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- LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE - YEAR 7 AND YEAR 11 2021
- Assistant Principal Appraisal
- COVID19 UPDATE
- Curriculum News
- Parent Teacher Interviews Years 7-10 - Save the Date!
- Joeys News
- Social Justice
- Sport News
- Wellbeing
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander News
- Careers
- Lost Property
- Uniform Shop
- Canteen
Another interesting fortnight in the world and at school. I hope you have had a chance to see our Facebook page and the wonderful opportunity students have had in the studio space with recording, thank you to Mr Dennelly for all his hard work getting this up and running. Next year we will be offering the VET entertainment framework for the first time so students will have the opportunity to gain a qualification in this area of interest. (Unfortunately at the moment not much work out there! But it will eventually return to normal performances and events and aren’t we all looking forward to that).
In this coming week we have the Director of Schools and the Bishop visiting and having a chat with our Year 12 Captains and SRC, this is in lieu of the normal full Year 12 gathering. This is an opportunity for our students to give feedback to the leaders of our system and discuss their concerns and hopes for the future.
Over the next few weeks Year 10 students will be participating in Subject selection for Year 11. Students should see this as a way of exploring options, it is the time to try new things and develop skills. The best advice is follow your passion. In today's job markets the research shows that people change direction and jobs much more frequently than in the past and the opportunities for further education and training are so much more available albeit at a cost but can lead to career progression and fulfilment so don’t feel locked in! Just remember that our world needs researchers, scientists, medical personnel, builders and tradies, carers, teachers and business people who have an ethical and moral compass and demonstrate compassion that can make the world a better place and students of St Joseph’s can certainly do that.
Ms Amanda Wilson
Principal
To save uncertainty on the day, we ask that if you haven't already done so, you have a conversation with your child/ren about your plans for their transport home in the event of a school closure. A reminder that senior students will not be permitted to give other students lifts home, except for their siblings if this is what your family decides.
To assist us in coordinating student departures should a temporary school closure be required, if parents/caregivers who have not already done so could please nominate your preferred method for your child/ren’s transport home by clicking this link, Nominated Transport Form.
You will then only need to text your student’s mobile phone or call the school if there is a change of plans for some unexpected reason on the day.
To minimise vehicle congestion, a reminder we will be asking that A-K surname students be picked up in Macquarie Street and L-Z surname students to be picked up on Church Street. In the case of Macquarie Street, the direction of traffic flow needs to be into Amaral Avenue and out of Macquarie Street.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Thank you again for your ongoing cooperation as we overcome the challenges of COVID-19 together.
As part of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Assistant Principal Performance and Development Plan Process, an Appraisal occurs for each Assistant Principal every four years of his or her contract.
The Appraisal for Mrs Jennifer Bell will be occurring over the coming weeks and parents are invited to participate via a short survey which closes on 3 July 2020.
To access the survey and for further information, please read the attached letter from the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.
Student Absences and Medical Clearances
If you have reported to the school (through Compass or to the School Office) that your child is absent from school due to any of the reasons listed below you must provide a medical certificate which states that your child is fit to return to school.
- a sore throat; or
- a runny nose; or
- a cough; or
- a fever; or
- they have cold/flue like symptoms; or
- fatigue; or
- shortness of breath; or
- they have been required to undergo a COVID test
Similarly, any students who are sent home from school because they have any of the above symptoms, are required to provide a medical certificate clearing them for return. The certificates can be emailed to the school email address, or students can take the notes directly to the school office on their arrival.
We thank you for your ongoing community support during this period.
School Activities and Excursions - Restrictions Easing
For an update on the easing of restrictions for activities and excursions within the school, please read the information in the parent update below.
