Welcome to the final newsletter of second term and semester one.

In the final week of term the College celebrates Refugee week. The saga of the Sri Lankan Muragappen family from Biloela (and Christmas Island) and their fight to stay in Australia has been front-page news recently and provides a human face to a complex issue. We can debate ‘strong borders’ and ‘strong messages to people smugglers. We can watch news clips of ‘bleeding heart lefties’ and ‘redneck patriots’ whose protests come physically closer together while their philosophical positions become further apart and be none the wiser as to what is right and what it all really means for people.

At St Joseph’s we are called to be gospel people and as a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice tradition we are committed to ‘justice and solidarity’ and ‘inclusive community’. The right position seems pretty clear when we read the story of the last judgement in Chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel:

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

For many years St Joseph’s, along with most other secondary schools, has offered two separate senior certificates; The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Recently the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority announced the change to a single senior secondary certificate from 2023.

Mt Sion Head of Learning Brad Smith has provided more detail of these changes and transition arrangements later in this newsletter. I encourage you to familiarise yourself with them, particularly if your son is in year 9 or 10 and considering a VCAL pathway. More specific detail as to arrangements at St Joseph’s will be provided in due course.

Last Friday offers for positions in Year 7 2022 were made to families. I am grateful to College Registrar Adel Mawson, for her work in arranging open Day tours and managing the enrolment process. At this time we have offered 308 students places in 11 classes in 2022.

As this is my fifth year as principal at St Joseph’s, Edmund Rice Education Australia will be conducting a review of my performance. A survey has already been conducted with a random sample of staff, students and parents. On July 13 and 14 a panel will be in the College meeting with a range of staff, students and members of the community. There is an opportunity for any parent to meet with the panel or provide written feedback. Should you wish to take up either option please contact Adele Watt at [email protected]

In recent days Director of Westcourt, Mark Deverall has accepted the position of Deputy Principal at Bacchus Marsh College commencing at the start of semester 2. I’d like to congratulate Mark, thank him for his contribution to St Joseph’s and wish him well in this new challenge. I am delighted that Luke Parsons has agreed to accept the role as acting Director of Westcourt for semester two.

At the end of this term we farewell Dave Breheny who been teaching at St Joseph’s since 1985 … a career spanning 5 decades. We wish him a long and happy retirement and thank him for his contribution to St Joseph’s. We also thank and farewell Bridget Blackburn, Eamonn Vines and Annie Bourke who have made valuable contributions this term in replacement roles. We also wish Mike Davies well as he takes long service leave for term 3.

I wish all families a safe and restful holiday break and look forward to seeing your son back at school on Tuesday 13 July.

God Bless

This week the College recognised National Refugee week.

In and outside classes there has been a focus on recognising the stories and raising the profile surrounding the issue of Refugees and people seeking asylum.

The theme for Refugee this year is, UNITY – The way forward. The common theme is a reminder that, regardless of our differences, we all share a common humanity. It aims to showcase the spirit of welcome and support that characterises Australian communities and to highlight the importance of working together to guarantee better opportunities for refugees in Australia. This theme mirrors the very heart of the Gospel – that God embraces all people as family, and we have the privilege of doing likewise.

Monday: The week began as staff gathered and shared from the E-Cookbook purchased by the College. Staff shared their learnings of refugee experiences whilst enjoying a plate of food prepared from the cookbook.

The Ebook is accessible here with a small donation:

https://action.refugeecouncil.org.au/story_cookbook?_ga=2.199571821.2112018199.1623715803-1373150475.1619676891

On Tuesday: students and staff gathered to form a ‘Circle of Solidarity’. Here we stood together to publicly recognise and show our support for people seeking asylum and express hope for a united future.

