Earlier this week I attended the conference on church renewal which was attended by most principals of Victorian Catholic secondary schools. The issues covered in the conference are extremely pertinent to all of us involved in Catholic schools.
The most recent census shows a significant drop in the number of people who attend church and the number of people who identify as Catholic. At the same time demand for places in Catholic schools is increasing. The Herald Sun and the Geelong Advertiser recently ran stories suggesting that families value having their children exposed to Catholic values.
Many of us who find it difficult to remain engaged with the church at the Parish level still retain some attachment and are often described as cultural Catholics. In enrolling your child at St Joseph’s, he and your family have chosen to be part of the Church in some way, whether because of the values promoted or for other reasons.
Some of us feel that because we don’t fully subscribe to all church teachings, that we can’t belong. It is worth pointing out that even at the highest levels of the Catholic church there are huge disagreements about some items of doctrine.
A friend of mine, a Protestant of deep faith, explored a variety of faith traditions including Catholicism and told me that he had been very close to becoming a Catholic. There were however some items of Catholic doctrine (teaching) that he found extremely difficult to accept. He came to the view that he would not be welcome as a Catholic if he didn’t ‘buy the whole package’.
I find this really troubling because I believe in the importance of an inclusive church…after all the word catholic means ‘universal’. Our church should be inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds and inclusive of those who are at different levels of understanding and commitment in their faith journey. Everyone is welcome at St Joseph’s regardless of their beliefs.
Theologian Ron Rolheiser uses the analogy of a family. Some members of our extended family are around all the time, some only turn up occasionally and some we never see. Rolheiser suggests that the church is the same. Regardless of your commitment and how often you engage you are still part of church.
A presenter at the conference suggested that most current and former Catholics say the church needs to change and that 2.5% say it needs to change back to the good old (1960’s pre-Vatican 2) days and 90% suggest that it needs to change to be to more like secular society in our modern world. Change is happening but the Catholic Church is the largest organisation on the planet which makes change slow and difficult.
Recently the Catholic Church in Australia conducted a ‘Plenary Council’ to canvass the views of Catholics across the country. The council considered a number of motions including some significant ones affirming the equal dignity of women and men and an increased role of women in the church. I believe that the motions passed will lead to change, albeit slowly, and move us further towards the church that we will find it easier to be more fully engaged and comfortable with.
Last week I spoke to an assembly of Year 7 and 8 students about the importance of the way all St Joseph’s students present themselves in public. May I ask all parents to be aware of and fully support the expectations of students being in full and correct uniform every day as they travel to and from school.
The ‘triUMPH lite’ music festival will be held across an extended lunchtime at school on Friday 9 September. As part of our commitment to support education in Timor-Leste we are asking that every St Joseph’s student pay five dollars for which they will receive a wristband that conveys the right to wear casual clothes on that day. Arrangements for payment will be communicated to students in the next week along with details of the entertainment and food options which will be available on the day.
God Bless
Wednesday 7 September – GAT Day and Student Free Day for all other students
The GAT is scheduled to occur on Wednesday 7 September at the Edmund Rice Campus.
From 2022 all VCE and Senior VCAL students will be required to sit Section A of the GAT.
VCE and Senior VCAL students who are enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequence are required to sit both Section A and B. This includes students who are enrolled in the VCE or a scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequence who are not planning to undertake their scored assessments.
If a student has already met the standards in a previous year and they are enrolled in VCE Vocational Major but not in any VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequences, they will not be expected to sit Section A. However, they may opt to do so if they wish.
Students will need to sit both Section A and B of the GAT if they are enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequence, even if they have met the literacy and numeracy standards in a previous year.
The GAT will be in two parts:
• Section A (9.30 – 11.45am) assesses skills in literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy.
• Section B (1.15 – 3.00pm) assesses general knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, technology, the arts and humanities.
Staff not involved in supporting GAT arrangements will be using this day for Professional Development and planning curriculum from 2023. The Professional Development will be delivered to all staff by EREA on the new Child Safe Standards.
Mid Semester Reports
Mid Semester Reports will be made available to parents on Friday 26 August through PAM. These reports will inform you how your child is engaging in the classroom and will indicate if a recommendation is made for parents and students to make a Parent Teacher Booking for the end of term.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews will be occurring online via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 15 September from 4.00pm -7.00pm or Friday 16 September from 9.00am – 12.00pm. Bookings for these interviews will be made available on Friday 26 August after Mid Semester Reports have been released.
Please note Friday 16 September is a student free day. The Year 12 VCE English, Literature and Language students will be asked to sit a trial examination that morning in the Gym.
It was a joy to welcome back Bill Jennings to lead our St Joseph’s annual Time & Space Mother/Mentor and Son Event live after having to go online last year. This unique experience follows a set formula of interactive encounters to create guided dialogue allowing open communication to take place focusing on the student’s transition into Year 7. This event also provides other students across the College a chance to participate in a Service Learning opportunity to gain four hours and 4 House points by helping with the setup, organisation and group leaders.
