24 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

In my last newsletter article, I talked about resilience and emotions and since then I have found the following article which I believe is very relevant and informative. The article is developed by Michael Grose, who has an education background and holds a Master of Educational Studies with research into what makes healthy families tick. Michael has conducted over 1,500 parenting seminars over the last two decades and his information has been proven to be valuable and effective. I encourage you to take the time to read his article below on “8 healthy ways to manage emotions”:

National VET award for the College

Last night, (Thursday 23 November) the Australian Training Awards ceremony was held in Canberra. St James forms part of the Southern Tasmanian Catholic Colleges Trade Training Centre consortium and was named one of the finalists in School Pathways to VET category. These awards recognise Australia’s best employers, training providers, educators and secondary schools.

The Consortium received the highest recognition, receiving the National Award for the School Pathways to VET! This is a great achievement and thank you to our dedicated staff for their efforts in delivering these vital industrial courses and for sharing their knowledge with our students. I would especially like to thank and acknowledge the efforts of our VET team which includes VET coordinator Mr Wayne Neilson and teachers Mr Bob Donaghue, Ms Cec Katny and Mr Simon Perigo for the professionalism in delivering these courses. The VET team were also highly commended earlier this year as part of the VET audit.

Congratulations also to our students! Your efforts and commitment to these courses, has been excellent and many of you have all the requirements, undertaken practical assessments, as well as organised and attended work placements. Many of the students will receive your Nationally recognised certificates with the end of year student reports.

MS Read-a-thon Success!

Earlier this year Mrs Christine Hogan and Mrs Connie Thomas organised a team for the MS Read-a-thon! On Tuesday, Mrs Hogan was contacted by MS Read-a-thon, advising the College raised a total of $720 and was ranked 37 out of the 370 schools that participated! All participants will receive a certificate for their efforts. The College has two students who did exceptionally well in their fundraising efforts. Congratulations to Jack Griffiths who raised $205 and Isabella O’Neill who raised a staggering $415! Both Jack and Isabella will receive gold medallions!

Condolences

Last week, representatives from the College attended the funeral of local Aboriginal Elder and well-known Cygnet community member Enid (Ma) Dillon. Enid and her family have been a part of the College community for a number of years. On behalf of the College we send our thoughts and prayers to Taylah Dillon (Enid’s granddaughter) and her extended family at this sad time.

Aboriginal Camp

This time of year, is very busy with many school and community events happening. It was great to hear the reports from the senior Aboriginal students who attended the Aboriginal Camp held at Murrayfield, Bruny Island on 10 - 12 November. A report of the camp and photos can be found in this newsletter. A special thank you to weetapoona Aboriginal corporation, Trish Hodge, Craig Everett, Bron Dillon, Julie from SETAC and College staff: Sarah Lackey, Stacey Cooper, Sue Connor and Damian Burnett.

Thank you, Year 10 students

It was also great to receive feedback from Mr Luch Brighella on the fantastic participation of our Year 10 students who helped at the sports day for Sacred Heart Geeveston students!

Remembrance Day

Thank you to Mrs Connie Thomas for representing the College and laying the wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony held in Cygnet.

Huon Show

Thank you to the College Advisory Board and Mrs Kelly Du Bois for their efforts in facilitating the College stall at the Huon Show. They did a great job showcasing the College particularly our Kitchen Garden program. A special thank you to Pauline and Shane O’Neill for their generous donation of wood for the raffle and Malcolm Thomas for his help in preparing the tent site, working the stall and delivering the wood to the raffle winner. Thanks to College staff: Ms Cec Katny, Mrs Melanie Lunden, Mr Wayne Neilson and Mrs Bridgette Davies for preparing and setting up the various student displays. I wish to also acknowledge the efforts of Mrs Connie Thomas, Mrs Tanya Robbie, Mrs Maree McQueen, Mrs Louise Rowe, Mr Michael Rowe, Mr Ken Du Bois and those who supported behind the scenes to make the day such a success. Finally, thank you to our excellent students! Many of you submitted a variety of creations in the Art and Cooking categories. Congratulations to those many students who received many awards and commendations for their efforts.

