Last week was child safety week. For many years the College has had detailed policies and procedures designed to ensure that our young people remain safe. Today, while these policies and procedures remain in place, we are focused more on developing a ‘culture’ of child safety.
A key element of this is making certain that our students understand their right to be safe, have the capacity to recognise anything that has the potential to make them unsafe and have the confidence to know what to do and who to inform should this be the case. The progress we are making was affirmed in our recent audit by the VQRA. The report was highly complimentary of our existing policy and practice and our progress towards an embedded culture of child safety.
Our governing body, Edmund Rice Education Australia, is currently making some changes in their governance relationship with schools which will be implemented from the start of 2021. While most of these changes will not be noticeable or impact on the day-to-day operation of the school there will be some changes to the way the College Board operates.
The most visible of these changes is the change in name from “College Board” to “College Advisory Council”. The rationale behind this change is to more accurately reflect the advisory nature of the Board (Council) and clarify that there is no personal legal or financial liability for members. The ‘Finance and Planning’ subcommittee will continue to advise the Board on relevant matters.
We have been fortunate to have had a period of great stability on the Board with minimal opportunity for new membership. From the start of 2021 a number of positions have become available on both the Board (Council) and the Finance and Planning subcommittee. I would like to encourage any members of the community interested in being considered for a position on one of these bodies to lodge an expression of interest. The form on which to do this can be accessed via this link
which should then be emailed to [email protected] . It would be helpful if these could be received by Friday 16 October.
Last week the College Student leaders for 2021 were announced. I would like to acknowledge with gratitude all students who made themselves available for consideration. The group appointed are an enormously impressive group of young men who enjoy the support of students and staff alike and who will continue to drive the strong supportive and aspirational culture of the College. Particular congratulations to College Deputy Captains Benji Mangar and Will Baum and College Captain Oscar Morrison.
Term 3 2020 will be recorded as one of the most challenging in our 85 year history. On the weekend I was in touch with Fr Emma in Mannya. In Uganda, schools are closed for the year, online learning is not conceivable, money and healthcare are in short supply. Perspective is important as Robert Fulghum is quoted in Phosphorescence by Julia Baird emphasises;
‘If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire ---- then you’ve got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience, life is inconvenient. Life is lumpy … A lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat, and a lump in the breast are not the same kind of lump. One should learn the difference.’
The term has been tough but not without some silver lining...and it could have been worse! As the term ends I wish all students and families a restful break. We return to one last week of remote learning on 5 October before welcoming all boys back onsite on 12 October.
Stay well
God Bless
Shaka Up for Mental Health
During remote learning, the Identity Team has come up with some creative and innovative ways for students to continue to help those in need and opportunities can be found on the student bulletin. Thank you to those students who have participated in the initiatives on offer throughout the term. This is a reminder that every student at every year level is required to complete 3 hours of service learning hours through the College. The service learning form under Student Links on SIMON must be completed in the same term that the service is performed. Students’ accrued hours can be viewed on Student Commendations; however, these hours will not be updated until week 4, Term 4 due to remote learning.
This week our newest wellbeing campaign was launched thanks to a partnership with Barwon Health and the St Joseph’s College Year 12 VCAL students. Mr Jack Jenkins and his Year 12 students, who have spent the term focusing on health and wellbeing in their personal development classes, have driven the campaign. Men’s mental health is an issue of great importance to our College community and the Shaka up for Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for the issue. All money raised stays in Geelong to support men’s mental health programs.
Instructions for participation are on the student bulletin and they have been emailed to all students. Please check out the promo video and make sure you follow the College social media pages for campaign updates. For further information and to donate, please visit Barwon Health’s website via the link: https://www.barwonhealthfoundation.org.au/shakaup
Leah Irving - Service Learning Coordinator
St Joseph’s Students Speak Up for ‘28 days for Climate’
This week our ‘ERA for Change’ student leader’s team have concluded the ERA National ‘28 days for Climate, Speak Up,’ campaign via our social media and daily messages. As a culminating event and advocacy action, Waterford students have been provided with a homeroom quiz based on the daily facts on Water, Waste, Energy and Emissions. Students have also been invited to participate in the final week of the campaign by sending out an electronic letter drafted by the student leaders to Australian politicians, calling them to act on our current climate crisis earning enviro-service time and a house point.
