Term 3 Week 2 - 23rd July 2021

I would like to sincerely thank the staff of St Joseph's Regional College who attended the Year 9 Canberra excursion at the end of the last term; your commitment to our students' growth is commendable and one very worthy of acknowledgement. It is with much pride that I was able to witness the benefits of this fantastic educational opportunity. I would particularly like to thank Mr Jason Warneken, Leader of HSIE, for his outstanding organisation and flexibility when faced with challenging venue bookings and restrictions. To Mr Tom Inatey, Leader of Pastoral Care- Year 9, for the many hours of work dedicated to organising student groups and liaising with students and parents to ensure our students are looked after in every possible way. I will also like to mention and thank Mrs Lisa Bulley, Excursion Coordinator, for her excellent administration work in bringing the excursion together. 

I refer you to Mr Warneken's report below:

Year 9 National Capital Excursion 2021

At the end of the last term, Year 9 students had the opportunity to undertake an educational tour of the National Capital, Canberra. Students participated in a variety of educational programmes focused primarily on Australia's history, culture, heritage and democracy. The excursion was also an opportunity to enhance the community spirit already established in Year 9. Students embraced the opportunity to develop new friendships and cement old ones, to work collaboratively with their teachers outside of the classroom environment. The experience of independence and interdependence of living and working together as a community was also invaluable.

Many students in Year 9 in 2020 were disappointed at the prospect of the Canberra excursion not proceeding. Given this, it was fortunate that we were able to run the excursion for this year's cohort. This year's organisation was not without its challenges, particularly due to cancelled bookings, capped numbers in venues, and limited booking spaces, all resulting from COVID 19 restrictions. As the excursion is linked to our History Curriculum, educational and cultural venues such as New Parliament House, Old Parliament House and the National Museum was a priority when securing bookings; this thankfully was achieved for all students.

At Parliament House, students learnt about Federation, toured both Houses and participated in a fun dress-up mock debate. At Old Parliament House, there was a focus on the history of democracy and how elections and voting works. At the National Museum, students learnt about the diverse stories of Australia through compelling objects, ideas and events with a focus on Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and our interaction with the environment. This year we also added some other educational and cultural venues to replace the War Memorial, such as The National Archives and the National Capital Exhibition, which proved interesting. The National Capital Exhibition told the story of Canberra from its planning and design to construction, and we may look to include these venues again next year.

In Canberra, we stayed at the Canberra Student Lodge. The lodge had modern spacious rooms and provided all our meals while in Canberra, which included a large breakfast for students and staff of a combination of eggs, bacon and sausages, packed lunches and generous dinners. We also had two mega nighttime group activities, the Hollywood blockbuster "Fast and Furious 9". Students loved the reclining seats and the fact we had two cinemas to ourselves. The other group night involved heading off to an amazingly large TenPin bowling alley, which we had to ourselves, complete with a Timezone. These activities were an excellent chance for the whole cohort to come together socially and experience each others company.

This excursion also presented some opportunities to break up the heavy educational sessions with some hands-on activities and visiting other venues of interest. In between the secured bookings for educational and cultural venues and where we could secure the booking, students visited some of the following: The National Zoo and Aquarium, The Mint, The interactive Sportex Room at the AIS, The National Botanical Gardens, Questacon and a guided tour of ANZAC Parade. Additionally, there were also the usual visits to Mt Ainslie, the Embassies and High Commissions. Some of these venues were new this year as we did not have the usual flexibility to obtain bookings and creating itineraries exactly the same for each bus group. Some were quite popular based on feedback from staff and students, and we may include them in future excursions.

I want to thank all Year 9 students who attended the excursion and the teachers that gave up time with their own families to assist and supervise, allowing our students to visit our nation's capital and undertake an extra-curricular experience that they with remember for years to come. We know that the cost is a burden on families, and thankfully the Federal Government does provide some support helping us to lower the overall final cost of the excursion.

"The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital as part of their civics and citizenship education. To assist you (the parent) in meeting the excursion cost, the Australian Government contributed funding of $45 per eligible student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Programme toward the travel expenses incurred. The contribution is paid directly to the College upon completion of the excursion".

We thank the Australian Government for its support of this program.

We hope that the excursion, when considered in its entirety, was a rewarding and memorable experience for all students.

Regards,

Jason Warneken
Leader of Human Society and its Environment

God bless

Mr Jim Dempsey
Principal

Human Dignity 

As a Catholic school, we have a responsibility to uphold Catholic social teaching. The Catholic social teaching principle of human dignity is about understanding that each of us is made in God’s image. Every person has an innate human dignity no one can take away.

