Year 11 received 58
• Year 10 received 162
• Year 9 received 300
• Year 8 received 257
• Year 7 received 344
  
  

Gold & Platinum Awards

At this week's assembly, we proudly recognised 74 exceptional students for their achievements through our tiered merit award system. 

Congratulations to the 56 students who were presented with a Gold Award at the end of last term, and the 12 students who were presented with their Gold Award at this week's assembly, acknowledging their ongoing commitment to learning and positive contribution to College life.

An extra special shout-out goes to the six students who were each awarded the coveted Platinum Award — the highest honour in our merit system. They have earned an incredible 50 merits to achieve this award, a true reflection of their outstanding effort, leadership and dedication.

Well done to all our award recipients — your achievements continue to inspire our College community.

Platinum Awards 

Gold Awards

Sleeping Rough for a Cause: Vinnies Sleepout This Friday!

This Friday night, our College will host the annual Vinnies Sleepout, an incredibly important event where approximately 30 of our students will join peers from MacKillop and Newman Senior Technical College to sleep rough. This act of solidarity aims to raise awareness and funds for those in our community experiencing homelessness.

The evening promises to be a powerful and educational experience. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from dedicated guest speakers who work tirelessly with Vinnies and other support agencies in our local area, offering firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

A significant part of the night will also be a "couch session" with our Year 11 students who recently attended the Street Retreat in Brisbane. These students gained invaluable insights into the range of incredible services that support the many hundreds of people experiencing homelessness across the city, and they will share their experiences and reflections.

Through their participation in the Sleepout, our students are actively raising money for the Society of St Vincent de Paul's Winter Appeal. This vital appeal provides much-needed support to individuals and families who are "doing it tough" during the colder months.

A huge thank you goes to Deacon Shane Hyland, Emily Burg (our College Youth Minister), and Mrs Sarah McLeod for their dedication and support in making this impactful event possible for our students.

We would also warmly welcome any donations that can be made to support this incredible cause. You can contribute directly through our Sleepout webpage here: https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-community-sleepouts/sjrc-sleepout
Your generosity will make a tangible difference in the lives of those most vulnerable in our community, and it acknowledges our students who have stepped up to sleep rough!

Empowering Future Leaders: College Students Shine at Luminosity Youth Summit

Last week, a select group of our College students had the incredible opportunity to attend the annual Luminosity Youth Summit in Port Macquarie. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Legacy and Charles Sturt University, these students were able to immerse themselves in an environment designed to inspire and cultivate the next generation of innovators and leaders.

The Luminosity Youth Summit, a flagship event for the Port Macquarie region, has a rich history of empowering young people. Formed in 2012 by Luminosity Youth Inc., the summit launched its first event in 2013 and has been held annually in July at the Glasshouse Theatre. For over a decade, this nationally recognised, volunteer-powered, not-for-profit organisation has inspired over 4,500 young people aged 15-25, providing them with access to national and international high-profile speakers, experts, and thought leaders right here on the NSW Mid North Coast. The summit aims to ignite creativity, excellence, and entrepreneurship, fostering purpose, resilience, and wellbeing amongst youth by linking young minds with thought leaders from every walk of life.

Our students were privileged to hear from a diverse range of inspiring speakers and young innovators who shared their stories, skills, and strategies for success. The two-day program included mainstage presentations, interactive workshops, and social events, all designed to spark new ideas and equip attendees with practical skills.
There were some incredible quotes from the speakers that resonated with our students:

• "If you can, you must.”
• "Knowledge is knowing, wisdom is doing."

Here are some personal highlights from our students who attended:

Student Quotes:

• Keanu Jai was just so inspiring, and being close in age to most of us, I feel like he presented more to us or connected better because of our shared age. And you could tell he didn't know what he was doing, but he was amazing and inspiring, and if you follow your dreams, it'll all work itself out. - Myfanwy Rawlings
• One speaker that truly inspired me was Emma Carey. I think the main take home message and what resonated so deeply about her presentation is that you don't know what you've got until it's gone and to never take your life for granted, as she is a living example of this. She explained how it felt to know you only have 10 seconds left to live and all the things she wishes she would've done. She said that she is just lucky to have survived and she lives like she is in overtime and her life could end any minute. - Teleah Holbert

We also asked the students, “what is one word you would use to describe your experience?”

• Moving
• Motivating
• Inspiring
• Deep
• Life-changing
• New Perspective

The College is incredibly proud of our students who represented us at the Luminosity Youth Summit. Their participation underscores our commitment to providing enriching experiences that help them grow personally and academically, and we extend our sincere gratitude to Legacy and Charles Sturt University for making this invaluable opportunity possible.

