This week we have had the focus on student wellbeing culminating in R U OK Day. Thursday started with an assembly with a guest speaker who shared his story and ways to recover from mental health issues. This was followed by activities during the middle of the day to promote connections with students. Thank you to the staff and students who assisted in organising this event.

Jesus accepted everyone in all walks of life and his message of acceptance of difference and bringing peace is just as relevant today as it was then. So, if you believe in the dignity of every person then we need to treat each other with respect and care.

Our Year 12 students have started their intensive classes for HSC preparation. Their engagement and attendance have been very good - I hope they continue to study hard to gain the best HSC possible - it is a time to do your personal best. Congratulations to those who received University early entry to UOW  - that does help take the stress off so you can perform at your best in the HSC and then have as much choice as possible for the future.  

During the week our Captain’s attended the Bishop’s Mass for school leaders. He acknowledged the wonderful work and inspiration that they have given to their communities and the leadership they have developed since the Captain’s retreat last year. It was a wonderful occasion.

As we move to the last weeks of Term 3 I encourage all students to continue to apply diligence to their studies as all work completed in class counts towards your semester grade.

This week we celebrated R U OK Day.

RUOK Day is a national initiative dedicated to encouraging meaningful conversations and checking in on one another, especially during challenging times. It is a reminder to ask the simple but powerful question: “Are you OK?”

At our school, we recognise the importance of mental health and well-being in fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. Encouraging students to seek help when they are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed is vital to their overall development and resilience.

Why Help-Seeking Behaviour Matters

It is natural for students to encounter challenges during their school years—be it academic pressure, social relationships, or personal struggles. However, it is essential that they feel empowered to reach out for support when they need it. Research shows that young people who seek help early are more likely to cope effectively with challenges, build stronger emotional resilience, and maintain a healthier state of mind.

Help-seeking behaviours are an essential part of students' social and emotional development. By encouraging our children to ask for help when needed, we equip them with the tools to manage difficult situations, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being.

How We Can Support Our Students

As parents and educators, we play a key role in promoting these behaviours by:

Normalising the Conversation: Regularly checking in with our children about how they are feeling and encouraging open dialogue at home.

Identifying Trusted Adults: Encouraging students to identify teachers, school counsellors, or family members they can approach when they need help or guidance.

Modelling Behaviour: Demonstrating positive help-seeking behaviour ourselves, so students understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Promoting Resources: Making students aware of the mental health resources available at school and within the wider community..

We encourage you to continue this conversation at home. Asking your child "Are you OK?" could make all the difference in helping them feel understood and supported.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how you can support your child's mental wellbeing, please feel free to reach out to the Pastoral and Learning Support (PALS) team.

We constantly challenge students to look at their academic results and look to implement strategies to help them achieve academic growth from semester to semester, year to year.

Home study/revision is an important part of this process and a valuable skill to establish early as student progress towards the demands of senior (HSC) study. As the term comes to an end, now is the time to again look at your students' home study routine. Below are some initial tips that you can consider helping establish with your student as they begin preparations for end of semester exams in Term 4. We will look to provide further tips in coming weeks.

Supporting Your Child with Home Study: Tips for Parents

As students navigate their school years, effective home study is crucial for their success. Parents play an essential role in supporting their children's study habits. Here are some practical strategies to help your child thrive in their home study environment:

