16 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Today is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

St James Catholic College is one of the many schools nationwide that has committed to taking a stand against bullying.

At St James, we believe all students have the right to be safe at school. This is reflected in our FLAMES values with the focus on respect and safety for all. This day is a chance to take a stand together. Students will participate in different learning activities to identify what bullying is, how and who to talk to about bullying, as well as learning strategies to STOP bullying before it happens.

Digital Literacy Grant

Last week, I communicated to families and staff that the College is a recipient of a Commonwealth Government Digital Literacy Grant. The $50,000 grant aims to support new ways of delivering digital literacy through the Australian Curriculum at a school and community level. The grant will assist the College by providing access to:

• A variety of resources aimed to improve Digital Literacy
• Additional Makerspace stations
• Professional development opportunities for staff
• Lego and other robotics
• School STEM days
• Community, industry and university visits.

Another component of the project will be working in partnership with Huon Regional Care to plan, develop and create an app to that can be adopted in community organisations.

Student / Parent / Teacher Learning Conferences 10-11 April 2018

The Learning Conferences involve students participating in a discussion about their learning with their parents/guardians and their homeroom/class teachers. Students from P-10 will be issued their Interim Report at these conferences. Meeting with specialist subject teachers is not part of this initial process; however, this can be organised later if it is deemed necessary.

The Conference allows for homeroom/class teachers to discuss progress in key learning areas, as well as work habits, such as organisation. Goals will be developed and set so that students can work towards achieving them during the remainder of the year. Please note that this conference will facilitate the construction of their Personalised Learning Plan (PLP). A similar process in the middle of the year will allow for reviewing how progress is going towards their goals.

Each conference is scheduled for 15 minutes, so if you could stick to this time it would be greatly appreciated. If you need more time, teachers will be happy to make follow up appointments. This process is a positive way of building relationships and ensuring commitment to the individualised learning outcomes your son or daughter requires.

It is an expectation that learning conferences are conducted for every student from Prep to Year 10 and that the student is present for all or part of the conference. Appointments can be made ONLINE or by contacting the College office. The online booking process is done through a system called Session Keeper, to book or find out more information on how to access the site  click on the following links:

Year 7 Enrolment Applications for 2019

Enrolments for Year 7, 2019 are currently invited. Current SJCC Year 6 students will receive continuing enrolment information letter shortly. If you have a child not enrolled at SJCC, who would like to join us for Year 7, please contact the College office for an enrolment form and prospectus. Please invite friends or other family members who may also be interested in enrolling their child at the College to contact the office on 62 951 541 or email: stjames@catholic.tas.edu.au. The system enrolment deadline is Thursday 29 March 2018.

Save the Date - May Ball 2018

The date scheduled for the 2018 May Ball is Friday 11 May. Preparations have commenced for the Ball, including scheduled dancing practices for both Primary and Secondary students. There is an expectation that all students attend this important community event to celebrate the 75th anniversary. More information about the Ball will be provided in the next newsletter.

Call for Board Members

All Parent/Caregivers of students currently enrolled at the College and members of the local parish/school community are eligible to be considered for Board membership. The principal focus of Board members is to work to improve the capacity of the College as a Catholic school to deliver quality educational outcomes for our students. At the close of nominations, consultation with Fr Deva, Parish Administrator, prioritised recommendations will be submitted to the Director of Catholic Education for decision. The intent is for vacant positions to be filled prior to the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 7 May 2018.

The inclusion of different voices experiences and perspectives that support the Catholic ethos of the school bring an energy and richness to the College. Please consider approaching those within our community that you believe have gifts that would be valued on the Board. Self-nominations are acceptable.

Please complete the Board Nomination form available via the link below.

or collect a paper copy from the College Office. Forms must be submitted by Wednesday 11 April 2018, 3pm.