Part of Anton’s (Justice and Solidarity Prefect) speech included:

To show unity as a country doesn’t start with politicians, it starts with us. Unity is an attitude, an action and acceptance of all people, including people from refugee backgrounds. This week at St Joseph’s, we are given a unique opportunity to make time to learn about the experiences of people from refugee backgrounds and to celebrate the valuable contributions made by refugees to the world. As a catholic community in the Edmund Rice tradition, we believe people seeking asylum, should be treated compassionately and humanely, as we would want to be treated as we all aim to live the Golden Rule in the name of St Joseph. We believe in a fast, efficient and fair process that enables people to rebuild their lives and thrive in the community.

Later in the year, once COVID restrictions ease, the College will host a screening of “Scattered people”

Scattered People is a 60-minute Australian documentary about the transformational and healing power of music – bringing together people, cultures and countries. Music can heal and transform on a personal and community level. But does music have the power to restore Australia’s compassion for some of the most vulnerable people in the world? The film features Saha and Mas, two young Iranian musicians. Fleeing their homeland and seeking asylum in Australia, they end up in immigration detention where Mas encounters the Scattered People band – a small group of kindred spirits who play music and create songs with refugees and people seeking asylum. Following their journeys, we observe how music breaks down barriers and gives Saha and Mas purpose, helping to shape their new identities in a new land/life and offering hope for the future. Including interviews and music from acclaimed musicians including Missy Higgins, John Butler, Michael Franti, Archie Roach, Katie Noonan, Dan Sultan, Harry James Angus, Robbie James (GANGgajang) and Baker Boy, Scattered People also explores how music can help unite, heal and restore our compassion for some of the most vulnerable people on our planet.

Due to the end-of-semester examinations occurring in the last week of term, semester one reports will be released during the first week of Term 3 on Friday 16 July through the PAM portal.

To provide more timely feedback, ongoing reporting of assessment has been occurring throughout the semester, so these reports will provide additional information depending on the curriculum pathway studied.

Year 7 to 10 Reports will also provide:

• An indication of your son’s progress against the Victorian Curriculum Standards

• An Enterprise skills scale which includes:

- Collaboration and Leadership (the ability of a student to contribute to a group task)

- Critical and Creative Thinking (the ability to reason, problem-solve, develop sound arguments, and create new ideas)

- Presentation Skills (the ability to communicate knowledge and thinking through oral and written presentations)

- Agency (the ability for a student to take ownership over their learning)

• A summary of assessment task results

• Class Attendance

• The Homeroom report should also have an indication of your son’s On-Demand Literacy and Numeracy score from our most recent testing.

VCE & VCAL Reports

• Work Practices scale which includes:

 - Effort (a measure of the student's approach to classwork)

 - Class behavior

• A summary of assessment task results

• Class Attendance

Victoria is transforming the delivery of senior secondary education with the introduction of a single senior secondary certificate that will offer greater access to quality vocational and applied learning pathways for all students. The senior secondary education reforms aim to provide access to education and training that is relevant, engaging and that delivers in-demand skills for the future world of work, ensuring that students can access education that leads to employment.

Next year students will still be able to enrol in either the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). The following year, in 2023, VCAL students will be enrolled in the new VCE Vocational Specialisation or the new foundation pathways certificate which will be introduced to replace Foundation VCAL.

The VCE Vocational Specialisation will be recognised internationally, be valued by employers and will build on the strengths of VCAL including providing:

• flexible timetables that allow students to study at school, TAFE and work
• opportunities to experience real-life workplaces
• subjects that will build students skills and prepare them for life after school
• greater access to high quality VET learning, either in school, a neighboring school or a local TAFE

The new certificates are part of a suite of 38 reforms recommended in the Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth Review) to lift the quality and perception of vocational education and help more students access high-quality applied learning programs.

Course selection in 2022

We are supporting all students in their course selections for 2022 and are providing the following advice and information to students considering a VCAL pathway.

If students are studying VCAL in 2022 they will transfer into the VCE Vocational Specialisation with credit for completed VCAL subjects in 2023. In 2023, students will continue to study Senior VCAL subjects in the new certificate as part of the implementation process. At the end of 2023, these students will be awarded the VCE Vocational Specialisation if they meet the requirements.