We have seen the healing powers of slowing down during this time of COVID19 on the environment across the globe. Air quality has improved as air traffic and fewer cars are on the road, waterways have replenished, our ecosystems have been given a chance to thrive. Let us not forget the positives of this time as it has offered us a taste of the air we might breathe in a low carbon future.
‘This current crisis reinforces just how unequal the impacts are globally, nationally and locally. The same people who are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are those who are most affected by the climate crisis. As Edmund Rice people, we are called to walk with them, to be prophetic in naming the injustices and to seek change in the structures that create and maintain them. And as Edmund Rice people, we are called to live this through the way we operate our schools, the way we engage with our communities and the way we seek to reach out beyond the school gates.’
(ERA Climate Change Statement Reference Group)
Year 7 Time and Space for Mothers/Carers and - Sons Session Online Term 4
We are pleased to announce that we will welcome Bill Jennings back to St Joseph’s for our annual Time and Space Mother and Son Evening Event for our Year 7 Mothers/Carers and Sons in an online format mid-term 4. Details to come in Term 4 via email.
‘In this most extraordinary and challenging of years for everyone, and especially for families, Time & Space is still able to deliver its programs. In 2020, they have developed ways to connect directly with families in school communities, in their homes with an online program. Time and Space programs are designed to strengthen and grow relationships, especially during times of change and transition.
'In a busy world, Time and Space provided time to stop, learn and discover what really matters in life.’ Bill Jennings – Time & Space.
As we move forward with much hope for all of our St Joseph’s community into a renewing spring holiday break, I share the words of St Mary MacKillop whose 10th year anniversary of her canonisation as Saint Mary of the Cross, Australia’s first Saint takes place in October.
‘Take fresh courage!’
Term break is a fantastic opportunity to catch up on some reading, whether it is a print book, an eBook or an eAudiobook. The library digital collection is available 24/7 to support our students and is continually updated with new resources. Click on the library homepage link on SIMON for access. As well as eBooks and eAudiobooks for recreational reading, the library online includes subject LibGuides, databases, online encyclopedias, research skills and referencing guides, news sources, a Wellbeing guide and more.
We are looking forward to welcoming students back into the library space when the school reopens in the second week of Term 4.
Returning resources on loan, and overdues
Resources that are currently on loan will be due back to the library when students return to school. Overdue reminders from our library system were disabled early in Term 3 so that students would not receive regular emails reminding them to return their items on loan. Due to the nature of this year, some students still have resources that they borrowed at the beginning of Term 1. Automated emails will be enabled again during Term 4 as a regular reminder. The library team will be following up all of these resources and would appreciate your support by encouraging their return when possible.
Last week was National Child Protection Week which happened to coincide with eSafety week and RUOK Day on the Thursday. At St Joseph’s College we have been promoting that RUOK Day is every day and all the wellbeing initiatives that have been introduced from the students and staff compliment the three themes of the week. I felt it important to communicate our initiatives with the community and I hope it makes you even more proud to be a part of it.
- Our Child Safety Officers put together a Child Safety online lesson providing all our students with a deeper understanding of their rights as a young person, the College’s commitment to providing a safe and inclusive education as well as guiding them towards the child safety student policy. The different types of abuse were also unpacked and the lesson concluded by highlighting the wellbeing supports we have in the school and the importance of speaking out against unsafe behaviours.
- Westcourt have been successful in a grant application with Project Rockit delivering a range of online webinars to the Westcourt students. These webinars have a focus on “Looking out for each other online” and “Taking positive action with digital wellbeing.” These have been run in the final weeks of term.
- Our VCAL department have made a partnership with Barwon Health which involves the Year 12 VCAL students completing a unit of work of men’s mental health and contributing to the #shakaupformental health campaign. Further explanation is provided by Leah Irving in the article below.
- We had a great interest in the webinar we hosted last week called “Supporting Adolescents to Make Positive, Safe and Responsible Choices on Line.” It was very insightful and helped both educators and parents understand the supports we are provided by the eSafety Commissioner who took the time to personally speak in the webinar.
- Likewise, the special screening premier of the film ‘Angst’ also proved to be an amazing experience for all involved. This was another opportunity for our families to sit with their sons and learn more about the anxiety that occurs in our lives.
- I have previously mentioned how we have also secured a partnership with LifeChanger Foundation, a non for 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 and their mission is to create a generational shift in society by focusing on positive psychology to ‘Awaken the Hero’ that lives within Australian youth. I have had a great uptake to the mentor program that is aligned with this with over 50 Mt Sion students signing up the 2.5 hour program which takes place tomorrow at 9.00am.
