1 February 2021 - Newsletter (Vol 38 No 1)
- Principal's Message
- Assistant Principal - Mission - Staff and Student Wellbeing
- Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
- School Evangelisation
- English Matters
- Counsellors Corner
- Library Matters
- Year Coordinators
- SRC - Student Representative Council
- Sports Corner
- SJPC Swimming Carnival
- Dio Touch Selection Trials
- Office News
- 2021 SJPC Ski Trip Instalment Reminder
- Safer Internet Day 2021
- Love Bites Charity Ball
The heart of a Catholic learning community should be the desire to “…seek to recognise and proclaim the presence of Christ in all people and in all creation through compassion, practical actions of justice and with a sense of family atmosphere. We strive to build right relationships with all people……”
- Catholic learning communities should be marked by “right relationships”.
- These “right relationships” or positive relationships are built best in our classrooms where “compassion” is seen in our response to those who find it hard to learn and where “practical actions of justice” have an audience.
- These relationships and the learning that occurs within them are the most fundamental and visible demonstration of our pastoral care for our students, staff and parents.
If we fail to build and maintain right relationships with Christ at the centre of all we do, then our work is not complete and lacks the very core of what we are asked to do in a Catholic Learning Community.
Thank you all for making SJPC your school of choice, we really do try our very best to get it right but I also acknowledge sometimes we miss the mark. Educating children is a partnership between home and school and I genuinely look forward to working together this year with the student at the centre of our decisions and directions.
SOME IMPORTANT UPDATES!
Unfortunately, because of Covid 19 we haven’t been able to start the year as smoothly as I would like to. The rules haven’t changed that much for schools since the end of last year:
- Parent Access to the College remains limited and restricted to individual meetings which are pre-arranged. Please avoid coming to the office unannounced where possible.
- Student Drop off and Pick up - parents are asked to remain in their cars at all times and follow directions of staff on duty in the afternoons.
- Uniforms - We are experiencing issues with junior girl’s skirts and the unisex PE shorts. We are still waiting on stock (which was ordered in May last year) to arrive and according to our suppliers it doesn’t appear that this will be in the near future. The interim plan is as follows:
- Skirts - If you don’t have a skirt, the female tailored shorts are the only option available. These are in stock in the uniform shop.
- PE shorts – the following applies to all PE classes and Sports afternoons/events. If you are unable to wear the correct PE shorts, you need to come to school in your normal uniform and bring your PE shirt and a pair of appropriate sport shorts to change in to for your given activity. Afterwards you will change back into your normal uniform. For new yr 7 students who have St Augustine's shorts, these can be worn in the interim as well.
As we don’t know when stock will arrive these changes will remain in place until further notice.
Finally, a special welcome to all our new families to the SJPC community this year. I hope that you grow to know that you have a very important place in this community. I encourage every student to play their part in ensuring that SJPC is a better place for their having been here this year.
God bless
Michael Carniato
Principal
Welcome back to all to what I am sure will be another very busy year at St John Paul College. While there will be spiritual, academic, physical and social development throughout the year, it is important to stop and realise how far our children have come. When a child begins primary school, the end of high school seems a long way off, however if you ask any parent or carer who have older children they will tell you that the thirteen years of schooling go very fast indeed. So take the time to assess where your child is at, continue to celebrate their successes and be ready to get on board and help them with their challenges that they will continue to face.
The difference between a good learning institution and a great one is the success it has in developing positive relationships between all parties. These relationships must be based on the Gospel values and in particular love, forgiveness, understanding and respect. Teachers regularly discuss the importance of strong professional relationships in the classroom, while relationships between students is always a topic explored on individual pastoral days held throughout the year. Often teachers have a difference of opinion on educational matters and it is important that all have the opportunity to be heard. The relationship between the school and home is vital if the student is to reach their full potential. The ‘Parenting Ideas’ website (which the College has recently renewed its membership) offers online courses on developing relationships between parents and boys/girls. The format consists of videos and workbooks and can be completed at your leisure for a very reasonable outlay. If these workshops are anything like previous publications from this website, I can recommend them as a valuable source of information. Please don’t hesitate to make contact with the College if you wish to know more.
