Hi everyone, I have not shared a video this week as I am home with COVID-19, luckily with mild symptoms and eager to return to work next week. As of 1 July, the new Victorian Child Safety Ministerial order 1359 takes effect and all Victorian school’s child safety policies and procedures need to reflect the 11 new Victorian standards. In this newsletter, I want to highlight ways our College have recently lived out the Victorian Child Safety standard 5 which I believe compliments all we do as we strive to be an inclusive community.
Vic Standard 5 – “Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.”
5.3 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of children and young people with disability, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and young people.
5.4 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal children and young people and provides/promotes a culturally safe environment for them.
IDOHOBIT Day – 17 May Our community recognised International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) Day. At our College, we aim to be a place where all feel valued and respected as people made in the image and likeness of God. On IDAHOBIT Day we particularly affirm the sacredness of our LGBTQI+ community members: students, staff, and family members. This day saw a reengagement of our ‘TOBI Group’ - Think Original Be Individual (pride group). A student lead group that seeks to build a stronger sense of allyship among the students/staff. Our work in this space is supported by the EREA Safe and Inclusive statement.pdf.
Multicultural Activities Week – 23 to 27 June. Last week the Languages Department hosted a range of multicultural activities for students and staff to join in. This year saw a diverse range of activities and initiatives which brought us all into an appreciation of the many cultures we share in our community through food, art, sport, film, prayer and music.
Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June - Reconciliation is a journey for all of us at St Joseph’s College, as indeed it is for all Australians – as individuals, families, the College community and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, especially those enrolled at St Joseph’s College. Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2022, Be Brave. Make Change, urges St Joseph’s College towards braver and more impactful action. We have had a number of events to affirm the College’s commitment to the Reconciliation Process this week.
Refugee Week – 19 to 26 June. The theme this year is HEALING. Our student leaders are keen to raise awareness of the issues affecting refugees. This year’s theme aims to highlight aspects of the refugee experience and help the broader community to understand what it is like to be a refugee. Our usual Circle of Solidarity ritual will promote harmony and togetherness and we want to remind everyone that, regardless of our differences, we all share a common humanity. We have also teamed up with the Combined Refugee Action group to present a screening of Scattered People on Tuesday 21 June in the Performing Arts Centre. More details are provided in our social media and newsletter.
Pentecost Sunday – This Sunday we will see the Catholic Church celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit through Pentecost Sunday. In many ways, this event marks the beginning of the Church and fulfils Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit. We pray that the Holy Spirit may assist us in our daily lives, as we aspire to be in the service of others and embrace the uniqueness of each individual as we are called to do through the gospels, through the Victorian Child Safety standards and through our EREA Touchstone of Inclusive Community.
Christmas was God with us - Easter was God for us - Pentecost is God in Us
The Semester 1 examinations are just around the corner, and this can create a level of stress amongst our students and families at home. The objective of exams is to not only test a student's knowledge but to do this under pressure, and mirror the style of assessments that we currently see in obtaining VCE or TAFE and University degrees. One of the biggest challenges for students in exams is mental blocks, preparing students to synthesize information, study, and persevere through exams as part of the process of becoming accountable and resilient learners. By teaching our students these skills we are providing them with the tools and practice they need now, so when those important hurdle exams come around, the hurdle does not seem as large.
Ways in which parents and carers can support their teens as they head into exam periods is to maintain a calm and supportive environment. Making sure your child has a designated study space that minimises distractions is a great start. Reviewing your son's exam timetable, and identifying when and where they are required to sit their examinations is also beneficial. Encouraging your child to develop a study timetable whilst supporting them to continue with their regular sporting commitments or other hobbies, and incorporate these into their study timetable, as they need to step back and clear their head between revision sessions. Healthy sleeping and eating habits, such as going to bed at a reasonable hour, eating well and staying hydrated are equally important to maintaining optimal concentration and application.
It is also beneficial for students to revise previous assessments, and obtain copies of practice exams to identify areas or gaps that require further development. I would also encourage students to ask questions of their teachers about the format of the exam, and tips to ensure they are putting their best foot forward. Each Head of School for Learning will have emailed both students and parents a copy of the examination schedule and any subsequent testing that will be completed by the end of the term.
