26 November 2021 - Newsletter (Vol 38 No 19)

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

This week sees the beginning of the season of Advent in the Church. Advent, means ‘coming’. It is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

The Colours

Historically, the primary sanctuary colour of Advent is Purple. This is the colour of penitence and fasting as well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. The purple of Advent is also the colour of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion.

The Wreath

The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the centre. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. 

The Candles

Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. The colours of the candles vary with different traditions, but there are usually three purple or blue candles, corresponding to the sanctuary colours of Advent, and one pink or rose candle. The centre candle is white and is called the Christ Candle. It is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.

As we approach the birth of Jesus Christ, I invite you to think about Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph. Both said ‘yes’ to God, yes to being the parents of God’s son. I often imagine the excitement and their anxiety as they too waited for the most precious gift of a child in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

God Bless

 

Michael Carniato
Principal

Stay safe and God Bless

How can I help manage distractions

Technology in its many forms is probably the biggest problem students have to deal with in order to ensure they work effectively at home. 

Some parents try to make rules like no social media until all the work is done or no TV until homework is completed. But what works best is to have a clear distinction between personal time and time allocated for schoolwork. 

It is better if students don't try to combine these. While they might think they can get work done while they watch TV, it will take longer and drag out the whole homework process. The work they produce will be of lesser quality. And they won’t feel like they have had a proper break either. They need to have quality relaxation and free time each night to give their brain a chance to recharge. This can’t happen if they are trying to concentrate on homework at the same time as they are watching TV.

The other problem is that for most students when technology and schoolwork compete, technology usually wins. They end up listening to their iPhone, surfing the web, calling their friends, listening to the radio or whatever else appeals, and not doing their homework.

So what can they do?

They need to set aside times each afternoon or evening that are specifically allocated for schoolwork. Get them to agree to a personal rule that when they are doing schoolwork, all distractions are removed. It is best to work in half hour blocks, any longer and they’ll find themselves attracted back to the distractions again.

Consider these steps with your child:

• Decide how many half hour blocks of schoolwork you will do each afternoon/evening.
• Decide on specific times for these half hour blocks.
• Write these times on a separate piece of paper and put it somewhere highly visible.
• Make a list of the things you are NOT TO DO when you are working on schoolwork (eg social media/computer games etc) and place it wherever you do your schoolwork.
• Each time before you start work, turn off all distractions and remove them from sight so you aren’t tempted.
• Get everything together that you will need for the work to be done in that half hour.
• Set an alarm so you know when it is time to stop working.
• Sit down and don’t allow yourself to get up at all during this half hour block. At first you may find it hard to focus for a full half hour. If you really struggle, then start off with 15 or 20 minute blocks and over a few weeks gradually increase the time you work for.
• At the end of the time, set an alarm, so you are reminded when it is time to start the next half hour block.

Some other points to consider:

• If your child gets distracted when they stop work and find it hard to come back to the work, their best strategy is to complete a solid hour of schoolwork (with a short break in the middle) as soon as they get home.
• Depending on their level of willpower, they may need you to remove the distractions during the half hour blocks of work – ie take the mobile or wifi so they aren’t tempted to weaken.

Study Skills 

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 College access details are:

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.

AMDG

James Furey
Assistant Principal
Learning and Teaching

Interview with Claire Plummer - Year 10 Student

1. Apple or Samsung and why?

Rachael McConnell, Josiah Varney & Paddy Whittaker
Youth Ministry Officers

Our Year 7 students have been undertaking a unit of work called Maayal Gunnu (Animal) Dreaming where they have learned about our first nations people's close ties to the Dreamtime, in particular to the land and its animals.  The students investigated a variety of Dreamtime stories that featured animals and in doing so created a lino print that symbolised the essence of a chosen Dreamtime story. They experienced cutting lino with various tools to create different lines and textures in bringing their images to life.  The students also learned about positive and negative shapes to create images that were dynamic in composition.  Some students were able to extend their images by cutting up their less than perfect prints to reconfigure them in creating new designs. I think you would agree that they have done very lovely work.