It is in our approach to our everyday relationships that we continue the Church’s Mission of caring for all individuals.
Until next time:
‘Lord let your light shine on us’
Assistant Principal - Mission
Staff and Student Wellbeing
Welcome Back
Welcome to the 2021 academic year at St John Paul College. I especially welcome 206 new students in Year 7and hope your time at SJPC will be an enjoyable one. My only piece of advice for any Year 7 student is to ‘get involved’ early in all that we offer at the College. This will help with the orientation into our community and begin what I hope will be a successful year 2021.
I extend an open invitation for all parents to contact me either by phone or email regarding their child’s progress. In my role I work closely with the Leader of Curriculum - Ms Brown, the Leader of Pedagogy - Mrs Gennat and all the various Leaders of Learning who lead their respective subject areas.
Beginning the Year with effective Study habits
As we begin the academic year, I would encourage all students as part of ‘getting organised’ in Term 1, to look at the following website and see the study resources available to students regardless of which year level they are in.
Learn more this year about how to improve your results and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au .
Our school’s access details are:
School’s Username – stjohnpaul
School’s password – 89success
In addition, our subscription to Elevate Education may assist in this area.
This online platform contains resources and useful study tips that all SJPC students will find effective. We encourage them to access this Student Portal and try some of the strategies. Students have the password to this site. The password can also be found on the Curriculum Noticeboard.
James Furey
Assistant Principal
Learning and Teaching
Kairos Retreat – for senior students
On the 28th – 31st March, 20 senior SJPC students will travel to the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an in-depth faith-based retreat.
Kairos is an annual college retreat run by teachers, youth ministry officers and staff who have attended Kairos before. This is an exciting opportunity for a small group of senior students. Due to diocesan financial support, the cost has been reduced to $100 per student. Permission notes have been distributed to students, but feel free to contact me if you would like a copy via email. Due to the limited spots available, I recommend moving quickly with this unique and inspirational opportunity. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this retreat opportunity.
We are looking forward to a great start to learning in English in 2021. We welcome Mrs Cherie O’Brien to our faculty and we are looking forward to the return of Mrs Storok who has been on exchange in Canada- but whilst she navigates the complexities of international travel we are fortunate to have Mr Thewlis looking after her students. As a faculty we are committed to working in partnership with our colleagues, students and parents to improve student learning in our classrooms. Please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance if you have any questions.
Year 7
Year 7 will begin the year with a novel study as part of the unit ‘Everybody’s Voice’. They will be working towards understanding the importance of different perspectives and will learn to write persuasively. We will also have a fortnightly focus on foundational writing skills and a spelling test, in order to continue to support the development of our literacy standards. Students will receive explicit instruction on the skills, revision activities and feedback.
Year 8
2021 is an exciting time for Year 8 English: we have made some changes to our programs and are introducing a cross-curricular English/ Drama unit for all students. In order to ensure these units are effectively developed the pattern of study of year 8 this year will be a little different. English will be semesterised, which means students will swap teachers at the beginning of Term 3.
In Term 1 classes will be studying either a film study of Star Wars as part of the unit Mythical Heroes OR a novel study as part of the Power of Fiction unit.
Year 9
Year 9 start the year with the unit ‘Words to change the world.’ Students will read and listen to some key speeches throughout time. Students will deepen their understanding of persuasion and effective speaking and listening skills. They are working towards the creation and presentation of their own speech.
A focus in Year 9 this year will be to improve student awareness of where they are in learning and how to improve which will empower students' learning journey in English.
Year 10
Writing 101 is Year 10’s first unit with a focus on studying texts as stimulus for students’ own imaginative writing. Students will also study poetry in this unit looking at how different perspectives are represented through poetic techniques. Editing and drafting will be a priority in this unit, including writing reflections on the writing process. Close study of text follows this unit, and students will study a set novel to better understand how authors use language, characterisation and setting to effectively shape the narrative. Year 10 English is packed with interesting texts to expose students to a diverse range of literature aimed to challenge their thinking and develop their extended writing.