CURRICULUM NEWS
Subject Selection 2021
We are now in the final stages of preparation for our subject selection process for 2021 for students in Years 8, 9 (Pathways Courses) and 10. More details will be provided over the coming weeks but the general timeline is below (this schedule is a guide only and may change based on a range of factors):
Term 2
|
Week 10 |
Subject information distributed to Yr 10 students as well as an assembly to explain the subject selection process. |
Term 3
|
Week 1 |
Parent/Teacher Interviews. A good chance for Yr 10 students and parents to discuss possible subject selections with Teachers. Online Q&A session for students and parents. First round of subject selections for Yr 11 2021 due. |
|
Week 2 |
Student conferences - meetings with senior teachers and students (parents) regarding individual subject selections. Final subject lines for Yr 11 2021 developed. |
|
Week 3 |
Zoom Assembly with Yr 9 (Pathways). Yr 9 Students submit pathways applications. Yr 8 students provided with details for electives in Yr 9 2021. |
|
Week 4 |
Yr 9 2021 Subject selection process begins. |
Students and parents are encouraged to keep up to date with what is happening by checking emails and notifications on Compass as well as the school Newsletter
UOW Yr 10 Subject Selection Webinar
Next Monday the University of Wollongong are running a Subject Selection Webinar for Yr 10 students. The webinar is for students thinking about studying at university who would like to know more about UOW degrees and choosing subjects that provide a good foundation for each study area. Staff from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will go through the ATAR, how it is calculated, and touch on scaling. They will also cover:
- UOW Early Admission
- Opportunities for High Achievers
- Scholarships
- UOW campuses
- Student Accommodation
- Pathways to University
- Costs of University
- Student Life
The webinar is free and starts at 6 pm. Those interested need to pre-register online and are encouraged to do so early. Register your interest here.
Record of School Achievement (RoSA)
We would just like to provide a little refresher about the RoSA as it is quite clear a number of students (especially in Yrs 10-12) do not fully understand what the RoSA is. The following is taken from the NESA website. Students and parents are asked to take the time to read this and explore further on the NESA website to fully understand this credential, why it is important and how it achieved.
“The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) issues the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) to eligible students who leave school before completing the Higher School Certificate (HSC).
The RoSA is a cumulative credential, meaning it contains a student’s record of academic achievement up until the date they leave school. This could be between the end of Year 10 up until and including some results from Year 12.
The RoSA records completed Stage 5 (Year 10) and Preliminary Stage 6 (Year 11) courses and grades, HSC (Year 12) results, and where applicable participation in any uncompleted Preliminary Stage 6 courses or HSC courses.
The RoSA is useful to students leaving school prior to the HSC because they can show it to potential employers or places of further learning.
The RoSA is also available to students who, from 2020, have not demonstrated the HSC Minimum Standard to receive their HSC.
More information about the RoSA can be found on the NESA website.
Hopefully, this helps to clarify the RoSA a little. Feel free to contact the Curriculum Office if you have any further questions.
Parent Teacher Interviews for Years 7-10 will be held on Wednesday 22 July 2020 via Zoom Conference. Interviews will commence at 3:45 pm with last bookings at 8 pm. Bookings are to be made ithrough Compass and will open on Tuesday 23rd June at 9am and close on Tuesday 21st July at 3 pm. Detailed instructions on how to make your bookings in Compass are below.
Full instructions for the Zoom Conference will be available in our next Newsletter and will also be accessible in Compass. We encourage students to attend the Zoom Conference with their parents and we hope that families will take this opportunity to meet with teachers to discuss their child's progress.
Student reports for Years 7-10 will be posted in the Compass portal on Friday 3rd July.
If you need assistance accessing Compass or making your appointments please contact the school office 4230 8500.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
School photos are being held on Tuesday 23 June and Thursday 25 June 2020.
FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM IS TO BE WORN.
THERE WILL BE NO PRAC LESSONS ON THE DAY.
Please read the flyer attached below advising how to place an online order.
Year 11 and 12 have got back onto their practical applications for the Hospitality courses.
Yr 11 making some lovely Pumpkin and Fetta Scrolls and a chicken stir fry, this week a lunch of Lasagne, garlic bread and seasonal salad, as well as Chicken Schnitzel and chips.
Year 12 have produced Apple and banana Fritters with (Liquid Nitrogen set) Callebaut chocolate Ice Cream, Berbere Spiced Roo w/ warm Moroccan Salad & a dessert of Roasted Stone Fruits, stuffed with amaretto biscuits & mascarpone.
This week year 12 used our large floor standing mixer to produce a range of 4 bread in commercial quantities. Walnut and honey rolls, Onion and olive topped Foccacia, Cheese & Chilli twists and pan fried Naan bread.
Congratulations to the following students and staff who have earned a spot in the 100km and 200km club.
Year 7 : Harrison Welch 100km
Year 7 : Declan Bone 100km
Year 8 : Mackenzie Best 200km
Year 8 : Anastasia Kolyvas 200km
Year 9 : Tayissa Buchanan 200km
Year 9 : Grace Pomery 200km
Year 9 : Connor Flemming 100km
Year 10 : Halle Bone 100km
Year 12 : Tahlia Dole 1000km
Staff : Mrs Garbutt 100km
Staff : Mrs Barnes 100km
Staff: Mr Hetherington 200km
Staff : Ms Masi 200km
Staff : Mr Sutton 200
Staff : Mr Linsley 100
Staff : Mrs Schneider 100
Well done the following classes who are leading their respective year groups
7.2 with 491kms
8.3 with 1169 kms
9.2 with 788kms
10.1 with 326kms
Staff team 1 with 1238kms
Due to popular demand we will be continuing the race around Australia until the end of week 3 Term 3. So get out there and exercise. Don;'t forget to submit your record cards.