‘The experience for me was refreshing as it brought back memories from when I was in Year 7 at the mother son night and it reminded me how valuable my parents and teachers are.’ (Student helper)
'What stood out for me was how mature some of the Year 7's are. Two of the Year 7's in my group were making comments that were very mature.' (Student helper)
'I liked the ideas and thoughts shared with the group because it made me re-evaluate my mindset in being a good son.' (Year 7 Student)
'This chat made me feel appreciated and loved and I learnt lots more about my mum than I already knew.' (Year 7 Student)
'I didn’t realise that there would be as much talking and relating to other people that you don’t know. It was surprisingly helpful for me, as I got to connect and get to know more people.' (Year 7 Student)
'I was so honoured to see my Aunty’s treasured items.' (Year 7 Student)
'It was great to see what different boys and parents think of starting high school and also to learn about what other people thought of the transition.' (Year 7 Student)
'I loved hearing from other year 7 boys. They were honest, forthcoming and engaged. I was so proud of them, melted my heart.' (Year 7 Mum)
'Great Opportunity in a safe and comfortable place to let us share our thoughts.' (Year 7 Mum)
'I loved connecting with my son.' (Year 7 Mum)
'Great night and wonderful opportunity highlighting the importance of connection.' (Year 7 Mum)
'I’m really glad I came along and had an opportunity to reflect with my son. I learnt new things about him I may not have had without this experience.' (Year 7 Mum)
We are blessed and thankful to have the love, care an understanding of our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, carers, teachers and the many mentors in our lives who are always there to listen and support us.
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” Luke 11:27
We look forward to our students enjoying our St Joseph’s Father’s Day breakfast on Wednesday 31st with their Fathers, Carers and Grandfathers who are all invited. Book via link: https://events.humanitix.com/fathers-day-breakfast-2022/tickets
Remember to attach a photo to be part of the slideshow at the breakfast this year!
Social Justice Workshops
On Tuesday 9 August St Joseph’s College hosted over 60 Year 9 student leaders from across each of the five regional Catholic colleges.
MacKillop Family Services facilitated a full day of social justice workshops with presentations about how they support the most vulnerable families in our greater Geelong community. Students were presented with information about trauma education, Paws 4 Pals therapy dogs, heritage and history of the organization and the role of therapeutic life stories.
Students embraced the opportunity to learn and collaborate with each other. A visit from therapy dogs Billy & Indi was a highlight.
“It was great to hear about who MacKillop Family Services are, and the work they do with children and families in the local area. We also learnt about the old orphanages that used to be on the sites of St Joseph’s and Sacred Heart. One way that we have supported and continue to support this amazing organisation is by donating to Paws4Kids, which gives MacKillop Family Services funds to get therapy dogs to accompany trauma survivors to return to the classroom. I look forward to future collaboration and planning some fundraising activities.”
Callum W - Year 9
What are our young people up to online? When we hover behind them working on a laptop, multiple screens are open; when we travel in the car or visit family members, they are on their phones; at night, we argue about screen time; if we say anything, they tell us that ‘everyone else is allowed’ to freely partake in online activities…
This. Is. Tough.
Navigating a safe place for young people to engage with online content, and also allowing them to exercise their growing independence, has become perhaps the toughest struggle for parents of young teenagers today.
We need to guide them – and for good reason.
Trending at present, young people are primarily engaging with TikTok and Snapchat.
Data will tell you that they are engaging with people they only know online, and being impacted by cyber bullying, inappropriate pornographic images, and influencers who spread totally unacceptable misogynistic views or share violent practices.
At St Joseph’s, we take the Respectful Relationships into our classrooms. As a lead school in the Victorian Government initiative from 2018 – 2020, we have harnessed many of the practices, and cover the lesson content in our Wellbeing lessons. In the digital space in particular, during 2022 we have also engaged Wellio, an external company that guides young people through safe online behaviours and responses for our year 8 students, and our year 7 students have completed Digital License units with the Alannah and Madeline foundation.
Westcourt engage in a Jesuit Social Services program, ‘Men’s Project,’ that questions the stereotypes of men from past eras, and teaches views that equally value the opinions and rights of men and women, as well as open and honest dialogue between males and mates.
For our Year 10-12 students, we brought Richie Hardcore over from New Zealand, to speak to the St Joseph's community about his work in ‘Masculinity, Mental Health and Gendered Violence.’
All messaging advocates powerfully to respect for all people, total intolerance for behaviours that belittle and bully others, and gender equality. And in all year levels, we balance programs around the essential belief that we can grow our positive and strongest self, with earnest respect for those around us.
Online activity is challenging. It is faceless, and given free reign for the wrong purposes, terribly damaging. We can assist you in providing advice and guidance to your son, and we will always continue to work and improve in that space. We also ask that, in the home, you are vigilant in your awareness of what your young people are up to, who they are communicating with, and never be afraid to set boundaries around screen time.
I will close by offering some links for advice shared with us by the eSafety Commissioner’s website. I hope you find then helpful –
What does the data say about our young people’s online activity?