Leader of Learning Assistant Leader of Learning
Welcome back to school! We hope you are feeling refreshed after your holiday, Denise and Andrew enjoyed being with family and spending time in our beautiful rivers and ocean.
We are excited to see all the students returning. Many of our students are excited too, particularly about seeing their friends. As part of the Pastoral Care team we are working to ensure that our students feel supported as they return no matter what challenges they are experiencing.
If you would like to find out more about your College Counsellors please click on the link to the Saint John Paul College website College Counsellors.
Students can login with their username and password to access Oliver our library catalogue. They can see what resources we hold in the library and what resources they have borrowed. As long as a resource is not overdue, resources can be renewed by students. We also provide access to a number of electronic resources. Overdrive provides access to eBooks and audiobooks. Digital video content is provided by Clickview Online
We subscribe to the following electronic databases: World Religions Online, Ancient & Medieval History, Modern World History, History Reference Centre, Australian/NZ Reference Centre, Australia/New Zealand Points of View, Literary Reference Centre, Science Online and Science Reference Centre. These can all be accessed from Oliver.
Homework Centre
We are fortunate to be able to provide an after school Homework Centre again this year. The centre will operate after school until 5:00 pm each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students must be collected from the College by 5:00 p.m. Occasionally we are unable to keep the library open but students will be given adequate notice via Daily Notices and will be able to contact parents if necessary.
A wide range of students make use of the Homework Centre. Many come who are highly motivated and want to take advantage of the quiet space and resources to get their work done. Other students come needing help with particular assignments while others come to review class work. Students who are working on group assignments are also welcome.
The Homework Centre has been of great benefit to the whole school community. It is hoped that this year students will again take advantage of this service.
Printing
Students are credited with $20 printing credit each year and are charged 10c for black and white and 50c for colour copies. Documents can also be scanned and emailed or saved to the student's Google Drive. Extra printing credit can be purchased from library staff.
A student library card is needed to print and borrow resources from the library. Year 7 and new students have been issued with a temporary card. If a card is lost, replacements can be purchased from the library for $2.
Overdue Resources
Thanks to the many students who searched for missing library books over the holidays. However, we still have a few outstanding resources from 2020. Please have another look for these missing resources. Please remember that students are responsible for any resource they borrow from the library. If outstanding resources are not returned, an invoice will be sent for their replacement. Students may not borrow for 2021 until 2020 resources are returned. Please email sharon.brennan@lism.catholic.edu.au if there is an issue.
Sharon Brennan
Teacher Librarian
Year 7
I’d like to welcome all new and existing families to Year 7 at SJPC and look forward to meeting you all as we begin your child's high school experience. The start of a school year is always a hectic time. This is made even more daunting by having to start the year with many, many new faces and teachers. Year 7 encountered these challenges last week, with their high school journey beginning on Thursday.
After a brief welcome to the College by Mr Carniato, Year 7 farewelled their parents and headed into the Hall to begin learning about their role at the College and how they are an important component of our great school.
Year 7 has received an enormous amount of information over the past few days and they will continue to learn about their new teachers and class structures over the upcoming weeks. Throw in the swimming carnival, Commencement Mass, and an evacuation drill in the next fortnight, and it’s going to be a fast and furious start to the school year for them.
As always, if parents or students have any worries or concerns, please contact us here at the College via phone or email. My Homeroom team and I are available to answer any questions you may have, and in addition, contact your child's class teachers if you have any worries or questions about curriculum as well.
Each student has a light, a gift from God, and via our opening day introduction they were encouraged to share with everyone around them. Each student lit a candle to represent their light that the year group will share and also light up SJPC via their efforts across all the areas of faith, curriculum, sport, music.
Year 8
On behalf of the Year 8 Homeroom team and myself, we welcome you to the new year and hope that everyone has had a safe and enjoyable break. It was wonderful to see everyone again and to hear stories of many different activities and festivities over the break.
On our first day back we met as a year group and students met their homeroom teacher for 2021. This time is one of excitement, new friends, new classes, and new teachers as well as reconnecting with old acquaintances. These new experiences are important for a child’s growth and journey through school life as they allow them to develop strategies for life and teaches them about being resilient and drawing on their strengths in coping with change.
