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Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
The past couple of weeks has been a very busy time for our school community.
School Cyclic Review
Last week, the School's Cyclic Review was held. This involved a panel of Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong representatives and other leading Catholic Education consultants visiting the school on Tuesday, 10 May and Wednesday 11 May. Interviews were conducted with student, staff and parent representatives and Albion Park Parish Priest, Fr Leo Duck to review and evaluate our School's progress over the past five years. This will assist Ms Wilson and the School Leadership Team in our planning for the next five years. There were many affirmations of our School's achievements and some recommendations of focus areas to support ongoing, continuous improvement over the next five year cycle.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the parent, student and staff representatives who generously shared your experiences, knowledge and wisdom, and engaged so enthusiastically, honestly and passionately to support this important process. Your contributions and insights were so valuable and a crucial part of the review. These will be used to inform future strategic planning for the benefit of all students who are at the centre of everything that we do in this great school community.
NAPLAN Tests
Last week, Year 7 and 9 students completed their NAPLAN tests. Results in these external tests will provide teachers with valuable data to inform future teaching strategies to offer the types of support required to take students to the next level. Parents will also gain a snapshot of your child's literacy and numeracy skills development. All teachers have high expectations and are keen to ensure that their students learn as much as they can so that they can have as many post secondary schooling opportunities as possible.
2022 Illawarra Schools Careers Expo
For the purpose of educating students in the many career opportunities that are on offer for them, on Wednesday 11 May all Years 10, 11 and 12 students attended the 2022 Illawarra Schools Careers Expo. Congratulations to all students who were commended for their excellent behaviour and positive engagement with the exhibitors to find out as much information as they could about the pathways to the careers to which they are aspiring. A huge thank you to our Careers Advisor, Mrs Sue Kennedy for all her hard work in organising this valuable excursion for students.
Year 11 PDHPE Camp
Year 11 PDHPE students participated in their Outdoor Education Camp last week. While it rained consistently, this did not dampen the true Joey's spirit and zeal with which the students and teachers - Mr Hetherington, Miss Corradini and Mr Mahar participated in the outdoor educational experiences. We thank the students for their cooperative behaviour throughout the camp and the staff for so generously giving their time and talent to make this excellent experience possible.
Study Skills Handbook Online Resource
In Pastoral Care time this week, Years 8-12 students have worked on further enhancing their study skills via the Study Samurai Library - Study Skills Handbook. We are utilising this online platform to support every child's capacity to consolidate their classroom learning experiences with a structured home study routine. So far this year, focus areas for various Year groups have ranged from goal setting, establishing a home study environment and time management skills to managing workload, summarising and assignment skills. We anticipate that this programme will assist all students to hone their individual study routine to support them achieving their best at school.
Please find attached to this week's newsletter a separate item to support your child's engagement with the knowledge available through the Study Samurai Library resource.
PLEASE NOTE:
If the school's intranet link for the Study Skills Handbook via the black and white crest icon does not work for them, students can enter the following web address into their internet browser:
https://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au
The following appears:
Then enter the school's username: stjosephsalbionpark
and password: marymackillop
Please note, the above username and password is for the use of the parents and students AT OUR SCHOOL ONLY – please do not pass our school’s details onto students or parents from other schools or other individuals or organisations as this is a prosecutable breach of copyright and also will result in frequent password changes for our school.
New Pedestrian Only Access on Macquarie Street
Last Monday, 9 May we opened the new pedestrian only path access to the Macquarie Street entrance to the school. This has been installed in the interest of work, health and safety for all school community members. Please remind students to use this as their entry and egress via Macquarie Street as they are no longer permitted to use the driveway access to ensure their safety.
A reminder that the School Car Park is a Staff Only Car Park. Parents are asked to park along Macquarie Street and neighbouring streets to drop off and pick up students to and from school. There is an area at the front of the school on Macquarie Street designated for parent quick drop off and pick up before and after school. We ask that parents please enter Macquarie St via Amaral Ave to keep a smooth flow of traffic out of Macquarie St and onto Tongarra Rd during peak traffic hours.
Laudato Si' Week 2022
Laudato Si' Week 2022 is being held from 16-24 May. The Joey's Environment Club has marked this celebration of the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis ' encyclical Laudato Si' with the return of the St Joey's bin pods to enable the school community to positively contribute to the stewardship of the environment by responsibly recycling our litter. Thank you to Mrs Behl, Miss Janson and the Joey's Environment Club for their work in organising this initiative.
Have a great week everyone!
Mrs Jenny Bell
Assistant Principal
On Wednesday May 11, Years 10,11 and 12 attended the Illawarra Careers Expo at the Illawarra Sports Stadium. The purpose of this event was to provide a vast range of opportunities to assist students with post- school pathways. It was a positive experience for all of the St Joseph's students who attended the event as it made us aware of career related opportunities and the valuable contacts we made with Industry will help us in our career planning. The exhibitors at the event encouraged us to ask questions and we engaged in valuable conversations with the Australian Defence Force, UOW, Orana Fashion Business College, TAFE and Apprenticeship Group Training organisations just to name a few. We feel that this was pivotal in supporting us in our transition from school to our future careers.