If you would like to discuss a nomination please call me on 6295 1541 or email: allan.clark@catholic.tas.edu.au - Allan Clark, Principal

God Bless,

Allan Clark
Principal

General Notices

SMS Absence Notification

The College accepts SMS absentee notifications. Please SMS: 0488 863 246 with your child's name, grade and absent reason. Please save this number in your phone for future reference.

School Fees Discount

Thank you to those families who have made fee payment arrangements and/or paid upfront for 2018. 2018 Invoices have been distributed to families, don’t forget you can receive a 5% fee discount if you pay your account in full by the 30 March.

Student Details Update

Please return and complete the package of forms that were sent home in Week 1. These forms include vital student information including emergency contacts, student and medical details. To help us update our records the office requires these forms returned at your earliest convenience. If you need a copy of the forms, please contact the College office.

BYOD Program

A reminder that all students from Years 3-10 are participating in the College Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. This means that students must bring along an iPad each day, charged and ready for use. Please note: Only Apple iPads and Laptops should be used at the College.

If your child does not have an iPad available to them, please contact Kelly Du Bois at the College to make arrangements to provide a device for your child. A copy of the BYOD agreement has been sent home to families earlier this week.

Uniform

The College Uniform is valued as a means of developing in our students, a sense of pride and dignity and a feeling of belonging, thus minimising the notions of status and inequality.

A full set of Uniform Expectations is available on the College website:

Summary of expectations for students:

• to wear the College uniform in full, and in the correct manner as outlined in the Uniform Expectations document;
• to wear the College bucket hat during designated times and in the correct manner;
• to wear their ties knotted correctly with their top collar button fastened (winter uniform);
• to have their hair groomed neatly – extreme styles or dyeing of hair are not permitted, e.g. undercuts, dreadlocks, rat-tails, less than no. 3 cut and unnatural colours;
• to tie back hair that is longer than shoulder length and ensure that it does not cover the eyes or face;
• to wear regulation school shoes and sport shoes;
• Girls are permitted to wear a simple ring; and are not permitted to wear make-up; coloured nail polish. Shorts/skirts/tunics are to be of a reasonable length;
• Boys – must be clean shaven at all times;
• No visible piercing is permitted except for one in each ear-lobe;
• No additional items of clothing or accessories;
• To use a school back pack which is not to be graffitied in any way.

It is the expectation of the College that parents will:

• provide their child with the correct uniform;
• ensure that their child wears the uniform correctly;
• provide a note of explanation when their child is unable to wear the correct uniform.

The College Uniform shop is open each Monday and Wednesday (term time only) between 2:30pm and 3:30pm. If you wish to order over the phone please contact the College Office: 6295 1541. A copy of the 2018 Uniform price list is attached for your reference.

Entertainment Books

Pre-order your 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Books and at the same time support our College. Books are $70 each and can be ordered online at

Book Fair

Little Lights – Birth to Four Program

College Facebook page

Join our College Facebook page just type in: @StJamesCatholicCollege in the Facebook search bar.

SJCC P & F News

Our first 2018 SJCC P & F meeting is scheduled for 22 March 18, 3:15pm. We are now looking for members, to be a part of the team sign up via the link below or grab a hardcopy form from the office. We hope to see you at the meeting!

Join our SJCC P&F Facebook page, just type in: @SJCCPandF in the Facebook search bar.

Harmony Day

What’s been happening at SJCC?

Year 9/10 Aboriginal students visit TMAG

The Year 9/10 Aboriginal students and student leaders visited TMAG last Friday and participated in the program:

aranta pumili, lakapawa, tapilti makuminya
We make, we see, we travel our tracks

Tasmanian Aboriginal culture has art at its core. The 2-hour guided program led by Teangi Brown, Aboriginal Learning Facilitator at TMAG, explored the art of the Old People of lutruwita/Tasmania and the creativity of contemporary Tasmanian Aboriginal artists.