Mr Matthew Bushe
Assistant Principal - Mission

Year 11 Semester One Awards Ceremony

Outstanding Application Award (Green)

Congratulations to the 43 Outstanding Application Award recipients:

Imogen Baker Jack Duff Hayden Forster Jaime Franklin Elijah Koivu Oliver Koivu Jhed Monckton Elouise Polacci-Byrnes Lauren Reeves Sophie Wiggers Daisy Wright Akir Baird-Philp Ava Bourne Emily Cook Ava Garrett

Lily Greenwell Airlia Matthews Ava Nowlan Alyssa Reynolds Jack Daley Sarah Fiorenza Adam Jennings Sienna Weston Tahnee Dimon Zoe Little Tayla Mackey Taytum Moylan Layla Threlfo Tahlia Van Den Boom

Dane Bittu James Hiam Paige Hudson Summer Kelly Kailas Nath Praveen Remya Charlie Smith Sophie Cooper Sienna Goldring Olivia Holloway Keira Le Bailly Arshak Martirosian Harley Rayment Phoebe White Ioan Williams

Mission Awards for Service

Awarded to students who have contributed to 'Service' work, either within our College, home or the wider community.

Congratulations to the following recipients of a Mission Award for Service.

Imogen Baker Ethan Begley Alliyra Bentley-King Lola Bird Dane Bittu Jack Daley Jack Duff Hayden Forster Jaime Franklin Emma Galafassi-Barnes Ava Garrett Olivia Holloway Adam Jennings Elijah Koivu

Keira Le Bailly Charlee Maher Sophie Marchment Airlia Matthews Jhed Monckton Taytum Moylan Ruby Paynting Elouise Polacci-Byrnes Lauren Reeves Alyssa Reynolds Charlie Smith Tahlia Van Den Boom Felix Wade Sienna Weston

Issuing of Year 11 Semester One Academic Reports

Year 11 Semester One academic reports have now been released.

These reports offer valuable insights into your child’s academic progress during the first half of the year and will include three key components:

We encourage all parents and carers to take the time to review and discuss the reports with their child to celebrate achievements and identify areas for growth.

Year 10 into 11 Subject Information Day - Monday 4th August

On Monday, 4th August, Year 10 students who intend to stay at St Joseph’s Regional College in 2026 will be attending a Subject Information Day to assist them in making their subject selections for Year 11.

If your child is certain they will be attending St Joseph’s Regional College or is still making a decision about attending the College in Year 11 2026, they will need to attend the information day.

If your child is certain they will be enrolling in Newman Senior Technical College for Year 11 or discontinuing their enrolment at the College, they do not need to attend on Monday, 4th August 2025. If you are going to Newman Senior Technical College, please make sure you have booked your interview with them.

If you have not booked your child’s Year 11 interview for St Joseph's Regional College on Thursday, 7th August, please do so now by using the link below:

Interview Booking Event code: er8vx

If you have any further inquiries don't hesitate to get in touch with the College.

HSC Trials

On behalf of all staff at St Joseph's Regional College, I wish our Year 12 cohort all the very best as they commence their HSC Trial exams on Monday 4th August. I encourage them to continue with a regular study pattern as their HSC trials conclude on Monday, August 18th. 

Please find below a copy of the exam timetable.

Parent-Teacher Interviews - Years 7-11

Monday, 18th August 2025  4:00pm- 7:00pm

Parent-teacher interviews are an important opportunity for parents to discuss the progress of their sons/daughters with teachers and to help formulate strategies to assist their children in their educational journey. 

• As many teachers have a full programme of interviews through the night, I would ask that parents respect the 5-minute time allocation for interviews (if an extended discussion is needed, a separate time should be booked through the College office to see the teacher).
• Also, I would ask that parents adhere to the allocated time slots.

How to book a Parent-Teacher Interview:

All interviews are to be booked via the Compass App.

Further information regarding the evening and the link to book an interview will be sent out via the Compass App on Monday.

Bookings will open on Monday 4th August and
close on Monday, 18th August at 10:00am

We look forward to meeting with you.

Ian Lutton
Assistant Principal - Mission

UNSW Engineering Year 10 Work Experience

Earlier this year, we shared the exciting news that our Year 10 student, Cassandra Hill, participated in the prestigious Engineering Work Experience Program at the University of New South Wales, UNSW Engineering. We’re now thrilled to announce that Cass has been recognised as one of the top 30 students in the program for submitting one of the 'most noteworthy Civil Engineering Reports'.
This is a remarkable achievement, and we are incredibly proud of her.

Congratulations, Cass — we look forward to seeing all the amazing things your future holds!