Check out where your class has reached on the map around Australia on the website Joey's Race Around Australia.
Vinnies COVID Winter Appeal
Each year at St Joseph's we support the St Vincent de Paul Society with their various fundraising initiatives. This year has been strangely different for everyone, including St Vincent's de Paul! So, we would like to continue our support of this wonderful charity with such events like our Fluro Friday, which we held today. We also have some things planned for Term 3. The Vinnies COVID Winter Appeal is currently calling for donations and all money raised from our Fluro Friday today will go towards this appeal. If you, as a family would like to contribute further to this appeal, please visit the Vinnie's website to make a donation online. Even the smallest donation will make a huge difference to a local family.
We have received information from the Wollongong Catholic Education Office that ALL Term 2 and Term 3 Diocesan Sporting Trials, Carnivals and Gala Days have been cancelled on advice from CEDoW leadership and current government advice and restrictions. This includes Cross Country, Soccer, Athletics, Hockey, Volleyball, Athletics and Netball.
Events from mid August 2020 are still pending and it is hoped that easing restrictions will allow a restart of the Diocesan sports program.
Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/diocesan-sport-news/?ref=quicklinks
Updates on specific events secondary events can be viewed at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/events-secondary/
CSNSW Term 2, 3 & 4 events have also been cancelled. Please refer to the Catholic Schools NSW sport webpage (https://csnsw.sport/news/events-suspended) for the latest sporting event and trial suspensions at a NSW Combined Catholic College level.
St Joey’s Lunchtime Mixed Netball Competition
The St Joseph’s Sports Club is running a mixed netball competition in Term 3 on the following days:
Year 7/8 Tuesdays
Year 9/10 Wednesdays
Year 11/12 Thursdays
Teams can comprise all males, all females or be mixed . There will only be one competition per stage though. Team captains are to register their team by completing this Google Form: https://forms.gle/43z6vpHuwn7xEn6n7
Each team needs to organise their own competent umpire (from any year).
Registrations close next Friday 26th June 2020 @ 3.25pm
Elite Athlete Program
Students in the Elite Athlete Program are reminded that they are entitled to visit the Baimed Performance Centre in Figtree and have their training programs upgraded and reviewed via a 1 on 1 in person session. Please email Maddie Stephens (maddie@baimed.com.au) to arrange your private consultation. Another sports psychology session is being organised with David Baracosa from BaiMed. This will be held during school time via Zoom.
Congratulations
Tayissa Buchanan (Year 9) has recently been selected for the Little Athletics U15 Australian National Camp to be held in October at the Australian Institute of Sport. This is a very exciting opportunity for Tayissa as only 120 athletes across Australia have been invited to attend this prestigious event. Congratulations Tayissa.
Swimming Carnival Age Champions
Medallions were presented at our full school Zoom assembly on Monday to our 2020 St Joseph’s Swimming Age Champions. Congratulations to the following students:
12 Years Female- 1st Chloe Norris
12 Years Male- 1st Declan Bone
13 Years Female- 1st Janae Robertson, 2nd Breanna Cresswell, 3rd Paige Quinion
13 Years Male- 1st Flynn Gould Anthony, 2nd Kobe Cox, 3rd Jordan Miller
14 Years Female- 1st Hayley May & Kate McLaughlin, 3rd Anastasia Bierczynski
15 Years Male- 1st Matt Leembruggen, 2nd Bailey Miller 3rd Jack Miller
15 Years Female- 1st Grace Pomery, 2nd Abbey Hillard
16 Years Male- 1st Harrison Best, 2nd Noah Lepre
16 Years Female- 1st Charlotte May
17 Years Male- 1st Alexander Bierczynski, 2nd Dylan Di Cesare, 3rd Mason Shimwell
17 Years Female- 1st Molly Sumner
18 Years Male- 1st Jayden Allen
18 Years Female- 1st Sophie Mills, 2nd Lilli Staff, 3rd Ruby Sawtell
Mrs Garbutt
Representative Sports Coordinator
WELLBEING
As we approach the school holidays it is important to recognise the journey we have been on with COVID-19, where we have come from and where we are today.