Students then visited the Balnhdhurr print exhibition where they had the opportunity to create and print their own art piece. The program title is linked to the Yolngu word ‘balnhdhurr’ meaning ‘a mark made as a sign for people to follow’. Balnhdhurr – A Lasting Impression is a touring exhibition exploring the ancient craft of printmaking, featuring vibrant and historically significant works by Australian indigenous artists. Presented by Artback NT in association with Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, the exhibition celebrates the Yirrkala Print Space, located in a remote corner of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, where the ancient craft of printmaking has not only survived, but prospered for over 20 years.

More information about the exhibition is available below

Year 10 Science class visit TMAG

On Tuesday, the Year 10 students visited the TMAG Remarkable Tasmanian Devil exhibition. We were meet by Richard who gave us a guided tour through the exhibit. We looked at the carnivores of Tasmania and the effect introduced species is having on their populations, we watched a video showing the behaviour of the devils whilst in their dens with their young and looked at the impacts of the facial tumour disease on the population. The students got up close with a Wedge Tailed Eagle specimen, a skull of a Tasmanian Devil and feel what the pelt of a devil feels like. After the tour, the students were given some free time where they explored the museums various collections. The students will now take what they have learnt and use it to help look at the evolution of the devil in the past and the impact of the facial tumour disease to its evolution in the future.

College Swimming Carnival

On Monday 5 March, students from Prep to Year 10 participated in our College Swimming Carnival at Huonville Pool. Special thanks to the parents, Cherie Fyfe and Kerrie Howard who came and assisted with timekeeping and student leaders for their assistance throughout the day especially Duncan Flakemore and Dylan Cowen. Thanks also to Cathy Adams and her BBQ crew and to all staff and students who contributed positively to the day.

The carnival began with 50m events strongly contested by Yr 7 boys who had the most participants for a year group. The new event, to encourage maximum house participation, was the Continuous Freestyling relay. In 12mins, points were awarded for each participant who completed a lap in any style. It was great to see so many students in the water competing for their house.

Results of the Freestyling relay were:

Overall house points for the day were:

Year Group Champions are awarded based on participation in all events for primary (with at least one 50m event.)

2018 Champions - Primary

2018 Champions – Secondary

Project Compassion

A Project Compassion box has been provided in each homeroom. The funds collected from these donation boxes help support Caritas Australia and their works. This year the theme is “A Just Future” and celebrates the Year of Youth.

Through your generosity during Project Compassion this Lent, you are empowering young people to build a just future for themselves, their families and their communities.

Join us for Code Club!

What Is Code Club?

Please see the message from the Code Club General Manager, Kelly Taglan.

How Can You Be Involved?

We need friendly, patient and energetic volunteers who are willing to run our Code Club at SJCC one afternoon a week for one hour. This is most likely to be from 3:20 pm to 4:20 pm on a day that is negotiable. Code Club provides all the resources that structure the hour each week and there are staff who are happy to help volunteers get started. Volunteers do not need to be experts but just to stay one step ahead of the students when introducing the activity each week. Example resources using Scratch are available at:

Please contact Stacey Cooper at stacey.cooper@catholic.tas.edu.au to register your interest or for more information.

*Volunteers must have a current Working with Vulnerable People Registration. It’s easy and we can help! More information is available at:

How Can Your Child Be Involved?

If your child is in Year 3 - 6 and is interested in spending an hour a week learning to code and putting their coding skills to use on fun activities, then fill in the expression of interest form available from the office and have the student send it to the office in their class morning messages. We must have enough student interest and attendance to keep our Code Club viable. Parents/Carers would need to pick their child/children up after the session finished.

Why is SJCC changing how they run Code Club?

In the past we have had teachers volunteering to run Code Club in their lunch breaks. While this was a great way to get our Code Club started and it showed us that there certainly is student interest, we found that this way of doing things is not sustainable. Teachers need a lunch break and students need to have a run around. In addition, 30 minutes simply was not enough time.

From the Sports Desk

In the Spotlight…

Each issue of the Sports Desk will place a spotlight on Sporting achievements from our students.