Students who are studying Foundation VCAL over multiple years, including in 2022, will transfer into a new foundation pathways certificate in 2023 with credit for completed subjects. These students will study the new foundation subjects and graduate with the foundation pathways certificate.

This approach provides assurance and clarity to current Year 10 students some of whom will be among the first cohort to receive a VCE Vocational Specialisation certificate in 2023.

The following diagram sets out the senior secondary pathways for students commencing the VCE or VCAL in 2022.

* Note: Students can also move between certificates

If you would like to talk further about these changes please contact, Brad Smith, Head of Learning Mt Sion. To learn more about Victoria’s senior secondary certificate reform, you can email the Senior Secondary Reform team.

On Friday 14 May, the Year 12 Environmental Science class went on an excursion to Mount Rothwell, 450 hectares of land with endangered native Australian species roaming free of the dangers of feral cats and foxes. It was an eye-opening and amazing experience to go and see a way that people are conserving native animals that many people have never seen before. We went trapping for southern brush-tailed wallabies in which less than 100 remain in the wild, weighing and marking down in a folder the ones we found. I even managed to pet one as we released it, the fur was much softer than I thought it would be.

It was such a great opportunity to go see these animals that are extinct in the wild, and I would definitely recommend taking this class to learn about the dangers on our native animal and plant species and then what we can do to act on them.

Parent / Caregiver Careers Information Teams Meeting

I will be running a Microsoft Teams meetings for parents and families who would like to learn more about subject selection and pathway considerations at SJC. I will be presenting a Careers FAQs session, which demonstrates where parents and caregivers can locate information on the SJC Careers Web Page to assist with these important decisions. There will be some time at the end of the session to ask questions.

The Teams meeting will take place on Wednesday 14 July at 7pm.

A Teams Meeting request will be sent to all Year 10 and 11 students, on Tuesday 13 July, to give parents and families access to this meeting.

• Karen Shum

School holidays – career events

The term break is the perfect time to explore your post-school options!

The following are examples of events running through the term break (less than two weeks to go!).

University campus tours

The following are examples of three Victorian universities running campus and faculty tours.

Campus and faculty tours are a fantastic way to have a personalised tour, ask questions in a small group, and see behind the scenes of labs, buildings and student areas.

As some open days are virtual this year, this will be one of the only chances to have a personalised site tour in 2021.

Monash University

www.monash.edu/campus-tours

Deakin University

http://bit.ly/3bmUX8O

Victoria University

https://study.vu.edu.au/campus-tours

University experience days

The following are examples of three Victorian universities running experience days. These events give you the chance to experience life as a university student, participate in course focussed workshops based and speak to course advisers.

Australian Catholic University

Experience ACU

Melbourne campus: Tuesday 29 June

Ballarat campus: Tuesday 28 September

https://bit.ly/34cGZlD

The University of Melbourne

A Day at Melbourne

Thursday 8 July

Morning session - https://bit.ly/3wOgJdm

Afternoon session - https://bit.ly/3vJb4oM

Torrens University

School Holiday Workshops

2 – 8 July

Health, Design & Technology, Business

Melbourne campus

https://bit.ly/2S49z6e

SAE Creative Media Institute

Create for a Day workshops

Saturday 3 July

Film, Animation, Audio & Music, Design, Games, Songwriting, Music Production

Melbourne campus

https://bit.ly/3vusvsk

Interest programs

Interest programs are for students who would like to learn about specific career areas.

The Santos Science Experience

3-day STEM program for Year 9 and 10 students

RMIT and Swinburne Universities

www.scienceexperience.com.au

Do it with DATA: Tackling climate change

For Year 12 students interested in learning how the power of information can be harnessed to reverse climate change and champion a healthier world.

Tuesday 29 June

Monash Clayton campus

https://bit.ly/3wt83cn

Discover Business

For Year 11 and 12 students interested in learning about Monash University business and commerce courses.