To start our year we reflected on the Gospel of Matthew 22:39 ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’’. We took time to think about how we will live out this Gospel each and every day to ensure SJPC is a place where all are valued, known, and cared for and how we can create an environment where all students can reach their full potential. What seemed to spark some thought in the minds and hearts of these adolescents was the tale of two wolves and mindfulness, something which we will explore further this year in our pastoral lessons.
It has been a wonderful start to the year and we look forward to seeing everyone and working with you and your children as we walk beside them on their journey.
Year 9
A big welcome to all of our Year 9 students and families to the 2021 school year. The beginning of school is always exciting, and this year is no exception. To our new families, we warmly welcome you to the St John Paul College community. To our returning families, we look forward to reconnecting with you and trust that we will have another highly successful school year.
Last Thursday Year 9 students met to discuss what this year will look like. Entering a new year brings changes such as new homeroom groups, new teachers and new subjects. These changes can bring a range of emotions for students including excitement, uncertainty and anxiety. Students were reminded that these feelings are all normal and that there are many benefits of going through such changes. However, they were also reminded of ways they can access support at the College if needed. I would encourage parents/carers to continue having these positive conversations with your child around the benefits of overcoming such challenges and stepping out of their comfort zone.
We are very much looking forward to continuing to work with you all and hope that you and your child are anticipating a wonderful year ahead. Together our hope is to work alongside you to facilitate your child’s academic, personal and social growth through a range of pastoral and academic activities throughout the year.
Year 10
Welcome back Year 10! The Year 10 homeroom team hoped that you had a restful and rewarding break. I’m so excited about 2021; to see how much the students in our care will grow and mature. A new year means a fresh start and so every student has an opportunity to be the best they can be, not only academically and socially, but for their future selves. Carpe posterum.
During the first year meeting we explored mindfulness and human dignity. The discussion included how mindfulness, using Christian meditation, is one of the most powerful tools students can learn to use and employ during difficult times. We also referenced how respect for each other is framed by human dignity, drawing on the knowledge that all human beings are born with dignity and thus deserve our respect. It’s only during times where human dignity is ignored in our dealings with other people that we devalue both ourselves and the victim. I asked all students to consider how their behaviour and actions contribute to the whole school community and encouraged them to make positive changes if needed.
Students are encouraged to start thinking about what subjects they would like to do in 2022 as well as how they’ll juggle all of their extracurricular activities and jobs they may have. We have a busy term ahead of us so please be aware of any upcoming events as per the school calendar. One important event coming up this term is the Year 10 Retreat. Students have already started to write their names on the rooming list outside of the Year Coordinator’s office. I will be encouraging all students to participate in all St John Paul College has to offer.
Please make contact with me if you have any questions or concerns.
Year 11
Year 11 had a great start to the year last week with 2 days of presentations. On Thursday we had a Pastoral Day with Dave Kobler who discussed several important teenage issues with Year 11 from relationships to impacts of the media. His content was well received and very valuable to the students. On Friday Year 11 enjoyed a Wellbeing day where they received presentations from various staff on motivation and goal setting, meditation and study skills. They also shared a BBQ with Year 7 and played some challenge games with them. All students were rewarded with a Zooper Dooper or two!
Finally, students were given the opportunity to spend some time with their homeroom teachers at the end of the day and build those very important pastoral relationships with them. However, Monday it’s time to get down to business and will be the first day of lessons. I look forward to keeping you up to date with their progress throughout the year.
Year 12
The final year of schooling has crept up quickly on the present Year 12 group with the reality sinking in during our first meeting last week.
I emphasized to the group just how fast the remaining three terms will go, and the importance of making the most of the time they have left at the college.
The fundraising committee met last Friday to plan the first two activities of the year – running the barbeque at the swimming carnival and Valentine’s Day, which they will be holding on Thursday 18th February. I was really inspired by their enthusiasm and ideas and I’m sure the skills they learn will be well worth the time they will invest over the next three terms. I would like to acknowledge the continuing generosity of the Hilliar family who have been donating roses for the Valentine’s day fundraiser for many years and have been great supporters of our Year 12 students.