Human dignity is given freely to all human beings. Christ died for all, so all can have the fullness of life and therefore every human life is considered sacred.

Our common humanity requires that we respect and uphold the dignity of each and every human being. All our other rights and responsibilities flow from this dignity. This principle is deemed as the central aspect of our Church’s social teaching.

Below is a fine example of how one of our students, Paige Hudson, demonstrates compassion and awareness for those in need.

Dignity Bags by Paige

Year 7 Religious Education classes were asked as part of their assessment task to create a project to improve Human Dignity and Paige Hudson in Year 7 has answered the call!

Paige has created Dignity Bags. She collected donations of items for women, including shampoo, sanitary items, hair needs, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and many more items. These were placed in a reusable bag to give to women in need.
Paige aimed in her project to create 25 bags to give to women's refuges and is just about to reach her goal.

Paige has taken the idea even further teaming up with the Stars Foundation at Karratha High School in WA. This program supports Indigenous girls to attend and remain engaged in school, complete Year 12 and move into full-time work or study. Paige has become a pen-pal with one of the students in the program and she is aiming to provide her bags for their girls in need.

Paige has also applied for a grant to help her create and donate more bags to provide dignity. With the grant, she is looking at expanding her project to teenage boys and men.

If you would like to help Paige with her efforts you can drop in items for the bags to the front office.

We are so proud of the work Paige is doing to serve those less fortunate in our community.

Stay Healthy HSC HUB

The Stay Healthy HSC HUB is now available to help students and parents with tips for prioritising wellbeing, including:

• Checking in to support with friends and family.
• Practical help to visualise and manage study goals.
• Identifying different types of stress.

This resource can be shared with HSC students and their parents and individual resources utilised to support HSC students as they prepare for their Trial and HSC examinations.

Beanies for Brain Cancer

Next Friday, 30th July, St Joseph's Regional College will once again be supporting Beanies for Brain Cancer.

Students are encouraged to bring along a gold coin donation and to wear their beanies on this day.

The Year 11 2022 enrolment process has commenced. Thank you to the many parents who clicked into the Zoom Q & A sessions on Monday. I hope you found them to be both valuable and informative. 

Next Wednesday, 28th July, Enrolment Interviews will be conducted. Please ensure you secure an online booking using the code in the flyer below.

Subject Information Day

Today, Year 10 students had the opportunity to participate in seminars on the subjects on offer for Yr 11 2022. These seminars should assist greatly in the decision-making process in determining their pattern of study for Year 11 2022. I would like to thank the teachers who have presented these seminars, and I thank students for the mature way in which they have approached this important decision-making process so far, and we look forward to meeting with students and parents at the interviews next Wednesday.

Year 11, 2022 Enrolment Interviews - Wednesday, 28th July 2021

Interviews will be conducted for students intending to enter Year 11 in 2022 at St Joseph's Regional College.

When and Where are the Interviews?

• Face-to-Face Interviews will be conducted in the College Library from 8.00am to 3.30pm. 
• Interviews via Zoom will be available from 4.00pm till 6.45pm.

What students need to bring to the interview:

• Subject Selection Survey,
• Parent and Student Agreement.

COVID Restrictions

Due to the current COVID restrictions, we have had to change some aspects of the interview process this year. Students will attend a 15-minute face to face interview in the College Library with ONLY ONE parent or guardian allowed.

Under the current Public Health Order, all visitors must sign in to both the Service NSW COVID Safe Check-In AND WOL (Who’s on Location). This allows us to meet child protection and emergency management legal requirements and the Public Health Order requirements. Face masks must be worn.

How do I book an Enrolment Interview?

All enrolment interview bookings are made through an online platform. You will need the following booking code: jknyp to access the times available.

Click on the following link to book your enrolment interview

www.schoolinterviews.com.au

Online bookings open at 8.00am Tuesday, 20th July 2021,

Online bookings close at 11.00am on Monday, 26th July 2021.

Should the above arrangements not be suitable, please contact Michelle Reynolds, our Enrolment Officer in the College Office on 5525 4100 to arrange an alternative time.

2022 Year 11 Enrolment Timeline

Aerosol Policy

The College Policies are updated regularly. Please see the below policy regarding the use of aerosols at the College. 

Aim
The aim of this policy is to ensure the health and safety of the St Joseph’s Regional College community.

Rationale
Aerosol, sprays and perfumes have the potential to be highly flammable; can act as triggers for people who suffer from asthma, allergies and anaphylaxis, resulting in symptoms such as asthma attacks, headaches, including migraines and in extreme cases anaphylactic shock.