I often talk to students about Mental Fitness and the role it plays in our day to day mental health. Just like going to the gym or exercising for 'physical' fitness, our mental fitness plays an important role in how we develop socially and emotionally. This week, attached below is a link for a FREE online webinar on 'Mental Fitness' provided through Black Dog Institute. It is a great opportunity to learn a bit more about Mental Fitness and supporting those around you.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nqYsari7RJitiYGFw_ugVA
Please be aware that the Aboriginal Dance group is running and meets every 2 weeks. We will also be able to have an Aboriginal dance teacher come in to help create and instruct our dancers.
Dance Takes place every 2nd Friday during lunch in the Hall. All students are welcome and encouraged to join in the fun.
Term 3 will also see the return of excursions and we are busy rescheduling our excursion to Eora Nation in La Perouse.
Thank you.
Kane Brown - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Coordinator
Dakotah Acevedo - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Contact
Uncle Kevin Butler, Josephine Ball, Toumanda Fohrman -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Education Assistants
Work Experience
Due to the current restrictions all Work Experience has been stopped. Students are encouraged to still seek out employment opportunities by developing and sending resumes to prospective employers and being proactive in gaining employment. Should they require help and support they are to email Mrs Kennedy for an appointment. Kennedys01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Positions Vacant at McDonalds Warilla
McDonald’s is a great starting place for many of our youth. McDonalds provide excellent training and also offer further development opportunities such as paid traineeships.
Students are encouraged to contact the Wariilla restaurant if you have any questions or would like more information. Students can apply online by searching “Apply McDonald’s” and selecting the Warilla restaurant.
All year groups are encouraged to apply. This is an excellent opportunity for year 12 students to gain stable employment for when they finish school. McDonald’s is a flexible workplace environment that can take you through your tertiary studies, or, if higher education isn’t for you, they can provide increased hours to assist in keeping you focused on building your future.
UOW Early Admission
The UOW Early Admissions Applications open July 20 and close Aug 14.
There will be more information coming to you soon but in the meantime you can check it out via this link:
https://www.uow.edu.au/study/high-school/uow-early-admission/faqs/
UAC
This is how you apply for universities in NSW, see this link for more information:
https://www.uac.edu.au/current-applicants/undergraduate-applications-and-offers
The careers room is open often through lunch times or email me for an appointment if you want more information.
UAC guides will be distributed between Weeks 8-10.
Macquarie University
Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme applications are now open!
This Early Entry Scheme is for students who are performing consistently at school and have demonstrated leadership qualities through extra-curricular activities.
It is encouraging to see that many students have already submitted an application or are in the process of finalising their application.
- To be considered for an early offer in the first round on 5 August, students must submit their application by 2pm on Friday 10 July 2020
- Students should use their personal email address and not a school address to create their application
- As the Year 11 results for NSW and ACT applicants are accessed directly by us, students do NOT need to upload their results in their application
- Only IB applicants need to upload their high school results
- Students are NOT required to upload any supporting documents such as personal statements, certificates, references or school reports
- Final closing date for applications is 31 August 2020.
We have a number of lost property items in the school office. If you have lost an item, please come down and check if it is here.
Thank you
UNIFORM SHOP
COVID safe trading at St Joseph's
** MAXIMUM 4 customers in store at one time ***
Online orerding available as well as walk-in orders which may have to line up and wait.
New item instore for winter
Navy Blue Snood cost $38.00
Monday 12pm-4pm
Thursday 8.30-1.30pm
New Uniform Shop phone number is: 0413 441 892
CANTEEN ONLINE ORDERS
There are no counter or cash sales in our canteen during Term 2 and this will be revised in Term 3. If you wish to buy food from the school canteen you must order it by 9.30am each day through our online canteen.
An information flyer is attached.
If you do not have an account, please click here to access an online form.
PARENT VOLUNTEER ROSTER
| Date | Volunteers |
| Monday 22 June | Ljbicia Catlin |
| Tuesday 23 June | Kissaine O'Donnell |
| Wednesday 24 June | Linda Pallone |
| Thursday 25 June | Nicole Oswald |
| Friday 26 June | Nicole Oswald, Nada Shephard |
| Monday 29 June | Sandra Murray |
| Tuesday 30 June | Derek Pyrah |
| Wednesday 1 July | Kelly Daley, Isabel Vrtkovski |
| Thursday 2 July | Helen Cheetham, Kim Meehan |
| Friday 3 July | Mary Daly |