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/research/youth-digital-dangers/connecting-online
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/research/youth-digital-dangers/negative-online-experiences
Taming the technology
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology
Advice for the ‘hard to have’ conversations
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/hard-to-have-conversations
2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, shared her inspiring story at the Give Where You Live Foundation’s inaugural Conversations That Matter event on Wednesday 3 August. The Give Where You Live Foundation has launched Conversations That Matter to encourage conversations on issues that matter to our community.
Over 600 people attended the event to hear Grace Tame speak from the heart, about how she turned her traumatic experience into advocacy for survivors of child sexual assault and become a leader of positive change.
“I feel so lucky, honoured, supported and loved to have been the first public survivor of child sexual abuse to be named Australian of the Year.”
Meleah Zanos, Head of Mt Sion Wellbeing and Leah Irving, Respectful Relationships staff member accompanied three Year 11 students to the event.
In talking about her work to remove the word ‘relationship’ from legislation across the county when referring to child sexual assault, she highlighted the power of language and inconsistencies in definitions that inform public narrative around a victim blaming culture. “We rely on the media, the police, and the courts to use language which reflects the crime. Which is why we need to reform our laws in order to change the conversation.”
“These crimes are not relationships or affairs. They’re crimes.”
Grace shared the important message that we need to hear more from people who don’t always have a platform. The audience was urged to keep listening and to continue to hold uncomfortable spaces. Her messages are consistent with the St Joseph’s Respectful Relationships curriculum, our Touchstones and what we practise in our daily interactions with each other.
“I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to hear Grace speak. Her story is compelling and confronting. Her courage and resilience are palpable. Her message to the audience was for us to listen to victim-survivors and work together to become a community that welcomes change. As young men, we play an important role in supporting women and all marginalised people and giving them a voice.”
Liam A, Year 11
Thank you to Jane Fitzgerald Photography for providing the image.
Please provide any MYKI receipts for 6 or 12 months by Monday 22 August 2022 to Lisa McDine ([email protected]) to claim your Student Conveyance Allowance for bus travel in 2022.
WIN A XBOX SERIES X CONSOLE!
The TriUMPH music festival has changed to TriUMPH Lite this year, but the raffle is still just as big!
Tickets are $2
(3 for $5, 7 for $10, 18 for $30 or 30 for $50)
First prize is the awesome XBOX Series X console, second prize is a $150 JB Hifi Voucher.
Online ticket link: https://www.rafflelink.com.au/... or cash sales are available lunchtime at SJC ER Campus IT Office.
All the money donated and Raised will go to The University of Baccau, which is located in East Timor. The money gives scholarships to young people interested in becoming a Teachers. Education is a really important aspect for the people of East Timor. Currently only 68% of adults are able to read and write. The children that are able to attend school, only get one textbook and one pen a year. If you aren't able to afford the uniform you will not be allowed into the school. There is an extreme shortage of teachers in East Timor because they are underpaid and not looked after. Giving these people more opportunities in education, will help educate more children, give the children more hope for their future, more job opportunities and therefore less people living in poverty. And this cycle will continue and continue.
Congratulations to the following students:
Liam K, Year 11 has been selected for the U17 Vic country squad.
Max D, Year 9 Winner of the Under 16 Division 5 AFL Barwon League Best and Fairest
Archer C, Year 9 Winner of the Under 14 Division 1 AFL Barwon League Best and Fairest
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability and/or other learning / wellbeing needs. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
- year of schooling
- category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
- level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.
NOTE: An imputed disability is an undiagnosed disability (such as learning difficulty, anxiety, language and literacy difficulties) the school team considers a student to have that is having a functional impact on their learning. All students who meet NCCD criteria, including those with imputed disability, must be included in the annual Census.
This information assists schools to:
- formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability and individual needs in schools
- consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability and individual needs in schools
- develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability and other individual needs.
The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.dese.gov.au/about-us/resources/department-education-skills-and-employment-complete-privacy-policy-0).
Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).
If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the College.
Kind regards
Kate Scorpo
NCCD Coordinator
Come & Give TRACK & FIELD a Try!
Athletics Chilwell is inviting athletes to join them for the upcoming Track & Field season, scheduled to start on Saturday 1 October ( afternoon comp) at Landy Field, Geelong.
We welcome athletes aged 12 yrs to Veterans 60+.
Coaching is available in middle/long distance, sprints, throws, jumps etc.
For further details, please contact Mary on 52 293920 or 0490 549740 or email [email protected]
Fyans Park Tennis Club Summer Tennis Competition
Fyans Park Tennis Club Inc extends an invitation to junior and senior players to join our club for the summer tennis competition 2022/23.
The club is situated on the corner of Ormskirk Street and Camden Road, Newtown and competes in Tennis Geelong Inc. competition. Summer competition commences in October and runs through to April, with a break over the summer school holiday period.
Juniors play home and away matches on Saturday mornings and seniors on Saturday afternoons. Teams need to be entered with Tennis Geelong Inc. by Monday, 29 August, 2022. Players of all ages and ability are most welcome.
For further details please contact Margot Jackson -
Email: [email protected]. or mobile: 0409 138 408.
The St Joseph's College App streamlines communication for both students and parents. Receive notifications of important school updates, access important dates and events, notify of student absence via SMS and more.
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