1. Establish a Routine: Consistency is key to developing good study habits. Help your child set a regular study schedule that aligns with their natural rhythms. Consistent times for homework and study can reduce procrastination and build discipline.
2. Create a Dedicated Study Space: A quiet, well-lit, and clutter-free study space can significantly improve concentration and productivity. Ensure that the area is stocked with necessary supplies, such as stationery, textbooks, and a computer, to minimize disruptions.
3. Encourage Breaks and Balance: Studying for long periods can be counterproductive. Encourage your child to take short breaks using techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of study followed by a 5-minute break). Balancing study with physical activity and relaxation helps maintain focus and reduce stress.
4. Stay Involved but Not Overbearing: Show interest in your child's schoolwork and be available to help, but allow them to take ownership of their learning. Offer guidance and support, but resist the urge to micromanage. This helps build their confidence and independence.
5. Promote a Positive Mindset: Encourage your child to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and help them set realistic and achievable goals. A positive attitude towards learning can make a big difference in their motivation and resilience.
6. Monitor Technology Use: While technology is a valuable tool for learning, it's also a major source of distraction. Set clear boundaries for social media and non-study screen time. Consider using apps that help manage screen time or block distracting websites during study hours.
7. Communicate with Teachers: Stay in touch with your child's teachers to keep informed about their progress and any areas needing attention. This open line of communication can help you better support your child’s learning journey at home.
8. Model Good Habits: Children learn by example. Demonstrate good time management, organization, and a balanced approach to work and relaxation in your own life. Your positive habits can inspire them to adopt similar strategies.

By providing a supportive environment and encouraging healthy study habits, parents can make a significant difference in their child's academic journey. Remember, the goal is to guide your child towards becoming an independent, confident learner who is equipped to handle the challenges of school and beyond.

Year 12 Update

This week Year 12 have undertaken their HSC Intensive Sessions. These are extended blocks of time allocated to each subject across the week allowing time to address issues identified from Trial HSC exams and guide the final preparations for the upcoming HSC. Thanks to the Year 12 staff who have organised a range of engaging activities from guest presenters, application activities and even team-based challenges such based on games/shows such as Race Around the World, Breakout Room challenges and so on. Year 12 are to be congratulated on their engagement across the week as well.

Year 11 Update

Year 11 begin their end of year exams this week. We wish them all the best and look forward to them returning in Term 4 ready to start their HSC journey.

Electives 2025

Students in Years 8-10 will receive confirmation of their electives before the end of the Term.

MacKillop Learning Centre

The students in Stage 4 MLC have been very busy in TAS. 

In Engineering we have researched and constructed bridges, the tallest tower and aeroplanes, where much fun was had in a fun activity flying the longest distance. 

Stage 5 have cooked many yummy recipes in non baked cooking . Yesterday’s favourite was Chickpea Curry with Poppadoms. Delicious!

Years 9 and 10 Food Technology

Years 9 and 10 Food Technology classes have had a busy practical lesson this week catching up on last week's missed recipe. The students made Bread and Butter Pudding and Chicken Quesadillas. All seemed to enjoy the dishes.

On Tuesday 10th of September, Year 7 set off to Symbio for a day at the zoo with Ranger Jamie Tours. When we arrived, we gathered in the outdoor auditorium where we were given an animal show. We got to see and pet a range of animals - a diamond python, a bluetongue lizard, a tawny frogmouth and an American alligator - whilst we learnt about their adaptations that help them survive in their environments. 

After our animal show, we set off in our class groups to wander around the park with our guide and did the Upper & Lower symbio walk - learning all about the animals along these walks and all the interesting information about them! 

Lower Symbio Walk:

Along the lower symbio walk, we started with the dingo before getting to walk through the farmland and feed the hungry goats. We had to be very careful as we fed them as they loved to steal the bags of food. One even stole our work booklet and ate the entire thing! We then moved onto the lemurs that weren't too keen to say hello before we moved into the kangaroo enclosure. We had such a fun time feeding the kangaroos and learning about all their adaptations! We also got to see an albino echidna that has been rescued on the Lower Symbio Walk. We ended this walk with the little penguins and the Tasmanian Devil, learning about how symbio helps to revive their population as they sadly suffer from a deadly facial tumour disease in the wild. 