Aerosol cans are also known to cause serious burns if directly applied to the skin.

In view of the potential risks associated with aerosol products, the College has banned pressurised aerosol products such as deodorants, hair spray and body spray.

Implementation
Students are asked to use pump sprays or roll-ons instead of aerosol cans, or use liquid or paste forms of products. Pressurised aerosol products emit volatile chemicals and produce a fine mist that is easily inhaled and absorbed into the lungs, bloodstream and eyes. Teachers have been asked to confiscate any aerosol products found at school and bring them to the Assistant Principal. Parents will be informed that the products have been collected from their child and that they can call into the school and collect the product.

Instructions relating to these products will be given to students at the commencement of each school year in PDHPE classes.

Aerosol products are not to be brought onto the college grounds.
Products will not be returned to students.
Please support us to ensure the safety of all our students.

Vaping

As you may have heard, vaping has been made illegal in Victoria. Our College will continue to educate staff and students on the impacts of e-cigarettes and promote a safe drug-free environment for all students. As such, any student in their procession of or using an e-cigarette/vape will result in consequences for the student and parents being called to collect their child. We encourage you as parents to have open, non-judgmental conversations with your child around the topic. This includes educating them on the health impacts and empowering them to make their own, safe decisions.

What are Vapes?

• Electronic cigarettes also known as Vapes, work by delivering nicotine and/or other chemicals to the user via an aerosol vapour. The devices are designed to simulate the act of smoking tobacco cigarettes but do not involve the burning of tobacco. 
• Are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid (also known as e-liquid) to produce a vapour that users inhale.
• Come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks.
• Vapour from e-cigarettes does not usually have a strong odour but they may have a sweet smell depending on the flavour.

Under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008: It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes and accessories to or buy these products on behalf of a person under 18 years of age.

Paul Dillon (Paul Dillon is the Director and founder of DARTA - Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) is facilitating a Zoom session for parents on Wednesday, 11th August at 7.00pm.

Please see the flyer below to register via the QR code.

Michael Walsh
Leader of Pastoral Care

How to Make your Own Facemask

Last year, Ms Catherine Morton shared two patterns and created a wonderful instructional video on how to make a cloth face mask. 

Get creative, and have some fun!

Standard Face Mask

Long Face mask 

Mrs Diana Walsh
Assistant Leader of TAS

Year 12 - Successful Transitions - Format Shift

Attention Year 12 students and parents - please note that the Successful Transitions evening originally planned for next week has been format shifted as a result of the current COVID situation in NSW. Please see below details about the re-formatted event with Year 12 hearing the presentation on Wednesday 21st July, and the presentation plus additional materials becoming available for parents - on our website again next Wednesday.

Thank you for your attention to this.

https://www.sjrcportcareers.com/

Mrs Leanne Tinsey
Leader of Careers and University Transition

Word of the Week: Cancel/Cancelled

The Diocesan Athletics Carnival is to be held on Thursday the 12th of August (Week 5) at Coffs Harbour International Stadium.  St. Joseph’s Regional College will be taking a sizable squad to the day, which is a selection trial for the Lismore Diocesan Team to compete at the NSW Catholic Combined Colleges Carnival at Homebush in Sydney on Friday the 3rd of September (Week 8).

The link below lists those students who have qualified and for what events.  An email will be sent to parents and students with information about this excursion and permission form by the end of week 3.  It is a day trip leaving at 6am and returning at 6pm.  It is not a compulsory excursion.

The top 2 competitors in each event qualified.  The triple jump is held over two age divisions, 15 and under and 16 and over.

The 1500m walk and hurdles are not run at this event but are at the NSWCCC Carnival.  If you would like to apply for a place in these fields please use the links below.

Congratulations to all students who made the squad.

2021 SJRC Athletics Squad

2021 Diocesan Athletics Program

2021 CCC Hurdles Nomination Form

2021 CCC 1500m Walk Nomination Form

There is a chance this event will be postponed - if this happens we will post again.

Michael Cannon
Leader of Sport

19th July 2021

Our College canteen is in need of volunteers. 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 to arrange.

Weekly Lunch Specials

The Canteen opens at 8.00am every school day.

Ms Donna Hamlin
Food Services Manager

The St Agnes' Uniform Store Trading Hours

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

 6 Boronia Street, Port Macquarie

Items in short supply at the St Agnes' Parish Uniform Store

We have been informed that the SAPPS sports socks are in low supply at the Uniform Store.

If your child requires new socks and you are unable to purchase them, please write a note in your child's diary explaining this. Plain white sports socks can be worn in the interim.