Congratulations to students Alex Harrison for her athletic success at state level at the end of last year, Angus Anderson who is making great inroads into the AFL world attracting a good deal of interest from the Gold Coast, and Ethan Sultana who is making a name for himself with his entrepreneurial skills and silent disco business. This group have a lot of talented young men and women and I’m sure there’ll be more to talk about as the year progresses.
As always, if you have any concerns about your child during this important year of their schooling don’t hesitate to call me.
Looking forward to a successful and rewarding year.
Toilet Transformation Project
Over the holidays, the artworks with inspirational quotes were installed in the canteen toilets. It is our sincere hope that the opportunity for our students to read these affirmations every day will improve student wellbeing and bring a smile to their faces.
Mrs Leanne Gennat & Mrs Frances O’Shea
(on behalf of the SRC Toilet Project Committee)
Sport Department
As the Sport Co-ordinator, I am located in the Palace Monday to Friday. Students are encouraged to touch base with the sports noticeboards outside the Palace on a weekly basis.
Mrs Tanya Slaviero works in the Sport Department on a Wednesday and will deal mainly with internal sport, particularly Year 7 and 8 and Year 9/10 sport selections.
We welcome Mr Bryce Sully to our team as the College PDHPE/Sport Trainee. Bryce will be with the department on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
Please feel free to contact us regarding sporting issues; email is particularly effective.
The Sports department at SJPC is geared for a full year of sport (fingers crossed). There are many key players needed to ensure sport, both curriculum and representative, runs smoothly. As there are so many facets to sport, I encourage all families to be aware of deadlines and ensure all are met in a timely manner. Without your assistance in this manner, the organisation of sport can become quite chaotic.
We look forward to a very productive and competitive year in sport.
Representative Sport
The College, through the Lismore Diocese, offers the pathways to represent NSW Combined Catholic Colleges now called Catholic Sport NSW (CSNSW) and in some sports, NSW All Schools and School Sport Australia.
Sports such as Swimming, Athletics, and Cross Country require the student to qualify through the school carnival and then sign up online through the Diocese of Lismore Sport webpage in order to represent the Diocese.
Soccer (Open males/females), Touch Football (Open/15 years male/female) and Rugby League (15/18 years) start with Lismore trials (sign up online through Lismore Diocese) and then progress through to NSWCCC.
Other sports, such as Baseball, AFL, Netball, Waterpolo, Golf, Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Rugby Union, Hockey, Triathlon and Tennis start with NSWCCC trials and parents need to visit the new CSNSW website for details and applications
It is important for all families to note that participation in a trial for Lismore to CSNSW is considered a normal school day. A parent note needs to be provided to the College prior to the event informing the College of the student’s intended attendance.
Lismore Sport Website - Registration
Guide For Parents – Sport Registrations
There are many sources of information regarding sport. Families are encouraged to read the Daily Notices via the Sentral portal daily, access the fortnightly newsletter and log onto the sports websites listed above regularly in order to ensure no sporting opportunity is missed. The Palace is also a hub of information with school sport sign ups, note collection and team selections being posted on the Palace noticeboard.
Friday Night Basketball
SJPC has a strong tradition of participating in the local Friday night Basketball. In the past, we have been able to provide team singlets for a large number of teams. This year we will not be able to provide as many, as many were not returned over the past two years, depleting our stocks considerably. Moving forward, we are happy to offer team sets to our students but there will be a $200 bond which is contingent on all singlets being returned at the end of the year. While this is not an ideal situation nor one we want to move to, it is one which has arisen due to the large number of outstanding singlets.
Any team wanting to ‘rent’ singlets for this year will need to collect a document from the Palace and return it along with the $200 to the front office, to be kept in the school safe until the end of the year when all singlets are returned. Wednesday’s are the best day to organise this.
It should also be noted that other than offering to rent singlets, SJPC does not organise teams nor has anything to do with the external basketball competition.
