22 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and All in the St James Catholic College Community,

Celebrating 75 years of the Marian Liturgy and Ball!

On Friday night, the College community gathered to continue the long and cherished Marian traditions that started at our College in 1943.

The Marian Liturgy celebration is a very important part of our College life. This celebration draws together in a unique way, our community. We gathered to pay homage to Mary as Mother of the Church and we took the opportunity also to honour all our mothers and caregivers.

An event of this calibre takes careful planning and preparations, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our College staff Mr Brett Tanner who coordinated practices and the evening, Mrs Connie Thomas who prepared the Liturgy and Mr Wayne Neilson who organised the music. Thank you to our newly established Parents and Friends Committee supported by Mrs Gabbie Nicoll and Ms Cathy Adams for their efforts in preparing us supper. Thank you also to the office staff led by Mrs Kelly Du Bois for their preparation and work behind the scenes and Mr Damian Burnett who has spent many hours setting up the MacKillop Performance Centre.

To all the teaching staff, thank you for your commitment to dance practices and supporting the students through their lessons. Your assistance in helping make this night a success was greatly appreciated. Thank you also to our parents for supporting your child and their participation in this event. Your engagement in our College Community is valued and thank to those who joined in on the dancing!

To our dance instructor Claire, thank you for the countless hours of teaching and support you have provided our students. Your enthusiasm and skill has certainly been an asset to our dance lessons.

Most importantly, this event was for our students and we thank them for their contribution in making the night successful. Here are a few photos from the night:

Kindergarten Open Day

On Thursday 24 May 2018, the College is hosting a Kindergarten Open Day. The Open Day is designed to introduce families to staff and the College community and Kindergarten processes. This will be a great event. If you are looking to enrol your child in 2019, I encourage you (and your friends) to come along and see the wonderful offerings of our Early Learning Centre.

NAPLAN

Last week our students participated in NAPLAN testing. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN tests focus on the skills of reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. I would like to congratulate our students on their efforts in undertaking these tests. While tests can be stressful, it is important to remember that these standardised tests are used in policy decision-making and are not as an overall indicator of student learning outcomes.

TCYF

The Tasmanian Catholic Youth Festival (TCYF) was held last Thursday at Guilford Young College. The Festival coordinated by the Archdiocese of Hobart allowed young Tasmanian people the opportunity to experience the fullness and the joy that the Catholic faith has to offer. Our Year 8 students attended the Festival where they listened to international and national speakers and performers, experienced large plenary sessions, participated in workshops and discussions about relevant topics of the Faith, attended a large event expo, and had the opportunity to participate in social action initiatives. It was very pleasing to receive positive feedback about how our students represented the College at this event.

Date change: Thursday 5 July 2018 will now be the last day of Term 2 for students.

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

Thank you to those families who have made fee payment arrangements and/or paid upfront for 2018. Families who do not have a payment arrangement in place are encouraged to contact College Business Manager Kelly Du Bois for a confidential discussion.

Student Medical Detail Update

A reminder; if your child's medical information has changed & you haven't yet advised the school office, can you please make this a priority. If you previously supplied an epi-pen or other medication which may have since expired, is a replacement is required?

Entertainment Books

Digital Entertainment Membership now available!

The Entertainment™ Digital Membership puts the value of the traditional Entertainment™ Book into your Apple or Android device, and allows you to:

• Show and save using your Apple or Android device, with no Card or Voucher to present
• Search for nearby businesses in the Entertainment™ program
• Search for specific businesses by name, location or dining category
• Share your Membership with another family member

For more information visit the “Choose Your Membership” page:

To order your Digital Membership or your 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Books now available visit:

Cost is $70 per book

Little Lights – Birth to Four Program

Kindergarten Enrolments for 2019

College Photo Day

The College Photo Day will be held on Wednesday 23 May 2018. Students (Prep to Year 10) must wear their full winter uniform (including tie). Students who are participating in the Primary Cross Country will be having their photos taken first and they will then be able to change into their sports uniform. Kindergarten students wear their sports uniform.

SJCC P& F News

Mother’s Day Raffle

Congratulations to Alex Caswell who won the P&F Mother’s Day Raffle! Thank you to our local businesses for their generous donation to the raffle:

• Cygnet Newsagency
• Cygnet Pharmacy
• Cygnet Old Bank Cafe
• Farah's IGA
• Pauline Dillon
• NVS Hair Salon
• Star Anise
• Connie Thomas
• Lauren Fraser

May Ball

Thank you to everyone who assisted with the P&F catering at the May Ball. Your time and effort was greatly appreciated.

Join us

If you would like to join the College P&F team, please let one of us know or please email: sjc.pandf@catholic.tas.edu.au with your contact details.

Don’t forget to join our SJCC P&F Facebook page, just type in: @SJCCPandF in the Facebook search bar.

Because Of Her, We Can!

