21 December 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Today, draws the close of the school year for our students for another year. It is my sincerest hope that all students, and their families, have had an enjoyable and fulfilling year. Although it is a hectic time of year, it is the time when I most realise how blessed we all are to be part of this wonderful Community. Thank you to the students, your enthusiasm to learn is great and the many activities that you have been a part of contributes immensely to our successes. Thank you also to our staff for committing to not only providing our students with quality learning opportunities but supporting them in their extra-curricular endeavours. Finally, thank you to our parent community for the trust and support in us and your belief in the Catholic education values that help us to sustain our College.

Staffing update

On behalf of the College, I would like to express my gratitude for the commitment and hard work of the following staff who will finish their journey at College this week: Mr Bob Donaghue, Mrs Allison Ford, Mrs Christine Hogan, Mr Simon Perigo, Mrs Bridgette Davies, Mrs Mary Thomas, Ms Kym Foley and Ms Sadie Chrestman.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Bob Donaghue for not only being a great teacher, but for almost three generations training many of the skilled tradespeople in our community. A very praiseworthy legacy for a very talented and dedicated professional.

We wish them all well in their future endeavors.

2018 Secondary class teacher allocations will be announced in early 2018.

Reports

This week, you would have received a copy of your son/daughter’s end of year school report. The final report is a “point in time” report that indicates to the students, their parents and teachers what they have learned over the year. It was great to review each of the reports, especially the class teacher comments on how committed students have been working towards their goals this year. Well done.

ACYF

Monica Robbie and Jin Ju Redding recently represented the College at the recent Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) held in Sydney. This National gathering of Catholic young people exists to provide opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. I have received feedback commending the girls on their exceptional representation of the College and the broader Archdiocese of Hobart at the event. Thank you to Tony Robbie who accompanied the students to the event. A full report of the experience is contained in this newsletter.

Primary Concert

Last week, the College held the annual Primary Christmas Concert. Thank you to all the students for your efforts in rehearsing and preparing for the concert, it was certainly an enjoyable event. Thank you to Miss Cooper and the Primary staff for your hard work in organising this event and Mrs Connie Thomas for preparing the Liturgy. Photos from the concert are attached.

Prize Day

On Wednesday, the College Community gathered to celebrate the successes of all students. The Prize Day awards recognises these efforts and a list of the award recipients can be found in this newsletter. Well done and congratulations!

Dates to remember:

2018 Student Leaders announcement

Congratulations to the following students on their success in becoming Student Leaders for 2018:

College Captains: Jin Ju Redding and Blake Patmore.
College Vice Captains: Ellie Gregory and Maya Bligh.
Mission / Social Justice Captains: Jin Ju Redding, Ellie Gregory, Maeghan Jernigan, Blake Patmore.
Learning Captains: Thomas Reed, Jin Ju Redding, Maeghan Jernigan, Monica Robbie.
Arts Captains: Thomas Reed, Jin Ju Redding, Maya Bligh, Maeghan Jernigan.
Sports Captains: Dylan Cowen, Duncan Flakemore, Ellie Gregory, Maya Bligh.
Aboriginal Culture Captains: Dylan Cowen, Duncan Flakemore.

On behalf of the College, I wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas and New Year. I look forward to seeing you in 2018.

God bless,

Allan Clark
Principal

General Notices

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 at 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.  A copy of the payment arrangement form is available on the College website: www.sjcc.tas.edu.au

2017 College Magazine

The 2017 College Magazine will be issued in early February 2018. The delivery of the magazine at this time, allows for the inclusion of the photos from end of year College events including Prize Day, Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass and the Primary Christmas Concert. Families no longer at the College will have a copy posted to them.

Kindergarten Enrolments

What’s been happening at SJCC?

Prize Day Award recipients

Year Prep:

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4:

Year 5:

Year 6:

SECONDARY AWARDS

Year 7:

Year 8 Blue:

Year 8 Gold:

Year 9 Blue:

Year 9 Gold:

Year 10 Blue:

Year 10 Gold:

SENIOR SUBJECT AWARDS

SPECIAL AWARDS

ST JAMES DAY PRINCIPAL’S AWARD (Presented earlier this year)

Each year on the Feast Day of St James, the College recognises two students for their all-round achievement. A Year 5 and a Year 9 student are selected on the following criteria: all round scholastic achievement; all round sporting achievement; participation in College activities; satisfactory conduct; satisfactorily wearing the College uniform and demonstrated care and concern for others.

EMERITUS PRINCIPAL’S AWARD FOR SCHOOL SPIRIT

Sponsored and presented by Mrs Anne Foale.

