Today’s newsletter article is devoted to highlighting some really important community wellbeing initiatives the College has been able to secure. The COVID-19 restrictions and remote learning has reinforced the importance of standing in solidarity as an SJC community and the need for a healthy partnership between parents/carers, school and students has never been so crucial. We are looking at ways in which we can provide relevant information and professional development for our parent body and wider community to help get the best out of ourselves and each other in these challenging times.
We are very proud to call ourselves a restorative practices school. Restorative practices assist teachers, students and parents to build, maintain and restore relationships. Kristie Elliot, Director of Restorative Pathways, has put together a parent webinar called “Restorative Approaches for School Communities.” The webinar will help you understand the restorative philosophy, provide a picture of what it looks like in schools but mainly it is designed to help you and your children to navigate challenges, resolve problems and replace relationships using a restorative lens. I hope you enjoy this webinar.
St Joseph’s families can also join an online webinar on Tuesday 8 September called “Supporting Adolescents to Make Positive, Safe and Responsible Choices online.” This is an opportunity that has been especially gifted to the SJC community and we are privileged to have the E Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant present to us, along with Principal Tony Paatsch, e-Safe experts and key personnel from Headspace. Organisers are anticipating this to be a Geelong region event hosted by St Joseph’s. We will advertise this event as we get closer but I urge you all to mark it in your diaries.
The following week, Wednesday 16 September we will again invite all SJC families to join a special screening premier of the film ‘Angst’. From the producer of ‘Screenagers’ and ‘LIKE’, this short documentary style film focuses on anxiety and teenage mental health. I have had the privilege of watching the documentary and I am confident this will appeal to all Year 7-12 students and families. The screening will commence with a welcome from Executive Producer, Scilla Andreen. After watching the documentary, we will be treated to a panel who will engage in an interactive Q&A type forum. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will be part of this panel as will Scilla and other members of the film. Again, we will advertise as we get closer and we are keen for you to join this event https://angstmovie.com/about/.
We have also secured a partnership with LifeChanger Foundation, a non-profit organisation who will come in and work with all our Year 8 students in 2021. LifeChanger was formed in 2017 by Scott Watters and Trevor Hendy. LifeChanger’s mission is to create a generational shift in society by focusing on positive psychology to ‘Awaken the Hero’ that lives within Australian youth. Their objectives are to build sustainable, growth-mindset communities by providing interactive sessions with students on Health, Gratitude, Connection, Resilience and Purpose. What we love about the program is that it offers mentor training to help with the session facilitation. We see this as a wonderful opportunity to give Mt Sion (Year 10-12) students an opportunity to gain this mentor qualification and give back to the younger years. Our first mentor training session will be held on the final day of term, 18 September at 9:00am. Details will be sent to our students. Feel free to check out their web site https://lifechanger.org.au/.
Finally, we have sent surveys to all our students regarding Remote Learning 2.0 and we have been impressed with the information we are receiving. We intend to send out a parent/carer survey so we can continue to shape our delivery based on informed data from our families who are at home experiencing remote learning first hand. We will also send out more information about our new online method to conduct our parent/student/teacher interviews. This information will be attached to the Principal’s communication e-mail next week.
Thanks everyone, let’s remain positive, calm and safe throughout the remaining weeks of Term 3.
28 Days for Climate Campaign
The ‘28 Days for Climate Campaign’ is a month long national campaign, taking place across Edmund Rice Colleges Australia wide. Led by the ERA (Edmund Rice Advocacy) For Change Group, staff and students around Australia are calling for climate justice. Advocating that our politicians take a stronger stance against climate change.
As a group, we are committed to being a voice for the voiceless and advocates for the planet and people that are suffering due to climate change and inaction. Through the campaign, we are drawing on the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si. ‘Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience’, which directs us as Catholics, to stand up and advocate for the future of our planet and its people.