- The Movement and WellbeingProgram has proven to be an amazing asset offered to our students and staff throughout remote learning 2.0. 'Do 8 with a Mate' on RUOK Day allowed students be proactive in checking in with a friend and incorporating health and fitness whilst doing so.
- Toilet Rejuvenation Project. Research, in Australia and abroad, commonly finds students are dissatisfied with their toilet facilities, that students often avoid going to the toilet at school, and that expenditure on toilets is a low priority for many schools. A concerning number of St Joseph’s College students’ report avoiding eating and drinking throughout the day to ensure they do not need to use the facilities. The Respectful Relationships team, College Leadership and Headspace have made the connection between the provision of clean, pleasant and safe toilet facilities and young people’s short and long-term physical and mental health and learning outcomes. In response the College is reimagining the toilet facilities through the use of inspirational quotes, functional artwork and colour psychology.
- Thanks to the Year 10 Student Leaders who created a video message on Cyber Safety that was delivered to all our Year 7 Students.
- In the fight for suicide prevention and awareness, The Black Dog Institute has started a 'Mullets for Mental Health' campaign. Throughout September, our team will be sporting mullets of all shapes and colours to raise much needed funds, which 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) have been the driving force behind this campaign at St Joseph's, leading the team SJC HEADCHECKS. Team members: 51 (includes 2 staff – Dan Hale & Charlie Purdy + a number of past students and dads). Total funds raised so far: $30,000 approx.
- Mullets for Mental Health House Challenge – During the final weeks of term, students currently growing a mullet will be encouraged to send in a photograph of their mullet it in all its glory. A selection panel will choose the top 10 based on the following selection criteria: Length, Style and Flair. Winners will receive points for their House in the race for the Adam Bryant shield. More student lead initiatives to take place next term including ‘The Polished Man’ that will take place in October raising awareness against domestic violence.
- The College Respectful Relationships team are also planning to create a 2021 Respectful Relationships calendar with the help of the artistic expertise of an old boy Jake Hogan. We intend the calendar to highlight the important wellbeing and respectful relationships themes we have at the different times of the year with a real link to our EREA Touchstones. Watch this space.
Finally, thanks to all the support the families have provided the College throughout this term. It has been tough on everyone but we are feeling the strength and vibrancy of the community which is being led by the student leaders and those who are buying into all the initiatives listed above.
Click on the link below to read the latest careers news including information on VTAC, Scholarships, STEM Jobs, Virtual Open Days, Apprenticeships and more!
Give your VCE Studies a boost!
Lectures are open to all VCE students in Geelong district.
Lectures cover exam technique, sample exam questions and course overviews. Detailed lecture notes will be provided.
Lectures will be held online, links to lectures, notes and resources will be sent via email after booking.
Cost $35 per lecture.
ST JOSEPH'S VCE STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH INSTRUCTION AND A SPECIAL ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE CODE
This will allow SJC students to book at a special rate. Any bookings by St Joseph's boys made without the code cannot be refunded.
Bookings must be finalised by Friday 18 September 2020.
Book your lecture online:
www.trybooking.com/BLJIK
Lectures available and schedule:
IMMUNISATIONS
Please note the dates set for Year 7 and Year 10 immunisations have changed.
Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY vaccination will now take place on the Monday 26 October.
Year 7 second dose of HPV will now take place on Monday 16 November.
SJC OFFICE
The College Office will be closed from 4.00pm Friday 25 September and will reopen at 8.30am Monday 5 October.
STUDENT EPIPENS AND MEDICAL PLANS
The Office Manager has sent an SMS to families if their son’s anaphylaxis and/or epipen has expired or are about to expire.
We appreciate your attention to this and ask that you update new plans on Operoo, PAM and email a copy to [email protected]
New epipens, in the correct insulated pouch, are to be delivered to reception.
If a student is in a food tech class he is to come and get his pen, prior to the lesson, and return at the end.
St Joseph's Cricket Club
St Joseph's Cricket Club warmly welcomes any staff members, friends and family to come and have fun as part of their women's cricket team. No experience necessary....a fun, friendly and social experience is guaranteed!!
Come and try training sessions will be held at SJC as soon as current COVID-19 restrictions are eased and will be announced on the club Facebook page. Further details or to express interest please contact Michelle on 0419878854.