Awarded to a Year 6 student who is returning to St. James Catholic College for secondary education. A student who has been involved in class and school activities, readily accepts responsibility and shows deep concern for the happiness and welfare of others, including family members. A student who shows integrity, personal endeavour and strong determination to be successful.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

Sponsored by Hon Robert Armstrong MLC. Presented by Mr Allan Clark

Awarded to an active and involved member of the Year 6 class who is involved in school and community activities is respectful, helpful and supportive of their peers.

ARTS AWARD

Sponsored by Senator Catryna Bilyk. Presented by Mr Scott Faulkner

Awarded to a student who has contributed to the Performing and or Visual Arts activities of the College. The student may or may not be a member of the Music or Art classes but they have demonstrated a generosity and willingness to develop their talent. The recipient of this award is one who understands the commitment and hard work that has to occur to develop an art or performance piece.

PORT CYGNET LIONS CLUB AWARD:

Sponsored by Port Cygnet Lions Club. Presented by Mr Allan Dawson.

Awarded to students, one from each of Year 7 and Year 8 who have demonstrated genuine efforts to succeed in education and shown dedication in service to the community e.g. personal endeavours, efforts to improve, caring attitude to others, service to others.

(Prize money paid to the College for credit to recipients’ school fees).

HUON VALLEY COUNCIL AWARD:

Sponsored by Huon Valley Council. Presented by General Manager Mr Emilio Reale

Awarded to students who have contributed positively to the values of the school and demonstrated excellence in leadership.

A1 MITRE 10 HANDY AWARD:

Sponsored by Mr Kevin Sawford. Presented by Mr Allan Clark

Presented to a student who has demonstrated a mature and dedicated approach to Design in Wood in Year 8.

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is funded by a bequest from the estate of the late Ruby Tout formerly of Huonville and is named after her friend Lesley Dalloway

The scholarship provides for the “specialist tuition in Classical Music -Theory or Practice for a student who has completed Year 8 at SJCC.

ICAS (International Competitions and Assessment for Schools)

These are independent skills-based assessments with a competition element. Over one million student entries are accepted from over 6,300 schools in Australia and New Zealand annually. In addition, students from over 20 countries including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA participate in ICAS each year.

In each State and Territory around Australia, Gold Medals are presented to the top performing student for each competition.

Monica Robbie received the Gold Medal for being the top student in Tasmania in:

• Year 9 ICAS English
• Year 9 ICAS Mathematics

MS Read-a-thon 2017

The MS Read-a-thon is an iconic reading-based fundraiser that found its beginnings in schools across Australia in 1979. It encourages people of all ages to read and improve their literacy whilst at the same time empowering them to make a difference in the lives of people living with MS.

Bendigo Bank

As part of our school banking program, Bendigo bank would like to acknowledge SJCC most consistent bankers throughout the year.

SPECIAL AWARDS

ADF LONG TAN LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK AWARD

Sponsored by ADF. Presented by Sergeant Kelly King.

Awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding qualities of leadership and teamwork within our school or wider community.

GUILFORD YOUNG VET BURSARY

Awarded to the student who is enrolled in VET at GYC. A student who has demonstrated keen interest and exemplary achievement in their VET program.

(Prize money is credited by Guilford Young College to recipient's school fees).

UNPAA - PETER STEVENS MEMORIAL AWARD

Sponsored by UNPAA. Presented by Mrs Louise Shaw.

Awarded to a senior student of the College who has exhibited the following qualities: personal endeavour, ability to use initiative, perseverance in reaching goals, stead-fastness, commitment to an ideal, vision, strong determination to be successful, personal integrity, concern for others, particularly family, profound sense of justice, one who upholds the concept of a "fair go".

LIONS CLUB OF PORT CYGNET BURSARY AWARD

Sponsored by Port Cygnet Lions Club. Presented by Mr Allan Dawson

Awarded to a student likely to make a positive contribution to the life of their secondary school – Year 11 – given the manner in which he/she has shown perserverance, humility and respect for others over his/her time at St James Catholic College, in line with our F.L.A.M.E.S values.

GUILFORD YOUNG BURSARY

Awarded to the student who demonstrates some of the gifts of the late Sir Guilford Young, namely: visionary leadership, academic rigour and a passion for social justice.

MAYBALL BURSARY

Awarded to the student who has been involved fully in the life of St James Catholic College and likely to make a positive contribution to the life of their secondary school in Year 11.