Thank you to Karen Shum who recently coordinated the Year 10 Careers Week, culminating in our students completing Morrisby testing and unpacking their Morrisby profile. Early in Term 3, our students will begin to explore their 2023 Handbooks to begin to identify the subjects they would like to study next year.
Finally, I would like to recommend access to the Parent hub of the Resilience Project, with the link to the third instalment on empathy. Links to the presentation and video are below:
The Resilience Project - Parent Hub
This next presentation from The Resilience Project is all about Empathy and Kindness. Empathy is our ability to put ourselves in the shoes of others to feel and see what they do. We practice this through being kind and compassionate towards other people.
Brain imaging data shows that being kind to others registers in the brain as more like eating chocolate than like fulfilling an obligation to do what’s right (e.g., eating Brussel sprouts)!
Research shows that practicing empathy, such as performing acts of kindness, taps into our brain’s ‘mirror neurons’, builds compassion and our behaviour becomes more social and community-based.
View Part 3 of the series here - Empathy https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub/
Identity News
The Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2022, “Be Brave. Make Change", urges the reconciliation movement towards bolder and courageous action. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. An example of this can be seen by our school participating in the Road to Reconciliation Day at Parade College in Bundoora last Friday where a group of students and staff were involved in a Welcome to Country by the only Wurundjeri female dance group, and Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne). Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, the language of Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. The students participated in activities with many different schools learning about what reconciliation means and we ways we can actively implement reconciliation actions in our school communities.
Thank you to Sue Collins and Ben McDowell our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordinator who mentor and provide culturally safe opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. This week they also presented a workshop to staff to explore the significance of ‘The Uluru Statement from the Heart’ statement.
This week at our Justice and Solidarity Assembly we relaunched our St Joseph’s Reconciliation Action Plan. We recommitted to helping our staff, and community to bring our action plan to life in our St Joseph’s community. The Message stick is visiting every homeroom and a poster summary of our Reconciliation Actions is being shared and displayed. We invite you to continue having conversations with your sons about the activities taking place over Reconciliation week as we are all encouraged to find ways to live out this year’s theme in Reconciliation Week “Be Brave. Make Change”.
A Reconciliation action we have is to engage in local Indigenous businesses. We have commissioned a series of artwork by artist Bri Apma Hayes which we displayed this week in view of our planter boxes growing Indigenous edible plants. Students will also participate in planting some new Murnong yam daisies in these planters and at Westcourt.
In each week's newsletter I will share a part of Bri’s narrative for each of the series panels.
Waterways
For Aboriginal people, water is very significant to how we live. Water is important to our communities; water is life for all people and animals, and it is an essential aspect of our lives. In culture, we use water to cleanse, to drink and keep us healthy. It is vital that we keep our waterways clean and healthy because when the water becomes sick, we become sick as well.
Staff Identity Workshops
The staff enjoyed working in unity with like-minded souls last week to be immersed in exploring the work and mission of the Identity team. A workshop was held on Encountering Faith through Art by Charlie Purdy our RE Curriculum Leader. One group lead by Kelly Jenkins our Sustainability Coordinator got to share in the experience of creating a Terrarium or sustainable Kokedama hanging planter, enabling all participants to connect with nature in a creative and therapeutic manner. These activities are simple strategies to foster awareness and engagement with our wonderful biodiversity and provide an opportunity to nurture and care for the Natural World, in alignment with the goals of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and his calling for all to respond to the “Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the poor” and to “Care for our Common home”.
Another group of staff experienced the importance of Service Learning with Leah Irving our Service Learning Coordinator by participating in a Mac & Joe's cooking experience in our food tech rooms. They cooked up a storm for delivery to the McKellar Centre for palliative care patients, their carers, and families. One of their palliative care nurses spoke to the staff about the practical benefits of this service but more importantly the comfort and the encounter made between the giver and receiver, nurturing both body and spirit. Messages of gratitude from recipients were shared with staff to understand the contribution the Mac & Joe's Service Learning opportunity is making in our community.
Rachel Ivey our Refugee Coordinator presented a guest speaker Allison Greene Senior Professional Learning Officer at Foundation House. Please join us and book your ticket as St Joseph's College and the Combined Refugee Action Group present a screening of "Scattered People" with a special guest speaker: Fran McAloon, Executive Member of CRAG.