St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hampers

In the spirit of Christmas and giving, the College is collecting foods and non-perishable goods for 2017 St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hampers. This is a great opportunity to support those in our Community at Christmas time. Please check the expiry date and send along donations to your child’s homeroom. For more information please contact Mrs Connie Thomas.

Allan Clark
Principal

General Notices

Fair Raffle winners

Congratulations

On 11 November SJCC students Dylan Cowen, Lawson, Owen & Will Lovell participated in a Wood Chopping Carnival at Longley Hotel. The results are as below:

• 250mm Junior Novice Handicap: Lawson Lovell 1st
• 250mm Under 18 Underhand Handicap: Owen Lovell 1st
• D Grade Standard Club Championship: Will Lovell 2nd
• Under 18 Underhand Championship: Will Lovell 2nd
• 375mm Coach and Novice Handicap: F Downham & Will Lovell 1st, George Cowen & Dylan Cowen 2nd

Well done!

2017 School Fees and Levies

Thank you to everyone who has settled or has arrangements in place for 2017 School Fees and Levies. We are now 4 weeks out from the end of the year and all 2017 fees are now due. If you do not have a payment arrangement currently in place you are urged to contact the College Business Manager: Mrs Kelly Du Bois for a confidential conversation surrounding your account. Kelly can be contacted via the College office on (03) 6295 1541 or email kelly.dubois@catholic.tas.edu.au.

Canteen Volunteers

The Canteen needs volunteers! If you can assist, please contact the College office outlining your availability. To work as a volunteer with vulnerable people (including children) anywhere in Tasmania each volunteer requires a current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Registration. To apply for registration please visit:

Kindergarten Enrolments

SMS Absence Notification

Is your child unwell? Need to contact the College Office? The College accepts SMS absentee notifications. Please SMS: 0488 863 246 with your child's name, year and reason for absence. Please save this number in your phone for future reference.

College Uniform Shop

The College Uniform Shop has moved and is now located within the College the shop is open (term-time only):

• Monday’s 2.30pm until 3.30pm
• Wednesday’s 2.30pm until 3.30pm

Orders can be placed via phone or email. Ordered items can then be collected from the College Office or sent home with students. A copy of the current uniform price list can be found here

Skateboarding

At the request of local authorities, please note that it is not appropriate to ride skateboards in the carpark and near the Church/Convent. Thank you.

What’s been happening at SJCC?

Pre-Kinder Sessions!

Pre-Kinder is off and running for the class of 2018!!! We have had fun exploring the playground, riding bikes and enjoying all the fun activities inside. We met lots of new friends, listened to some stories and sang some songs. We can’t wait for next year to come around so we can be KINDERS!!!!

Kindergarten News!

As the Kindergarten children start to wind up for the year, we find that instead of slowing down, we are fast running out of time to fit everything we want to do in. So far this term we have gone swimming, started practicing for our Christmas concert, we are planning our exciting trip into Hobart, and we are hatching exciting plans for special Christmas surprises. Over the last couple of weeks the children have engaged in so much hands on learning in the mud pit- yes, the children have come home messy, but I have watched such fabulous sharing, negotiating, collaborating and problem solving. This type of unstructured play allows time for brilliant learning experiences, and gives the children opportunities to make connections with their thoughts and ideas. Big plus.....it's fun 

Year 10 Sport Activities

Last week the Year 10 students led different sport activities with the Year 1 and 2!

Aboriginal Camp

This year’s Aboriginal cultural camp for senior Aboriginal students was held at Murrayfield, Bruny Island with perfect weather conditions. We were welcomed by St Virgil’s College students giving us a traditional cleansing dance to get all the bad spirits away. It was a really cool way to start the camp.