(Written by Lucas Markulic, Morgan Crawford, Emily Allen, Catherine Hurley, Kasey Taylor, Jack Tomasi Year 12 students and Sue Kennedy Careers Adviser)
On Wednesday, 6th April our School Captains and Vice Captains (Liam o’Donnell, Neave Keenan, Kaylee McGeehan and Finlay Galway) were invited to attend the Iftar Dinner at Amity College along with some other local schools just before the holiday break. Iftar is an evening meal which means breaking of the fast, which occurs during the holy month of Ramadan (the month of fasting for Muslims). Both staff and students enjoyed connecting and gathering with the community by experiencing such a special event for Amity College staff and students.
Coaching Clinics
Term 2 sport has gotten off to a great start with the beginning of our Volleyball, Hockey and Netball coaching clinics. During these clinics students are given the opportunity to build on their current skill level through the instruction of specialised coaches. It has been great to see so many students make the effort to improve their skills and contribute to creating an exciting sporting culture within the school.
Football
The Diocesan Football Trials were held at Sir Ian McLennan Oval, Kembla Grange on the 28th of April. Mackenzie Best, Neave Keenan, Munesu Marevanhema, Dylan Martos, Spencer Bowen and Jett Stroemer all represented St Joseph's with pride and enthusiasm. A huge congratulations to Bowen Spencer who was selected in the Wollongong Football team to attend NSWCCC championship selections. Best of luck to you Bowen.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Rhianna Boag who has again been selected and invited by the NRL to officiate at the National Women's Rugby League Championships in Queensland from the 8th-12th June, 2022. It's such a remarkable achievement for a person her age to be invited to officiate at such an important event. Congratulations and best of luck to you Rhianna.
Please remember when you are out representing St Joseph's at these events, to send some pictures from the day and let your sports coordinator know how you went. You deserve to be acknowledged for your efforts and should take pride in your achievements, we all do!
Yr 11 Half Yearly Reports
Yr 11 will shortly receive their half yearly reports. This is a great opportunity to sit and reflect on progress students are making and identify areas that need to be considered to help increase engagement and progress in the classroom as well as structures in place at home to support learning. Yr 11 will sit their end of year exams at the end of Term3 , now is the time to start making the necessary arrangements to begin preparation to determine what works, does not work for each students and the subjects they have chosen. The more students do now to develop an effective class/home study process the better they will fare at the start of Yr 12 in term 4. Students have access to the Study Samurai online platform which they are encouraged to use as part of this process. Class teachers are also available to help with subject specific preparations.
Naplan 2022
The first round of Naplan exams have been completed. We would like to congratulate students in Yrs 7 and 9 on the way that they have approached the exams this year. The remaining days of week 4 will be spent doing catch up exams. If any student missed an exam there will be opportunities to catch these up at various times throughout the week. Students are asked to check their emails daily to look for the organisation of these exams.
Semester One Assessment Weeks
Assessment Weeks for Semester 1 are fast approaching. Yrs 7/8 will have their assessment week in week in week 6, Yrs 9/10 will be in week 7. Assessment week involves students sitting formal end of semester exams in a handful of specified subjects. Students will receive formal notifications of these assessments as per the school assessment policy.
The schedules for exams will be finalised and distributed at the end of this week. This semester we are trialling a new system where students will have classes cancelled on the day of exams, they will sit up to two exams per day and given opportunity at school to finalise preparations before each exam on the day.
Students should be supporting their exam preparation with a regular home study program. Class teachers have been providing work for students to work through as part of these preparations. PALS have also been guiding students through the Study Samurai online resource that students have access to to help with their home study/preparations.
Yr 11 2023 Subject Selection Update
Yr 10 have been working through the process of Yr 11 subject selection over the past two weeks. The focus has been on understanding the requirements of stage 6 education as well as looking at the options and requirements of the different pathways available to students at the end of Yr 10 including:
- Completing the HSC
- Completing the HSC and obtaining an ATAR
- Studying for a HSC with a view to leaving
- Looking to leave and obtain a full time job, apprenticeship/traineeship
The selection process will continue this week with students having the first round of subject information presentations from some of our Leaders of Learning. There will be another presentation in week 5. We are also looking at giving students the opportunity tio sit in and observe lessons in stage 6 classes of subjects they may be interested in, want more information about in coming weeks.
Students will also receive the Yr 11 2023 Subject Information Handbook this week. This handbook contains all the information students need to know about school requirements beyond Yr 10 including:
- Yr 11 / HSC Requirements
- Pattern of Study requirements
- Subject specific information
The handbook is a very thorough resource and students and parents are asked to take the time to review the contents to ensure they are fully aware of all the requirements around the various pathways and options available as part of stage 6 education.
SAVE THE DATE - As part of the subject selection process we will be having an Information Night for students and Parents on Tuesday 31st May (week 6). This will be an opportunity for students and parents to meet with representatives from each of the KLA areas to discuss, ask questions and clarify issues you may have before students make their initial subject selections. All students are strongly encouraged to attend, the night will run from 5pm to 7pm and further information on the schedule will be provided in the near future via Compass/email. As this is dinner time we will be running a sausage sizzle for those in attendance.