Wednesday 7 July

Monash Caulfield campus

https://bit.ly/3bUGp06

Information session

Endeavour College of Natural Health

For students interested in exploring natural health courses at the College

Wednesday 30 June (online)

www.endeavour.edu.au

Open Days

If you are considering studying at TAFE or university after school, it is crucial that you participate in Open Days.

Throughout the year, vocational and tertiary institutions showcase their courses, accommodation, scholarships, pathway courses, student services and their ‘point of difference’

Open days are held on campus, virtually, or a combination of both.

At an Open Day, you will be able to:

If the open day is on campus, you will be able to do the above plus the following:

Don’t just pick a course at an institution without visiting the campus – you potentially will be spending several years studying there and spending tens of thousands of dollars on your course and accommodation.

It’s worth making the effort.

My Career Match has developed a fantastic guide to assist you to get the most out of open days and Career Expos. You can access the article at this link - https://bit.ly/2JgflLb

This year the majority of Victorian universities will run a combination of on-campus and virtual open days. The following are examples of universities who have confirmed dates:

La Trobe University

www.latrobe.edu.au/openday

RMIT University

www.rmit.edu.au/openday

Swinburne University of Technology

www.swinburne.edu.au/openday/

Federation University

https://bit.ly/31bhBul

Deakin University

https://openday.deakin.edu.au/

The University of Melbourne

https://study.unimelb.edu.au/openday

Monash University

www.monash.edu/open-day

Australian Catholic University

https://openday.acu.edu.au/

Skills Spiderweb

Try out the Job Outlook Skills Spiderweb! Different jobs need different skills. The Skills Spiderweb shows 12 skills that are common across many jobs.

The size of the web shows the level of skill or expertise workers usually need to perform well in their job. The larger the web the higher the skill level. You can use the Skills Spiderweb to:

· Learn about the skills needed for jobs that interest you

· Get a sense for the skills you might have built from your past jobs

You can access the Skills Spiderweb via https://tabsoft.co/3q04ic9

Employment resources

Do you need a Tax File Number (TFN)?

If you are planning to get a job or if you would like to study at university or TAFE next year, you will need a TFN. You will need to apply for a TFN – these aren’t issued automatically.

To start the application process, go to http://bit.ly/2aLCSjJ

Find out about your rights at work:

Learn about your rights, responsibilities, how to resolve issues in the workplace and rules about unpaid work, https://bit.ly/1Svl7DP

Learn about safety in the workplace:

Your rights and responsibilities - https://bit.ly/2K2AYPK

How to stay safe - https://bit.ly/2VA24j5

Competitions

Creative Arts

Bright Awards – run by Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University. Entries are now open for students in years 10-12 and their school to win monetary prizes to help kick start creative dreams. Applications close 15 November, https://bit.ly/3xm8Z2x

Film + Japanese

Video Matsuri Contest. You will produce a short film that includes the Japanese language. Applications close 1 September, https://bit.ly/2BaMqWY

Science Writing

UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing. For students in Years 7 – 10. Applicants will write a short essay on ‘STEM in everyday life’. Recipients can win a fantastic set of prizes, including publication in Australia’s top science websites. Applications close 27 August, https://bit.ly/3eZJ8VJ

Wildlife photography

2021 Crikey! Magazine Photography Competition. This is a partnership between Crikey! Magazine and the Australia Zoo. Applications close 31 August, https://bit.ly/2ACCKV2

Upcoming career events

Monash University – Inside Monash

Monash University is running the following virtual sessions for prospective students in July. For information and to register visit www.monash.edu/inside-monash

You can watch recorded seminars from past events via www.monash.edu/inside-monash

Monash University – Information Evenings

Monash University is running the following course information sessions for prospective students in July. For information and to register visit www.monash.edu/information-evenings

Western Victorian Careers Expo

This event will be run online and there is a huge range of exhibitors that students and families can connect with.

Whilst this event is targeted to students in Western Victoria, all prospective students are welcome to participate.