Upper Symbio Walk:

Along the upper symbio walk, we started with the dancing cockatoo, learning the difference between where black and white cockatoos live. We then moved onto the Alligator enclosure before going to meet the meerkats and Tamarinds. We headed into the reptile walk where we learnt all about the features of these animals and what makes them so special. We moved over to the Koalas, learning about their importance to Australia and the special habitats and diets they have that make them survive so well in their habitats. We ended the walk learning about the conservation status of a range of these animals in the parks and how Symbio helps with these conservation efforts of a range of different animals. 

Overall, it was a great day out and the students learnt so much about all the different animals at this park. The Science department thanks year 7 parents and students for their continued support of Science at Joey's!

My Last Career News! 

This will be my last post, as I am retiring at the end of this term….

After 37 years here at St Joseph’s it’s time to retire!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my position, especially over the last two years as it has given me the opportunity to help students with career planning on a one to one basis which has been really special. So many students have been very appreciative of support when planning their careers and it has been a privilege to offer that support.

There continues to be many career activities to immerse our students in and this fortnight has been no exception. So as I leave here is a snapshot of what has been happening in the careers space this fortnight…

The Young Eyes Festival of Innovation, hosted by Zig Zag Hub annually spotlights rising stars from Illawarra and Shoalhaven high schools participating in our Entrepreneurial Program. We had 7 students move forward in the Young Eyes Festival of Innovation Shark Tank as follows:

Congratulations to: Amy Jedrzejczak, Indiana Hiscocks, Sam Heutter, Jett Vilarinho, Finn de Almeida, Kiana Rieck, Ashley Claridge and Taylor Darke

These students had to pitch their product or idea to the judges in the shark tank- a daunting proposition but they came through with shining colours and the judges and organisers sang their praises, each one can be very proud of their achievements.

Two of our students were successful in moving forward to the final of this event, with $2000 in price money at stake. These two students have wonderful product ideas to pitch again in the final to be held at the INNOVATION CAMPUS. There are only 12 finalist from the 100 students who have pitched to the shark tank.

This was an opportunity for students to shape their career through entrepreneurship. Participants explored real-world problems, engaged in collaborative design thinking and did hands- on activities emphasizing fixed and growth mindsets for informed career choices.

Students  reflected on preferences and strengths to create an action plan for ongoing career exploration. From training simulations to virtual workplace visits, the mindflight7 platform fosters personal and professional growth, helping students develop new skills and interests for a bright future.

Year 12

Please ensure that you complete the post school destination survey as a matter of urgency.

Year 7-10 Transition and Pathways Program Lessons (TAPP)

These lessons have been facilitated by teachers who are provided with a lesson plan, designed by the Career Practitioner.

When your child comes home and tells you that they have had a TAPP lesson it means that they have been actively involved in activities to support their transition from school to the next stage of their lives. The themes this term have been:

Year 7  Who am I - Personal Discovery

Year 8 Me At Work- Be my Own Boss

Year 9 Finding out what job options are for me

Year 10 How to apply for Jobs

SBAT CATCH UP MEETINGS

Catch up meetings have been held with students participating in School Based Traineeships. These meetings focus on students wellbeing as they take on these fantastic courses.

EVET COURSES

Applications have now closed for these externally delivered courses. Interviews have taken place to ensure students are well aware of the commitments they make in taking up this option of study.

 

Sue Kennedy

TAPP Coord/ Career Adviser

School Trivia Fundraiser

We are so excited to get this event up and running!!

Come join our St Joseph’s Catholic High School Trivia night that is fundraising for our sporting teams for 2025. All funds raised will go towards new team uniforms, updated sporting equipment and assisting with transport costs.

The theme for the night is ‘All Things Sport’, so come dressed in your best sporting attire.

Tickets are $80 per table with 8-10 people. BYO snacks and table decorations.

Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CUMYZ

If you or someone you know is able to contribute to prizes/donations on the night, please get in touch with me at Powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au

HPE Week

As part of this week's HPE activities we have been running a house based Beep Test challenge. A large number of students have taken part in the activity, well done to the following students who have set new school records. Plenty of time to start training for next year to get your name in the record books!!