SJCC runs a strong junior female cricket program and welcomes any new participants to its junior program also.
Junior Cricket Information
St Joseph’s Cricket Club is welcoming new and returning players to the club for the 2020/21 season.
If you are new to our club or one of our returning families, we would love to hear you to answer any enquiries you may have, and to provide details on how to register with the club.
St Joseph’s Cricket Club has very strong junior programs. For secondary school students the club delvers:
• Sides in Boys U/11, U/13, U/15 and U/17 age-groups
• A senior development side for youths transitioning into senior cricket and
• Girls Stages 1 (9-14yrs), 2 (12-16yrs) and 3 (14-19yrs)
For further information please feel welcome to contact:
Junior Boys’ Cricket Coordinator Mark Appleford (M) 0427 314 516 (E) [email protected]
Junior Girls’ Cricket Coordinator Michelle Appleford (M) 0419 878 854 (E) [email protected]
Leading into the cricket season the club will run Girl's Cricket Come-and-Try Session - Ages 9-19 - All welcome (No experience necessary). Please contact us to register interest in these sessions.
Trinity Kids Australia Teen Empowerment Program
For kids 12-17 years. This program focuses on the importance of gratitude, empathy, resilience, emotional intelligence, anxiety management, managing triggers and reactions, self-awareness, building self-esteem and much more. Enrol now for Term 4 online. www.trinitykids.com.au
Orygen Youth Health
Orygen Youth Health are offering free training as part of a new study they are conducting, supporting Youth Suicide Prevention
The Parent Education for Responding to and Supporting Youth with Suicidal Thoughts (PERSYST) study aims to improve parents’ capacity to support young people at risk of suicide.
Victorian parents and carers of young people aged 12-25 living in Victoria are invited to take part in free suicide alertness training.
Participants can complete the training and all three questionnaires to assist in further research and data analysis.
Find out more at this link: https://www.orygen.org.au/Research/Currently-recruiting/PERSYST-(1)
Geelong Baycats Baseball Club
Geelong Baycats Baseball Club welcomes all players old and new for the 2020 / 2021 Summer Season.
MENS SENIORS for Baseball players 14 years and over
• Division 1 Firsts, Seconds,Thirds, Fourths & Division 2 Fourths
WOMENS SENIORS for Female Baseball players 13 years
• Division 2 and Division 3
JUNIOR COMPETITION
For Boys and Girls aged between 5 and 17 years of age
We have three main competitions - Teeball, Charter League and Baseball Victoria Summer League
For more information on the junior program email us at [email protected]
Come and join us at the Geelong Baseball Centre, Pioneer Rd. Grovedale
For more information follow us on our facebook page: Geelong BAYCATS Baseball Club
on our website: www.geelongbaycatsbaseball.com
or email us on [email protected]
Term 4 Regional Parenting Programs
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Surf Coast Youth School Holiday Program
Check out the attached posters for upcoming events hosted by Surf Coast Youth.
Learning new technologies from home is no easy feat, but students in Year 9 Full STEAM Ahead have had great success using the engineering design process to produce their very own computer-aided designs (CAD) of a custom tool to be 3D printed. The students then evaluated and iterated their design, using external feedback, video conferencing and photos, before re-designing their final product. Returning to school the students will get to take their 3D printed projects home to share with their client. Three of the best designs have been shared below:
Project Name: Shopping Handle
Student Designer: Noa Skoko
Have you ever had to take the groceries in the house and don't want to go for two trips to the trunk? Well that's my thinking everything: "ohh I can take all the bags in one trip". This
handy tool will help you carry the bags more efficiently and fix that problem every time.
I used the 3D printer to create this tool to make it easier for my mum to carry around
shopping bags. Its greatest strength is that for how small the object is it can carry up to 6kg
on one hook so that gives a total of a possible 18kg without breaking.
What I most enjoyed about this task was using the 3D printer. I learnt how a 3D printer works and how to use it. I also enjoyed testing my product and seeing everything work to plan. I also used TinkerCad for the first time and enjoyed playing around until I had a product I was satisfied with.
Product Name: Sanding Stick Mk 1
Student Designer: Angus Smith
The sanding stick was made with carpenters and woodworkers in mind the main problem the sanding stick is made to overcome is the struggle that tight corners and spaces provide for carpenters to sand and smooth down. The list of people who benefit from this product is
extensive ranging from carpenters and furniture makers to people that treat woodworking as a hobby.