Our cultural guides for the first day were Craig Everett and Trish Hodge. They took us around the property and told us a dreaming story about black cockatoos and grass trees. Trish showed us some plants used for medicine and good food plants…we ate some! Craig took the boys and Jessie to dig for waddies. We had to find the tree, dig around the base of it and then pull it out from the roots gently and clean them up and sit them next to a fire for 24hrs.

We spent the next morning at the beach swimming and fishing. Uncle Rodney Dillon’s daughter, Bron came and met us and took the girls away for secret women’s business making kelp baskets. After this, we all went up the new lookout at the neck and then Bron showed us all how to find a special shell - the mariner shell. The boys cooked dinner following evening walk down to the beach and marshmallow scoffing around the fire. Aboriginal camp this year was great….the highlight for most was looking/hunting for waddies with Craig. Thanks to weetapoona Aboriginal corporation, Trish Hodge, Craig Everett, Bron, Julie from SETAC, Sarah Lackey, Stacey Cooper, Sue Connor and Damien Burnett.

Iron+Clay

On Thursday 9 November our Year 4-10 students were treated to a very special performance from Australian band Iron+Clay. Iron+Clay are a motivational touring band consisting of young and vibrant performers sharing their stories - some good and not so good. The feedback from staff:

• Y6 loved them! Very powerful, engaging and inspiring. They all want more!
• I thought they were very good - kept the kids engaged and even had a student tapping his toes and having to try not to jump!
• Messages was excellent and well communicated.
• Would be good to have them back.
• The students liked the performance and many were impressed by the performers themselves, especially with the 17-year-old! I think it is a worthwhile activity as our students don't get to see much of this type of performance and they enjoyed it.

The Year 7 students said they loved it and they want them to come back! In particular, they liked the music, the vibe, the jumping and how 'cool' the performers were. I thought it was great fun.

Check out a short video of the performance here: YOUTUBE link

Huon Show results

Cooking:
Year 7
Pikelets
1st Prize: Ambrose Brereton
2nd Prize: Brodie Gregory
3rd Prize: Will Clifford

Christmas Decorated Cake
1st Prize Casey Lutwyche

Novelty Iced and Decorated Cake
3rd Prize: Casey Lutwyche

Year 9
Biscuits

1st Prize: Sophie Buick
2nd Prize: Brooke Lutwyche
3rd Prize: Lily Greene

Fruit Muffins
1st Prize: Amelia Fennell
2nd Prize: Claire Blacklow
3rd Prize: Riley Newick

Christmas Decorated Cake
1st Prize: JinJu Redding
2nd Prize: Brooke Lutwyche

Novelty Iced and Decorated Cake
3rd Prize: Brooke Lutwyche

Banana Cake
1st Prize: JinJu Redding (Judges were so impressed with the Banana Cake, JinJu won a special award the “Ranelagh CWA Branches Prize” (equal first).

Year 10
Biscuits
1st Prize: Rhianna Bennett
2nd Prize: Geoffrey Crowe

Art:
1st Prize: Ayla McIntyre (Special award – CWA prize for Art) (Year 9)
3rd Prize: Jessica O’Neill (Year 10)
3rd Prize: Daniel Flakemore (Year 9)
Highly Commended: Monica Robbie (Year 9)

Digital Art
1st Prize: Monica Robbie (Year 9)
3rd Prize: Daniel Flakemore (Year 9)

Huon Channel Athletics Results

100m

Darcy Direen (Year 3 Boys) 1st
Hunter Thorpe (Year 4 Boys) 2nd
Indiana Coulson (Year 4 Girls) 3rd
Bailey Harris (Year 5 Boys) 3rd
Charlotte Direen (Year 5 Girls) 1st

200m

Ivy O’Neill (Year 6 Girls) 3rd

400m

Luke Du Bois (Year 5 Boys) 3rd

800m

Darcy Direen (Year 3 Boys) 1st

1500m

Darcy Direen (Year 3 Boys) 1st
Harry Brereton (Year 5 Boys) 1st

Long Jump (Junior)

Hunter Thorpe (Year 4 Boys) 2nd

Community Notices