Over the month-long campaign, each week will adopt a different focus, ranging from responsible water and waste management to emissions reduction. There will be a prayer focus for each week along with students being encouraged to be actively involved in the campaign by joining in with weekly activities on the SIMON Daily Messages. The campaign will conclude with the sharing of a video with combined messages from Edmund Rice Schools across Australia calling for our politicians to be more future focused in their work on climate change. For further information, please follow our ‘ERA for Change –Speak Up’ posts on our St Joseph’s social media over the coming weeks. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Lachlan Kelly - Victorian Student Representative for ERA for Change
Gospel Spirituality Prefect
Nourished by Hope
Reflection from our Faith Development Coordinator
In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear the disciples call, ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me,’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves he handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds.’ In this moment we are reminded, that Jesus nourishes us.
In a world fraught with uncertainty, he offers purpose. To a world that is stumbling in darkness and confusion, he provides direction. What we learn here, is that Jesus will not allow those who follow him to languish alone without hope.
Sometimes, all we need is to open our eyes wider in order to see how those around us are already providing nourishment. God’s generosity exceeds all of our expectations, but we can see this generosity already happening within our community. Now more than ever, as we continue our second chapter of remote teaching, may we be endlessly kind and generous with our time, compassion and empathy towards each other.
Whether you are in my position and will be busy with young children to homeschool or whether you are living alone and feeling isolated, or if you’re somewhere in between, Jesus has shown us that a small gesture can go a long way. So check in on your friends, check in on your sons and provide nourishment as best as you can. The feeling of being spiritually nourished and not left behind is the message that Jesus is imparting in this Gospel. All we have to do is reach out to receive it.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us love, confidence and the ability to nourish others. Help us look to You when our days seem hard and our anxieties are high.
Help us to always be kind and thoughtful as we navigate through another round of lockdown and remote teaching and learning. Guide us to be spirit-filled people who radiate positivity and hope. Amen.
Belinda Milverton - Faith Development Coordinator
Term 3 - UPCOMING EVENTS
17-23 August - Keep Australia Beautiful Week
September - National Biodiversity month
7 September - National Threatened Species Day
7-14 September - National Organic Week
22 September - World Car-Free Day
ADVOCACY AND CLIMATE ACTION
As online learning has become ubiquitous with the 2020 learning experience, there has been an emerging transition toward advocating for Climate Action online, commencing with the Student Strike for Climate on 15 May. More recently, selected student leaders participated in an ERA for Change conference on advocacy and the resounding feedback was their desire to advocate for Climate Change and Indigenous perspectives. Following this experience, student Leader Lachlan Kelly was nominated as our National Edmund Rice Australia student representative and together with fellow leaders; William Baum, Patrick Day, Patrick Fitzgerald and Thomas Romanuik, they are spearheading a new digital campaign "28 days for Climate #Speak Up". Commencing with water, each week will transition to a different environmental theme, including energy, waste and emissions.
Although the total water volume on Earth is approximately 1.3 billion km3, it is alarming that only 2.5% of this is drinkable and only 0.5% of this portion is accessible, as the rest is either contained in icecaps/glaciers or soil.
As Australia is the driest, inhabited continent, we rely heavily on our reservoirs, reticulated water and rainwater tanks, groundwater supply, recycled and desalinated water to access high quality water that we are accustomed.
In alignment with the "28 days for Climate # Speak Up" campaign, many simple steps can be undertaken at home, to help conserve the use of our precious water commodity.