It is my great pleasure to introduce SJCC's Strong, Local Aboriginal Women and Girls Project. Through this project, we aim to shine a light on the strong Aboriginal women and girls in our local community. This includes any member of the community who is local, female and Aboriginal. These strengths can be in any area, including such areas as academics, sport, arts, career, community involvement, volunteering or family life.

The project involves the completion of a profile template about the woman or girl being nominated. The profile is short but shares important details about the strengths this person shows. These profiles will then be on display for students, families and staff at the college on the week of the NAIDOC assembly. Profiles are due to be returned by 14 June 2018 but early contact/submission is greatly appreciated.

For this project to be successful, we require community input. We are asking that you consider a strong and local Aboriginal woman or girl that you know and email stacey.cooper@catholic.tas.edu.au to request a profile template or to ask for any further information.

I am looking forward to celebrating the strengths of some of the college's own amazing, strong and local Aboriginal girls.

Year One Reading Support – We Need Your Help

In Year One this year we would like to maximise the opportunities the students have to read one on one to an adult. We’re hoping to establish a family reading program starting in Term 2 that will run through until December. You do not need experience or a child in Year One.

We would be looking for a regular weekly or fortnightly commitment to come in on a set day to listen to students read. This would most likely take place from 10:00-10:50 Tuesday to Friday. If this sounds like something you can help us with, please see Ms Griggs the Year 1 teacher or Kelly Du Bois in the school office.

GYC Year 11/12 Information 2019

Please see below links to the 2019 course handbook and a PDF version of the PowerPoint presentation used at this last week’s Year 10 Parent Information Evenings.

2019 Handbook

PowerPoint presentation from Year 10 Parent Information Evenings

Tech Update

There have been concerns raised regarding the very popular and successful App: Fortnite. We have had a discussion with primary students, predominantly Year 5s and 6s, about the inappropriate nature of the game for school use. I have included basic information about the App and a context for the ban below.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is an online shooting game that is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Mac, iPhones/Ipad and on all tablets/phones capable of downloading Apps.

There are two different playing modes:

Save The World - attack/shoot enemies (people and monsters) with weapons & build defences
Battle Royal (Multiplayer) - pits up to 100 live players against each other while reducing the playing space until they are fighting to the death in limited space.

What is the recommended audience?

12 Years and older

What are the risks, dangers and concerns?

• Unmoderated online interaction (playing and chatting) with other players of all ages and backgrounds

               - Possible grooming or inappropriate discussions/requests       
                  made of your child
               - Racism/sexism
               - Swearing/abuse

• The theme of the game is survival via violence/killing and the use of weapons and traps
• In-app costs - potential surprise credit card bills
• Reports of child anger linked to the short time to kill and high stress, win or die nature of the game.
• Addictive - The World Health Organisation recently recognised 'Gaming Disorder' as a mental health issue labeling it as when, 'Gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities,' and the, 'Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.'

Stacey Cooper
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Maths Fun Day

The Mathematics Fun Day is fast approaching and on the 28th of May St James will present a day of fun, problem solving and friendship.

After the overwhelming success of last year's STEM Day at the College, Mathematics Staff will again host nearly 70 Year Six students from Peregrine School, Cygnet Primary School, Sacred Heart School, Geeveston and our very own students. We are looking forward to some great creative thinking and problem solving from our students. The Maths Fun Day will be held in the MPC from 9:30 am.

College Facebook page

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

Happening at SJCC

TCYF

From the Sports Desk

Dates to remember:

• 23 May: Huon and Channel Sports Association Cross Country, Huonville.
• 8 June: STCPSSA Cross Country, Rokeby.
• 29 June: Coming up - STCPSSA Football and Netball Round Robin, if there are any Year 5/6 parents interested in coaching or assisting, please contact Lynnette Davies at the College (03) 62 951 541.

College Cross Country School Fun Run

The College Cross Country School Fun Run was last Wednesday. It was great to see students participating and cheering on fellow students.

For those students who have been busy fundraising, now is the time to return your money and order your prize online from 1 June 2018. To order your prize, you simply navigate to the prize ordering window and once you log in, a pop up will appear advising you to Order Prizes. This will then allow you to select your prize. If you need any assistance please see Ms Davies.

If you have any sporting achievements we can share in our College Newsletter please contact the College Promotions Officer Miss Armstrong via email:
jaimi.armstrong@catholic.tas.edu.au

What’s happening in the Sporting Community

• Hockey
• Hip Hop Workshop

Hip Hop Workshop

PLACE: Kettering Hall, Kettering
DATE: Saturday 19 May
CLASSES: Junior (7 – 9 years) Senior (10 – 16 years)
TIME: 2 pm COST: $15 per student

Everyone is welcome to come and join us and enjoy this fun Workshop with Hip Hop teacher Miss Caroline from Youth Arts & amp; Recreation Centre. For bookings phone: 0417 240453 Diamond Dance Studio

Community Notices

Autism Information Session

Youth Film Productions

Apple Repairs

Huon LINC Sessions