Beep Test Challenge Winners

Jacob Stoneham 13yr Boys (9.7)

Cody Cartwright 15yr Boys (11.8)

Jack Pomery  17yr Boys (11.3)

Tayah Cambourne 12yr Girls (6.4)

Plank Challenge Winner - Cody Cartwirght

Vortex Target Challenge - Charlie Ryan

House Relay Beep Test

Congratulations to Macquarie & Marshall houses on taking out this year's House Relay Beep Test Challenge. Both teams finished the entire Beep test.

Macquarie Team: Tehani Aperau-Bob, Tayah Cambourne & Rhianna Trajkovski

Marshall Team: Aaron Smith, Alexander Sipka & Cody Cartwright

Congratulations to all other teams who also competed for their house.

Women’s Health Guest Speaker - Jess Stoll

We would like to thank Jess Stoll from the Female Collective who came and spoke with our female students about menstrual health and how to look after themselves and maintain their sport as a female. This was a fantastic opportunity and it was great to see so many students take this up. Thank you to Mrs Foster for organising this opportunity for our students.

NSWCCC Netball - Penrith

Junior Boys - Miss Sumner

Last Wednesday the boys participated in the NSWCCC Netball Carnival in Penrith. Despite the windy conditions, the boys went out and gave it their all and played absolutely amazing !! For some boys who have never played netball before they all managed to work together as a team and kept scoring goals. Coming away with 2 wins was a massive achievement by these boys who should be all proud of themselves for showing dedication and teamwork to this carnival.

Well done on a fabulous day boys!!

MVP - Jacob Ong

Senior Boys - Mrs Behl

What a day - the winds from hell and the heat to match but these boys were legends. They tried so hard in terrible conditions and they all improved their skills and gelled as a team as the day went on. We came up against some tough, athletic and well drilled teams from all around the state but the boys did not give up regardless of the score. We won two of our four games and special mention must got to Solomon Liu for nailing the skills of netball without any prior game experience. The MVP for the day was Nash Burling who may have had a slow start to the day but by half way through Game One was on fire. His determination, athleticism and sportsmanship is second to none. Well done!

9-10 Girls - Mrs Madaschi

After an early start the girls had 6 games to compete against schools we have never come up against before. A slow start to the day quickly changed when we came up against Strathfield with a convincing win. We were able to compete and give schools such as Dubbo and Leeton a hard fought contest who ended up taking out our division.  The girls battled the wind and heat to end up with two successful wins and represented the St Joseph's community with great pride and sportsmanship. It was great to see the girls and boys supporting each other with the girls being there to give the boys advice and cheer them on in their games.

MVP- Cate Mansbridge

Rugby 7s - Mr Shanahan

Great news from the U16 girls’ 7’s Rugby team. They won through to the state championship after finishing 2nd to St Mary's at the Illawarra championships. 

After losing 17 - 0 to St Mary's the girls rallied to win their next 4 games 14 - 0 against St john's 49 - 0 against Kanahooka 42 - 0 to Figtree and 49 - 5 to Ulladulla. All girls played sensationally with captain Emily Hollingsworth leading from the front to be MVP. A great effort from girls who are in years 7-10.

The Girls have moved to the state level on the back of some amazing growth in their rugby skills. Leading try scorers on the day were Emily Hollingsworth (7), Lily Bargallie (5), and Emma-Lee Sutton (4).

Thanks go to the parents who attended on the day to support the girls and to Shawn McCreedy from NSW Rugby for running some training sessions with the girls in preparation for Game Day.

Boys Netball - NSW Schools Cup Regionals Finals

The boys played some brilliant games of Netball yesterday.

JNR - Played 5 games, won 4 and drew 1. Won the Semi and made it to the GF against St Johns, Nowra but lost 11-9 in the final. MVP was Jake Burling.