INDEPENDENT READING ADDS TO SIGNIFICANT WORD EXPOSURE

If students read just 17 minutes a day outside of the classroom, this adds up to 2 hours a week.

(Adapted from Anderson, Wilson and Fielding)

There is simply no downside to reading frequently, widely, and voraciously. 

SJPC WORD OF THE WEEK

WEEK 9 DEMEANOUR

DEFINITION: a person's appearance and behaviour; the way someone seems to be to other people.

IN A SENTENCE:

She has the demeanour of a lady who is completely content with her life.

There was nothing in his demeanour to suggest he was anxious.

ORIGIN: The root of demeanor is the Latin word minari, which means to threaten and was used mostly to describe the sounds made by cattle herders. By the time the word reached Anglo-French, it meant “to conduct,” and it was in Middle English that it acquired the form “demenen” and the meaning “to conduct oneself.”

WEEK 10 EXEMPLARY

DEFINITION: deserving imitation because of excellence; deserving honour, respect and admiration.

IN A SENTENCE: During my illness I was looked after in an exemplary fashion, and I have nothing but praise for the doctors and nurses.

ORIGIN: The word and its close relatives, example and exemplify, derives from the Latin noun, exemplum, which means, ‘example’.

Maree McKelvie

Last week SJPC hosted its Year 7 2022 students cohort for Transition Day. Beginning high school is a daunting proposition and the aim of transition is to relieve those fears and welcome the students into the College community.

Held over two days, the visiting year 6s were able to get better acquainted with the school and some of its people and processes. It was a day designed to make the kids feel at home and have some fun, while learning about the College.

The days started with a liturgy hosted by our YMOs in which they reflected on their own journey from where the students sat all the way to finishing school and beyond. We were then visited by Mr Carniato and our two Assistant Principals for a greeting before taking a look at where the College has come from and its history. The students were told about how they will be responsible for creating more memories and events like we saw in the presentation when they start here next year.

After a break the Year 6s completed an activity to familiarise themselves better with the College map before entering a question and answer session and tour of the school.

Lunchtime break was a perfect opportunity to mingle with other students from the group and many took on Mr Stubbs advice of ‘taking risks’ by introducing themselves to people they didn't know and also chatting and playing with students from other schools.

After lunch we took a look at the timetable structure via a game of ‘timetable battleships’ and then played a review Kahoot without devices, using their feet to submit their answers by walking to a corner of the room. I also issued a challenge to put a stamp on their visit (literally) by singing, clapping and stomping as loud as they could to the tune of Queen, but changing the words to ‘We will, we will, be here, next year!’ Letting the rest of the school know that they were here and they were excited about next year.

Later in the evening we were also able to host a Zoom meeting for the parents and families joining us next year and we had over 140 families ‘zooming in’. With Mr Carniato, Mrs Brennan, Mr Furey, Mr Stubbs and myself able to briefly speak about our roles and answer any questions the families may have had.

I’m really excited to welcome our next group of year 7s to the College in 2022 and look forward to their contribution to making our great school better than it already is, if that's possible!

Mark Coster

Year 7 Coordinator 2021/2022

Inter House Basketball competition update

The Year 9 and Year 8 events were held in Week 7 and 8 respectively, with very different results being achieved.

In Week 7, the Year 9s played a strongly contested round with Kelly and McAuley playing off in the final. With just 2 seconds on the clock, Charlize Morrison hit an amazing 3 pointer to help Kelly to victory winning 5 - 4. To say Kelly was excited is an understatement. This has brought Kelly house to sit in second place overall.

Week 8 saw a totally different outcome with Casey and Hargraves winning through to the final round. However, a joint result between Casey and McAuley and confusion over the first scoring team lead to a free throw shoot out followed by a scissor paper, rock play off which eventually ended with Casey progressing through to the final. In the final, Casey comfortably accounted for a very spirited Hargraves.