Date: Tuesday 22 June, 9.30am – 3pm. Information and RSVP: https://bit.ly/3fuUdhR

Virtual Careers Expo 2021

Connecting students to more than 50 tertiary providers including Torrens University Australia, Virtual Careers Expo provides a wealth of information on course offerings, study options and career outcomes.

Students from anywhere in the country can log in to explore virtual expo halls, tune in to seminars and presentations, download course guides, take virtual campus tours and connect with staff and students.

Date: 16 July 2021

Information and RSVP: https://bit.ly/3ffrPSS

Deakin University

Discover Deakin

Deakin is hosting the following online seminar for prospective students in June:

Information - https://bit.ly/2Phjwfa

Accommodation

Find out about accommodation at Deakin University by tuning into an online webinar during July, https://bit.ly/2RRPCj2

Victoria University – Undergraduate Webinar Series

Victoria University is running a series of information evenings for prospective students focussed on courses and study areas in June.

For information and to register visit https://study.vu.edu.au/ug-webinar-series

Endeavour College of Natural Health

Endeavour College is located in Melbourne and offers courses in the following study areas:

• Acupuncture
• Myotherapy
• Naturopathy
• Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine
• Complementary Medicine.

The College is an onsite open day for prospective students on Saturday 19 June

For information and to RSVP, visit www.endeavour.edu.au

RMIT University – Discover What’s Next

RMIT University is running the following online information sessions for prospective students in June and July.

These are events not to be missed as you will receive up to date information for the 2022 intake and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about courses.

June

July

For information and to register for sessions, go to www.rmit.edu.au/events

Free webinars

The Tertiary Information Service is running the following free online webinars:

Year 10 Subject Selection Webinar: 23 June, 4pm

VTAC Applications Webinar: 14 July, 4pm

Transition and Moving Away From Home Webinar: 15 September, 4pm

For information and to register your place, visit www.tis.org.au

Victoria Police

For career information session dates, visit https://bit.ly/3uBvCOQ

Australian Defence Force

For career information session dates, visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/events

The NCCD is an annual count of students who are being provided with adjustments to support their access and participation in education. All Australian schools and approved authorities for schools participate in the NCCD each year.

Parents, guardians and carers have an important role in their child’s education. They work collaboratively with the College to ensure that the school understands their child’s needs and that appropriate adjustments are made to enable access to education.

Further information regarding the NCCD can be found at https://www.nccd.edu.au/ or by contacting Natasha Scanlon on [email protected]

On Wednesday 19 May, Year 10 public speaking students Colby and Jaeger competed in the Victorian Plain English speaking awards (PESA), against a range of students from Years 10 - 12.

Hosted at Sacred Heart College, the format of the event consisted of a 5-6 minute prepared speech on an issue that shows an awareness of a world beyond their immediate environment. The speeches were marked with a bell at five minutes and a final bell at six minutes. Colby delivered a speech on transparency of government and subsequent silencing of whistle-blowers and Jaeger, ambition in world leaders and that very ambition leading to their downfall. Topics from fellow competitors from a range of regional schools included regulation of large pharmaceutical companies, free speech, domestic violence and a range of other important worldly issues and subjects. Following the prepared speech, the second aspect of the competition was the impromptu speech. The impromptu set topic will be broad and will assume knowledge of current social and political issues. The topic given was ‘the pursuit of happiness,’ due to the ambiguity of the prompt, a range of interpretations were put forward by the competitors. 

Jaeger spoke to the old adage ‘money cannot buy you happiness’ and that in the pursuit of happiness one must experience highs and lows to truly find happiness as alluded to in the quote from famous American painter Bob Ross “Gotta have a little sadness once in a while so you know when the good times come.” On the other hand, Colby provided insight into the futility of the pursuit of happiness speaking to a family who went on holiday to escape from life’s problems and to be happy, only to have the same problems in a different place, he said “happiness cannot buy you that chair, that table or the uniforms on your back!”. 