SNR - Played 4 games, won 3 and lost one. This team won the semi easily against St John's 9-3 but lost the GF against a well drilled Nowra High School 10-6.

They all played so well it was hard to choose an MVP but one player who stood out in both attack and defence in our close games was Soloman (Sol) Liu.

Special mention goes to our umpires for the day

Cate Mansbridge

Ebony McCloy

They were commended on their umpiring by the convenor and were awarded the girls GF!

Mountain Biking - BHE

All Schools Mountain Biking held on Friday 6 September at Wollongong Mountain biking centre This is an adventurous outdoor sport It was a physically demanding activity that combined the excitement of navigating 5 challenging trails especially during the heat of a 30-degree day. All riders worked hard, and we had many results at the end of competition within the top 100 riders, this was a great result considering there was over 300 riders on the daycoming from all over NSW and Victoria. 11 students represented St Joseph’s this was the first time that our school has entered this event.

Riders focused on descending steep, rough trails, prioritising speed, and technical ability and showed great skill, riders were well supported by parents, and I would like to thank them for their support. This is the start of a new sport at Saint Joseph’s many parents and riders are looking forward to next year’s events. Mountain biking is a thrilling sport that combines adventure, fitness, and a connection with nature. Its various disciplines offer something for every student.

Special thanks to Mrs Egan for supplying lunch.

Mr Hetherington

Congratulations to all our students who represented

Intermediates (Yrs 9-10) 97 riders

Chase Vilahrino 32nd

Dean Rossi 87th

Juniors (Yrs 7-8) 162 riders

Ashton Byrne 63rd

Noah Egan 84th

Josh Sails 85th

Hayden Kendall 111th

Jaxon Moran 121st

Jamie Martins 126th

Finn Behl 137th

Patrick Byrne 138th

Olympics - Soccer Grand Finals

We have had a huge 6 weeks of running our 2024 SJCHS Olympics across Basketball, Touch and Soccer. We had two really great Grand Finals last week to finish this competition off. Congratulations to Brexit FC & All Balls on getting the win in this series.

Teacher Table Tennis Competition

Congratulations to Mr Sutton and Mr Lowrie on taking out the 2024 Teachers Table Tennis Tournament against Mr Dribbus and Mr Maguire. Whilst it was a close finish, Sutton and Lowrie held their form and brilliance to claim the match for the second year in a row.

Upcoming NSWCCC Trials

If your child plays at a high/rep level for their sport and is keen on trialling for a NSWCCC team, please register via the link below:
https://csnsw.sport/

Please note:
- No late entries are accepted.
- Students attending these trials should be at a representative level/standard.
- Further information regarding each sport is available on the website (see link above)

For assistance with registering your child please see the document below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFW57cps5mTHPK7PfJMvpVK4qtM651keNVZcu014gVQ/edit

If there are any further issues please contact me:

powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au

NSWCCC Cricket 15 Years & Under Selections (Boys & Girls)
EOI Closing Date: Friday, 27 September 2024, by 5:00 pm

Notification: Students will be notified by email regarding the outcome of their EOI (successful or unsuccessful) by 14 October 2024.

Selection Trials Venue: Lance Hutchinson Oval

Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Date: Mid-October 2024

Please note that this EOI is not a registration to attend the NSWCCC Selections, but rather a submission to be considered for participation.

Individual Sporting Success

Jake Burling

Congratulations to Jake who has been selected in the U16s NSW State Basketball team to play at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Championships (in Albury in January 2025). He will compete for NSW Country against other state country teams. Only the top 20 NSW Country U16 boys were selected. Around 100 of the top basketballers from across NSW trialled so this is a huge achievement.

Ryan & Liam Cergovski

Congratulations to Ryan and Liam Cergovski who played their 18s Grand Final last weekend. Shellharbour pinched a goal during injury time of the first half but within 3 minutes of the match left to play, Wollongong United scored a goal to level the game which took it to extra time. Wollongong United scored a goal in the first half of extra time to seal the game and win the trophy. Well done boys.