Our first every Multicultural week (23 – 27 May) here at SJC was an opportunity to celebrate all of the cultures that we are privileged to have in our communities here in Australia. Staff and students alike participated in all the activities that were on offer with enthusiasm and a keen interest to learn something new! Highlights of the week included multi-year level, multicultural soccer matches, a screening of the film Yolngu Boy and Karaoke. There were plenty of multicultural delicacies to enjoy with pasta making classes, dumplings, a coffee van and cake stall selling cannoli and macarons, as well as a spaghetti eating competition at Westcourt where the winner, Coby W, finished his plate of spaghetti with his hands tied behind his back in 1 minute! Congratulations to the winners of all the competitions – Multicultural Madness Kahoot as well as the weekly quiz and flag identifying competition! A special congratulations to the winners of the Multicultural soccer matches. At Westcourt, the China team outplayed the Italy team and won 3-1, whereas at Edmund Rice Campus the score was tied China 2- The Balkans 2 after the two teams knocked out the Italy and All-Star Australian teams. Thank you to all the student leaders and staff members who assisted in running the activities. We are looking forward to an even bigger and better Multicultural Week in 2023!
Another jam packed careers news edition, from Careers Week to University early entry - make sure you browse what could be available to you!
Term 2 Upcoming Events
Every day - CUT THE WRAP
Wednesday 1 & 8 June Tree Planting, lunchtime activity, Edmund Rice Campus
Wednesday 22 June UK Artist Jane Perkins visiting Westcourt Campus
INDIGENOUS ARTWORK
On Friday 27 May, we were thrilled to place on display at the Edmund Rice Campus, four wonderful new Indigenous artwork series by local artist Bri Apma Hayes. Bri (a former Clonard student and niece of staff member Sue Collins) is a rising artist and her artwork has also been showcased on the Vixens netball team dresses worn for the recent First Nations Round. In alignment with our commitment to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si goals and our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Bri was commissioned by the school to create artwork to complement our Indigenous food species garden beds in the Paul Tobias Courtyard, with the aim to inspire and engage students to learn more about our precious biodiversity and in particular; indigenous flora and fauna. A narrative of the four series is on display with the artworks.
RECYCLING TOUR WITH CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
On Wednesday 25 May, student leaders facilitated a Recycling Tour and Sustainability Initiative workshop with senior students from Christian College and staff Michelle Anderson and David Evans. Following the recycling tour, Sascha W facilitated a Sustainability Initiative presentation and workshop with the aim to inspire and support our visitors to adopt and implement new sustainability initiatives at their College. I would like to congratulate our leaders Sascha W (Year12), Michael A (Year10) and Hamish V (Year7) for their enthusiasm, professional conduct and excellent facilitation of the tour and workshop.
On Wednesday the 25 May, Sasha W, Michael A and myself had the pleasure of taking Tea, Rebecca and Hendrick from Christen College, on a tour of our environmentally friendly school. I was very pleased when Ms Jenkins offered me the opportunity to observe how the older more experienced sustainability leaders do things around the school. I learned a great deal and Tea, Rebecca and Hendrick were very impressed at how sustainable St Joseph’s was compared to other schools.
Hamish V
STAFF KOKEDAMA AND TERRARIUM WORKSHOPS
On Tuesday 24 May, 23 staff members participated in Terrarium and Kokedama workshops as part of our Identity staff meeting activities. The experience of creating a Terrarium or sustainable Kokedama hanging planters, enabled participants to connect with nature in a creative and therapeutic manner. These workshops are also conducted throughout the year for students, with the aim to foster awareness and engagement with our wonderful biodiversity and provide an opportunity to nurture and care for the Natural World, in alignment with the goals of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and his calling for all to respond to the “Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the poor” and to “Care for our Common home”.
QUEENS RD GATE 5 REVAMP
On Wednesday 18 May, senior student leader Samuel D supported our new Sustainability leaders with a “revamp” of the Gate 5 entrance garden beds, conducting maintenance and planting out new Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) and Little Con (Lomandra confertifolia), where the plantings from 2021 had died. The design of the garden was intended to draw the eyes toward the gate upon entry and the Common Everlasting was specifically selected to add a splash of yellow colour, to compliment the library façade as you enter the gateway.