Tips for saving water:
-Shorten showers by 5 minutes (showers may use 100L every 5 minutes - which may add to 58,400 L per year - This is equivalent to 29,000 x 1.25 L bottles of water)
-Shave separately from shower time
-Turn the tap off whilst brushing your teeth
-Water a plant at the end of the day with water remaining in your water bottle
KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL WEEK
In keeping with the National Keep Australia Beautiful this week and with current COVID restrictions in place, it provides us with an opportune time to tend to the "one day" tasks, such as cleaning out the shed, spare room or storage space at home. Many "preloved" items including white goods and E-waste (anything with an electrical cord) may be recycled free of charge at the Resource Recovery Centres. For more information regarding specific items and quantities, visit the links below:
City of Greater Geelong Recycling Guide:
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/recycling/guide/default.aspx
To book a hard Waste collection through the City of Greater Geelong:
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/hardwaste/task/item/8d685f3095202db.aspx
Geelong Resource Recovery Centre:
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/recycling/centre/article/item/8cb8188ceff1506.aspx
Drysdale Resource Recovery Centre:
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/recycling/centre/article/item/8cb81bfe83a5e6e.aspx
Year 9 student Lachlan Wood will this week take to the skies for his first solo flight! When most of our young men will be thinking about studying for their driving licence, Lachlan has spent the last 12 months taking weekly flying lessons at Lethbridge Airport. His first ever solo flight is scheduled for some time in the next week and we wish him all the best as he follows his passion for flying. One day hoping to join the Air Force and pursue his dream of flying jets. There was a full article on Lachlan in the Geelong Advertiser on Wednesday 19 August, read the article online at https://regionalnews.smedia.com.au/geelongadvertiser/default.aspx?publication=NCGA. Photo Credit: Geelong Advertiser.
Our SJC community has been lucky enough to have enlisted the support of Brianna and David Morgan from the Geelong Athlete Centre to run our Training Tuesday’s LIVE lunchtime sessions. These sessions have been really well received and the feedback from both staff, students and parents who have participated has been overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to watching Mr Kennedy, Mr Walsh and finally Mr Paatsch make special appearances in the final few sessions – Make sure you tune in to heckle and out do them
I wanted to give you a little more information about our highly experienced PT’s and what they can offer our young men at their Gym.
Brianna and David Morgan co-founded Geelong Athlete Centre and it has been the couple’s combined love of sport and coaching that helped the concept to materialise.
“We believe that all athletes, junior, weekend warrior, elite or injured should have the opportunity to train in an elite performance facility with elite coaching, testing and programming to support their sporting goals and performance.”
"Too many athletes are going down the route of joining group fitness classes at gyms designed for general health and fitness. There is a big difference between training for general fitness and training for sports performance. The process of preparing an athlete for their sport involves an in depth knowledge and application of sport science."
This is why Brianna has spent over six years at university studying her craft. With a Masters in High Performance Sport, an Honours in Human Movement and Bachelor degrees in Sport & Exercise Science and Sport Management, she has an in depth knowledge of how to prepare an athlete for high performance. She also has worked at elite organisations such as the VIS and the Geelong Football Club as a sport scientist. Bri has a passion for mastering her craft and maintaining coaching excellence and continues to up-skill with industry courses, is mentored by some of the country's esteemed S&C coaches and attends industry conferences to keep in line with current practice.
David is a proud St Joseph’s College Old Collegian. St Joseph’s has been a centre of influence for David not only through his school years, but also through his involvements with the St Joseph’s Cricket and Football clubs as a player and coach. He is passionate about helping young people reach their potential and this has been evident through his coaching both in junior and senior cricket and football and most recently his work as an assistant and development coach with the Geelong Cats AFLW program.
David and Brianna have over 20 years combined experience and love nothing more than helping athletes achieve their goals, transform their bodies and perform to their best.
Book Week will be celebrated next week at SJC, from Monday 23 August – Thursday 26 August. Competitions are now open to entries. The theme is Curious Minds and there is a range of curious activities in which students can participate. There will be book voucher and canteen voucher prizes awarded for winning entries.
For all of the entry details, click on this link to go to our Book Week LibGuide or click on the Book Week link on the library homepage.
Competitions and activities include:
• Writing Competition: Curious Minds
• Match the staff member to their curious book
• Curious Minds Trivia Quiz
• Design a bookmark that the library can print
• ClickView movie playlist to invite curiosity
• Curious reading lists – print and digital (fiction and non-fiction)
VTAC Presentation for Year 12
I am running a Year 12 VTAC presentation on Wednesday 19 and Wednesday 26 August. Students will be sent a zoom invite prior to period 5. They should click on this link. The presentation will begin at 2:15. Parents / caregivers are welcome to attend.
Students and families are able to access the VTAC narrated presentation via the SJC Careers Webpage. Click on this link – scroll down to Year 12 section. https://www.sjccareers.com/custom-page/3
SEAS Presentation to Year 12
Deakin will be hosting a SEAS presentation for our Year 12 students on Wed 02 Sep from 2pm. I will send Year 12 a link to this via zoom prior to the session on the day. Students should keep an eye out for the zoom invite in their email account.
University applications open
You are now able to apply for university and TAFE courses across Australia. For most courses, you apply via state-based Tertiary Admission Centres. Below are the weblinks for each state:
Victoria: Victoria Tertiary Admissions Centre
NSW/ACT: Universities Admissions Centre
SA/NT: South Australia Tertiary Admissions Centre
Queensland: Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre
Western Australia: Tertiary Institutions Service Centre
Tasmania: apply directly to the University of Tasmania
You will need access to a computer or smart phone, your student ID number, and a PayPal account or credit/debit card.
You will be able to apply for special consideration, some access and equity scholarships and some early entry/guaranteed programs via the Tertiary Admission Centres.
Get help with the VTAC application process
VTAC are running the following two online events for Year 12 students and their parents. The webinars cover various aspects of the application process and are presented live so that students and parents can ask questions throughout.
Applying for tertiary courses (and understanding the ATAR): Monday 17 August, 6.30pm
Understanding special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships: Tuesday 18 August, 6.30pm
For information and to register for any of the above sessions, visit https://bit.ly/2EIAvkT
Early admission programs
August closing dates for some early admission programs include:
University of Wollongong
Early Entry
Friday 14 August, https://bit.ly/2wvqljF
Swinburne University
Early Entry Program
28 August (Round 1), https://bit.ly/2WiPub5
La Trobe University
Aspire Program
Monday 31 August, http://bit.ly/2v9WOLN
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt Advantage
Monday 31 August, https://bit.ly/2UmOlgT
Virtual open day dates
The following are upcoming dates for several Victorian based institutes.
Swinburne University
Wednesday 12 August, http://bit.ly/2ImxYvr
CQUniversity
Saturday 15 August, https://bit.ly/32g5b6U
JMC Academy
Saturday 15 August, https://bit.ly/2ChRI3R
LCI Melbourne
Saturday 15 August, https://bit.ly/2DFFKBm
Deakin University
Sunday 16 August, https://bit.ly/33icNpW
Federation University
Sunday 16 August, https://bit.ly/31bhBul
Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Sunday 16 August, https://bit.ly/2DzIuka
Marcus Oldham
Sunday 16 August, https://bit.ly/2ChNfOt
The Hotel School Melbourne
18 – 20 August, https://bit.ly/3jsocZN
La Trobe University
Regional campuses
Sunday 23 August, http://bit.ly/3chXyPA
Federation University news
Take a virtual campus tour
If you’re considering studying at Federation University, you can take a virtual tour of the campuses at this link - https://bit.ly/3iyHrzL
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Midwifery
From 2021, the Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Midwifery double degree will be offered at the Gippsland campus, https://bit.ly/3afw7FR
Engineering – new pathway course
From 2021, applicants who don’t meet the entry requirements for Engineering degrees at Federation University will be able to apply for the Diploma of University Studies (Engineering). This course will facilitate entry into second year of an engineering degree at the university, https://bit.ly/33Ov6TK
Apprenticeships
Transdev Apprenticeship Program
Applications for heavy vehicle mechanic apprenticeships will open on the 1st of September. Students can register for an information webinar running on Monday 31 August, https://bit.ly/30LSy2j ;
Careers in Construction
Scholarships available from the Master Builders Victoria Foundation
If you’re thinking of undertaking a pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship or other construction-related training, there are scholarships available to provide financial assistance.