Laudato Si’ is the name of Pope Francis’ latest letter, or encyclical. The phrase means “praise be to you” and the title is taken from a canticle (or hymn) written by St Francis of Assisi. St Francis, whose name the Pope chose when he was installed as Pope, is the patron saint of the environment. Encyclicals offer Catholics guidance from the Pope concerning issues which affect the lives and beliefs of Catholics.
They often address new technologies or modern issues which aren’t directly addressed in the bible. The Pope is guided to write these by Catholic teachings, the bible and the Holy Spirit. He will also seek the advice of those who are expert in the relevant field.
Laudato Si’ Week is celebrated in Australia 16th May - 24th May. It is a celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and a call to action for Catholics around the world.
The 2022 theme is 'Listening and Journeying Together.’
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference promotes the celebration of Laudato Si Week from 16th-24th May and invites Catholic parishes, schools and communities to take part in opportunities for prayer, reflection and conversation.
The seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home takes place on May 24th. Laudato Si Week is celebrated annually in appreciation of the 2015 Encyclical letter in which the Pope says, “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love” (#84).
Pope Francis has helped Catholics understand the connection people have to the whole of creation and that caring for Earth's community is central to the mission. “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents” (#14).
Throughout the week the St Joseph’s community will be participating in some environment activities to celebrate Laudato Si’.
Junior Catholic Studies classes will be participating in activities throughout the week. The school community will be participating in the following activities this week:
MONDAY - The bin pods return
TUESDAY - Trash Free Tuesday (Show your HR teacher your trash free lunchbox)
WEDNESDAY - First Joey’s Enviro Club Meeting for 2022
FRIDAY - Kahoot in Homeroom
Advice for Choosing HSC Courses from NSW Education Standards Authority
Your aim is to attain the best HSC result you can. So, you should choose courses that you
are good at, interested in and may use in the future. When considering which courses to
study, explore the content of a course. For example, what are the course outcomes? Will
you required to submit a major work, or perform, as part of your exams? Talk with your
teachers about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as individual course requirements,
before making your selections.
ANU College of Engineering & Computer Science
Female Excellence Scholarships To Plan For
Closes 23 May 2022
This scholarship is offered by the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science.
The scholarship is valued at $5,000 per annum for 2 years, with payments made after census date each semester.
Recipients will receive mentoring and career development support from College staff
members and receive priority access to industry engagement opportunities.
Griffith University GUESTS Program
Trimester 2 - Year 11 and 12 students 15 June
Trimester 3 - Year 11 students only 15 October
Our Griffith University Early Start to Tertiary Studies (GUESTS) program is designed to give
you the opportunity to study a course (subject) at Griffith while completing your high school
studies. With the tuition fee covered by the University, the program lets you sample university
life at Griffith, learn from industry leaders and stretch your academic boundaries. If you are
a motivated student who is looking to challenge yourself, consider applying for a
GUESTS
On-Campus or Online course.
You can study one course per trimester (maximum of two courses or 20 credit points in total).
There are four available intakes and students can apply to undertake GUESTS from Semester
2 of year 11.
With over 60 courses to choose from, eligible students can complete up to two courses while
at school and can commence from Semester 2 of Year 11.We encourage you to apply early
to ensure you can pick the classes that most suit your high school timetable.
Applications may still be considered after the closing date if places are still available in the
study area of your choice. Please contact Admissions to discuss course availability prior to
submitting your application. However, no applications will be considered once the trimester
has commenced.
Griffith Chat On-Line
Looking to study at Griffith?
Contact us to receive advice and support to help you learn everything you need to know
about studying at Griffith University.
Chat to a Griffith Student Adviser to have your questions about studying at Griffith University
answered.
Our study advisers are online 10 am - 7 pm (AEST) Monday to Friday.
UAC
University Admission Centre
Students in Year 12 should access google classroom ( 12 TaPS) , and see the link as to how to apply for Universities for next year.
The Ultimate Learner Log Book Run Experience scheduled for Sunday 29 May 2022 provides young drivers and their supervisors the opportunity to participate in a planned drive which follows a route that includes a range of driving experiences. From online to on-road, learner drivers will meet and discuss road safety with a variety of road safety professionals including Police, NSW Fire Rescue, State Emergency Services, a victim of road trauma and many more.
This event is an initiative of Shellharbour, Wollongong and Kiama Councils with their collaborative partners. All participants will receive an event goody bag and be in the draw to win a number of prizes. REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL.
REGISTRATION FORM
A reminder about school fees for those families who have significant amounts still outstanding.
We have been asked by the CEO to follow up outstanding school fees. We ask that you address any outstanding fees as soon as possible.
We appreciate your support with the payment of your fees. If you are experiencing significant financial difficulties, please do not hesitate to speak to the finance office.
Before deciding how to vote you may like to know how the various political parties measure up, from a Christian viewpoint, in regards to some of the current moral and ethical issues. The research was undertaken by the Australian Christian Values Institute. Please visit their website. www.christianvalues.org.au
See also Monica Doumit at www.catholicweekly.com.au