DRINK STATION AND PLANTER BOX UPGRADES
Over the past fortnight, sustainability leaders have been industrious, planting out new vegetables and herbs across six of the planters and drink stations at the Edmund Rice Campus. On Monday 30 May, four Year 9 volunteers revamped the New Street Drink station at Westcourt, with the addition of silverbeet, lettuce and broccoli. To celebrate Reconciliation week 50 small Murnong/Yam daisy (Microseris lanceolata).
Democracy is alive and well at Westcourt with all students participating in the political process of campaigning, negotiating and voting in the Who Rules Westcourt elections!
Students have been working collaboratively in parties to identify the needs of the year level and the Westcourt campus, coming up with real policy ideas to improve the year 9 experience.
Whether it is a more diverse canteen menu, better bathroom facilities, more access to technology, increased time with Clonard or a bigger focus on wellbeing, our students have taken to the task and demonstrated leadership skills. We may well have some future politicians here in the making!
St Joseph's College and the Combined Refugee Action Group present a screening of "Scattered People" with special guest speaker: Fran McAloon, Executive Member of CRAG.
Scattered People
Produced by John and Lizzi Swatland
www.scatteredpeoplefilm.org
When Australian musicians go into a Brisbane detention centre to share music, they meet two Iranian musicians, Mas and Saha, who sing on their three albums.
Missy Higgins, John Butler, Harry James Angus (The Cat Empire), Katie Noonan, Michael Franti, Archie Roach, Dan Sultan, and Robbie James talk about the power of music, its ability to break through barriers, unite people and create shared experiences.
What does the music we produce, sing and listen to tell us about ourselves, our country and life experience?
Academics, psychologists and refugee specialists talk about the role artistic expression plays in building personal and national identity, and the healing power of creative expression and shared stories.
BOOK TICKETS:
Event Guidelines during COVID-19
Due to the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has created around holding public events, we would like to reassure our future guests of the following:
All of our events will be held in accordance with the latest COVID guidelines. Guest and staff wellbeing will be our priority.
At this stage, current vaccination status is not required to be shown for event attendance, however we will be ultimately bound by the current rules on the day of the event.
If restrictions prevent a scheduled event from occurring, we will attempt to reschedule. If rescheduling is not practical, then tickets to the event will be fully refunded.
Guests unable to attend our event due to being unwell, awaiting COVID tests or restricted by quarantine regulations can contact us to organise a refund.
We look forward to continuing to host a variety of events for our community to enjoy. Thank you for supporting St Joseph’s College Geelong.
In loving Memory of Desmond (Des) Podbury (94 years) SJOC 1944,
Des joined the St Joseph’s family as a student in 1936 and was one of the original 27 boarding students who resided at the College in 1940. Des was College Captain in 1943 & 1944 and was awarded the inaugural McNeill Cup in 1944, this is given to a student who is held in high regard and personifies the St Joseph’s tradition of leadership, academic and sporting achievements.
A keen sportsman and champion schoolboy runner, Des was the SJC Athletics Captain in 1944. He continued his passion for sport and was a decades-long member of Geelong’s Gym, Des proudly carried the Olympic Torch on its relay journey to Melbourne in 1956.
Des became a prominent businessman who ran the former Podbury’s Bakery. He had a strong connection to his community, and was Mayor of Geelong from 1980-1982.
Des maintained his connection with St Joseph’s College, he was a dedicated member of the St Joseph’s Old Collegians Association, serving as secretary from 1949-1955 and as President from 1956-1957. He was very hands on in his role, one year even cutting scores of pegs from discarded school desks and hammering them in with a tomahawk to mark the levels for the seven practice wickets to be laid on the Memorial Oval (now Zampatti Oval)! Des lead the SJOCA Golden Jubilee reunion in 1985 and continued to be a long serving committee member.
Des attended many a reunion and past student celebration, he always enjoyed catching up with his fellow boarders he even joined John Bohan earlier this year to celebrate John’s 100th birthday. Des was one of the members of the Old Collegians community who assisted with the launching of the McNeill Society and was also a member of the College Foundation.
Three Generations of Podbury’s have now walked the grounds of St Joseph’s as students, a journey begun by Des back in 1936.
To the entire Podbury family, the College extends its heartfelt sympathy after the passing of Des. He was a true friend of St Joseph’s, he will be missed by his fellow Old Collegians and by all of the members of his St Joseph’s family. Rest in peace Des.