PRINCIPAL’S ACADEMIC AWARD – DUX OF THE COLLEGE

Sponsored by Hon Julie Collins MP. Presented by Mr Scott Faulkner

This award recognises the student in the College who has achieved the highest aggregated results in the core academic subjects of Mathematics, Science, English, History, Religion and end of year exams. A reflection of commitment and hard work, a determination to set high goals and to maintain their efforts to meet these goals.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AWARD

Sponsored by Huon Valley Community Bank. Presented by Mr Jordan Lovell

This year the Shine Your Light Award is presented to a student who has truly witnessed to the mission and motto of St James Catholic College by consistently and sincerely being a shining light. This has been reflected in the conduct and interactions of the recipient and in their genuine endeavour to always be the best they can be. The recipient has also upheld by word and action the values of the College of justice, compassion, respect and love. To use the language and focus of our Positive Behaviour Code, this is truly a FLAMES student.

Primary Concert

ACYF - Australian Catholic Youth Festival

Last week I had the pleasure of accompanying two of our students, Jin Ju Redding and Monica Robbie, along with 150 others from Tasmania, to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Sydney; a three-day festival celebrating the Catholic Faith. It was an opportunity for our young people from all over Australia to meet with each other and discuss the issues of our Faith with each other, with our Priests and Nuns, as well as with our Bishops. We were treated with music, games, talks, and fun, in an atmosphere of non-judgement and encouragement. We were also able to see the “Lights of Christmas” display at St Mary’s Cathedral; check out the amazing images here:

The Festival is an initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops to open dialogue with and to serve our young people, and this year’s Festival was used to launch the Australian Catholic Church’s Year of Youth 2018. The Festival finished with a pilgrimage from the Shrine of St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) in North Sydney, across the Harbour Bridge to the Domain for an outdoor Mass, followed by a display of fireworks.

We extend our sincere thanks His Grace, Archbishop Julian, for the opportunity for our students to attend this amazing experience. Tony Robbie. 

StartSmart Sessions

Last week, the College held “Start Smart” sessions for students in Years 7-9. The sessions are aimed at raising awareness of financial literacy and its applications. An example of the course delivered to the Secondary school includes examining a range of topics related to earning, saving and spending. From their first job to effective saving strategies, students are given the essentials of personal financial management in a learning experience that is relevant and interactive.

Several concepts are covered, including:

• getting your first job
• successful job interviews techniques
• award wages
• employee rights and responsibilities
• the value of saving
• setting saving goals
• bank accounts
• strategies for saving
• spending on trends
• the true cost of small expenditures
• tracking your money

Sisters Grim Pantomime

Last week, the Kindergarten, Prep, Year 1 and 2 students travelled to Hobart to watch the Sisters Grim pantomime! The Sisters Grimm is a story of 3 witches (who are certainly not grim) who think that they are helping to take over the world by entrancing the nearest town, but the Lord they are trying to please actually wants something different! There was lots of the usual silliness, chases and audience participation along with disco music, a cat, 2 mice, singers, dancers and a Lord who looked like a Bee Gee! Following the performance, the students shared lunch at the park in Battery Point.

Triathlon

The Primary triathlon team represented the College in the recent All Schools Triathlon Challenge held at Bellerieve Beach. Our students had a great day and showed great sportsmanship throughout the event!

Community Notices

Catholic Parish of the Huon Valley Christmas Mass Times

Sunday 24 December: Christmas Eve Children’s Mass: 6pm at St. James Church Cygnet.

Midnight Mass: St Mary of the Cross Church Ranelagh (with carols from 11.30pm).

Monday 25 December Christmas Day Mass: 9.30am at Ranelagh.

Monday 1 January New Year’s Day Mass: 9.30am at St. James Cygnet.

There is a separate information sheet available at the Churches, St James Catholic College and Sacred Heart Catholic School offices from this weekend for families interested in their children participating in the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass. We would love as many children as possible to be involved.

Cygnet Folk Festival

The College and the Cygnet Folk Festival is appreciative and proud of the long standing shared partnership. As we get closer to the festival we’d like to remind you about the performances and events on offer. To access the festival program please visit the website:

Student Film Making Workshops 2018

The Cygnet Community Arts Council is seeking expressions of interest from students in grade 5-8 in 2018 who are interested in being part of an after-school filmmaking project. Learn how to plan, make and edit a film using smartphones, digital cameras, free software and community resources, lead by an experienced teacher and industry professionals. Students would work towards making films to enter into the My State Student Film Festival. Contact Claire Byers for further information or to register your interest.

clairebyers22@gmail.com 0400 867 509