Little Athletics State Championships

Congratulations to Darcy Direen who claimed gold in the 70m event with a run of 10.9 at the Little Athletics State Championships held over the weekend. A great effort by Darcy who achieved a huge personal best. Well done!

Inclusion Cup

Last week, Olivia Peatling, MJ and Tyson Parbs began training with the Southern Tasmanian team who will participate in the North vs South Cricket Championship in the Hurricanes Inclusion Cup. They will complete on the Championship tomorrow. 

Rowing

Rowers from the Huon Valley packed up their camping gear once again and headed North to Lake Barrington for the Tasmanian Schools Championships last weekend. Although they were rowing for their schools there was still a high level of camerarderie amongst the rowers who train out of the Huon Shed at Franklin, all of whom have felt the guiding influence of coach, Tim Brown, at some point in their rowing careers. All the rowers performed extremely well against strong competition and none of them recorded a last place or a Did Not Finish against their names.

Congratulations to all the St James Catholic College Rowers who made the semi-finals in the recent Tasmanian School Championship: Monica Robbie, Maya Bligh, Jin Ju Redding, Patrick Robbie, Callum Robbie and Noah Redding.

Results in the finals were as follows:

Schoolboys Under 13 Single Scull A Final
1st Patrick Robbie

Schoolboys Under 14 Double Scull A Final
8th Noah Redding (Composite with Friends)

Schoolboys Under 14 Single Scull A Final
6th Noah Redding,

Schoolboys Under 13 Coxed Quad Scull
1st Patrick Robbie, Composite with St Virgils

Schoolboys Under 16 Coxed Quad A Final
6th Maya Bligh, Jin Ju Redding & Monica Robbie

Primary State Athletic event for 2018

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Huon and Channel at the Primary State Athletic event for 2018 which will be held on the 11th of May (Term 2) in Launceston. An information pack has been sent home. Please confirm your attendance with the organisers ASAP.

Year 6 = Harry Brereton: 800m & 1500m
Year 6 = Bailey Harris: Shot put
Year 6 = Charlotte Direen:100m & relay
Year 5 = Hunter Thorpe: Long Jump
Year 4 = Darcy Direen: 800m, 100m & Relay

Inter School Swim Carnivals - Years 3-6

The swimming team for Years 3-6 has been selected for the following inter-school carnivals:

• Huon and Channel Carnival at Huonville Pool - Tues 20th March
• STCPSSA Carnival in Hobart on April 6th

Letters have been sent home, please return permission forms to the office ASAP.

AFL 9’s

Good luck to competitors in AFL 9s this Friday and T20 Cricket for Year 5&6.

Year 7 Girls don’t forget to return your forms for Cricket for your event on 6 April 2018

What’s on in our community

Coming up this term:

• Huon Valley Soccer Club
• Hockey – Getin2Hockey
• Football – various activities
• Cygnet Sea Dragons Soccer
• Silhouette Dance

Huon Valley Soccer Club

Huon Valley Soccer Club is looking forward to another action packed season and will be beginning training for Juniors and Youth teams on Thursday the 15th of March. Registration forms will be available and players and coaches from Under 6 through to Under 15 will be warmly welcomed. No previous experience is needed and it is a great way to keep fit, make friends and have fun through the winter months. Anyone interested in wearing the Orange and Black for the HVSC should come along to the Huonville Soccer ground (Cnr Tennis Court Rd and Heron St, behind Woolworths) from 3:30pm. Inquiries please phone Tanya Robbie on 62660262.

Other Activities include:

Coles Sports for Schools

Coles Sports for Schools is back to help Aussie kids stay fit and healthy. If you shop at Coles, you'll receive Sports for Schools vouchers that the College can exchange for sports gear. The more vouchers collected, the more sports equipment we receive. If you have any Coles vouchers please send along to the office. Thank you.

Community Notices

Parenting Ideas flyers

School Banking

Dollarmites information

Bendigo Bank Information

Huon Valley Grandparents & Relatives Raising Children Group

Great Southern Pram Push

SaverPlus

St Mary’s College