In-School Sport, Term 1
Sport for all year levels will start in Week 2 of 2021.
A timetable of each year groups sporting organisation will be located on the noticeboard outside the Palace from Day 1, Term 1 2021. Students are encouraged to check this on a weekly basis as changes can occur.
Wednesday sport - (Will be run in Housegroups except for OSSA)
Year 7 - All students will meet in the Hall.
Year 8 - All girls will meet outside the theatre for OSSA theory
BOYS attending Fishing or beach games will meet at the bus bay
BOYS attending AFL will meet at the sports storeshed beside the oval.
Thursday sport Year 9 and 10 - (Sports selected in Term 4)
Multisport students are to meet at the sports shed near the oval.
Kayaking and Handball students will meet in the canteen area.
Off-campus sports are to meet at the bus bay halfway through lunch for an end of lunch departure.
Surfers are to see Mr Haworth regarding where to leave surfboards on Thursday morning.
Year 7 Sport Timetable
Coming up Term 1 2021
| School and Diocese Sport 2021 |
| Mon 1 Feb 2021 | Sign up opens for SJPC Tennis | Palace |
| Sign up opens for SJPC Basketball | Palace | |
|
Sign up opens for Dio Individual Touch Trials |
Dio Sport Website | |
| Fri 12 Feb 2021 | SJPC Swimming Carnival | Coffs Harbour Memorial Pool |
| NSW CCC Sport 2021 |
| Tuesday 9th - Wed 10th Feb | CCC Cricket Boys U/19 selections | Online closes 3 Feb 2021 |
| Mon 15 Feb 2021 | CCC Cricket Girls U15 selections | Online closes 10 Feb 2021 |
| Mon 22 Feb 2021 | CCC Softball Boys & Girls selections | Online closes 12 Feb 2021 |
| Mon 1 Mar 2021 | CCC Cricket Boys U16 selections | Online closes 18 Feb 2021 |
| CCC Tennis (Individual) selections | Online closes 22 Feb 2021 | |
| Wed 3 Mar 2021 | CCC Baseball Boys selections | Online closes 26 February |
| Mon 8 Mar 2021 | CCC Golf Boys & Girls selections | Online closes 25 February |
| Wed 10 Mar 2021 | CCC Volleyball Boys & Girls selections | Online closes 5 March |
| Mon 15 Mar 2021 | CCC Water Polo Boys & Girls selections | Online closes 11 March |
| Mon 22 Mar 2021 | CCC Hockey Open Boys & Girls selections | Online closes 15 March |
| Mon 29 Mar 2021 | CCC Diving Boys & Girls selections | Online closes 19 March |
Thank you for your continued support of Catholic Schools NSW Sport.
Danielle McAra
Leader of Learning - Sport
Danielle McAra
Leader of Learning - Sport
Danielle McAra
Leader of Learning - Sport
Student Diary
Parents and students are reminded the 2nd instalment of $750 for this year’s Ski Trip is due by Thursday 11th February (Week 3 of this Term).
For more information regarding the Ski Trip please contact the Ski Trip Organiser, Mr Paul Corsalini.
Paul Corsalini
Careers Adviser
This year World Safer Internet Day will be celebrated on Tuesday 9 February 2021. The theme for 2021 is “Start The Chat”. The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has developed several engaging activities for students and their parents.
We encourage parents and carers to register for a free webinar on Cyberbullying & Online Drama. This webinar will look at how parents and carers can support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships and what to do if things go wrong.
It will cover:
- starting conversations with your child about their online friendships and positive ways to deal with changing relationships
- understanding the rights, laws and community expectations that govern social media use
- where to seek help if your child is involved in a cyberbullying incident.
The webinar will include case studies, research and targeted advice so you can support the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.
Choose a date and time that suits you and register here.
Dates (Australian Eastern Daylight Time):
Tuesday 9 February 7.30 to 8.30 pm
Wednesday 10 February 12.30 to 1.30 pm
Wednesday 10 February 7.30 to 8.30 pm
Monday 15 February 12.30 to 1.30 pm
Monday 22 March 12.30 to 1.30 pm