The project was really enjoyable because I had to push myself to learn new skills and grow in my abilities to adapt and communicate. During this project I learnt how to manage my time more efficiently I learnt how to use the software TinkerCAD and I learned about and taught myself how to use Microsoft Sway.
Product Name: Universal Wrench
Student Designer: Cooper Heer
It works by locking on to the bolt and then when you apply pressure to the handle it will slowly undo the bolt. It is designed for small trades people or to be included in flat pack. I improved my design once it had printed and removed the block that I had put into the model that would hold it up when printing caused the handle to have a hole in the bottom making it uncomfortable to hold. With this project I learnt how to 3D model. I enjoyed the hands-on aspect and the 3D modelling of this project.
Shane McCarthy passed away at 68 years. He was a loving grandfather and father, was heavily involved in the Bannockburn community especially the bowls club. Shane was Grandpa to current student Liam Mc Carthy (Year 11). We are thinking of you at this sad time.
Ian Gerlach passed away peacefully at 82 years of age. Grandfather to current student Lachlan Doyle (Year 11). Rest in peace.
Ruth Mary Lilian Lynch age 86 years. Passed away peacefully at Brentwood aged care on 23/8/20. Grandma to Cormac Lynch (Year 12). Her grandsons Jackson Lynch, Blair Kelly and Mason Kelly are all old collegians. And her granddaughters Abbey Lynch, Tarah Kelly, Sian Kelly and Georgia Kelly all attended Sacred Heart College.
“Our hearts go out to you all as we pray “That God will welcome these faithfully departed into His loving arms. And that precious memories will be of comfort to those left behind, knowing that their love will live on in their hearts forever.”
When someone donates blood or plasma not only can they make a lifechanging difference for up to three people per donation, he/she can also donate as part of a team.
There are already 219 members in the SJC Lifeblood Team (awesome!) and to date there has been 51 donations this year which has accounted for 153 lives saved!
You can't travel far at the moment, but your blood can. It only takes an hour to donate, you get a drink and a snack afterwards and you can make a lifechanging difference.
Geelong Lifeblood Donor Centre:
Address: 136 Moorabool St, Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: (03) 5222 1699
Join the St Joseph's College Geelong Team and book your next appointment today!
https://www.donateblood.com.au/lifeblood-teams
Want to know more about donating blood?
https://www.donateblood.com.au/learn#how-donation-works
Join in the final week for the SJC Run Australia Challenge!
Your distance covered will count towards the Homeroom, Year Level, and House Team Challenges! You will also be accumulating km in the ACC School's Challenge!
The form opens on Friday and closes on Sunday every week so that the km's can be collated for Monday. Please submit one response with a total of the km's you have covered in the week.
Activities should be recorded using one of the fitness apps where possible for proof (Strava, Nike Running, Run Keeper, Map My Run etc).
NB: Suspicious activities will be cross-referenced subject to exclusion.
Click on the following link to submit your run/walk
https://forms.gle/hYbzDcguNXobesow8
You must be logged into your @sjc.vic.edu.au account for the form to work.
Distance Update from the SJC Run Australia Challenge
Distance calculated at midday Monday 14 September.
After starting last week outside Port Hedland WA, we visited Perth before starting the journey East back to Geelong! We are about to enter South Australia, 11201km into our journey with just over 1800km to go!
Jordan remain in front in the house challenge; the Year 7s have powered ahead in the year level challenge; and 7H and 7K are battling it out for the most kms in the HR challenge!
YEAR LEVEL
7 - 3689.1km
9 - 2625.2km
10 - 1024.7km
11 - 855.6km
8 - 785.3km
12 - 252.2km
HOUSE CHALLENGE
Jordan - 3933.0km
Butler - 3326.4km
Brophy - 2230.9km
Foley - 1710.5km
HOMEROOM CHALLENGE
7H - 993.1 - 1st - Mr Newton
7K - 963.1 - 2nd - Mrs Le-Rodda
9K - 959.2 - 3rd - Mr Doak
9F - 736.6 - 4th - Mr O'Connor
7C - 544.0 - 5th - Mr Darley
BUTG - 470.0 - 6th - Mr Adams
JORE - 401.0 - 7th - Mr Jenkins
9B - 345.8 - 8th - Ms Lunnon-Johnson
7E - 300.0 - 9th - Mr Crook
BROF - 273.4 - 10th - Mrs Milverton