University of Sydney Visit

Thanks to the team from The University of Sydney – Chelsea, Ahmed and Ava, who delivered a very comprehensive presentation to interested students in Years 11 and 12 on Tuesday.  Topics included: 

• pathways to the University of Sydney,
• scholarships available,
• application processes,
• residential options and more.

CareerQuip

On Thursday, our Year 11 students travelled to Taree to attend CareerQuip. This event is targeted to our Year 11 students in that there is a broad cross-section of exhibitors available to disseminate career and employment information. These include over 50 exhibitors, including National Association of Prospective Student Advisers members such as universities, private and vocational colleges and student support services. Additionally, TAFE and employer organisations were also represented along with local and regional skills shortage employers, plus trades and vocations. What an amazing opportunity for our students to engage with their futures.

Many thanks to sponsors Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) for our bus subsidy, TAFE NSW, Study NSW, Taree University Campus, University of New England, AU, and Mid Coast Connect, who all helped provide a wonderful day for our students.

Leanne Tinsey
Leader of Future Pathways

Alumni – Tatiana Gobius

After graduating from St Joseph’s Regional College in 2017, Tatiana commenced a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie. After two years, she transferred to James Cook University, where she was selected to be one of only three students to engage in a Research Honours program embedded in the OT degree. In 2024, she was awarded the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours IIA). As one of a family of deeply committed individuals, Tatiana sees her future lying in the areas of service and compassion. With parents who are both teachers, and elder siblings involved in the arts, teaching and health, Tatiana is a strong example of someone who is geared to ‘give’. Her family values cross-cultural exposure and intercultural collaboration and learning, so when asked what she loves about her field of study, Tatiana’s response was:

‘Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science are fields that look at what people DO. They are (we are) interested in why and how people do what they do. In understanding these foundations, we can support people to engage in activities and tasks that are deeply meaningful or important in their lives. Often after an injury or during an illness people’s capacity to engage with their day to day lives are altered, but their ‘why’ remains important. It is in this space that OTs work. Analysing the persons’ skills and capabilities, their environment, and the occupation itself, we can create a plan to get them back to engagement albeit in often different forms. I have been engaged in occupational Science research in the past two years exploring how the lived experiences, of children who grow up in multicultural environments, go on to impact the way they engage with the world in Adulthood and the way they see themselves in relation to engagement. It is my privilege as an Occupational Therapist to see people, at their most vulnerable, as people of value and capacity, and provide for them reassurance that even if their life has changed and the way they engage with them world may be different, it can still have meaning and we can find a way that works for them.’

With significant personal challenges including dyslexia and mental health, Tatiana embodies the journey of someone with a goal, and the wisdom to seek support when needed. Congratulations Tatiana. Your post-school journey is exceptional. We are so proud of you.

#occupationaltherapist #wherearewtheynow #aHSC4opportunity

Community Music Opportunity at SJRC

St Joseph’s Regional College is proud to host the Hastings Koalas Orchestra, a long-standing local ensemble that brings together musicians of all ages to perform, grow, and give back to the community. Under the co-leadership of acclaimed musician and SJRC teacher Mrs Sarah Butler, rehearsals are held weekly on campus. The orchestra offers students and community members a chance to develop their musical talents while participating in cultural exchanges and supporting local causes.

Encounter Youth

The Encounter Youth Program is held every Friday at the Youth Hub. 

Come along and join in the fun.

Encounter Kick-on’s (Sunday’s after the 5:00 pm Mass)

 Group games and supper. Come join us.

Zac Parnell

We have a delicious variety of 'Lunch Specials', available for $7.00 from Wednesday 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.

Youth Excellence Program (YEP)

An exciting opportunity for our local young people aged 15 - 21yrs in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.

Applications are now open for the Youth Excellence Program (YEP): a free, five-week online boot camp, running on Tuesday afternoons through August and September, offered by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, in partnership with the Australian School of Entrepreneurship, and proudly funded by NSW Government.

YEP is designed to build leadership, confidence, and real-world skills along with local networking with other youth and industry connections. Participants will also get the opportunity to opt-in for a 12 month mentoring program through Council's Hastings Youth Voice to help them network locally and stay on track with their goals.

Full program info and online application: connected.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/yep

Applications close: Wednesday 6 August 2025

Employment Opportunity

Looking for flexible, meaningful work? Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wauchope, is hiring a Parish Secretary.

Enjoy negotiable hours (15–25/week), school-friendly flexibility, and a supportive, community-focused environment. Help support a vibrant and growing Catholic parish through valued administrative and pastoral support.

Find out more: seek.com.au/job/85933533

General enquiries can be submitted to hr@lismore.catholic.org.au.

Applications close 6 August 2025.