The progressive point score is as follows:

50 Casey

45 McAuley

40 Hargraves

40 Kelly

The final two rounds are yet to be played, with Year 7 competing in Week 9 and Year 11 in Week 10.

North Coast Academy of Sport - Indigenous Athletes Program

A Talent Identification Day has been scheduled in 2022 for Indigenous athletes who are wishing to advance their opportunities in multiple sports and no previous experience is needed! Those identified will then be offered to advance to fully funded scholarship positions within NCAS sport programs.

Those Indigenous students who are interested in participating can gain further information from the Palace noticeboard or by seeing Aunty Vicki at Student Services.

2022 Term 1 Sport

Sport for Term 1 will begin on Thursday 3 February for Year 9 and 10 (Week 1) and Wednesday 9 February (Week 2) for Year 7 & 8. Those students who have signed up for an off-campus sport are reminded that payment for Term 1 is now overdue. Students who have not made payment risk being removed from their selected sport and placed in an on campus fitness sport.

All students are also reminded to connect to the Sport Google classroom (code is on the Palace noticeboard) so that sporting information and updates can be disseminated efficiently. 

Representative sport 2022

All representative sport information will be shared via the Palace notice board, the Newsletter, daily notices and the Sport Google Classroom. Please make sure you have access to all these sources of information. Sign up for the individual pathway sports (CCC and Diocesan) is via either CSNSW website (most sports) or Lismore Diocese Sport website (Rugby League, Football and Touch Football).

Sports competitions that are school team based will require students to sign up at the College. This will not happen until next year. 

Diocesan Touch Football trials

The Diocesan Touch Football nominations are now open. Those students who play at a representative level and would like to be considered for the Dicoesan team (qualification pathway for CCC trials), please see the information sheet attached. Sign up is now open on the Diocese of Lismore Sport Website and closes on the 15th February.

College Swimming Carnival

The College swimming carnival is scheduled for Week 2, Friday 11 February at the Coffs Harbour Memorial pool. All students will be expected to be at the College by 8:55am and will be bussed to the pool together. Only those students who are participating in the Individual Medley events are to be dropped directly to the pool at 8:00 am as the IM races will begin at 8.30 am. Those students who need to be collected directly from the pool are to organise a sign out exit pass at from the front office prior to attending the pool.

Sport Dates Term 1 2022

Fri 11 Feb	SJPC Swimming Carnival, Coffs Memorial Pool
Tue 1 Mar	Diocesan Football and League teams sports trials @ Lismore (BU 8/03)
	Diocesan Tennis Championships @ Tweed Heads (BU 08/03)
Thur 3 Mar	Diocesan Touch Football Selection Trials @Coffs Harbour (BU 17/03)
Thurs 10 Mar	Diocesan Swimming Carnival @Lismore pool (BU 15/03)
Tue 15 Mar	NSW All Schools Individual Triathlon @ Sydney
Wed 16 Mar	NSW All Schools Teams Triathlon @ Sydney
Thur 17 Mar	NSW Netball Cup @ Coffs (Regionals 25/08; State Finals 2/11)
Tue 22 Mar	Diocesan Open Football @ Kempsey (BU 7/04)
Thur 24 Mar	Diocesan Opens Basketball @ Coffs Harbour (BU TBA)
Fri 1 Apr	NSW Netball Cup Opens @ Port Macquarie
Wed 6 Apr	CCC Swimming @ Homebush

Danielle McAra
Sport Co-ordinator

Racism can be broadly defined as a “phenomenon that maintains and exacerbates avoidable and unfair inequalities in power, resources and opportunities” across racial, ethnic, cultural and religious groups in society. Surprisingly today, with copious amounts of knowledge and education, racism still exhibits detrimental, underlying issues in our world and school. 