The Early Career Scholarship is valued at $2,200 and funds are split into two:
$1,200 towards approved course fees
$1,000 towards quality tools relevant to your trade
For more information or to request an application form, contact [email protected] or call (03) 9411 4555.
Recorded Career Webinars
CareersEvent.com have a series of recorded webinars that students can watch based on their career or course interest areas. Go to https://bit.ly/30NGJsq
Australian Catholic University news
Free HSC and VCE revision lectures
Australian Catholic University is running a series of free HSC and VCE revision lectures. You can access dates and register for sessions at this link - https://bit.ly/3irvVGc
Excel in a career in Global Studies and International Development
Make an impact on the world stage with a career in international development or global studies. Our students gain a greater understanding of complex international issues, the impacts of globalisation, and a changing society through the lens of an informed global perspective.
Here are some stories of our students and how they are making a world of difference:
For many it would be intimidating to keep Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Princess Mary of Denmark in the loop about your work. But for human rights advocate and ACU law and global studies student Sheneli Dona, it’s just part of the deal, https://bit.ly/2DyKvNz
Since graduating from ACU, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Global Studies graduate Catherine Middleton has seen firsthand how strong communities can build strong children in Myanmar, https://bit.ly/3afEdhv
Search Global Studies and International Development courses at www.acu.edu.au
Upcoming virtual events
Year 13 - Future of Work Expo
Year 13 are running another amazing expo for students! The theme for this expo is ‘Future of Work’. You can go into the running to win huge prizes by participating in webinars and there is an impressive line-up of guest speakers such as
• Dr Alan Finkel (Australia’s Chief Scientist)
• Janine Allis (the founder of Boost Juice)
• Stephen Scheeler (the former CEO of Facebook Australia and New Zealand)
This is an event not to be missed!
Dates: Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 August
Information and RSVP: https://bit.ly/30QbDQZ
Federation University – Your Fed Future
Federation University is running the following online webinar for prospective students:
August
13 Environmental & Conservation Science
17 Apply to Federation University
19 Bachelor of Biotechnology
26 Bachelor of Geoscience
Information and RSVP - https://bit.ly/2WfWfLo
Monash University – Online Information Seminars
Monash is running the following online seminars for prospective students:
August
12 Engineering
13 Music
19 Information Technology
20 Science
26 Debate: autonomous cars are better than human drivers
27 Law
Information and RSVP - https://bit.ly/2LaE3fA
Australian Catholic University – Talk with Industry series
Australian Catholic University is running the following online seminar for prospective students:
August
18 Talk with Arts graduates
Visit - https://bit.ly/2XwbkYr
Careers in engineering webinar
Join Careers with STEM co-founder and journalist Heather Catchpole in an interactive careers webinar as we speed test the latest edition of Careers with STEM: Engineering.
Meet engineers working on fascinating challenges and learn about how they got involved in their exciting careers
Date: 21 August 2020, 12pm – 1pm
Leonard King, 81 years of age, passed away peacefully at Luson the Vue Grovedale in August. Len was a much loved and loving father and grandfather of Angela (staff member) George, John (Year 12) and Sophia Gionis (Year 10 SHC).
In the fight for suicide prevention and awareness, The Black Dog Institute has started a 'Mullet for Mental Health' campaign. Throughout September, our team will be sporting a mullet to raise funds that will go towards mental health research and services. We hope all members of the SJC community join our cause and continue to advocate for such a worthwhile initiative - Anton Ridgway (Year 11) & Callum O'Leary (Year 12)
Raised: $15,024 (updated 14/8/2020)
Goal: $20,000
Link to join our SJC team: https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraisers/Headchecks?fbclid=IwAR0SCDhmIHXzUsShZRJaG5CfmYYx8AFeaP6-9SN0K3ehFDx4z3uyzY4WRGM