Other participants combined knowledge of popular culture and personal anecdotes in their address of the topic. Year 12 and 11 students from Geelong College and Oberon College took out the 1^st and 2^nd places respectively, with the adjudicators mentioning the quality of prepared speeches, impromptus and participants our region provided. Colby and I would like to extend a massive thank you to Mr Darley for organising this event for us and for assisting us immeasurably in the formation and editing of our speeches and preparation for the impromptus.

Philanthropy at St Joseph's College is shaping the present and the future.

Every gift, no matter the size, has a positive influence on our boys learning environment. It gives every boy the opportunity to fulfil his personal potential, benefiting from the College’s staff, learning environment and programs to “Strive for the Highest”.

The College would like to extend its sincere thanks to all of our generous community that support our Gifting Program. The results have been outstanding.

So, how has gifting continued to make a difference here at St Joseph's?

Read our Impact of Giving report below.

If you would like a hard copy of the impact of Giving, or to know any further information regarding Foundation activities or support, please don’t hesitate to contact Kristen Gleeson or Cameron Ling.

A new event in 2021 is the SJOCA Race Day, join us at Geelong Race Course for a day full of fun, includes a two-course meal, race book, and beverages.
Check out all the details below - everyone is welcome to come and join us at the track on Friday 13 August!

2021 WINTER SLEEPOUT

HELP BREAK THE RECORD

300 students participated in the 2020 Winter Sleepout.

Our 2021 target is 450!

We currently have 350 students registered. Take the challenge and help us smash the record.

Register via this link: 2021 Winter Sleepout at home

If you have any questions please email [email protected]

After the great lacuna that was 2020, “Live and Kicking” marks the triumphant return of Geelong’s live music scene, featuring an electric line-up of local musicians guaranteed to recharge your love of live music.

Join us at the Barwon Club on Sunday 27 June from 3:00pm.

3PM DOORS OPEN
3:15-3:45PM FINBAR CLEARLY (BEER GARDEN)
3:45-4:15PM MINK MILA
4:15-4:45PM PATRICK CONSIDINE (BEER GARDEN)
4:45-5:15PM METHODS
5:30-6PM BRUNETTE RED DRESS
6:15-6:45PM OPERATION KARMA
7-7:30PM SLIDE MY WAY

Book your tickets online via the Barwon Club website!

Book Tickets

Our Year 9 and 10 ACC Football teams were both crowned premiers yesterday in two incredible school football matches. Our Year 9 and 10 Soccer teams also reached the Grand Final but went down in two hard fought games. The Year 10 Footballers were jumped by St Bede’s but wrestled back momentum to be level at half time. Five goals to none in the second half saw them run out 40-point victors. The Year 9 Footballers were dominant all year but Parade served it up to the boys and led for most of the day. Six points down at ¾ time, the boys came home strongly kicking four goals to one in the last to run out 8-point winners. The Year 10 Soccer boys took on a strong St Bernard’s team and were outplayed for much of the day going down 5-1. The Year 9 Soccer Grand Final saw both undefeated teams square off and it was Parade that came out on top of our boys 5-2. We are extremely proud of all of the boys who represented the Football and Soccer teams this year and congratulate all of those involved.

A full list of results are available below: 

Our Fashion Dinner volunteers are busy planning this wonderful fundraising event, and they need your help! 

Be more than a guest at the show – we are seeking help with table sponsorships, goodie bag donations and silent auction items. If you think you can help and would like your business promoted in the Greater Geelong community, please email [email protected] or call 5226 8122. Tickets go on sale Monday 5 July!

Please note that Westcourt Campus will be closed during the two-week holiday break from 28 June – 9 July.

From 28 June - 2 July Edmund Rice Campus Reception will be open from 8:30am - 4:00pm. 

From Monday 5 – Friday 9 July Edmund Rice Campus will be closed.

Please note that Friday 25 June is a student-free day and Term 2 will finish at 3.20pm on Thursday 24 June.