‘All One Under The Sun’ is a Coffs Harbour-based project aiming to be an antidote to racism promoting education, inclusion, respect, connection and belonging. It highlights the importance of creating opportunities to connect people from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, building resilience in all of us to stand against racism and manifest change within our school and society. 

Recently, Jonathan Gilliland, Jagdeep Sandhu and I have passionately joined the ‘Youth Action Collective’, creating visual materials and content, working alongside community and creative mentors to lead this campaign. This involves attending monthly afterschool workshops to develop a platform of youth-led arts-based messaging as well as community volunteer engagement activities.

During the last school holidays, I was fortunate enough to attend the ‘Youth Action Collective’ at the Botanic Gardens. Our day included a beautiful smoking ceremony and cultural sharing with Troy Robinson, gaining insight into a First Nations perspective of racism and how it impacts individuals and the community. We also participated in an anti-racism Zoom learning about denial, bias, self-awareness and the power of bystander intervention. 

Additionally, last Saturday we joined together to blend our cultures and share perspectives whilst enjoying stand-up paddleboarding at Moonee Nature Reserve. Aunty Jenny Skinner led us through a cultural damper-making session further uniting the group. This collective is already changing the mindsets of those involved. 

Here’s what you can do… Start small. Be kind. Be respectful. Smile. Challenge yourself. Find out about all the unique, beautiful people and cultures around you. 

“WE ARE ALL ONE UNDER THE SUN”

Lily Betland
Year 10 Student

St John Paul College Community outreach support project giving the gift of education to a small, rural and isolated Catholic community located in the village of Kawalazi within the tribal area of Chinyakula in Malawi, Africa.

This year saw the return of fundraising for SJPCs major outreach project after an interruption by the COVID-19 pandemic, both here and in Malawi. This was achieved thanks to the tremendous efforts and commitment of Mr Michael Stubbs and the Student Representative Council. The SRC members renewed their commitment to this long standing project aimed at alleviating poverty through the gift of education. Even a lockdown in the middle of fundraising was not enough to daunt the resilience and determination of the SRC.

After a successful mufti day which raised $1057 for infrastructure projects, the SRC began the Homeroom challenge and the Sponsorship wall. The Homeroom Challenge is a collection aimed at each homeroom raising at least $50 to sponsor a child’s education for an entire year. Seventeen homerooms reached their goal with 10G, Mr Kurt Marle’s Homeroom, taking out the prestigious Homeroom trophy. They alone raised $618 (Sponsorship for 12 students) of the $2430 raised. 10A, 9B and 7H were also outstanding, each raising enough to sponsor the education of two children. These funds in total will assist the education of 48 students in both Primary and Secondary School.

Mr Marle & 10G Homeroom raised $618 

The Sponsorship Wall displays photographs of students requiring sponsorship and invites students, staff, family, friends and community members to sponsor the education of a child for an entire year for just $50. The wall was also a wonderful success with every student displayed on the wall being sponsored. In addition many of our long term sponsors have returned to continue to support the education of their sponsored student. In total the Kawalazi Development Project has been able to sponsor 155 students for 2021-22.

Mrs Brennan & 7E Homeroom raised the first $50

Each year we recognise the efforts of one individual who has been outstanding in promoting, supporting and conducting fund-raising efforts by awarding them an Individual Trophy. This year, in recognition of her outstanding efforts and behind the scenes work in supporting the photo wall, the homeroom collection and the promotion and processing of sponsorship information, the Kawalazi Individual Trophy is awarded to Mrs Pam Bibby. This is also a recognition of her many years of dedicated support and service, her generosity of time and effort. Without her efforts the number of sponsored students would be considerably less.

Kawalazi Individual Trophy awarded to Mrs Pam Bibby

Thanking you on behalf of the Kawalazi students, staff and community members, Kawalazi Development Committee.

Staff and Students are raising money in Homerooms on behalf of St. Vincent de Paul  annual Christmas appeal. Vinnies Christmas Appeal