Year 10 Boys Soccer

Congratulations to our Year 10 Boys who played against each other in their Grand Final last weekend (Figreet vs Shellharbour). Phoenix Hiscocks and Nash Burling were able to take the win for this final. Congratulations to all the boys from our school who played in this final (Joshua Cowell, Caiden Judd, Nash BUrling, Phoenix Hiscocks, Archie Faulks and Luke Pyers).

Liam De Gabriele

Congratulations to Liam De Gabriele whose team won the Grand Final last weekend in soccer. A huge win for the boys. Congratulations Liam.

Phoenix Sherwood and Tynnan Fuga Puglialunga

Congratulations to the boys on their Jiu Jitsu wins last weekend. Phoenix competed in the grey belt 69 kg + and Tynnan competed in the white belt 56.5 kg. Well done boys on your achievements.

Lewis Mercieca

Congratulations to Lewis and his Baseball Team who took out the win from their Grand Final over the weekend.

If your child has had sporting success outside of school we want to hear about it. 

Please email details to Miss Power - Sports Coordinator powers01@dow.catholic.edu.au

St Joseph’s Sports Instagram Page 

For all things sports follow social media page @SJCHSSPORTS

SCHOOL FEES

Payment can be made by eftpos, Bpay and in cash. School fees are important, the school relies on fees and the payment of fees is part of the agreement you signed with the school upon enrolment of your child/ren.  If your account is overdue please contact the finance office to discuss a payment plan.

REMINDERS FOR LATE PAYMENTS

These reminders are automatically generated based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office.  For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention.  Our intention is to manage the collection of school fee accounts with new technology.

DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT

If you are experiencing financial difficulty and unable to increase your payments or pay, there are concessions available. We encourage you to contact St Joseph’s to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments.  This includes the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the holder on the wall at St Joseph’s finance office or on school website.  

Once the completed Fee Concession form is received, the school may be able to write off some of your outstanding fee balance. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. 

TERM 3 2024

September

16th - 27th - Year 11 Preliminary Exams

16th - 20th - Year 12 HSC Intensive Week

20th - Final House Assembly, Year 12 Activity Afternoon

25th - Year 12 Final Assembly & Year 12 Graduation (Day Events)

27th - Last Day Term 3

Last day of trading for Term 3 will be Thursday 26 September

Normal trading hours will resume Thursday 10 October

NORMAL TRADING HOURS

Monday 11:30 am - 4:30pm

Thursday 8:30am - 1:30pm

ORDERING UNIFORMS

Online Ordering - click link below

ONLINE ORDERING

By Appointment - click link below

BY APPOINTMENT

The Catholic Schools Parents Australia (CSPA) 2024 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning is seeking your perspective as parents/carers of children who attend a Catholic School in Australia.

You are invited to share your views on existing and emerging affirmations and/or challenges in relation to your child/children's wellbeing and learning. Please consider completing this anonymous, confidential and completely voluntary online survey.

More information about the study, how to participate, and how to have questions answered, can be found within the attached flyer.

Thank you for your interest.

Uniting has launched all-day Info Hubs in its Illawarra and Shoalhaven offices to ensure community members can easily access information about the NDIS and other resources. No bookings required! Potential NDIS participants will:

• Learn more about the NDIS and how to apply
• Understand your options if you do not meet NDIS eligibility criteria
• Discover how to use your NDIS plan to its full potential
• Speak with an industry expert about your NDIS or Disability-related questions

Here’s when and where to find the Info Hubs in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven:

• Where? 1/1 Burra Place, Shellharbour City Centre
• When? Every first Tuesday of the month
• What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
• Where? 35 Kenny Street, Wollongong
• When? Every third Wednesday of the month
• What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
• Where? Level 2b, 57 Graham Steet, Nowra
• When? Every second Tuesday of the month
• What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm